Oh No! Villains 2 Invade EPCOT!

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

It all began as a beautiful day at EPCOT. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the crowds were light. Then, as if out of no where, a dark cloud loomed over Spaceship Earth and an evil villainous laugh echoed over the lagoon. Everywhere I looked, a Disney bad guy was looking for a way to take over Walt Disney World…

Dr. Facilier tried to harness the power of energy to increase his voodoo magic.
The Big Bad Wolf huffed and puffed and began blowing down every house in sight.
Honest John looked for a way to take to the skies.
Captain Hook attempted to commandeer a vessel from The Living Seas.
Shere Khan prowled The Land… poisoning the food supply perhaps?
The Evil Queen checked out her reflection by the Imagination fountain.
Bowler Hat Guy devised an evil plan to take over the monorail…
Then Doris showed up and “improved” his plan.
Runaway Brain would be very dangerous at the controls of a spaceship.
Yzma knows there is power in the pyramids.
Hades learns about the routs of his power.
Mother Gothel thinks the wishing well may be her fountain of youth…
But only a good heart may drink from its waters.

Episode 043 Glass Half Full

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

Ep. 043 Glass Half Full
This episode is packed with chaser goodness… but we hold that until after the ending for a spoiler free main show. This week we review Park Starz, talk about Villains 2 and look ahead to Park 7. We also break down the nominations for the Dee Vee Awards. And of course, we read your comments and answer your questions in the Mystery Mail Bag.
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A Win for Villains Vinylmation?

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

Wait, I mean, Win some Villains. The Buzz blog has a contest starting today to win a whole tray of Villains 2 3″ vinylmation. All you have to do is go to this article on the Buzz and fill out a comment with the answers to the following questions…

There are two questions:
1. Which Vinylmation Artist designed the Big Bad Wolf from Villains 2?
2. Which character is the villain in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland?

I hope you enjoy this chance to win a great gift!

(To clarify.. a lot of people have been leaving comments on OUR page as entries. We love your comments everyone, but the contest if thru the official Disney Store blog at the Buzz. So if you missed the link at the top, click here, then fill out the comments there 🙂 Thank you)

Phenomenal Cosmic Powers… Itty Bitty Time to Buy!

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

Just a report on what we’ve gathered about the release of the Villains 2 9″/3″ combo. It was released today in several stores and actually showed up at the Disney Store. We saw them available at about 10 AM online, but as of now the store is sold out. A note: They only seemed to be letting people put one in their carts online.

We were at the store in Orlando today and they had received about 9. But they were quickly sold out, as about 10 people were in line at store open. They were allowed to buy two.

Vinyl79 reported: “Biggest mall in America with brand new store and no 9″ Genie/Jafar available?”

Did you pick one of these up? Which store did you get it at? Let us know…

ZoMG: Villains 2 Artist Signing and Release

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

Hello everyone!

Villains 2 Vinylmation were released a few days early today at the Disney Store at South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa, CA in honor of an artist signing event!

I don’t know if you guys know this but, yours truly recently got a job working at the Disney Store in South Coast Plaza (if you are in the area come visit!) I was asked to work this event since I have such extensive Vinylmation knowledge! I obviously said YES! I can’t wait to tell you guys about my day!

I got into work around 9 am and there was a huge line of eager and familiar Vinylmation fans waiting to get their hands on the early release of the Villains 2 blind boxes as well as the LE 9 Inch Combo of Jafar and Genie! Many guests told me they got in line around 7 AM, and actually got to sleep in! (Which we all know is rare with limited releases!) We started ringing customers around 9:30 and got everyone queued up for our event starting at 10:30!

The artists that were on hand at the event today were, Jim Valeri, Gerald Mendez, Enrique Pita and Kyle Jensen! All artists worked on series such as, Villains 1, Villains 2, Robots, and Certain city specific Vinylmation as well as Lion King.

Guests were so excited to meet the artists and get their Vinylmation signed! Sadly around 10:45 we sold out of all Villains 2 Vinylmation, but luckily we had plenty of Lion King and Robots to go around!

