Park 7 Review: Celebrate WDW in Style

WDWNT on October 28, 2011

You can tell Park 7 is something special from the moment you lay your eyes on the packaging. Instead of the bland black boxes we are used to from the Park series, the Disney Design Group used the wonderfully designed 40th anniversary collage.

Park 7 was released today at the D-Streets. With Walt Disney World celebrating it’s 40th anniversary, Park 7 and Park 8 will be focused on milestones from the Florida resort. Now, we talked on a podcast not too long ago (ep. 040) about the disparity between figures representing WDW as opposed to DLR and other parks. Some fans in Disneyland complain that many more figures are WDW-centric… and the numbers do support this. From Park 1 through Park 6, 31 figures (44%) are specifically WDW. Only 7 (10%) are from Disneyland. With 27 (39%) shared between the parks. That is just using the 12 base figures from each set and does not equal 100% as some figures are not from WDW or DLR. But you also have to take into account that WDW has 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a ton of resorts and Downtown Disney to pull from.

Let’s take a look at some highlights of Park 7. (Pak 7 Explained) In my opinion, the best design in the set is Philharmagic Donald.

It really takes Vinylmation to a different level. Some people might not like the huge bulky, outside the mold addition. But I think it is spectacular. I am biased, as this is one of my most favorite rides ever imagined.

I like Tink. I think this design is very well executed. The face is well proportioned. The outfit has that added sparkle. The wand and wings are icing on the cake.

Kali River Rapids is one of the more colorful Vinylmation you will ever see. It completely captures the art style used at the Animal Kingdom attraction.

I’m a big fan of the WDW resorts. I like walking around them, enjoying the food and shows they have to offer. The Polynesian Fire Dancer is a great representation of a classic WDW resort. The fire stick is unexpected and brilliant.

There really isn’t a miss in this set. Muppets 3-D is bright, colorful and spot on. America on Parade is a great nod to a long gone Magic Kingdom favorite and will go perfectly with the upcoming LE Fife and Drum set. Star Jets is awesome and uses the ears perfectly. World of Motion Sea Serpent really looks great up close and gives us EPCOT fans a little bit of nostalgia. I was a fan of the EPCOT 2000 ball with wand… and this figure, although a little awkward, actually works as a representation of that time. And the Earful Tower… if ever there was a no-brainer that just “fit” onto the Mickey-mold, it’s this. Then we have Figment. This one is the only area for minor criticism. But only that it’s my least favorite designed Figment we have gotten so far. It is still a well designed figure and as we know, comes with a variant.

Overall, Park 7 may replace Park 4 as my favorite overall set. I will figure that out and let you know by the next podcast. What are your thoughts on this milestone set?

Collector’s Corner: Don

WDWNT on October 26, 2011

Name: Don

Location: Central Florida

Collection Size: 659

3″ = 583

9″ = 56

Jrs = 20

Why do you collect Vinylmations?
Walt Disney World has always been our favorite family vacation destination for many years. I actually came with my mom as a child in 1973, the second summer the Magic Kingdom was opened. We came back just about every other summer since then prior to moving to Florida. It holds a lot of special memories for me with my parents and then with our children who have grown up going there over the years. After moving to Florida in 2003 we immediately acquired annual passes for my wife, my daughter and myself and have visited the parks quite frequently since then. When we moved, our son decided to stay in Virginia to complete his college degree. But it wasn’t too long before he decided to move to Florida. Since we have been to the parks on many occasions we began looking for something new to do together as a family when we visited. My son and I immediately fell in love with Vinylmations. It started off small with hitting all the trading spots while visiting the parks and has grown into a real obsession with collecting as many as we can. My son now works full time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and our daughter’s fiancé is now working at EPCOT in an intern program and plans on working at WDW full time when he graduates next year. Who knows, my wife and I may join them in retirement!

What is your favorite Vinylmation you own?
That is such a difficult question to answer when I have so many. Even though my favorite artist overall is Maria Clapsis I have to say that Thomas Scott designed my top two favorites, Oopsy Mickey and Paint Drip Mickey. Wall-e and Eve are a close third and fourth.

What is you favorite Vinylmation you DO NOT own?
I have mainly concentrated on collecting 3” Vinylmations and the 9” figures that are sold with a 3”. I still have a desire to collect other 9” that either hold special memories for me or the design is just incredible! The 9” Park 1 “It’s a Small World” has eluded me to this point and I really would like to have it for my collection.

Which of these is the best feeling: Pulling a figure you want… from a blind box you just purchased, from a great trade with another collector, from a mystery trading box at the park or from a clear trading box?
Since we love trading Vinylmations from the black mystery boxes in the parks there is nothing like the excitement of finding a rare one. Last weekend at the Frontierland Trading Post my daughter pulled the green Cyclops variant. Also several years ago my wife found two Urban 1 Vinylmations in a clear box in EPCOT but that is extremely rare.

