First Look: Vinylmation Robot In Hand

WDWNT on July 19, 2011

The Disney Store was kind enough to send us over a Vinylmation Robot to share with you today. We were like a couple of nerdy sci-fi geeks when we got this package in the mail. We carefully opened the vintage style blind box. Then ripped apart the foil to uncover…

Steampunk Bot! This C3-P0 look a like was designed by Gerald Mendez (SF Golden Gate Bridge, Old Witch from Snow White, Julius 9″). Not my favorite design in the lot, but a solid concept that fits well into the series. The gloss effect is used very well here. You can see this guy, as with a few of the Robots, uses clear body parts. Steampunk Bot’s ears are clear, with light bulbs painted in.

As a series, I was a little worried. This is now the fourth series produced using the new mold design. Now I’m not going to focus on new mold for all our reviews from now on. New mold is what Disney is doing. There is no turning back. You also know from my comments that I do like the new mold so far. Not better, not worse, but I do like it. But I have also been saying that we need to see a few series before giving a solid judgement. Cutesters Like You, a Disney Store release at a $9.95 price point, was by all accounts poorly produced. The designs seemed to be universally poorly printed and that was supposed to be a main reason for the switch. But then Pirates was released at the parks for $12.95 and really showed off the quality the new mold can help provide. Robots, is another Disney Store $9.95 release. So how does it fair?

On this figure, the printing is perfect. Say what you will about the altered shape, but I will take designs like this any day. This particular figure doesn’t have much detail, but design lays out well on the Vinylmation. However, after seeing the gears on the Steampunk series, this design falls short of those. The mismatched eyes are cool. And the gold on this figure is very true to what you’d expect to see on a metallic figure.

On the back you can see the open body design continues allowing you to see his inner gears. And here is a look at the artist card:

The card reflects the packaging style. Retro colors and designs with a roughed up aged and weathered look. Those “creases” and “tears” are all drawn onto the card. We can’t wait to see more of these up close and in person. The one big shock to me is no accessories. At least one of these robots could be holding a wrench or something. But if the whole series holds true to what we see here on Steampunk Bot, it’s going to be a cool addition for those interested in robots, sci-fi or vintage toys.

Episode 030 Gold Chaser

WDWNT on July 19, 2011

Ep. 030 Gold – Chaser
We are half way thru 2011. Time to give out our Vinylmation report cards. On this special School themed chaser episode, we give a grade to each set released so far in 2011. We also talk about the upcoming Robots series and talk to Zoe about the Disneyland Passholder exclusive figures.
Listen Now:
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Happy 56th Birthday Disneyland

WDWNT on July 19, 2011

To celebrate Disneyland’s 56th anniversary, a  “flash mob” was held in town square yesterday as dozens of characters led a singing of  Happy Birthday. Taken by Jae Brattain.

 

 

Spotlight On: Disney Store Artist Gerald Mendez

WDWNT on July 18, 2011

All this week, we are taking a look at the Disney artists behind the Robots Vinylmation series. Make sure to check out Robots Explained, Robots Uncovered and Podcast Ep. 30 for more Robots coverage.

Gereld Mendez
Senior Designer
Photo Copyright Disney

After his graphic design education in Mexico City, Mexico, Gerald Mendez came to the US in 1986 where he undertook the challenge to master as many techniques as possible to improve the quality of his work, including Professional Airbrush and Digital Illustration. In 2006, Gerald joined the Disney Store team and recent he created Ignition Bot, Security Bot and Steampunk Bot from the Vinylmation Robots series.

Ignition Bot 3″

A fan of fantasy art of all kinds, Gerald has an extensive collection of unique collectible figurines including custom airbrushed Vinylmation. He even airbrushed an amazing snowboard with all the Disney Villains! In his spare time, Gerald operates his art studio called “Aerografika” in Chino, CA.

What are some other Vinylmation Gerald Mendez has designed?

NYC Graffiti
NYC Exclusive
Old Witch
Villains 1
Julius 9″
Villains 1
Minnie Mouse Jr.
Villains 1

Parks and Resorts Announces “Carousel of Projects” for the D23 Expo

WDWNT on July 18, 2011

Fans attending Disney’s D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center will have the chance to experience “a great big beautiful tomorrow” as they immerse themselves in the future of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which is currently in the biggest period of global expansion in its history.

Drawing inspiration from a classic attraction that debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and has made stops at Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts invites attendees to hop aboard the “Carousel of Projects” for a sneak peek at concepts, designs, models, storytelling tools, and technologies currently being developed at Walt Disney Imagineering for Disney parks around the world.

Throughout the weekend, exclusively at the D23 Expo, fans will get a look at the latest details for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ 11 parks and five resorts around the world, as well as Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club, including:

  • Actual figures, props and ride vehicles for Radiators Springs Racers, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the building of Cars Land, the newest land at Disney California Adventure which opens next year.
  • The opportunity to meet a classic Disney icon in an entirely new way.
  • Concepts, models and plans for Fantasyland, one of the most ambitious expansions in the 40-year history of Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
  • What’s new at Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club.

In addition to the pavilion, D23 Expo attendees will also have the chance to attend numerous presentations and panel discussions. On Friday, August 19, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs will give guests in the 4,000-seat main arena an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest projects currently underway at Disney parks, featuring a few surprises along the way.

