Tom Corless’ 12/23/14 Disney Springs Photo Report (Parking Structure, New Restrooms, New Babycakes Location, & More)

This weekend, I took a trip to Downtown Disney (Disney Springs), so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting:

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For the first time, I parked at the new parking structure, still an active construction zone for the most part…

This is the Orange garage

A non-Disney food truck at Exposition Park

More Wonderground Gallery merchandise popping up at D Street

STK Steakhouse is either going in the former Adventurer’s Club building or BET Soundstage

This facade we thought might be a restaurant is actually restrooms and they are open now

Very nice, no mirrors yet though

Any doors or windows that are boarded up in the area now have these Disney Springs signs

The building that looks like an airplane hangar is pretty small, may just be a bar or a counter service location

Work has begun on the Town Center

Another look at the airplane hangar

Siding has now been placed on The Boathouse building

Another new restroom near Portobello and some soon-to-open new shops

The new Babycakes location should be going in this building

It should see a lot of traffic here on the main path and not inside a Pollo Campero

The Marketplace bridge should open any day now

The new park area in front of T-Rex

Some new artwork featuring Mickey Mouse and the gang that will soon appear inside the expanded World of Disney store is now on the construction walls

Some new iPhone cases

Another look at the bridge

A look inside the new restroom by Raglan Road

Back to the parking garage

Some really great views can be found from the garage

This pedestrian walkway will open in a few months, temporary paths are in place now

This back of house area will soon be made to look a lot nicer

Work has begun on the Town Center area

A Little Extra Magic at Orlando’s D-Street

We brought you the story a few weeks ago about a couple Orlando Magic Vinylmation that were released at the Amway Center’s gift shop. The Amway Center is the home court of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. These two vinyls have now been released at Orlando’s D-Street location. One features Stuff, the Magic’s mascot. The other features the Orlando Magic logo.

RoE: Fall 2013 WDW Signings

 

Look at the sign we found. It looks like there will be a lot of signings this fall over at D-Street at WDW.

There are some interesting dates on here too. Since most signings happen on the day of the vinyl release we can assume that Cutesters 6 comes out on December 6th.

The real question is what is the generic on on October 18th?

Episode 126 Primeval Whirl

Ep. 126 Primeval Whirl

This week we talk about the latest Park Starz and Disney Afternoon news. We also discuss the current atmosphere of D-Street… how has it changed? And we introduce a new segment to the show where we talk to the admins of Vinylmation Exchange about current trends in the hobby.

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Pick up Mechanical Kingdom Cheap!

According to Disney, from April 26 – May 6 you can pick up Mechanical Kingdom from D-Streets for only $24 for 4! That’s pretty cool. The only down side is that Ludwig is a online exclusive! This sale is part of the limited time magic event.

Do you have this set yet? Will you get it now?

Ep. 127 Sonny Eclipse

Ep. 127 Sonny Eclipse

This week we talk about another guest incident at D-Street. We discuss the upcoming Oswald poster art release, WDW trade night and the premier of “Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story.” We learned the Muppets 3 chaser and indulge in a Comic Con Vinylmation Rumor. Recent releases are reviewed and Vinylmation Exchange admins stop by to give you the Top 5 Online Trading Tips.

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New Disneyland D-Street Display

In December, Walt Disney World introduced a new display window at D-Street. It utilized a ton of different Vinylmation in a variety of wacky ways. We just learned that Disneyland has done the same. Take a look.

Episode 110 Blue/Yellow Gear Bear

Ep. 110 Blue/Yellow Gear Bear

This week we have a ton of news to cover including Animation 3, Jr. 8, Tokyo 30th and much more. We also run down Chuck’s list of proposed WDW Resort vinyls and talk about the reorganization of D-Street Orlando. And of course, we give you the complete release and events calendar. Stay tuned at the end of the show for the special 2013 Custom VinylMadness Selection Show!

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New Window Display at D-Street Orlando: Commentary on the Hobby?

When guests showed up in Orlando for the release of the Pixar 1 LE combo set featuring the Little Green Men from Toy Story, we were treated to a brand new Vinylmation themed window display at D-Street.

Behind the left hand window was a moving conveyor belt full of Vinylmation! The figures ranged from sets throughout the years and included commons, variants and chasers. Some figures were in good condition, but many had scuffs and spray paint on them as if they were factory rejects. The figures were stuck to the belt and continued to go around and around in a rotation.

At the end of the conveyor, there was a bin stacked high with vinyls as if they were just dumped off the belt. You can see damaged figures piled up and spread around the windows. Looking at this display, I can’t help to think it’s a commentary on the state of the Vinylmation hobby from Disney. This is completely my observation and is NOT from any Disney Cast Member. But it seem almost a message to Vinylmation collectors saying, ‘look at all these “valuable” figures you hold near and dear. There is nothing special about each individual piece except what you put upon them. Each and every one could end up here.’ As if they are asking us to lighten up and stop taking ourselves so seriously. I don’t think it is necessarily a mocking. Although it is hard to look inside here at figures you desperately wish to add to your collection and see how easily Disney artists take spray paint to them and toss them into a display. I just think this gives us a moment to pause and think about why we collect. I understand there will naturally be an aftermarket, but how important do these little 3″ pieces of plastic need to be in our lives? This display is very funny and wonderfully themed, but I think we would be remiss not to take a lesson from it as well. OK, enough preaching… do you want to see the rest of the display?

There were some signs posted on a chain link fence behind the conveyor belt.

On the right hand side of the display were some mannequins in D-Street lab coats.

Up against the windows, there were a whole bunch of Vinylmation figures and parts scattered in disarray.

Here is a look at some rotations of the conveyor belt to see the various figures chosen for this wonderfully themed project.

Yes, there is a Duffy, Park Starz Ghost Bride, Obi Variant and Moon Walking 80’s Dale among others. I love how Lotso is looking on from the side… very Toy Story 3ish of him.