Town Square Theater’s Magical Transformation – Inside and Out

WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee visited The Magic Kingdom yesterday and took some great pictures of some newly revealed details at Town Square Theater on Main Street U.S.A.:

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Banners for the Princesses and Magician Mickey are now up outside

The sign that was installed a few weeks ago

The Princesses will be living here until at least late 2012

This will be Mickey’s permanent home

Wait time signs await activation

Inside, work is wrapping up

A beautiful tile mural wrapping the new area into the Main Street story has been revealed

Signage directs guests to the three separate venues. The theater entrance is the gateway to the meet and greet experiences

Tony’s Town Square restaurant has reconfigured their waiting area so a line does not flow into the center of the new lobby that will now be pretty busy

This area is Box Office Gifts. There is a sign outside for a “Curtain Call Collectibles”, which we assume is another shop at the exit of the meet and greets

The Town Square Theater is officially opening on April 1st, so stay tuned to WDW News Today as we keep you up-to-date on this exciting project!

Some TRON Vinylmation already “Deleted”

Update: 3/27/11 As of right now, Young Kevin Flynn, Sam Flynn, Quorra, Clu, Zuse/Castor, and Rinzler are sold out online. The only ones left are Kevin Flynn and Jarvis.

Sam Flynn, Clu, and Castor (Zuse) are already sold out at the Disney Store Online!

TRON Vinylmation Price and Online Release


This morning the TRON vinylmation were released online at the DisneyStore.com. All 8 are available as of 4:30 AM EST. Also check out the price. Only $9.95! After last week’s Urban 6 were released at $11.95 it’s nice to see an open box set released at the old standard price of $9.95.

Are you waiting to get these at the store, or did you already purchase them online?

Evil Reviewed

We received our Villains 9″/Jr combos today. Which one is your favorite? What do you think about Disney releasing these limited edition figures in select Disney stores? What is the most fair way to allow collectors to get limited edition items? Keep them at D-Streets or put them online?

Maleficent 9″ and Princess Aurora Jr

Maleficent is one of the most striking figures yet. The colors are vibrant. The face is drawn really well and is in the perfect place on the figure. I like designer Oskar Mendez’s use of gloss on the head and hands and matte finish to the clothing.

The Jr “Sleeping Beauty” is the first full representation of a “Princess” as a vinylmation. Here’s hoping to see some more, and in 3″ size!

Julius 9″ and Minnie
Mouse Jr

Another nice placement of the face, giving him a big chin. Artists Gerald Mendez’s design is very exaggerated and cartoonish. Great detail with the stitches and gloss finish.

Minnie Jr’s face is drawn remarkably well on the Jr. Great color.

Mickey will come as the Combo Topper for Park 6, (April 1st)

Jumba 9″ and Stitch Jr

The Jumba figure doesn’t work for me. To be honest, I don’t think Artist Dan Beltan captured Jumba’s character. The eyes look crossed. Also, I get he has a blue tongue, good idea, but it looks awkward. He’s missing his satchel and a few hairs on his head. And I’m fairly certain the coloring is a bit off on the clothing. But hey, I like the stars in the ears.

Stitch Jr is basically Stitch from Park 5 shrunk down… and like his predecessor, it doesn’t look right. Stitch needs to be drawn more cartoonish and exaggerated.

Magician Mickey to Appear at Town Square Theater

From the Disney Parks Blog:

At the Disney Parks Blog, we’re as excited as you are to learn more about Walt Disney Imagineering’s (WDI) plans for Town Square Theater, the new permanent home for Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom Park that’s set to debut in early April.

I’m happy to report that earlier today, WDI gave us an earful – pun intended – on the details planned for this exciting new meet-and-greet area.

In keeping with the small-town theme of Main Street, U.S.A., Town Square Theater will take on the tradition of turn-of-the-Twentieth-century theaters that served as the center of excitement in small towns, offering thrills through vaudeville and other forms of entertainment. At Town Square Theater, families will be able to go backstage to meet Magician Mickey Mouse, who is excited to meet and greet guests in his rehearsal room.

And of course, WDI has designed the entire experience to be magical. Guests will first enter the theater building through a lobby that will serve as a hub for character meet-and-greet queues, the Box Office Gifts merchandise shop and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.

