Disney Mozart: A Pint Sized Speculation

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

Hey y’all! Tis been a long time, but this is my first article in a while. I am going to use this article to speculate on the upcoming Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Junior set. I’m skipping the ‘This and That’ set, because I don’t really get the concept. So here goes with the speculation.

1-Happy

2-Sleepy

3-Dopey

4-Grumpy

5-Bashful

6-Doc

7-Sneezy

8-Snow White (Possible Variant-Awake and Asleep or at the well in her brown dress)

Awake
Asleep
Brown Dress

9-Prince

10-Queen Grimheld

11-Hag

12-Magic Mirror (I would love to see some use of smoky clear on this one)

13-Huntsmen (Possible Hat or Dagger Accessories)

14-Witch’s Raven

15-Vulture (I only think there’ll be one because they’re exactly the same in the movie)

16-Apple (Possible Variant-Poison Apple)

Apple
Poison Apple

17-Prince’s Horse (Chaser 1)

18-Jewels from the Dwarfs’ Mine (Chaser 2) This could be really cool if they use clear

This is what I think will end up being the line up, but feel free to comment with what y’all think. Until next time y’all.

DisneyMozart

All pictures copyright Disney

Furry Friends Sent to Pound

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

Update: The Disney Store Blog has posted an official announcement. “It is our commitment to offer high-quality merchandise and unfortunately the application of the Furry Friends Vinylmation artwork did not meet our standards.  As such, we are no longer selling the product. We have not yet decided whether or not the collection will be re-released in the future, but we are offering a full refund to any Guest who is dissatisfied with his or her Furry Friends Vinylmation purchase.”

It is interesting to note that they are still donating the $60,000 promised, $1for Furry Friends Vinylmation produced, to the ASPCA.

Read the full announcement here.

According to multiple sources, Disney Stores across the nation received a memo this morning to pull Furry Friends off store shelves. This news comes on the heals of widespread reports from both the US and UK about poor production quality. I called two local Disney Stores and asked about this and they told me that Furry Friends were “sold out” in their store. Although believable, because other sets had sold out quickly in the first week, I didn’t fully believe it. After talking to a Cast Member, I was informed that often when a product is pulled for being defective or has a recall attached to it, they are instructed to tell the guest that the product is actually sold out. A third store was contacted and they confirmed Furry Friends was pulled off the shelf.

The good news is that Cast Members have been instructed to issue full refunds or exchange for a similar Vinylmation product with return of purchased product and valid receipt.

The Disney Store Online earlier today had changed Furry Friends from “Add to Cart” to “Sold Out” to now completely off the website.

Destination Vinylmation has contacted multiple people at The Disney Store’s Media Relations department and are awaiting official comment. You can call guest services at 800-328-0368 or email them at personal.shoppers@disneystore.com

A LOVEly Surprise

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

Update: I have to laugh. As I was typing this update, I went back to the Vinylmation Blog to verify what I had just read… and it changed! They did announce that this vinyl will show up in the Florida and California parks. They originally typed January 22, but then crossed it out and they say “a future date.” Stay tuned.

The Disney Store Online surprised us all with a Valentines Day treat today.

For the first time, Disney has released a special open window Valentines Day 3″ Vinylmation. Right now, it is only available online for $16.95. However, according this description, it is a Disney “Parks” item.

So I would think we may see this in the park stores soon. Here is a closer look at the figure.

The front looks like a top down view into a box of chocolates. You can see the assorted shapes and flavors. What is your favorite taste from a box of chocolates?

The back says “I Love You” and is all red with a golden bow on the body. Overall it is a nice simple design that can be displayed either way. It is a fun representation of Valentines Day. Do you hope your special someone gives you one of these on that special day? And the big question, what would you rather have… this Vinylmation or an actual box of chocolates?

The Value of a (Furry) Friend

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

Yesterday Disney announced that it was pulling Furry Friends off the shelves and  letting customers return them. While we think this is a good thing because too many of the pieces were flawed, what will happen to the Friends that already have been adopted? Will they increase in value despite their flaws? Let’s look at the options.

