Park Starz Vinylmation Photoshoot

WDWNT on October 31, 2011

Every time a new set of 12 comes out, I like to take the figures to Walt Disney World and take a few pictures of them around the parks. When Park Starz came out, I was very excited to grab these guys and head out for another photoshoot. I had no idea how many picture opportunities would come up. My friend Austin helped me out and as usual, we looked crazy taking all these pictures, but it was fun. And I couldn’t narrow it down too easily, so I have a lot to share with you. Many of the best are below, but you find a larger photo album at our Facebook page. Enjoy! And let me know your favorites.

Episode 043 Glass Half Full

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

Ep. 043 Glass Half Full
This episode is packed with chaser goodness… but we hold that until after the ending for a spoiler free main show. This week we review Park Starz, talk about Villains 2 and look ahead to Park 7. We also break down the nominations for the Dee Vee Awards. And of course, we read your comments and answer your questions in the Mystery Mail Bag.
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Park Starz Artist Signing: Thomas Scott & Casey Jones

WDWNT on October 21, 2011

As you know, Park Starz, a brand new look at Vinylmation, was released today at D-Streets. (Check out my review and leave your comments here). Lead artists on the project Thomas Scott and Casey Jones met guests in Orlando today to sign figures from this latest set.

Guests had Casey and Thomas sign various figures and even the tins these figures were blindly packaged in.

The signing took place from 5p-7p and the line wasn’t too long. About 30 people deep at the start of the signing. Wristbands were handed out throughout the day as guest purchased Park Starz to ensure a place in line.

The Ice Gator, with it’s large blank spot on the back of head, seemed to be a popular choice to get signed.

Both Casey and Thomas collaborated on the designs and choice of characters in Park Starz, so no figure had an artist stamped onto the bottom. Some guests had both artists sign a single figure.

Here is Thomas Signing a Blizzard Beach Ice Gator. Guests in line were found trading Park Starz among themselves, trying to secure their favorites. No word yet from Disney on if Park Starz will be officially traded around the parks.

Is this a Hitchhiking Ghost? Nope, just a happy haunt named Cliff with his Park Starz. Myself and Austin (many of you know Austin from the release day lines) took Park Starz around WDW today for a photo shoot. I have to edit the photos and pick the best, but I can’t wait to show you. So here is a sneak peak at a couple photos:

Horizons Butler and Figment
Figment
It’s a Small World

Park Starz Series 1 Explained

WDWNT on October 15, 2011

Release Date: October 21
Where: D-Streets (online in November)
Price: $18.95
Artist: Thomas Scott, Casey Jones and Lin Shih
Details: 12 figure blind tin set

Update: 10/12/11 Picture of Chaser added below. Signing at D-Street WDW on October 21 from 5p-7p with Thomas Scott and Casey Jones. Also announced, Park Starz will have “variants” but not in the blind tins. They will be sold as separate LE figures in 2012. One clue to one such variant is “he will be copper in color.” Hmmm, Partners statue is the first guess that comes to my mind. What about your guesses?

Lincoln
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
1964-PresentFirst debut at the World’s Fair.
Robot Butler
Horizons
EPCOT 1983-1999Horizons took guests through a vision of tomorrow. Robot Butler has his duster in hand.
Ice Gator
Blizzard Beach Mascot
1995-PresentI love the look on this guy’s face. He has so much fun enjoying Disney’s finest water park. His counterpart, Lagoona Gator from Typhoon Lagoon will be in Park 9.
Big Al
Country Bears Jamboree
Magic Kingdom 1971-PresentBig Al steals the show at this Frontierland musical treat.
Giant Squid
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Magic Kingdom 1971-1994This ride always scared me as a kid. I always thought the squid was going to cause a leak in my sub.
Figment
Journey Into Imagination
EPCOT 1983-PresentFigment is one of the most beloved characters in all of Disney theme park history.
Yeti
Expedition Everest
Animal Kingdom 2006-PresentThe giant yeti chases your vehicle through the mountain. At the end, he swipes (or is supposed to) down at your passing car.
Skeleton Pirate
Pirates of the Caribbean
Disneyland 1967-PresentThe skeleton Pirates await guests aboard the underground caverns about the Pirates ride.
Bride
Haunted Mansion
1971-PresentThis ghostly blue bride has a viel and is holding an axe. Appartly she is finished with her groom.
Jose
Enchanted Tiki Room
1963-PresentThis green bird is your host for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
Boy and Goat
It’s a Small World
1966-Present

This tin gives you a “2 for 2″. Both pieces are counted as 1 figure. Great color and design on the goat.
Mystery Chaser
Highlight below to read, click figure to the left to seeThis figure represents the icon of Pleasure Island at WDW’s Downtown Disney in the 80’s. A really great representation of an extremely obscure figure. Take a look if you wold like to see him.

Vinylmation Speculation: More Park Starz Leaked?

WDWNT on September 16, 2011

Update: 9/14/11 9:58pm The answer seems to be no. Sorry for the false alarm. Disney Artist John Henselmeier (@johnhensel) just sent us this tweet: @VinylmationNews those are from a PVC park characters set that were sold in the parks a couple years ago.

None the less, it was fun to speculate on some Park Starz!

