More 40th Anniversary Merchandise On The Way?

WDWNT on June 29, 2011

Disney previewed an upcoming D-Tech product recently that should be arriving at Walt Disney World around October 1st, just in time for the 40th anniversary:

Yes, it is an iPhone 4 case and it will be a limited edition of 1971 pieces. Perhaps the most exciting prospect is that those of us going to Walt Disney World for the 40th anniversary festivities will have some limited edition collectibles to bring home. We can only hope…

You can read the entire post on the Disney Parks Blog, and you can register for WDWCelebrations’ Project XL: The World at 40 if you really want to celebrate the 40th anniversary the proper way.

SHAG’s 40th Anniversary Collection Debuts at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on June 21, 2011

Dana Trujillo of the Disney Parks Blog shares a look at the retro-tastic line of merchandise SHAG has drawn up for Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary:

Back in January, I gave you a sneak peek at the newest artwork created by SHAG for Walt Disney World Resort’s 40th Anniversary. While we were only able to give you a one-day sneak peek then, I’m happy to tell you that the wait for SHAG’s 40th Anniversary collection is finally over!

On Friday, June 24, Uptown Jewelers at Magic Kingdom Park will host SHAG for the official debut of his latest 40th Anniversary collection. This will be the first time that guests will be able to find SHAG’s retro collection of Walt Disney World-inspired collectibles, home goods and apparel that pay homage to our magical kingdom.

SHAG’s signature art style is instantly recognizable on the newly developed collection that will only be available at the Walt Disney World Resort. He re-imagines original Disney icons and transforms them into colorful, bold and retro creations unlike anything seen before at Walt Disney World Resort.

His artwork will highlight a line of new keepsakes and must-haves that will appeal to any Disney fan, including new charm bracelets (with more than 30 charms), apparel for men and women and a postcard set, as well as home goods such as double old-fashion tumblers, a pillow sham and a coaster collection. There are so many amazing products to share that we couldn’t show them all in one Disney Parks Blog post, so be sure to check out www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.

If you want to be among the first to get your hands on SHAG’s 40th Anniversary Collection and meet him in person, head out to Walt Disney World this weekend for this very special artist signing and product premiere. SHAG will appear Friday, June 24, at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturday, June 25, at Art of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace from 4-6 p.m.

What do you think of SHAG’s new 40th Anniversary product collection?

Here is a look at the entire merchandise line, including pricing:

Original Artwork
Retail: $20,000

Limited Edition Canvas Giclee
Edition Size: 95
Retail: $425

Deluxe Print:
Retail: $35

Double Old Fashion Glassware
Retail: $8.00 per glass

40th Anniversary Map Coaster Set
Set contains 5 Coasters in a collectible tin box
Retail: $14.95

Postcard Set with Tin Keepsake Box
Set contains 2 each of 5 postcard designs
Dimensions: 5″ H x 7″ W
Retail: $18.95

SHAG Pillow Sham
Pillow Sham features detail embroidery
Dimensions: 20″ H x 20″ W
Retail: $62.95

SHAG 40th Anniversary Charm Bracelet
SHAG bracelet features 33 individual charms
Bracelet Length: 7″
Retail: $124.95

Men’s Island Shirt
Sizes: Small – XXLarge
Retail: $74.00

Women’s Charm Tee Shirt
Sizes: Small – XX Large
Retail: $29.95

“Cars 2” Merchandise Speeding to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on May 9, 2011

From Merchandise Communications Manager Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

'Cars 2' Youth Shirts for Disney Parks

The Disney•Pixar film “Cars” has a special meaning to me; it was the first movie my son saw in a theater. Despite the fact he was quite young at the time, he enjoyed it (though the part with Frank was a little scary…for me). I’m looking forward to seeing “Cars 2” with my son on June 24 (two words – Finn McMissile!). Yet I won’t have to wait that long to experience “Cars,” especially with the Downtown Disney Car Masters Weekend coming up on May 13-15. The weekend event sounds awesome (I used to attend car shows with my father while growing up in Columbus, Ohio). To celebrate this special Pixar-filled weekend, we made arrangements to release select “Cars 2” merchandise ahead of the national street date. I have a special look at several new items coming that weekend.

There will be three new youth shirts with original artwork created for Disney Parks. I love the bold, colorful graphics on the shirts! It looks like I’ve found what my son will be wearing next.

