Happy Father’s Day!
Disney Starwars Figures: Series 5
Right next to Muppets Star Wars was a sign displaying the 5th series of the Disney Star Wars line of figures. This is where they take classic Disney characters and and put them into the Star Wars universe. Before Vinylmation, these were my favorite Disney collectibles.
Looks like this one has a decidedly Clone Wars feel to it. Like all the previous sets, Series 5 figures will be sold individually at an $8.95 price point.
Check out my article for Destination Disney at DestinationD.info for a review of the full Series 5 lineup.
Pop! Goes The Vinyl
by Nick LoCicero
Earlier this week, Disney released a new series of Vinyl toys called Pop! Vinyl.
These are not to be confused with our beloved Vinylmation, but they are along the same family lines that Vinylmation came from.
As a side note here, we are very excited about this weekend’s podcast. We will be joined by Kristina from Tomopop.com. That is a wonderful website dedicated to toys and focuses a lot on vinyl toys. We know a lot of Vinylmation collectors out there are like we were. We didn’t know the history of the vinyl toy. All these things we enjoy (or don’t), blind boxes, chasers, variants, have all been done before and will be done again. Kristina is going to give us a history lesson on vinyl toys and maybe a peak into the future of Vinylmation. Now, back onto subject, she will also review Disney’s latest Pop! Vinyl toys. Until then, here is a quick breakdown on the series:
The main thing to note about this set is that all the characters take their own form. It is not like Vinylmation where they all have to be painted onto one (for now) canvas shape. It is a 12 figure open window set with a ton of great characters.
Pop Vinyl are only available at Disney Stores and the Disney Store Online. They retail for $12.50. Each figure is listed at 3 3/4 inches tall, just a Jiminy Cricket top hat taller than Vinylmation. Although Stitch and Mike look a little shorter than the other ten.
Overall, I really like the Pop! Vinyl collection. The colors are vibrant, the clothing details are wonderful and they just have a fun classic yet modern look to them. I really enjoy the caricature type design of each classic animated film star. The idea is a bit like Pook-A-Looz.
Buzz Pook-A-Looz
Ya, I also have a few of those. I’ll be adding some Pop! Vinyl to my Disney collection. Here is my take on a few of these individual figures:
Maleficent is my favorite figure. She made a great 9″ Vinylmation, and this vinyl doesn’t disappoint either. Her face and horns are brilliant. Her clothing also takes nice form and the colors are vibrant.
Snow White is another favorite out of this set. The big rounded face and huge bug eyes really tell the story of this cute princess. I can almost hear her sweat voice singing to me.
On the flip side, I don’t like the Mickey Mouse design. The face looks very vacant. The welcoming open arms are a cool feature, but the overall look is a bit blah.
What do you think about Pop! Vinyl? Will these make it into your Disney collection?
A Little Less Magic in Orlando
Update: 5/30/11 As noted in the comment below, the closure of the Florida Mall Disney Store is only temporary. Check out the story in the Orlando Sentinel. The store will be renovated to included many interactive features and will reopen in September. A nice sign on the door would have been nice. But two parts of the story below remain the same… Sanford, for a while, is Orlando’s closest Disney Store and… I still want that Mouse Ear archway for my house!
5/29/11 Looks like Vinylmation collectors will have one less place in Central Florida to purchase Disney Store Exclusive figures. Thank you to Chris for sending us this picture:
Gate down, lights off, store empty. This is the now former Disney Store inside the Florida Mall in Orlando. Closed for business. I’ll take the archway for my room! Collectors now will have to drive north on I-4 a bit to the Seminole Towne Center in Sanford.
Destination Disney Podcast: May 25, 2011
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So much to talk about from the last few weeks. I recap my coverage of D23 Destination D: WDW 40th event. It was an amazing weekend, and I will take you inside the convention walls. I review the new Star Tours atraction at Hollywood Studios. It was an exhaustive day, but I meet all the Pixar characters at Pixar Weekend at EPCOT. I’ll share my experience with you. We also have a review on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. And of course, cover the latest news around Disney. Thank you for joining us! |
Listen live to Destination Disney every Friday night at 6pm EST on Heartbeat Radio. Visit the Destination Disney website for Disney stories. Subscribe to the podcast at iTunes.