Through an email, one of our readers John brought a couple interesting videos to our attention. They were made by D23’s Disney Geek back in May, and may point to more figures in the Park Starz series. We tried to find the best screen shots and should have some improved images soon. We want to stress, these may or may not be Park Starz, but take a look for yourselves.

The giveaway is Big Al, who we know for sure is in the set. I can also see a Brier Rabbit from Splash Mountain under Big Al. In our interview with Thomas Scott and Casey Jones, I specifically asked about a Splash Mountain Vinylmation and they said one was on the way. The purple character looks like Figment, but not the bowling pin shaped Figment we know is in the set. Also, the big white (Yeti?) looking figure doesn’t look like the Yeti we have seen. Are these early prototypes?

In this second screen shot we see Yeti’s? arm, maybe a Mexican Small World figure, Big Al and a few others. Can you identify them? Once looks Mr. Toadish to me. The tall one to the right of all looks a little like the Graveyard Keeper from Mansion but not quite. Let us know what you think and what you see.

What’s New & What’s Next for Vinylmation

WDWNT on September 13, 2011

This past weekend, Epcot’s World Showplace hosted The Florida Project pin and Vinylmation event. I was lucky enough to attend the event which had several small conferences announcing the future of both collecting hobbies. The following Vinylmation Chat Session was held on Sunday afternoon and reveals some incredible new products being released under the Vinylmation label:

Park Starz Trading at D-Street

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

We have heard many reports of guests pulling Park Starz out of the mystery trading boxes around Walt Disney World. There has never been any confirmation as to if Disney planted them or guests traded them in. But this week, Disney is testing an official Park Starz only clear trading box.

This clear box is located at D-Street Orlando and holds 2 Park Starz. Trading rules remain the same, one trade per guest, per visit into this box. Of course you can only trade a Park Starz, not a Mickey mold Vinylmation. I know trading got me over my hesitation to by Vinylmation in the first place, if you are on the fence about Park Starz, does this push you over the edge?

Park Starz Review

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

They said it would be different. This set would “break the mold” so to speak. It would also push new boundaries and do things no Vinylmation set has done yet. The new Park Starz set, released today, has given us 12 vinyl figures without a single Mickey mold. This set also has a 2 for 1. And some obscure Disney references.

The entire series is packaged in blind boxes, or rather blind tins for the price of $18.95. That puts Park Starz $6 more than any other blind box set. So each individual collector has to make the call if there is enough value added into each character created. If you get the chance, make sure to stop by and say hi to Disney artists Thomas Scott and Casey Jones at D-Street Orlando today. They will be signing from 5p-7p.

Park Starz are different in that each figure is molded into a characterture of the Disney Park character they represent. They all have some great little details and unique accessories like the Horizon Butler’s duster and Jose’s perch.

Park Starz measure up at about the same height as your 3″ Vinylmation. My favorite out of the initial 12 is Big Al from the Country Bears Jamboree.

His large, exagerated figure looks amazing in person. As does his little guitar. Park Starz was a team effort between Thomas Scott, Casey Jones and Lin Shih. Love them, like them or dislike them, you can tell a lot of thought, and Disney Parks passion, went into each and every figure.

Abe Lincoln stands tall and stout with the Gettysburg Address firm in hand. His tuft of hair and beard are molded out from the rest of his head. It’s a great representation of an important piece of Disney Park history.

The you have the Blizzard Beach Ice Gator. A more contemporary park mascot. He has a very cartoonish look. He is very playful and colorful. Very appealing to a certain audience. That’s the beauty of this set. It can be enjoyed by a wide range of fans. But at it’s core, Park Starz serves the core parks fan. It’s chaser is a character only die-hards would recognize.

Click to see Park Starz Mystery Chaser

Another of my favorites is the Haunted Mansion Bride. This ghostly spirit borders that edge between a beautiful collectible and just spooky enough looking that it fits into that old creepy house. The veil and ax in hand are magnificent touches.

The 2 for 1 I mentioned is from It’s A Small World. Both the boy and the goat are both packaged in one tin. These look really special and are artistically designed, while still holding true to the great Mary Blair’s concept.

Overall, Park Starz makes a welcome addition to the Vinylmation scene. They are both designed and produced very well and will no doubt feature us Disney Geek’s favorite characters in every set. While Mickey-mold Vinylmation stand up as great mini works of art, Park Starz should serve a market for affordably priced Disney Park collectibles.

Park Starz displayed at D-Street

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Tomorrow Park Starz come out, but today Nick was at D-Street Orlando and got pictures of their display. Seeing them in person, I’m starting to like them all a little more.Check out the size of these tins? You could fit a lot more into these things. I wonder if they were made this big because of a design in this set, or because of a design in a later set that needs this much room. (Reminder- Tins will make cheating even harder, which I think is good.)
Here are two closer views of the set so you can see the size ratios between each figure. And if you’re wondering, the head and torso of the Bride is solid, but the dress is hollow.

All these figures are injected molds, not rotocast. (Thanks Thomas Scott)
One last look at the gang before they can be purchased tomorrow. And don’t forget the signing with Thomas Scott and Casey Jones at WDW D-Street Friday from 5-7.