Short Term (until Disney officially announces a re-release date or cancellation):
I think the price of these figures will rise in the short term., especially in two categories: Pieces that aren’t defective AND with custom artists who want the hands. While the series is on hold every pieces will seem like a LE for a period of time.

The big questions come once Disney announces whether or not they will re-release these.

If they cancel the series:
I think even the ones with mistakes gain value, but the exact value would be determined by how good the quality of each is. The chaser may hold a tremendous amount of value to a certain percentage of collectors. Cheshire Cat could reach the levels that Obi-Wan Ghost achieved when it first came out.

If they re-release the series:
Several questions will determine the value of the first series.

1. Will we be able to easily determine the two series from each other?

  • The only way this first series has long term value is if they cancel the series or if they redesign them so that the first series is easily distinguishable.

2. Do the first series’s mistakes have any extended value?

  • I believe that because the mistakes are inconsistent, they do not possess any additive value in the long run. For instance, if there was a run of Patch figures without any spots, that would be collectible. Just a messed up application of the spots is not collectible.
3. If we take Disney’s statement literally, they only produced 60,000 individual figures… meaning only 2500 cases! Now, this point is very abstract, but in a re-release, would they produce/release another 60,000? Or would they only produce/release what was returned/destroyed? If we ever find out this answer, it may affect aftermarket values.
What is your view on this subject? Are you going to return yours or just save them?

Spotlight On: The Millennium Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Art Classes

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

I have always said that the best part about running this website and collecting Vinylmation is the community. It’s meeting people with similar interests and interesting stories. Today, I want to introduce you to a different group of custom artists than you are used to. In fact, I don’t believe they ever applied paint to an actual vinyl Mickey, but I think you will enjoy this all the same.

Melissa French and Brandon Specht are art teaches to 7th and 8th grade advanced art students at Millennium Middle School in Sanford, FL. They are also Vinylmation collectors and recently gave an interesting assignment to their students.

Destination Vinylmation: Tell us about this very different assignment.
Melissa and Brandon: Originally, this unit started out with one 2-D and one 3-D project, however the student’s excitement fueled us to expand the unit. We started with a two day presentation of designer toys, Vinylmations, and an endless stream of pictures.

The class response was so great that I went out and bought a blind box so we could open it together and they could better understand the concept. They were pretty much hooked from then on. We may have gone overboard because in the end our class did a total of SEVEN Vinylmation projects.

2-D Design Collage- Students created 2-D Vinylmations and collaged them onto a magazine background. This project was inspired by the pictures collectors take of their Vinylmations around the parks.

3-D Plush- Students designed, cut, and painted the front and back of a Vinylmation drawn on canvas before sewing and stuffing the canvas together to create a plush.

Plaster Vinylmation Jr.- We filled our Vinylmation ice cube trays with plaster to create small figures in which the students designed and painted in the minimalist style of the original Juniors series.

3-D Two- Faced Paper Stand-up- This project came from our students becoming so involved that they really had a hard time choosing just one character or idea for their Vinlymations. For this project, they could have created as many as four Vinylmations and many happily took the challenge. Each Vinylmation is double sided and presents a different view from each angle.

Trading Cards- We planned this before Disney did away with the trading cards, so we included it for this year. Each student made 4 trading cards of the favorite of their Vinylmations: one card to keep, one to trade, and one for each of the teachers.

Vinylmation Box- The boxes were created to display all of their projects for the unit in a unique way. The students had to create six Vinylmation related sides for the box, in any manner they chose. Some students chose to represent their projects on the side of the box, while others were still so full of Vinylmation ideas that they created entirely new images.

Vinylmation Class Set- For our last project, every student in class created a 3” drawn and colored version of themselves in Vinylmation form. They are currently displayed with 9” versions of myself and Brandon as a kind of “class portrait”.

DV: Wow, that is an expansive project all revolving around Vinylmation. Do you find that using a subject like Disney increases the excitement about the assignments inside the classroom?
M & B: The excitement in our classroom on a daily basis was amazing. They discussed ideas and congratulated each other and really worked as a class to raise the standards and present the best collective group of work they possibly could.

 As their teachers, Brandon and I fed off of their excitement everyday, creating new projects next year and really taking a serious interest in our own Vinylmation collections and sharing with the class after a weekend of trading.

