When I See an Elephant Fly

WDWNT on April 13, 2011

This September at The Florida Project event, a 3″ Dumbo Vinylmation designed by Thomas Scott will be released in a 9/3 combo with a 9″ Retro Mickey.

 If there were a poll of the most iconic rides at the Magic Kingdom, Dumbo would surely be toward the top of the list. In the shadow of Cinderella’s castle, kids and adults alike hapily take flight high above Fantasyland in one of 16 Dumbo-shaped ride vehicles. 
In truth, this is no more than an aerial carousel ride you may find at a local carnival, but the location and theming make it a classic. This ride, with minor differences, appears in all 5 Disney parks world-wide. At Magic Kingdom, Dumbo was an opening day attraction in 1971. And this figure perfectly captures both the style of the ride vehicle and era in which it opened.
The overall design, with the selected color palette and flowers, really place this figure into the early 70’s. 

The face of Dumbo well represents the front of the ride vehicle with the animated look and the eyes peeking upward at the rider. The main discrepancy is the trunk… upward facing on all the ride vehicles, but downward on the figure. The hat is also a great touch. Well done, and just like the Hong Kong 5th Anniversary Dumbo.

But that is where the similarities end, this new Dumbo has a much different design scheme. The obvious difference is in the colors that are used. Also, check out the trunk. The HK figure has the upward facing trunk that this Dumbo should have. The back of the HK figure continues with the magical sparkles that surround the figure and features a HK 5th Anniversary Logo. The back of The Florida Project figure however shows off the brilliant details that tie it more closely to the attraction ride vehicle.

The “rug” on the back perfectly represents the area where the rider sits… right down to the curled up corners. This Dumbo figure also features his signiture ruffle collar.

Originally, Disney was going to package a Polynesian Hula Girl figure with Retro Mickey. They pulled it in favor of Dumbo. The Hula figure looked great in concept art and as a Disney history fan will be a welcomed addition to my collection someday, but in the end, i’m glad Dumbo stepped in to take her place.

What are your thoughts on Dumbo and The Florida Project?

Here Come the Pirates!

WDWNT on April 12, 2011

Disney today announced some details of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean series. It will be a blind box set based on the theme park attraction and will have 11 characters with 1 mystery chaser. Although this series is not based on the movie, a Jack Sparrow chaser is a real possibility… as he was added to the ride a few years back. Disney should release pictures of more figures as the time comes. We expect the series to be released on May 21st (if the Art of Disney blog is right). Yesterday we saw the Dirty Foot Pirate by Casey Jones. The figure below is also a Casey creation. This series should also give us a good idea of how they will do “attraction” series like the Haunted Mansion set expected in September.
Also notice that this series will be using the new vinylmation mold design.

ZoMG: New Shape Drama

WDWNT on April 12, 2011

I am very torn about how to feel about reading this news on April 11th on the Disney’s Vinylmation Blog. I am so sad they are changing the original shape, that made us all fall in love with Vinylmation in the first place; but in the same breath, I also love the idea of making the actual Vinylmation canvas easier to apply designs to, because then we will get better quality Vinylmation! I completely understand the changes, but wish they had kept the buttons, or even just the nose shape (it seems a bit more flat now).
After looking at these changes, one of the first things I noticed was that the actual shape of the Vinylmation seems smoother and a bit fatter. I understand making it smoother because this way the application of paint on the figure is easier which can make the designs more accurate and with fewer flaws. The Vinylmation Blog showed us an example by giving us a sneak peek at a new Pirate Vinylmation. The figure looks brighter and you can see a lot more detail on this new smoother looking face! I don’t want to judge completely until I can see this new shape in person but so far I think that these figures are going to keep getting better and better!! (And I love the Pirates hat!! Great touch!)
Also changing are the hands. I love that the Sea Creature set is going to feature a lot of the new changes such as the claw hands and the fins on the Dolphin and Shark figure. I have been looking forward to this series because I am a huge Little Mermaid fan and anything ‘under the sea’ I have to have it. I am looking forward to seeing the new Vinylmation shape on April 22nd when the Sea Creatures are released!
Another new feature is that the feet are going to be detachable. I love this idea! Not only can Vinylmation artists get a ‘clean crisp look’ like they explained on the Blog, but the artists can now design around the bottom of the belly! For people who like to create their own customs this is going to add a whole another level! I can’t wait (Although they haven’t announced the change to CYO yet). I also got very excited when reading that these new feet will add to “future accessory opportunities”. I think accessories are such a fun touch to Vinylmation and now with the new hand design they will be able to hold accessories better and also with the new feet will be able to attach new things! The possibilities are endless.

