Villains 1 Update

WDWNT on December 21, 2010

As we noted a couple days ago, Disney posted the upcoming Villains set in the “Vault” page of the official Vinylmation website under the section for Disney Store Exclusives. This prompted the question; “Are these figures currently available in the stores since only released sets go onto the “Vault” page?” I sent a message over to Steven Miller at Disney who is one of the people responsible for Vinylmation and Trading at Disney and he said they are still determining a release date, but the set will “most likely” be released in Japan first, and then will appear “later in January” in the U.S.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not planing a trip to Tokyo Disney in 2011, so since we have to wait a bit longer, here are some 360 images of the Villains.

Shan Yu from Mulan. Looking at the back, that may answer the question I posed on Episode 5 of the Destination Vinylmation podcast.
The Witch from Snow White. Not sure what you could have done with the back, but after seeing the detail of the apple on the front, I was expecting more.
Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmations. She actually is holding her cigarette! Awesome detail on the side of the figure. Way to go! It’s also interesting to note that Villains 1 seems to have artists new to designing Vinylmation. So we should get some fresh takes on these figures.
For more on Villains 1, keep checking our evolving blog post on it here.

Villians to Invade Disney Stores across the country!

WDWNT on December 19, 2010

While looking around the “Vault” at Disney’s official Vinylmation website, I noticed something under the Disney Store Exclusive section.

Looks like this upcoming set will not be available at the Disney Theme Parks, only at your local Disney Store. Click here for a handy Disney Store locator to find the one closest to you.
When you click on the Villains link, you can take a look at 360 images of each of the figures in the upcoming series.
M.C. and I briefly discuss the Villains 1 and Animation 1 series in the latest episode of Destination Vinylmation. At the time of the recording, I hadn’t seen the backs, so I picked out one of my favorites for you right here.
Look at the Steamboat Willie Mickey on the back of Pete!!!! Great detail there. Love that added touch.

Destination Vinylmation Ep. 005

WDWNT on December 19, 2010

Destination Vinylmation Ep. 005 Fireworks

Check out our latest episode. In this one we speak with Disney Trading Social Media Head Steven Miller, we review the latest 3″ and 9″ Vinylmation releases, and we look ahead to 2011 and all the new Vinylmation sets scheduled to be released. We also discuss who we think will be the chaser for the “Animation 1” and “Villains 1” series. Also listen for the latest contest where you could win a free vinylmation!

Villains 9″ Vinylmation: “Where to find them”

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Update: 3:30pm EST – We contacted Disney about some discrepencies in the store names / locations. Steven Miller was nice enough to get back to us and update the list. Please recheck for the store nearest you.

Disney announced today the select list of stores that will be selling the Villains 9″ Vinylmation figures when they are released on March 21. Here it is:

Stockton Street, San Fransico, California
Mission Viejo, California
Cherry Hill, California
Fashion Valley, California
Montebello, California
Santa Monica, California
International Plaza, Tampa, Florida
State Street, Chicago, Illinois
North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Freehold, New Jersey
Times Square, NYC, New York
Roosevelt Field, Garden City, New York
Northpark, Texas

Is there a store near you? If not, there is always eBay. We were wondering how 700 of each figure was going to be spread out.

Here is a link to yesterdays articles with all the details on the Villains 9″ figures.

Villains afoot (well, in hand)

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

!!For more info check out Villains Explained!!

A fellow tweeter of ours got his hands on a set of Villains 1 and took some really nice pictures of them. Thanks so much @keithkrebs for these well shot photos!

Check out the whole cast up close and personal!

Some notes:
$9.95 price tag (12.95 in Canada)
Pete is the triplet.
Click on the final pic for a shot of the chaser.

Click on Mystery Chaser for a shot of the chaser.

All photos by @keithkrebs.

Villains 9″ Vinylmation on the way

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Today, Disney officially announced three 9″ + 1.5″ (Jr.) Villains 1 combo sets to be released at select Disney Stores and the online Disney Store on March 21.

Picture from Disney Store Facebook page

The following concept art is from the official Disney Vinylmation Blog.

Maleficent 9″ + Princess Aurora 1.5″
Artist: Oskar Mendez
LE: 700
Price: $59.95
Release Date: March 21, 2011
Where: Disney Stores and Online

Maleficent is the villain in the 1959 Disney animated classic “Sleeping Beauty”. This isn’t her first appearance on a Vinylmation, her first was in her more sinister and destructive form. After seeing this concept art, the 3D form (at the top) disappoints with the translations just a bit. We will have to wait to see it in person, before making a final decision. Princess Aurora is making her Vinylmation debut in this combo set, however this still leaves us without a true 3″ Vinylmation Princess.

Julius 9″ + Minnie Mouse 1.5″
Artist: Gerald Mendez
LE: 700
Price: $59.95
Release Date: March 21, 2011
Where: Disney Stores and Online

This is Pete’s 3rd appearance on a Vinylmation, all in various forms. Although, this time he takes on his role as Julius from the 1995 Academy Award nominated short, “Runaway Brain”. Pete looks great… with his peg leg, stitches and lots of color to the ears and hands. This set comes with a Minnie Mouse Jr. We will see a 3″ Mickey Mouse from “Runaway Brain” as a combo topper in the upcoming Park 6 set.

Jumba 9″ + Stitch 1.5″
Artist: Dan Beltran
LE: 700
Price: $59.95
Release Date: March 21, 2011
Where: Disney Stores and Online
We have Jumba to thank for bringing the lovable Stitch into our lives. Jumba created Experiment 626, as Stitch was named before Lilo adopted him, in the 2002 Disney animated “Lilo and Stitch”. Jumba’s round head and large body fit nicely onto the 9″ Vinylmation figure. The artist brilliantly uses the ears to represent the stars and planets of outer space. Stitch Jr. is the second Vinylmation for this fan favorite Disney character. His first appearance was as a 3″ vinyl in the Park 5 series.

Are you ready to add some 9″ Villains to your collection? Save the date, March 21st.