D23 Vinylmation Preview: DCL Update

WDWNT on August 21, 2011

Update: 9/21/11 All these figures will be on ships in September.

We found some more DCL exclusive figures. All these, and the previously shown characters set of DCL 3″ Vinylmation will be Open Edition. Meaning they will be on the ships for a time to come. We asked if they will be available at the Disney Store Online’s DCL section… the answer was probably not.

Each of this trio represents the individual ships: Magic, Wonder, Dream. They will Open edition and sold on the Cruise ships for a time to come.

Aquaduck Donald! We have seen concept art, but this looks amazing!!! He is siting in an inner tube. The tube looks like Goofy’s from Have a Laugh. And you can see his feet popping over the raft like he is seated in it. Spectacular!!! This will also be Open Edition on DCL ships.

This Open Edition DCL exclusive looks like a Castaway Cay depiction maybe? Or just a nice vacation. With Mickey resting in a hammock on the body, the head has a bright yellow sun and the shadows of palm trees against it.

D23 Vinylmation Preview: Park 7 Complete List!

WDWNT on August 21, 2011

At D23, the Park 7 Vinylmation lineup was announced… by way of pins. 10 of the 12 Vinylmation designs where on display as pins. the 11th design that was not a pin is the already known Earful Tower and the 12th would be the mystery chaser. So here is the known Park 7 line up:

 Muppet Vision 3D

This colorful figure fits perfectly onto the Vinylmation. It’s Kermit’s hot air baloon that flies high over the attraction.
Tomorrowland Rocket

This was the icon of Tomorrowland in the Disney Parks. I showed off pride as being a USA rocket and gave excitment to the future of space exploration. You can see the rockets circling the head.
Tinker Bell

The famous fairy gets another vinylmation.
Donald Philharmagic

This is a favorite of mine. It’s from the Philharmagic show where donald gets stuck in a tuba at the end of the show. Only to get blasted out into the wall behind you and then end up tangled in the instruments of the ceiling of the gift shop.
Hong Kong Castle

From the markings on the body, this looks like the Hong Kong castle to me.
Hula Guy

Does this guy come from the Polynesian? Aulani? Or none of the above?
World of Motion Sea Serpent

See this article for details
Spacesuit Figment

Figment makes his third 3″ Vinylmation appearance. 
EPCOT 2000

Love it or hate it, it’s now a Vinylmation
Kali River Rapids

A great, and wet, Animal Kingdom attraction.

D23 Voices of the Parks Panel

WDWNT on August 20, 2011

One of the great panels of the D23 Expo thus far has been the “Voices of the Park” presentation from last night. While you wait for some more in-depth reports from the Expo, enjoy this uncut audio of the entire presentation.

Download the “Voices of the Parks”

A taste of the D23 Expo

WDWNT on August 20, 2011

While Tom and our crew are out in Anahiem covering everything Expo for you we hope you are enjoying our new Expo Central Site. We figured we would take a moment to share with you this video from Disney for a quick look inside the Expo. Stay tuned for a full report from Tom and our team direct from the Expo soon.


Episode 034 Poncho

WDWNT on August 14, 2011

Ep. 034 Poncho
This week we talk about the much anticipated Lion King set. We review Black and White, China Pavilion and Materhorn, we reminisce about EPCOT’s Kitchen Kaberet, and we discus the upcoming D23 Expo. We of course deliver the latest Vinylmation news and rumors and have an up to date schedule of release dates and events. The winner of the Robots Contest is announced. Oh, and we read your comments and questions in the Mystery Mail Bag.
Listen Now:
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Disney Store Celebrates 25 Years With…. A Vinylmation

WDWNT on August 9, 2011

Update: 8/11/11 Disney changed the blog to now say that all 2500 will be sold at the event. I had thought that 500 seemed a little too low! (Thanks Michael!)

The Disney Store will have a big set up at D23 this August and is also celebrating 25 years. In addition to a ton of other merchandise, they will be selling a special 3″ Vinylmation and pin set. But does it live up to its other D23 releases? Check it out.

Release Date: August 19 at D23 Expo
LE: 2500 (All 2500 now sold at Expo)
Retail: $26.95
Artist: Jim Valeri

Copyright Disney

This figure doesn’t impress me much. It is all silver with an artist Mickey face drawn on the head. The pattern looks cool, but the lack of color or contrast turns me off.

Copyright Disney

As you can see, the body is just an ad for the Disney Store. I’ll gobble up every napkin or coffee stir that says WDW 40th on it, but the 25th of the Disney Store doesn’t do it for me. Its a nice looking logo, but again, the overall figure is blah.

