D23 Expo 2011 Explained

D23 is the official Disney fan club. Membership to D23 gets you things like an annual gift, access to special events, exclusive merchandise, a bi-weekly newsletter and other special offers. A Silver Membership costs $34.99. Gold will run you $74.99 per year.

The D23 Expo is an even that features celebrities, movie sneak peaks, what's new at the Disney parks, the Disney Legends ceremony, trivia games, archive exhibits and much more. This years expo will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 19-21. It is touted as "The Ultimate Disney Event". I'll tell you, I attended D23's Destination D event celebrating 40 years of Walt Disney World and they put on an amazing show. This is a must do for any Disney fan. There were a ton of surprised, like when Richard Sherman performed "One Little Spark" with the original Dreamfinder and Figment up on stage.

But we are here talking about D23 on this site because of the Vinylmation that will be on hand. D23 announced their Dream Store merchandise that they will sell at the event and Vinylmation is a large part of it. Like The Florida Project and Trade City, there is an RSP (Random Selection Process) for the Vinylmation. I'm surprised by the selection D23 is getting. They will have 4 pieces, just like the Florida Project. I think most people, like myself, expected more out of the Florida Project's selection. Here are all the detail on the D23 Expo 2011 Vinylmation:

Update: 8/11/10 All 2500 Disney Store 25th Vinylmation will be available at the EXPO. Previously, Disney said 2000 would be available online to D23 members. Thanks to Michael for this update: "Disney just posted on their Vinylmation blog that "Good news! Due to popular demand, all 2,500 figures will be released at the Expo!". Not "good" news to everyone.


Update: 8/10/11 Disney announced that Vinylmation lead designer Thomas Scott and Disney Design Group Artist, Alex Maher will be signing for guests at D23. Thomas Scott designed the 3" Gladstone Gander figure available at D23 (see below). Alex Maher is more noted for his pins, but designed the 5 figure 9" Disneyland Attractions Poster Set. Here is a signing schedule:

Friday, August 19, 2011 - 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. at the Product Showcase and Trading Area

Saturday, August 20, 2011 - 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. at the Product Showcase and Trading Area

Sunday, August 21, 2011 - 12 Noon - 2:00 p.m. at the Product Showcase and Trading Area

Disney also released a new product shot of the D23 Logo figure (details below)

Copyright Disney

This, and the Gladstone figure, will both be released in these Open Window boxes. So no tins... not event the tin replacement boxes that we see other special event Vinylmation come in.



Update: 8/9/11 D23 will have the release of the Jr. 4 It's a Small World and the 3" 12 figure Lion King series. There will also be a signing with Lion King Vinylmation artists at D23 on Sunday, August 21 at 10am.

There will also be an exclusive Disney Store 25th Anniversary 3" Vinylmation:

3" Vinylmation and Pin set. LE 2500. $26.95

Update on LE availability:

Only 500 Disney Store 25th Vinyl/Pin sets at D23; 2000 online. Our new contributor Disney North found this update for us:

@countdowntoD23 tweeted today:

There will be 500 of the @DisneyStore 25th Vinylmation to purchase at #D23Expo. 2,000 more to be sold online to D23 members only

@DisneyStore confirmed

@disneynorth Yes, Disneystore.com will release the remaining 2,000 25th anniversary vinylmation. They will be sold to D23 members only.

ALL 2500 WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE D23 EXPO.

There will also be 2 special Pop! Vinyl figures:

9" Metal Steamboat Willie. LE 350. $44.50

Add 3" Flocked Lotso. LE 500. $14.50

	3" D23 Logo (RSP #18) Artist: Maria Clapsis $13.95 (LE 4800) limit 5 per customer This is an example of a front not being as exciting as the back. We have Pixie Dust outlining Mickey's features. Not very unlike the idea on 2009's D23 Vinylmation:
	The back side of this figure is great. It might be a little plain, but I'm biased. Sorcerer Mickey is only second to Little Green Men and Donald Duck as my favorite character. He is the logo of D23 and here he is peaking out the top. the D23 Expo logo graces the body.
	3" Davy Crocket (RSP #19) Artist: Casey Jones $13.95 (LE 1200) limit 2 per customer Looks like the King of the Wild Frontier will not only make an appearance as a 9" Park 6. This sepia tone smaller version is great looking. I like the knife and shine of the belt buckle. And what a facial expression.
	It's the hat that really tops this figure off. Great job Casey at including the tail. I have been so looking forward to the 9" Park 6, but I hope to also get this one into my collection. Not much detail in the clothing, but I don't think he needs it. The sepia color choice was also a nice way to separate this from his larger counterpart.
	3" Gladstone Gander (RSP #20) Artist: Thomas Scott $13.95 (LE 1200) limit 2 per customer A lesser known character for sure. And I'm just going to say it, we would expect no less from Thomas Scott. But that's what makes him a great artist. Perfect place to release this figure... to a convention center full of Disney Geeks! Gladstone is Donald Duck's cousin. Scott's version looks to be from the comic strips, although Gladstone appeared in Duck Tails with some minor appearance changes.
	9" Butch (RSP #21) Artist: Eric Caszatt $44.95 (LE 750) limit 1 per customer Butch first showed up in 1940 and mainly plays Pluto's antagonist. Lately, he has popped up in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as Pete's dog. Great looking face on this one!
	9" It All Started With a Mouse (RSP #71) Artist: Noah $595 (LE 23) You can not go wrong with a Noah Vinylmation. His paint jobs are top notch. Look at the finish on this one. I really would like to see it in person. It features the D23 Logo and Tink on the head, a dancing broom on body front, and a sorcerer hat with Mickey's silhouette on the back.
	As with most of Noah's 9" figures, this one comes on it's own display stand with some Noah art work serving as the backdrop. This is what the artwork behind the Vinylmation looks like.