Monorail Cars or Cars Monorail

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Update: 3/16/12 Disney’s Vinylmation Blog has cleared up the Cars Monorail news.

The series will be a blind boxed set of Cars characters as Monorails! I love this idea and really hope more characters are used in the future. They will retail for $11.95. Each figure is 4.5″ with the artwork designed by Maria Clapsis and Thomas Scott. Lin Shih designed the form and Eric Caszatt designed the packaging.

The artwork is truly beautiful. The series will first be released at the DLR Annual Passholder event for Cars Land talked about below… then in select stores at both DLR and WDW on March 30th. Disney Store Online will see a release at a date TBA. Vinylmation forms are expanding way past Mickey and even characters now and I for one very much welcome it! I came around on Park Starz rather quickly, am not a big fan of the look of Popcorns, but these… are great. I may not want to collect all the forms of Vinylmation, but keep ideas like these coming Disney.

Back on March 12th the Vinylmation.com blog posted the above picture of a Blue Monorail figure. Lots of people speculated on what it was (we know there will be a new mold monorail as part of the Contemporary Hotel Park 8 LE) but no one knew for sure. Then there were rumors of a Monorail Cars pack. We originally thought that meant there would be a set of figures that represented the front, middle, and end cars of a monorail. Now it’s looking more like the figures will be Cars characters as monorails. I know confusing. We haven’t seen any pictures yet, but it will be interesting to see them when they are show.

The only way to get them is to go the the Annual Passholders Disney California Adventure Merchandise Showcase from March 27 – 29, 2012 at Stage 17 in Disney California Adventure. Merchandise is limited and there is a limit of 2 trays per customer. (Which brings up the question: Trays? How big is this set going to be? Is it a full 12 figure set?)

For details on this event go to the Art of Disney page.

Anyone going? Will they be picking this up?

Maria Clapsis and Mike Sullivan Artist Signings

WDWNT on January 12, 2012

Star Wars Weekends begins this Friday, May 18th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and along with all the Star Wars costume characters and actors on hand, Disney Design Group artists will also be meeting guests and signing autographs.

Maria Clapsis, the artist behind the designs of the Disney Character Star Wars series and Mike Sullivan, designer of Star Wars Series 1 will both be signing on select dates throughout the four weekends.

The signings will be held in two locations, both inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Darth’s Mall is the event merchandise tent set up behind Rock’n Roller Coaster.

Maria Clapsis and Mike Sullivan
Friday, May 18th
4-6pm at Darth’s Mall

Maria Clapsis
Saturday, May 19th
2-4pm at Darth’s Mall

Maria Clapsis
Sunday, May 20th
12-2pm at Darth’s Mall

Maria Clapsis
Saturday, May 26th
12-1p at Animation Gallery (DHS)
2-4pm at Darth’s Mall

Maria Clapsis and Mike Sullivan
Saturday, June 2nd
12-1p at Animation Gallery (DHS)
2-4pm at Darth’s Mall

Maria Clapsis and Mike Sullivan
Saturday, June 9th
12-1p at Animation Gallery (DHS)
2-4pm at Darth’s Mall

Animal House: The Mascot Series

WDWNT on January 12, 2012

Update: 5/7/12 The Disney Vinylmation Blog added Mascot Series to the release schedule today. Look for them on June 22 at D-Streets. They will be sold individually in open window boxes for $12.95. No word yet on other figures.

5/5/12 A few readers sent us over some pictures of new figure found on eBay. Hopefully someone landed in detention for leaking this, as it is another “dumpster diver” from Hong Kong. This one has intrigued me more than any of the dirty vinyls we have seen the past couple weeks. The name of the series this Pluto is from is called “Mascots.”

The second I saw this vinyl, I immediately thought of a line of clothing I see at the parks. The various shirts, jackets, hats, etc… feature Mickey and Donald in a retro university style. Not until I took a peak on the DisneyStore.com did I realize they call this clothing line “Mascots.” Take a look at some of the styles below and let me know if you agree, but once I saw the name, I’m even more convinced they are connected.

Mascot Mickey Green Tee

Mascot Mickey Hat

DisneyStore.com listing showing the “Mascot” name

Donald Duck Sweatshirt
–

To my dismay, there is only one Donald Duck item, this sweatshirt. One I would love to have, but I would only get to wear it like once a year living in Orlando. I always thought the graphic was incredible. I really like the retro look and as you can see, they do them in a number of poses and facial expressions.

The design style chosen for Pluto just looks amazing. We do know, the artist on this one is Maria Clapsis.

If the Mascot series turns out to be like the clothing line, I will most likely be signing up day one… as long as the final product line makes the grade.

2012 New Year Vinylmation

WDWNT on December 28, 2011

We figured it would be just a matter of time until this set of four open window 2012 Vinylmation made it’s way state-side. First released in Hong Kong, Disney has now announced an “early-January” release for these. No price point yet, but we do know Maria Clapsis designed them.

Pink with a purple cap. We still do now know if the “cap” is removable. The design features stars, park icons and Mickey and Minnie.

A clear blue with a cap as well. This one has some stars, but also Mickey heads and a few “2012’s” all around.

This one is a shinny white with lots of stars and a few 2012’s all around. With no characters or park icons, this one falls a bit plain.

I like the big character heads on this all black figure. It also has some stars and is the only one of the four to say Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

The packaging is your standard open window box.

