New Disney Character Star Wars Figures Unveiled

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Looks like I missed a big development off the pin board at the last WDW Trade Night…

Vinylnation posted the above picture of some open window Vinylmation magnets that are on the release slate for later this year. This display shows us 3 we knew about and 3 we did not from the upcoming Disney Characters as Star Wars set. No real surprise in the use of characters. They mimic what we usually see in other merchandise and at the park.

Stitch takes the role as Yoda. Much suited for this role he is. I will say I was a little underwhelmed with the Yoda out of Star Wars 1, so I hope this vinyl pulls it off. By the look of this magnet, I do like the direction the artist took.

Pete as Boba Fett didn’t come along until Series 4 of the action figures, but it looks like we will not have to wait long to get him in Vinylmation form. Another Pete is always welcome in Vinylmation. The facial features look great, and we hope the costume design stands up to the magnificent Star Wars 1 figure.

The one surprise is actually Goofy. Not in using Goofy as Darth Vader, but I suspected the artist would take a more Characters at the Parks approach. Meaning, I thought we would see Goofy in his Mickey boxers as he appears during Star Wars Weekends…

Instead they seemed to go straight forward Vader. I honestly would have rather had the comical version above. Probably because it would mean more for me with that connection to the Star Wars Weekends I so enjoy attending. However, the actual designs used do not disappoint and I anticipate the release of this set above all others on the horizon. We hope to see the vinyls around Star Wars Weekends in May.

Spotlight On: Custom Pumpkin Artist Gyophry

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

It’s January, so the thought on all our minds is of course… pumpkins! Last fall we featured artist Gyophry’s custom pumpkins. He masterfully carves works of art into these pumpkins and being a huge Disney fan, many of his designs lean that way. This year he is embarking on a series of pumpkins that will pay tribute to the Disney theme parks.

I am attempting what could be my most ambitious series yet, and the 1st of this is the Epcot 30th anniversary.
This is special to me due to Epcot being the 1st Disney park i had the pleasure to visit way back in 1982. I wanted to do something that would also bring back memories for a lot of us fans.

I began by finding a pattern series and then outlining the design in a pencil, it is difficult to see most detail when taking the paper pattern and laying it on a round 3d surface. I then painstakingly use a pin tool to pierce the pattern to the pumpkin, this allows me to remove the paper to see the design better, this process took me approximately 4 hours to complete.

Then the fun part, its time to cut and carve. This is the most exciting and nerve racking point in the process. Any mistake and its all over, as you can see the amount of time taken on the prep allows for the fine line detail. Slowly but surely the final design starts to show up.

The carving all in all took  approximately 6 hours to complete, and other than some issues with the paint of the actual Funkin (brand of pumpkin), I feel like this was a great start to this series.

If you are wondering what the rest of the series will be….well all i can say is its like Park Starz in the way it honors the classic rides and attractions we all love and cherish. I look forward to keeping you and the rest of my Vinylmation fans in the Halloween spirit all year round.

SDCC So Tasty Update

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

The Playwright wrote into us because he just received his SDCC So Tasty Vinylmation in the mail from the Disney Store Online.

I got my whole set of 8 comic con “exclusives” in the mail today.  As per your request on the podcast, here is a picture of the front and back of the vinyl.

It does have the comic con sticker and nowhere does it say it’s limited edition of any kind.

The Playwright

Vinylympics Set Scores

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

On the podcast today we reviewed every set that came out in 2012 by giving it a score of between 0-10 (like the judges in Gymnastics do). Here are our scores. Post your scores on any sets and compare.

The winner of the Gold Medal (top score) was the Disney Character Star Wars set with a perfect 10.0 from both judges.
Silver went to Park 8, Park 9, Jr. 6 Snow White.
And Bronze went to the Mascot and Japanese Zodiac Series.

