Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Celeste
Destination Vinylmation: You recently created a Vinylmation for a contest at Vinylmation Kingdom that was designed by a reader to their website. Can you tell us about it?
Celeste: The winning design was Percy, the dog from Pocahontas, designed by Abraham Mendoza. I had a great time creating him and added an accessory bell to give it personal touch.
DV: What was the hardest part about creating him?
Celeste: The most difficult process is always finding a way to fit a 2-D design or an idea onto a 3-D canvas or vinyl.
DV: How long did it take to make Percy.
Celeste: It took the better part of a week to complete due to work and the past thanksgiving holiday and shopping lol.
DV: Looking at your website, you create a ton of customs, what is the appeal for you?
Celeste: I always have fun creating each one and every single vinyl is a new and challenging process.Knowing that one of my custom pieces found a new home is something that I am truly grateful for.
DV: So what are you working on right now?
Celeste: I just finished a heroes and villains series, it features some of my favorite characters that I thought deserved their own vinyls.The set consists of Li Shang from Mulan, Clayton from Tarzan, Flynn Ryder from Tangled w/Jr Pascal, Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, John Smith w/Jr Meeko from Pocahontas and Hercules w/ Jr.Pegasus.
I’m also making a few canvas works with Jrs included on them as a request.here are some past canvas meets vinyl work.
DV: Please remind people where to find your work or contact you.
Celeste: You can find more past works on my website at http://celestecustomvinylmations.blogspot.com/
or my facebook page at Celeste Custom Vinylmations.
DV: As always, it’s great seeing your work.
Celeste: Thanks so much for the opportunity to be featured on Destination Vinylmation. It is always a pleasure.
Haunted Mansion Explained
Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion Explained page. A 12 figure blind box series based on the classic Haunted Mansion attraction should be released sometime in the Fall of 2011. Do you have room for one more… Vinylmation set in your display? It’s not a stretch to say, this set will be a very popular series. Our tour begins here in this gallery where you see the figures we know to be in this set.
Haunted Mansion Explained
September 21 (WDW), September 22 (DLR)
$12.95
12 figure blind box series with variants designed by Casey Jones. Casey will hold a signing at each the WDW and DLR releases.
Check out the Variants here!
Park 7 Vinylmation Explained
Park 7
Release Date: October 14, 2011
Blind Box Price: $12.95
Update: 02/23/12 9″ Main Street Electrical Parade and 7 Adventures get 2/24 release date. And according to a D-Street Cast Member, will have a retail price of $44.95.
Update: 01/27/12 Today DisneyStore.com released various Park 7 LEs including the Online Exclusive Main Street Electrical Parade Dragon and 3 piece Fife and Drum set. They also released 9″ River Country and 3/3 Horse and Trolley combo.
Yesterday Disney announced a 6 figure set based on the Tapestry of Nations parade. No pictures released yet, but the release date is February 3 and the price is $99.95 on this LE 2000 set. See details here. We are still waiting on details for Kitchen Kabaret. You can see the entire Park 7 LE lineup below.
Update: A ton of updates on this series today. First, an October 14th release date for the series and the combo topper. Second, we updated the pictures below. Tinkerbell has wings! Also, the Park 7 pin that we called Hong Kong Castle is NOT in the 12 figure set. Makes sense, because Park 7 and Park 8 are themed Walt Disney World for the 40th year celebration. Hence the amazing packaging:
No bland black boxes for Park 7! The used the same collage that is featured on other WDW 40th merchandise.
Here is the 11th figure we did not get from the Park 7 pins:
Update: 9/12/11 New pictures from The Florida Project
Update: 8/28/11 Well, after D23 we now have a clear view of the 11 known Park 7 figures and a release window. We guessed at a few of them when we first posted this explained page… and missed horribly, but in November 2011 we will see the following figures.
Based on the transports you can see at the Magic Kingdom.
