New Holiday Vinylmation to Hatch on 2/17

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

With weather like today, it feels like spring is right around the corner. Oh, sorry to all of our readers in cold weather climates. But it was a spectacular day in sunny Central Florida. And take a look at what we found in the D-Street display case that made thoughts of Spring pop into our heads.

Thanks Austin for sending this in. This 9″ Easter inspired figure will be released on February 17. It is an LE 800 and will retail for $44.95. Here is a look at the concept art for this figure…

For a look at all the 9″ Holiday 3 figures and our take, check out 9″ Holiday 3 Explained.

What’s on the Vinylmation Horizon

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

So, what’s with this information drought Disney? No solid info has been posted on Vinylmation.com since before the Super Bowl. And with an ever shrinking confirmed release calendar, the Vinylmation collecting community is wondering what’s next? So I thought this is as good a time as any to go over what sets and figures we know about that should eventually get released. The first on my list was an intriguing collection that we saw at The Florida Project.

These 7″ battery operated night light Vinylmation had the community excited… but by the end of the weekend, Disney announced they would be indefinitely delayed. Next up, Disney Classics.

Touted as the Have a Laugh follow up, the release of this series seems to be on the near horizon as it does appear in the Sneak section of Vinylmation.com. The picture above is from a teaser slide at The Florida Project. It looks like a black and white set of classic Disney characters as they first appeared many decades ago. Then we have a follow up to the popular Disney Store Robots series.

We expect to see Robots Series 2 sometime in 2012. We were excited to uncover a couple pictures from a website called http://gdpinvestigation.blogspot.com/. They claim these are images of Robots from Series 2.

This first image features some concept art.

This second image seems like the packaging design. How about a blast from the past? The next two pieces of concept art were already posted online at Vinylnation by the time I started collecting about two years ago. They both seem to feature Disney Vacation Club exclusive figure designs.

This first one is purple with a gold key.
The second one is a wonderful little white picket fence design with Mickey Heads and a “Home Sweet Home” sign. We only have one DVC figure so far… will we ever see these produced? You can put these on the shelf next to Clear Series 2. What ever happened to those? Let’s dive into the movies for a bit. Last year, Disney released a teaser image for a Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides set.
This Casey Jones designed set is expected to hit shelves sometime in 2012. No word on if it will open window or mystery box. This next set has a more solid release window. It’s the Jr. 6 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We don’t have a release date, but Disney says to expect it in April. We recently found this image of the packaging on http://gdpinvestigation.blogspot.com/.
I am so excited for this detailed Jr set. The seven dwarfs are a given, but it will be interesting to finally get the reveal of the remaining 11 figures. Sticking with the movies…
Disney Character Star Wars is rumored to have a release around Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios (May 18-June 12). We should also see the second Star Wars blind box series later this year as well.
October is the rumored release window. Park Starz was an exciting 2011 release, and Disney promised we will see variants in 2012.
No pictures yet, but Disney said they will sell variants individually, meaning no blind boxing for them. This is a fresh approach were you can just go ahead and purchase the variant outright if you want it. We also have one hint… “copper”. Most people are looking at you Mr. Lincoln. Sticking with the “breaking the mold” theme…
We know absolutely nothing about Popcorns except this teaser image. But we do know plenty about Haunted Mansion… except a release date.
Between pins and concept art, we have a solid idea of what this set will look like. But for two years, we have been hearing rumors of release… I think I speak for everyone when I say “Please Disney, make 2012 the year we finally see this one!” And don’t forget the watch.
This is due out around March/April. And last but not least…
Vinylmation.fr has been teasing us for about 4 months. We are expecting some exclusive vinyl sometime this year in honor of Disneyland Paris’ 20th anniversary. So as you can see, although it has been a slow news month, we as Vinylmation collectors have a lot to look forward to in 2012 and beyond. What have I left off this list? What are you most looking forward too?

Robots 2 Explained

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Robots Series 2
Release Date: April 13
Where: D-Streets
Price: TBA
Details: This set is promoted as “Mix ‘n Match.” In a single blind box, you will receive a robot with mixed up parts. A head, a body, feet and 2 arms from 4 different Robots. You can collect the mixed matched bots, make your own combos or find the missing parts and put together the artists original Robot design… or the “correct” version. This set was designed by Bill Davis. Unlike Robots 1, this second series was designed by a single artist and will not be a Disney Store exclusive product.

Unlike our normal Explained tables, we instead will just share the Mix ‘n Match instruction sheet Disney has supplied on the blog and in each blind box. You can download the pdf here. Or take a look at the image below.

