Florida Project: Spinning Baton of Fire
Florida Project Pin and Vinylmation Itineraries Released
The Itineraries have been released for the Florida Project, September 9-11. The highlights included a Disney Trading Night prior to the event, the RSP pick up times and location, the Vinylmation Chat Session (where new stuff should be announced), and various activities. Here’s the major highlights with links to the complete itineraries. Here is a link to our Florida Project Explained page. Also check out Claudia’s Florida Project Info Update.
Florida Project Vinylmation Itinerary
Florida Project Pin Itinerary
Date: Thursday, September 8
What: Disney Trading Night (Pins and Vinylmation)
Where: Veracruz at Disney’s Coronado Springs Convention Center
When: 7pm-10pm (open to public)
Date: Thursday, September 8
What: RSP Pick Up (Pins and Vinylmation), Pin Trading Area (registered guests only), Event Product Preview
Where: Veracruz at Disney’s Coronado Springs Convention Center
When: Noon-7pm
Date: Sunday, September 11
What: Vinylmation Store Opens, Games, Auctions and Trading
Where: EPCOT World ShowPlace
When: 9:30am-2pm
Date: Sunday, September 11
What: Vinylmation Chat Session (where new stuff should be announced)
Where: EPCOT World ShowPlace
When: 11:30am-Noon
Date: Sunday, September 11
What: Vinylmation Artist Signing
Where: EPCOT World ShowPlace
When: Noon – 2pm
Date: Sunday, September 11
What: Pin and Vinylmation Public Day
Where: EPCOT World ShowPlace
When: 2pm – 5pm
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| Copyright Disney |
Florida Project: Journey to the West
Exclusive: Park Starz Turnaround Close-up Pictures
At The Florida Project today, we were fortunate to get a hands-on with the newly unveiled Park Starz (Project Z) figures that were on display. Park Starz will be a set of 11+ Mystery Chaser blind tin set. They will retail for $18.95 per tin and be sold in cases of 12 (with a guaranteed set in there). Look for these to hit Disney Park stores this October. They are under the Vinylmation brand, but feature individual molds, stylized for each individual character they represent. First up, Big Al from Country Bears Jamboree.
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| Big Al |
Park Starz is like nothing we have seen in Vinylmation. They are stylized characters from the Disney Parks around the world… and Big Al certainly has a lot of character on this vinyl. The big sad face. The huge arms holding the detailed guitar. And of course the tiny hat on top.
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| Big Al |
From the side you see the size of this figure. For the most part, the Park Starz are about the height of a Vinylmation, three inches. They feel rather light for the bulkiness of say Al and Yeti, but they do not feel cheap in any way.
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| Big Al |
You might be comparing these to the Funko’s Pop! Vinyl, but the difference is in the quality of the design. The Pop! Vinyl are licensed out, where Park Starz are handled completely within the Disney Design Group. After talking with these artists a few times, you realize how much they love Disney, the characters and the parks, and that shows in these designs. How about a look at the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Giant Squid…
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| Giant Squid |
These are stylized interpretations, and the Giant Squid has a worried look like he may have just missed a sub full of guests.
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| Giant Squid |
The tentacles have a flexible feel to them. The figure itself feels as sold as a Mickey mold Vinylmation. These figures in particular don’t have a ton of small detail, but some cool little touches like the markings on the tentacle ends.
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| Giant Squid |
The back has a blow hole and the markings of VM for Vinylmation. I didn’t see this logo on the other figures. The great thing, is these Park Starz will be packaged in blind box tins. M.C. had a great point… most likely tins so guests can not judge the shape or size of the figure within.
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| Giant Squid |
See what I mean about detail? They didn’t need to add the markings to the bottom of the tentacles here, but they did. Up next, Figment.
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| Figment |
People guessed bowling pin, but instead we get Figment. He is a hit to guests everywhere, and the crown enjoyed his appearance here.