Packing a Lunch for the Florida Project
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It’s been a while since we’ve just pointed to another blog for a story because we like to try to give you all the info we can, here and now. This story is just off the subject matter for Destination Vinylmation, and we wanted to point you to it, without rehashing too much of it.
Over the the Disney Parks Blog, Dara Trujillo wrote up a nice article about another piece of the Florida Project’s exclusive products mystery. She interviewed Disney Design Group Artist Quynh Kimball (Holiday 2 Cupid 9″ and Urban 2 Cosmos) about his cool Lunchbox and Pin set. Read the whole article over at disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/ |
ZoMG: Monty Maldovan and Muppets 2
 The Muppets 2 Set looks even better in person!! I love them! I went to Downtown Disney yesterday for the signing and had such a great time! I love talking with other Vinylmation fans, trading and just having a great time!
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| The line for Monty was huge! He was busy signing Vinylmation and talking with fans from 2 – 5pm..
I got a chance to talk with Monty about Muppets 2, the 9″s that he designed, as well as his take on the new shape of Vinylmation. |
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| Monty told me that his favorite design from this series is Dr. Teeth. He also told me that he loves the accessories that are starting to be added to different Vinylmation series (there are 3 hats in this series!).
I told Monty that I just started a column on Destination Vinylmation and he let me know that he already LOVES Destination Vinylmation! He told me, ” I check it every couple days to get updated on Vinylmation news!! They know more than I do about things so I look to their website for information! They are doing a great job!” |
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| I then went on to tell Monty how excited I am for the 9″ Muppets and asked when he thinks they will be released. He responded saying, “within this year.” (Sigh..I want them now!)
Finally, I asked Monty what he honestly thinks of the new design of Vinylmation. He looked at me and said, “he was a little bummed to see the Mickey design fade away, even though it is still there for the most part. We had a meeting where they showed the new form as well as new upcoming designs on the new forms and everyone was blown away. Any doubts people have about the new shape, will go away as soon as they see how detailed and perfect these new Vinylmation look!” I had a great time yesterday and can’t wait for the next event! Thank you Monty for being so sweet and stopping to talk with me! -Zoe |
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The Destination Disney Radio Show
New episode of The Destination Disney Radio Show available for download. This week, Michelle Wargo from Heartbeat Radio guest hosts for Nick and takes a look back at her life and love affair with Disney. Nick Interviews Disney Artist Chris Chapman. And we have the latest Disney News.
Download at www.DestinationD.info or on iTunes.
Destination Disney Radio Show
Download the latest episode of the Destination Disney Radio Show.
This week we look into how Disney cast members are trained to handle crisis like the earthquake in Japan that affected Tokyo Disney. We are joined by the former Executive VP of Operations at Walt Disney World, Lee Cockerell, who was there on 9/11 and when major hurricanes threatened Orlando. We also have a look at Disney News, Park Hours, Orlando Weather and Orlando travel Hints and Tips. And this week on Kingdom Royal Rumble it’s Phillharmagic vs Swiss Family Treehouse and Buzz Lightyear’s Spin vs Mickey Mouse Revue.
Download the Podcast at www.DestinationD.info
Listen live every Friday at 7pm EST at www.HeartbeatRadioUSA.com
Disney Online Store Vinylmation Availabiltiy Update
Today, at DisneyStore.com:
All 8 Nerds Rock! are avaialble for $9.95 a piece.
For those procrastinatiors, Urban 3 Cases ($139.95) and singles ($5.99) are still available and on sale.
All 8 WDW 40th Anniversary figures are avaialable at $12.95 a piece.
The elusive USA Flag is available for $9.95.
There are still some Jacks from the Nightmare set – $11.95
Pie Eyed Mickey from Big Eyes is on sale for $7.99