PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2/6/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Construction, Goodbye Starring Rolls & Kermit, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the park’s massive overhaul, as well as some recent closures an removals. Let’s take a look…

Welcome to Hollywood!

Work continues out in the parking lot on some of the park’s infrastructure.

Beauty and the Beast: Live Action on Stage

Some significant changes have come to Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage. A new pre-show featuring a song from the upcoming film was added…

Also, the Beast’s character costume was recently updated to the new style…

This and That

A new monorail mystery pin set was released, featuring all 123 monorails. They retail at $16.99 for a box of 2 pins.

The chasers are actually kind of easy to figure out based on the character silhouettes and that only 4 monorail colors remain…

As we informed you on Friday, the Starring Rolls Cafe is now indefinitely closed. No real reason has been given as to why as of yet, but we expect their to be an expansion of the often crowded Brown Derby Lounge.

While I always liked this location, breakfast offerings at Trolley Car Cafe are similar and plenty of sweet pastries can be found next door at Sweet Spells on Sunset Boulevard.

Toy Story Land

For the most complete look at the current work on the Star Wars and Toy Story Lands, also be sure to check out our latest Hollywood Studios Expansion Update video:

Work progresses on the Toy Story themed land behind PIXAR Place, with the maintenance bay for the Slinky Dog Dash coaster looming over the gate by the former Jack Sparrow attraction.

From the edges of PIXAR Place, the removal of the MuppetVision balloon is surely noticeable. It’s easy to see how that would be visible from any land in the back of the park.

Star Wars Land

The trees and such that once separated the Streets of America from Commissary Lane and Star Tours were recently removed and the walls expanded outward. This offers an unobstructed view towards other areas that has never existed within the park.

It’s not even a construction wall, it is actually a chain link fence covered with a tarps twice over (to make sure I can’t see through it and get you guys some better pictures, I assume).

It’s not the prettiest thing, but we’re gonna have to live with it for a while if we want Star Wars Land, and I do.

With the trees gone, it is much easier to see in from the Tatooine Traders patio though…

The ice cream is still standing, but the Kermit the Frog hot air balloon was removed last week.

Hopefully the fountain will at least turn when all of this is done. PizzeRizzo just feels like a Muppets consolation prize at this point.

The PizzeRizzo balcony offers some views into what was New York Street.

Star Wars Weekends 2015 Merchandise Preview from Star Wars Celebration VII

WDWNT on May 5, 2015

Our Star Wars Celebration reporter Brendt is in Anaheim all weekend enjoying the panels, exhibitors and other festivities at the world’s largest Star Wars party! He just sent us in some great photos of some of the merchandise that we will soon see at Walt Disney World during Star Wars Weekends 2015 (May 15 – June 14).

Disneyland 60th “Build a Droid” R2-D60. Will be made available at Star Wars Weekends as well as Disneyland’s 60 event. It’s not an LE item like they first told us.

Darth Vader Photo Frame!

Star Wars Weekends Autographs and Photo Book

Disney is really getting in baseballs lately. We have recently seen a new Pirates and Steamboat Willie baseball… and here we have a Star Wars version.

Star Wars Weekends Photo Frame

Lots of new plush on the way including this Cheif Chirpa Ewok!!!

A really cool Holographic R2-D2 in the “Build a Droid” line. We have been told to keep an eye out for more “Build a Droid” options and figures coming up.

Yup, that is a Darth Vader Mini Snow Globe. Would be amazing with a mini Hoth scene inside.

Star Wars Weekends 2015 mug seems a little bland.

No cards on these, they seem like just props in the display case. Too bad, I was excited for a Rancor action figure.

New additions to the Disney Character Star Wars action figure lineup. The Pluto as R2 from a previous series bundled with a new hologram version of Minnie as Leia! There is also a Pete as Jango Fett. He was in a previous series as Boba Fett.

D-Tech Tie Fighter Pilot and Jedi versions are new this year.

The 2015 May the Fourth and Revenge of the Fifth pins have an LE 5000 edition size.

Next, we will take a look at some of the pins that were produced for Star Wars Weekends:

Death Star Lanyard Medal

The droid mystery pins look absolutely incredible.

9″ Death Star Vinylmation with 3″ Death Star Trooper will be sold during Week 3 of Star Wars Weekends.

Star Wars Series 5 mystery 3″ set will include Jabba, Leia and Tie Fighter Pilot. There is also a Rebel Pilot Eachez.

Limited Release Weekends Logo Pin

Star Wars Helmets Pin Set

Jabba’s Barge Jumbo Hinge Pin opens up.