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| Figment |
The wings and horns look great on this figure. The cool thing is, after talking to Thomas Scott and Casey Jones, is this series of Vinylmation was planned from the beginning. Thomas said he never intended for Vinylmation to be just a Mickey mold. Casey said they had a lot of fun coming up with designs and it shows here.
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| Figment |
No word on variants in Park Starz, but Figment is ripe with possibilities for one.
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| Figment |
A look at the bottom shows the VM logo and “made in China” stamp. No artist as it’s really a collaboration between Casey Jones (character sketches), Thomas Scott (ideas and design) and Lin Shih (sculpting). There will not, at least right now, be figures attributed to individual artists. Finally, the Yeti.
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| Yeti |
Disney revealed a little too much 2 days before The Florida Project when they posted a picture of the Yeti, albeit in shadow.
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| Yeti |
This Expedition Everest mascot differs from his dico Yeti counterpart as this vinyl’s arms move. So he can swipe away at passing ride vehicles to his heart’s content. These do all feel like sturdy, well produced figures that are true collectibles.
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| Yeti |
Look at those exaggerated arms and raised eyebrows.
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| Yeti |
The feet also have a flattened look to them. Obviously helping him to stand, it also gives the impression he is immersed in the snow he would be walking through.
Overall, this series is a welcome addition to the Vinylmation lineup. It is pricey at $19 a blind tin, but gives collectors a special alternative to the Mickey mold. You don’t have to put these next to your Mickey shaped Vinylmation on the shelf. There are plenty of Mickeys, Donalds and Goofys out there… but for park geeks, there isn’t much collectible merchandise that features park specific characters. These fulfill this need in a satisfying way.
Collecting with Claudia: The Florida Project
Are you going to the Florida Project?
Worried about how you are going to carry ALL of your Vinylmation traders with you to the event?
Don’t know what time to get there?
Have no clue where it is located?
Perhaps COLLECTING WITH CLAUDIA can help!
I called the Disney Event Services at 1-407-827-7600 and spoke with Cast Member Shar who was able to provide me with lots of information (thank you, Shar!).
The Florida Project Vinylmation event will take place on September 11, 2011, at Epcot in the World Showplace Center from 9:30am until 2:00pm.
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| Outside the World Showcase at Trade City 2010 |
Per CM Shar, Epcot will open at 9:00am that day, and all event attendees will be directed to the World Showplace Center which is located between the Canada & UK Pavilion. The doors to the World Showplace Center will open at 9:30am (no early birds allowed).
Guests will pick-up their RSP Vinylmations the day they chose to do so on their registration. If you chose to pick-up your RSP vinyls on Thursday Sept 8, then you will receive notification as to where to pick–up (that location has not yet been identified). Guests who chose to pick-up their RSPs on the day of the event will do so then.
So… are you worried you have too much stuff to carry with you to the event? Are you thinking of renting a U-Haul? You may want to start planning what you are going to bring to the event, because there is a limit as to what is allowed in the park.
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| Vinylmation at EPCOT |
While on the phone with the Disney Events Services Cast Member, I voiced my concerns about what we can bring into the park since most of us have LARGE collections for trade. CM Shar informed me that the usual allowed in the park are 2 large suitcases; however, she will have to double-check with the Events Manager as to any specifics (she is to get back with me in a few days with more info on that issue—I will post her response in the comments below when I receive her return call).
Update: 8/20/11 This is the response I got from Char at the Disney Event Services regarding what we can bring to the Fl Project on 9/11/11.
Hi Claudia:
Here is the information sent to us from the Event Manager, Ashley.
Cooler Policy
Full-size coolers, with or without wheels, are not allowed.
Coolers smaller than 24” length x 15” width x 18” height (which mirrors the large locker size) are allowed.
Coolers will be inspected for glass and alcoholic beverages which are not permitted.
Wagon Policy
Wagons are not permitted in the Walt Disney World Theme Parks for the following reasons:
Because the wagon is pulled behind the guest, they will not always see exactly where the wagon is traveling. This makes it easy to run over other guests in a crowd.
