Everything is Better with a Platypus

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Disney has officially announced a Perry the Playpus set! First question, what has taken so long? No great details other than what looks like a May 25th release and it is called an Open Edition series. Meaning it points to an open window series that will be around for a while instead of a limited release which is what they call the blind boxes. The announcement on the Vinylmation Blog is not for the set release, but for an artist signing with Ron Cohee on Friday, May 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at D-Street Orlando. We are so excited to be bringing this news to you and hope there is more in the near future. But for now, speculate away on the characters and mark May 25 on your calendars. Some of the givens should be: (all pictures copyright Disney)

Phineas
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Ferb
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Perry
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Agent P
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Candice
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Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz
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A great choice would be Major Monogram

Brave Vinylmation Announced

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Disney has announced a set of Vinylmation based on the upcoming Pixar film Brave. We are not sure the nature of this set (LE, Blind Box, Open Window…) but it does appear it will be released on May 25th along side an artist signing with Ron Cohee on Friday, May 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at D-Street Orlando. (all pictures copyright Disney)

We also do not know the set size or the character selection at this point. We can assume it includes the lead heroine Merida (seen above), but little is even known about the rest of the characters to speculate. I visited the Pixar Brave website where there are a ton of screen shots, videos and downloads… as well as character descriptions. A couple options would be Merida’s horse, Angus:

A human and animal 2-pack is a likely option. Or possibly King Fergus:

After seeing the mold modifications to allow for better John Carter figures, that peg leg would be an incredible addition to the Vinylmation universe. This vinyl news comes on the heals of the announcement that the US movie release date has been changed to July 15. If you have not seen it already, here is the trailer for Brave. It seems to keep in the Pixar tradition of a truly beautiful looking film.

Urban 9 Release Date & Signing: May 11

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

We are inferring a lot of release dates off the Vinylmation Blog today based on other announcements. It appears May 11 should be the date we see the 9th installment of the Urban series in stores.

You can see the full lineup on our Urban 9 explained page. May 11 is also a Trading Night for Pins and Vinylmation at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort Fantasia Ballroom G from 6p-9p where there will also be an artist signing of Urban 9 Series and Urban 9 Combo pack with Disney Design Group Artists, Thomas Scott, Caley Hicks, Maria Clapsis, Casey Jones, and Billy Davis. See you there!

New San Fran Vinylmation May 11

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Update: 4/6/12 Disney has posted the correct Lombard St. Vinylmation today.

It’s a very colorful, cartoonish look at this famous winding hillside street. This is actually a very appealing figure to me because it really stands out among anything we have ever seen. The Golden Gate Bridge in the head with the sun rays and the birds in the ears make this one a real treat.

The details of the Enrique Pita signing are still the same.

And like with many of these city specific figures, it comes in a beautifully designed tin.


Update: The original picture was a picture of a previously released vinyl. We’re not sure, but it looks like the vinylmation.com blog might have just pictured the wrong figure. (We thought the name was a little weird.) So we’ve replaced it with this one. The rest of the info is probably correct, just with a different figure. (Thanks to those who pointed this out)

The Vinylmation blog has announced a new Vinylmation coming to the San Francisco Disney Store on May 11.
This 9″, called Lombard Street, was designed by Enrique Pita and will be available at the Stockton St. Disney Store. Enrique will be on hand the following day for a signing on May 12 from 8a-11a at the store.

Since we don’t have the right image of the figure, here’s a picture of Lombardo St. You probably recognize it from TV and films. If done right, this would look really cool on a vinyl.

Park Starz Variants & Signing: June 29th

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Thomas Scott and Casey Jones will be signing on Friday, June 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at D-Street Orlando. As of right now, the only variant we know of is a bronze Abe Lincoln.

Updated Calendar Info

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Disney has updated a ton of their information on releases and some contradict previous posts from last week. We collected all the updates in this one post and also made the updates to our calendar.

April 13th
On this day, at both DLR and WDW, the Robots 2, 9″ Crying Alice LE (LE 2500, $74.95) and Haunted Mansion Pocket Watch (LE 750, $175) will all still come out. The update is a wristband distribution at Disneyland only. From the Disney website: “Wristbands for the limited edition Vinylmation will be distributed at D-Street in the Downtown Disney District at 7:00 a.m. Wristbands will be available at the location until 1:00 p.m. or while supplies last. We kindly ask that Guests do not line up for wristband distribution prior to 6:00 a.m. The queue for wristbands will begin behind the Rainforest Cafe in the Downtown Disney. Also of note, is Snow White Jr will NOT release this week as previously planned.

April 20th
The Alice Flowers LE set will now NOT be released this week. However, Thomas Scott will still be at an artist signing at D-Street Orlando from 5p-7p. According to the blog, he signing is for “LE Alice figures.” At this point however, only the 12 figure set, Cheshire Cat combo, and the previous week’s Crying Alice 9/Jr will be available.

Also on the 20th, at both DLR and WDW, the Snow White Jr Series 6 ($9.95 each) will be released and the Disneyland Paris 20th anniversary four figures will finally be available stateside. This French set includes the 3″ Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy all sold separately for $14.95.