Boba Fett Slave IÂ Jumbo Hinge Pin also opens up.

Box Set with 2nd Death Star Pin

No Vinylmation Day at 2015 WDW Trading Event GenEARation D np

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

Each year in September, Walt Disney World holds a weekend long, ticketed trading and merchandise event at the Epcot World Showplace. For years, it was pins only. Then, in 2010, they added Vinylmation to the the event. The following year, Vinylmation took over Sunday and was turned into its own ticked day. There will be no such day at the 2015 event titled GenEARation D.

According to an official post on Disney’s Merchandise Blog:

The GenEARation D event will focus primarily on Disney Pin Trading. While you are welcome to bring Vinylmation figures to trade with other Guests, we will not be offering Vinylmation trading activities or selling Vinylmation figures at the event.

This is a huge and disturbing shift in the hobby. While many will rush to judgement and put the nail in the Vinylmation coffin, I’m not sure that death is eminent. This is however, very disappointing. With the lack of free trade nights at the parks, this was the one time of year, a large group of collectors, could really look forward to getting together and trading face to face. I will also miss the Vinylmation Talk that provided previews and months of content to discuss among the community. Many will miss the merchandise. I will not miss the trading with Cast Members at this particular event. I have said all along, that Vinylmation trading does not work the same way as pins, and that trade format for Vinylmation is just not as effective… as shown in the disinterest in standing in the lines for many attendees.

So what does this mean? That is a question we will be pondering online and on the Destination Vinylmation podcast for weeks to come, I assure you that. In short, I think this solidifies vinyls shift from its attempt to be the next “Pins” to being a boutique like art/souvenir item at the parks. Please leave your comments here in this post and we will share them on the next podcast.

Pins have made some significant changes as well including vouchers designating your number of trades and guaranteed pins that used to randomly placed on the boards. Read the entire Disney announcement here.

For all your Vinylmation news, please check out DestinationVinylmation.com.

Disney Charging $10 For Previously ‘Free’ Trade Night

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

In a post today on the Disney Merchandise Blog, Disney has announced a new Trade Night to be held at Walt Disney World on February 27th. Just one catch… you need to pre-register and pay a $10 registration fee. This Trade Night is one that would have previously been free. We brought this possibility up a few weeks ago on the Destination Vinylmation podcast. This is Disney basically asking us, “how badly do you desire a monthly trade night?” Here are the details from Disney:

Disney Trading Night at the Walt Disney World® Resort
February 27
Vera Cruz A, Disney’s Coronado Springs® Resort
Add to Your Calendar

We have been listening to your feedback and this year, we plan to host several Disney-sponsored trading opportunities at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. These events, which will include a nominal registration fee, will give attendees plenty of opportunities to trade with other pin traders.

So if you are you looking to meet avid and novice traders, make friends, or share stories about your collections, then trading night is the place for you! Disney Trading Night will take place February 27, 2015 from 6 – 9 p.m. at Vera Cruz A in Disney’s Coronado Springs® Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Reservations for the Trading Event are $10, per person. Limited to availability. No discount will be offered in conjunction with this package).

Here is the link to the article and the registration site.

Are you willing to put up $10 to have a place to trade with fellow collectors at an official Disney Trade Night?

Upcoming Pin Releases for Disney Parks Previewed at the Imagination Gala

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

At this year’s annual Walt Disney World pin and Vinylmation trading event called the Imagination Gala, Disney merchandisers previewed a slue of pins that will be released over the next couple months and also gave us a sneak peek at what to expect in 2015.

We will start with the Open Edition pins that will be released at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort…

OPEN EDITION: OCTOBER

New logo that will appear on generic resort merchandise

Pin bag

Pin bag

Star Wars Gingerbread Men Mystery Set

OPEN EDITION: NOVEMBER

Figment mystery collection

OPEN EDITION: DECEMBER

Next up, we will take a look at the Limited Edition pins that will show up at WDW and DLR over the next few months.

LIMITED EDITION: SHARED WDW AND DLR

LIMITED EDITION:Â WALT DISNEY WORLD

Are gingerbread ice cream cones going to be sold?

Resort holiday collection

LIMITED EDITION: DISNEYLAND

Lastly, we look toward 2015 and have some photos of the slide show presentation given by Disney at the event.

