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!

Wedding Week: Celebration Vs Maria Clapsis

WDWNT on March 21, 2011

With the reveal of the 3″ pieces from the Celebration set, we got to see the Bride and Groom that Stephen Miller hinted to back on February 1st. This however, is not the first time Vinylmation have been to a wedding. This week we will take a look at various version of the Vinylmation Wedding theme that we have seen hidden on the internet.

First up, a quick reminder of the Celebrations Bride and Groom.

An interesting pair of vinyl. The tux looks okay, reminiscent of the business suit from the Occupations set. (Although I liked Kermit 55th’s tux better, it had bling!) The wedding dress however seems a little plain, especially when you compare it to this:

This is Maria Clapsis’ Bride and Groom. A figure she had sitting on her desk at Disney, and a pic that has been seen in lots of places around the internet. This is a set she made for a college friend who was getting married. It is amazing! All the detail work is perfect, from the top hat to the tiara. I think Disney should convince Maria to make more of these, and sell them at a high price as part of the wedding packages they have at the parks. Amazing stuff Maria, keep up the good work.

All week we will have wedding themed posts (in addition to our regular news posts, so don’t worry about missing any news this week). Tomorrow we talk about another custom wedding piece that I recently saw online.

Maleficent 9″ Vinylmation Sold Out

WDWNT on March 21, 2011

Update: 10:30AM All the villains 9″/Jr combos are sold out online. Also as of this time, all the Villains 9″/Jr sets are sold out of the Tampa Disney Store (and we suspect any other EST store). Tampa only had 8 Maleficent sets (and the family in the front of the line bought like 6).
Well it didn’t take long. At some point between 2am EST and 730am EST the Disney Store Online put the Villains 9″/Jr sets up for sale. As of now, the Maleficent and Aurora set is sold out. Interestingly, they also put up a package where you could buy all 3 9″/Jr sets. That is currently sold out also! Each set is a Limited Edition of 700.

Retro Weekend: 03/20/11

WDWNT on March 21, 2011

Another weekend with lots of news. Here’s the recap.
On Friday, Urban 6 was released. The first thing on everyone’s mind… what’s the chaser?

Urban 6 Chaser Revealed
Front and back

The next thing everyone wanted to see was the variants. (With some help from our CA reporter Zoe.)

Blue Finger
Blue Nature Cycle
Clear 1337

While at D-Street Nick stumbled upon a clue to the re-release of Star Wars 1

Return of the Jedi (to D-Street)

While waiting for the Trade Event to begin, Nick and his newly acquired Urban 6 friends explored the Flower and Garden Festival.

Urban 6 goes to the Flower Garden Festival

Finally, the Trade Show started. Nick meet a lot of people.

WDW Trade Show 3/18/11

Then Sunday came around and we dropped by the Blind Box Studios to record the latest version of Destination Vinylmation.

Episode 014 Furr

Urban 6 Enjoyed the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

WDWNT on March 20, 2011

On Friday, Urban 6 was released. They wasted no time checking out their surroundings. And who could blame them? I caught them walking around the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT. Click on the pictures for larger images.

Side Mickey couldn’t help
checking out the EPCOT ball

Green Thumb was right at home
at the Flower & Garden Fest
Cactus wishes she had more
than just one flower

Zipper poses for a picture
Nature Cycle’s favorite ride is in
EPCOT’s Land Pavilion

The beginning… and end
of language
Sunny Day feels at home

Be careful… something may be
hiding in those pretty flowers
Cry Baby… the 8th Dwarf?

Sundae got the scoop on the
Lightening McQueen display
Sumo enjoys the view from the
Japan pavilion

Griffen welcomed guests to the
Flower & Garden Festival

WDW Trading Event

WDWNT on March 20, 2011

WDW hosted a trading event at the Contemporary Resort yesterday. First off, we want to say thank you to everyone who stopped by our table to say hi or to trade with us.

It was great to see a couple hundred people lined up outside the doors to the room before the event. Once let in, collectors scrambled to find some table space to display their collections. Traders then walked around the room trading with each other.

The event was both a Vinylmation and Pin trading event and the pin traders sitting at the tables out numbered the Vinylmation traders. However, the crowd walking around the room, seemed to be comprised mostly of Vinylmation traders. We are not saying that Pin trading is declining, there were a ton of people trading pins, but the buzz just seemed to be with the Vinylmation. In talking to a few people at the event, they said traders seemed to be searching out the Vinylmation on the tables over the Pins and some Pin traders seemed frustrated. In fact, the Pin traders next to our spot were getting annoyed with the crowds of Vinylmation traders around them trying to see what figures we had and blocking anyone from seeing their pins. They eventually moved to another corner of the room, near other Pin Traders.

Disney did a wonderful job. They had a Vinylmation table set up displaying some Vinylmation you could purchase. There was also a Mystery 24 and Open box trade area set up. Disney also had a table promoting the Disneyland Sci-Fi Acadamy (still no word there on any event specific Vinylmation for that). Disney also will never allow a crowd to gather on property without some merchandise and cash registers nearby. They had some pins and lanyards for sale in the ballroom.

You don’t know what it means to us to hear people say they visit our site and listen to our podcasts. We do this because we enjoy collecting Vinylmation, love Disney and have fun doing it… but hearing the feedback that you guys enjoy what we do, makes it all worth it. And we couldn’t do it without you. Keep on contacting us with your questions, ideas and any news you find out about Vinylmation. We hope you enjoyed trading with us as much as we did with you. See you at the next event!

How did you do at the Trading Event? Was it like you expected? What was your best trade?