May the Force be with Us

WDWNT on January 6, 2011

Direct from the Disney Vinylmation Blog…

Confirmation of the Star Wars Release!

In Florida, they will be released on Midnight of Thursday 13th (or Friday morning the 14th depending how you look at it!) There will also be an artist signing with Mike Sullivan (There will be a limit of two trays per Guest and three signed pieces per Guest.) They say that Mike is part of the “Festivities” so I’m going to expect that more things will be announced about that night.

In California they will be out on January 15th (Saturday). The Art of Parks blog says the release is the 16th in Disneyland and that Mike will be signing from 2-5 on the 16th. With that difference in opinion, I’m not sure what to believe at the moment.

This IS the tray we’re looking for!

WDWNT on January 3, 2011

A Star Wars Vinylmation tray photo popped up on the Vinylmation Facebook today, so we thought we’d share it with you. Steven Miller did say the packaging was gonna rock, and so far he was right! (Click for larger picture)


Breakdown-

The display case has a giant Darth Vader vinyl as it’s center piece. It looks like the photos we’ve seen of the Darth Vader vinyl (unlike the Muppets one which has a giant version of Kermit on it, but the design was Kermit from Park 1 not Kermit from the Muppets 1). Surrounding Darth Vinyl are streaks of light reminiscent for those seen when heading into Lightspeed.

On the left side is the Imperial symbol with the words, “Disney Park Vinyl 3″ collectible figure”. Does this mean it will only be in parks? If anything THIS is a series to also put in stores, but we shall see.

According to the right side of the display, this is part of the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back which came out in 1980. I guess knowing that, we should have known that it wasn’t coming out in 2009.

Also worth noting is that it says “Star Wars Vinylmation 1″ so that seems to confirm (as if there was a doubt) that there will be a series 2!! Hopefully series 2 will have some 9″, because Steven said there would be no 9” for series 1.

The individual blind boxes also show Star Wars 1 and have the Rebel Alliance symbol on them.

As always, “No refunds, exchanges, or returns”

What are your thoughts? Do you like the look? (I know we do!)

This isn’t the blog post you are looking for

WDWNT on November 20, 2010

In today’s clip, Steven talks about the Star Wars Vinylmation package design.
The entire interview with Steven Miller will be released as part of Destination Vinylmation Episode 3 this weekend! Look for it on iTunes or at www.DestinationVinylmation.com. Follow VinylmationCast on Twitter for updates.

Special thank you to Steven Miller and Disney.
Steven Miller is the Project Manager Disney Trading. He works in Disney Merchandise and heads up trading of Pins and Vinylmation as well as some of the Disney social media sites such as the Disney Vinylmation Blog and the Vinylmation Facebook page.

C-3P0 to Pilot the Starspeeder 1000, Captain Rex will Return!

WDWNT on October 26, 2010

From Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald on the Disney Parks Blog:

It was great to read your comments about the pilots of Star Tours on my last post. Some people really want to see Rex again in the new show. Others are excited about the introduction of the new character “Ace.” And then there are those who are speculating about a bigger role for Threepio. So, I thought it was time we set the story straight about just who will be in the cockpit in the new show. And guess what? You’re all right!

C-3PO and ACE

As explained earlier, all Star Tours Starspeeder 1000s are flown using the latest AC-series Tour Droids. And in fact, our initial plans were for our flight to be piloted by AC-38 better known as “Ace.” However, in discussions with George Lucas during the course of our production, we decided to take the story in a very different direction.

So…while AC-38 is supposed to be our pilot, by the time we actually take off, the droid sitting in the pilot’s seat will be none other than…C-3PO!

It’s one of the biggest changes and surprises in the new show. “Professional grit stopped me from yelling the glorious new storyline from the rooftops,” said Anthony Daniels recently. “It’s fun having secrets like this, waiting to share them at the right time.”

You’ll see just how Threepio becomes our pilot when the adventures continue next year.

This week, our Imagineering team begins installation of the Audio-Animatronics figures into the Starspeeder cabins at Disneyland park, and next month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Oh, and for all you Rex fans, don’t worry – we have a spot for him in the new show!

Video of “Last Tour to Endor” Hyperspace Hoopla (Hoopla!)

WDWNT on September 2, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul brings us the last of his videos from “Last Tour to Endor” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from back on August 14th. Time for some super-sized Hoopla!:

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of Celebration V and Last Tour to Endor over the last few weeks, many thanks to WDWNT’s Matt Paul and Adam Roth for the coverage.

Video of “Raiders of the Lost Jedi Temple of Doom” Show

WDWNT on August 17, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul brings us to yet another special event as part of “Last Tour to Endor” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, here is the fan film of epic proportions known as “Raiders of the Lost Jedi Temple of Doom”:

Video of “Hyperspace Hoopla” and photo reports from “Last Tour to Endor” & the final 2 days of Celebration V still on the way, so stay tuned!!!

“Symphony in the Stars” Fireworks Video

WDWNT on August 15, 2010

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul brings us to the one-time-only showing of the Star Wars fireworks spectacular “Symphony in the Stars” during “Last Tour to Endor” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Video of the extra-large “Hyperspace Hoopla” and “Raiders of the Lost Jedi Temple of Doom” coming shortly, so stay tuned!