Brandon Struve was kind enough to send us some photos from a recent trip over to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, taking a look at the current state of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort now under construction. Let’s take a look:
In we go…
Read More about 8/6/11 Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Update
Update: 8/11/11 Disney changed the blog to now say that all 2500 will be sold at the event. I had thought that 500 seemed a little too low! (Thanks Michael!)
The Disney Store will have a big set up at D23 this August and is also celebrating 25 years. In addition to a ton of other merchandise, they will be selling a special 3″ Vinylmation and pin set. But does it live up to its other D23 releases? Check it out.
Release Date: August 19 at D23 Expo
LE: 2500 (All 2500 now sold at Expo)
Retail: $26.95
Artist: Jim Valeri
 |
| Copyright Disney |
This figure doesn’t impress me much. It is all silver with an artist Mickey face drawn on the head. The pattern looks cool, but the lack of color or contrast turns me off.
 |
| Copyright Disney |
As you can see, the body is just an ad for the Disney Store. I’ll gobble up every napkin or coffee stir that says WDW 40th on it, but the 25th of the Disney Store doesn’t do it for me. Its a nice looking logo, but again, the overall figure is blah.
 |
| Copyright Disney |
But did I tell you it comes with a pin? For the prices of a 2 figure combo pack you can get a Disney Store 25th Vinylmation and Pin. At not even a low LE, therefore not much trade value, I think this a pass for this D23 Expo guest. How about you?
Update: 8/9/11 (now invalid as of 8/11/11)
Only 500 Disney Store 25th Vinyl/Pin sets at D23; 2000 online. Our new contributor Disney North found this update for us:
@countdowntoD23 tweeted today:
There will be 500 of the @DisneyStore 25th Vinylmation to purchase at #D23Expo. 2,000 more to be sold online to D23 members only
@DisneyStore confirmed
@disneynorth Yes, Disneystore.com will release the remaining 2,000 25th anniversary vinylmation. They will be sold to D23 members only.
THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TAKES FANS BEHIND THE SCENES
AT DISNEY’S D23 EXPO, AUGUST 19-21
BURBANK, Calif. – August 9, 2011 – Exclusively at Disney’s D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Disney film fans will go behind the scenes to explore the exciting roster of projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios, with a variety of panel discussions, sneak peeks, and exhibits.
On Saturday, August 20, Rich Ross, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios; Sean Bailey, president, Production, The Walt Disney Studios; John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios; and Kevin Feige, producer and president, Marvel Studios, will present a not-to-be-missed look at The Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming film slate, which includes Disney’s The Muppets, John Carter, Disney•Pixar’s Brave, Marvel’s The Avengers, Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, Oz: The Great and Powerful, and more.
With projects from Disney, Pixar Animation Studios, and Marvel Studios, this special presentation will feature never-before-seen footage and all-star appearances by Jason Segel, Kermit, and Miss Piggy (Disney’s The Muppets), Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, and Willem Dafoe (John Carter), Kelly Macdonald and Kevin McKidd (Brave), Jennifer Garner (The Odd Life of Timothy Green), Jack McBrayer and Sarah Silverman (Wreck-It Ralph), cast members from Marvel’s The Avengers, and other surprise guests.
In celebration of 25 years of moviemaking magic, five sessions will be devoted to the artistry and technical wizardry of Pixar:
Expo attendees will also have access to advance screenings of an all-new 3D version of The Lion King, presented by RealD 3D, coming to theaters and homes this fall, and the upcoming ABC holiday special Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Out on the Expo floor, fans can explore the world of The Walt Disney Studios at their leisure with comprehensive exhibits, including:
The D23 Expo is an even that features celebrities, movie sneak peaks, what’s new at the Disney parks, the Disney Legends ceremony, trivia games, archive exhibits and much more. This years expo will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 19-21. It is touted as “The Ultimate Disney Event”. I’ll tell you, I attended D23’s Destination D event celebrating 40 years of Walt Disney World and they put on an amazing show. This is a must do for any Disney fan. There were a ton of surprised, like when Richard Sherman performed “One Little Spark” with the original Dreamfinder and Figment up on stage.