How much planning went into your extensive Vinylmation display?
Our house has a small foyer and for a while we displayed them there in various display cases. It didn’t take long to outgrow the space and about the same time we were talking about renovating our guest bedroom. For a while I dreamed about how we could use this space for our Vinylmation collection. I was very fortunate to know someone who was a carpenter and he helped me design and build the large glass unit over a built-in dresser. From there we added several other display shelves and the long shelf over the window. We were able to find Park 1 and Urban 1 prints to frame and hang over the bed and some pictures of Vinylmations sold in the Disney store to compliment the room. We also used two 9” Viking Vinylmations to make the two bedside lamps. It was a lot of fun seeing our dream come true and a tremendous satisfaction to see it finally completed with all the figures in place. The array of colors is phenomenal! The pictures do not completely do it justice.

How long did it take to complete?
It basically took about six months of planning and six months to complete the construction of the bedroom and shelving. It was well worth the wait!

Is it ever changing displays where you will swap new favorites in and out?
That is the fun thing about the way our Vinylmations are displayed. The display can always be changed around depending on new ones found and the new collections coming out. I am still using the foyer area for the most recent releases and they will eventually make their way back to the main collection in the bedroom.

Are there plans on building a Vinylmation Guest House in the backyard by about 2015?
I really thought that maximizing the bedroom space was going to be enough but as you can see it is already pretty much full. I am not sure what I am going to do once the foyer and the bedroom are full, maybe a room with nothing but Vinylmations. I may have to use the guest house in the backyard as a place to stay if I try to design any more spaces in the house for Vinylmations!

Spotlight On: Custom Artist Glassdezignz

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

DV: Hi and welcome to Destination Vinylmation. I meet you at the Florida Project when I saw all these people crowded around you looking at the necklace you had on. Before we get into that specifically, let’s talk about you. Who are you and what kinda of artistic background do you have?
SB: Well, my name is Shauna Blatherwick. I am originally from New Jersey. I grew coming to Disney almost every year, so when it was finally time to leave the nest, I decided the only other place on earth I would want to live would be right next to Disney World. I grew up in a dance studio, and started taking my first art lessons at age 9. I went onto the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where I studied metalsmithing, glass blowing, jewelry design, fine arts and dance. I majored with a BFA and a concentration in Jewelry design. Since college, I have started my own line of jewelry, which I try to reinvent on a regular basis.
DV: Do you collect Disney Vinylmation? If so, which is your favorite?
SB: Yes, I do collect Vinylmation! My favorite Vinylmation so far are the Bakery Series cupcakes. I have a feeling the new Alice set will soon become my new favorite.
DV: Where did you come up with the idea for this necklace?
SB: I started making my own 3 inch Vinylmations back in June, and had a blast doing it. Since my background is in jewelry design, it wasn’t too far fetched of an idea to start creating Vinylmations I could wear.

DV: Were there any particular challenges with making this? What part was the hardest?
SB: The biggest challenge came from getting the shape of the Vinyl just right. Just casting the piece proved not to work because of all the pulling and stretching the polymer clay did while trying to release it from the mold. Once I had a good shape in the polymer clay, I fired it and then made a mold of that piece which I use Over and over.

DV: Since there are no Design Your Own Jrs, you make your own?
SB: I tried making a mold directly from the Jr. itself, but it would stretch and and pull making the Vinyl shape long and skinny. I then decided to just try to mimic the shape myself by hand sculpting it. The hands and ears seem to create the biggest challenge but the basic shape is there.
DV: How long does it take?
SB: Most of the pieces take me an average of about 2-3 days to complete from beginning to end. Close to 12-15 hours per piece because they are hand molded, then sanded, then hand painted. I paint 2-4 layers of paint, then sand it down, then add another 2-4 layers of paint and re-sand. I keep doing this until I get the look I want. Once I have a good base coat, then I just start to doodle on the piece with paint until I see a design or pattern I like. Once the paint is dry, the crystals are added and the piece is sealed with a glaze.
DV: Have you do any designing with vinylmation other then the Jrs necklaces? If so, which other ones are you favorite?
SB: I have designed several 3 inch Vinylmations. All of which I use Swarovski crystals on them. I modeled them after my after line as well. I have also made 2 9 inch vinyls. My favorite so far has to be my newest 3 inch vinyl of Rapunzel. She is not fully completed but is about 95% done. My second favorite is a Scrump Doll (from Lilo and Stitch) which I made over the summer.
DV: If someone would like to know more about your pieces or get one for themselves, where can they go to find out more?
SB: I have listed some of my vinyl jewelry on my website. To get a custom piece made you can email me at Glassdezignz at aol.com. If you would like to purchase or see more of my designs that I currently have, you can visit my website at Glassdezignz.etsy.com. My information website is currently being revamped and is down for construction at this time.

DV: After a quick look at your site I know exactly why you like the Bakery Series. Lots of awesome food inspired pieces in your line. Thanks for dropping by, and good luck with Vinylmation!

Episode 043 Glass Half Full

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

Ep. 043 Glass Half Full
This episode is packed with chaser goodness… but we hold that until after the ending for a spoiler free main show. This week we review Park Starz, talk about Villains 2 and look ahead to Park 7. We also break down the nominations for the Dee Vee Awards. And of course, we read your comments and answer your questions in the Mystery Mail Bag.
Listen Now:
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A Win for Villains Vinylmation?