Jan/Feb 2012
LE 5000
$44.95
| Mickey Mouse
This set represents America on Parade that ran from 1975 – 1976 at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. In the parade, Mickey had a flag, but it wasn’t in the display. Mickey does have a tri point hat on his head. |
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| Donald Duck Donald played the fife in the band as they rode the parade float down Main St. USA. The eagle float that Mickey, Donald and Goofy rode on was 18 feet tall. I like the duck bill extending down to the body. A ton of great Donalds coming out. |
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| Goofy Goofy has a drum and stick accessory. The artist did a great job at capturing his eyes and face. The drum says “America on Parade”. |
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9″ River Country Goofy Jan/Feb 2012 LE 1000 $44.95 River Country was a beloved Disney water park before Blizzard Beach and Typhoon lagoon came along. It opened in 1976 and closed in 2001. The area next to Fort Wilderness sits abandoned today. What was your favorite attraction there? |
| Magic Kingdom Ticket February 24, 2012 LE 1500 $44.95 7 Adventures in one place! I want to go! |
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| Main Street Electric Light Parade Dragon Jan 2012 LE 1500 $74.95 It’s the parade we all know and love that makes it’s way down Main Street USA nightly. Are you a ELP or Spectro fan? |
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Main Street Electric Light Parade Train February 24, 2012 LE 1500 $44.95 It’s the parade we all know and love that makes it’s way down Main Street USA nightly. Are you a ELP or Spectro fan? |
Jan/Feb 2012
LE 1500
$74.95
Kitchen Kaberet is a former EPCOT attraction. It was in the Land Pavilion from 1982 to 1994. It was an animatronic show with food promoting healthy heating through entertaining skits and music.
| Mr. Dairy Goods | Mustard | Rice |
| Bonnie Appetite | Broccoli | Ham |
Park 9 Explained
Park 9
Release Date: July 13th 2012 (D-Streets), July 20 (Online)
Price: $12.95
(Park 9 LE Explained)
Update: 7/8/12 Updated with Combo Topper.
Update: 7/2/12 Disney released product shots of all 12 figures INCLUDING CHASER! See below. Also, Skyway picture points to variant.
Update: 6/22/12 Release date set for July 13, 2012. Dates for Park 9 LE’s released too, find those here.
Update: 6/11/12 Product shot of Typhoon Lagoon Gator added below.
Update: 5/14/12 Added some of our own Pin photos. Also added Dumbo Vinyl pic and release date!
Update: 8/28/11 According to Vinylnation.net, Dole Whip is the 11th figure and three of these have variants. Skyway and Dapper Dan have color variants and the AK Bat has an eyes open variant.
Thanks to @Kajiholic and a mistake by Downtown Disney in Anaheim, we have a look at Park 9.
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Railroad Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Lin Shih “I just want it to look like nothing else in the world. And it should be surrounded by a train.” âWalt Disney The #2 Engine at WDW is named Lilly Belle after Lilian Disney, Walt’s wife. It was built in 1928, the same year Mickey Mouse was born. It no longer carries guests around the Magic Kingdom, but is used exclusively for the daily park opening ceremonies. |
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Camp Minnie-Mickey Bear Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Caley Hicks This bear awaits guest at the entrance to this Animal Kingdom area. |
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Dapper Dan Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Thomas Scott These guys serenade guests up and down Main Street USA. |
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Dumbo the Flying Elephant Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Caley Hicks This classic Disney attraction has entertained guests young and old since 1955 in Disneyland. It is a staple in all 5 Disney parks worldwide. Some people have suggested it might be Jumbo, Dumbo’s mom. |
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Flick’s Flyers Disney’s California Adventure Maria Clapsis I didn’t know what this one was, then a reader let us know. The very next day I visited Disney’s California Adventure for the first time and saw them for myself. There are various designs using different type boxes… this one is raisins. |
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Fruit Bat Maharajah Jungle Trek, Animal Kingdom Casey Jones At Animal Kingdom in Orlando there are two can’t miss walking animal tours. On the Maharajah, you get to walk through the bat section. These creatures are hanging out all over the place in there. |
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Phantom Manor Disneyland Paris Thomas Scott This guy appears in several locations in the Disneyland Paris version of the Haunted Mansion, but mostly in the graveyard and Phantom Canyon scenes |
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Skyway Disneyland Casey Jones There was a Skyway at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland. They all took you on a ride between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. They are all now closed. The pin based on this vinyl is green. There was already speculation, but this increases the odds there will be variants of this one. |
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Typhoon Lagoon Gator Walt Disney World Casey Jones Lagoona Gator is the mascot of the Typhoon Lagoon water park at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. The park opened in 1989 and is home to the world’s largest wave pool. This gator is not to be confused with the blue Blizzard Beach Gator named Ice Gator. |
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Castaway Cay Disney Cruise Line Billy Davis A cool underwater Mickey statue. Custom Artist Brian Shapiro sent us a pic he took while snorkeling around the inspiration for this figure: |
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Pineapple Dole Whip A favorite frozen treat of park guests. Served at Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disney’s Polynesian Resort… this figure, with the umbrella and cherry, represents the West Coast version. |
| Mystery Chaser Click Mystery Chaser picture to reveal the chaser! |
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Combo Topper
Brave Little Tailor (1938)
Voiced by: Walt Disney
Release Date: July 27 D-Streets
Great looking figure.
