What’s on the Vinylmation Horizon

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

So, what’s with this information drought Disney? No solid info has been posted on Vinylmation.com since before the Super Bowl. And with an ever shrinking confirmed release calendar, the Vinylmation collecting community is wondering what’s next? So I thought this is as good a time as any to go over what sets and figures we know about that should eventually get released. The first on my list was an intriguing collection that we saw at The Florida Project.

These 7″ battery operated night light Vinylmation had the community excited… but by the end of the weekend, Disney announced they would be indefinitely delayed. Next up, Disney Classics.

Touted as the Have a Laugh follow up, the release of this series seems to be on the near horizon as it does appear in the Sneak section of Vinylmation.com. The picture above is from a teaser slide at The Florida Project. It looks like a black and white set of classic Disney characters as they first appeared many decades ago. Then we have a follow up to the popular Disney Store Robots series.

We expect to see Robots Series 2 sometime in 2012. We were excited to uncover a couple pictures from a website called http://gdpinvestigation.blogspot.com/. They claim these are images of Robots from Series 2.

This first image features some concept art.

This second image seems like the packaging design. How about a blast from the past? The next two pieces of concept art were already posted online at Vinylnation by the time I started collecting about two years ago. They both seem to feature Disney Vacation Club exclusive figure designs.

This first one is purple with a gold key.
The second one is a wonderful little white picket fence design with Mickey Heads and a “Home Sweet Home” sign. We only have one DVC figure so far… will we ever see these produced? You can put these on the shelf next to Clear Series 2. What ever happened to those? Let’s dive into the movies for a bit. Last year, Disney released a teaser image for a Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides set.
This Casey Jones designed set is expected to hit shelves sometime in 2012. No word on if it will open window or mystery box. This next set has a more solid release window. It’s the Jr. 6 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We don’t have a release date, but Disney says to expect it in April. We recently found this image of the packaging on http://gdpinvestigation.blogspot.com/.
I am so excited for this detailed Jr set. The seven dwarfs are a given, but it will be interesting to finally get the reveal of the remaining 11 figures. Sticking with the movies…
Disney Character Star Wars is rumored to have a release around Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios (May 18-June 12). We should also see the second Star Wars blind box series later this year as well.
October is the rumored release window. Park Starz was an exciting 2011 release, and Disney promised we will see variants in 2012.
No pictures yet, but Disney said they will sell variants individually, meaning no blind boxing for them. This is a fresh approach were you can just go ahead and purchase the variant outright if you want it. We also have one hint… “copper”. Most people are looking at you Mr. Lincoln. Sticking with the “breaking the mold” theme…
We know absolutely nothing about Popcorns except this teaser image. But we do know plenty about Haunted Mansion… except a release date.
Between pins and concept art, we have a solid idea of what this set will look like. But for two years, we have been hearing rumors of release… I think I speak for everyone when I say “Please Disney, make 2012 the year we finally see this one!” And don’t forget the watch.
This is due out around March/April. And last but not least…
Vinylmation.fr has been teasing us for about 4 months. We are expecting some exclusive vinyl sometime this year in honor of Disneyland Paris’ 20th anniversary. So as you can see, although it has been a slow news month, we as Vinylmation collectors have a lot to look forward to in 2012 and beyond. What have I left off this list? What are you most looking forward too?

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Kevin Graham

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

When Rhode Island artist Kevin Graham emailed us his 9″ Patch custom, we were very impressed. When we looked over his website and resume, we were blown away.

Destination Vinylmation: You have had a great career creating some work that our readers may be familiar with. Tell us a little about what you do.
Kevin Graham: I own my own Graphic Design/Web Design company. Usually during the day I do work for my main company and in the evenings and weekends I freelance doing work for Lucasfilm/Star Wars, Topps, Upper Deck, and many other companies. I am most known for my Star Wars artwork. I have a series of Star Wars licensed artwork you can currently find on Zazzle.com and at your local Old Navy and oldnavy.com. Topps has several Star Wars trading card sets they come out with each year. Star Wars Galaxy 7 is the most recent. I did 9 paintings that are in the current set that can Only be found in retail stores like Target. I have been a huge fan of Disney animation so I created 9 hand drawn animation cel paintings.

The cards are printed on clear plastic. Topps also gives us blank cards for us to draw whatever we want on them and then they are randomly inserted into packs of cards.

I did 50 cards for the Hobby packs found Only in hobby stores. They also had the actors of Star Wars sign the blank cards and then we draw them.

