Make your Own Vinylmation on Sale!

WDWNT on March 23, 2011

One of our leaders, @emaereyes, tweeted us this, “Check out this awesome deal! CYO #Vinylmation 3″ are $2.99 and 9″ are $19.99 at your Disney Store”. She said she bought several and “they had 3″ white, red, black, and yellow. For the 9″ they had black, red, purple and yellow”. This is a great time to stock up for all those customs you’ll be making this summer! So check out your local Disney Stores and let us know what you find! Just leave a message in the comments.

Here are some pics of the sale from DV reporter Zoe:

3″ Create Your Owns
9″ Create Your Owns

Muppets 2 Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on March 23, 2011

Update: 6/20/11 Kermit and Animal will be released on August 5th at both D-Streets.

Update: 4/15/11 Price is actually $11.95 at D-Street. But it’s $12.95 at Disney Stores. Check out more info (and pics of price tags) at Muppets 2 Price post.

Update: 4/8/11 Thanks to Don Sawyer, we have the retail price for Muppets 2. It’s $12.95. We also now know the Penguin is the triple. (makes sense)

Update: 4/6/11 We now have turnarounds for all 11 3″ figures. Check out the backs of everyone. Nothing super exciting, but Floyd does have a ponytail. Also added pic of chaser. The photo is from eBay seller lindogcatbird.

Update: 4/2/11 Video from @FrogFan76 confirms all but the chaser. Check out his video at his youtube channel youtube.com/frogfan76 and his twitter at @FrogFan76. Thank you FrogFan76 for putting these out there for the world to see.

Update: There is a rumored list of the Muppets 2 lineup on the Vinylnation website. DV has yet to verify the lineup with Disney at this time (although all but the chaser have been confirmed by other outside sources). Disney has released some of pics and figures of Muppets 2 already. So here is the complete Disney verified and rumored list and our thoughts on each. Thanks to our leaders who emailed/tweeted/commented with links pointed to this info! We super appreciate it!

Update: According to commenter DiMera78, the Disney Stores will also be getting this series on April 15th!

Muppets 2 will be released on April 15th at both the Florida and California D-Streets. The store at Downtown Disney in California will get an added bonus… Muppets 1 and 2 designer Monty Maldovan will be on hand to sign his figures. He will be there from 2-5pm PST and will sign up to 2 items per guest. As always, these items will be limited to the artist’s own merchandise.

We know this set could also include 9″ figures, but have no details on what characters will be featured at this time. No release date details for the 9″ figures.


 Lew Zealand

Lew Zealand’s act involves boomerang fish. He throws them away and they come back to him. Lew Zealand was meant to only appear in episode 310 of The Muppet Show, and he was made from a Whatnot. However, after that, a more permanent puppet was built and Lew Zealand became a regular character.

The figure looks great, love the fish in the ears. – MC

Scooter

Scooter serves as a “gofer” backstage on The Muppet Show, and appeared from the first produced episode through the end of the series. His eye glasses are set back back with his eyes poking it and he can be seen most of the time in his green jacket.

Kinda boring figure, but that’s what Scooter is. -MC

Pepe

Pepe the King Prawn, whose full name is Pepino Rodrigo Serrano Gonzales, started life in Madrid, Spain. He worked as a chef, before moving to Hollywood and following his true calling in show business. How will Monty design this figure with the wild “hair”?

The craziest, and in my opinion, worst figure in the set so far. -MC

Penguin

The Penguins are mostly nameless and undifferentiated from one another. They have appeared in many Muppet productions and are best known for tossing themselves into the air. In Muppet Vision 3D at DHS, the Penguins are featured in the orcestra pit in both puppet and animatronic form.

There are already 2 peguin vinylmation out there, but I still want this one too! So adorable. -MC

Captain Link Hogthrob

Link Hogthrob is one of 3 figures in Muppets 2 that come from the “Pigs in Space” sketches. Link idebuted in the second season as the not-so-fearless captain of the Swinetrek, he thinks very highly of himself, and that often led to conflict with his co-star, First Mate Piggy.

Kinda devoid of features to identify him, but the other two are not Link, so this must be him. Love the suit. Love the cape.-MC

First Mate Piggy

The second character from “Pigs in Space” is First Mate Piggy. At the height of this sketch’s popularity, in 1981 the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia were greeted by Pigs in Space on two consecutive mornings with specially recorded comedy bits by the Muppet performers.

