Aloha! Mickey Surfs Washes Ashore

WDWNT on August 27, 2013

We have been waiting to see the Mickey Surfs figure that was rumored to be coming to the Honolulu, Hawaii Disney Store. Well, thanks to Enrique Pita, the artist himself, the wait is over.

It has become common place to get more info about Disney Store releases from Enrique Pita than the Disney PR outlets. Enrique posted this photo on his Facebook page and according to the post, Mickey Surfs was released today, June 24th at the Ala Moana Disney Store in Honolulu, HI.

It is an absolutely great design. Nice simple lines and cool painted on sunglasses. And of course, the accessory Surf Board. It makes a wonderful Disney-themed souvenir from Hawaii.

Enrique Pita also posted a photo of the back of the surf board. Wow, the detail here is tremendous.

Details on Disney Store CM “Thank You” Figure

WDWNT on June 4, 2013

We finally have insight as to what exactly the Disney Store “Thank You” Vinylmation is. According to Vinylmation Kingdom, a Disney Store Cast Member has confirmed that DS CMs around the globe are getting these 3″ Cast Exclusives as thank yous for all the hard work they do. They were created by the Vinylmation specifically for CMs and the figure was mentioned in the “Cast Communication” newsletter. Here are some photos of the figure and the box. As with the Japan D23 vinyls, I LOVE the box art more than the Vinylmation. Do you spot all those characters in there!?

Wild West Explained

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Wild West
Release Date: April 20
Disney Stores
Artist Signing with Gerald Mendez and Enrique Pita at the Sun Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Meza, CA on April 20 from 10am-1pm.

Update 04/02/13 We added photos from Disney of the set.



Update 04/01/13 We added photos from Vinylmation Exchange of the remaining 6 figures off the side of the tray.


Update 03/29/13 Zoe sent in some up close photos of each figure. This is where the Disney Store shines!!! Back to doing a Disney Character-centric set. We never questioned the talent of the DS artists, just the choice of designs they produce. They have a command of the Mickey platform when drawing characters on the canvas. We just want them to be DISNEY! You may not purchase this particular set, but this is what the average VM collector wants to see from these artists. The colors are wonderful. The use of ears with the various western back drops are perfect. The biggest plus is that they changed them up. And the accessories? Among the best we have ever seen. Just take a look…

 Pluto

First of all, they used the Furry Friends/Whiskers Tales paws! This may be my favorite Pluto. I love he just took a bite out of the bad guy’s pants. The “V” star belt is a wonderful touch.

Mickey

He is the sheriff. Disney Store makes the most amazing hats. The chewing on the wheat is a perfect touch. And I love that the artist used an old school Mickey.

Minnie Mouse

The bonnet is another great accessory by the Disney Store. She has the old school like, just like Mickey. Disney Store does the characters so well… some of the best mouse faces we have seen in Vinylmation.

Donald

Donald as an Indian is just spectacular. The expression the DS artists give to his face in all his figures are the perfect way to draw him. It is very hard to make the duck bill work, but they always do. The feather head dress! What can I say? I can not wait to have this one in hand. Then, in the ears, you can see the wild west landscape with cactus and teepees. 

Daisy

As much as I’m not a Daisy fan, the design here is a lot of fun. She looks like a performer in a wild west saloon. The clothing and feather in ear are great. Love the star background as well. 

Clarabelle

Great addition of a classic Disney cow into this western series.

Horace

Another one with Furry Friends paws. Great choice of the classic Disney horse into this set.

Goofy

Crazy eyes.

Huey, Dewy and Louie

It’s about time we get Donald’s nephews into a set. Three 3″ figures here. Wonderfully themed as Indians to fit in with Donald.

Mystery Chaser

Zoe was walking through the South Coast Plaza Mall in California today and happened upon this poster:


Looks like the Wild West series may be a smaller open window series similar to Disney Tunes. But a close look at the fine print mentions “purchase of a tray”, so I am not sure at this time. The series seems to be set for a Disney Store release on April 20th with an artist signing with Gerald Mendez and Enrique Pita from 10a-1pm at the South Coast Plaza Mall. We do expect the nation wide release over the same weekend.