But we are here talking about D23 on this site because of the Vinylmation that will be on hand. D23 announced their Dream Store merchandise that they will sell at the event and Vinylmation is a large part of it. Like The Florida Project and Trade City, there is an RSP (Random Selection Process) for the Vinylmation. I’m surprised by the selection D23 is getting. They will have 4 pieces, just like the Florida Project. I think most people, like myself, expected more out of the Florida Project’s selection. Here are all the detail on the D23 Expo 2011 Vinylmation:
Update: 8/11/11 All 2500 Disney Store 25th Vinylmation will be available at the EXPO. Previously, Disney said 2000 would be available online to D23 members. Thanks to Michael for this update: “Disney just posted on their Vinylmation blog that “Good news! Due to popular demand, all 2,500 figures will be released at the Expo!”. Not “good” news to everyone.
Update: 8/10/11 Disney announced that Vinylmation lead designer Thomas Scott and Disney Design Group Artist, Alex Maher will be signing for guests at D23. Thomas Scott designed the 3″ Gladstone Gander figure available at D23 (see below). Alex Maher is more noted for his pins, but designed the 5 figure 9″ Disneyland Attractions Poster Set. Here is a signing schedule:
Friday, August 19, 2011 – 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at the Product Showcase and Trading Area
Saturday, August 20, 2011 – 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at the Product Showcase and Trading Area
Sunday, August 21, 2011 – 12 Noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Product Showcase and Trading Area
Disney also released a new product shot of the D23 Logo figure (details below)
 |
| Copyright Disney |
This, and the Gladstone figure, will both be released in these Open Window boxes. So no tins… not event the tin replacement boxes that we see other special event Vinylmation come in.
Update: 8/9/11 D23 will have the release of the Jr. 4 It’s a Small World and the 3″ 12 figure Lion King series. There will also be a signing with Lion King Vinylmation artists at D23 on Sunday, August 21 at 10am.
There will also be an exclusive Disney Store 25th Anniversary 3″ Vinylmation:
 |
| 3″ Vinylmation and Pin set. LE 2500. $26.95 |
ALL 2500 WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE D23 EXPO.
 |
| 9″ Metal Steamboat Willie. LE 350. $44.50 |
 |
| Add 3″ Flocked Lotso. LE 500. $14.50 |
 |
3″ D23 Logo (RSP #18) Artist: Maria Clapsis $13.95 (LE 4800) limit 5 per customer This is an example of a front not being as exciting as the back. We have Pixie Dust outlining Mickey’s features. Not very unlike the idea on 2009’s D23 Vinylmation:  |
 |
The back side of this figure is great. It might be a little plain, but I’m biased. Sorcerer Mickey is only second to Little Green Men and Donald Duck as my favorite character. He is the logo of D23 and here he is peaking out the top. the D23 Expo logo graces the body. |
 |
3″ Davy Crocket (RSP #19) Artist: Casey Jones $13.95 (LE 1200) limit 2 per customer Looks like the King of the Wild Frontier will not only make an appearance as a 9″ Park 6. This sepia tone smaller version is great looking. I like the knife and shine of the belt buckle. And what a facial expression. |
 |
It’s the hat that really tops this figure off. Great job Casey at including the tail. I have been so looking forward to the 9″ Park 6, but I hope to also get this one into my collection.
Not much detail in the clothing, but I don’t think he needs it. The sepia color choice was also a nice way to separate this from his larger counterpart. |
 |
3″ Gladstone Gander (RSP #20) Artist: Thomas Scott $13.95 (LE 1200) limit 2 per customer A lesser known character for sure. And I’m just going to say it, we would expect no less from Thomas Scott. But that’s what makes him a great artist. Perfect place to release this figure… to a convention center full of Disney Geeks! Gladstone is Donald Duck’s cousin. Scott’s version looks to be from the comic strips, although Gladstone appeared in Duck Tails with some minor appearance changes.  |
 |
9″ Butch (RSP #21) Artist: Eric Caszatt $44.95 (LE 750) limit 1 per customer Butch first showed up in 1940 and mainly plays Pluto’s antagonist. Lately, he has popped up in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as Pete’s dog. Great looking face on this one!  |
 |
9″ It All Started With a Mouse (RSP #71) Artist: Noah $595 (LE 23) You can not go wrong with a Noah Vinylmation. His paint jobs are top notch. Look at the finish on this one. I really would like to see it in person. It features the D23 Logo and Tink on the head, a dancing broom on body front, and a sorcerer hat with Mickey’s silhouette on the back. |
 |
As with most of Noah’s 9″ figures, this one comes on it’s own display stand with some Noah art work serving as the backdrop. This is what the artwork behind the Vinylmation looks like. |
Update: 8/11/11 Disney changed the LE on with webpage for Genie from 1200 to 1000.