-Zoe

Hopping Into D-Street This Week…

WDWNT on April 12, 2011

Along with Muppets 2, this Eric Caszatt designed Vinylmation will be for sale this Friday, April 15th.

 Easter Basket is the next to last 9″ Holiday 2 design to the hit the shelves. This colorful piece represents an Easter basket sitting on some grass with Easter eggs surrounding it and one big one sitting inside of it. There is a bee buzzing through the front. You can also see the shell is cracked by the right ear and a baby chick is popping it’s head out.

For more info on Holiday 2, please visit Holiday 2 Released. You can also take a sneak peak here at what we know about Holiday 3.

This leaves Sunburn Man as the final 9″ Holiday 2 figure to be released. Look for that one around the 4th of July.


Create Your Own on Sale

WDWNT on April 12, 2011

Today at the Online Disney Store everything has gone as expected. The Sea Creatures, Muppets 2, and 9″/3″ Urban 6 Gumball Machine and Kid all appeared online this morning. As of this posting each of these is still available!


The 9″/3″ Urban 6 Gumball Machine and Kid by Caley Hicks and Maria Clapsis are an online exclusive for $74.95.

The Money Maldovan designed Muppets 2 series is available in two forms. As individual blind boxes for the “D-Street Price” of $11.95 (as opposed to the Disney Store price of $12.95). You can also purchase a whole case of 24 for $286.80.

All 12 of the Sea Creatures are up, and the price is only $9.95! This is the first available vinylmation using the new mold. They were designed by Billy Davis and will also be released at D-Streets later today.

Also available:
Toy Story Cases for $238.80 each
Villains Cases for $238.80 each
Holiday 2 Cases for $238.80 each
Animation 1 Cases for $238.80 each
9″ Park 5 Goofy’s Barnstormer for $44.95
9″/3″ Park 5 Mad Hatter and Dormouse for $74.95
9″/3″ Urban 5 Racecar and Driver for $74.95
9″ Create Your Own White for $14.99- Sold Out

Retro Day: 4/11/11

WDWNT on April 12, 2011

Check out all the craziness in the last 24 hours!

Today we learned all of the figures that would be in the Sea Creatures set. Their names, their extra parts, and their connection to the big announcement

Sea Creatures Explained

Taking a break from the chaos we published pictures from The Playwright in NYC

Pictures of the new I Mickey NY 9″ figure

Breaking news: As part of a series wide design change, vinylmation’s feet will detach. Sea Creatures will be the first to implement the change. Read more at

Best Foot Forward

Another figure to use the new footloose design is Casey Jones’ Pirate.

Dirty Foot Pirate

Another break from the design news: Animal and three other Muppets will come “insta-grown” in 9″ form.

9″ Muppets 2

The big news: The Mickey Mouse figure that is the basis for all vinylmation will be receiving a few tweeks starting the Sea Creatures. Hands, Ears, Feet, Buttons, Nose, and Body all affected.

Mickey’s Modified Mold

And… if you didn’t listen yet, Episode 17 of Destination Vinylmation is up. Listen carefully for a chance to get an extra entry into a get contest.

Episode 017: Monster

New (York) Vinylmation to Love

WDWNT on April 11, 2011

Update: 4/11/11 The Playwright visited the NYC Disney Store this morning and emailed us some pictures. A couple things to note: The new box is taller with a larger open window front design and an artist card is included.

I Love NYC on the shelf
Side and Back of box
All 9″ NYCs still for sale
9″ Villains were still there too

Update: 4/9/11 Vinylmation.com’s blog confirmed the edition size as 1540. They also listed the price at $49.95. They also will be individually numbered.

3/31/11 Disney’s official Facebook page released this image of a new 9″ LE Vinylmation that will released on April 10th exclusive to the NYC Times Square Disney Store. This design is by Marcella Lau. Confirmed LE of 1540.

