Disney Store Online Report: 5/24/11

WDWNT on May 24, 2011

Hello Vinylmation fans. In this week’s DSO report we’ll be going over the new Urban 6 9”s, a few price variants, and unfortunately a few sell outs as well.
Introducing
At around 1 A.M. last Friday the Urban 6’s made their way onto the shelves of the Disney Store Online. Varying from Vikings to Light Meter, these are quite interesting pieces of art and thankfully none are listed as sold out as of yet. All four are single 9”s priced at $39.95 and come with artist cards. Created by Susana Gay, the Light Meter 9” is a LE of 800 and is modeled off of “photographic light gauge equipment,” as DSO calls it. The Light Meter is also listed as an Online Exclusive Vinylmation.

With rainbow hearts and hidden Mickeys galore, the Love Vinylmation, designed by Padla Gutierrez, is an excellent addition to the Urban 6 series. This too is a LE of 800.

This is only the second 9” Vinlymation I’ve picked up myself and although it hasn’t arrived yet I’m pretty excited. Designed by Eric Caszatt and a LE of 600, the Star Bright 9” looks like something out of a Super Mario videogame. The purple, blue, orange, and yellow stripes and stars make it an extremely vibrant piece. Star Bright is also listed as an online exclusive.

The last of the Urban 6 9”s is the Viking, by designer Doug Strayer. A LE of 800, this Vinylmation spawns from Viking hat combo previously produced this year.

Although two out of the three Animation 9”s are still not listed under Vinylmation, all three are available this week. To find Hyacinth and Willie you need to search for “animation” in the DSO search bar. All three are priced at $39.95. The first of these 9”, designed by Thomas Scott (Lead Vinylmation Designer) and from Disney’s Fantasia, is Hyacinth Hippo. Hyacinth is a LE of 1200.

Designed by Maria Clapsis and from the Make Mine Music segment “The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met,” Willie the Whale is a lively, singing addition to the Animation 1 collection. Willie is a LE of 1000.
Comebacks
Beast, who was sold out last week but is again available online, is designed by Monty Maldovan and is from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Beast is a LE of 1000.

Although sold out last week, the Sea Creatures Shark is once again available online for $9.95.

Seeming to disappear and reappear every week or so, the Juniors 3 mystery box series, priced at $8.95, is back up on the DSO.

Gone last week but back again is 2011 Series Black Tossed 3” for $11.95.
Price Variants
From the Urban 4 9” Series, 80’s Fashion is discounted to $29.99 from $39.95.
The Clear mystery boxes are still discounted at $5.99. An alternative option to simply collecting the clear series would be treat them as another version of Create-Your-Owns and expand your creative collection.
Urban 3” individual mystery boxes are also priced down from $9.95 to $5.99 each.
The Park 3″ mystery boxes are discounted at $5.99 each.
The select group from The Animal Kingdom series; the Panther, Gorilla, Buffalo, and Bear; remain discounted at $7.99, from $9.95.
The Create Your Own 3”, all but white, are marked down from $8.95 to $4.99.
Sell Outs
The Create-Your-Own Glow in the Dark 9” is up on the DSO and priced at $39.95, but is unfortunately Sold Out.
The Urban 4 Walk/Don’t Walk 2 Piece 9” was discounted at $56.99 and apparently became instantly popular because it is listed as Sold Out as well.
The Walt Disney World Resort 2010 Half Marathon 3” was posted online again but is also Sold Out.
Still Around
Thomas Scott’s Sushi set is priced at $99.95, is a LE of 2500, and is still available online.
Muppets 2 is still up online with individual mystery boxes at $11.95 and the usual 24 tray for $286.80.
The LE of 1000, Billiards 16 Piece Set is still available online for $255.95.
Departed
Leaving the DSO after only being up for a week is the Park 6 Combo Pack with Runaway Brain Mickey, designed by Monty Maldovan (Muppets 2).

Up for less than a week, the Urban 4 Sushi 9”, designed by Maria Clapsis (Cutesters Too), is not available online anymore.

