It looks like someone was “brave” enough to claim to have their Brave set “in hand” and they are selling it for $99.00. The set is supposed to go up online on May 4th. This is however a nice look at the box and the set (similar to the Big Bad Wolf LE Animation 2 set).
Thanks again to Don for this screen shot.
Imagineers are currently hard at work on a version of the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction at Tokyo Disney Sea that should be open on July 9th, 2012. That makes the timing of today’s picture very relevant. There is a picture going around Twitter of a 3″ Vinylmation from a Japanese ad.
I looks like Jessie depicted as a child’s drawing. The style fits perfectly in with the queue of the Toy Story Midway mania attraction where you see children’s drawings of different characters. The 1200 Yen price tag puts it at about $15.03 USD. I like the style a lot… as it’s an extremely different, but sensible approach to the Toy Story characters. While we are here, take a look at some concept art for Tokyo Sea’s Toy Story attraction.
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We’d like to welcome back Mike Boon for another series of Vinylmation Speculation. Last time we saw his thoughts and designs on future Muppets series. This week we’ll see his ideas for a second Toy Story vinylmation series. Each day this week we’ll see two new designs, ending on Saturday with a design he thinks will make a great chaser. As with last time, All these figures look great and we are proud to show them to the community. Thanks again to Mike Boon! |
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Mr. Potato Head Toy Story (1995) Voiced by: Don Rickles Licensing issues with Playskool no doubt put a damper on any attempts to include Mr. Potato Head with Series 1, but he would be a vital addition to a second series. The head of the figure and one ear could be clear plastic along with, perhaps, the feet. This could give the impression of his feet being just barely attached (as on the real Potato Head). The back could either show the inside of his little compartment (for example, his other eyes) or a different expression. |
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Mrs. Potato Head
Toy Story 2 (1999) “I really like the use of the ears in these two. The contrast of Mr.’s Ears ear symbol with the heart in Mrs.’s is a very nice addition.” – M.C. |
| Mike Boon joins us every day this week with his speculation of a Toy Story 2 Series vinylmation. For past posts click here. You can also check Mike out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com | |
Release Date: May 18, 2012
Price: $14.95
Where: Disney’s Hollywood Studios and D-Street CA at release. More places at both WDW and DLR later.
Details: Open Window Box
Artist: Maria Clapsis
Update 5/2/12 The Disney Blog updated with turnarounds of the entire 6 figure set. We have the pictures below.
Update 3/8/12 Pictures of 3 more characters added via picture of magnets from Vinylnation. Yoda Stitch, Boba Fett Pete and Darth Vader Goofy join the group.
As a huge collector of Disney Characters as Star Wars in other merchandise, I am so excited about this set. And the fact that they put the designs in the hands of Maria Clapsis, makes me all the more certain this will be a winner.
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Yoda Stitch
As expected, Stitch takes the role of the wise green Jedi. He fits this character perfectly. Stitch is also used as the Emperor, a role the mischievous alien is also suited for. Maria used the whole head canvas so well and Stitch looks perfect here. He also comes with a cane that has some wood line detail work on it. |
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Boba Fett Pete
Big bad Pete reprises his role as the feared bounty hunter in this vinyl lineup. His appearance in the last action figure line was very excited and beautifully executed. Good job reusing the jet pack piece from Star Wars 1. |
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Darth Vader Goofy
Portraying the same character as he does at Star Wars Weekends meet and greats, Goofy takes the form of Vader in this set. I only wish they took it a step further and put him in his Mickey boxers as in the park. Goofy’s face is phenomenal. The stars in ears are the perfect touch and the cape is just plain out of this world. |
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Stormtrooper Donald
Wow! Angry little Donald as a Stormtrooper. His face looks amazing. Donald is my favorite character and this is one of my favorite characters for him to be. I enjoy the stars in the ears as well. I’m glad they decided to give Donald a gun accessory here… I was wondering if they wold stay away from that or not. Best duck face yet. The artists just keep getting better and better. The face is full across the mold, perfect proportions and a great expression. |
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X-Wing Pilot Mickey
Great choice for Maria to go with this character costume for Mickey instead of the easy route of tossing the mouse into Luke’s Jedi robes. In the line of Disney toys of Characters as Star Wars, Series 3 had Mickey in the pilot suit as well. So much detail here. The helmet is wonderful. The visor shaded across the eyes look extremely well done. The Rebel logo, the hoses on the uniform… all the details there. The lightsaber is even a different design that Star Wars 1. |
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Princess Leia Minnie
The face looks great with a well done costume painted on. The buns sticking off the head are a great touch. I wish something was done with the ears. The buns. How wonderful are those? Even the hood on the back has just the right look to it. Again and again, the expressions on the faces in the set are just a pleasure. |
Update 5/2/12 According to an interview with Steven Miller on Attractions Magazine this Brave set will be available at the Parks sometime after the May 4th Facebook Store release date.
