Park 8 Explained

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

Park 8
Release Date: February 17, 2012 (D-Streets) March 2012 (online)
Price: TBA
Details: This mystery box series is the second Park set in a row that celebrates the 40th anniversary of WDW.

Update: 2/7/12 Variants, Combo Topper, and Chaser all confirmed (see pics below)

Update: 2/6/12 These are the pins for the series. Get a closer look at the belly halves of some of the figures.

 Snowman
Blizzard Beach

Nice carrot nose! Really like the fact they used that prop in place of painting it on.
Buddy
Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor (MK)
Artist: Thomas Scott

What a cool addition into the Parks series. Off beat and very well designed.
Robot Chef
Horizons (EPCOT)

I’m surprised a Horizons figure waiting until Park Starz. Now Mickey mold gets one. Perfect use of clear ears to put the hat and cups. Head could have been done small with some clear, but I like it.

* picture from lostepcot.com
Safari Truck
Kilimanjaro Safari (Animal Kingdom)
Artist: Eric Caszatt

I’ve been asking for more ride vehicles, this set gives us 2! Mud on front and the cargo on top… beautiful. Can’t wait to see the back.

There is a variant version that has no mud:
Minnie Moo
Mickey’s Birthdayland (MK)

This cow with a Mickey Head spot was at a petting zoo inside Mickey’s Birthdayland (later Toon Town) in 1988. Another perfect character choice.

* picture from startedbyamouse.com
MK 1981 Ticket
Magic Kingdom
Artist: Thomas Scott

Yes!!! When we got the concept art we were hoping for an eyelet in the ear… little did we know we got a string too. Thomas explained how the original ticket came with this string you can tighten around your neck.

* picture from vintagedisneylandtickets.blogspot.com
Nautilus
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (MK)

I’m glad they are giving us a 3″ even though we have the amazing 9″. A good design with the top out of water and clouds in ears with the bottom underwater with bubbles ind the body.

* picture from http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com
EPCOT Retro Map
EPCOT
Artist: Thomas Scott

I love retro and the colors on this figure are amazing in person. This was a design used on some merchandise in the early 80’s and the guide map. It represents both Future World and World Showcase.
100 Years of Magic
MGM Studios

The lone studios representative in this set is the giant hat that sits as the centerpiece to the park.

There is a variant to this figure:
WDW 25th Anniversary Logo
WDW 1996

Variations of this logo was put on various merchandise, CM name tags and other places as well. Nice capture of all the features with Sorcerer Mickey in one ear and Tink in the other. The clear head represents Cinderella’s carriage.

* picture from micechat
Robotic Diving Suit
The Living Seas (EPCOT)
Artist: Eric Caszatt

Thanks to Chris and Austin for helping me remember this classic. In the former Living Seas attraction, guests could get behind this suit to control the arms and simulate working underwater.

* picture from lostepcot.com
Mystery Chaser
Fort Wilderness Mickey
Ft. Wilderness Resort Logo WDW

Might be my all-time favorite Vinylmation. You know I love this hat on Davy Crockett and the design is spot on. This one has a sentimental tie for me as this was the resort of choice for my camping family when we visited WDW.
Combo Topper
80’s Rainbow Mickey

(Photo sent by @CindyF1125)

Nerds Rock! Stitch and Figment

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

Update 6/10/12 Available NOW online through the Vinylmation Facebook page store. Then will still be available at D-Streets starting June 22.



Update 5/29/12 Release date of June 22 and price of $12.95 confirmed for Stitch and Figment.

Yesterday Disney released pictures of the two next nerds in the Nerds Rock! series: Stitch and Figment. We first heard about these extras last year and now it looks like they are getting ready to stumble into our lives. No word yet on an actual release date.

 Nerd Figment

Check out the wicked beanie on top. I wonder if the propeller will spin? It does not on the Donald Nerd. His shirt seems to say, “Let your ideas take flight.” It is the logo from the Imagination Institute. Amazing! A must have!
Nerd Stitch

The poor guy doesn’t look happy to be a nerd, but he sure is adorable. Even the glass cockeyed seem to add to the character. As many have said before, his shirt makes him look like a cast member of The Big Bang Theory. (Which just last episode had Shamy making their own podcast.) Also, a must buy!

Are either of these nerds going to be invited into your Vinylmation party?

NCAA Collegiate Teams Explained

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

Release Date: February 10, 2012
Where: WDW, DLR, Online (see below for where a specific team will be released)
Price: $14.95
Details: This set of College teams, like the other teams sets, will be released in waves. The first wave includes Florida, FSU, Ohio St., Penn St., UCLA and USC. The teams without pictures have all been announced as coming in the future.