Imagineers and cast members who create and operate Disney’s parks, resorts, cruise ships, and other vacation experiences will take fans behind-the-magic with nine exciting presentations including:

  • Radiator Springs Reality: Imagineering Cars Land for Disney California Adventure—Join Disney/Pixar’s John Lasseter and a panel of Imagineers and Pixar creative talent as they share the twists and turns through the real-life development of Radiator Springs.
  • The Making of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue—Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald will share the inside scoop on how Walt Disney Imagineering and George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic began laying the groundwork for a new version of Star Tours.
  • A Good Look at Buena Vista Street—Imagineers Lisa Girolami, Ray Spencer, and Coulter Winn provide a preview of the new entrance to Disney California Adventure, an idealized depiction of the Los Angeles Walt Disney lived and worked in throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
  • Imagineering the Dream and the Fantasy—Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Bob Zalk talk about charting the design course of the two newest Disney cruise ships.
  • Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering—Disney Legend Marty Sklar will lead a celebration of the careers and accomplishments of Walt Disney Imagineering, including Alice Davis, Orlando Ferrante, Bob Gurr, and Don Iwerks. With special guest and current Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of Disney Legend Leota Toombs.

In addition, and for the first time, the Parks and Resorts pavilion will also feature Mickey’s of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering’s employee-only store, where—for just three days—guests can shop for “Carousel of Projects” souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.

 

The Golden Gate Making Way For The Glendale-Hyperion Bridge

WDWNT on July 18, 2011

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Artist Rendering of the New Buena Vista Street Area at Disney California Adventure Park

As we mentioned on Friday, work began yesterday at Disney California Adventure park to transform the current Golden Gate Bridge at the park’s entrance into a re-creation of the historic Glendale-Hyperion Bridge. The rendering above shows what the new bridge will look like when it is completed as part of the new Buena Vista Street area.

This new area will bring guests back in time to a classic era in the history of Los Angeles – when Walt Disney first arrived in California. You will practically walk in his footsteps through an environment inspired by iconic Los Angeles buildings and structures of the 1920s and ‘30s, like the Pan Pacific Auditorium (which served as the inspiration for the new park turnstiles that opened on Friday) and the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge.

In early 1927, Walt and Roy Disney moved the newly renamed Walt Disney Studios into its new facility – a one-story, white stucco building at 2719 Hyperion Ave. During the next few years, another Los Angeles landmark was taking shape just a few blocks down Hyperion Ave. – the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge. The bridge is a large, complex structure – still standing today and spanning Interstate 5 from Glendale, Calif., to the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.

Artist Rendering of the New Buena Vista Street Area at Disney California Adventure Park

The artist’s rendering above shows the bridge as it will look next year when it is part of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park, with the Southern California Red Car Trolleys passing underneath and the Carthay Circle Theatre in the distance.

Robots Mystery Uncovered

WDWNT on July 18, 2011

Disney just sent us these pictures from the site of an archaeological dig. If you have been wondering where these great looking vintage Robots came from… here are some details.

Copyright Disney

It appears a dig uncovered this box. It came with a mysterious warning. But The Disney Store decided to wipe off the dirt, break the lock and take there chances with what was inside.

Copyright Disney

Robots! Will they take over the city? I’m not sure, but we do know they will take over Disney Stores on July 22. Check out our Robots Explained page for more details.

Parks and Resorts Announces “Carousel of Projects” for the D23 Expo

WDWNT on July 18, 2011

Fans attending Disney’s D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center will have the chance to experience “a great big beautiful tomorrow” as they immerse themselves in the future of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which is currently in the biggest period of global expansion in its history.

Drawing inspiration from a classic attraction that debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and has made stops at Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts invites attendees to hop aboard the “Carousel of Projects” for a sneak peek at concepts, designs, models, storytelling tools, and technologies currently being developed at Walt Disney Imagineering for Disney parks around the world.

Throughout the weekend, exclusively at the D23 Expo, fans will get a look at the latest details for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ 11 parks and five resorts around the world, as well as Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club, including:

  • Actual figures, props and ride vehicles for Radiators Springs Racers, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the building of Cars Land, the newest land at Disney California Adventure which opens next year.
  • The opportunity to meet a classic Disney icon in an entirely new way.
  • Concepts, models and plans for Fantasyland, one of the most ambitious expansions in the 40-year history of Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
  • What’s new at Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Disney Vacation Club.

In addition to the pavilion, D23 Expo attendees will also have the chance to attend numerous presentations and panel discussions. On Friday, August 19, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs will give guests in the 4,000-seat main arena an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest projects currently underway at Disney parks, featuring a few surprises along the way.

Imagineers and cast members who create and operate Disney’s parks, resorts, cruise ships, and other vacation experiences will take fans behind-the-magic with nine exciting presentations including:

  • Radiator Springs Reality: Imagineering Cars Land for Disney California Adventure—Join Disney/Pixar’s John Lasseter and a panel of Imagineers and Pixar creative talent as they share the twists and turns through the real-life development of Radiator Springs.
  • The Making of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue—Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald will share the inside scoop on how Walt Disney Imagineering and George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic began laying the groundwork for a new version of Star Tours.
  • A Good Look at Buena Vista Street—Imagineers Lisa Girolami, Ray Spencer, and Coulter Winn provide a preview of the new entrance to Disney California Adventure, an idealized depiction of the Los Angeles Walt Disney lived and worked in throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
  • Imagineering the Dream and the Fantasy—Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Bob Zalk talk about charting the design course of the two newest Disney cruise ships.
  • Legends of Walt Disney Imagineering—Disney Legend Marty Sklar will lead a celebration of the careers and accomplishments of Walt Disney Imagineering, including Alice Davis, Orlando Ferrante, Bob Gurr, and Don Iwerks. With special guest and current Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of Disney Legend Leota Toombs.

In addition, and for the first time, the Parks and Resorts pavilion will also feature Mickey’s of Glendale, an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering’s employee-only store, where—for just three days—guests can shop for “Carousel of Projects” souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else.