Mickey’s Circus Explained

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Mickey’s Circus Trading Event
Where: Walt Disney World, EPCOT World Showplace
When: September 7-9, 2012 (Vinylmation day is 9/9/12 from 9:30a-5:30p)
Important Links:
Vinylmation Catalog
Pin Catalog
Itinerary 

Silent auction catalog 

Registration: Registration now closed! RSP emails have been sent out! Tickets are $60 for Vinylmation day only and $120 for Pin days only. Remember, separate admission is required for the 2-day Pin event and the 1-day Vinylmation event. Click here for Vinylmation registration. Click here for Pins registration.
What: A ticketed trading event for pins and Vinylmation. The year’s largest pin and Vinylmation event. Guests play games, trade, purchase exclusive merchandise and see upcoming designs. This year the theme is a circus. Does this relate to Storybook Circus opening at the Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland?

The first two days are dedicated to pins with the Vinylmation day taking place on Sunday, September 9 from 9:30am-5:30pm. Admission to the Vinylmation day only is $60 per guest. That does not include EPCOT admission which is required. The Vinylmation day will include trading games, a guest trading area, even specific vinyls for purchase, and event vinyl as a gift, artist signings, upcoming figures on display and a presentation announcing upcoming Vinylmation.

Update 08/22/12 Itinerary released by Disney. Silent auction catalog released.


Update 6/30/12 Some of the packaging product shots have been released

I love the Big Top look… perfect for display.

Dumbo and Jumbo are in a different style box, but it still works. We also have been shown some concept art.

Ron Cohee drew that Ringleader Mickey at last year’s Florida Project and here is a look at the vinyl and stand.

This Caley Hicks 9″ seal was originally supposed to be a 3″ Urban. Here is a look at the reverse and original drawing the figure is based on.

And we have Eric Cazatt’s Lion concept art side by side with the 9″ figure.


Update 6/15/12 Disney has released info on the Free Vinylmation gift for registered attendees! It is a 3″ Jumbo with Jr Dumbo set!



Update 5/19/12 Disney updated the catalog to include more figures available for purchase.

3″ Bongo and Lulubell Combo Set
LE 500
$26.95
Monty Maldovan
–

9″ Circus Lion
LE 100
$150
Eric Caszatt
–

9″ Circus Seal
LE 100
$150
Caley Hicks
–

Update 04/11/12 Disney has released full catalog and preview images of the Vinylmation that will be available at the event.

3″ Ringmaster Mickey
LE 1500
$16.95
Ron Cohee
–
3″ Circus Minnie and Goofy combo pack
LE 750
$26.95
Ron Cohee



Update 03/29/12 Disney announced important dates and shows off a new graphic. On April 11th we will get a sneak peak to the merchandise items. On May 19th, registration opens! (That is also World Circus Day according to Disney)



Update 02/16/12 We have the event poster, and artist rendering and some teaser images.

Official event poster
Artist drawing at Florida Project points to possible event figure
Teaser squares released on the official Disney Pin website

Park 8 Variant: 100 Years of Magic

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

James sent us this picture on Facebook.

Three 100 Years of Magic Variants in one case! We are still waiting to see the AK Safari Truck no mud variant. If you have a picture, send it in.

Mickey gets all dressed up for Park 8 LE

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Thanks to @vm_paris for this look at the 9″ Park 8 LE inspired by the Mickey Mouse Review. It was released at Disneyland Paris. We are still waiting on word of the stateside release.

More Park 8 LE Goodness

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Update: @VM_Paris has given us a better picture of the box side. It shows a 9/3 Contemporary and Monorail, Mickey Mouse Review, what appears to be a Yeti from the Animal Kingdom Everest ride a design that seems like the 25th anniversary pink Cinderella’s Castle. What do you think about these Park 8 LE 9″ figures?

Our friend Cindy forwarded this picture from @VM_Paris of the side of the 9″ Mickey Park 8 box. Two more LEs showed up. The top one looks like the Contemporary Resort (with yet another monorail, so that’s where it’s been hidden). The bottom one looks kinda like the Eagle figure from Park 7. Anyone else have any ideas of what these two are?

Park 8 In Depth Review

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Park 8 is the second set in a row dedicated to the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Great idea for WDW fans like me, but not a favorable plan for some Disneyland enthusiasts. But with four parks, 2 water parks and a ton of resorts to pull ideas from, there are no shortages of designs specific to Walt Disney World and it worked well. It also opens up the door to theme future Park sets to other resorts around the world… an idea that I would very much welcome.

The breakdown of this set gives us 4 figures from Magic Kingdom, 3 from EPCOT, 1 from Studios, 1 from Animal Kingdom, 1 from a resort, 1 from a water park and 1 generic WDW. We were also given 5 “accessories”… 2 of which are brand new ideas to Vinylmation. An artist break down shows three artists giving us 3 figures each.

Thomas Scott designed the three above. Maria Clapsis contributed these three.

And Casey Jones did these.