According to WDI Concept Designer Jason Grandt, the lobby will be decorated in gold and cream colors that were chosen to recreate the feel of a historic theater.

“Upon entering the lobby, guests will be faced with a beautiful tile mosaic featuring the Town Square Theater logo,” Jason said. “The color scheme reflects that of historical theaters with a little inspiration from our master magician, Mickey Mouse.”

Just beyond the lobby, guests will pass through an ornate arch and enter a queue to meet either Magician Mickey Mouse or the Disney princesses. Special interactive posters featuring Mickey’s various magic acts will be in place to enhance the guests’ journey through the queue line, which will take them deep into the backstage corridors of the theater.

“You will recognize the poster style as that of turn-of-the-century magicians such as Houdini,” Jon Georges, WDI director/senior show producer said. “But these posters carry Mickey’s magical touch that can bring them to life and interact with you as you wait.”

WDI is keeping us guessing on what comes next, but did send these mysterious photos for us to share.

 

Wedding Week: Custom Bridemaid’s Sets


Today’s Wedding Customs are by Jenifer Marie. She makes custom Vinylmation in a number of various wedding themed sets that you can order from her website: lilsqueakrr.etsy.com.

One Vinylmation set she makes is this darling bride and groom. They look great! Way cooler than the Celebrations boring, painted on bride and groom. These are up there near Maria Clapsis’ set. While these don’t focus on painting the figures, the accessories are well made and look perfect. The tux looks awesome, with little cuffs and a hand-tied bow tie. The bride’s bouquet is beautiful and the earrings are just the little extra that tops this set off. Jenifer tells us that the colors of most of the pieces can change to be personalized to your particular favorites.

Jenifer also makes Bridesmaid gift sets. Check out these adorable ladies, with a bow in their hair, a necklace, and matching bouquets. I also like the boxes you can get them in. These are a bit more simple than the bride and groom, but I think they would make any bridesmaid say “yes”. For the amount of wonder created by these figures, the price is amazing.

After seeing these figures online, I needed to talk to the artist.

M.C.: How long have you been creating custom Vinylmation?
Jenifer Marie: I’ve been creating custom VM’s for about 3 months. I’ve created 12 pieces so far. Saving up to work on a 9″ set once summer comes!

M.C.: Which of your creations is your favorite?
JM: My favorite piece? That’s a tough question.. so far I must say my favorite is the little bride that I had made for my friend for her wedding. The sentimental value is what makes it my favorite. To know that I’m going to be a part of her special day even though I can’t make it to attend.

M.C.: Do you collect the Vinylmation created by Disney artists? If so, what is your favorite Vinylmation figure?
JM: Yes, I do collect the Vinylmations. They’re addicting little guys! My favorite is Flowers and Fairies from Park Series 5. It was my FIRST Vinylmation purchase and it features my favorite, TINK!

M.C.: How did you come up with the idea of your wedding vinylmation pieces?
JM: I had seen the custom Vinylmations before, but NEVER saw many bride and grooms.. so I figured hey! these would make ADORABLE cake toppers or even pieces to add to your sweetheart table!

M.C.: Can you describe these figures? The inspiration. What detail went into it?
JM: The bride and groom are black and white blanks.. the groom features and hand tied miniature bow tie, shirt colors painted on, white cuffs that are hand painted around the wrist, they also feature crystal individually pieced cuff links, shoe buttons, and jacket buttons. Brides feature a tiara adorned with rhinestones, a 2 tier veil, earrings, bouquet with white flowers and pearls, and a pearl necklace. The bride and groom are fully customizable depending on who they are being made for. The crystals colors can be changed and the same goes for the flowers. It’s fully custom to that individual and their wedding day style! The bridesmaids are whichever color the bride chooses with a pearl necklace, hand-tied bow between their ears, crystal earrings (if wanted), and a bouquet in their hands.

M.C.: What materials were used?
JM: I used 3″ blank Vinylmations, pearl strands, miniature ribbon flowers, 3mm & 2mm crystals, hot glue, craft glue, acrylic paint, iridescent ribbon and black ribbon.

