You can tell Park 7 is something special from the moment you lay your eyes on the packaging. Instead of the bland black boxes we are used to from the Park series, the Disney Design Group used the wonderfully designed 40th anniversary collage.
Park 7 was released today at the D-Streets. With Walt Disney World celebrating it’s 40th anniversary, Park 7 and Park 8 will be focused on milestones from the Florida resort. Now, we talked on a podcast not too long ago (ep. 040) about the disparity between figures representing WDW as opposed to DLR and other parks. Some fans in Disneyland complain that many more figures are WDW-centric… and the numbers do support this. From Park 1 through Park 6, 31 figures (44%) are specifically WDW. Only 7 (10%) are from Disneyland. With 27 (39%) shared between the parks. That is just using the 12 base figures from each set and does not equal 100% as some figures are not from WDW or DLR. But you also have to take into account that WDW has 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a ton of resorts and Downtown Disney to pull from.
Let’s take a look at some highlights of Park 7. (Pak 7 Explained) In my opinion, the best design in the set is Philharmagic Donald.
It really takes Vinylmation to a different level. Some people might not like the huge bulky, outside the mold addition. But I think it is spectacular. I am biased, as this is one of my most favorite rides ever imagined.
I like Tink. I think this design is very well executed. The face is well proportioned. The outfit has that added sparkle. The wand and wings are icing on the cake.
Kali River Rapids is one of the more colorful Vinylmation you will ever see. It completely captures the art style used at the Animal Kingdom attraction.
I’m a big fan of the WDW resorts. I like walking around them, enjoying the food and shows they have to offer. The Polynesian Fire Dancer is a great representation of a classic WDW resort. The fire stick is unexpected and brilliant.
There really isn’t a miss in this set. Muppets 3-D is bright, colorful and spot on. America on Parade is a great nod to a long gone Magic Kingdom favorite and will go perfectly with the upcoming LE Fife and Drum set. Star Jets is awesome and uses the ears perfectly. World of Motion Sea Serpent really looks great up close and gives us EPCOT fans a little bit of nostalgia. I was a fan of the EPCOT 2000 ball with wand… and this figure, although a little awkward, actually works as a representation of that time. And the Earful Tower… if ever there was a no-brainer that just “fit” onto the Mickey-mold, it’s this. Then we have Figment. This one is the only area for minor criticism. But only that it’s my least favorite designed Figment we have gotten so far. It is still a well designed figure and as we know, comes with a variant.
Overall, Park 7 may replace Park 4 as my favorite overall set. I will figure that out and let you know by the next podcast. What are your thoughts on this milestone set?