There is a retired parade collection coming next year

Think Nerd Block or Loot Crate

The 2015 Pin & Vinylmation Event Was Announced

Disney World and Disneyland Pin Previews from Reflections of Evil Trading Event

WDWNT on October 29, 2013

The 2014 Walt Disney World pin and Vinylmation trading event was held at Epcot from September 13-15, 2013 and many upcoming 2013 and 2014 pins were previewed. We have a photo of each and every pin from the preview boards and the pin presentation slide show to share with you, so let’s take a look

Open Edition Shared

These pins will be released at the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort

Aulani Resort

Castaway Cay 5K DCL

Vinylmation Classic Collection 6 pin set with Mystery pins

Celebrating Nightmare Before Christmas’s 20 years

Frozen 4 pin set featuring Ana, Elsa, Olaf and Castle

D-Tour merchandise series 7 pin collection

Mystery pin pouches with 5 random pins based on Christmas Ear Hat Ornaments

Magical Mystery Pin Series 6

Turkey Leg!… don’t you wish it was scratch and sniff?

Frozen Ana and Elsa

Jessica Rabbit

Nightmare Before Christmas Rail Road Mystery Pin Collection

Nightmare Before Christmas Rail Road Mystery Pin Collection Framed Set (LE 200, 10/3, $200)

Vinylmation Beauty and the Beast 6 Pin Set with Mystery Pins

2014 Mystery Pin Collection

Valentine’s Day 2014 Jessica and Roger

Dated 2014 Pin Collection

2014 Aulani

2014 DCL

2014 Castaway Cay

Limited Edition Shared

Friday the 13th Jack Skellington and Octoberfest 2013 hinged pins

October Poster Art Pin

Veteran’s Day 2013

November Poster Art Pin

2013 Festival of the Masters

Thor “The Dark World” Movie

Thor “The Dark World” Movie (open)

Steamboat Willie 85th Anniversary

Walt Disney Day 2013

Frozen Opening Day

Limited Edition Walt Disney World

Food and Wine Festival 4 pin set

Food and Wine Festival LR Cranberry Bog, LE Micky, LE Figment LE AP Be Our Guest

October Good Luck / Bad Luck Jack Skellington (Bad)

October Good Luck / Bad Luck Jack Skellington (Good)

2013 WDW Icons Jumbo

World of Magic AP Quarterly Pin Series

WDW Train Pocket Watch Series – Donald (open)

WDW Train Pocket Watch Series – Donald (closed)

WDW Pin Trading Night Pin – Walt Disney (color side)

WDW Pin Trading Night Pin – Walt Disney (black and white side)

November Good Luck / Bad Luck Belle (Good)

November Good Luck / Bad Luck Belle (Bad)

Avengers Monorail LR Mystery Pin Collection Box

Avengers Monorail LR Mystery Pin Collection Iron Man

Avengers Monorail LR Mystery Pin Collection Captain America

Avengers Monorail LR Mystery Pin Collection Thor

Avengers Monorail LR Mystery Pin Collection Hawkeye

Avengers Monorail LR Mystery Pin Collection Black Widdow

Avengers Monorail LR Mystery Pin Collection Hulk

Magical Manifestations – Maleficent (closed)

Magical Manifestations – Maleficent (open)

WDW Pirates of the Caribbean 40th (closed)

WDW Pirates of the Caribbean 40th (open)

December Good Luck / Bad Luck Rapunzel (Good)

December Good Luck / Bad Luck Rapunzel (Bad)

Limited Edition Disneyland

DLR Trade Night – Hatbox Ghost

2013 DLR Icons Jumbo

A Piece of Disneyland History – Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

World of Color LR Mystery Pin Collection

Window to the Magic Monthly Pin – Jack Skellington

Movie Milestones – Toy Story

A Piece of Disneyland History – Muppet Vision 3D

Window to the Magic Monthly Pin – Rapunzel

A Piece of Disneyland History – Snow White’s Scary Adventures

Window to the Magic Monthly Pin – Sleeping Beauty

Christmas & Holiday Shared

Thanksgiving 2013 – Stitch

2013 Cars Christmas – Mater

Christmas Light Bulb

2013 Hanukkah – Chip ‘n Dale

2013 Christmas – Vero Beach Resort

2013 Mele Kalikimaka

Christmas Lights Mystery Collection with Chasers

Nightmare Before Christmas Countdown till Christmas Pin

2013 Happy Hanukkah

DCL 2013 Christmas

2013 Winter

Merry Mistletoe – Mickey and Minnie

Merry Mistletoe – Roger and Jessica

Merry Christmas Day Pin

Christmas & Holiday Walt Disney World

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snowglobes – Mickey and Minnie Snowman

