Park Starz Artist Signing: Thomas Scott & Casey Jones

WDWNT on October 21, 2011

As you know, Park Starz, a brand new look at Vinylmation, was released today at D-Streets. (Check out my review and leave your comments here). Lead artists on the project Thomas Scott and Casey Jones met guests in Orlando today to sign figures from this latest set.

Guests had Casey and Thomas sign various figures and even the tins these figures were blindly packaged in.

The signing took place from 5p-7p and the line wasn’t too long. About 30 people deep at the start of the signing. Wristbands were handed out throughout the day as guest purchased Park Starz to ensure a place in line.

The Ice Gator, with it’s large blank spot on the back of head, seemed to be a popular choice to get signed.

Both Casey and Thomas collaborated on the designs and choice of characters in Park Starz, so no figure had an artist stamped onto the bottom. Some guests had both artists sign a single figure.

Here is Thomas Signing a Blizzard Beach Ice Gator. Guests in line were found trading Park Starz among themselves, trying to secure their favorites. No word yet from Disney on if Park Starz will be officially traded around the parks.

Is this a Hitchhiking Ghost? Nope, just a happy haunt named Cliff with his Park Starz. Myself and Austin (many of you know Austin from the release day lines) took Park Starz around WDW today for a photo shoot. I have to edit the photos and pick the best, but I can’t wait to show you. So here is a sneak peak at a couple photos:

Horizons Butler and Figment
Figment
It’s a Small World

2011 Dee Vee Award Winners

WDWNT on October 19, 2011


2011 DeeVee Awards

The 1st annual Destination Vinylmation DeeVee Awards honors the best Vinylmation and artists over the past year. With the help of our listeners and readers, figures and artists were nominated in 23 categories You then voted for your favorites in a poll on our website. The winners were officially announced on our podcast Episode 46 released on November 16. We invite you to listen to this Oscar-inspired broadcast that featured celebrity presenters from the Disney podcast realm. I like to thank everyone who was a part of this show including the presenters, custom artists, Zoe and our announcer Michelle Wargo. Thank you to Sophie for our graphics, including the award above. We would also like to thank all the Disney artists and other Cast Members at Disney involved with the process of bringing Vinylmation to the guests. We wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for your amazing efforts. Here is the complete winners list. Please listen to our next podcast for a complete break down of the results, as well as the announcement of the winner of the Florida Project Pooh from the voters drawing. (The winner was Kerry. Check out her photos of the prize here.)

Favorite Disney Artist
Maria Clapsis

Some of Maria’s popular figures of the past year include: Up, Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Sonny Eclipse, Bolt, DCL, Cutesters Too.

Thank you Maria for all your hard work.
Favorite Custom Artist
NOAH

NOAH gave us customs such as: TRON, Villains Poison Apple, Muppets Mayhem, Haunted Mansion, Pirates and more.
Thank you NOAH for your dedication to this unique art form.
Best 3″ Figure
Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

Artist: Maria Clapsis
Set: Disneyland Annual Passholder

Best 9″ Figure
Up

Artist: Maria Clapsis
Set: Park 6
Best Jr. Figure
Statue of Liberty Minnie Keychain

Artist: Enrique Pita
Set: NYC Exclusive

Thank you to celebrity presenters: Adam from DisneyBrit.com and Juz from OrlandoSkyRadio.com.
Best 12 Figure Set
Star Wars 1

Artist: Mike Sullivan
Best non-12 Figure Set
Disney Afternoons

Artist: Chris Chapman
Best Chaser
3D Mickey

Artist: Thomas Scott
Set: Urban 5

Thank you to celebrity presenter John Rick, host of the Disney Pincast Podcast.
Best Variant
Ghost Obi Wan Kenobi

Artist: Mike Sullivan
Set: Star Wars 1
Best Use of Ears
Peter Pan

Artist: Monty Maldovan
Set: Animation 1
Best Trading Location
Frontierland Trading Post