I also raise two kids and have a second one on the way in about a week.

DV: You obviously have a love of Star Wars, can you share some of your favorite Star Wars related work with us.
KG: It’s hard for me to really pick a favorite piece of mine. The amazing thing is since 2006 when I started doing sketch cards for Topps, etc. I have drawn over 10,000 sketch cards. I cant even remember most of them. Star Wars related I’d have to say I really liked the base card I did for Topps Star Wars Galaxy 6 last year. The reason why is I drew 6 Stormtroopers and one has his helmet off, its me.

Actually all the Stormtroopers are me as I own my own Stormtrooper costume but was cool to be able to have myself as a Star Wars character on an official Star Wars card. Another piece I really like is the limited Star Wars print I did for Star Wars Celebration 5 in Orlando last year. I was one of only 50 artist selected to be part of the event. The print was limited to 250. The original artwork for both is now owned by Lucasfilm.

My favorite non Star Wars art piece I love is the Winnie the Pooh mural I did in my babies room recently.

DV: Let’s talk Vinylmation. As a Star Wars fan, what are your thoughts on Series One that was released last year? Do you own any of these figures?
KG: To be honest I was expecting them to be better. No offense to the artist or Disney but of all the good artists out there, Including Star Wars artists (Wink, Wink) they could have been done much better. I actually looked into doing Star Wars Vinylmations way before they came out. I tried contacting the people in charge of licensing for Disney/Star Wars but they only use official Disney artists. To bad. I do have the entire set except Obi-Won ghost which I don’t think I’ll ever get. My favorite of the set would be the Stormtrooper 🙂 I did a 9″ Stormtrooper before the set came out, It was done as a gift for someone.

DV: Have you seen the concept art yet for the couple of known figures for Series Two yet? What are you thoughts on the designs?
KG: I did see a few. I am pretty happy with them. I really like the Disney characters dressed as Star Wars people. Since I am both a huge Star Wars fan and Disney I like the mashups. I have been working on several of my own Star Wars /Disney vinylmations. One being Minnie as Slave Leia.

I wasn’t sure if Disney will attempt one so I figured I would. I hope to have it completed soon.

DV: Series Two is based on A New Hope. Do you have any speculation as to the rest of the character line up?
KG: Unfortunately I don’t get to follow all the chatter online as I am always drawing almost 24 hours a day but I hope the series continues to get better. There is so much you can do with the technology/printing they have available I don’t see why they don’t just go nuts with detail, accessories, etc. Maybe Darth Maul with actual horns or sabers that actually light up, etc.

You have all the technology and some of the best artists around, go nuts 🙂 I know I would and do.

DV: Your patch custom is great. I really like all the shading detail. Why did you choose Patch?
KG: I was originally looking for artwork to draw for my upcoming baby and found a cute picture of Patch. The odd thing was I actually started my Patch before the Furry Friends came out. Apparently the Disney artist used the same image as reference as me to do the artwork. I think mine is more detailed, I just don’t have the bent paws 🙂 Which if I had time I would make custom ones for 9″ figures.

I also thought it would be cute to add a dog bowl with his name on it. He was a blast to work on. I enjoyed it so much I did another Dalmatian right after it.

DV: What was the hardest part about creating Patch?
KG: I know a lot of people hate the new molds and I agree for the most part as I love the nose being there and buttons. The thing is when you are actually drawing and painting on them the nose becomes a problem. Especially when drawing peoples lips on the nose area. You may have seen other people who have done customs put lips on the nose and it looks like they had botox injections 🙂 Its rather hard to get around this unless you can work the design a little to correct for this issue. In this case it would be great to have a new 9″ mold without the nose there. For doing Vinylmations of people anyways. The nose can also create odd shadows that mess with the design.

DV: Do you have anymore figures planned?
KG: I have a ton of Vinylmations planned and some new Disney and Star Wars Canvas paintings . I currently have about 6 Vinylmation commissions in the works. I have to multi task or I go nuts and don’t feel I am doing enough to keep busy. When Vinylmations first came out I started doing custom figures with the 3″ Vinylmations since the 9″ were so expensive. That was until the odd colored 9″ ones started to go on sale. All you need is white primer and your good to go. I love doing work for charities. Before Vinylmations came out I did other custom figures, Stormtrooper helmets, etc. for Make-A-Wish, etc. to help children and others. I am currently working on a Vinylmation for Autism Awareness Light It Up Blue event for April 2nd, its world autism awareness day. The Vinylmation will be sold to help children with autism. Ill have more details soon. I have a lot of cool Vinylmations in the works or completed but I can’t show them all yet because they are gifts for people. I recently just finished a 9″ Vinylmation of Pooh and Tigger to give to my wife when our baby is born in a week or so.

