Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Where In the World Do You Vinyl?: Hobby Up-turn



When we first set out to start this column, we were in the midst of a very interesting time in the Vinylmation collecting world.  Those of us away from the parks, don’t have as much of a variety in our selection as it is, so when  pretty much every set that was being announced was non-Disney related, it was becoming even more frustrating.  It didn't really have anything to do with the designs, or the quality of the product, in fact for the most part, sets such as Myths and Legends and Under the Big Top are well designed.  The main issue is that they have nothing to do with the Disney characters that we have continued to love over the years.  It’s the reason why many of us got involved in the hobby in the first place.  Well, after a little stretch of frustration and rabid blogging, there appears to be a clear sky up ahead on that horizon.

The last 3 or 4 set announcements hark back to the good old days when Animation 1 was followed by Lion King, followed by Villains 2 etc.   In this next stretch, we have gotten a 3rd Animation series (a set that is very well designed, and in our opinion, leaps and bounds better than A2), which will be followed by 2 movie-centric series in Monsters University and Beauty and the Beast.

In fact, another series that was just released, Mickey’s Wild West, is a step in the right direction, fixing another issue that has plagued the collecting world.  When this set was first rumored, it seemed like a sure thing to be another open window set a la Tunes and Mascots.  Again, nothing wrong with the designs from those sets, but they remained on shelves way past their welcome and suffered the fate of being marked down tremendously; another popular trend lately.  This doesn't seem like such a bad thing when you say it that way, but for the people who spend full price on them right away, it can get pretty frustrating.
Besides, blind boxing really is the way to go with this hobby; it is by far the most fun way to go to about it   Mickey’s Wild West should sell pretty well based on that alone, not to mention there are popular characters that have never been on that Mickey platform before.  I’m talking to you Huey, Duey and Louie.

The cherry on top, in our opinion, has been Disney’s experimentation with smaller case sizes.  Say what you want about the designs of Urban Redux 1 and Cutesters en Vogue (although we happen to like them, including the new Minnie platform), but it seems as though Disney has finally given up on some of its stubborn ways and is listening to fan outcry.
Smaller case sizes mean less filler characters (Kim Possible, John Henry), quicker means of finishing up series, and more opportunities for variants, which have been so much fun to collect lately.

All of this news is especially positive for us living far away from the parks, but it is a great sign overall for all those who collect.  From switching things up in the case size and bloxing ratios with Urban Redux and Cutesters En Vogue, to the reduction of open window and non-Disney related sets, it almost seems as if our voices have been heard by the Disney marketing team.  Do you guys think Vinylmation is getting better, nothing that substantial to see a drastic change, or was there really no issue to begin with? We want to hear from you guys!

Ben and Brendt

Spotlight On: Brian Shapiro's Sully Incognito

From custom artist Brian Shapiro:
I present my latest Incognito Series figure! This one's abstract for sure. It is called "Mikey Mouse" in celebration of the upcoming movie, Monsters University, by Disney. With a lift from his friend, Sully, Mike Wazowski scares up some laughs as Mickey Mouse! Of course, things don't go according to plan when poor Mikey's vision is obstructed and Sully's shoe doesn't fit! 

NRB Relic & Evilos Disney D23 Expo Event Page



The NRB Relic & Evilos Disney D23 Expo Event page is now up and EVERYONE is INVITED..!! Come join us on the event page to see event news, custom artwork, custom Vinylmations, Collector Vinyl display bags, giveaways and so much more. Even if you can't go come join the event page and see all the fun event news and artwork that will be posted on the event page.