Overall, this set has a perfect selection of different designs. From popular attractions to niche characters to logos and even a park ticket, it has something for everybody. The production value is also top notch. As you will see, there is a lot of little detail across this set. As evident in the small, yet detailed logo of the Kilimanjaro Safari on the back of the truck and this…

That is the back of the head of the MK Park Ticket. It was one of the biggest surprises once the set was in hand. How geeky is it, but wow! I love that Thomas actually printed the writing on the back of the real ticket, onto the vinyl. So while overall, I give this set very high marks, and will break it down figure by figure, the first figure I will talk about is to me the biggest disappointment. The chaser from this set, while not my least favorite, is my most disappointing Park Series chaser. Only because what it represents, means so much to me, I had hoped more attention to detail would be payed to it. And the funny part about it, the figure has more actual detail than I think it should. Here it is.

Fort Wilderness Mickey was designed by Casey Jones. But you probably already knew that because you have seen this design before. His body is practically identical down to the detail of Casey’s brilliantly designed Davy Crockett figures.

If you follow DV closely, you know that Casey’s Davy Crockett is one of my all-time favorite figures. And I also defend the idea to produce both a 9″ and 3″ version with identical designs, just a different color tone. And honestly, my problem is less the copying of an existing design, than the fact that the Park 8 chaser is not the Mickey from the Fort Wilderness logo. Take a look at the Mickey on the official logo from Disney.

The sign that hung at the campground entrance
Another look at the logo from a sign
(picture from DisneyPins.com) When  Disney released this commemorative pin, the correct Mickey was portrayed.

I don’t think I’m splitting hairs to say that our chaser doesn’t look like the Mickey on the logo. Like I alluded to earlier, the Mickey on the logo has much less detail to it and is a different kind of outfit. From color to no belt to the shoes and even the color should be more tan than brown.

The hat has a slightly different design… look closely at the black bands. But again, its not the copying of a pre-existing design that bothers me. I’d like to know if this decision was the artist’s, because I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the higher ups who make the final decisions wanted to just push this design through instead of taking the time for a redesign.

Now, please don’t call me a hypocrite for liking both the Park 7 and Animation 2 Tinker Bell designs. There is a pointed difference between what each figure means. One is the movie version and one is the sparkly version that flies above MK. But to me, this chaser is supposed to represent the Mickey we see on the logo, and it just doesn’t. Don’t get me started on no riffle.

The 25th Anniversary Logo was designed by Maria Clapsis. The figures fit well on to the mold and I agree with the decision not to detail Genie, Simba and Lumiere’s faces.

EPCOT’s Sea Base Alpha by Eric Caszatt is a perfect niche item. The arms almost look like robots and the bubble has a great paint job.

EPCOT Center 82 is a Thomas Scott design that is perfect retro.

Eric Caszatt chimed in with a rare Vinylmation ride vehicle! The Animal Kingdom Safari Truck has so much detail and an amazing looking logo on the back. It also has a no mud variant version… but why would you want that?

Blizzard Beach is the lone water park represented. And it is done perfectly by Casey Jones with the tourist Snowman.

New to Vinylmation, but not to designing at Disney, Jon Bishop has given us a brilliant 3″ Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I so enjoy the under water and surface transition. Here is a sample of Jon’s other work:

In addition to pins, it seems he worked on some of the artwork for Star Tours and big pin trading events like Trade City a few years back.

Not my favorite figure in this set, but my favorite choice for a subject matter… it’s Buddy from the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor designed by Thomas Scott.

It’s about time we get a Horizons figure (not counting Park Starz). Casey Jones chimes in with the Robot Chef. Love the ears. The bottom of the figure doesn’t exactly mimic the real robot, but in visualizing trying to get an exact copy of the real robot onto the mold, you would probably pull other features out of proportion.

How about 100 Years of Magic? We have a few sorcerer caps now, but this one gives us a fresh take. Some would argue use of brim on the accessory hat, and maybe that shouldn’t be there, but the design from hat to head lines up perfectly… and you can’t beat that.

Maria Clapsis gave us this one. The back also has a cool Mickey head star swirl.

Maria also designed Minnie Moo. One of those obscure characters, but she did a great job on the design.

And of course got the familiar shaped spot on the side.

Then, what I think is the set’s crown jewel, the MK Park Ticket from 1981 by Thomas Scott. We were wondering if Disney would do it, and they did. Punching a hole through the ear and tying a string in it. The printing detail on the front is simply spectacular. But its the writing on the back that ices the cake.

I can’t wait for EPCOT Center!!!! In my book, this set is an instant classic. Rivals Park 4 and 7 for my top slot. What are your thoughts?

First Park Starz variant announced!

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Looks like Lincoln got bronzed! Is it just part of the Linsanity? Nope, it's the first Park Starz variant. At the trade show they mentioned these would e coming out this year, but they never told us what they would be. Here he is.

Bronzed Lincoln
LE 2500
Dstreets
June