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Dapper Dan Variants In addition to the regular Red, there are Purple, Yellow and Blue variants. |
9″ Holiday 3 Vinylmation Explained
9″ Holiday 3 Explained
Update: 5/23/12 Release date and price on 9″ Colonial figure. It will hit D-Streets on May 25.
Update: 9/13/11 We found out the entire line up on 9″ Holiday 3 figures on a poster on display at The Florida Project.
This series of Vinylmation are the first that will be released in the new 9″ mold. First on display at D23 in August.
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DraculaArtist: Maria Clapsis
LE: TBA Price: TBA Release Date: September 14, 2012 An evil looking face and great detail on the shirt with the bats and the pocket watch. It captures Dracula well, but I’m spoiled by customs that add things like real capes. |
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ColonialArtist: Casey Jones
LE: 600 Price: $44.95 Release Date: May 25, 2012A very Patriotic figure, I’m drawn to this one as I am to the Patriot from Holiday 2. He has nice definition in his face and it for sure looks like he will have an accessory hat. I may have to grab this one if the price is in the 40’s. |
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Easter EggPrice: $44.95
Release Date: April 2012A colorful egg design with a chick peaking out of the crack in the head. It’s a solid design, but doesn’t appeal to me. I do like the idea and placement of design elements. |
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Chocolate Birthday CakeArtist: TBA
LE: TBA Price: TBA Release Date: TBAIdentical in every way except color to the 9″ Holiday 2 figure by Tyler Dumas. Not a bad design. Its fun but the earlier figure had a small production issue. It was layered with stickers for the pattern and they overlapped, misaligned and shown through each other in parts distracting from the overall figure. Hope they fixed that in this release. |
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Be My ValentineArtist: Lisa Badeen
LE: 1000 Price: $44.95 Release Date: 1/21/12 |
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Thanksgiving Diner Aftermath
Artist: Mike Sullivan LE: 600 $44.95 Release Date: November 2011Wow! All ready for a nap. I have to say, I love this design. It’s kind of gross, but very cool looking. Note his right arm. It looks a bit odd, almost like another left, but not sure if it is or not. If not, the new 9″ mold has two different right arms… one to hold accessories and one like this. (see below) |
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Nutcracker Suite 9″/3″ comboArtist: Maria Clapsis
LE: 1200 -11/18 (D23 said 1000) $74.95 Release Date: November 18th, 2011 OnlineThis is the Rat King from the Nutcracker. The new 9″ mold, like the 3″, allows for easier holding of accessories. Here is a look around his head:
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Nutcracker Suite 9″/3″ comboArtist: Maria Clapsis
LE: 1200 -11/18 (D23 said 1000) $74.95 Release Date: November 18th, 2011 OnlineThe Nutcracker is the 3″ figure in this combo. Here, the shape of the head neck to body area of the new 3″ mold really pays off for the shape of the mouth. |
D-Tour Vinylmation Explained
D-Tour
Release Date: January 20th, 2012 (first series)
Price: $12.95
Details: Open Window
Update: 4/7/12 The “Paper Cut” figure was released on the 6th at D-Streets. The figure was the one were used to know as “Flowers and Vines”.
Update: 1/13/12 D-Tour will be released at D-Streets on Friday, January 20th, 2012. We also now have a look at the rest of the first release of this series. There will be a total of 6 open window figures in the first set.
The Urban series gives much artistic license to the artists, but D-Tour is art all upon itself. This is a new direction for Vinylmation. Taken from tee-shirt designs with different versions of Mickeys, D-Tour looks like an artistic gem of a series. This set will revolved around different designs of Mickey. It will also be different in that they will keep track of inventory and order more hot sellers and replace slow selling designs with brand new designs. They will be in D-Streets in February of 2012 and will retail for $12.95.
