NYC: The Junior Apple? Exclusive Jr Vinylmation

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Update: 9/27/11 Disney says the surprise release of these Jr Keychains was very popular and that more shipments are on the way. We also updated some pictures below.
–
The Playwright always has his finger on the pulse of the NYC Times Square Disney Store. They have just put an unannounced release on the shelves. Jr versions of some of their exclusive 3″ styles. They retail for $9.95 a piece and are limited to 5 per style per guest.
I Mickey Head NY and Statue of Minnie Keychain Jr Vinylmation
Copyright Disney
Copyright Disney
Statue of Minnie
Back of packaging
Back of packaging

I think these look really good and will sell very, very well to tourists passing through the Times Square Store as little NYC themed Disney souvenirs. What a great product in terms of marketing.

2011 Benefit Sale at Downtown Disney, WDW

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Update: 11/1/11 Link to purchase tickets for a $5 donation: www.benefitsale.com. If you are looking to go for Vinylmation, please note that all Vinylmation will ONLY be sold at World of Disney. It also looks as if there will only be 25% off Vinylmation. Here is a report from Claudia:
–

“FYI—-I was at Downtown Disney in Orlando today, and spoke to the Manager at the Pin Trader Store regarding the United Way Benefit Sale this Saturday Nov 5. The Store Manager informed me that the sale for Vinylmations will only be at 25% off and you CANNOT use any other discount (no Annual Pass or Cast Member Discount). I asked the Mgr about specific Vinylmations that would be on sale, and his reply was as followed: “Most VInylmations will be discounted with a a ‘few’ exceptions.” The Mgr did state they would have lots of DOORBUSTER SALES, and a few surprises, but the maximum discount on Vinylmations would be 25% off.”

The second annual Benefit Sale returns to the Downtown Disney Walt Disney World on Saturday, November 5, 2011. The Benefit Sale is a one day shopping event benefits the Heart of Florida United Way and gives guests the chance to purchase items at incredible savings.

As of today, 9/23, the website isn’t revealing any of the deals, but we do know, from a flyer given out at the AP sale over the summer, we can expect 75% off select Vinylmation. They have catagories such as “Door Busters”, “Gifts With Purchase”, “Buy One Get One”, “Percent Off” and “Product Launches.”

This is a ticketed event. Last year it was a $5 donation. We will let you know when the link goes live to purchase your Benefit Sale Voucher online directly from the United Way.

UPDATED: Disney Store Online Seeks Solution to LEs

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Update: 9/23/11 Looks like I was quick to hope for an actual solution to the problems associated with the sale of LE items. Here is the Disney Store’s response to the Designer Princes problem:

Dear Disney Store Guests:

As you may be aware, our new limited edition Disney Princess Designer Doll Collection has generated a good deal of excitement. While many of you love the new dolls, you have also expressed frustration in securing your favorite Princess, and brought to our attention ways we could make the process fair for all Guests. We want you to know that we read your comments on Facebook, saw your Tweets, and our wonderful Cast Members have told us what they heard from our Guests who visited our Stores.

Quantities of these dolls are very limited, and we realize that not everyone will be able to get the doll of their choice even with a new process in place. Our aim is to increase the possibility of our Guests to obtain the dolls that they are seeking. Therefore we have updated our release plans as follows:

• We will now release for sale all 5 remaining Disney Princess Designer Dolls: Tiana, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and Pocahontas on one date in Stores on 10/17/11.

• We will then have a Disneystore.com release of all 5 remaining Disney Princess Designer Dolls (Tiana, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and Pocahontas) the following day on 10/18/11, at a time to be determined.

• We will be limiting the purchase to one doll per Princess, per Purchasing Guest – both in-store and at Disneystore.com

• We will implement a line queue and ticketing procedure (first come, first served) in Stores on the release date and the dolls will be sold at store opening.

• Guests that are not successful in obtaining the Princess Doll of their choice at the Stores will be able to try again later at Disneystore.com

We thank you for your continued support and loyalty. We hope you have a Magical day.

(DV’s original article from 9/19)

Lets be honest for a minute. Each one of us may have ended up on the wrong side of a “Disney Store system malfunction” before. And it is not fun. But the true test of a customer satisfaction policy is, “what do you do to correct the problem?” Disney has always been better than most in that department. This is not to dismiss mistakes, but it needs to be pointed out. We are all familiar with the various Disney Afternoon and 9″ villains debacles. Well today, the Snow White LE designer princess doll was released at Disney Stores and at the Disney Store Online. And by all accounts, it was another mess. Sold out online in less than 10 minutes. Oversold to customers. Lines at Disney Stores with very little stock. And even the report from Tampa that mall employees were given the tickets reserving a doll early in the morning before guests had the chance to access them.

The Sold Out Designer Princess

The Disney Store issues are more difficult to solve. There is only so much product and lines cant be stopped. But procedures need to be policed to enforce purchase limits and fairness of distribution.

As far as online, Disney has acknowledged a problem after the Vinylmation issues, and a fix was supposed to be put in place. But after this morning, we see that the same issues are occurring. Namely, overselling a LE product.

The good news? Disney Store President Jim Fielding made a public apology on the Disney Store Blog. He said, ” We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and recognize that this did not meet the high quality guest service that our Guests have come to expect from Disney Store.” Jim also went onto say that they are going to delay the next LE doll release explaining they will, “reevaluate our process to ensure that all guests have a fair opportunity to purchase these highly coveted dolls.”