This Magic Kingdom favorite features both 3″ and Junior trading.
Most Likely to Be Found in a Trading Box
Bearded Man

Artist: Thomas Scott
Set Urban 5
Best Accessory
Rafiki’s Staff

Artist: Jim Valeri
Set: The Lion King

Thank you to celebrity presenter Stephanie Wojcik, the winner of Combo Contest #2.
Best Mickey
3D Mickey

Artist: Thomas Scott
Set: Urban 5

Thank you to celebrity presenter Ricky Brigante from Inside the Magic.
Best Use of Clear
Ghost Obi Wan Kenobi

Artist: Mike Sullivan
Set: Star Wars 1

Thank you to celebrity presenter Tom Corless from WDW News Today.
Best Location Exclusive
Tiki Mickey

Artist: Enrique Pita
Set: Hawaii Exclusive
Best Packaging
All Location Exclusive Tins

Artist: Various
Set: Location Exclusives

Thank you to celebrity presenter Kristina Pino from Tomopop.com.
Best Vinylmation Event
The Florida Project

September 9-11 2011 at EPCOT

Thank you to celebrity presenter Matt Norris from VinylmationKingdom.com.
Most Anticipated Upcoming Series
The Haunted Mansion

Artist: Casey Jones
Expect Release Date: TBA

Thank you to celebrity presenter Alan Hooper from Mousevent.com.
Best DV Episode
All of them

The Dee Vee Awards was our 46th episode. Thank you for all your support.
Favorite DV Cast Member
Nick

Years on DV: 1
Favorite Vinylmation: Park 7 Philharmagic Donald

Thank you to celebrity presenter Jim Hill from JimHillMedia.com.


Red Balloon Awards
The Red Balloon Awards are one-time categories that honor special achievement in Vinylmation. They are named after the first chaser from Park series one.
Best Disney Afternoons Set
Rescue Rangers

Artist: Chris Chapman
Best 3″ Muppet
Kermit

Artist: Monty Maldovan
Set: Muppets 1
Those are this year’s winners. Take note of future releases because we do it all again at our two year anniversary!

What do you think of the results?

ZoMG: Noah’s Villains Unleashed

WDWNT on October 16, 2011

Zoe visited Vault 28 on Saturday for the release of the new Noah Villains collection. There was plenty of artwork, special tees and even some apples for picking… beware, I think they were poisoned.

For $7500 you could walk out of Vault 28 with the Evil Queen painting by Noah
Noah made 36 each of the 9″ and 3″ Poison Apple Vinylmation
As with most of Noah’s work, the 9″ came with a stand featuring his original artwork
The 9″ sold for $650, the 3″ for $150

Click here to see what else was at the release.

Park Starz Series 1 Explained

WDWNT on October 15, 2011

Release Date: October 21
Where: D-Streets (online in November)
Price: $18.95
Artist: Thomas Scott, Casey Jones and Lin Shih
Details: 12 figure blind tin set

Update: 10/12/11 Picture of Chaser added below. Signing at D-Street WDW on October 21 from 5p-7p with Thomas Scott and Casey Jones. Also announced, Park Starz will have “variants” but not in the blind tins. They will be sold as separate LE figures in 2012. One clue to one such variant is “he will be copper in color.” Hmmm, Partners statue is the first guess that comes to my mind. What about your guesses?

