Celebrating Epcot’s 30th

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

October 1, 2012 is a big day in Walt Disney World history… Epcot celebrates it’s 30th anniversary. We got hints of a few Vinylmation customs, but today the Disney Parks Blog finally showed us some pictures of these inspired pieces.

Noah will have a few 9″ and 3″ customs with this design scheme. No word on numbers or prices. The 9″ will come on a stand with a print back drop. That Epcot print will also be available for purchase.

Artist Unknown

Artist: Javier Soto

Artist John Henselmeier (who created the greatest pin set known to man, see below) designed the above set of customs for the event as well. All of these items will be released at MouseGear starting at park open on October 1. No Disney production piece Vinylmation announced. Now, if you are also into pins, you may have seen all the Epcot 30th pins that will available on October 1. We covered them extensively on the Once Upon a Pin podcast and have them all in a photo album on our Facebook page, but here is a quick look.

That is the John Henselmeier designed pin set I was talking about. It is Spaceship Earth, it is innovative, it has multiple Donalds… it is the coolest thing I have ever seen.

I also love the above double hinge, triple circle pin. Below are a few more Epcot pins that will be released on September 28. All LE pins come out on October 1, but some open editions come out a few days earlier.

Also from the Disney Parks Blog:

On Monday, October 1, we will release several “day of” items including three shirts that have “October 1, 2012” and the “Epcot 30” logo, as seen in the first image above. For those who can’t attend that weekend, those three dated shirts and the 11 World Showcase shirts will be sold via the Disney Parks online store from September 28 through October 4.


One of the more interesting items is something new called “Cover Your Ears.” This Spaceship Earth-inspired cover will fit over a regular Mickey Mouse ear hat. Additional special ear hat embroidery will be offered at Mouse Gear through October 1.


Now here, again from the Disney Parks Blog, is a schedule of events:

Throughout the day on October 1, guests can attend Epcot history presentations in World Showplace courtesy of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. These presentations are included in park admission and are limited in seating.


1-2 p.m. – Designing the Future – Past and Present: A panel of Disney Imagineers remembers 30 years of building tomorrow!
4:30–6 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar
6:30–8 p.m. – Epcot: How it Changed the World with Marty Sklar


Guests can also attend an anniversary moment at the America Gardens Theatre at 3 p.m., which will feature appearances by Disney leaders and include performances by Mariachi Cobre and Voices of Liberty. (Seating for this presentation is also limited.)


That evening, the October 1 presentation of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” will feature a special 30th anniversary tag.


I’ll see everybody there! What time will you be arriving?

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Project Sidekickz Artist Mark Hoffmann

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

The Custom Artist Project is a group of 11 of the best custom Vinylmation artists in the world who have come together to make their own blind box series. Series 1 is called “Sidekickz” and is a mix of different Disney sidekicks from films or TV. It will be released on October 6th. Each day leading up to the release, we will spotlight a different artist from the series. Today we spotlight custom artist Mark Hoffmann.

Hometown:
Morgan Hill, California

Website: 
Markhoffmann.com

What Disney Sidekick did you choose?
 Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Why did you choose that sidekick? 
Honestly, because of his facial expressions. Plus I think the vinyl works well with the Dwarves shapes.

Favorite Disney Movie?
Tangled….although I do love all the old classics. It’s hard to just pick one.

Favorite Disney Theme Park Attraction?
I have so many, but I will have to say Space Mountain.

Favorite aspect of working on the Mickey shaped canvas?
I think the challenge of creating a piece so that you forget it’s painted on a Mickey shape. Many people don’t even notice the ears at first.

More info on the Custom Artist Project:


Website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistProject/


How to purchase: The price of one blind box is $65, including shipping within the US. We’re looking into international shipping right now, but it will probably be another $5-10 if it works out.Paypal is going to be the accepted payment. It is limited to one household per blind box.


What you get: You will get one blind box (yes, I’m actually making boxes) with one of 24 different figures. Some figures come with accessories. You will also get 11 different cards, 1 from each artist.

Japan’s Walt Disney 110th Anniversary Series

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

On October 5th, Disney Stores in Japan will release a set titled Walt Disney 110th Anniversary Series. This will be a blind box series with a 1200 YEN ($15 USD) price tag on it.