Rinzler from the Tron series is missing from the DSO and the rest of the Tron series this week.

The Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Magic Kingdom 3” is also missing from the rest of its collection this week.
Up and Coming
There are unfortunately no online releases scheduled in the near future.
That wraps up this week’s DSO Report. As usual, feel free to leave questions/comments about sections you want explained further, product descriptions/explanations, or simply anything miscellaneous.

– Nick J.

Retro Weekend: 5/23/11

WDWNT on May 24, 2011

Last weekend we saw a lot of upcoming figures for the first time thanks to the trading event over at WDW. We had a lot of fun there and want to thank everyone who attended and came up and said, “Hi”.
We got our first look at some of the Urban 7 figures in real life. The alien’s clear body is very cool. As is the Spaghetti and Meatballs figure. Check out more shots of this series in
While the news of the new Alaskan DCL exclusive figures were all over the place last week, on Friday we had a chance to actually see the figure, and the other two figures that are coming out: Caribbean and Mexico.

Disney Cruise Lines Explained- 2011

Another big reveal at the trading event was the release of the WDW 40th Anniversary Variants. These pieces can only be retrieved by trading with a Cast Member at stores inside WDW.

WDW 40th Cast Trader Found!
Another unexpected find at the trade event was two of the vinylmation from the upcoming Sarah Matthews series, B&W. (This series hasn’t even officially been announced by Disney yet!)
Also remember that last week:

9″ Urban 6 Released

Bakery Series update

Star Wars Re-Released in WDW as part of

Star Wars Weekends

and Combo Contest 2 Best in Show Prize announced

Walk/Don’t Walk… Buy/Don’t Buy

WDWNT on May 23, 2011


Reader Don pointed us to a sale at the DisneyStore.com on the 9″/3″ Urban 4 Combo Walk/Don’t Walk. It used to sell for $74.95, but it was on sale for $56.99. By the time we got over there it was already sold out. Oh well…

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Fershozombie

WDWNT on May 23, 2011


This piece is awesome. I love the use of 3D additions to create a very unique profile. All the details and colors are very well done. I love all the spots in the green skin, and the nicely painted RF on the shirt.

We got a chance to interview the artist. Here’s what they said.
MC: Tell us a little about yourself.
Fershozombie: My name is Fernando but I go by the alias fershozombie. I am an illustrator from Mexico. I work designing merchandise for bands, skateboard companies, and clothing brands.
MC: What got you into art?
FZ: Ever since I can remember I love drawing, I used to draw the characters from the cartoons I used to watch. That was my first connection with art.

MC: That’s cool. What’s your artistic background, training/education?
FZ: I am currently studying the graphic design career, but I’ve been in the business for around three years.

MC: How long have you been creating custom Vinylmation?
FZ: The Rat Fink was my first time customizing a vinylmation piece, but I am currently working on a second one that I am sure some people will like.

MC: How many other custom vinyl pieces have you made?
FZ: I mostly work with Japanese vinyl and Kidrobot’s Munny toys. I’ve been working with them for some time, but I would say I have done more than 20.

MC: What’s your favorite piece you’ve made?
FZ: I really like all the pieces I do, but I am really stoked about the one I am currently working on. I will be producing a resin toy from one of my eyeball characters.
MC: Do you collect the Vinylmation created by Disney artists?
FZ: I haven’t really had the pleasure to get one, I only have a small collection of blanks that I plan to work on.

MC: Well, from what you have seen out there, what is your favorite Disney Vinylmation design?
FZ: I really like the eyeball one from the jr. series and also the Oogie Boogie one.
MC: How did you come up with the idea of the Rat Fink piece?
FZ: I have always been a fan of Ed Roth’s art, you can tell if you see my portfolio. So I wanted to do some kind of tribute to his work, and the vinylmation was the perfect platform for it.