Lincoln
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
1964-PresentFirst debut at the World’s Fair.
Robot Butler
Horizons
EPCOT 1983-1999Horizons took guests through a vision of tomorrow. Robot Butler has his duster in hand.
Ice Gator
Blizzard Beach Mascot
1995-PresentI love the look on this guy’s face. He has so much fun enjoying Disney’s finest water park. His counterpart, Lagoona Gator from Typhoon Lagoon will be in Park 9.
Big Al
Country Bears Jamboree
Magic Kingdom 1971-PresentBig Al steals the show at this Frontierland musical treat.
Giant Squid
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Magic Kingdom 1971-1994This ride always scared me as a kid. I always thought the squid was going to cause a leak in my sub.
Figment
Journey Into Imagination
EPCOT 1983-PresentFigment is one of the most beloved characters in all of Disney theme park history.
Yeti
Expedition Everest
Animal Kingdom 2006-PresentThe giant yeti chases your vehicle through the mountain. At the end, he swipes (or is supposed to) down at your passing car.
Skeleton Pirate
Pirates of the Caribbean
Disneyland 1967-PresentThe skeleton Pirates await guests aboard the underground caverns about the Pirates ride.
Bride
Haunted Mansion
1971-PresentThis ghostly blue bride has a viel and is holding an axe. Appartly she is finished with her groom.
Jose
Enchanted Tiki Room
1963-PresentThis green bird is your host for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
Boy and Goat
It’s a Small World
1966-Present

This tin gives you a “2 for 2″. Both pieces are counted as 1 figure. Great color and design on the goat.
Mystery Chaser
Highlight below to read, click figure to the left to seeThis figure represents the icon of Pleasure Island at WDW’s Downtown Disney in the 80’s. A really great representation of an extremely obscure figure. Take a look if you wold like to see him.

Villains 2 Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on October 13, 2011

Release Date: October 24
Where: Disney Stores
Price: TBA

Villains 2 is a follow up to the poplar Disney Store release of Villains 1 in early 2011. We had fun with that release and this second series looks to have a strong line up of bad guys. The style is top notch. I enjoy the fact that they did not feel the need to fit the entire Villain inside Mickey body part for body part. These larger than life characters are painted on to the mold large and bold. There are also many hat accessories… bad guys love hats don’t they?

 Bowler Hat Guy
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Voiced by: Stephen John Anderson
Artist: Kyle Jensen

Yeah!!!! I knew if I said his name on enough podcasts he would show up in a set. From one of the most underrated Disney movies of our time, this villain tugs at your heartstrings by the movie’s end. Thank you so much for giving us the bowler hat instead of painting it on.
Honest John
Worthington Foulfellow
Pinocchio (1940)
Voiced by: Walter Catlett
Artist: Gerald Mendez

Oh, the look of pure evil. Love it! Nice detail on the hat has well. Another case were I enjoy just the head and partial body.
Captain Hook
Peter Pan (1953)
Voiced by: Hans Conried
Artist: Oskar Mendez

A classic bad guy. I enjoy the way this set is designed with some character’s head taking up the entire Vinylmation. It’s a good choice that really makes these villains come right at you. But where is the hook? Variant? In the side view, you can see his hood painted on.
Dr Facilier
Princess and the Frog (2009)
Voiced by: Keith David
Artist: Gerald Mendez

This movie ushered hand drawn animation back into Disney movies. It was a beautifully drawn movie and this baddie stole the show… as many villains do. As much as I like the head shot close ups, this one deserves a fully body look. There is a lot going on with this character and so many movie references that could have gone into his ears. …looks like they put that detail on the back:
Evil Queen
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Voiced by: Lucille La Verne
Artist: Gerald Mendez

On the flip side to Dr. Facilier, this “bust-like” version looks phenomenal. I don’t mind no crown accessory, this painting is great. The vinyl losses a couple points for not using the ears. Again, give us movie references there.
Hades
Hercules (1997)
Voiced by: James Woods
Artist: Kyle Jensen

I think I like this one… a lot. But I want to see it in person. I think the head is a clear blue, and that is would be amazing! Again though, Disney Store artists… please use the ears more. the flames can go up into the ears. But I will give the artist benefit of the doubt on this design.
Big Bad Wolf
Three Little Pigs (1933)
Voiced by: Billy Bletcher
Artist: Enrique Pita

What a great character to include in this set! I think his face looks perfectly drawn. Look at the claws on the feet and the ears peaking out from the awesome hat.
Lady Tremaine
Cinderella (1950)
Voiced by: Eleanor Audley
Artist: Oskar Mendez