Then Disney’s blog released a turn around of the figure. Here’s the back side!

“I really like the simple design of this piece. If it were a 3″ I’d definitely purchase it. Well, if I found my way to NYC. It would look really cool with the artist’s signature on the head.” -M.C.

Will you pick this souvenir up on your next trip to NYC? Check out these previously released NYC Exclusives Hey Taxi, Graffiti, New York, New York, and Statue of Liberty Minnie.

D-Street Florida gets their own signing event 4/15

WDWNT on April 11, 2011

Update: 4/11/11 First, Disney announced Doug Strayer (Nerds Rock!) will also be attending this event. Also, a pirate vinylmation has appeared. It’s by Casey Jones. This is interesting timing, if this is the pirate that Art of Disney says will be released one May 21st. Interesting…..

While Californians are waiting to talk to Monty about his new Muppets 2 set, Florida will get a chance to meet several artists as part of the one year anniversary of D-Street Florida! From 10 AM to 12 Noon Vinylmation™ artists Maria Clapsis, Casey Jones, and Eric Caszatt will be at D-Street Florida to sign Vinylmation from the Cutesters Too, Tron, Urban #6 and Park #6 collections.
As always there are rules: Each Guest is limited to four pieces signed per artist.
“So get out your party hats and horns for a celebrational, Muppetational, Vinylmational (new word!), anniversary” -Disney Vinylmation.com
All these artists have been wonderful and design great figures, so go, take some figures to get signed, and let us know how things went. We’ll be setting up a post to display all the pictures our readers send in, so take a picture or two!

Dirty Foot Pirate

WDWNT on April 11, 2011

As part of the news today about the new form of Vinylmation, Disney released this figure. He is the Dirt Foot Pirate from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This pirate has stuck in my head since I was a little kid. I am always afraid to look up at him when passing under the bridge for fear some of the grim on his foot will drip off onto me. This iconic Pirate was designed by Casey Jones for an upcoming series.

For more on the changes to the Vinylmation shape, check out our posts: Mickey’s Modified Mold and Best Foot Forward.

We know there will be a May 21st Release of a 9″ Pirate as referenced by the Art of Disney blog. Is this figure involved in that Pirates release?

Best Foot Forward

WDWNT on April 11, 2011

Apparently the newly shaped mold isn’t the only change we will see to the vinylmation form when the Sea Creatures swim into D-Street on April 22nd. Much like the current arms and head, the feet will now also be removable. Besides the obvious DV Combo Contest possibilities, what does this feature do for Vinylmation? Disney’s Steven Miller says the removable feet will now allow artists to have their designs fully wrap around the feet leading to a more clean, crisp look.

Artist Thmoas Scott spoke about why the feet needed to be removable, “One challenging area (to paint on vinylmation) was the space where the underside of the belly and top of the feet meet. The feet are now removable which leaves the door open for improved artwork and future accessory opportunities.”

The indentation between the feet will also be more shallow, allowing for easier wrapping and more visible design details. Hats (or shoes) off to Disney for continuing to innovate the design process and giving fans sharper looking figures and a higher quality final product.

Original Feet Indentation
New Feet Indentation


“I think that went we talk about this we need to make a distinction from “removable feet” and “the new look of the feet”. I think that if it helps the artist, that making the feet removable doesn’t change anything about my opinion of the figures at all. In fact it makes the Combo Contest a little more interesting! Now, the minimizing of the separation of the the feet is a different story, and one better grouped in with the other changes we mentioned last night.

“I also really like the idea that the vinylmation might have accessories that directly connect to their feet. Like Max’s skateboard might have been one of those if the process had been in use.”
– M.C..

“If it helps the final product have a more polished look to it, I’m all for it. It will probably make footwear look better, like the bubble gum kid’s sneakers. And I’m a huge fan of getting rid of that big indentation between the feet. That will greatly improve the design especially on more artistic figures.” – Nick

Also thanks to DV reporter Ryan who helped with this article.

For a more in-depth look at the Vinylmation mold changes, check out “Mickey’s Modified Mold”. For more on the Sea Creatures series, visit Sea Creatures Explained.

What do you think of the change? (Make sure to address whether you are talking about the “removableness” of the feet, or the design change itself.)

Pictures from the vinylmation.com Blog.