Perfect. Great placement of the nose. – MC

Dr. Julius Strangepork

The third figure from “Pigs in Space” is Dr. Julius Strangepork. He is an elderly pig who serves as resident scientist aboard the Swinetrek spaceship and is occasionaly seen in other Muppets Show sketches.

Also good. The suit, the nose, ect -MC

Zoot

The brass man of the band will also be part of the group. Sunglasses and maybe a hat or a sax as an accessory!

He’s got a hat! Wish it had been a sax. Otherwise, great figure. -MC

Dr. Teeth

The leader of the Electric Mayhem, Dr. Teeth is the keyboardist and lead singer. This vinyl looks great (as far as we can see). He’s got his gold tooth, his stripped shirt, and his crazy pink/purple hat with a blue feather in it. First seen at the trade event in WDW.

Looks great. Love the shoes. Very colorful. -MC

Sgt. Floyd Pepper

Floyd looks great wearing his Sgt. Pepper’s Band jacket and signature green army hat. The question is, will his army hat be the fancy glitter one he wears while playing bass in the orchestra pit for the Muppet Show? Also check out that bright orange mustache!
First seen on a slide from the Trade City show.

So glad he has his beard, or the face would lack any details. That’s the problem with Muppets I suspect. Love it. Check out his hip ponytail in the back. -MC
Janice

Janice plays the Les Paul guitar for the Electric Mayhem. This vinyl representation duplicates her long blond hair, big lips, and her purple eye shadow. Notice the flower on her hat symbolizing her “flower child” attitude and speech.
Chaser

Waldo C. Graphic is a computer generated character who can morph into a variety of shapes. Waldo was controlled in real time by a puppeteer, making use of a mitten-like motion-capture device called a Waldo (which he was named after). He is prominently featured in Muppet Vision 3D at DHS.

And he comes with a hat!
Kermit 3-D 9″

Released August 5th
LE 1500
$44.95

Originally the chaser for series 1, until they put a tux on him to celebrate the 55th anniversary, this design was kept over and blown up to be a 9″ figure for series 2. I really like the Muppets 3-D logo shirt, the Mickey Ears, and the 3-D glasses (which look so good I can’t tell if they are part of the paint or an accessory!) The second vinylmation to have 3-D glasses, it’s nice to see Kermit has upgraded to Polorized technology from 3-D Mickey’s red and blue anaglyph tech.

Animal 9″

Released August 5th
LE 1500
$44.95

Animal looks really good. I miss not having actual hair, but I do have to say the design is better then I expected (after having Celeste set the bar so high). The have all the details, from the drum stick, to the silver bracelets (it would have been cool to make them studded), to the rope belt. Very cool. As an ex-drummer I think I’m gonna have to buy this one.

Sam the Eagle 9″

Released June 24th
LE 1500

Check out his parioticness! The American flag in the background (the ears). Sam’s beak also looks really good from this angle. Using the (not for long) Mickey nose it really does almost look like a beak in this shot! Perfect eyebrow, and I also like the talons on the front, with one on the back.

The back of Sam gets it’s own row because of the special accessory. The tail! It’s been added and looks cool! I can’t wait to see it in person!
Gonzo 9″

Sold with: Camilla 3″

Well there wasn’t much they could do about Gonzo’s nose. But once you’re past that, the rest of this figure is pretty cool. I love his suit with the flower. I’ll miss not having a 3″ Gonzo for the moment, but I think this pairing is a great idea.

Camilla 3″

Sold with: Gonzo 9″

Gonzo’s love interest has followed him all the way to the vinylmation box. I really think this 3″ works, and would buy several if she came alone. Great job with this figure Monty!

Which characters did you feel were missing from the first series that that are still not on this rumored Series 2 list? Leave us your suggestions in the comments!

Thanks to muppet.wikia.com for some background info on the characters.

And a special thanks to @FrogFan76 for his video over at youtube.com/frogfan76.

Looking into the Future of the Park Vinylmation

WDWNT on March 23, 2011

Interesting news found on the Disney Vinylmation site today. With confirmation that the Park 6 series (and combo topper) will be released on April 1st at D-Streets and Online; Disney gathered a bunch of previously released images of Vinylmation and categorized them as “Future Park” figures. We have already posted these images in previous articles, so the news is basically that the following images are Park Vinylmation from a future series. (Several of these images we thought might be part of this year’s Project Florida releases.) No word on if they are all 3″ers or 9″ers. Hopefully several are 3″ (like Earful Tower or Toy Story Midway Mania) because as we talked about on the last podcast, I would buy this one, as a 3″.

