From the Top of Our Heads

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Last Friday, along with all the other crazy things that happened, Disney released the Urban 6 Mickey Ear Hats. Nick bought the Gumball Hat. We really liked the ears, espeically when it was revealed that they would have plastic balls that could move around. Check out the heavy plastic piece for the machine knob.
Both hats come with a 3″ piece, the best 3″ hat pieces ever.
This piece (along with the viking 3″) is by far the best piece to have accompanied the Urban hats. Normally the 3″ piece is a clear vinyl with a representation of the hat on it’s ears. This one is so much better. Not only is it a great figure showing a boy who’s bubble has burst; but it’s the second part of a story told by 3″ vinyls. The first part of the story is shown in the 3″ vinyl that will come with the 9″ Gumball Machine figure.
The other Mickey Ear hat to be released on Friday was the Urban 6 Viking Hat. I love the horns on the hat. I also like the fur around the base of the horns. Like the Gumball Hat, the Viking hat comes with a great 3″ figure. A smaller version of the Urban 6 9″ Viking, this adorable guy has horns and some fancy pants. This is the first time I’ve even considered the thought of buying the Urban Hats for the 3″ figures.

What do you think of these hats? Compared to the ones in the past? How about the 3″ figures?

More Information Released for “Pirates of the Caribbean 4” Sneak Peak

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Information has been posted on Disneyland.com for the upcoming  3-D sneak peak of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” coming to the Festival Arena inside Disneyland Park.

Calling All Buccaneers!

For a limited time, Capt. Jack Sparrow is in need of a few good scoundrels to join his crew. Embark on the Thunder Mountain Trail, become a member of Jack’s crew and view a 3D extended sequence from the upcoming Walt Disney release of Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides.

Keep a lookout on weekend nights March 25 through April 14, 2011 and every evening from April 15 to May 1, 2011.

Prepare for Adventure

Your training starts when a group of rollicking, marauding misfits teach the basics of the buccaneer trade. Along the way, fortify your courage with a mug of pirate grog and purchase swords, hats and eye patches.

The Great Pirate Gathering

The Festival Arena has been transformed to evoke Blackbeard’s mysterious ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. With training now complete, Capt. Jack Sparrow makes a visit and presents 3D Sneak Peek of Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides., exclusive to Disneyland Park. But beware! Blackbeard may not be far off on the horizon.

The Attraction
Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides: Sneak Peek is an interactive stage event featuring state-of-the-art projections, 3D film sequences and special effects that include bursts of flame, dramatic sound effects and theatrical lighting.

New DV Reporter Ryan Got the Scoop on Some Release Dates

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Destination Vinylmation is excited to announce the addition of a new contributor to our website. Ryan helped us out at the recent WDW trading event. Below, Ryan introduces himself and gives the scoop on some upcoming Vinylmation he uncovered at the event. Ryan, take it away…

Hey all, my name is Ryan, a photographer, writer and avid Vinylmation collector for the past few years. I’m the newest writer over here at Destination Vinylmation, and wanted to introduce myself. To get the big questions out of the way:
  1. How long have I been collecting? I’ve been collecting since about Urban 2’s release. I didn’t realize then how popular things would be and several times passed up on opportunities to purchase both “Ham and Eggs” and “Carnotaurus” 9 inch. I kick myself to this day.
  2. My favorite figure I own? Tough call, but I’d have to say Sulley and Boo!
  3. Favorite figure I don’t own? Mine Mine Mine is my current Holy Grail.
Anyway, enough about me! While the rest of the Destination Vinylmation crew was busy trading, I took it upon myself (as the newest member of the team) to head over to the trade box and upcoming release table and ask some questions about the imminent releases.
Park 6, as seen above, is set to be released on April 1. If you remember, Disney announced an April 1 release date, then retracted it because the product wasn’t at WDW yet. But according to the cast member behind-the-counter, that date is back on! Check out Park 6 Explained for more. This is a good time to point out the glaring lack of Steven Miller, Vinylmation’s tried and true “Ambassador of Trading”. According to the Disney cast members at the event, Steven has moved up to another position within Disney. Several pin traders took to calling the two women who were helping organize the event “Steven” as an homage to Mr. Miller. He will be missed.
Also being released with Park 6 is the Park 6 Combo Topper, which features Mickey Mouse from his highly popular animated short “Runaway Brain”. This 3 inch, as shown above, will go great with the recently released Villains 9” Julius + Minnie Jr. combo.
Other releases shown were TRON (March 25) and a couple already known Muppets 2 (April 15) figures. Also shown was the newly announced Celebration series which will be packaged and sold just like the Occupations released a couple weeks ago.
Also shown was the 9” + 3” Urban 6 combo of a Bubble Gum machine and boy blowing a bubble!
While no samples were on display, we also received confirmation that the Duck Tales 2-Figure set from the “Disney Afternoon” series will be released on April 8, although there were some discrepancies on whether or not the set would be online exclusive like the previously released “Talespin” set or in D-Street, as Disney previously announced it would be.