The artists seemed to be having such a blast with the fans! I worked line control so I was interacting with each guest before they would enter the signing area! Everyone seemed eager and really excited about the series!

While chatting with guests before the signing began we found out that so far there is, one variant in Villains 2, which is Shere Khan from Jungle Book. The regular Shere Khan has green ears and the variant Shere Khan has flames in his ears! I love this variant. I think that Kyle did an awesome job on these two!

I noticed that Jim took the time to draw little sketches on some guest’s items. On one guests tray he drew Goofy! so on some down time I asked him to draw me something!

I asked him to draw anything he wanted and he chose Tigger! I love it – he is so talented and funny! Thank you for being so great Jim!

After the signing came to an end, Radio Disney who was on hand for the event gave away, one full tray of Vinylmation Villains 2 as well as the LE Jafar & Genie. The lucky winner was a young boy and his brother who were SO excited about the set!

The artists were so excited they even got down on the floor with the winner and helped him open up his blind boxes! How cool is that!

After everyone starting clearing out when the event was over the artists all gathered on the stage to take a photo!

(Okay so I’m obviously not a Vinylmation artist BUT who knows maybe I could point them in the right direction of a Princess set? Just a thought!)

You guys can obviously see that today was a lot of fun and I’m so glad that we had such a great turn out! Fans were excited, the artists were happy and the set turned out AMAZING! Looks even better in person I promise! I can’t wait to go pick some up on Monday October 24th when they are released at the Disney Store!

Don’t forget if you guys couldn’t make it to the event, the Villains 2 series as well as the 9 inch combo will be online starting Monday October 24th!

-Zoe

Villains 2 Shere Khan Variant

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

The normal Shere Khan has green jungle leaves in his ears. This variant is amazing. Shere Khan is on fire. Flames light up his ears and he has an unpleasant look in his eyes.

And check out the back! No, not the Kyle Jensen signature. The tail holding the flaming stick! This is a major turn for variants. No longer are we to look for just minor additions or subtractions or color changes. Love it!!!
Large

Updated: Villains 2 Chaser Revealed

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

Update: Picture of back added. This is one of the best chasers in a very long time.

Villains 2 released at an artist signing in California today. It will be released nation wide on Monday. But if you would like a peak at the chaser, click below…

Villains 2 Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on October 13, 2011

Release Date: October 24
Where: Disney Stores
Price: TBA

Villains 2 is a follow up to the poplar Disney Store release of Villains 1 in early 2011. We had fun with that release and this second series looks to have a strong line up of bad guys. The style is top notch. I enjoy the fact that they did not feel the need to fit the entire Villain inside Mickey body part for body part. These larger than life characters are painted on to the mold large and bold. There are also many hat accessories… bad guys love hats don’t they?

 Bowler Hat Guy
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Voiced by: Stephen John Anderson
Artist: Kyle Jensen

Yeah!!!! I knew if I said his name on enough podcasts he would show up in a set. From one of the most underrated Disney movies of our time, this villain tugs at your heartstrings by the movie’s end. Thank you so much for giving us the bowler hat instead of painting it on.
Honest John
Worthington Foulfellow
Pinocchio (1940)
Voiced by: Walter Catlett
Artist: Gerald Mendez

Oh, the look of pure evil. Love it! Nice detail on the hat has well. Another case were I enjoy just the head and partial body.
Captain Hook
Peter Pan (1953)
Voiced by: Hans Conried
Artist: Oskar Mendez

A classic bad guy. I enjoy the way this set is designed with some character’s head taking up the entire Vinylmation. It’s a good choice that really makes these villains come right at you. But where is the hook? Variant? In the side view, you can see his hood painted on.
Dr Facilier
Princess and the Frog (2009)
Voiced by: Keith David
Artist: Gerald Mendez

This movie ushered hand drawn animation back into Disney movies. It was a beautifully drawn movie and this baddie stole the show… as many villains do. As much as I like the head shot close ups, this one deserves a fully body look. There is a lot going on with this character and so many movie references that could have gone into his ears. …looks like they put that detail on the back:
Evil Queen
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Voiced by: Lucille La Verne
Artist: Gerald Mendez