Wagons are not as stable as strollers and can tip if accidentally pushed by other guests who are not watching where they are going.
Due to the bulk, length and unique way they maneuver, wagons may not fit through some queue lines or even in some buildings, shops or food locations.
Also, luggage is not permitted on Walt Disney World buses.
As for the limit on what Guests can bring in, there isn’t an official “limit.” However, each Guest is responsible for his/her own belongings throughout the event. Each Guest is only allowed one “space” at a table for trading, so bringing more product does not necessarily mean they can put more on display.
Hopefully this helps. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
Thanks!
Char
I hope all this was helpful, and please make sure to leave a comment below if you have any other suggestions/information.
Don’t know what the Florida Project is?? Then go to: http://eventservices.disney.go.com/static/vinylmation/floridaproject.html
And remember to KEEP ON COLLECTING!
Episode 033 Penny Machine
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Ep. 033 Penny Machine
Z. Just kidding. Sure we talk about Z but we also discuss all the latest Vinylmation News including a Florida Project Cast Chaser, Room for One More, Alice, Lion King and more. We have the latest release and event dates as well. M.C. is off this week, so fill-in co host Chris joins Nick inside Blind Box Studios. This show is also the premire of the DV Roundtable. This week we welcome Matt from Vinylmation Kingdom and Greg from Vinylmation World.
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Florida Project: One More Fool
A Look at Urban 9
2 Urban 9s were on display at The Florida Project. No word on release date for these.
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A sheep is one of our first peaks inside Urban 9. It has horns in the ears and hoofs painted onto the feet. |
Lots of ways to enjoy Vinylmation for breakfast now. Here is a toaster, Vinylmation brand, with clear ears and toast flying out the top. it’s a simple design, but looks really good. |
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A Look at Park 8
We got our first real look at Urban 8 at The Florida Project. They showed off a couple 9″ as well as several 3″. We also found the Urban 8 pins that gave up 3 more designs.
Urban 8 3″
Price: $9.95
Release: November 2011
We found these figures at the Florida Project, and then found some pins to fill out more of the set. So far, only 8 of the 12. 3″
 Raccoon
Artist: Casey Jones This little fellow looks happy. Maybe he saw the hotdog. |
 Barricade
Artist: Thomas Scott Directing traffic everywhere. |
 Hot Dog
Artist: Dan Howard Looks yummy. Though I prefer just ketchup and relish. |
 Zombie Break Dancer
Artist: Monty Maldovan We aren’t sure why the skin is blue, but this guy looks radical. |
 BeatnikArtist: Thomas Scott Cool cool cat. |
 Tree Frog
Artist: Robert Vann Watch out, they are poisonous. |
 Beaded Necklace
Looks like this guy went to Mardi Gras, but this isn’t the Holiday series. |
 Aztech WarriorThis guy looks serious. |
 Urban Robot
This one is weird, sense there is a Robot series. Not only that, but the second Robot series is coming soon. |
Also with this series are some LE. These look amazing!!
 9″ Sock Monkey
$39.95 This one is adorable. Buy several, each for each woman in your life. |
 9″ Boxer
Artist: Casey Jones This is a great looking piece. If any of the bandaids were mixed media, I’d almost think this was a one-of-a-kind. Oh, and the boxing gloves, besides being awesome, are removable. When you can, check out his hands underneath. |
 9″ Saber Tooth Tiger
$39.95 This figure was named on a placard at The Florida Project, but it was not displayed. It’s sounds pretty cool though. I hope the teeth are 3D. |
Episode 037 Pongo Chaser Episode: The Florida Project
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Ep. 037 Pongo Chaser – The Florida Project
This episode breaks down all The Florida Project announcements. There was a lot to cover, and at just under 2 hours, our longest podcast yet. From Alice to Park 8. From Disney Classics to Star Wars 2, we give you a first hand account of all the upcoming products announced and on display. Including… Project Z, or what is now Park Starz. We are also joined by Disney Artists Thomas Scott and Casey Jones.
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