'Cars 2' Pins for Disney Parks

We will also release new pins including “two-on-a-card” pins featuring Finn (my favorite) with Holley Shiftwell and Professor Z with Acer. A mystery pin set is scheduled for release that weekend, too. Each set will contain two randomly selected pins from the 10-pin collection. I selected my favorite five pins for the image above.

There are some items that I am unfortunately unable to show yet – the new die-cast toy cars. Cody Hampton, Associate Developer for Toys and Games, shared some details of these new items.

“The new die-cast toys were created by Mattel and expand upon the ‘Cars’ universe with new characters,” explained Cody. “There will be 16 individual cars for the initial release. Each car will retail for $6.95. We are also introducing six different two-car sets and each contains an ‘exclusive vehicle’ found only in the set.”

Mater and Lightning McQueen from 'Cars in the Parks' Line

While I can’t show the newest die-cast cars, I can show Mater and Lightning McQueen from the new “Cars in the Parks” line. This art program places characters from “Cars” at Disney Parks, and they inspired a recently released Disney ear hat featuring Tow Mater sporting a Goofy hat (to which I fully expect to see being worn during the Car Masters Weekend).

Tow Mater Disney Ear Hat

These select merchandise items will be found at D Street and DisneyQuest Emporium located at Downtown Disney West Side starting May 13. Select items will also be carried at Once Upon a Toy and World of Disney located in the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

While I am doubtful I will find an actual Finn McMissile car during the weekend (I’m in the market for a new automobile), I hope to see you at the finish line.

“May the Merch Be With You!” Another Look at New Star Tours Merchandise

WDWNT on April 22, 2011

From Merchandise Communications Manager Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

Starspeeder 1000 Spaceliner Collection

If I had a nickel for the hours I spent as a child playing with my Star Wars toys, I would be living on a beach in Maui right now. Luckily, my parents saved those toys (thanks Mom and Dad), and my son now spends hours pretending he is in a galaxy far, far away. Soon, he will have a few more toys (among several awesome things) to add to his Star Wars collection, especially with the launch of “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” on May 20. But wait! I get to photograph and write about merchandise created for Star Tours? Sign me up! After reviewing the more than 40 items we’ve created, I have selected a few of my favorites to share with you.

First up is the incredibly detailed Starspeeder 1000 Spaceliner Collection. This boxed set features die-cast metal vehicles representing six spaceliners that are involved with the new Star Tours story. I spoke with Brad Schoeneberg, Product Developer for Toys and Games, to learn more about the toys.

Star Tours Action Figures

“We’ve been working on the Star Tours toys for about two years now,” explained Brad. “During the past two years, we have had a great relationship with Walt Disney Imagineering. They provided us with tons of reference material for the Starspeeders and other new characters. That partnership helped us capture wonderful details including the tiny droids seen on top of each of [the Starspeeders].”

This set will retail for $22.95. Brad also shared with me the packaging for the “Ambush at Star Tours” and the “Star Tours Travel Agency” action figure sets (both will retail for $39.95 each). Favorite figures include the Sky Troopers who were created specifically for the attraction. I also loved how the droid who is “fluent in over six million forms of communication,” C-3PO, turned out.

Star Tours Shirts

But toys aren’t the only thing I loved seeing (or should I say “playing with?”). We are releasing a variety of shirts for launch. I particularly liked the stylized travel posters shirt, as there is no better way to say “I love space travel” than with that one. How I wish I could visit Bespin and hang out with Lando Calrissian!

20 oz. Darth Vader Tumbler Exclusively for Passholders

There are a few items, however, that neither my son nor I can get – we are not Passholders (unlike many of you and I’m bummed). These Passholder Exclusive items will include a commemorative coin, a limited edition pen (not to be confused with a “pin,” which will also be released), a Darth Vader T-shirt and, what I consider the most awesome drinkware in the galaxy, a 20 oz. tumbler featuring Darth Vader.

I don’t think I can make time pass fast enough until the opening! As mentioned, there are many other items we created for the launch, so keep watching ArtofDisneyParks.com for release dates and additional information.

Walt Disney World Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Retro Merchandise

WDWNT on January 4, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson brings us our very first photo report of 2011 with a look at all of the new merchandise celebrating Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary in 2011. According to our sources, there is a lot more where this came from, this is only the first batch of clothes and collectibles hitting shelves this year to mark the milestone:

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Plenty of open edition pins available

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