On the Disney Parks Blog, in an article about the new Vinylmation Facebook Store, Disney unveiled the Brave set we were all anticipating. It is based on the new Pixar film to be released in the US on June 22.
The set will include a 3″ Merida and 3 Jrs featuring “The Triplets”. According to the Disney Parks Blog article, this set will release on May 4th as a Facebook store exclusive. The great thing is, all items bought via the Facebook store, are just like purchasing items via the DisneyStore.com. You can add more items to your cart, use any promo codes, and check out with your already established account. For a full explanation of the Facebook Store, check out our previous article. As for the Brave set itself, we first had word about it a few weeks back when Disney posted an event on their site… May 25th in Orlando: “Join us for the signing of Brave set and Phineas & Ferb Series (open edition) with Ron Cohee on Friday, May 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at D-Street.” So a May 4th online release of this set gives collectors time to order and receive it before the signing. As for the set itself, Merida looks great and detailed with shadowing and nice use of ears, but the triplets seem to me a bit… redundant. A look at the trailers and official movie website show plenty of great looking characters to pull from. However, the 3″ and Jr approach here make sense given the characters, so that I applaud. Which do you anticipate more, this new set or the film itself?
Star Wars Weekends is right around the corner and Disney has given us a sneak peak at some of the merchandise that will be available. Of course Vinylmation fans are excited about the Disney Character Star Wars line.
Mickey, Goofy and Minnie (Disney Character Star Wars Explained) are featured in this picture, but as you can see, there is plenty of other merchandise that will be available. I am most excited about the character chosen as the main merchandise logo this year… Darth Maul Donald. In honor of this, Disney has produced some limited release action figures that will supplement the Disney Character Star Wars series released every so often. There will be both a Darth Maul and Savage Opress Donald.
This Darth Maul Donald is more detailed than the previously released version. He comes wearing a cape. Savage Opress is a character featured in the Clone Wars cartoon series and fits nicely into this theme. As you can see, there is also a Yoda Rizzo action figure that supplements the series of Muppets Star Wars figures released earlier this year. Star Wars Weekends begins on May 18th at Hollywood Studios. See more of the merchandise lineup here.
Disney released some inportant information about the upcoming WDW Trading Night at the Contemporary Resort on Friday, May 11th.
There will be some scheduled roadwork that might slow you down a little, so plan ahead and arrive early. Also note that parking at the Contemporary Resort will not be available until after 5:00pm on Friday. You can park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and take the Monorail to the Contemporary.
Remember, Urban 9 comes out at the parks that same day and a few Disney Design Group Artists will be on hand during the Trading Night to sign including; Thomas Scott, Caley Hicks, Maria Clapsis, Casey Jones, and Billy Davis.
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| Original | As of 12/3 |
As of 12/11
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 As of 01/21 |
Update: 04/14/12 These figures will not be exclusive to DLP. At least the four 3″ figures will be released at WDW and DLR on April 20th.
Update: 04/12/12 New images debuts as shown above. but does not reveal anything new. In fact, the 20 logo with Tink and stars seems to be a new graphic rather than an add on or color in as Tink is different and the stars are in varying places. Also the sorcerer hand is missing. No new hints to vinyls revealed and the graphic still links back to the US Disney Vinylmation blog site. The info below the graphic has been updated however. Nothing revolutionary, but it does announce the Disneyland Paris 20th celebration on April 12th (today). There are events at Pueblo Trading Post at 10:30 with the team DLP Collectibles (Pin, Vinylmation, and many other things)
Update: 02/27/12 @VM_Paris pointed us to a forum on the French DLP fan site Disney Central Plaza who has an interview with Marianne Sharpe, Director of Merchandise at Disneyland Paris, who revealed 4 of the DLP 20th anniversary Vinylmation figures.
A very colorful set of figures. No details on how they will be released, but the costumes sure fit in with the screen shot we brought to you a few weeks ago (see it below).
Update: 02/21/12 The French Disney fan site Disney Showcase Key reports that their source, a Disneyland Paris Cast Member, says Park 10 will be completely DLP themed. Just like I enjoyed Parks 7 and 8 being WDW themed, I would welcome a DLP themed Park 10. Your thoughts? They also updated Vinylmation.fr to include locations to purchase Vinylmation.