All in all it was a successful trade event. LOTS of Vinylmation traders peppered the sea of pin traders, and there finally seemed to be a healthy amount of trading happening. This is also likely because of the lack of a trade night in 2011 before March, and lots of new product has been released recently.

Thanks for reading, and until next time… make YOUR Destination, Vinylmation!

Wedding Week: Celebration Vs Maria Clapsis

WDWNT on March 21, 2011

With the reveal of the 3″ pieces from the Celebration set, we got to see the Bride and Groom that Stephen Miller hinted to back on February 1st. This however, is not the first time Vinylmation have been to a wedding. This week we will take a look at various version of the Vinylmation Wedding theme that we have seen hidden on the internet.

First up, a quick reminder of the Celebrations Bride and Groom.

An interesting pair of vinyl. The tux looks okay, reminiscent of the business suit from the Occupations set. (Although I liked Kermit 55th’s tux better, it had bling!) The wedding dress however seems a little plain, especially when you compare it to this:

This is Maria Clapsis’ Bride and Groom. A figure she had sitting on her desk at Disney, and a pic that has been seen in lots of places around the internet. This is a set she made for a college friend who was getting married. It is amazing! All the detail work is perfect, from the top hat to the tiara. I think Disney should convince Maria to make more of these, and sell them at a high price as part of the wedding packages they have at the parks. Amazing stuff Maria, keep up the good work.

All week we will have wedding themed posts (in addition to our regular news posts, so don’t worry about missing any news this week). Tomorrow we talk about another custom wedding piece that I recently saw online.

Maleficent 9″ Vinylmation Sold Out

WDWNT on March 21, 2011

Update: 10:30AM All the villains 9″/Jr combos are sold out online. Also as of this time, all the Villains 9″/Jr sets are sold out of the Tampa Disney Store (and we suspect any other EST store). Tampa only had 8 Maleficent sets (and the family in the front of the line bought like 6).
Well it didn’t take long. At some point between 2am EST and 730am EST the Disney Store Online put the Villains 9″/Jr sets up for sale. As of now, the Maleficent and Aurora set is sold out. Interestingly, they also put up a package where you could buy all 3 9″/Jr sets. That is currently sold out also! Each set is a Limited Edition of 700.

Retro Weekend: 03/20/11

WDWNT on March 21, 2011

Another weekend with lots of news. Here’s the recap.
On Friday, Urban 6 was released. The first thing on everyone’s mind… what’s the chaser?

Urban 6 Chaser Revealed
Front and back

The next thing everyone wanted to see was the variants. (With some help from our CA reporter Zoe.)

Blue Finger
Blue Nature Cycle
Clear 1337

While at D-Street Nick stumbled upon a clue to the re-release of Star Wars 1

Return of the Jedi (to D-Street)

While waiting for the Trade Event to begin, Nick and his newly acquired Urban 6 friends explored the Flower and Garden Festival.

Urban 6 goes to the Flower Garden Festival

Finally, the Trade Show started. Nick meet a lot of people.

WDW Trade Show 3/18/11

Then Sunday came around and we dropped by the Blind Box Studios to record the latest version of Destination Vinylmation.

Episode 014 Furr

Urban 6 Enjoyed the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

WDWNT on March 20, 2011

On Friday, Urban 6 was released. They wasted no time checking out their surroundings. And who could blame them? I caught them walking around the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT. Click on the pictures for larger images.

Side Mickey couldn’t help
checking out the EPCOT ball

Green Thumb was right at home
at the Flower & Garden Fest
Cactus wishes she had more
than just one flower

Zipper poses for a picture
Nature Cycle’s favorite ride is in
EPCOT’s Land Pavilion

The beginning… and end
of language
Sunny Day feels at home

Be careful… something may be
hiding in those pretty flowers
Cry Baby… the 8th Dwarf?

Sundae got the scoop on the
Lightening McQueen display
Sumo enjoys the view from the
Japan pavilion

Griffen welcomed guests to the
Flower & Garden Festival