The set has a cute, love theme going on here. You can also kind of pair up a few of these such as Mickey/Minnie, Donald/Daisy, even Pongo/Cheshire if you want to go cat and dog. Pooh and Bambi are forest animals. But I can not link Goofy and Pinocchio no matter how hard I try. Then you have the Three Little Pigs which leads me to speculate on a Chip and Dale chaser as I stated in the last podcast. Here is a look at the individual figures.

Noah Shows Us His Dark Side

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

According to the Disney Parks Blog, Noah will soon be releasing a line of merchandise themed to Disney Villains. These new designs will appear in a variety of items including limited edition giclees on canvas, men’s apparel, women’s apparel and skate decks. The highlight for this audience is surely this custom Chernabog piece…

No word on edition size or price yet, however Noah will be on hand for a special appearance and signing October 20, from 3–6 p.m. at D Street in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. So we assume this is the release date. Here is a look at a few of the other products and designs.

Splitsville Rolls Into Downtown Disney’s West Side This Fall

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Each year, 55 million people try their hand a bowling around the world. Everyone finds a bit of joy in the experience from the avid league bowler to the weekend warrior. But the age-old image of bowling is about to change with the new opening of Splitsville, America’s Bowling Alley, at Downtown Disney this Fall.

”We’re really excited to be opening our doors in such a special place,” said Guy Revelle, co-founder of Splitsville. “Bowling is a perfect experience for groups of all sizes. It’s where families come together to create memories, children can teach adults, and friendly rivalries are born. Guests laugh, shout, cheer and bring back the timeless high-five. And that’s just in the first frame!”

If you think that this is your father’s bowling alley, think again. Splitsville’s 50,000-square foot, two-story Downtown Disney location will have 30 lanes, two kitchens, a dramatic balcony, ample outdoor seating, billiard tables and live entertainment.

”In a world of smart phones, tablets, texting and social media, people need an outlet to connect again,” said Mark Gibson, co-founder of Splitsville.  “We believe that a concept centered around the classic sport of bowling, but with an improved atmosphere, upscale food and pleasant service, results in a surprising destination for people to have fun together.”

Located in the heart of Downtown Disney’s West Side, Splitsville puts a whole new spin on bowling with its emphasis on unique design. Guests will be greeted with upscale sushi bars, plush booths and dynamic decor overlooking the bowling lanes. The design blends both hip and retro elements, resulting in an energetic yet comfortable atmosphere.

”One of Splitsville’s differentiating features is its innovative interior design,” said Gibson. “The lanes are separated into several clusters, which create unique lines of sight and allow guests to view bowling from a perspective that you can’t find anywhere else. It makes for a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.”

”Splitsville is clearly going to be a great place to bowl,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “But I think our guests are going to be surprised that they can also go there for great food and to watch sports. That’s what makes Splitsville a perfect fit and such a great addition for Downtown Disney.”

Splitsville has taken great care to develop an exceptional menu that combines traditional and upscale offerings. With the help of award-winning chef Tim Cushman, Guests will find surprising elements such as fresh rolled sushi, grilled mahi-mahi with “Voodoo” shrimp and hand-cut steaks alongside alley-classics like cheeseburgers, crinkle-cut fries and pepperoni pizza.

“We have created a collection of sharable foods combined with unique beverages and signature desserts,” said Revelle. “Splitsville truly has something for everyone.  We invite you to Roll in and Rock out!”

Our first look at the backside of the Splitsville building

The following video shows an existing Splitsville location in Tampa, FL, so you can get a feel for what the interior might be like. There are also a few soundbites from Guy Revelle, Co-Founder of Splitsville:

The Vinylmation Station – May 6th, 2012

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Since news is usually slow on the weekends and we are called WDW News Today (which should include every day of the week), we have decided to install a weekly column with news on the world of Vinylmation. Brian Shapiro, who was in charge of the Vinylmation Station website until its demise last week, will bring us a weekly dose of news & more on this growing hobby starting today. Enjoy!

Welcome to our new weekly Vinylmation report! This week got off to a magical start with Vinylmation collectors granting wishes through a rare Sunday release. Disney Stores and DisneyStore.com released a special three-inch Jiminy Cricket figure in a windowed box. The design featured Jiminy with glistening skin in a silver and white tuxedo, and included two terrific accessories, a white top hat and umbrella. Disney donated one dollar from the sale of each figure to the Make a Wish Foundation. No edition size was given, but it quickly sold out online and in many stores.