DV: Do you think you have any future Imagineers on your hands?
M & B: I happily say there is a distinct possibility. Brandon and I tried to create projects in which our students would really get a feel for what a job as an artist would be like. Based on the reception, I do believe many of them are keeping creative jobs in mind for the future.

DV: Have either of you personally ever tried your hand at a 3D custom on a Mickey mold?
Melissa: I have not, but it is on my to-do list for 2012. I did receive the Vinylmation sketchbook for Christmas and am excited to fill the pages!

Brandon: It is now on my to-do list as well. Student’s aside, Melissa and I have had far too much fun developing these projects. If she is planning on doing one, there is no way that I will miss out on the fun!

Jrs
Stuffed
Stand ups
2D
2D
2D

Rhino! …Awesome!

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

Disney just posted this on their Facebook page!

It’s Rhino, the hamster from Bolt. And he’s in a ball!!! No word on what set this is from or if the ball comes with it.

Holiday 3 Valentine’s Day 9″ Release Date

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

Update: Here is the back and side.

The back is similar to the front. More hearts and doilies.
The side has a heart and you can see the To/From tag and string like it’s tied around the ear.

Disney announced a January 20th release date for the next 9″ Holiday 3 figure. It is Valentine’s Day themed with an LE of 1200 and a price tag of $44.95. No artist given. Lisa Badeen is the artist.

It’s almost like a Valentine’s Day card with the “Be My Valentine” inscription and doilies all around. And the left ear has a hear with an arrow through it. I’d like to see the back have another inscription or even a place to write your own note to your sweetheart. What do you think about that? Until next time, XOXO, DV.

Today In Review

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

Wow, a ton of announcements today.
Disney put a January 20th release date on this 9″ Holiday 3 Valentine’s Day figure we saw on a poster at D-Street.

Details
January 20th will be a popular day at D-Steet. D-Tour will also hit the shelves.
How about Theme Park Favorites? A set of open window figures will also be out… you guessed it, January 20th.

Details
This crazy little hamster appeared on Vinylmation’s Facebook page. It’s Rhino from Bolt! And yes, that’s his own plastic ball. I saw a great comment speculating is is an Animation 2 LE. How cool would that be?
Oh ya, and this little set came across from China. It’s the Chinese Zodiac set. This drops in the states on… January 20th!

Details
We also had a special treat… Vinylmation projects from the 7th and 8th grade art classes of the Millennium Middle School.

Collecting with Claudia: Animation 2 Artist Signing

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

It was an event filled day as Vinylmation Collectors gathered at D-Street in Florida for the release of Animation 2 on January 13, 2012.

As the doors opened at 10:30am, a line of 20 people were present on this chilly morning. Although not a large crowd was present, the eager few huddled around the Animation 2 display area to get their individual boxes and topper sets. The sealed cases were behind the registers ($12.95 each or $310.80 for a case).

While some folks made their purchases and went home, others opened their boxes/cases at the available tables next to Wexler’s Pretzel’s.

My personal favorite from this series is Jiminy Cricket (the topper). Although missing his umbrella, Jiminy is very well designed and his hat is spot-on…

Animation two has 2 confirmed variants: “shirtless John” and “dry Donald.” The two variants seen in these pictures belong to one lucky couple who allowed me to photograph them.

Although the release was at 10:30am, the Artist Signing was not until 5pm. A line began to form at 3:30pm, and by 4:55pm, 65 people waited for the signing even to begin.

It was approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind was picking-up, but this did not deter anyone… and Disney was prepared with 2 large heaters next to the artists’ tables.

I was so excited to meet with all the Disney Artists present: Thomas Scott, Eric Caszatt, Casey Jones, Michael Sullivan, Monty Maldovan, Adrianne Draude. They all signed my “#1 Disney Fan” Custom, and my 9inch Yellow Create-Your-Own (CYO), and I could not have been happier.

This is definitely a great way to start 2012!

Early release of D-Tour?

WDWNT on January 18, 2012

@vinyl79 tweeted out this picture of a D-Tour piece he got at the Frontierland Trading post at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. Looks like that might be the place to stop if you can’t wait til next Friday!

@vinyl79 also set out pictures of the boxes. Pretty awesome!