Update: Rumor– FACT 3/23/11 Elizabeth tweeted us, and DV Reporter Ryan agreed, that Skippy is part of a 9″/3″ Park set. Check out our 9″ Park 6 page.

Earful Tower
Hollywood Studios
Artist: Lin Shih		 EPCOT 2000
EPCOT
Artist: Thomas Scott		 Kitchen Kabaret
EPCOT
Artist: Maria Clapsis
Retro EPCOT
EPCOT
Artist: Thomas Scott		 Skippy
Alien Encounter
Magic Kingdom
Artist: Maria Clapsis		 Toy Story Midway
Mania
Hollywood Studios
Artist: Lin Shih
WDW 1 Day
Ticket
WDW
Artist: Thomas Scott		 Living with the
Land (Front)
EPCOT
Artist: Caley Hicks		 Living with the
Land (Back)
EPCOT
Artist: Caley Hicks

Wedding Week: Vinylmation Guest Book

WDWNT on March 22, 2011


Today’s pieces are by a first time custom artist. Lisa Farry and her husband, Trace, were getting married and wanted to show off their love of Vinylmation. Taking a 9″ white and a 9″ black Create Your Own Vinylmation Lisa created a Bride and Groom that guests could sign in place of a guest book. I love this idea. Not only is it something unique but it’s a creative way to display the signatures of the guests (what do couples do with the guest book after the wedding anyway?) Not to mention these two customs are brilliant, especially for a first timer. They are some detailed, very personal representations of this couple.

Check out the goatee and sneakers on the groom!

I had an opportunity to ask Lisa Farry about her wedding vinylmations.

M.C.: How long have you been creating custom Vinylmation?
Lisa Farry: The “guest book” bride and groom were my first. Originally Trace was going to do them, but in my bridezilla frenzy, I coudn’t wait any longer and he turned the job over to me!

M.C.: Do you collect the Vinylmation created by Disney artists? If so, What is your favorite Vinylmation figure?
LF: First off, I am married to a vinylmation FREAK!! In fact, Trace spent this last weekend catologing and photographing a PORTION of his Vinylmations… He has a ton and I think the best thing I’ve done for our home (I moved in about 8 months ago, our wedding was in January) was buying some acrylic display stands so all the little vinylmations can at least be seen and appreciated! My personal favorites are the new occupations “medical” one (I am Nurse Anesthetist, so I dig the stethoscope) and Trace bought me the one that is like a cup of tea for Christmas. I’m a big tea drinker!

M.C.: How did you come up with the idea of a Wedding Guest Book piece?
LF: In all my wedding plannning web surfing, I had seen a couple of people do the Vinylmation guest book idea, but actually Trace thought of it and told me about it before either of us had seen it online. I thought him so clever! Plus, it was a great way to get something that really represented him AND would be cool and not overly “wedding-ish” to have in our home later on.

M.C.: Can you describe this figure? The inspiration. What detail went into it?
LF: I bought the white and black large vinylmations early on – I think I got one of them in the park and ordered one online last spring. It was funny because as the wedding date got claser, actually I saw a lot of brides on the dis-boards weddings forums looking for I think the black fig and they were briefly sold out online. I had seen a couple different ones, mostly I knew I wanted the date on each. I wasn’t sure how ornate to go – it seemed like simple was better. So the back of each says our wedding date (1-25-11), the bride has a bouquet drawn on, the earrings, wedding ring set and the veil – and little heart shaped lips. The groom has a boutonniere (which you think I could spell aftr all this time!), some tennis shoe details, a wedding ring and the goatee!

You can see the wedding rings painted onto the figures

M.C.: What materials were used?
LF: I started off just buying some different paint pens at a craft store, but quickly found that the black figure obviously needed a really opaque paint to cover anything and show up. So I ended up doing the white circles (to suggest Trace’s wedding sneakers) in acrylic paint and then going back to the paint pens. I also used rhinestones to give the bride earrings and a fabulously accurate wedding ring set! I had part of a veil I had actually been trying to craft into something for MYSELF that I ended up using a piece of for the bride figure. And the “fun fur” from the craft store was an on the spot decision to depict Trace’s signature goatee! I just used a gel type super glue for the few things that needed glueing. After finishing the figures, I knew what pens showed up best and brought those along to the wedding!