The end of the week saw some releases on Friday. Just when you thought you hadseen the last of The Nightmare Before Christmas figures, Disney surprised everyone with a unique combo set at D-streets and on DisneyStore.com. The set included a nineinch Behemoth, a three-inch Easter Bunny (“Bunny!”), and a junior Nutcracker. With an edition size of 2000, all three figures have great details, and was designed by Disney Design Group artist, Casey Jones. The Behemoth certainly has a clever, edgy design with the axe in his head incorporated on the figure’s ear.

The other Friday release was the Facebook exclusive set inspired by the upcoming Disney-Pixar movie, Brave. This set included a three-inch figure of Merida, the movie’s heroine, and three identical junior figures of the triplets, Harris, Hubert, and Hamish. The Merida figure is one of the most detailed three-inch figures around, and her wild, curly red hair is depicted perfectly. She has a quiver and sword painted on her back, but she comes complete with an accessory bow in her hand. The set is open edition and will be coming to Disney Stores and the Parks on May 18.

No week would be complete without an announcement of upcoming releases and events, and there’s plenty to be excited about! On May 11, there will be a Disney Trading Night at the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World in the Fantasia G Ballroom from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Disney Design Group artists Thomas Scott, Caley Hicks, Maria Clapsis, Casey Jones, and Billy Davis will be there to sign Urban 9 and Urban 9 combo sets.

On May 18, the six highly anticipated figures of the Star Wars – Disney Characters as Star Wars Characters figures will be released at Darth’s Mall during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and at D-Street in California. All six figures have astounding detail and come with some amazing accessories. These window boxed figures will be open edition and are sure to be a hit!

Phineas & Ferb fans will be excited to know that the six open edition figures based on the popular series will be released at D-Streets and at Disney Stores on May 25.

After several publicized delays, the long awaited Disney Store 25th Anniversary limited release series will come to Disney Stores on May 28. Collectors will have the opportunity to purchase complete trays or individual blind boxes as well as the Sorcerer Mickey combo with a light up base. As a special gift with purchase promo, guests who purchase a complete tray will receive a free Sorcerer Mickey combo with a light up base.

Finally, just when you thought it was safe this summer, beware! Vinylmation Villains Series 3 will be coming to Disney Stores on June 18. The artwork for this series hasn’t been released, but expect to see something soon.

Until next week, start making room on your shelves. It’s going to be an exciting spring and summer for Vinylmation enthusiasts!

Mickey’s Circus- Popcorns

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Doug Strayer created art that this series was based on.

Sulley, Chip and Dale, and Kermit.
Mickey, Dumbo, Goofy, Jack Skellington, Chernabog, and Pluto
Plus 2 variants we know, Black and White Mickey and Clown Dumbo.
Pluto Online Exclusive.
Clown Dumbo LE 2500 and left overs will be at D-Streets on 9/11.
Series 1 September 28th 2012.

$24.95 each.
Series 2- Fall of 2013
Stitch and Frankenweenie

Pixar Aliens & Tuck ‘n Roll Release Dates

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

Update: 11/06/12 We now have the official edition sizes and prices for these two combos. Aliens will be an LE 1000 and $44.95. Tuck and Roll is LE 1000 and $26.95.

On December 14, the Little Green Men three pack from Pixar 1 will be released at D-Streets.

Tuck and Roll will release on December 28 at D-Streets.

Heimlich Maneuvers Into D-Streets 11/23

WDWNT on December 3, 2012

At the WDW Trade Night on Friday we had the chance to see the Pixar 1 Heimlich combo topper that will be released on November 23.

 As hoped for, he will use the same elongated torso used for the John Carter alien figures. Heimlich will be attached to a Pixar 1 blind box with a retail price of $24.95.

In other Pixar 1 news, we have a December 14 release date for the Little Green Men three pack and a December 28 release date for Tuck and Roll. The entire first series will be in D-Streets Disney Store Online on November 16 with a retail price of $12.95.

Which figure of the known 11 is your favorite? Mine is Mr. Incredible.