April 27th
This week will then see the release of both the Alice LE Flowers 4 figure set (LE 2000, $44.95) and Alice LE Walrus and Carpenter 9″/3″combo (LE 1500, $74.95)

Disney Store Rumors

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

The Playwright sent a few Disney Store Vinylmation related rumors our way today. Check it out, and remember, these are only rumors from one particular Disney Store.

1. Robots 2 will be released at Disney Stores on Friday with a special sale that includes Pop Vinyls. Something like buy a number of vinyls and get a Pop Vinyl for free.

2. Urbans will be back in Disney Stores this month with Urban 9.

3. The first Jrs set being sold at Disney Stores with the Snow White and Seven Dwarf Jrs.

Oh No! Villains 2 Invade EPCOT!

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

It all began as a beautiful day at EPCOT. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the crowds were light. Then, as if out of no where, a dark cloud loomed over Spaceship Earth and an evil villainous laugh echoed over the lagoon. Everywhere I looked, a Disney bad guy was looking for a way to take over Walt Disney World…

Dr. Facilier tried to harness the power of energy to increase his voodoo magic.
The Big Bad Wolf huffed and puffed and began blowing down every house in sight.
Honest John looked for a way to take to the skies.
Captain Hook attempted to commandeer a vessel from The Living Seas.
Shere Khan prowled The Land… poisoning the food supply perhaps?
The Evil Queen checked out her reflection by the Imagination fountain.
Bowler Hat Guy devised an evil plan to take over the monorail…
Then Doris showed up and “improved” his plan.
Runaway Brain would be very dangerous at the controls of a spaceship.
Yzma knows there is power in the pyramids.
Hades learns about the routs of his power.
Mother Gothel thinks the wishing well may be her fountain of youth…
But only a good heart may drink from its waters.

Collector’s Corner: Phil

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Have your collection featured by sending an email to: DestinationVinylmation@gmial.com

Name: Phil

Collection Count:
3″ = 224
9″ = 12
Jrs = 4
Park Starz = 2
Customs = 1 (3″ safari Mickey made by Josh Edwards)

How long have you been collecting?
I have been collecting officially since November of 2010 but I did not really get into collecting until January of 2011. I first noticed Vinylmation when I made a trip to Disney in July of 2010. I could not understand I started to warm up to the idea a little bit. In November when I went back down to Florida with my girlfriend to visit her parents we went to a Disney store and I saw that they had the Toy story Figures.

I bought a few bloxes and I was hooked. By the end of the year I had every Toy Story figure but Buzz, Woody, and the 9″ vinyls. When January came around I decided to buy my first case of Animation 1’s and I have never turned back. I have 243 total figures now not including any of my traders (close to 100).

What is your favorite figure that you own?
My favorite figure that I own is my Park 2 LGM (little green men). I have always been really big into toy story and especially the aliens.

I have aliens all over my room I could not go without having him. I got him from Ebay for $60 and was very excited. (this was the most I have ever spent on a single vinyl before)

What is your favorite figure that you don’t own?
This is a tough one. There are so many that I really like that I don’t have because I started when they had already been out for 2 years. My favorite 9″ figure is a tie between Sully and Boo and Safari Mickey from Park 1. My favorite 3″ is the watermelon from urban 3. I think it is just a really cool design and have been trying to trade for it for a while now… (If anybody has one please let me know)

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?
I prefer blind boxing by far. While all of the others are great as well, Blind boxing just has that special rush when you go to open the box. On my last trip to Florida I purchased a few Cutesters 2 from my local Disney store (that was all they had and I couldn’t leave without getting anything), and wound up getting the purple bubbles variant. Less than a week later when I was at the Animation 2 release I blind boxed a Park 7 Figment variant at D-street. My collection seems to grow exponentially every trip I take down to Florida. Without any Disney stores closer than 3 hours from where I live my only options for most of the year are trading through Facebook groups/Forums or Disneystore.com, so when I get the chance to go down to the parks or even just downtown Disney I tend to splurge.

Unbelievable eBay Auction

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

I need to preface this article with the fact that I am in no way endorsing this listing, but I think it is so absurd, I need to share it with you. Also a thank you to Kevin for showing it to us. A seller from Hawaii has listed what he calls in the item description “The FIRST Disney Vinylmation Ever.” It is a 3″ blank white create your own sealed in a clear plastic bag.

As you can see, it has an official Walt Disney World price sticker and bar code. I did know CYOs were officially the first Vinylmation release but apparently, and I admit I did not know this, the first release of CYOs were not in boxes in the stores, but in clear bags at the November 2008 Festival of the Masters. (If a reader can verify this info, I’d appreciate it)

If that is true, this vinyl, in fact, is part of a first run of Vinylmation released to the public and therefore does hold a special place in Vinylmation history. In my opinion it would also hold a certain value to collectors. Especially if you consider that, most likely, very few guests kept these in the sealed bags. But I wouldn’t think the value is as high as this seller would like it to be.

Starting bid is $5,000! With a buy it now at 10 grand. A bit over zealous in my humble opinion… but I also thought $500+ for a variant was a bit high as well. Do you agree this may in fact be a part of Vinylmation history? What would you pay or trade to add this to your collection? I do not fault the seller for reaching for the stars here. I mean if someone bites, that’s a heck of a return on investment. You may as well give it a try, but I’d be more than shocked if it sells at this price. If you would like to take a look at this listing for yourself, check it out here.