Tickets Soon to Go on Sale for D23 Summer Events

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

It has been announced when tickets will go on sale for the two D23 member events being held in California this summer. The first event, A Day at the Walt Disney Studios and Archives, which will be held on Saturday, June 27th and Saturday, August 15th at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, with tours beginning at 10am, will have its tickets go on sale this Monday, June 15th at 11am.

The second event which is a screening of the “People and Places – Disneyland USA” featurette along with a discussion panel featuring Imagineer Tony Baxter, Disney Legend and Chief Archivist Dave Smith, and Disney Studios Film Archivist Ed Hobelman, will take place on Disneyland’s birthday, Friday, July 17th at 6pm, and will have its tickets go on sale Monday, June 29th also at 11am.

To purchase tickets, just go to the links above at the times listed. Act quickly when the tickets are available, as space is sure to be limited for both of the these events. You can also keep up to date on information about these events by following DisneyD23 on Twitter.

D23 Exclusive Pop! Vinyl

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Last month, Comic Con got a few exclusive Pop! Vinyl. Today we learned D23 will have a couple of it’s own.

This is a 9″ “Metal” Steamboat Willie. This is LE 350 and will retail at the event for $44.50. I’m excited to try to add this to my collection. he looks great and I’m a big old school Mickey collector. This is similar to the 9″ Maleficent we saw at Comic Con. A 3″ version of Steamboat Willie will be in the upcoming Pop! Vinyl Series 2.
3″ Flocked Lotso will also be at D23. He is LE 500 and retails for $14.50. Collectors picked up a flocked Sully at Comic Con. Flocked means it will have a peach fuzz type texture to it. I’m not crazy about the look of Lotso here to be honest, but I do collect most things Toy Story and Lotso is a favorite. I think the flocked is enough to put this in my collection… then I don’t have to worry about not wanting the normal 3″ Lotso that will be in Pop! Vinyl Series 2.

VM Rafiki Help Line: D23 Merchandise

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Copyright Disney
Whenever we get a question we need your input on before giving an answer, we will post it here, in the VM Rafiki Help Line. Rafiki of course is very wise and the word Rafiki means friend. So we thought it an appropriate name when asking you to share knowledge with a fellow Vinylmation collector. 

We found the following comment online from Alyss:

just to clarify, the RSP is only for Sorcerer or Premiere package holders? Do you know how many packages were offered? I’m really hoping that I don’t miss out on lots of the exclusive merchandise… I hope that not being able to afford the exclusive packages isn’t a game changer for enjoying the Expo this year

I’m not familiar enough with this process yet and how the D23 packages were structured. Can anyone help?

Special Birthday Present for M.C.

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Chelsey surprised us first with the Blind Box Buyer. Then, as a listener to the podcast, she knew it was M.C.’s birthday. So she gave M.C. a really special birthday present.

Wow! Look at this guy. A ninja warrior. The detail on this figure is astounding.

With one sword in hand and another in holster, he is ready to go into battle.

Speaking of battle, this ninja warrior has a carrying case on his back with a scroll.

The scroll comes out and unrolls to reveal a real saying the warriors memorize before going into battle.

Then, in one last special touch, Chelsey wrote a special birthday message for M.C. and dated it on the bottom of the scroll case. We can’t express how thankful we are for these amazing gifts Chelsey. We look forward to all your great customs to come.

D23, Disneyland and L.A. in Pictures

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

It’s been a week since D23 and we have had time to settle back down into our normal lives. I’ve also finally had time to put up some pictures of our trip. No breaking news here at this point, but just a photo tour of our trip. Once again, thank you to everyone who we meet at D23 and to those who gave us tips for DLR. It was an amazing trip we will never forget.
Anaheim Convention Center
Nick at D23
First stop was Vinyl, Pin and Ear Hat Showcase
Florida Project Pins
A look at the past, present and future of Disney Theme Parks
The new Mickey Head that moves and speaks

More pictures of D23, Disneyland and LA after the jump
Read More about D23, Disneyland and L.A. in Pictures

D23 Exclusive Pop! Vinyl Review

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

D23 in Anaheim saw the release of a couple limited edition Funko Disney Pop! Vinyl figures as well as the premiere of Series 2. The Disney Store inside D23 opened up Sunday with extremely long lines waiting to get in because along with the Pop! Vinyl, it was Lion King release day as well.

Cast Members were on hand to assist guests and hand out the LE Pop! and Series 2 figures. This was a great idea as it cut down on the mad house atmosphere that would have otherwise occurred. Guests were let into the small store a few at a time.

