Big Top moves in months before Mickey’s Circus

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

In September we get Mickey’s Circus. But before that we’ll be seeing a whole Circus Vinylmation Mystery Box series called “Under the Big Top” from Disney. On July 23rd the Disney Stores will be releasing this new series across the country and online.

Two days before, we will see a special release of the series at a signing at the Costa Mesa Disney Store. On July 21st, Gerald Mendez will be signing his new series from 10:30 – 1:30. There will also be special events and activities at the event. Some interesting fine print for the event. If you purchase a full tray of this set, then you get a gold ticket, good for up to 7 signatures. If you buy 3-8 boxes, then you get a silver ticket, which gets you up to 3 signatures. While supplies last.

Here is a quick look at four of the pieces from this series. What do you think?

Fire Eater

Love the accessory (I always do). Looks great.
Ring Master

Great mustache. And Hat.
Monkey

Reminds me of Abu. Another nice accessory!
Fortune Teller

Great us of artist technique to show the table and crystal ball in front of the vinyl.
There also looks to be two more pieces in the picture of Gerald. One looks like it could be a Strongman (with a mustache similar to the Ringmaster’s, but not crooked.) The second is harder to identify, maybe a Clown or even a concession item.

Have a Laugh Photoshoot

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

What a funny day it was when Austin and I stumbled upon the Have a Laugh figures playing around at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Magic of Disney Animation
(hidden tributes at Animation building)
Chip ‘n Dale share a peanut (and a Vinylmation).

 

Muppet Vision 3D
What do Gonzo, Mickey, Goofy, and Donald all have in common? They all love to clean clocks.

 

Hollywood Boulevard
Somebody seems to be confused.

 

Hollywood Boulevard
No wonder he’s always upset, look at the mess he got himself into this time

 

Muppet Vision 3D
Look they both have inner tubes!

 

Near Monster Inc. Meet and Greet
(tour the meet ‘n greet)
This figure always gives me goosebumps!

 

Celebrity 5 & 10
Heeeeeeeeey, there’s a pumpkin in my bird feeder!

 

Celebrity 5 & 10
Is one a REALLY BIG MICKEY and a really tiny Mickey?

 

DVC Stand
There’s a luau at Old Key West?

 

Star Tours
Is this a zoo or nahtazu?

 

Pin Stand on Sunset Boulevard
Is Pacific Electric a subdivision of Cloverleaf Industries?
(more DHS Roger Rabbit references)

 

Studio Prop Company
Help! Get me outta here!

 

Mulholland Fountain Replica
(learn more about it)
Just taking a bath.

 

Backlot
Is there a surprise package in this crate?

Comic Con Girl and Boy Revealed

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

Disney just showed us a picture of the Comic Con girl and boy. Just as we had predicted on the podcast, it’s a girl and a boy dressed up in costumes. The costumes are generic vinylmation themed costumes (not Marvel or Disney as we had hoped), but I still think they look great. The boy is a masked adventurer with a utility belt full of vinylmation. The girl has both a cape AND glasses.

 

Thanks Disney, these made my day!
Readers, what do you think of this set?

This set will be a LE of 2000 and cost $34.95. For more info on the other Comic Con vinylmation check out our post:

Park 9 Chaser and More

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

We now have a complete look at the Park 9 set due out July 13 (minus variants and combo topper). See our Park 9 Explained page for a full list. First off, click the image below to see the chaser.

The rumor was true and the figure does not disappoint. We also have a look at a possible variant. The rumor is the skyway, and it makes perfect sense. And in taking a look at the vinyl product shot…

and the pin…

We can see an almost certain variant already. The Tiki Mickey and fish figure was cleared up.

As some people commented, it is in fact a Disney Cruise Line piece. All in all we get 4 Walt Disney World representatives (2 Animal Kingdom, an MK and a Water Park).

1 is from Disney’s California Adventure. 1 represents Disneyland Paris. 1 represents the DCL. And in my mind, 5 represent multiple parks.

Disney’s website calls the Skyway DLR specific and Dapper Dans WDW specific, but unless there is slight differences in the vehicle or costume for each park, I think they could be found in more than one park. Overall, I love the look of this series. Dapper Dan and Camp Minnie and Mickey are some of my favorite park figs. The upside down bat is genius. Skyway is a perfect mold fit. More ride vehicles are a must. And the chaser may be the best Park series chaser of all-time.

