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Ep. 112 Knight This week we review the Park Starz 2 and Park 12 lineups in detail. Also, with the leak of Urban Redux at DHS, we talk about the twists Disney added to this rebooted series. There is also news about DCL, Studio Store and Monsters University figures, a Vinylmation egg hunt and a major change to Disney’s Vinylmation Blog. Of course we have a full release and events calendar as well. |
I try to stay positive. We all understood, after it happened the first few times, that “LocationSpecific” Vinylmation released at Disney Stores in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and such would eventually end up at the online Disney Store. We all changed our vocabulary from “Exclusive” to “Specific.” But Directory Mickey, released last year at the Burbank Studio Store on the Disney Studio Lot was supposed to be different. It seemed as though this was a limited time (not edition) item that would could only be picked up by Cast Members on the lot. Such other CM exclusive figures have never been available outside the cast only stores at WDW and DLR. But today, Director Mickey showed up available at the DisneyStore.com for $14.95.
I thought it might be an April Fools joke, but sure enough, I was able to add it to my cart and make it to the payment page. I have absolutely no problem making these “Location Specific” figures available to a wider audience online. But I do have a problem promoting a product as something it is not. With it’s discounts and sale policies, the Disney Store continues to set a precedent that makes a mockery of something Disney itself tries to promote as a collectible. What knowledgeable Vinylmation collector will actually purchase any of the upcoming Wild West Vinylmation blind boxes within the first couple months of the April 20 release? There was no reasonable assumption Director Mickey would be available outside of the Burbank Studio Store, and coming on the heels of the “Through the Years” Mickey combo released this past weekend, it makes it even more shocking. By the way, more price drops on DisneyStore.com today as well including blind boxes for $5.99.
It appears the Walt Disney Studios Burbank Studio Store is getting a new Vinylmation release. According to @DisneyAllen, the following figure will be released this Wednesday, March 28 at the store which is only accessible to Disney Studio employees.
Right now, this is the only image we have of this Director Mickey. No details about edition size or if it will only be available at this Studio Store event. The event is part of the Disney Store’s 25th anniversary celebration on March 28th. Disney Store Artist Jim Valeri will be on hand from 11:30am – 1:30pm to meet and greet guests. As stated above, this store can only be accessed by Disney Studio employees, so it is a really great exclusive treat for them. They had a similar event with designers of the Animator Doll series.
This sign, also provided by @DisneyAllen gives some of the details. We can’t wait to see this figure and hope it has a wider release. The accessory cap and megaphone look fantastic. If it is not given a wider release, this will probably prove to be one of the hot figures on the aftermarket.