Un-Masked

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Dennis Conroy posted these photos to Vinylmation Exchange today:

They are photos of the upcoming Disney Store Masks Vinylmation series. Each figure comes with that piece over their head as a “mask.” They remove to uncover the character below. However, the character does not match up with the rest of the body. This could be done for comedic effect OR they could be mix and match heads!

Under the surgeon’s mask, looks like the hockey player. Under the hockey mask, looks like the spa lady with cucumbers on the eyes. Under the ninja’s mask, looks like the villain. And under the spa mask, looks like… well, my theory kind of dead ends there. Maybe the surgeon or kabuki guy.

Any way you slice it, this is shaping up to be one of the most forgettable sets ever made. At least in the eyes of Vinylmation collectors. Shoppers at the Disney Store looking to add “fun” merchandise to their carts will probably toss a few blind boxes in. But a quick look at comments around the community make me think not many collectors will.

New Lilo and Stitch Vinyls Released/Previewed

WDWNT on March 1, 2013

Update 11/23/13 Full photo of Elvis Stitch added at bottom of page

Disney Store artists Ignacio Rodriguez and Enrique Pita have been very busy. Both artists have been slowly previewing their brand new Lilo and Stitch designs over social media over the course of the past couple of weeks. Today finally saw the release of one of these sets, while the other had yet another cryptic preview.

The set released today was designed by Ignacio Rodriguez and is exclusive to the Ala Moana Disney Store in Hawaii. It features Lilo and Stitch in appropriate Hawaiian attire and some pretty cool accessories, take a look:

I have a feeling these will be pretty sought after. This is one of the best Stitch’s I’ve seen yet, and I love how it looks like Lilo is dancing. Both accessories look great too. And the packaging is perfect!!

Additionally, Enrique Pita sent another preview of his Las Vegas Stitch. Take a look:

If the Hawaiian release is any indication of how this is going to turn out, I’m pretty excited. Can’t wait to see the full image of this design!! What do you guys think? Will you be flying out to Hawaii to grab one of those two packs? And do you think this Elvis Stitch will have a guitar accessory too?

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Episode 144 Zipper

WDWNT on March 1, 2013

Ep. 144 Zipper

This week we review the releases of the past week including Animation 4, Disney Character Star Wars and the Dated 2014 figures. We also give our thoughts on the Eachez line of Vinylmation and have a full updated release calendar.


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Episode 145 America on Parade

WDWNT on March 1, 2013

Ep. 145 America on Parade

This week we review the Park 13 Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror LE box sets. We preview the upcoming Indiana Jones series. We have news about Valentine’s Day, Aladdin and Disney Store figures. And we have an interview with Disney Design Group artist Maria Clapsis.


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The Disney Store’s Response to Whiskers and Tales

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

We contacted the Disney Store about the production mishaps guests were experiencing with the recently released Whiskers and Tales series. Here is their response:

“Quality of our products is of the utmost importance, so we apologize to any of your readers who might have found issues with their Whiskers and Tales Vinylmation Series.

For any guest who has an issue with the Whiskers and Tales Vinylmation they purchased at a Disney Store, we advise that they return to the store where it was purchased and ask a Cast Member for assistance. For those guests that made their purchase online at DisneyStore.com, they should call DisneyStore.com Guest Services where a Cast Member can best address their questions and concerns. The phone number for DisneyStore.com Guest Services is: 1 (800) 328-0368.”

March Disney Store Sale

WDWNT on January 9, 2013

A listener named Matt sent us an email today. He said he was at his Disney Store and they were having a buy one 3″ Vinylmation, get a free Vinylmation sale. The free vinyls were Robots 3, Myths and Legends, and Zooper Heroes. The interesting part, was the original 3″ could be anything, including vinyl on clearance, like Phineas and Ferb for $2.99.

Just something to think about. Thanks Matt!

Donald, Chip and Dale Adorn New Christmas Vinyl

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

This Vinylmation will be available at Disney Stores on October 22 for $9.95.

This looks stunning. Hopefully it will be just as good in person. It appears to be Donald trapped in a snow globe with Chip ‘n Dale around him.