9″ Park 9 Boardwalk Clown and Indy Adventure

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

Another clown! Yes, but this one is a truly great idea for a vinyl that I would never even have ever imagined. We already knew of most of the 9″ Park 9s (take a look at explained page), and the back of a box on display at the WDW Trade Night has shown us the rest of the lineup.

This LE 1000 9″/3″ Park 9 combo is an extremely fun tribute to one of the most beautiful resorts on WDW property, the Boardwalk. When we took Cutesters at the Beach around to all the resorts for a photoshoot, this was my favorite shot:

The Boardwalk Clown slide that drops guests into the swimming pool is the marque feature of the recreational side of this grand resort. It is made to look like an old school boardwalk amusement park roller coaster.  Walt Disney World has 20+ resorts… I have always thought more figures needed to give a nod to their features. The Boardwalk Clown Slide is an LE 1000. The kid swimmer that comes with it is perfect. I don’t know who wears Mickey Ears while swimming, but I DON’T CARE. Goggles, innertube and noseplugs are all great additions to the design. The second of the 9″ Park 9s on display at the WDW trade night was this Disneyland Indiana Jones Adventure themed figure.

I think Disneyland fanatics are saying… about time for a tribute to this great attraction. Here is a look at the statue this is based on:

And for a quick refresher… here is the rest of the 9″ Park 9s…

DVC Key

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

At the WDW Trade Night, a new DVC exclusive was shown to the crowd.

It retails for $14.95 and will be available at D-Street soon. Guests must show a DVC card to purchase. It is a golden Mickey Ear Key against a purple backdrop.

Comic Con Figures Offered Via QR Code

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

At Friday’s WDW Trade Night, Disney explained to us the process through which the 5 Comic Con Vinylmation sets will be made available. Attendees at the event will be able to obtain QR codes to scan with their phone. This QR code is the only way to access the online shop where the Vinylmation that is made available that day can be purchased. At the end of the day, after attendees have their exclusive opportunity to purchase the figures, whatever quantity left over will be made available to everyone. I’m not trying to be a downer here, but after seeing how Disney handles its online sales, I am not having a good feeling about this. Numerous questions are brought to mind immediately including: What time exactly should we non-attendees be looking for these? How will the online store (assuming Disney Store?) handle the inventory count? I am not savvy when it comes to QR codes so, are they unique to each guest? Can they be made public and shared? Where do we non-attendees even look the product to see if it is available yet? It seems like a fun yet overly technical way to deal with a product that is going to be in such high demand. And given Disney’s online track record, we are not only in for some sleepless nights, but some frustrating ones. But I do hope for the best. That it runs smoothly and we collectors are given precise directions on how to attempt to purchase the figures we would like to add to our collections. I just wish they didn’t make us jump through so many hoops to do so.

Check out our Comic Con Explained page for all the pictures, release schedule and details, but for the first time we were shown the 3″/Jr King and Queen of Hearts:

That will be a July 14 release and an LE of 2500 with a price tag of $24.95.

Popcorns Explained

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

Popcorns Explained
Release Date: TBD
Price: TBD
Details: Popcorns is a series of uniquely designed vinyl collectibles each with their own features but holding a similar feel through the set. I equate it to Park Starz, but with Disney cartoon and movie characters.

Photo from Vinylmation World

 Jack Skellington


Wow, so glad the bat bow tie is a separate piece instead of just painted on.
Photo from Vinylmation World

Goofy


His eyes look great. The hat is wonderfully sized with the rest of the figure.
Photo from Vinylmation World

Dumbo


This Dumbo Popcorns is the normal version of the LE Variant we saw at the last WDW Trade Night. Love it!
Photo from Stitch Kingdom

 Frankenweenie

Chip

Dale

Pluto

Donald Duck


Absolutely love this design. A big hat and bow tie. He has a cute youthful duck look on his face. 

Dumbo
Variant
LE 2500

Mickey Mouse
Comic Con Variant
LE 5000
$24.95

Mickey Mouse

History of: Disney’s Feature Animation Building

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

On July 13th, a 9″ Park 9 figure representing Disney’s Feature Animation Building will be released. The edition size is 750 and it will retail for $44.95.