| Headphones Mickey
A great looking design that uses the headphones accessory similar to what we expect to see on 80’s Dale in the Disney Store Tunes set. I like the muted tone in the colors of this vinyl. |
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| Mean Mickey
A face that looks like it took some inspiration from Runaway Brain Mickey. He has skulls on his shirt and scary shoes. It’s always fun to see Mickey outside his normal self. |
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| Bright Mickey
Lots of colors here. A heart in the ear. Almost a sunshine look to his shirt. And you can almost see a face in the body as well. It seems very Florida, almost Key West in personality to me. |
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| King Mickey
A great drawing of an art-filled Mickey. My favorite out of the original 6 released. |
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| Paper Cut “Flowers and Vines” Released: 4/6/12 This one is just loaded with Mickey heads. I like the colors and the pattern is very creative. |
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| Color Mickey
Almost Muppet like with its flat, separated colors. Compared to the others in this series, it is plain and not my personal taste, but it does have a certain colorful character to it. |
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| Mickey Hearts
A cool sketchy coloring pattern. Hearts in the ears and body. I like the style of this one, it reminds me of how I color stuff in but more artistic. |
Here is some of the artwork these are modeled after:
Star Wars 2 Explained
Star Wars Series 2 Explained
Release Date: Celebration VI: August 23, WDW August 24, DLR: August 25, 2012
Price: $14.95
Details: Blind Box 12 figure series
Update: 08/17/12 Series 2 accidentally released at Emporium at the Magic Kingdom today. Rumored price is $14.95 per blind box!!!!!
Update: 08/14/12 Picture of Chaser added. HQ pics of all the characters now available.
Update: 08/13/12 The Disney Parks blog released some new photos today and some words from SW2 artists Thomas Scott and Casey Jones
“The first series was created at a different time in Vinylmation history,” explained Thomas. “When we began developing series two, we considered several factors for future growth. We again worked closely with Lucasfilm when selecting the characters for the new series. We also thought about how those characters could appear in future series.” – Thomas Scott
“I like using the ears as a way to further enhance the story,” explained Casey. “When designing these figures, I looked for something iconic to add to the ears, such as the ‘binary sunset’ on the Tusken Raider or Obi-Wan Kenobi figures. Adding design elements from the film help set the stage for each character.” – Casey Jones
The article says that Casey Jones created concept sketches of each figure, while Maria Clapsis turned those sketches into full-color images.
Update: 08/07/12 Artist Casey Jones tweeted us to let us know the release date for Star Wars 2 in Orlando will actually be Friday, August 24 (Disney’s Events page said 8/25). Casey Jones will be at D-Street from 11am-1pm EST to sign Star Wars 2 figures.
Update: 08/06/12 Release date of Saturday, August 25 announced for D-Street Orlando. Casey Jones will be at D-Street from 11am-1pm EST to sign Star Wars 2 figures. Also, the LE 2500 Princess Leia Hologram figure will be on sale at Star Wars Celebration VI from August 23-26. Celebration is a ticketed convention held at the Orange County Convention Center.
Update: 07/29/12 Release date of Saturday, August 25 announced for D-Street Anaheim. Casey Jones will be at D-Street from 3p-6p PST to sign Star Wars 2 figures. No release info for Orlando yet. But the weekend of August 23-26 is Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando, so a release is expected.
Update: 07/18/12 Pictures of 11 of 12 figures now up. Here is a look at them in their entirety from Vinylmation World.
Update: 07/08/12 Pictures of Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Muftak added in pin form.
Update: 11/17/11 The facebook page for Star Tours had a first look at the Obi-Wan vinyl from Star Wars 2.
Star Wars Series 2 is based on characters from a New Hope Episode IV, the first Star Wars movie to hit theaters. This series was a Casey Jones, Maria Clapsis and Thomas Scott collaboration, each contributing to different parts of the design process they could best handle. As more figures are released, we will see the composition of the set. Do they have to repeat the big stars of the movie franchise? (Luke, Leia, Han Solo) Or can supporting characters carry this second series?