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snowglobes – Chip ‘n Dale

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snowglobes – Duffy

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snowglobes – Donald

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snowglobes – Toy Soldier

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snowglobes – Gingerbread Castle (completer)

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade Completer Pin

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party AP Grumpy

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

2013 Christmas Disney Resorts: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Grand Floridian

2013 Christmas Disney Resorts: All-Star, Yacht Club, Boardwalk

2013 Christmas Disney Resorts: Old Key West, Fort Wilderness, Hilton Head Island

2013 Christmas Disney Resorts: Wilderness Lodge, Art of Animation, Saratoga Springs

2013 Christmas Disney Resorts: Contemporary, Coronado, Aulani

2013 Christmas Disney Resorts: Caribbean, Polynesian, Pop Century

2013 Christmas Disney Resorts: Port Orleans

Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights – Mickey and Minnie

Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights – Donald, Chip ‘n Dale

Epcot Holidays Around the World 20th Anniversary – Figment

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

Contemporary Resort Gingerbread House

Boardwalk Gingerbread House

Epcot Holidays Around the World Candlelight Processional 20th Anniversary – Chip ‘n Dale

Epcot Holidays Around the World 20th Anniversary – DVC Pluto

Epcot Holidays Around the World 20th Anniversary – AP Mickey

Christmas & Holiday Disneyland

2013 Disneyland Resorts: Disneyland Hotel

2013 Disneyland Resorts: Paradise Pier Hotel

2013 Disneyland Resort: Grand Californian

Haunted Mansion Holidy

Cars Land Christmas – Lightning

Cars Land Christmas – Luigi and Guido

Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House

It’s a Small World Holidays 2013

2013 Disneyland Candlelight Processional

Disneyland Cars Land Happy New Gear

D23 Park Exclusives for 2014

D23 Exclusive Walt Disney Stained Glass Hinged Pin (open)

D23 Exclusive Walt Disney Stained Glass Hinged Pin (closed)

D23 Exclusive Walt Disney Stained Glass Hinged Pin (open)

D23 Exclusive Walt Disney Stained Glass Hinged Pin (closed)

Disney Vacation Club

DVC Suitcase Series – Pluto (closed)

DVC Suitcase Series – Pluto (open)

Disney Visa Card

Disneyland Annual Passholder

Disneyland AP Cars Land Christmas Ornament and Pin Set

Disneyland AP Ticket to Tour – Chip ‘n Dale

Disneyland AP Mickey’s Halloween Party 2013

Disneyland AP 2014 Hanging Out at Disneyland Set

Disneyland AP 2014 Bi-Monthly Hanging Out at Disneyland

Slideshow from Pin Talk

Steamboat Willie, POTC 40th, Sword and the Stone spinner with various Merlins

Aulani Resort Exclusive Framed Pin Set

7 Pin Connecting Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Mystery Collection. 8th pin head-on with hinge motion to simulate the attraction vehicles.

Purchase with Purchase character anchors exclusive to DCL

Each suitcase pin hinges open to reveal character

Disneyland AP Bi-Monthly Series

WDW AP Parks Set

No word on how these will be sold. They are based on the meet and greet characters and signatures.

2014 Trading Night pin styles

No word on where or how these will be released

25 Years of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disneyland will get a park transforming themed trade event in 2014…

Aspects of the Disneyland Park will be themed to Nightmare Before Christmas for a Trade Event. They mentioned a snake overlay for the Monorail.

45th Anniversary of the Disneyland Haunted Mansion…

No preview of merchandise or dates, just the logos.

Next year’s WDW September Trade Event…

Imagination Gala… a celebration of award winning Disney movies, attractions, and more

2014 Pins (Including “A Piece of SpectroMagic History”) Previewed at WDW Trade Night

WDWNT on March 18, 2013

The final WDW trade night of 2013 took place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports a few days ago and Disney’s merchandise team was gracious enough to give us a peek at some 2014 pins! While many of these we had previously seen at Reflections of Evil, there were a few new ones and in many cases we were able to obtain new release info and series details. Here are some of the highlights.

After taking 2013 off, the new year will see a series of Piece of WDW History… but with a twist. All 12 pins released will be a part of SpectroMagic History!!! Ah, I can hear the sweet music now.

The first two pins will be released in February, then each subsequent month should see a single pin released. Each pin will retail for $19.95 and have an edition size of 2500.

There is no exact date set for the first WDW Trade Night of 2014, but we do know Jessica Rabbit will have the honor of being the face of the first PTN Pin. And it has an expected release in February.

