Smoke and Mirrors Hinder the Car Chase

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

There are many signs now that point to the fact that although Holly Shiftwell is the mystery figure on the side of the Monorail Series 1 box, she may not in fact be the most rare figure and therefor not the chaser.

We didn’t think too much of it when Zoe sent us this picture of the Monorails display at the DCA Merchandise Event last week.
After all, how often have we seen minor screw ups like putting the chaser out for display. In the above photo, Holly Shiftwell is in the case, but Chick Hicks is not. 
Couple that with the fact that I have seen many people, even in store pull Holly and get excited AND my friend Austin opened up his case yesterday to find 2 Holly’s and only 1 Chick Hicks (Matter is the triple by the way)… and it is easy to see the possibility that Chick Hicks is in fact the chaser and Holly is the mystery common.
This is reminiscent of the Jr. 5 This or That chaser mix up where Wing and a Prayer and Up and Down became the chasers instead of the PBJ and Smoke and Mirrors even though the box portrayed the opposite scenario. 
If you picked up a case, let us know your findings. I believe the Vinylmation Blog will be announcing a chaser change up sometime this week.

Episode 066 Palm Trees

WDWNT on June 13, 2012

Ep. 066 Palm Trees

In Zoe and Annmarie’s first episode as the new hosts of Destination Vinylmation, they talk about the release of the new Monorails series and Big Bad Wolf set. They also have a rundown of upcoming events and release dates as well as read your comments and questions in the mystery mail bag. The Combo Contest 3 results are also revealed.

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Monorails: Under the Hood

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

We have talked a ton about the new Monorails. We have given our first impressions from pictures and seeing them behind a display case, but today, we were able to get our hands on a Monorail figure as they went up for sale at D-Street. I don’t think my impressions have changed, but a few things were revealed today that make my review more complete.

The first thing worth mentioning is the share weight and heft of these once you get them in hand… and that is a very good thing. I was expecting a light piece of flexible vinyl. Instead what we get is a solid piece of vinyl that has great sturdiness and a high quality feel.

I was able to get a feel for the quality from behind the display plastic, but in hand, they are very impressive. Each figure is finished with a gloss coating that gives a sharp and shinny look. It also gives them a high quality feel. It also seems the paint on these will not easily be ruined.

Without the little details, these would not succeed. That is why the designers went the extra mile to give us details like this. The ridges on the rear of the vinyl car.

We have already seen this view, but it is worth repeating, without the space underneath for the track, this design would flop. As it stands, they captured all the curvature of the cabin.

I am also impressed with the detail on the sides where the “wheels” meet the cabin.

Like other Vinylmation, the bottom features the logo and artist signature. After opening the blind box, my overall impression of the Monorails, although already positive, improved because the mold is simply spectacular. They also did an impressive job with the design application. However my overall thoughts on this series have not changed. I am more excited with the mold and the possibilities to come than I am of an entire series of Cars characters. That being said, you will see me pick up or trade for a few of my favorites. If you are worried about these being more like toys than collectible vinyls, put those fears aside. These are beautiful collectibles and I’m excited something this innovative is under the Vinylmation name.

ZoMG: Review of AP Merchandise Showcase at DCA

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

by Zoe

Today begins the three-day event for Annual Passholders to experience some of the new and exciting things coming to California Adventure in the upcoming months!

The Merchandise Showcase event was centered on Cars Land and the merchandise that will be available when the land opens June 15th, 2012. The event also had information about Mad T Party as well as new California Adventure themed merchandise.

Walking in to Stage 17 (which is located near the back of Hollywood Pictures Backlot) there was a pop-up shop set up in the center of the room. The set up reminded me of the D23 Expo set up.

They had all different kinds of Cars Land merchandise for fans of all ages! Ride posters with “Grand Opening” stamped on them were available, as well as matching Ride Poster T-Shirts. I LOVE the way these turned out. They are each unique to their ride and look awesome.

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I love the details that they put on these T-shirts as well. Not only is the design great but also the little touches are what make it that much more magical.

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Each T-shirt has stamped on the sleeve, “Grand Opening” as well as something about the ride. A Cast Member there told me that once they run out of the “Grand Opening” stamped merchandise, they will reprint everything but without the Grand Opening stamp. Also this extremely informative Cast Member told me that every 6 Months Disney is going to release 4 Attraction Posters (for California Adventure). This makes me so happy because that means my Little Mermaid Ride Poster is coming! (Sorry for derailing about Ariel, it happens.)

Now back to the Merchandise! There are plenty of T-shirts, jackets, mugs, plastic cups, key chains, and pins etc that were made for Cars Land. There is a limited edition 1000 pin set of ride posters, as well as a limited edition coin set.

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Also available early today were the brand new Monorail Cars Vinylmation. They looked awesome in person! The tray comes just like a tray of Vinylmation, you get 24 figures, 2 sets and 1 chaser! I bought one blind box to see how the packaging looked and to see how the quality of the figures would be… and they look great! The box is a bit skinnier compared to our normal Vinylmation blind box, but it works since the design is a Monorail. I love the box design, it reminds me of a ride poster.

