ABC “Preps for Landing” at the 2011 D23 Expo

WDWNT on August 1, 2011

THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE SCREENINGS AND Q&As WITH THE CREATIVE FORCES BEHIND TV’S MOST ANTICIPATED NEW FALL SERIES AND ANIMATED HOLIDAY SPECIAL – “ONCE UPON A TIME” AND “PREP & LANDING: NAUGHTY VS. NICE” — AUGUST 19 AND 20 AT THE D23 EXPO

“Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice,” Screening Will Be Followed By a
Q&A with Directors and Producer, Set for August 19

“Once Upon a Time” Screening Will Be Followed By a
Q&A with “Lost” Writers Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz on August 20

Both Panels Will Be Moderated By “D23’s Disney Geek” Host Jeffrey Epstein

Be among the first to watch ABC’s most anticipated new fall series and animated holiday special and have a chance to learn the secrets behind how they were made. Fans will have those opportunities at the D23 Expo, where the entire world of Disney comes together, August 19 and 20, at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Get a jump on the holiday season on Friday, August 19 at 12:45 p.m. in Stage 23, as the D23 exposition unwraps Walt Disney Animation Studios’ festive new special, “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice,” with an exclusive premiere screening of the latest, nicest and naughtiest adventure in this multiple Emmy Award®-winning program. Santa’s dauntless elves, Wayne and Lanny, find themselves up to their pointy ears in trouble, as they race to recover classified North Pole technology, which has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid. Their mission to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos has some riotous twists, turns and surprises. A special “Christmas in August” presentation and Q&A, moderated by “D23’s Disney Geek” host Jeffrey Epstein, will follow with Emmy Award-winning directors Kevin Deters & Stevie Wermers-Skelton, and producer Dorothy McKim.

Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz — the esteemed executive producers/writers of “Lost” and writers of “Tron: Legacy” — bring you ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” a bold, new series where fairytale characters collide with our world. On Saturday, August 20 at 12:45 p.m. in Stage 23, join Eddy and Adam for a Q&A, moderated by “D23’s Disney Geek” host Jeffrey Epstein, as well as a special screening of the show. Brace yourselves for a modern fable with thrilling twists and hints of darkness, brimming with wonder and filled with the magic of our most beloved fairytales. The series will premiere on Sunday, October 23 on ABC.

It’s a Small Chess Piece

WDWNT on August 1, 2011

Disney released another figure from the upcoming It’s a Small World Jr. 4 set.

Front of Queen Chess Piece from IASW Jr. 4
Back of Queen Chess Piece from IASW Jr. 4

Episode 032 Panda

WDWNT on August 1, 2011

Ep. 032 Panda
This week we talk about the Doug Vinylmation, another crazy Disney Afternoons release. Davy Crockett was also released the weekend. How does Davy stand up against the other great Park 9″ figures? We have all the latest news, including It’s a Small World, Alice in Wonderland, and The Lion King. Plus up to date release dates. And, as always, a Mystery Mail Bag filled to the brim with your questions and comments.
Listen Now:
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Kabuki Cafe Opens in the Japan Pavilion

WDWNT on July 31, 2011

From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

On a hot afternoon, nothing is better than a shaved ice, or kakigori, from the little cart in front of the Japan pavilion at Epcot. A brain freeze is inevitable as we slurp the icy, sweet treat.

Now the cart, just reopened this week, has as new name – Kabuki Cafe – and new tastes, the kind of satisfying nibbles you can eat and still stroll.

Delicious salty-sweet tastes for munching and strolling World Showcase Lagoon.The shaved ice still is there, but now the menu includes edamame (steamed soybeans in the pod) and meal-in-a-bowl miso soup, plus sweet plum wine and sake. And smoothie and ice cream cups join the sweet line-up.

From the Far East

WDWNT on July 30, 2011


The Vinylmation Facebook page released a picture of the EPCOT China Pavilion, a 9″ from the Park 6 series. It was designed by Lin Shih and will be limited to 800 and retail for $44.95. Check it out. What do you think?

Collecting with Claudia: Chance Meeting with Disney Artist Randy Noble

WDWNT on July 30, 2011

On Friday, July 29, my family and I decided to go to Downtown Disney and mingle with the tourists.  We ate some tasty food at the Earl of Sandwhich, and afterwards, we walked over to the Art of Disney to find that RANDY NOBLE was doing a special appearance and signing to promote his new artwork from 6-8pm!!!!

Randy Noble at Downtown Disney

On a large table next to Randy were original oils on canvas, glicees, prints, and a big figure for sale.  His paintings, glicees and prints included figures such as Sorcerer Mickey Triptych #1-3, Best Friends Chip & Dale, and Goofy Fun.

Sorcerer Mickey – Framed Glicee LE 95 $350, Deluxe Print $35

Not many people were present for this event, so I was lucky to purchase his Sorcerer Mickey print, and have it signed by Randy Noble (he even drew a Mickey on the print-matt while I watched in awe!).

Fortunately, I had several of my Vinylmations with me because you never know when a good opportunity will present itself; plus I also bring extras with me to trade at blind-boxes throughout Downtown Disney.    So, I asked Randy if he would sign one, and he said “I can sign all of them if you like…”  I was ECSTATIC!!!!!!

Goofy Fun – Original LE 1 $1800, Giclee LE 95 $390, Deluxe Print $35

I asked Randy if he would be attending the Florida Project in September, and he said he “was considering it…if I do go, it would be for the Vinylmation event only.”   Let’s cross our fingers that he will attend!!!