Under the Big Top Nick – 6
MC – 6
Disney Store 25th Anniversary Nick – 6.5
MC – 8
Villains 3 Nick – 8.5
MC – 7
Furry Friends Nick – 7
MC – 5
Urban 9 Nick – 7
MC – 7.5
Park 8 Nick – 10
MC – 8.5
Park 9 Nick – 9.5
MC – 9
Park 10 Nick – 8
MC – 8.5
Robots 2 Nick – 6
MC – 6.5
Animation 2 Nick – 7.5
MC – 8
Monorail Cars Nick – 7
MC – 4
Cutesters at the Beach Nick – 7
MC – 7.5
Mascots Nick – 10
MC – 8
Phineas and Ferb Nick – 8.5
MC – 8.5
Disney Tunes Nick – 9
MC – 8.5
Disney Character Star Wars Nick – 10
MC – 10
Jr. 5 Nick – 5.5
MC – 5
Jr. 6 Nick – 9.5
MC – 9
So Tasty Nick – 8
MC – 7.5
D-Tour Nick – 7.5
MC – 8
DLR Commemorative Nick – 7
MC – 6
Holiday 3 Nick – 8.5
MC – 7.5
Chinese New Year Nick – 4
MC – 7.5
Japanese Zodiac Nick – 8.5
MC – 9.5
Color Block Nick – 3
MC – 2
Theme Park Favorites Nick – 6
MC – 3.5

2012 Vinylympics Dream Team

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Last year we picked our favorite new vinyls as our All Star Baseball teams. This year we went to the Vinylympics and picked our Dream Basketball team. These figures not only seem like good fits for the positions but they also were the best vinyls so far in 2012.

Position Blind Box Bashers D-Street Destroyers
MC Nick
Center Punk Stitch Duffy
Power Forward Light Up Hippo Stormtrooper Donald
Small Forward Big Top Chaser(s) Dapper Dan
Point Guard Perry Carl
Shooting Guard Chernobog Mascot Goofy
Benches Dapper Dans
King (James) Mickey		 Tattered Dress Snow White
Magic Kingdom Ticket
Equipment Manager Nerds Figment
Team Captain Director Mickey
Coach K. Murase Maria Clapsis

Leave a comment and tell us who your Dream Team for this year would be!

First Look at the Ink and Paint Shop in Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

When Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opens this coming May, guests will find a colorful new merchandise location called the Ink & Paint Shop. For the past several months, Lyndsey Vincent, a recent intern on the Walt Disney World Professional Internship Program, has been diligently working on one important thing for the new shop. She has the unique job of designing the merchandise fixtures, and we recently spoke about her experience.

“I’ve grown up with Disney and visited Disneyland Resort every summer with my family,” said Lyndsey. “I graduated with an Interior Design degree last spring and moved from Idaho to work for Walt Disney World Resort. I didn’t know what to expect when I got here but the experience has been fun!”

Now a full-time member of the Global Retail Development team at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, Lyndsey worked closely with several departments “to put together the puzzle” that is a new location.

“Location planning was a key department that helped with the design process,” explained Lyndsey. “They provided me the number of ‘faceouts’ or areas that will carry merchandise. My job then was to design fixtures that would achieve their number while balancing other factors like traffic flow and shop design.”

Walt Disney Imagineering designed the wall spaces for the location which resemble oversized paint jars. Lyndsey explained that the fixtures will be clean and simple in form and will be neutral in color to complement the colorful palate that Imagineering used.

“We had several different versions of fixtures during the development process,” continued Lyndsey. “Ultimately, we chose clean, simple designs that remind me of an animator’s workspace. For this project, I wanted materials that had recycled content, had Greenguard certification for indoor air quality, and were manufactured in the US. The fixtures I am most excited about are the nested tables, which are made from a recycled concrete material.”

Lyndsey said she learned the importance of details from her Imagineering partners.

“Throughout this process, Imagineering taught me the importance of paying attention to the details,” remarked Lyndsey. “Guests don’t visit Disney and remark, ‘Wow – look at those amazing fixtures!’ Yet, they are an important part of any shop. When designed well, they create a great immersive shopping experience that is all Disney.”

You can see these fixtures and the location come to life when the resort begins opening in phases on May 31.