In 1994, the Walt Disney Company built a brand new Feature Animation Building in Burbank, California. The 240,000 square foot building houses 700 employees and serves as the headquarters for the Walt Disney Animation Studios (formerly Walt Disney Picture’s Feature Animation Studios). Located between Disney’s Burbank studio lot and Route 134, the four storey building was designed by Robert A.M. Stern, Architects.

Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

The facility’s marquee feature is a cone-shaped tower in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s Sorcerer’s hat serving as the entrance. The ground floor contains the building’s public spaces, with a triple height lobby and a screening room.

Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

The archives and computers are on the lower level. Post production (including background and special effects) are on the ground floor. Animation is on the second floor with story development on the third.

Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

All four floors are interconnected by a grand stair case centrally located and each has a “main street” on the south facade of the building.

Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

The Robert A.M. Stern Architects website describes other facets of the building:

“The south facing lobby and circulation esplanades become the building’s primary circulation and gathering spaces–on the exterior they are expressed by an arching wedge that slopes up in relation to the allowable height limit on this site. This enormous but narrow form is the building’s facade to the highway, in scale with Route 134 and with the speed of passing commuter traffic.”
Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

I also found some interesting info about the building’s signage on the AIGA (professional associate for design) website:

“The room identification signs reflect the buildings unique shape and the floors are color coded. Function yet entertaining directional signs relate to 1930’s signs on the studio lot. A custom digital type font “Kem Weber” was designed. It has the feel of bygone eras. It has been adopted by The Walt Disney for use on future developments. The use of custom typography and design themes that are functional as well as entertaining produce an environmental graphics program that is integrated into, not added onto, this landmark building.”
Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

The Feature Animation Building once housed of the office of Roy E. Disney, From 1984 to 2003, Roy E. Disney was vice-chairman of Disney’s board of directors and head of Disney Animation, where he helped to guide the Studio to a new golden age of animation with classics including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King.

Following Roy’s 2009 passing, the building was renamed and rededicated in his honor on May 7 2010, by The Walt Disney Company’s president and CEO, Bob Iger.

This was no easy structure to capture onto a canvas shaped like Mickey Mouse. Billy Davis did a very admirable job.

There are a ton of odd corners and crevasses on this building. The front is pretty straightforward, but turn it on its side and it is hard to capture the long part of the building with the orange and red stripes. If you mentally unwrap the art off the figure and lay it out 2D, I think you can see a perfect layout of the building. The artist does a nice job wrapping it around the figure instead of trying to create the front, back and sides. In doing it the way he did, the artist gets to keep the marque features.

The left arm is interesting. It represents the cubic structure just outside the building that is held up by a star and underneath you can see the stars on blue pattern, similar to the hat.

The other arm, I do not entirely get as it is all sky and clouds like it is not there. I do like the stylistic clouds on the head and ears. Ultimately, this was a wonderfully unique choice for a Vinylmation and the design seems to well suit the building itself.

As a fun side note, here are other Disney buildings designed by Robert A.M. Stern, Architects:

Disney’s Ambassador Hotel in Japan
Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

Disney’s Boardwalk Hotel at Walt Disney World
Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club at Walt Disney World
Photo by Peter Aaron / Esto

Sources
http://www.ramsa.com/projects-search/office/feature.html
http://designarchives.aiga.org

Food & Wine 2012 Vinylmation

WDWNT on September 12, 2012

Last year’s Food and Wine Vinylmation, while a nice artistic design, didn’t capture the essence of the festival to me. This year’s is a different story.

The Disney Parks Blog just released the above product shot of the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Vinylmation… and it is remarkable! Tony from Lady and the Tramp is the subject of this stunning Billy Davis designed piece. His right ear is full of spaghetti and meatballs with the left a starry night sky.

Photo copyright Disney

Here we see Tony delivering a heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs to Lady and Tramp. What a great job Bill Davis did at capturing Tony’s unique face. The large nose, mustache, grey around the eyes, balding head… it’s all in there. This figure will be LE 2500 and be released at the start of the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot on September 28th. We were also given a look at some other merchandise.

The Figment is the LE Annual Passholder pin and Mickey in the cranberry pool is a DVC exclusive. Visit Once Upon a Pin for more info.

NOAH has painted the signature artwork for the festival. We will see it appear on numerous items throughout the festival. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is my very favorite time of year at WDW. I’m not sure what I am more excited about, Tony or the food… who am I kidding… the food. What foods are you most looking forward too? And how about that Tony vinyl!