Update: 8/9/11 Genie will be out via Disney Store Online on August 26. LE (now) 1000. $44.95
 |
| Copyright Disney |
Update: 5/3/11 The Disney Vinylmation blog announced today that Willie the Whale and Hyancith Hippo will be released on May 13! At Disneyland the release will happen at D-Street as usuall, but in Orlando, the release will be at the Art of Disney Store in Downtown Disney’s Marketplace. This is due to the big Pixar Cars event taking place that weekend on the West Side near D-Street. Huge weekend at WDW with this release, Cars at DTD, Pixar Days over at EPCOT, Flower and Garden Festival, and the Destination D: D23 event. Oh, and check out the newly built Disney Movie themed Lego creations by the new Lego store if you haven’t yet… they are amazing!
 |
 |
| Click each photo to enlarge. | |
We have already seen the release of Beast and the Elliot and Pete 9/3 combo. Merlin and Bolt should be released in the Fall of 2011. No word on Genie.
 |
Willie The Whale “Make Mine Music” designed by Maria Clapsis  A colorful design on this cartoonish figure. |
| The best feature on this figure is the blow hole on the back. I like the shadow that gives the water a 3D spouting effect. The eyes on the side of the head are also very well drawn on the Vinylmation. |
 |
 |
Bolt “Bolt” designed by Monty Maldovan  |
| Bolt’s coolest feature is the dog tag. It is a separate piece from the body hanging around the neck. |
 |
 |
Hyancith Hippo “Fantasia” designed by Maria Clapsis  |
| On the Whale, we see a rare non-vinyl accessory. The fabric skirt that goes around this figure is a great and welcome touch. |
 |
 |
Merlin “Sword in the Stone” designed by Maria Clapsis  They captured Merlin’s face perfectly and the beard is great. A wand is a noticeably missing accessory.
|
| We like the sparkles that swirl around Merlin signifying the magical powers he possesses. |
 |
Photos of Vinylmation from Disney Vinylmation Blog
Photos of movie characters from Google image search
Ok, so I quoted Homer Simpson before Mr. Disney… but come on! That episode was hilarious.
The fifth and final Disneyland 55th Anniversary 9″ Attraction Poster figure will be out exclusively in Disneyland on Friday, August 26. The Monorail, like the DL posters before is designed by Alex Maher and is limited to only 550 pieces. It will retail for $44.95.
Lion King now joins the It’s a Small World Jr. 4 set as being confirmed to make it’s debut at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA later this month.
 |
| Mufasa. Photo copyright Disney |
Lion King will show up at D23 on the last day, Sunday, August 21. As rumored, there will also be an artist signing beginning at 10am that same day. Lion King will be a Disney Store exclusive and will officially hit shelves on August 29.
 |
| From Disney Vinylmation Blog |
Much speculation surrounded this previously unseen figure who helped make a Z of Vinylmation on a Disney Blog post earlier this week. Turns out he is just a Thomas Scott designed figure that will be part of a future Urban Series.
Hi, I am DisneyMozart, and I would like to thank DV for the opportunity to write for them. I am located in Birmingham, AL and am a huge fan of the Junior Vinylmation because they are the perfect size to carry in your pocket. There are many great designs, and often times, they are the reason to purchase a 3’ 1.5’ combo set. But anyway, I love the Jr Vinylmation, and this column is where you will find a weekly review of some Jr Vinylmation.
This week, I’m going to start out with my current favorite Jr: Autographs from the Celebrations series, which was one of three possible juniors that came with the Occupations First Visit Balloon 3″.
I think that this junior is just perfect. There are no flaws that I can even think of. The coloring is awesome, the autographs are perfectly placed, and the symbols placed on the ears and around the signatures are in the best places possible. The characters’ autographs that were selected are exactly who should be featured…the three Disney guys that everyone loves. Only thing I can say, is that I would love to see this one in a 3’ version as well, but maybe add Daisy, Minnie, Pluto. That is all, and I will see y’all next time.
A fun story from Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:
As all our guests know, every Disney Parks experience starts with a story. Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta at Disney California Adventure park are no exceptions. These aren’t just places to get fabulous pizzas, pasta and kabobs – they’re part of a story. A story of taking chances, new beginnings and family.
Come visit Paradise Garden and experience the story – and the food – for yourself! Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta are now open at Disney California Adventure park.