So Tasty’s MK Photos

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

There is only one place you would expect to find So Tasty… the Main Street Confectionery. As if the place didn’t already smell good enough…

The Cheeseburgers are served!
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Grape Soda goes great with other sugary sweets.
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The Sugar Meter is off the charts with Frozen Lemonade.
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Donald and Goofy couldn’t even pop a more fine corn.
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Root Beer Float in a Magic Kingdom souvenir cup

Collector’s Corner: Peter and Leah

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Name: Peter and Leah

Hometown: Victoria BC, Canada

Collection Count:
3″ = 185
9″ = 2
Jrs = 0
Park Starz = 0
Customs = 2

How long have you been collecting?
We’ve been collecting for just over a year now, since May 2011. We are big fans of Toy Story and needed the Lotso vinyl. We were unaware of the world of Vinylmation, but by the end of our week in Disneyland we were coming home with 22 figures, including Lotso!

What is your favorite figure that you own?
That is a tough one! We only collect figures that we really love, and not just for the sake of having every one. Lotso will always hold a soft spot for us. Watermelon Mickey is one of my favorites – for my birthday Peter surprised me with a vinyl for the 10 days leading up to my actual birthday, and Watermelon was day 10! Romantic Treats are quickly becoming favorites too, we love the unique approach in their designs.

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What is your favorite figure that you don’t own?
That would probably be Super Mouse, we just haven’t been able to get that guy! Or the impossible Kermit from Muppets 1!

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Which of these is the best feeling: Pulling a figure you want… from a blind box you just purchased, from a great trade with another collector, from a mystery trading box at the park or from a clear trading box?
All of these are great feelings! It feels so great to make a trade with someone and know that they are thrilled with their new acquisition too and share the excitement. But the BEST feeling has to be a blind box.. 



We’ve had our share of disappointments (I’ve lost count of Cutester 2 kids..) but opening up the black phone  variant was so thrilling! With Villains 2 we wanted just one figure, and thought we’d just buy  a box. We just happened to get that Runaway Brain Mickey! Disney Magic!

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Tell us about those customs we see on the shelf.
The two customs we own are done by local comic book artist Gareth Gaudin. He does monthly comic books that he sells at his shop here in Victoria, with the characters Perogi Cat and Cute Elk. I’m a big fan of them and for Christmas last year, Peter got him to do a simple Perogi Cat and Cute Elk Vinylmation!


Release Day: Friday, August 3, 2012

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Today Park 10, the Disneyland Paris themed set releases at both stateside D-Streets.

Does this set appeal to collectors in the US? I love the designs even though I have never been to DLP. It is also fun to have another Park set out just months after the last one. Check out Park 10 explained for more info.

Release day was not without surprises. Remember that Urban 8 online exclusive Monster and Archaeologist? It finally released today for $74.95. It is an LE 1500. Wow, a bit high on the edition size there. Best bet would be to wait for this one to be part of a 2 for $50 deal.

The LE 1000 Urban 8 Toilet Paper and Kid combo also released online. This one of course had previously been available at D-Streets before moving down I-4 to the outlets for about $20.

The Japan Geisha Minnie also released today. This figure is the last installment in the “Magic Around the World” releases at select US Disney Stores and will retail for $9.95. Interestingly enough, we finally (from a random comment on the Disney Parks Blog) know where these are actually getting released. Only the New York Times Square, SF Stockton St., Chicago Michigan Ave and Burbank, CA stores are getting these releases. 

Spotlight On: Custom Pumpkin Artist Gyophry

WDWNT on February 25, 2012

Here are a couple of shots from my disney classic series:

The epcot 30th was the 1st of the series.

20K under the sea is #2

The classic poster from the Jungle cruise is #3

I have been experimenting with new media for #4 “TomorrowLand”

Now that the season is upon us I hope to have many more awesome designs created. All of the classic series are available for purchase. $75 shipped. Thanks for allowing me a chance to share with the readers.

Gyophry can be contacted about purchasing his pumpkin creations via his Twitter: @gyophry.