M.C.: What was the hardest part in creating this figure?
LF: Getting the right pens to cover the black figurine appropriately.

M.C.: What was the reaction to the guest book from the guests at the wedding?
LF: People really dug it! The really funny thing was that even the Mad Hatter and Alice (special guests at our wedding) signed it! I was not expecting that!

Mad Hatter and Alice signing the “guest book”

M.C.: Did you create any other pieces for the wedding?
LF: No other vinylmation peices, but I did do several “DIY” wedding projects – it was fun and releived the pre-wedding jitters!

M.C.: Are you working on anything new?
LF: Right now I am immersed strangely in shadow boxes as a way to display wedding pictures and knick knacks – a couple of them incorporate some of Trace’s vinylmations (we went on the Dream’s Maiden Voyage for our honeymoon!).

Just Married Disney Dream shadow box

M.C.: Where can people go to find out more about your pieces and see your work?
LF: Folks can find Trace and I on twitter (@sambycat and @traceland), and me mostly on my podcast, Those Darn Cats! (available on iTunes! Ha! – www.thosedarncats.net). I also have a personal and a disney blog, but those babies have been a little neglected since the wedding frenzy started! www.lisafarry.com and www.wdwdlist.wordpress.com.

Destination Vinylmation wish Lisa & Trace a long and magical life together!
Photos by Lisa and DV Ardnt Photography

Urban 6 No Longer Online

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

On Friday the Urban 6 set and the Urban 6 Combo Topper were available online. They are no longer coming up when you search for Vinylmation. Looks like D-Street is your only option for now!
Update: Looks like you can also purchase them at Disney Stores across the nation! Thanks jayproze for the heads up!

Maybe the Electric Mayhem can play “Taxman” by The Beatles

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Update: 3/22/11 Disney’s Vinylmation Events page confirms an April 15th release date for both CA and FL D-Streets.

Update: 3/17/11 In a rare turn of events, after posting an article about a hidden piece of vinylmation information, Disney has actually expanded rather then decreased the information online. The “event link” now works. In addition to another verification of the details, we now have times. The signing with Monty will be from 2pm to 5pm at the D-Street in Downtown Disney in Disneyland California. The note also comes with the following small print:

“Limit TWO (2) items signed per Guest. We ask that you bring no personal items to be signed. Special Appearance Guests will only sign their respective merchandise.

Please Note: All Event and information are subject to cancellation or change without notice including but not limited to dates, times, artwork, release dates, edition sizes and retail prices. Merchandise for signing must be purchased on the event day at the event location. Valid Disneyland Resort receipt may be required. Paid admission is required to enter Disney theme parks. ”

3/16/11- Thanks to leader (listener/reader) KevinVinyl24, I did some investigating into the release of Muppets 2. After a little searching I discovered this post on the Art of Disney Events page.

It’s a little hard to read, but let me assure you that it says:

April 15th- Hit the Street! New Muppets Vinylmaiton Product Release & Signing with Monty Maldovan at D-Street in Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort!

This is awesome info. The set is by Muppets 1 designer Monty Maldovan, and we already know from Stephen Miller that the set will include 9″ figures this time. (I hope for a 9″ Snookums or Enlarged Animal!) The set comes out on tax day in the US so now we all know what we are spending our return on this year!

So far we know about three figures that will be part of the set. (Well we assume Floyd will be part of the set because he was part of the announcement at Trade City)

Sgt. Floyd Pepper Janice Sam the Eagle
Dr. Teeth

At the trade event last Friday, DV reporter Ryan got some snapshots of some of the upcoming releases. One of the most notable figures was a new figure from the Muppets 2 series (tentatively to be released on April 15th). It’s DR. TEETH! From the Electric Mayhem. Since Janice was first revealed , we’ve been saying that we think the whole band will be part of Muppets 2, and now the band leader is here! We also know that Floyd Pepper is also part of this set. All we need is Zoot and Animal. (If here’s not there we can always ask Celeste for one.)
Dr. Teeth Photo by Ryan
Animal Photo by Celeste at celestecustomvinylmations.blogspot.com

Leave us a comment and let us know who else you think/want to be part of the 2nd series!

We’re Getting the Band Back Together!!