Eau de Magique, the 2014 WDW/DLR Pin of the Month series will begin in January. They are perfume bottles based on the Disney Princesses. Mulan will be in January, followed by Cinderella in February and Aurora in March. Each pin will retail for $15.95 and have an edition size of 2000. Also of interest, the pin card will be scented. January’s is rose scented. No word on if each month will be different.

The Flower and Garden Festival in March will bring one of the best overall crops of pins to Epcot I have seen. I especially love the Cars topiaries outside Test Track with themed dangles.

Next year, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction will open in New Fantasyland. Of course there will be pins to celebrate the occasion. We knew about the mystery set with attachable mine carts and we also knew about the mine cart pin that swayed back and forth, but now we know more on how they will be sold. The swaying pin is Open Edition and will be sold separately from the set. The mystery pin set will be sold in boxes of 2 pins for $13.95.

There are a variety of Limited Edition pins coming out in February and March 2014.

LOVE Phineas and Ferb!

That DVC pin is the first in a series of character themed suitcase pins. They all hinge open to reveal the character on vacation.

This pin celebrates Dapper Days, an unofficial fan event held at Disneyland each year. Last year, Disney released a pin for the event that was exclusive to DLR, this year, the pin will be released at both parks. I do absolutely adore the design. And I had to pick up last year’s too. It featured Mickey and Goofy as Dapper Dans.

Next, is a look at some open edition pins.

In an exciting move, Disney is bringing some open edition pins previously exclusive to Disneyland Paris, to the states for release.

Lastly, just a couple updates about some pins that were not previewed, but are schedule for January.

I love the 2014 dated artwork, inspired by Mary Blair. This is one of those semi jumbo pins.

Retail Price: $24.95
Edition Size: 500

The final pin in 2013’s Good Luck/Bad Luck series was pushed to January 9th.

Retail Price: $15.95
Edition Size: 1000

The anticipated WDW Keyhole series premieres on January 16th. Alice is the first in the quarterly series.

Retail Price: $14.95
Edition Size: 1000

Pin Trading Halted at Disney Parks

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Update: 4/2/13 This was our April Fool’s joke. However, just think how easily something like this could happen. hmm…..

Disney has put an indefinite halt on guest pin trading with Cast Members at all Disney parks after a guest was injured at Hollywood Studios in Orlando on Sunday. Read the full story at our sister site Once Upon a Pin.

With pin trading put on hold, is Vinylmation trading far behind?

For more April Fool’s jokes…

2012 Nick and MC quit the podcast. Annemarie and Zoe take over.

2011 Our version of the Nerds Rock Stitch

Disney “Pulls Back The Curtains” on The Imagination Gala

WDWNT on March 1, 2013

By Brendt

It feels like yesterday that I was flying down to Florida from New York, gearing up for Reflections of Evil. Well Disney is already looking ahead as today they dropped the first details on next years event, “Imagination Gala: A Magic Carpet Event”. Here is the information that they released today:

You’re cordially invited!

Unleash your imagination at a ceremony where we will celebrate the “bests” of Disney films and attractions. The best scenes, the best characters, and the best stories. Where we will celebrate the characters we “love to hate” alongside the ones who make us laugh. Where we will honor our “bests” with an “Imagination Award”, represented by a Golden Figment. At our ceremony, nominees will arrive in the grandest of styles: by way of a Magic Carpet instead of a Red Carpet!

The theme for 2014’s event is sure to be the toast of the town. Get ready for “The Imagination Gala: A Magic Carpet Event”! Be sure to mark your calendars for September 5-7 to save the date for this upscale affair.

Please note that at this time, the Gala is still in rehearsal, as the academy is diligently working to ensure a fun and spectacular experience for all! More details about the event will be released in early Spring 2014.

I must say I am pretty excited for this, and will once again be making the trip, I just wish it wasn’t so far away!!! I’m intrigued by the idea of giving certain characters and movies awards, and can’t wait to see how this is expressed on Vinylmation and Pins. Interesting choice using Figment as the central character for the event, as this could possibly alienate West Coast travelers. We will continue to post more information about this exciting event as it becomes available. Until then, let us know how excited you guys are below!!!

Episode 106 Stitch

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

Ep. 106 Stitch

Two big topics broke in the past week… The release of Whiskers and Tales and the possible decrease in Cast Member trading at the WDW parks. We tackle both these topics and read your comments. We also have the latest news and up to date release and events calendar.

Listen in Popup Player

Download podcast

Tag: Pins