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Now personally I wouldn’t go back and buy more of these, they just aren’t my thing. I like the idea of monorails and I absolutely LOVE all the Cars characters, but this set seems to me like it would appeal more to men/boys. Now maybe if the set were on the Vinylmation mickey mold I would re consider. But the monorails honestly didn’t do much for me! I was thinking how cool it would have been if they made a Lightning McQueen mold, and then put each car onto his mold! Who knows what the future will hold! Check out Destination Vinylmation’s Monorail Cars explained page for more on this set.

My favorite thing pertaining to Cars Land (which I bought!) has to be the Piston Cup figurine! I think this is absolutely awesome! It says Grand Opening on the front, and on the back of the Piston Cup it says “Cars Land”.

I love that Disney decided to add Cars Land to DCA, the Land is themed perfectly, the merchandise looks awesome, and I can’t wait to actually step foot into Radiator Springs!

The Showcase also featured some of the new DCA merchandise that will be available soon. I love the idea behind these designs. The theme is, Mickey and Minnie driving through California and all the different stops they make on their journey. Each stop is represented by a different stamp. Each stamp stands for a different attraction at California Adventure. There is a Toy Story Mania Stamp, Little Mermaid Stamp, Cars Land Stamp, and World of Color Stamp etc. I love this idea, the merchandise looks great! This design is available on many different products such as, T-shirts, Jackets, Cups, Shot Glasses, Blankets, Key Chains and more!

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After walking out of the shop, Mater and Lighting were there for a photo op!

Next to Mater and Lightning was a display that showed the new costumes for Cars Land!

Lastly there was a display for the Mad T Party, which will be replacing ElecTRONica in June! The merchandise looks AWESOME! The Mad T Party merchandise wont be available until June as well.

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There are various items like hats, rabbit ears, t-shirts, jackets and ties. Also there will be ‘Mad Treats’ such as, light reflective lollipops, rock candy, bagged candy, and Cheshire cat candy as well as mickey sprinkles!

There was an opportunity to purchase some of the new snacks that would be for sale during the T Party such as, dill popcorn (I didn’t try this but everyone that did said it was delicious) and sour apple/cotton candy slushies!

Over all I thought the AP Preview was awesome. It was organized, in a big area so everyone could see everything, the merchandise looks awesome and now I am even MORE excited for Cars Land and Buena Vista Street to open on June 15th!!

Monorail Cars Full Lineup

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

From the person on Vinylnation.net who shared the picture of the chaser (Damang6388), comes a picture of what appears to be the box side with the full Monorail Cars lineup.

Lightning, Mater, Chick Hicks, Red, Doc Hudson, Finn Missile, Ramone, Filmore, Flo, Sheriff, Francesco Bernoulli, Holly Shiftwell (Chaser). Thanks to Evilos for the heads up tweet.

Monorail: Cars D-Street Display

WDWNT on March 26, 2012

Here is a round of HQ pictures from the Monorail: Cars display at D-Street Orlando. A couple comments before the pictures… The seem to be printed with a high quality application. The Monorail shape actually has some detail to it: Ridging in the back, a well shaped nose (see straight on shots), a curvature to the base tucking into the sides and of course the cut out underneath for where the track would be. They are a nice size. I wish more of Mater’s teethe where shown (the kind of wrap under the nose). Again, even after seeing in person, my stance is I love the idea of trying new molds, and this mold in particular is fantastic, I just am not into a complete 12 set of all Cars characters.

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Monorail Series 1: Cars Explained

WDWNT on March 26, 2012

Monorail Series 1: Cars
Released Date: March 27 (DLR APs), March 30 (WDW and DLR)
Price: $11.95
Details: 12 figure mystery box set. Each figure is shaped like a Monorail car and is 4.5 inches long. Maria Clapsis and Thomas Scott designed the figures, Lin Shih designed the mold shape and Eric Caszatt designed the packaging. I love the retro look of the artwork:

Update: 3/21/12 Here are some photos of the Orlando D-Street display case from Austin. In the first shot, you can see the underside of the monorail showing a space where the rail would be.
Underside of Lightning and Mater
Full Display
Ka-Chow! McQueen’s close up
Sheriff and Ramone
 Lightning McQueen
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Chick Hicks
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Doc Hudson
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Filmore
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Finn McMissile
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Flo
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Francesco Bernoulli
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Red
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Mater
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Ramone
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Sheriff
Photo from Vinylnation.net and Damang6388
 Holly Shiftwell
(Chaser)

Monorail Cars Released Early: Chaser Revealed

WDWNT on March 26, 2012

A picture of the presumed chaser for the Monorail Cars series has been posted on Vinylnation.net. It appears that at least one case of this series went on sale in Disneyland 10 days before it was supposed to be on shelves.
The design shown features Holley Shiftwell from Cars 2.