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Darth Vader
Window in one ear, stars in the other. A bit more realistic looking that the series 1 version. It has a helmet shaped feature coming off the head! |
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Princess Leia
The walls of the ship in her ears look great. Can’t wait to see the details in her clothing in person. The hair buns are the perfect touch after the braided hair ring for series 1. |
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Luke Skywalker
His return for series 2 puts him on Tatooine with the duel suns ablaze and the colorful skyline in the ears. |
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Muftak
He is found in the Mos Eisley Cantina. He is paired up with Kabe in the movie |
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Ponda Baba Nice coloring and that’s a great looking, although ugly, face. |
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Han Solo He looks a lot better in this series. I didn’t like the bland Han look from Series 1. He looks more rugged here with more defined hair and clothing features. |
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X-Wing Pilot Great visor look just like X-Wing Mickey. |
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Grand Moff Tarkin
Tarkin is the commander of the first Death Star. In Episode IV he is portrayed by actor Peter Cushing. This set is doing a great job so far at use of ears. Instead of blank, the artist is using them to represent where we might see the character. |
| Obi Wan Kenobi
Luke’s first mentor as a Jedi. Also the chaser in Star Wars 1 with a “ghost” variant. |
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Greedo
The bounty hunter that comes after Han on Tatooine. He never shot first! |
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Tusken Raider
Roaming Tatooine, these guys ride single file to hide their numbers. Amazing use of ears. The desert scene looks great. |
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Mystery Chaser
Click on image to see the chaser and our thoughts on it. |
MLB Teams Explained
Release Date: First Wave: February 10, 2012
Where: WDW, DLR, Online (See below for where specific teams will be released)
Price: $14.95
Update: 01/28/12 Release date of 2/10 announced as well as where certain teams will be for sale. Yankees and Red Sox are the only teams that will release in all three locations. Some teams will be released in the Disney Store in their home city. Also of note, NY Mets did not make wave one as expected. Instead, the SF Giants will be an initial release.
This will start as an 8 figure Open Window set. They then can then add more teams later on. All the figures have the same basic design. A baseball in the right ear. Grey batting gloves. A hat with the team’s logo painted onto the head. A Home jersey painted onto the body. The feet have a pair of spikes painted onto them. The only missing element that would skyrocket these in awesomeness…. an accessory bat!
| Boston Red Sox WDW, DLR, Online |
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| New York Yankees WDW, DLR, Online Times Square Disney Store 2/15/12 |
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| Atlanta Braves WDW, Online |
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| LA Dodgers DLR, Online |
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Chicago Cubs Online Chicago Disney Store 2/15/12 |
| Anaheim Angels DLR, Online |
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| Philadelphia Phillies Online |
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San Francisco Giants Online SF Disney Store 2/15/12 |
NFL Teams Explained
Release Date: First Wave: January 27th and February 3rd
Where: Online, WDW, and DLR (see specific team below for details)
Price: $14.95
Update: 1/27/12 We can add three teams after seeing the display at the WDW trading event: Jets, Chargers and Colts.
Update: 1/27/12 NFL Teams released online today. Patriots, Giants, Steelers, 49ers, Dolphins, Bucs, Cowboys and Raiders. No Saints as we thought would be in the first wave of 8 figures. Instead, this Raiders figure:
All figures are open window and $14.95. All 8 are available online and most will be available at WDW and DLR on February 3rd. Bucs and Dolphins are the exceptions so far. They are online, but will not appear at DLR, only WDW on February 3rd.
Update: 11/20/11 The Disney Parks Blog, in an article about football themed merchandise at the parks, had this picture of 7 upcoming NFL Vinylmation figures. We already knew 5 of them from The Florida Project, but this pictures adds the Saints and 49ers to the list. They also adjusted the release window to early 2012 instead of Fall 2011.
This will start as an 8 figure Open Window set. They then can then add more teams later on. All the figures have the same basic design. The team’s football helmet painted onto the head. The jersey on the body is more generic, with just the team’s color. The numbers painted onto the front and back of the jerseys are 00. Gloves painted with the team’s color. The feet are painted so that they appear to be spikes. From head on, you can see the face mask painted on to the face and NFL written on the helmet.
| Indianapolis Colts Not For Sale Yet |
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| NY Jets Not For Sale Yet |
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| San Diego Chargers Not For Sale Yet |
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New England Patriots WDW, DLR, ONLINE |
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Miami Dolphins
Available only in WDW and Online |
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Available only in WDW and Online |
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Dallas Cowboys WDW, DLR, ONLINE |
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Pittsburgh Steelers WDW, DLR, ONLINE |
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New Orleans Saints Not For Sale Yet |
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San Francisco 49ers WDW, DLR, ONLINE |
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New York Giants WDW, DLR, ONLINE |























































































































