Update: 01/22/12 The newly updated splash page lights up another star or two, ads some water to the bottom of the screen and an image of the castle turrets begin to appear above the 2.
Update: 01/13/12 According to @VM_Paris, a new video released by DLP about the festivities surrounding the upcoming DLP 20th celebration points to possible Vinylmation designs.
There are rumored to be figures in DLP costumes.
Update: 12/11/11 Another gives us a couple more lit stars and a balloon in the bottom right corner. The balloon appears to be PanoraMagique, the hot air balloon guests can ride at the Disney Village, DLP’s version of Downtown Disney.
Opening in 2005, it’s a 6 minute flight above Lake Disney and the DLP resort. It is the largest tethered balloon in the world. In 2007, it was given a DLP 15th anniversary overlay…
…witch makes us wonder if a 20th version is in the works? This balloon would surely also make a great DLP exclusive Vinylmation figure.
Update: 12/3/11 Looks like they updated the image. I wonder how many of these they have planned?
Update: 12/1/11 A newly released ad (thanks to @VM_Paris) announces the celebration will start on April 1st, 2012. Not sure how this effects the vinylmation, but it’s a good reference date.
Our friends over at disneyshowcasekey.blogspot.com brought to our attention some info on several 20th Anniversary vinylmation coming to Paris. Along with this will be what seems to be a Vinylmation website just for France at www.vinylmation.fr. Just that logo is up at the moment, but check back and see what appears soon!
Disney Showcase Key also has some rumors of the exclusive Vinylmation we may see. According to a Google translation, here’s what it appears to point to.
A set of twelve 3″ figures depicting. Disneyland Paris Attractions.
A set of 4 or 5 Disney Characters in Costume presumably from DLP.
and A 9″ 20 Anniversary piece with three 3″ fairies from Sleeping Beauty.
Check out the original article: Here! What are some attractions we might see? Here are some of my choices for figures based on some attractions unique to DLP:
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| Alice’s Curious Labyrinth |
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| Phantom Manor |
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| Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril |
What do you think? Any ideas of figures?
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Disneyland Paris’ Castle is from Sleeping Beauty. Will the 9″ be similar to the 5th Anniversary Hong Kong 9″? |
Urban 9
Release Date: April 20th (Disney Stores), May 11 (D-Streets)
Price: $9.95
Details: 11 known figures and 1 mystery chaser, 2 variants, 1 combo topper
Update: 5/10/12 Tomorrow this series will come out in D-Street stores. The combo pack will also be available tomorrow.
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Fly
Quick call Jeff Goldblum, there’s a fly about. Kinda freaky but still cool, I like the eyes. Great use of clear ears too. |
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Snake
A detailed snake with a Hidden Mickey painted onto a red background. Looks kinda like a California King Snake, but the marking seem just a little off.  |
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Western Gangster
Absolutely LOVE the cowboy hat. Looking good with the handkerchief over the face. I hope this one has a lot of grit and detail to it in person. |
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Red Dragon
A little plain for my taste. Also reminiscent of the Chinese Zodiac set. Here is a description from Penguin: “Chinese Guardian Lion or better known but incorrectly as a Foo Dog (some sort of lion like creature, of oriental style) perhaps Chi Lin?” |
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Power Up
Great idea with the power symbol in the body and the circuit design in the head. I hope in person the symbol has a glow to it and the back must be more detailed with cool surprises and maybe Disney related patterns. |
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Lagoon Monster
Perfect scary face. I want to see a cool tail, but he already has the claws for hands. |
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Maori Businessman
Thanks to Penguin for the title and everyone for the “Maori” description. That is what this appears to be. I so love the mash up between the tattooed face and the business suit here. It’s so odd, I like it like I like Pink Zombie Bunny. |
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Elephant Kid
What? I can’t wait to really find out what this is and have an artist’s explanation. It appears to be a kid in an elephant costume with (Mickey Ear Hat-like) Elephant hat with trunk and ears. |
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Chandelier
The design fits well onto the mold, but at least in concept art, I’m not sure if I can be into this one. |
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Sheep Artist: Maria Clapsis Since Cutesters became themed, designs like this enter the Urban realm. I really like this design. The little tufts of cotton and the horns in the ears are drawn very well. |
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Toaster Artist: TBA An extremely simple but very cool design. The toast popping through the clear ears is just plain brilliant use of canvas. I also like the Vinylmation logo at the bottom. |
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Mystery Chaser Artist: Thomas Scott |
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Combo Topper
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