M.C.: What is your favorite aspect of vinylmation?
JM: I just love the creativity that you can have with them.. especially when it comes to the cake toppers! I’m currently working on a carnival themed topper and a Tower of Terror topper! No 2: Vinylmation’s aren’t alike.. they’re all different. Plus it’s great to be able to make someone’s special day that much more unique for them!

M.C.: What was the hardest part in creating these figure?
JM: The hardest part was definitely finding the right materials to use to decorate the
little guys.

M.C.: What are the reactions you get to your pieces?
JM: I have gotten great reactions from the couples once they have them in their hands! They all love them and cannot thank me enough!

M.C.: Do you create any other pieces for the weddings?
JM: I also create little trinket boxes.. I’m currently working on a few projects for my own wedding.. so I’m sure I will be adding to my list of creations! I plan on making a pair of 9″ Vinylmations for my sweetheart table at my own wedding.. so I’m on the search for the right materials to use for them!

M.C.: Congrats! Where can people go to find out more about your pieces and see your work?
JM: To find out more about my work feel free to visit my etsy store: PixiiDust Creations lilsqueakrr.etsy.com

I’d like to thank Jenifer for the interview for this week of wedding posts. Let us know what you think about these vinyls in the comments below.

Tron Vinylmation Explained


Update: 3/23/11 We stopped by D-Street today and saw the set in the display case. Nothing new information-wise but just good to know they are ready for Friday. Also found out that D-Street FL is opening at 10:30 AM on Friday. No early opening for TRON.

Update: 3/12/11 8pm EST We found out more info on the artists. Thomas Scott designed both Kevin Flynn figures. Eric Caszett designed the other 6. Thank you Daniel on Facebook!

Update: 3/12/11 1am EST Disney announced the release date of the TRON: Legacy series in the US. The whole set will be available on March 25 at D-Streets California and Florida, as well as on DisneyStore.com

Update: 3/8/11 Although the Hong Kong ad says Eric Caszett was involved with the design, Disney’s official Vinylmation page gives Thomas Scott sole credit for each figure.

On February 5th, 2011 the 8 figure open window Tron set was released at Hong Kong Disney. No word on a release date stateside. These figures were designed by Thomas Scott and Eric Caszatt.

Young Kevin Flynn

Actor: Jeff Bridges
Artist: Thomas Scott
This is the only figure from
the original Tron movie.
Kevin Flynn

Actor: Jeff Bridges
Artist: Thomas Scott

As his character in the 2010 movie.

Sam Flynn

Actor: Garrett Hedlund
Artist: Eric Caszett

Kevin’s son, who, 20 years later, also gets sucked into the grid.

Quorra

Actor: Olivia Wilde
Artist: Eric Caszett

Kevin’s “apprentice” in the Grid.

Clu
Actor: Jeff Bridges
Artist: Eric Caszett

A digital copy of Kevin who rules over the Grid.

Castor

Actor: Michael Sheen
Artist: Eric Caszett

Runs the “End of Line Club” inside the Grid. Also known as Zuse.

Jarvis

Actor: James Frain
Artist: Eric Caszett

Clu’s righthand man.

Rinzler

Actor: Anis Cheurfa (stunt)
Actor: Bruce Boxleitner (voice)
Artist: Eric Caszett

Clu’s primary enforcer.
Advertisement from Hong Kong Disneyland

Sushi Vinylmation 3″ + Jr Set

Here is a look at the Sushi set we heard about last year during Trade City.

This set is designed by Thomas Scott and features 3″ Shrimp, California Roll, Unagi, Salmon Roll, Tuna and Salmon. As well as Jr Ginger and Wasabi. This set comes nicely packaged in a little box and of course, Disney didn’t forget the chop sticks! No word on release date or price.

Make your Own Vinylmation on Sale!

One of our leaders, @emaereyes, tweeted us this, “Check out this awesome deal! CYO #Vinylmation 3″ are $2.99 and 9″ are $19.99 at your Disney Store”. She said she bought several and “they had 3″ white, red, black, and yellow. For the 9″ they had black, red, purple and yellow”. This is a great time to stock up for all those customs you’ll be making this summer! So check out your local Disney Stores and let us know what you find! Just leave a message in the comments.

Here are some pics of the sale from DV reporter Zoe:

3″ Create Your Owns
9″ Create Your Owns