Copyright Disney

But did I tell you it comes with a pin? For the prices of a 2 figure combo pack you can get a Disney Store 25th Vinylmation and Pin. At not even a low LE, therefore not much trade value, I think this a pass for this D23 Expo guest. How about you?

Update: 8/9/11 (now invalid as of 8/11/11)

Only 500 Disney Store 25th Vinyl/Pin sets at D23; 2000 online. Our new contributor Disney North found this update for us:

@countdowntoD23 tweeted today:
There will be 500 of the @DisneyStore 25th Vinylmation to purchase at #D23Expo. 2,000 more to be sold online to D23 members only

@DisneyStore confirmed
@disneynorth Yes, Disneystore.com will release the remaining 2,000 25th anniversary vinylmation. They will be sold to D23 members only.

Walt Disney Studios Gets In On the Action at the 2011 D23 Expo

WDWNT on August 9, 2011

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TAKES FANS BEHIND THE SCENES
AT DISNEY’S D23 EXPO, AUGUST 19-21

BURBANK, Calif. – August 9, 2011 – Exclusively at Disney’s D23 Expo August 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Disney film fans will go behind the scenes to explore the exciting roster of projects on the horizon at The Walt Disney Studios, with a variety of panel discussions, sneak peeks, and exhibits.

On Saturday, August 20, Rich Ross, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios; Sean Bailey, president, Production, The Walt Disney Studios; John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios; and Kevin Feige, producer and president, Marvel Studios, will present a not-to-be-missed look at The Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming film slate, which includes Disney’s The Muppets, John Carter, Disney•Pixar’s Brave, Marvel’s The Avengers, Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, Oz: The Great and Powerful, and more.

With projects from Disney, Pixar Animation Studios, and Marvel Studios, this special presentation will feature never-before-seen footage and all-star appearances by Jason Segel, Kermit, and Miss Piggy (Disney’s The Muppets), Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, and Willem Dafoe (John Carter), Kelly Macdonald and Kevin McKidd (Brave), Jennifer Garner (The Odd Life of Timothy Green), Jack McBrayer and Sarah Silverman (Wreck-It Ralph), cast members from Marvel’s The Avengers, and other surprise guests.

In celebration of 25 years of moviemaking magic, five sessions will be devoted to the artistry and technical wizardry of Pixar:

  • A Conversation with the Pixar Creative Team – Enjoy a rare opportunity to spend some time with the key figures responsible for Pixar’s unprecedented success, including John Lasseter (chief creative officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios), Jim Morris (general manager, Pixar Animation Studios), Pete Docter (director, Monsters, Inc., Up), Andrew Stanton (director, Finding Nemo, WALL-E), Bob Peterson (co-director, Up), Lee Unkrich (director, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (director, Brave), and Dan Scanlon (director, Monsters University).
  • The Characters of Monsters University – Director Dan Scanlon and Production Designer Ricky Nierva discuss how they combine hair, horns, and a lot of heart to bring the wonderful Monsters University characters to life.
  • Michael Giacchino’s Music of Pixar – In this musical presentation, award-winning composer Michael Giacchino explores his early influences through the creation of modern-day classic scores from Ratatouille, Up and Cars 2.
  • The Art of Brave – Production Designer Steve Pilcher and Shading Art Director Tia Kratter show how they and their team put paint to canvas and fingers to computer keys to create the stunning visuals of Scotland for Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film Brave.
  • Pixar Shorts – This retrospective screening of the animation studio’s legendary short films will be followed by a panel discussion with several of the filmmakers, including Ralph Eggleston (director, For the Birds), Andy Jimenez (director, One Man Band), Angus MacLane (director, BURN-E), Pete Sohn (director, Partly Cloudy), Teddy Newton (director, Day & Night), and Enrico Casarosa (director, La Luna).

Expo attendees will also have access to advance screenings of an all-new 3D version of The Lion King, presented by RealD 3D, coming to theaters and homes this fall, and the upcoming ABC holiday special Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Out on the Expo floor, fans can explore the world of The Walt Disney Studios at their leisure with comprehensive exhibits, including:

  • Walt Disney Studios Animation Pavilion – Experience the art, technology, culture, and legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios with filmmaker demonstrations, drawing classes, book signings, meet-and-greets, and art exhibits.
  • Walt Disney Studios In-Home Entertainment Pavilion – Dive into cutting-edge home entertainment technology and learn what the future holds for Disney movie fans, with sneak peeks of upcoming films in breathtaking high-definition Blu-ray 3D™ and more.
  • Inside Tides: Pirates of the Caribbean Film Prop Collection – Get an up-close look at an exclusive collection of detailed set pieces, props, and costumes from the billion-dollar blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.