MC: Can you describe this figure? The inspiration. What detail went into it?
FZ: The inspiration came from the rat fink character. I tried to put as much detail as I could into it so that everyone that see it can recognize the figure.
MC: What is your favorite aspect of it?
FZ: I would say color, I love that neon green I used on it. That’s a color I use in most of my art.

MC: What was the hardest part in creating this figure? Clearly it’s just more then paint, how do you get the 3-D effect?
FZ: It wasn’t really hard. I see every piece as a new challenge. In this case, I used polymer clay to sculpt the face.

MC: Well it looks really good. Thank you for talking to us. One last question: In your words where can people go to find out more about your pieces and see your work?
FZ: You can check more of my work at my flickr and tumblr profiles:

flickr.com/photos/fershozombie/

fershozombie.tumblr.com/

Also if anyone is interested in getting this piece, it is currently up for auction on ebay:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300558094296&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

MC: Well, thanks again! Keep up the good work, and let us know when you finish the any new pieces!

Ed Roth Rat Fink pic from ratfink.com

Star Wars Weekends #1

WDWNT on May 22, 2011

Hope you are enjoying Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The first of four action-packed weekends just wrapped up and there is a lot to recap. 
First, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had it’s grand opening on Friday, May 20. I had the chance to preview the attraction earlier in the week. It is already one of my favorite rides at Walt Disney World. It is a really fun time, truly immersing you into the Star Wars universe from queue line right through the ride. Check out my review here.
Disney CEO Bob Iger with Darth Vader and George Lucas (photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog)
Just like any Disney attraction opening, the opening of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue was a grand affair. Check out the highlight video from the Disney Parks Blog:
This is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World each year. Star Wars characters walk the park to meet and greet guests…
Disney characters also come out for the weekends. Meet Jedi Mickey, R2-MK, Goofy Vader, Storm Trooper Donald, Princess Leia Minnie and more!
There was a lot of buzz about the new R2-D2 Popcorn buckets. $15.50 for delicious Disney popcorn and a great looking souvenir.
Guests can also pick up R2 Mickey Ears for $14.95.
This weekend also marked the re-release of Star Wars Vinylmation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can purchase them for $11.95 per blind box at Tatooine Traders near the ride or Jabba’s Hut next to Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. They will be re-released at Disneyland on June 4th. Check out the set here.
Have you been on Star Tours or to Star Wars weekend yet this year?

40th Anniversary Cast Trader Found!

WDWNT on May 20, 2011


Update: 5/21/11 According to Disney, the WDW Cast Traders at at the warehouse awaiting pick up by the various stores are the WDW resort. They will be available any day now in all 4 parks and at Downtown Disney trading locations. Have a magical search!

At the trade show tonight, DV reporter Ryan got this out of the Disney Mystery Box. It’s one of the two variants to the WDW 40th Anniversary set. This piece (and its counterpart 71 piece) will only be available by trading in a mystery box at the WDW resort. Ryan will have more info on numbers and such from the show later, but it’s nice to know these are finally here! (And they should be one of the first truly exclusive WDW pieces ever! Congrats to everyone who got one! We saw quite a few floating out there.

First look at the B&W Set

WDWNT on May 20, 2011


Last week we heard a rumor about a LE set of 2000 called Black and White. The set was said to be by Sarah Matthews, and oddly enough, you are linked to the Disney Store page when you search for “Sarah Matthews disney artist” in Google! Sarah also runs “Orange Blossom Ink” with a fellow Disney Artist, Lisa Badeen. There was much speculation about this set (because the Disney Store page does not have a picture). It turns out that the set won’t be old B&W characters, but a 6 piece set of interesting design patterns in black and white.

What do you think about this set?

VinylKonrad’s Mystery Trading Box

WDWNT on May 20, 2011


Our buddy @VinylKonrad will be at the trading event tonight at WDW. He’s bringing with him a mystery trading box of his own. Make sure you stop by his table and check it out. Also check out our table with lots of trade options. We too are planing a mystery box, but it’s not nearly as cool as Konrad’s!!