Update: 2/11/12 Duke and Iowa added to lineup.

 Florida Gators


WDW, Online
Florida State Seminoles


WDW, Online
Ohio State Buckeyes


WDW, DLR, Online
Penn State Nittany Lions


WDW, DLR, Online
UCLA Bruins


DLR, Online
USC Trojans


DLR, Online
Texas Longhorns
North Carolina Tar Heels
Michigan Wolverines
Miami Hurricanes 
Alabama Crimson Tide
Iowa Hawkeyes 
Duke Blue Devils 
University of Central Florida Knights

Not announced, and I know it’s not a popular nation-wide brand, but if they release it locally like a lot of these teams are being released, there is no reason they can not do it. There is a strong base of locals and especially students that attend UCF and work at Walt Disney World. Not to mention all the alumni in the area. Show us some love!

Kitchen Kabaret Tickets, only $99.95!

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

Disney has released the information about when we will be seeing that Park 7 LE Kitchen Kabaret set.

On February 10th they will be coming to the WDW and DLR D-Streets as well as EPCOT’s MouseGears and Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay.

The set was designed by Maria Clapsis and has a limited edition number of 2000. That’s great… now for the bad news. Back at The Florida Project they said that this set would be $74.95.

Sign in The Florida Project display case
Unfortunately, the Vinylmation Blog yesterday announced the price at $99.95. This is a disturbing trend that began with the announcement of the Park 7 ELP Dragon price of $74.95 earlier in the week and continued last night when it was told to guests that all single 9″ figures going forth with start with a $74.95 base price. The reasoning given by Disney officials is “rising production costs.” What does this mean for your Vinylmation collection? We will be talking about it on this week’s podcast. Chime in with your thoughts here or voice your concerns by voice mail 209-28-MOUSE and we will play it on this week’s show.
I love this set. And Kitchen Kabaret is one of those attractions that is well suited to an LE set all it’s own. The figures are designed so well too! Look at the curtain in Bonnie’s ears. And the top on Mustard above. Personally, we have seen $99.95 on previous sets of 6, but that’s my ceiling. And 9″s at $75? I think have purchased my last one unless I can pick it up in a Christmas fire sale at the end of the year.

Romantic Treats Review by Aurelio

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

We got an email with these pictures and a nice note from Aurelio. Check out her review…

“Hi everyone,

I don’t know if there is already a thread about the Romantic Treats series from Japan but I would like to make a report about this series.

I received my tray this week and…. I love this collection!

I would like to make some observations:

– they smell the chocolate
– the series name below the vinylmation is not romantic treats but “choco colle series”
– arms are glued to the body

Here are some pics from my set:
-Aurelio”

Central Park Vinyl On Sale

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

Today, the 9″ Central Park Vinylmation went on sale. This LE 1540 Oscar Mendez design retails for $49.95.

The Playwright stopped by the Times Square Disney Store to take some pics of this colorful creation on the shelves.

The side of the box explains a bit about Vinylmation and the NY series.

The other side shows the concept art and the LE number. I like the design a lot. A great job of depicting perspective and a great color pallet.

The good news is this figure also went on sale at DisneyStore.com. It is interesting to note that this one comes with an Artist Card!

The chaser could be This, could be That.

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

In another interesting development, Disney has revealed that the Chasers to the Jrs 5 set “This and That” have changed. Disney had this to say.

“We learned that the trays were accidentally assorted incorrectly. If you buy a tray, you will still get the entire series yet the mystery chaser figures were switched. -Vinylmation.com”

So Wing and a Prayer and Up and Down become the more rare figures and therefore the chasers. And you will now get 2 each of PB&J and Smoke and Mirrors.

Original Chasers
New Chasers

To me, this is a good thing. I really enjoy the “Smoke and Mirrors” and “Peanut Butter and Jelly” over “Ups and Downs” and “Wing and a Prayer”. This also explains the curiosity we discussed on the latest podcast, because both the old chasers were on display.

But this production error after Furry Friends and whatever happened with the Disney Store 25th Light up set makes for some curious problems in the Vinylmation arena. Does this bother anyone, or do you accept it as one of the downfalls of the world?

ZoMG: Popcorns!

