“Lofty Expectations” DV Review: Up

WDWNT on June 25, 2011

9″ Park 6 Up
Artist: Maria Clapsis
LE: 1000
Price: $44.95

There was a lot of buzz outside D-Street this morning for this figure. Even though, in my eyes, two other great pieces were coming out, Up was the Vinylmation everyone wanted.

To me, it is the simplest of designs. It is just the floating house and a head full of balloons. Normally I like simple, but with such dynamic characters in Up AND no official Up Vinylmation released yet, I think myself and other fans were wondering why there were none on this piece. There is one simple answer… it doesn’t need it. 
I was nervous that the Up Vinylmation wouldn’t look too impressive in hand, but I was wrong. The artwork is done very well and they pulled off some good looking balloons in the head. 
And in true Maria fashion, she gives us something special near her signature. She customizes a little piece of art for each piece. On the bottom off this one is a hand drawn heart with “C + E” written in it for Carl loves Ellie. What a fantastic little touch!

Would it be cool to have a Kevin on the roof or a Carl in the window? Yes, but this is just a nice piece of artwork that represents the film well. There is a painting of the sky with a little floating up house way in the background. I love that painting. I like simple and subtle Disney merchandise. Two things here… the desire to have Up characters on vinyl and the fact that pictures don’t do this one justice had me worried, but the final product is a must add to any Up’s fan’s collection.

“Close Encounter” DV Review: Alien Encounter

WDWNT on June 24, 2011

9″/3″ Park 6 Alien Encounter – “9 Alien and 3” Skippy
Artist: Maria Clapsis
LE: 1000
Price: $74.95

This design looked intricate from the concept art and the figure does not disappoint in person. In fact, I’d have to say I’m more impressed in person.

The 9″ Alien looks absolutely fantastic. Lots of detail and great colors used on him. Take a close up look at face, I didn’t notice the slimy drool oozing out of his mouth before I got the figure in hand.

Skippy is also well done. His droopy characteristics are captured perfectly by Maria.

One interesting note is that the foot is stamped “Primevil Whirl – Animal Kingdom”. An interesting misprint that appears to be on everyone’s Skippy.

Overall, a win in my book. A great tribute to a great attraction. Sorry Stitch, your awesome, but I loved the real Aliens that would scare the heck out of me as a kid. Just a note, no artist card is included with this combo.

Any Which Way But Foose

WDWNT on June 24, 2011

Update: 6/24/11 The artofdisney site had a second one of a kind Foose vinylmation on display. This one based on the character Ramone from Pixar’s Cars.

The vinyl is based on the flame design from the side of Ramone from the first Cars movie.
Like the previous one, there is only ONE of this vinylmation and it’s price is $1,500.00.

Do you like this one more or less than the Foose’s first one?

6/10/11 Today Disney announced another one of a kind custom. This 9″ is created by Southern California artist Chip Foose. Chip grew up designing cars and has even been seen in the reality TV show “Overhaulin'” of TLC. The design represents the lifestyle of the Huntington Beach area of California.


I like the sleekness of this figure. It’s simple, but looks good. The palm trees are a great extra touch! I also like the look of the finish. Very cool!

There is only one of these, and it will set ya back $1,500.00. It’s kind of a shame, because I’d totally pay $25 bucks for a 3″ version of this.

Both pics copyright Disney

Astrology Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on June 24, 2011

Hidden on the Sneak page of vinylmation.com is the concept artwork for the Astrology Series. Check them all out here. Some cool things to note, both Cancer and Scopio have claws as hands! Also Leo and Taurus look amazing! It also seems like they have connected stars on some to create the constellation that they represent. We will see more when we get the turn arounds. We also expect to see these are open boxes so you can pick the one you want.

Artist: Not known
Release Date: None
Set Size: 12 Open Boxed- assumed

Aries
March 21 – April 20

The ram is the symbol of Aries.

Taurus
April 21 – May 20

The bull symbolizes Taurus. Great detail on this piece. I enjoy the nose ring. And the color is amazing.

Gemini
May 21 – June 20

Twins are the symbol is Gemini. I have a feeling this piece is going to make more sense from a side view. (Does this mean we are going to have to get two, so we can display both sides?)

Cancer
June 21 – July 22

Cancer is represented by the crab. Check out it’s hands, they use the claws that we first saw with the lobster from the Sea Creatures series!
Leo
July 23 – August 23

This is the lion. I love it. If they get the colors to look like they do here, then it will rock!

Virgo
August 24 – September 22

Virgo is symbolized by “the maiden”. It’s also an Earth symbol.

Libra
September 23 – October 23

The scales are what represent Libra.

Scorpio
October 24 – November 21

It’s kinda obvious, but Scorpio is presented as a scorpion. This one also used the claws as hands just like Cancer.

Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21

Sagittarius is usually represented by an archer or a centaur. It looks like they went the centaur way here, but it should be more clear once we see the back. Will there be a quiver. Will there be another set of legs and a tail?

Capricorn
December 22 – January 19

I don’t know what a sea-goat is. But this kinda looks like one. Right?

Waves on the bottom. Horns, and a goatee.

Aquarius
January 20 – February 19

Water is associated with this sign. Especially water carried in a jar (which you see spilling on the right ear).

Pisces
February 20 – March 20

Always represented by a pair of fish, here is Pisces.

What do you think of these pieces? Will you get the set, or just your personal one?

DSO Update: Hippo and Sunburned Man

WDWNT on June 24, 2011

Update: Thanks for everyone who reminded me (MC) that vinylmation.com said the 9″ Park 6 would be delayed back on the 20th. Thank you!

Update: We just realized that both 9″ Park 6 figures that came out in D-Streets stores today were also supposed to show up online. (See above screen shot from July 7th). According to accounts from both coasts, it seems like less than 400 were at the stores, which means that there are about 500 or more waiting to be sold online, but it’s not up yet. Weird….


Just a quick DSO update today. As of right now, both the 9″ Holiday 2 Independence Day (Sunburned Man) and the 9″ Animation 1 Hippo are available to purchase on disneystore.com. Sunburned Man is $48.95 and the Hippo is $39.95. Pick them up before the sell out!

Set your pocket watches for July 8th. Steampark.

WDWNT on June 24, 2011

Disney let it slip on their events page that the Steam Park series we’ve all been waiting for since 2010 is finally coming out on July 8th. This will be at both D-Streets. From what we know of the set, it will be a 6 piece set that will be packaged like the Sushi.

One interesting question. On the Steam Park page on vinylmation.com they left out the Commandant. I wonder if that means anything. What do you think?

They’re Here… (almost)

WDWNT on June 23, 2011

On June 20, 1995 Aliens invaded the Magic Kingdom. For eight years, guests to ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter were treated to a scary adventure that attacked all the senses. When the X-S Tech employees make a mistake with the teleportation device, a huge alien appears before the audience. Much of the same effects you feel in your chairs today while sitting through Stitch’s Great Escape, were used to make the audience feel like an alien was wreaking havoc all around and right next to them. Vinylmation will pay tribute to this great attraction on June 24 when the 9″/3″ Alien Encounter combo ($74.95 LE 1000) is released. Designed by Maria Clapsis, collectors can pick up a 3″ Skippy with a 9″ Alien.

The alien looks amazing. I hope it looks this good in person. Maria really captured the details of this scary creature. I can almost feel him breathing on my neck.

On the back, you can see the alien’s wings. The color scheme is perfect as well. A lot of little detail when into this 9″ figure.

The 3″ Skippy excited people when we saw him back on New Year’s Eve. His droopy expression is painted perfectly on the vinyl. I really like the eyes in Mickey’s ears, this character translates well to the mouse shaped vinyl.

Overall, it’s an intricately designed set that’s a great nod to a classic Magic Kingdom attraction. I’ll be picking up this set without hesitation.

Check out our earlier preview of the 9″ UP figure.

And now, a Political Message from our Censor

WDWNT on June 23, 2011

“You are all weirdos!”

It’s our highest honor to present, from The Muppet Show, Sam the Eagle, swooping into D-Street stores tomorrow.

From the pictures he looks really good. I love the little touches, like the talons on the feet and the single huge eye brow. The painting of the beak on the nose looks great from the front. It even seems hooked in front, which is an awesome optical job. Also don’t forget the most important part, Sam’s home country’s flag painted in the eagle’s ears. Sam is an American patriot and he wants everyone to know!

On the back the attention to detail continues. The talons show on claw in the back. The feathers around the head clearly point out that Sam is a BALD eagle. And check out that 3D tail. Very cool. I can’t wait to see Sam up close because I think he’s going to be fabulous.

History

Sam first appeared as part of the cast of the original Muppet Show pilot in 1975. He also appeared on a number of the Muppet Meetings Films. His role on the Muppet Show was that of show censor, worrying about phrases and acts that he found might be vulgar. Later he started giving speeches of the American way and other politically motivated topics. He often found out that he himself was in violation of the very thing he was fighting against (see the Naked speech).

Sam went on after the Muppet Show to get cameo parts in many of the Muppet films, as well as being the only Muppet character to be seen on the Jim Henson Animal Show.

Jim Henson designed Sam and he was built by Don Sahlin. He was mainly performed by Frank Oz.

Details

Sam will be released at both D-Streets on Friday the 24th. The design is by Monty Maldovan and will cost $44.95. There is a LE of 1500.

Pictures copyright Disney and The Muppets.
All historical info came from muppet.wikia.com