I will add his name and birth date on the balloons.

DV: Where can people go to view your work?
KG: You can see my work at www.kevingrahamart.com or ask to be my friend on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Grahamart ) which usually is updated way more than my regular site. Unfortunately I havent had time to make a Fan page for myself on Facebook. Commissions are always welcome on Vinylmations, canvas, etc. I appreciate every one’s interest in my work. I also plan to start doing Live video cast showing me working on Vinylmations and other art related projects. I will be showing different techniques etc to help others interested in doing Vinylmations. Ill have that info posted on my website and facebook.

Now’s the time to buy at Disney Stores

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

According to this email we got from the Disney Store, they are having a sale this weekend. In both Disney Stores and the Online. Just print out the coupon or type in the code “HAPPY25”.

Happy shopping! What will you be picking up?

Robots 2 Explained

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Robots Series 2
Release Date: April 13
Where: D-Streets
Price: TBA
Details: This set is promoted as “Mix ‘n Match.” In a single blind box, you will receive a robot with mixed up parts. A head, a body, feet and 2 arms from 4 different Robots. You can collect the mixed matched bots, make your own combos or find the missing parts and put together the artists original Robot design… or the “correct” version. This set was designed by Bill Davis. Unlike Robots 1, this second series was designed by a single artist and will not be a Disney Store exclusive product.

Unlike our normal Explained tables, we instead will just share the Mix ‘n Match instruction sheet Disney has supplied on the blog and in each blind box. You can download the pdf here. Or take a look at the image below.

Disney Classic Collection Explained

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Disney Classic Collection
November 9, 2012 at WDW, November 10, 2012 at DLR
Where: D-Streets
Price: $12.95
Details: 12 figure mystery box series. Disney characters in their classic black and white form. The series artist, Eric Caszatt will have a signing at both the WDW and DLR releases.

Update 9/10/12 Updated pictures with HQ photos from Mickey’s Circus.


Update 7/18/12 Product shots of Minnie, Mickey, Clara and Donald added.


Update 6/30/12 If it wasn’t for that pesky Haunted Mansion series, the Disney Classic Collection may be the most anticipated set among Disney fans. So imagine the excitement when these images showed up in the window at D-Street Anaheim! Zoe snapped us some pictures that give us a look at most of the set. (Clarabell the Cow and Donald Duck have already been shown to us by Disney)

 

 Minnie MouseFirst Appearence: Plane Crazy (1928)

She appears in the Kingdom Hearts video game series as the queen of Disney Castle, with Mickey serving as the king and her husband.

 

 

 Pluto


First Appearance: The Chain Gang (1930)Pluto is considered one of the first Disney characters to break out of the “rubber hose and circle” formula style the studio had relied on; the dog’s design gave him the appearance of actually being round instead of flat.

 

 Mickey MouseFirst Appearance: Steamboat Willie (1928)

Walt Disney himself voiced Mickey until 1947. Bret Iwan is the current man behind the voice.

 

 Dippy Dawg (Goofy)First Appearance: Mickey’s Revue 1932

By his seventh appearance, in Orphan’s Benefit first released on August 11, 1934, he gained the new name “Goofy” and became a regular member of the gang along with two other new characters: Donald Duck and Clara Cluck.

 

 Horace HorsecollarFirst Appearance: The Plow Boy (1929)

He appeared frequently from 1930 to 1932 and less frequently afterward, making his final classic-era cartoon in 1942. Horace was given small cameos in Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).

 

 Gideon GoatNot 100% sure about this one, there seem to to be a few different goats in early Disney cartoon history and in my research, this one was only in comics. But the horns and glasses point to Gideon.

Gideon Goat was a supporting character in the Mickey Mouse comic strips of the 1930s. Gideon first appeared in the 1930 Mickey Mouse Book #1.

 

 Clara CluckFirst Appearance: Orphan’s Benefit (1934)

Clara’s singing is meant to be a caricature of the Bel Canto style of Opera singing popular at the time of her appearance.