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

by Zoe

On January 31st, Disney Parks Blog informed us of a fun holiday, National Popcorn Day! While that sounds fun and tasty, something caught the eye of Vinylmation collectors! Popcorn Vinylmation! The Vinylmation Blog decided to fill us in a little bit about this new series created by none other than Thomas Scott! This new series will come out in Summer 2012! After looking at the shadowy picture Disney provided us with for a sneak peek, I decided to lighten up the photo! After adjusting the brightness of the photo it revealed a Mickey!

I am at the parks a lot (obviously) so I take note of just about EVERYTHING. And the second I saw the shadow, I knew the shape looked familiar. There is a shirt that has this same Mickey shape on it at Disneyland! I wasn’t able to find the shirt at Disneyland to take a picture for you guys but keep your eyes open for a shirt with this little guy on it because I know its out there! If you have the shirt or have seen it please share it with us in the comments!

The information given about the set is that it will give popular Disney characters as ‘fresh’ new look! Thomas Scott is one of the most innovative Disney Artists to date, and I do not doubt that this set is going to be awesome. He likes to think out of the box and make everything he does extremely unique. Just looking at Mickey’s shape it is an extremely fun and different take on everyone’s favorite mouse!

No word yet on if the set will be open window box, or blind box BUT if you look at the picture they provided us with it almost looks like the back of one of the open window box figures! That’s just my guess! Or maybe something similar to Park Starz where it’s a new innovative tin that looks like a box of popcorn? Who knows! With Disney anything is possible.

Now, lets talk characters! First of all we have Mickey, I love the ‘pop’ feeling of the design. Its new, its fun, its not our original Vinylmation mold but I like it! I don’t think that they are going to stick with the same mold for each figure because that would be too easy! I think they will change each mold to go best with each character. If the set is open window, I doubt there will be 12, but if it is indeed a set of 11 with a chaser that would be fantastic as well – we will have to keep you updated when we hear more on that!

Now I’m going to throw out some ideas of characters,

  • Mickey
  • Minnie (if you have Mickey you have to have Minnie!)
  • Goofy
  • Pluto
  • Donald
  • Daisy
  • Winnie the Pooh
  • Tigger
  • Cheshire Cat (Thomas loves Alice in Wonderland)
  • Ariel (why not!)
  • Buzz
  • Woody
  • Dumbo
  • Pinocchio

I am thinking with this set they will stick with more classic characters rather than more park related/movie related characters. But you never know! Hey I mean there could be a few princesses in there right? Crazier things have happened!

I am looking forward to seeing what Disney decided to do with the set. It is a really fun and ‘fresh’ idea for Vinylmation. Stay tuned, we will keep you posted with any new info! Please share in the comments section any ideas you guys have for this new set!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Jr 6 Explained

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

Jr 5 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Release Date: April 20th, 2012
Price: $9.95
Artists: Thomas Scott and Alex Maher
Details: This series is based on the 1937 Disney animated classic movie. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history. Due to it’s importance in the history of Disney animation, the Vinylmation team thought it deserved its very own set… and rightly so. This should be a tradition Junior set in that it will have 16 known figures and 2 mystery chasers. (Disney Mozart did a great speculation piece on this set) They have made leaps and bounds in the designs of juniors, and this set has some of the most remarkable detail we have ever seen.

Update 4/21/12 Set was officially released on 4/20 and we have added pictures of all the figures below, including chasers. Price of each blind box raised to $9.95.

Update: 4/11/12 Thanks to Vinylmation Kingdom, we have a look at the side of the case that gives us the remaining set list (minus chasers).

Prince, Raccoon, Squirrel?, Blue Bird, Turtle, Evil Queen, Mirror, Huntsman. By the way, the box art is fantastic!

Update: 3/8/12 We know have an actual product shot of all seven dwarfs and the princes herself.

Update: 2/17/12 We found a picture on the website http://gdpinvestigation.blogspot.com/ of what appears to be the case packaging.

 Raccoon
Turtle
Magic Mirror
Deer
Bluebird
Prince
Huntsman
Evil Queen
Snow White
Doc
Grumpy
Happy
Sleepy
Sneezy
Bashful
Dopey
 Chaser 1
Snow White
Tattered Dress
Chaser 2
Old Hag


(picture from Facebook)

Super Vinylmation Sunday!

WDWNT on February 9, 2012

This Sunday the Patriots face the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. After the game, Disney will release a special commemorative figure designed by Eric Caszatt that will feature the winning teams colors and log on the front of the jersey. This figure will be available online only and is limited release, not edition. Does this new figure appeal to Vinylmation fans outside the Patriots and Giants fans? Also, I’d rather see a figure like this an LE, not limited release. How about you?