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Dr. Teeth

At the trade event last Friday, DV reporter Ryan got some snapshots of some of the upcoming releases. One of the most notable figures was a new figure from the Muppets 2 series (tentatively to be released on April 15th). It’s DR. TEETH! From the Electric Mayhem. Since Janice was first revealed , we’ve been saying that we think the whole band will be part of Muppets 2, and now the band leader is here! We also know that Floyd Pepper is also part of this set. All we need is Zoot and Animal. (If here’s not there we can always ask Celeste for one.)

Dr. Teeth Photo by Ryan
Animal Photo by Celeste at celestecustomvinylmations.blogspot.com

From the Top of Our Heads

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Last Friday, along with all the other crazy things that happened, Disney released the Urban 6 Mickey Ear Hats. Nick bought the Gumball Hat. We really liked the ears, espeically when it was revealed that they would have plastic balls that could move around. Check out the heavy plastic piece for the machine knob.
Both hats come with a 3″ piece, the best 3″ hat pieces ever.
This piece (along with the viking 3″) is by far the best piece to have accompanied the Urban hats. Normally the 3″ piece is a clear vinyl with a representation of the hat on it’s ears. This one is so much better. Not only is it a great figure showing a boy who’s bubble has burst; but it’s the second part of a story told by 3″ vinyls. The first part of the story is shown in the 3″ vinyl that will come with the 9″ Gumball Machine figure.
The other Mickey Ear hat to be released on Friday was the Urban 6 Viking Hat. I love the horns on the hat. I also like the fur around the base of the horns. Like the Gumball Hat, the Viking hat comes with a great 3″ figure. A smaller version of the Urban 6 9″ Viking, this adorable guy has horns and some fancy pants. This is the first time I’ve even considered the thought of buying the Urban Hats for the 3″ figures.

What do you think of these hats? Compared to the ones in the past? How about the 3″ figures?

New DV Reporter Ryan Got the Scoop on Some Release Dates

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

Destination Vinylmation is excited to announce the addition of a new contributor to our website. Ryan helped us out at the recent WDW trading event. Below, Ryan introduces himself and gives the scoop on some upcoming Vinylmation he uncovered at the event. Ryan, take it away…

Hey all, my name is Ryan, a photographer, writer and avid Vinylmation collector for the past few years. I’m the newest writer over here at Destination Vinylmation, and wanted to introduce myself. To get the big questions out of the way:
  1. How long have I been collecting? I’ve been collecting since about Urban 2’s release. I didn’t realize then how popular things would be and several times passed up on opportunities to purchase both “Ham and Eggs” and “Carnotaurus” 9 inch. I kick myself to this day.
  2. My favorite figure I own? Tough call, but I’d have to say Sulley and Boo!
  3. Favorite figure I don’t own? Mine Mine Mine is my current Holy Grail.
Anyway, enough about me! While the rest of the Destination Vinylmation crew was busy trading, I took it upon myself (as the newest member of the team) to head over to the trade box and upcoming release table and ask some questions about the imminent releases.
Park 6, as seen above, is set to be released on April 1. If you remember, Disney announced an April 1 release date, then retracted it because the product wasn’t at WDW yet. But according to the cast member behind-the-counter, that date is back on! Check out Park 6 Explained for more. This is a good time to point out the glaring lack of Steven Miller, Vinylmation’s tried and true “Ambassador of Trading”. According to the Disney cast members at the event, Steven has moved up to another position within Disney. Several pin traders took to calling the two women who were helping organize the event “Steven” as an homage to Mr. Miller. He will be missed.
Also being released with Park 6 is the Park 6 Combo Topper, which features Mickey Mouse from his highly popular animated short “Runaway Brain”. This 3 inch, as shown above, will go great with the recently released Villains 9” Julius + Minnie Jr. combo.
Other releases shown were TRON (March 25) and a couple already known Muppets 2 (April 15) figures. Also shown was the newly announced Celebration series which will be packaged and sold just like the Occupations released a couple weeks ago.
Also shown was the 9” + 3” Urban 6 combo of a Bubble Gum machine and boy blowing a bubble!
While no samples were on display, we also received confirmation that the Duck Tales 2-Figure set from the “Disney Afternoon” series will be released on April 8, although there were some discrepancies on whether or not the set would be online exclusive like the previously released “Talespin” set or in D-Street, as Disney previously announced it would be.

All in all it was a successful trade event. LOTS of Vinylmation traders peppered the sea of pin traders, and there finally seemed to be a healthy amount of trading happening. This is also likely because of the lack of a trade night in 2011 before March, and lots of new product has been released recently.

Thanks for reading, and until next time… make YOUR Destination, Vinylmation!