 

 PeteFirst Appearance: Alice Solves the Puzzle (1925)

Pete is the oldest continuing Disney character, having debuted three years before Mickey Mouse. in the cartoon

 

 Peter Pig
(May also be Percy Pig?)First Appearance: The Wise Little Hen (1934)Peter Pig only appeared in animation again in The Band Concert and was used in various Disney comics as well. He also made a brief cameo in 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

 

 Clarabell the CowFirst Appearance: Plane Crazy (1928)

Often paired with Horace Horsecollar, she sometimes was the love interest of Goofy.

 

 
Donald Duck
First Appearance: The Wise Little Hen (1934)

He has appeared in more films than any other Disney character and is the fifth most published comic book character in the world after Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, and Wolverine.

 

 

 Oswald
Mystery Chaser


It had to be Oswald. Ever since we saw the bunny ears introduced… it had to be Oswald!

Mickey’s Circus Explained

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Mickey’s Circus Trading Event
Where: Walt Disney World, EPCOT World Showplace
When: September 7-9, 2012 (Vinylmation day is 9/9/12 from 9:30a-5:30p)
Important Links:
Vinylmation Catalog
Pin Catalog
Itinerary 

Silent auction catalog 

Registration: Registration now closed! RSP emails have been sent out! Tickets are $60 for Vinylmation day only and $120 for Pin days only. Remember, separate admission is required for the 2-day Pin event and the 1-day Vinylmation event. Click here for Vinylmation registration. Click here for Pins registration.
What: A ticketed trading event for pins and Vinylmation. The year’s largest pin and Vinylmation event. Guests play games, trade, purchase exclusive merchandise and see upcoming designs. This year the theme is a circus. Does this relate to Storybook Circus opening at the Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland?

The first two days are dedicated to pins with the Vinylmation day taking place on Sunday, September 9 from 9:30am-5:30pm. Admission to the Vinylmation day only is $60 per guest. That does not include EPCOT admission which is required. The Vinylmation day will include trading games, a guest trading area, even specific vinyls for purchase, and event vinyl as a gift, artist signings, upcoming figures on display and a presentation announcing upcoming Vinylmation.

Update 08/22/12 Itinerary released by Disney. Silent auction catalog released.


Update 6/30/12 Some of the packaging product shots have been released

I love the Big Top look… perfect for display.

Dumbo and Jumbo are in a different style box, but it still works. We also have been shown some concept art.

Ron Cohee drew that Ringleader Mickey at last year’s Florida Project and here is a look at the vinyl and stand.

This Caley Hicks 9″ seal was originally supposed to be a 3″ Urban. Here is a look at the reverse and original drawing the figure is based on.

And we have Eric Cazatt’s Lion concept art side by side with the 9″ figure.


Update 6/15/12 Disney has released info on the Free Vinylmation gift for registered attendees! It is a 3″ Jumbo with Jr Dumbo set!



Update 5/19/12 Disney updated the catalog to include more figures available for purchase.

3″ Bongo and Lulubell Combo Set
LE 500
$26.95
Monty Maldovan
–

9″ Circus Lion
LE 100
$150
Eric Caszatt
–

9″ Circus Seal
LE 100
$150
Caley Hicks
–

Update 04/11/12 Disney has released full catalog and preview images of the Vinylmation that will be available at the event.

3″ Ringmaster Mickey
LE 1500
$16.95
Ron Cohee
–
3″ Circus Minnie and Goofy combo pack
LE 750
$26.95
Ron Cohee



Update 03/29/12 Disney announced important dates and shows off a new graphic. On April 11th we will get a sneak peak to the merchandise items. On May 19th, registration opens! (That is also World Circus Day according to Disney)



Update 02/16/12 We have the event poster, and artist rendering and some teaser images.

Official event poster
Artist drawing at Florida Project points to possible event figure
Teaser squares released on the official Disney Pin website

Park 8 Variant: 100 Years of Magic

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

James sent us this picture on Facebook.

Three 100 Years of Magic Variants in one case! We are still waiting to see the AK Safari Truck no mud variant. If you have a picture, send it in.

California’s Trade Show 2/17/12

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Zoe stopped by the trade show tonight at Disneyland. Big crowd. Lots of new pins being shown, but no new vinylmation.

Also there was a whole table by Evilos. Check it out.

Love those light up Trons!

Did anyone go and get any good trades? Let us know!

Mickey gets all dressed up for Park 8 LE

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Thanks to @vm_paris for this look at the 9″ Park 8 LE inspired by the Mickey Mouse Review. It was released at Disneyland Paris. We are still waiting on word of the stateside release.