I am blown away by how good her face looks painted onto this figure. The wicked stepmother’s bad hair due fills much of head and ears with the silver streak on the forehead. Her face is outlined in an evil fiery glow.
Runaway Brain Mickey
Runaway Brain (1995)
Voiced by: Wayne Allwine
Artist: Enrique Pita

Another one? (Park 6 combo topper) Although I don’t want another so soon, this one beats the original hands down. I love the way that tongue hits the feat with a “splash.” And the brain on the back is amazing!
Shere Khan
Jungle Book (1967)
Voiced by: George Sanders
Artist: Kyle Jensen

A personal favorite bad guy. His voice is etched in my mind. This is done well. Very cartoonish looking and in the style of the lions on the lion king set. Also, great use of ears putting some jungle leaves in there. No tail accessory, but it’s nicely drawn on.
Yzma
Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Voiced by: Ertha Kitt
Artist: Oskar Mendez


One of those movies you forget is Disney. This gives me much hope for a Kuzco, Pacha, Kronk and llama. This character has to be hard to capture on a vinyl and Oskar did a great job with her face, but it just misses. We don’t get the full feel of her giant head piece and collar.
Mystery Chaser


Last chaser was a popular villain from a recent classic. Go ahead, toss out a guess or two in the comments below. Mine? Gaston or the Horned King.

Click image to see chaser!

There will also be at least one 9″ / Jr Combo:

Genie Jafar and small genie Genie. It is designed by Enrique Pita, is LE 700 and retails for $59.95.

Win Nightmare Vinylmation… and a trip to LA

WDWNT on October 11, 2011

Radio Disney is holding a “No Tricks, Just Treats” contest. The winning family will win a trip to Los Angeles for an ultimate Halloween experience! You will get to see Tim Burton’s “A Nightmare before Christmas” at the famous El Capitan theatre, go to the LACMA for the special Tim Burton exhibit, you will get the full set of “The Nightmare before Christmas” Vinylmation figurines, and many other spooky surprises!

To Enter, and for full details, check out the official contest page.

Dig In on 10/30: Kidada 9″ Ice Cream Sundae on the way!

WDWNT on October 11, 2011

Update: 10/23/11 Kidada announced that there will also be a separately sold t-shirt that comes out the day after the vinylmation. Here’s a look at it. The shirt will have a LE of 1500 just like the vinyl.
It’s official! The new Kidada 9/3 combo featuring Peter Pan and Tinkerbell will be released exclusively online at the DisneyStore.com on October 30. This combo is an LE 1,500, so a good deal more of these than the first one to go around. It will retail for $74.95. If you remember, the original leaked images of this figure were found on the UK Disney Store Online website. But this release seems like a US Disney Store Online release according to the link on the official Disney Vinylmation blog. No word at this time if part of the 1,500 figures will be available to the UK.

The 9″ is an Ice Cream Sundae design with the 3″ being Tink on a partially unwrapped candy bar.
The back of the ear says “Never Grow Up.”
On the back, there is also a quote from the movie.
As with the first Kidada, this one comes in a brilliantly designed box. It looks like a candy shop and has “nutrition info” on the side panel.

Collector’s Corner: Adam and Katelyn

WDWNT on October 11, 2011

If you would like your collection featured, email DestinationVinylmation@gmail.com

Name: Adam & Katelyn

Location: Florida

Collection Size: 491

3″ = 387

9″ = 90

Jrs = 14

What is your favorite Vinylmation you own?
9″ Mickey Riding Space Mountain – 35th anniversary

What is you favorite Vinylmation you DO NOT own?
Cinderella 55th anniversary Tin

Why do you collect Vinylmation?
I collect Vinylmation because I am a fan of creative art & Disney. When you combine both of those two entities, you have a huge win. I love the creativity behind each design. Each design represents and means something to me, personally. This is what fuels the fire for me behind Vinylmation.

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? from a clear trading box?
The best feeling, for me, is opening a fresh case of Vinylmation. I love the first moment when you rip off the plastic and open the lid to see all of the fresh un-opened boxes. Music to my ears…