If you are not familiar with the Florida Project, please visit:   http://eventservices.disney.go.com/static/vinylmation/floridaproject.html

Best Friends – Original LE 1 $1400, Giclee LE 95 $375, Deluxe Print $35

Needless to say, this was an amazing day.  To meet one of the best Disney artists, and to find out he is such a nice guy was the best way to spend a Friday night!!!!

*Editors Note: Randy Noble is considered the creator of Vinylmation. He designed such early masterpieces as the Park 1 Balloon Chaser, Park 1 Safari Mickey 9″, Park 2 Little Green Men and special event pieces such as the 9″ Space Mountain 35th and Cinderella’s 60th. His figures now are few and far between and his talents on the little vinyl Mickey is missed.

ZoMG: It’s a Small World Juniors

WDWNT on July 30, 2011

Hello everyone! Yesterday we found out that a Small World Vinylmation Jrs. Series is going to be released around the time of D23 (21 days – I am SO excited).

I think it was such a smart idea to make the Jrs 4 Series be Small World themed, it works perfectly.

I am going to throw out some possible Small World characters that we could see in this series. And instead of including pictures for all of the mentioned characters, I linked to a video below. We have a few hints and previews so far so lets begin with those!

Young boy – I love the way Thomas Scott designed this figure. It makes me so excited to see what else we have in store. I love that he decided to put the flowers in each Mickey ear to make sure people understand this little boy is a part of Small World and not just a random boy Vinylmation.

Tiger – I am so happy that animals are going to be included in this set. The tiger figure looks perfect. Everyone that sees this will know he is from the Small World ride.

Hippo – Funny story, as I was typing up this article at 12am PST, Vinylmation.com posted this picture to help me out, of the Jr. Series 4 box. As we all know whatever figure is on the box, is a part of the set. With that said, our third confirmed character is the Hippo from small world!

After seeing the Hippo, I am thinking that half of the set is going to be children and the other half popular animals and memorable parts from the classic ride. There are so many children and animals in the classic Disney ride that they could have chosen from. Here are a few that stuck out to me and will hopefully be a part of the series!

The Polar Bear – this guy you can find when the ride begins. He is part of the Artic/North Pole section of the ride.

Eskimo – the same scene that has the polar bear, includes the Eskimo children fishing.

The next section of the ride is Scandinavia/Canada. In this section there are many children to choose from. A few that stuck out to me are, the children dressed in band uniform with the tall black hats, one of the children dancing as you enter this section and also maybe one of the acrobats. This way each section has a child to represent the language.

The next section is Europe. This section includes:
The British Guards
The Can Can Dancers
The Goat on top of the hills
The Children in the tulips
The Children ringing bells from the clocks

Then we enter Asia where you will find,
Young Girls with Tambourines
The snake charmer boy
Young Asian children with Kimonos
Panda Bear

The next scene has many characters and animals that could be used for the set. Including,
The colorful Zebra
Hyenas
Rhino
Tiger (already confirmed)
Hippo (already confirmed)
Young boy drummer
Young girl dancers
Giraffes with flowers

Latin America is the next section of the ride that includes,
Children with Sombreros
The sun
Donkey

South Seas is the next section of Small World, which contains characters such as,
Ariel (wishful thinking.. but maybe the other mermaid that used to be in Ariel’s place?)
Turtle
Hawaiian children
Kangaroo
Hula Dancers
Platypus (not sure if that’s the right animal, correct me if I’m wrong)
The sparkly alligator with the umbrella
Children with tribal masks on
Butterflies

That is a lot of characters to pick from so here is my prediction. I think that this set is going to have a fair amount of children because children make this ride. I think the set will contain and even amount of girls/boys to represent each country/place that is represented in this ride. Along with the children I also think there will be animals that go along with the characters. Like the Panda, the Turtle, the Kangaroo, the Zebra etc. No matter what Thomas Scott decided for this set, I know it is going to be wonderful and I can’t wait to have them all!

Any other ideas please let me know, id love to hear them!

It’s a small world after all..

Contest: 3″ Custom Vinylmation from Vinylmation Customations

WDWNT on July 30, 2011

We came across a contest on Facebook today. We are not involved in this contest in any way, but we thought it was a cool thing to share with everyone. Vinylmation Customations is giving away a Free 3″ Custom Vinylmation to a lucky Facebook fan. We have meet Vinylmation Customations at WDW trade shows before and have even Spotlighted a Tronorail and a Star Wars figure she has done. Vinylmation Customations does great work. Here are the contest details:

“LIKE” our Facebook Page – Vinylmation Customations, and get a chance to WIN a FREE 3″ Custom Vinylmation of your favorite Disney Character!


All “Fans” of Vinylmation Customations that have joined by July 31, 2011 will be entered into a drawing to win a 3″ Custom Vinylmation.  Winner will be announced August 1st on the Page and a Facebook Message will be sent to the winner notifying them of their win. Winner will be able to choose their favorite Disney Character as the inspiration for the custom to be created especially for them.


http://www.facebook.com/VinylmationCustomations

Again, Destination Vinylmation is not involved in this contest, but just something we thought we would pass along. Good luck.

Chasing the Magic

WDWNT on July 30, 2011

Chris sent in these two pictures. What a trading day at MK he had on Thursday!

WDW 40th Cast Trader Variants only found by trading with Cast Members at the Parks