We took our new Vinylmation Sea Creatures on a trip to Sea World on Friday. They rode Manta a few times, watched the new One World show, and posed for pictures with there fellow water lovers. Check out our Variant Sea Creature Pictures at Facebook.com/DestinationVinylmation.
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Today at the Online Disney Store everything has gone as expected. The Sea Creatures, Muppets 2, and 9″/3″ Urban 6 Gumball Machine and Kid all appeared online this morning. As of this posting each of these is still available!
The 9″/3″ Urban 6 Gumball Machine and Kid by Caley Hicks and Maria Clapsis are an online exclusive for $74.95.
The Money Maldovan designed Muppets 2 series is available in two forms. As individual blind boxes for the “D-Street Price” of $11.95 (as opposed to the Disney Store price of $12.95). You can also purchase a whole case of 24 for $286.80.
All 12 of the Sea Creatures are up, and the price is only $9.95! This is the first available vinylmation using the new mold. They were designed by Billy Davis and will also be released at D-Streets later today.
Also available:
Toy Story Cases for $238.80 each
Villains Cases for $238.80 each
Holiday 2 Cases for $238.80 each
Animation 1 Cases for $238.80 each
9″ Park 5 Goofy’s Barnstormer for $44.95
9″/3″ Park 5 Mad Hatter and Dormouse for $74.95
9″/3″ Urban 5 Racecar and Driver for $74.95
9″ Create Your Own White for $14.99
Update: 4/11/11 Disney acknowledged the change in mold design today on their blog. Donald Ferro, vinylmation developer, said, “We are always striving to make the best possible figures. The first form was introduced in November 2008. As the artwork has become more complex, there were elements of the first form which made it challenging from a manufacturing perspective.”
Artist Thomas Scott said, “We have learned much since the introduction of Vinylmation. We can draw anything, but the art has to translate into printing pads and spray masks, so there are limitations. And since we are not present at the manufacturing facilities, we can’t always predict how they will choose to execute our designs. This revised form addresses a few of those more challenging areas to apply artwork. One challenging area was the space where the underside of the belly and top of the feet meet. The feet are now removable which leaves the door open for improved artwork and future accessory opportunities.”
Artist Eric Caszatt explained, “Continuous improvements are part of our Disney philosophy,” explained Eric Caszatt. “We are excited to use this form as it combines the root of Vinylmation – the Mickey Mouse shaped canvas – with design enhancements that will make future figures look even better than today.”
It looks like Disney is already into the change, but we did notice that most of the quotes were about the new removable feet, and less about the changes to the bigness of the body and the loss of details lines on the face.
Update: DV Reporter Ryan also pointed out that Casey Jones’ Winnie the Pooh from The Florida Project will be using the new mold. After looking at the other pieces, it seems that the Hula girl (which used to be part of the event) was also the new mold, but Thomas Scott’s Dumbo (which replaced the Hula girl) seems to be the old design!
Thanks to a comment on Sea Creatures Explained by Jay Knight and a note by DV reporter Ryan, a few changes in Mickey’s Vinylmation mold have been brought to our attention. These changes, outlined below, will premier in the Sea Creatures series coming out April 22nd.
Shape
 Old Shape
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 New Shape
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First, is the general shape of the figure. You will notice the new shape is rounder and smoother. The body is a little fatter. Also, look at the space between the ears… it is shorter and rounder and the ears themselves seem more circular. The cheeks do not bubble out. And there doesn’t appear to be a large indention between the feet anymore, meaning a smoother canvas for the artist. the general shape of the feet has also been altered.
Profile
 Old Nose
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 New Nose
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In this side by side profile shot, you can see the new nose is rounded and stubby. As opposed to the protruding nose we have come used to. You can also notice in this profile, more about the new shape. Noticeably rounder in both the head and body. The ears are also attached a little differently.
Contour Lines
 Old Face
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 New Face
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Disney must have applied some anti-aging cream to Mikey, because his lines are gone. No more outlines of Mickey’s facial features in the face. Also gone…
 Old Somach
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…are the buttons on the stomach.
Hand
 Old Hand
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 New Hand
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The right hand will take on a more cupped shape and both arms look a bit slimmer as well. In this picture, you can also notice some changes to the contour of the side of the feet near the ankles.
“Overall, I think these changes are positive. Anything to help the artists provide a more true-to-concept design, I’m all for it. I do not like the nose shape change. That takes away one of Mickey’s identifiable features. I also feel the same way about the contour lines on the face and especially the buttons. Look, I know the ears are a pretty big giveaway, but in the end, these are artistic designs on Mickey and I think those changes take a small piece of that away.” – Nick
Are these changes for this series or here to stay? What do you think about these changes?
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Ep. 017 Monster
This week, we review Duck Tales and Celebrations. We also cover the latest news, including the first images of the upcoming Sea Creatures series and a preview of The Florida Project. Of course, the latest release dates are covered and we answer you Mystery Mail Bag questions… including an interesting look at Nick and MC’s lives based on one listener’s question.
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