First, Series 2 of Pop! Vinyl, at last check sold out at the Disney Store Online, is a 12 figure set that retails for $12.50 a piece, just like Series 1. The second offering consists of: Belle, Beast, Jack, Sally, Jessie, Boo, George Sanderson, Mr. Incredible, Syndrome, Lotso, Minnie and Steamboat Willie Mickey.

The first of the limited edition Pop! Vinyl available at D23 was this 9″ Metal Steamboat Willie. He sold for $44.50 and was LE 360 (advertised as 350).

Now, the people who bought 9″ Maleficent and Buzz at Comic Con commented on how absolutely large these were once they got them. And boy are they right. You think 9″ Vinylmation, but somehow these just seem more massive. And the packaging is huge. I forgot I had to fly back with this and had to open it and flatten the box to get it home!

The style is fantastic on this figure. I enjoy the classic Mickey look. Not much detail to speak of, but that isn’t a design flaw… its just the nature of the subject.

The construction of the figure is quality. It’s solid and sturdy and looks great on my shelf.

Next up, the 3″ Flocked Lotso. He sold for $14.95 and was LE 480 (advertised as 500).

Lotso is incredible! I really great purchase here. This flocked version, which is like a peach fuzz texture, totally captures Lotso much more than the regular vinyl version will.

There are a few “dent” marks along the skin, but it doesn’t detract from the overall look of this guy when he is sitting in your collection.

Again, other than the “dents”, the quality here is great as well. He is covered from head to toe.

Muppets Mayhem at DLR on 11/17 and 18

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Pictures by Disney

Update: 11/17/11 According to vinylmation.com’s blog, there will be several of these pieces at D-Street Florida, also being released on 11/18. Good news for all of us on the East Coast.

Update: 11/9/11 The art of Disney blog updated today with more info about these figures. The 3″ figures will go for $150 and the 9″ figures for $650. No word on how many of each there are. The figures will be sold first at the D23 event on the 17th, then if any are left they will be handing out wristbands at 7 AM on the 18th. For more details check out the blog at ArtofDisney.com.

Update: 11/1/11 Today vinylmation.com released the first pics of the NOAH figures from the Muppet Mayhem event. No idea if these come as packs or how many of each there are, but so far (if they follow the pattern of NOAH releases, they will all be sold separately and are part of a series of similar figures.) I really like all these figures. The details are awesome, the drum sticks and collar for Animal and the Piggy kiss and collar for Kermit!

Picture by Disney


Announced today on the vinylmation.com blog was the Muppets Mayhem event at D-Street in Downtown Disney in California. On display will be some of new artwork celebrating the release of the new Muppets movie. One of the artists on hand will be NOAH. There will be lots demonstrations and signings; as well as new shirts, paintings, and even a Vinylmation that we have yet to see designs of.

The D23 only event will be on Thursday November 17th at 7 pm. Tickets are free but you have to sign up for them starting on October 31st at 10 AM PST at the D23 page here.

The public event will be on Friday November 18th. Art demonstrations will begin at 1:30, with NOAH demonstrating his work from 4 – 5 PM. After that the artists will be signing their work from 5 – 7 PM.

Noah Exclusive D23 Vinylmation

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

We all know when Noah does a Vinylmation, it is something to behold. Take a look at this D23 Exclusive figure that will be available at the August Convention in Anaheim.

This one-of-a-kind figure has a running broom on the body, the D23 logo and Tinker Bell on the head, a sorcerers hat and a Mickey silhouette on the back. As will most of Noah’s creations, this 9″ figure comes on a display stand with a piece of Noah’s artwork on the back. Wow, I wish I could see this one in person, that paint job looks awesome. If you missed it, we talked to Noah about his work a few weeks ago.

Destination Vinylmation at D23 and Disneyland

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Nick and MC are headed across the country to the D23 Expo and Disneyland. We will be at D23 most of the day Saturday and all day Sunday. Then onto Disneyland on Monday and California Adventure on Tuesday.

Copyright Disney

I can’t wait! We have never been to Disneyland, and we have limited time, so we want to know what should we see? What rides are must dos? Where should we eat? (limited post Florida Project RSP and D23 Expo budget remember) Where should we NOT eat? Any info would be wonderful! I don’t want to be rushed, I want to be able to enjoy the park and take lots and lots of pictures. Are there some tips on Fast Passes and order of rides?

Copyright Disney

We also would like to meet as many DV readers and listeners as we can, so let us know if you’ll be around! Also check out our vinylmationcast twitter to see where we are throughout the weekend!

Copyright Disney

And don’t worry, we plan on doing a Podcast Sunday night after the Expo. If anyone wants to help with that, please let us know. Also, stay tuned to this site for updates throughout the weekend. If you need to read up on D23, what it is and the Vinylmation expected there, check out D23 Explained.