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

Wait, I mean, Win some Villains. The Buzz blog has a contest starting today to win a whole tray of Villains 2 3″ vinylmation. All you have to do is go to this article on the Buzz and fill out a comment with the answers to the following questions…

There are two questions:
1. Which Vinylmation Artist designed the Big Bad Wolf from Villains 2?
2. Which character is the villain in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland?

I hope you enjoy this chance to win a great gift!

(To clarify.. a lot of people have been leaving comments on OUR page as entries. We love your comments everyone, but the contest if thru the official Disney Store blog at the Buzz. So if you missed the link at the top, click here, then fill out the comments there 🙂 Thank you)

Phenomenal Cosmic Powers… Itty Bitty Time to Buy!

WDWNT on October 24, 2011

Just a report on what we’ve gathered about the release of the Villains 2 9″/3″ combo. It was released today in several stores and actually showed up at the Disney Store. We saw them available at about 10 AM online, but as of now the store is sold out. A note: They only seemed to be letting people put one in their carts online.

We were at the store in Orlando today and they had received about 9. But they were quickly sold out, as about 10 people were in line at store open. They were allowed to buy two.

Vinyl79 reported: “Biggest mall in America with brand new store and no 9″ Genie/Jafar available?”

Did you pick one of these up? Which store did you get it at? Let us know…

Park 7 Figment Variant

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

Park 7 was put out on the shelves a week early at Villains in Vogue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now we have one variant confirmed. A reader sent this picture of a Figment in a yellow spacesuit to Vinylmation Kingdom.

ZoMG: Villains 2 Artist Signing and Release

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

Hello everyone!

Villains 2 Vinylmation were released a few days early today at the Disney Store at South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa, CA in honor of an artist signing event!

I don’t know if you guys know this but, yours truly recently got a job working at the Disney Store in South Coast Plaza (if you are in the area come visit!) I was asked to work this event since I have such extensive Vinylmation knowledge! I obviously said YES! I can’t wait to tell you guys about my day!

I got into work around 9 am and there was a huge line of eager and familiar Vinylmation fans waiting to get their hands on the early release of the Villains 2 blind boxes as well as the LE 9 Inch Combo of Jafar and Genie! Many guests told me they got in line around 7 AM, and actually got to sleep in! (Which we all know is rare with limited releases!) We started ringing customers around 9:30 and got everyone queued up for our event starting at 10:30!

The artists that were on hand at the event today were, Jim Valeri, Gerald Mendez, Enrique Pita and Kyle Jensen! All artists worked on series such as, Villains 1, Villains 2, Robots, and Certain city specific Vinylmation as well as Lion King.

Guests were so excited to meet the artists and get their Vinylmation signed! Sadly around 10:45 we sold out of all Villains 2 Vinylmation, but luckily we had plenty of Lion King and Robots to go around!

The artists seemed to be having such a blast with the fans! I worked line control so I was interacting with each guest before they would enter the signing area! Everyone seemed eager and really excited about the series!

While chatting with guests before the signing began we found out that so far there is, one variant in Villains 2, which is Shere Khan from Jungle Book. The regular Shere Khan has green ears and the variant Shere Khan has flames in his ears! I love this variant. I think that Kyle did an awesome job on these two!

I noticed that Jim took the time to draw little sketches on some guest’s items. On one guests tray he drew Goofy! so on some down time I asked him to draw me something!

I asked him to draw anything he wanted and he chose Tigger! I love it – he is so talented and funny! Thank you for being so great Jim!

After the signing came to an end, Radio Disney who was on hand for the event gave away, one full tray of Vinylmation Villains 2 as well as the LE Jafar & Genie. The lucky winner was a young boy and his brother who were SO excited about the set!

The artists were so excited they even got down on the floor with the winner and helped him open up his blind boxes! How cool is that!

After everyone starting clearing out when the event was over the artists all gathered on the stage to take a photo!

(Okay so I’m obviously not a Vinylmation artist BUT who knows maybe I could point them in the right direction of a Princess set? Just a thought!)

You guys can obviously see that today was a lot of fun and I’m so glad that we had such a great turn out! Fans were excited, the artists were happy and the set turned out AMAZING! Looks even better in person I promise! I can’t wait to go pick some up on Monday October 24th when they are released at the Disney Store!

Don’t forget if you guys couldn’t make it to the event, the Villains 2 series as well as the 9 inch combo will be online starting Monday October 24th!

-Zoe

Villains 2 Shere Khan Variant

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

The normal Shere Khan has green jungle leaves in his ears. This variant is amazing. Shere Khan is on fire. Flames light up his ears and he has an unpleasant look in his eyes.

And check out the back! No, not the Kyle Jensen signature. The tail holding the flaming stick! This is a major turn for variants. No longer are we to look for just minor additions or subtractions or color changes. Love it!!!
Large

Updated: Villains 2 Chaser Revealed

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

Update: Picture of back added. This is one of the best chasers in a very long time.

Villains 2 released at an artist signing in California today. It will be released nation wide on Monday. But if you would like a peak at the chaser, click below…