Duffy Ready to Break the Mold in 2012

Update: 4/8/11 It has been brought to our attention our wording may have been misleading. I never meant to imply Duffy-shaped vinyl will replace Mickey-shaped vinyl. I know that is not what Disney meant, but my quick wording late last night of this article may have given that impression. I corrected the wording below and apologize to our readers and Disney for any confusion. Mickey-shaped vinyl is here to stay, and Duffy is a welcome new addition to the line.

Through a Steven Miller post on the Disney Parks Blog today, we got some more info on a future Duffy the Disney Bear Vinylmation series. We learned at Trade City last August that Duffy will play a big role in Vinylmation down the road, including Vinylmation shaped like Duffy instead of to go along with the Mickey shaped Vinylmation we all know and love. Steven says the Duffy mold is being developed right now at Disney Merchandise headquarters using a new "rapid prototype machine." It sounds like amazing new technology that will greatly enhance the finished Vinylmation product... and he leaves us hanging saying it's "an amazing story for another time." The technology is basically a "3D printer" if you've every heard of that. Using additive manufacturing they add material until they get a 3 dimensional representation from a computer design. It's pretty crazy.

Here is the image Disney released of a mock-up of the box you may see Duffy Vinylmation come in:

Vinylmation Product Developer Donald Ferro says to look for Duffy in the Spring of 2012. What are your thoughts on Duffy Vinylmation?

"I can not more strongly hate this idea. The whole thing about vinylmation was that the shape was Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse has such an iconic look to him. Even just his body shape is instantly identifiable. But Duffy is a bear. That's not special." - M.C.

"I was against it... until I met Duffy last year. Duffy is an amazing addition to the Disney Parks. He is great with guests and has a fun personality." - Nick

Thanks to Eric Caszatt, who wrote in and let us know that this process only includes the 3D aspect, and that it doesn't add color.