Check out the Buzz at blog.disneystore.com

I wish they took it this seriously after the first or second or third LE Vinylmation problem, but it is nice to see a public admission of a problem and a dedication to a solution. I would think its an overall look at how LE sales are computed online and would positively affect Vinylmation as well. Jim pledges an update by Friday, September 23.

What’s in Orlando’s Disney Store?

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Our good friend Chris tweeted up this picture and also let us know how the Vinylmation was in Orlando's Disney Store.

First up, Pop Vinyl 2 is available there. Lots of new figures. But this begs the question, "How long is their contract, and will they stop now that Park Starz is coming?"

Chris also reports that vinyl trading now at the store! They also have plenty of Vinylmation series to buy, Animation, Muppets, Urban 7, Cutesters Like You, Cutesters 2, Cars 2, and Spooky 1.

Thanks or the update Chris!

Spotlight On: Customation Project Artist Celeste

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Leading up the Cesar’s event in Santa Clarita, CA this weekend, Destination Vinylmation will feature each of the custom artists and talk to them about some of the figures they will be bringing to the event.

Today we will start with one of our personal favorites, Celeste. We have reviewed several of her pieces, the most noted of which is her 9″ Animal piece (still superior over the 9″ piece that was part of Muppets 2). She was a bit mysterious about the pieces she will be bringing to the event, but wanted to let this picture slip out.
I don’t know what she’s going for here, but it looks epic.

We asked Celeste some questions, and here is what she said.

Destination Vinylmation: As a reminder, can you tell our fans how long you’ve been making custom vinyl?
Celeste: I’ve been creating Vinylmation for about a year now and it’s still going on strong. Every new piece is a challenge and I love every minute of it. Having the opportunity to share my work is a great thing and I cherish the support and encouragement people have given me.

DV: We really love your pieces, which ones will you be bringing to the event?
Celeste: Well I don’t to give too much away, most of the pieces are never before seen customs that I created for the show so you have to come and check it out personally, of course I will have the pics of the customs posted after the show for those who couldn’t attend. So all I can show is a teaser of one. (See above pic) They actually are floating and are a small piece to the a big whole.

DV: Those both scare and intrigue me. Where can fans find more of your stuff?
Celeste: Of course you can check out my work at my site at celestecustomvinylmations.blogspot.com or Facebook at Celeste Custom Vinylmations.

DV: Well thanks for your time and I hope you enjoy this weekend’s show!

Well there ya go, a bit spooky, and very mysterious, Celeste. Go to the show this weekend and see what she (and all the artists) are all about.

Win a Windy City Chicago Vinylmation from Disney Store

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

On the Buzz, The official Disney Store blog, they are holding a contest for a 3″ Windy City Chicago Vinylmation. It appears the post went up early as the contest starts at Midnight on September 19th… but you can check out the link to the blog here. You just have to answer a few simple questions, the answers to which can be found on our site… maybe under the “Released” tab… maybe under Villains. Good luck!

Check out Minnie Malice’s article on the Chicago release here.

New Kidada 9/3 Combo Pictures Leaked

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Vinylnation.net found this image as a hidden placeholder page on the UK DisneyStore.com website. It looks like this may be a UK exclusive.
It is called 9″ Ice Cream Sundae with 3″ Chocolate bar. Also, Bethan on the Vinylnation.net forums found some additional info and pictures. It is LE 1500 and retails for 50 pounds, or about $80.

It looks fantastic and continues Kidada’s sweets theme. What do you think? Now, this figure does not match up with the tease we saw at D23:

The Orange Bird at The Florida Project

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

At this past weekend’s Florida Project trading event, the theme was just awesome. Original ride vehicles and marvelously themed trading areas adorned the World Showplace. Disney also hid a bunch of Orange Birds all over the place. The Orange Bird was also the exclusive event Vinylmation figure that guests could trade for with Cast Members. So it’s only natural the little guy flew around the room for a photo shoot.

Orange Bird in front of the Castle themed trading area
Orange Bird next to an original MK Skyway vehicle
Orange Bird at an actual Nautilus sub from MK’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Orange Bird at the Mr. Toad themed trading station
Orange Bird at the Haunted Mansion themed trading station
Orange Bird dancing with Minnie at the Resorts themed trading area
Orange Bird by the stage
Orange Bird next to some big orange bird
Orange Birds. I couldn’t find the larger one in the trade boxes.

Now here is a look at Disney’s hidden Orange Birds all around the room.

Peeking out of a cardboard Skyway vehicle overhead
Perched atop the Castle
As a ghostly haunt at the mansion
Waiting to take his Wild Ride
Off to work this Orange Bird goes
Hanging at the Resorts… the least hidden of the Orange Birds

WDW 2012 Marathon Vinylmation

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Here is a look at the new WDW Marathon, Half Marathon and Goofy’s Race Vinylmation. This year’s versions are in the style of stopwatches and like in year’s past, there will be a spot to write your time on the back. The should be available in early January.

WDW 2012 Marathon
WDW 2012 Half Marathon
9″ WDW 2012 Goofy’s Race

A Look at Urban 9

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

 

2 Urban 9s were on display at The Florida Project. No word on release date for these.

 

 

 

A sheep is one of our first peaks inside Urban 9. It has horns in the ears and hoofs painted onto the feet.

Lots of ways to enjoy Vinylmation for breakfast now. Here is a toaster, Vinylmation brand, with clear ears and toast flying out the top. it’s a simple design, but looks really good.