Cars 2 Combo Review

WDWNT on August 30, 2011

The Maria Clapsis designed Cars 2 Combo was released at D-Streets on August 26. It also showed up in the London Disney Store, on the UK Disney Store Online and in Tokyo. It will hit Disney Store Online September 2 and Disney stores September 19.

The packaging is nice if you want to just keep them boxed up. It has a backdrop behind the figures of one of the racing locations in the movie. The design is flashy with logos that pop right out at you.

Lightning has one of the flashiest paint jobs I have ever seen on a Disney Vinylmation. He has a sparkle to him in the light. The red paint looks really good and all the other features painted on have a bold look to them. It’s a busy figure, with things going on all over it. He is designed after the Cars 2 version, so he has the Hudson Hornet Piston Cup logo on the “hood”. That’s the only design oddity, and I’m not sure if it would have looked good if Maria place things correctly. But in the movie, the mouth would be below the hood design, but on the vinyl its more a representation of the characters as the hood design is below the mouth.

The side has wheels on the feet, the lightning bolts and the number 95. No detail left unturned. Event a 95 on the roof.

The back has the rear view window, tail fin and says World Grand Prix. Overall, this is a flashy piece that has a lot of character. A happy addition to my collection.

Mater is one of my favorite Pixar characters and his Vinylmation hits in spots but misses in some important ones. The face is just a tiny bit off to me. I know this is a small thing, but I think if the eyes where more open and the mouth a little bigger and more open, that would have helped. I do enjoy the details like the missing headlight.

A look at the side shows how Maria had to walk the line between putting these characters on the vinyl and just representing parts of them. She decided to put Tow Mater horizontally on the arm and I think that works well. And another great detail, Mater’s one different tire is painted on his left side.

The back represents his tow hook and bumper. Looking overall at the back, side and hood, things seem to look very blocky. Just kind of place there instead of really feeling like they belong. Not being a designer, I can’t say what’s best, but I think I would have enjoyed a grittier, more real feel to Mater.

It has to be so incredibly hard to capture a vertical car on horizontal canvas and the flashy Lightning piece works well for me, but Mater is just missing some of the characteristics that would make him feel like a whole figure instead of just blocks of design around the mold. As a set, its a nice addition from a move franchise I love.

Wedding Wednesday

WDWNT on April 27, 2011

Last month we did a whole week of wedding related Vinylmation. In honor of the Royal Wedding this week, and in conjunction with @DragynAlly’s Wedding Wednesday, we put together some pictures. Weddings and Vinylmation, together forever!
We found this picture over at the Disney Wedding Blog. If I ever get married, you KNOW, that this will be there. Although, I’d rather make it out of ice cream, not just ice!
Photographer Cassie Dyer, from ponchothemouse.tumblr.com took a picture of her favorite vinylmation, Poncho, with some flowers from her cousin’s wedding.
Maria Clapsis’ customs, which we reviewed and compared to the Celebrations set of Bride and Groom.
Lisa and Trace Farry’s custom bride and groom guest book Vinylmation.
Stormtrooper of the Week #8.
With a background from flickr.com/photos/redandjonny/
Jenifer Marie’s Bride and Groom set.
To join in on the Royal fun RSVP on Facebook. Then on Friday around 4 AM join them at the Wedding Feed. They will be there all night/day chatting about the Royal Wedding.
Also check out these other sites for more Wedding Wednesday fun!

The Host:
The Dragyn’s Lair
Check back at Dragyn’s Lair on Friday for some prizes!

Other Sites Involved:
My Disney Dreams
Disney on Wheels
Manda’s Disney Blog
T-Town Tiffany
Making My Fairytale
The Many Adventures of a Disney-Lovin’ Spectrum Mom
The Attic Mouse

And Host hosted posts by:
@jordilouwho

Spotlight On: Maria Clapsis artist of the Cutesters Too series

WDWNT on February 6, 2011

Maria Clapsis is the artist who designed the great looking Vinylmation Cutesters Too series. Recently, we asked her what her favorite piece from the set is.

“The 2 chasers are my faves. They’re based on art I did for my blog, so they’re special.
The Donut too. Hard to choose” – Maria Clapsis
Um, two chasers??? She then clarified that there is a variant to the chaser in Cutesters Too. So I checked out her blog at mclapsis.blogspot.com/ to search for her inspiration for the chasers.

****SPOILER ALERT****

Pictures of Cutesters Too chaser after the jump!

Read More about Spotlight On: Maria Clapsis artist of the Cutesters Too series

Vinylmation Aritsts Enjoy: Dessert Keychains

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Every vinylmation designer has his or her own unique interests. In this column, we will learn more about your favorite Vinylmation artists by takign a look at something they enjoy while not at work. Most of the time this will come from something they mentioned in an interview, blog, on Twitter, or Facebook. The subject may, or may not have anything to do with vinyl, art, or Disney. Be prepared!

Yesterday, Maria Clapsis tweeted, “Heidi Kenney has a new vinyl line out called Yummy Desserts! Possibly better than Yummy Breakfast.” We love Maria’s Cutesters Series, and also really enough her take on various things that she shows off in her blog. So if these are something that Maris likes, we had to a look.

What we found over at kidrobot.com was a collection of vinyl keychains in the “Yummy Dessert” collection. The artist is Heidi Kenney. She has been a designer for a while and in 2001 she put up a a blog at mypapercrane.com to display her work.

Check out another one of the pieces from this set. Two caramel apples! Red and Green. No wonder Maria liked this so much.

Beware! This guys are adorable (and enticing). Heidi also designed the previous “Yummy” set, “Yummy Breakfast” for those who want even more!