On the flip side to Dr. Facilier, this “bust-like” version looks phenomenal. I don’t mind no crown accessory, this painting is great. The vinyl losses a couple points for not using the ears. Again, give us movie references there.
Hades
Hercules (1997)
Voiced by: James Woods
Artist: Kyle Jensen

I think I like this one… a lot. But I want to see it in person. I think the head is a clear blue, and that is would be amazing! Again though, Disney Store artists… please use the ears more. the flames can go up into the ears. But I will give the artist benefit of the doubt on this design.
Big Bad Wolf
Three Little Pigs (1933)
Voiced by: Billy Bletcher
Artist: Enrique Pita

What a great character to include in this set! I think his face looks perfectly drawn. Look at the claws on the feet and the ears peaking out from the awesome hat.
Lady Tremaine
Cinderella (1950)
Voiced by: Eleanor Audley
Artist: Oskar Mendez

I am blown away by how good her face looks painted onto this figure. The wicked stepmother’s bad hair due fills much of head and ears with the silver streak on the forehead. Her face is outlined in an evil fiery glow.
Runaway Brain Mickey
Runaway Brain (1995)
Voiced by: Wayne Allwine
Artist: Enrique Pita

Another one? (Park 6 combo topper) Although I don’t want another so soon, this one beats the original hands down. I love the way that tongue hits the feat with a “splash.” And the brain on the back is amazing!
Shere Khan
Jungle Book (1967)
Voiced by: George Sanders
Artist: Kyle Jensen

A personal favorite bad guy. His voice is etched in my mind. This is done well. Very cartoonish looking and in the style of the lions on the lion king set. Also, great use of ears putting some jungle leaves in there. No tail accessory, but it’s nicely drawn on.
Yzma
Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Voiced by: Ertha Kitt
Artist: Oskar Mendez


One of those movies you forget is Disney. This gives me much hope for a Kuzco, Pacha, Kronk and llama. This character has to be hard to capture on a vinyl and Oskar did a great job with her face, but it just misses. We don’t get the full feel of her giant head piece and collar.
Mystery Chaser


Last chaser was a popular villain from a recent classic. Go ahead, toss out a guess or two in the comments below. Mine? Gaston or the Horned King.

Click image to see chaser!

There will also be at least one 9″ / Jr Combo:

Genie Jafar and small genie Genie. It is designed by Enrique Pita, is LE 700 and retails for $59.95.

Next Wave of Villains to Invade Disney Stores in Fall

WDWNT on July 1, 2011

Photo from FanPop.com

According to reports by both the Playwright in NYC and Stitch’s Kingdom, Disney Villains Series 2 is on track to hit Disney Stores this Fall. Stitch’s Kingdom also reports 3 figures from the set:

Copyright Disney
Shere Kahn


The Jungle Book

He is one of my favorite Villains. With Kaa in Series 1, I’d be excited to have Shere Kahn in the follow up. Of course we need to have a tail, but will we see accessory whiskers soon?
Copyright Disney
Evil Queen


Snow White

Disney gave us the old women version in Series 1, this version could be an all time favorite if design well. One of Disney’s most iconic Villains needs to be handled with care. A crown accessory on top, would be magnificent.
Copyright Disney
Runaway Brain Mickey


Runaway Brain

Ya, this is the rumor. We are not sure why Disney would repeat a character like this. We will see if this holds true.

Those are what we hear is in the set… What do you want to see? Here are a couple of my wants for Series 2.

Copyright Disney
Hades


Hercules

Oh, they can design an amazing Hades. Lot of character in this bad guy. 
Copyright Disney
Charles Muntz


Up

Maybe I’m just clamoring for Up characters, but Charles was a mean baddie and deserves his due in this set. They can even do a young/old variant.
Copyright Disney
Bowler Hat Guy


Meet The Robinsons

Disney, if you don’t give me some Meet the Robinson characters soon I’m going to explode! Here is the perfect start… a Bowler Hat Guy in the Villains series.