We are so excited and hope to see you there.
https://www.facebook.com/events/506532052740943/

Star Wars 3 Explained

Star Wars Series 3
Release Date: (varies, see below)
Disney is spreading out the SW vinyl releases over the four Star Wars Weekends:


Vinylmation™ – Star Wars™ Series 3
Release Date at Darth's Mall DHS: May 17, 2013
Release Date other WDW and DLR locations: May 20, 2013
Edition Size: Limited Release
Retail: $12.95, plus tax per figure

Vinylmation™ – Star Wars™ Series #3 – Jabba the Hutt & Salacious B. Crumb Set
Release Date at Darth's Mall DHS: May 24, 2013
Release Date at D-Street Disneyland: May 27, 2013
Edition Size: 1,000
Retail: $59.95, plus tax

Vinylmation™ Juniors Series 9: Star Wars™ Droids

Release Date at Darth's Mall DHS: May 31, 2013
Release Date other WDW and DLR locations: June 3, 2013
Edition Size: Mystery Box
Retail: $9.95, plus tax per figure

Vinylmation™ – Star Wars™ Series #3 – Han Solo in Carbonite


Release Date at Darth's Mall DHS: June 7, 2013
Release Date at D-Street Disneyland: June 10, 2013

Edition Size: 2,000
Retail: $32.95, plus tax


Update 04/30/13 Star Wars 3 Variant and Chaser revealed.



Update 04/01/13 Steven Miller released some product info for the Star Wars 3 series. The highlights include a $13 price point for blind boxes as opposed to the $15 of SW2. Also, the 2000 LE size for the Han Solo. His price point is a whopping $33 and he will be available at Disneyland as well.

The Disney Park Blog has released a photo of 11 of the figures for the upcoming Return of the Jedi themed Star Wars Series 3 Vinylmation set plus 2 Limited Edition figures. These will all debut, along with the Vinylmation Series 9 Jr. Droids, at Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios beginning on May 17th. (then presumably later at Disneyland)
Star Wars #3 – Limited Release Mystery Series
Top Row: Imperial Guard, Logray, Scout Trooper, Wicket, Bib Fortuna
Middle Row: Lando in disguise, Gamorrean Guard, Nien Nunb, Leia in disguise
Bottom Row: Admiral Ackbar, Jedi Master Skywalker

Retail: $12.95 each
Item Number: 400007392601


A few of the highlights: 2 Ewoks. We knew there had to be at least one. Another Luke... this time in black Jedi robes. Another Lando... this time in disguise and it seems to use the same helmet shaped head Vader had in Series 2. A continued use of ears to show back grounds, such as the stars in space and the trees on Endor. I think it is an well chosen lineup out of the film.
Jabba The Hutt and Salacious B. Crumb – 9-inch + 1.5-inch set
Retail $59.95
Edition Size: 1,000


Han Solo in Carbonite – 3-inch figure
Retail $32.95
Edition Size: 2,000
Item Number: 400007435711

Monday, April 29, 2013

Star Wars 3 Checklist by David Kramp


Over on Vinylmation Exchange a cool picture popped up. David Kramp of Vinylmation Exchange put together this sheet to explain all the figures coming out in the new Star Wars 3 set. For those of us who are not Star Wars expert, David has listened all the names of the characters to make it easier for people who want to explain which figures they want to trade. Thanks David, from the whole Vinylmation community!

Stars Hang with 3" Ardy Vinylmation at Radio Disney Music Awards

Here are some photos of some of Disney's biggest stars hanging out with Ardy... both the Radio Disney Music Award and the 3" Vinylmation based on it.


Selena Gomez shows off a signed 3" Ardy Vinylmation while sitting in the Radio Disney studio for a "Take Over." (DISNEY CHANNEL/Rick Rowell)
Selena Gomez holds the real Ardy while on stage accepting the award for Best Female Artist. The RDMA will premiere on Saturday, May 4 on WATCH Disney Channel and Radio Disney (5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT). (DISNEY CHANNEL/Michael Yada)
Zendaya ("Shake it Up" and "Dancing with the Stars") holds up a 3" Ardy Vinylmation while at Radio Disney Studios (DISNEY CHANNEL/Rick Rowell)
Singer Cody Simpson holds up a 3" Ardy Vinylmation while at Radio Disney Studios (DISNEY CHANNEL/Rick Rowell)
DDG Artist Lin Shih on the red carpert at the Radio Disney Music Awards holding Ardy, the Vinylmation inspired award he designed! He is standing with Dara Trujillo (Manager, Marketing, Synergy and Special Projects, Disney Parks) and Ivan Heredia (VP of Marketing, Radio Disney) (DISNEY CHANNEL/Todd Wawrychuk)
Bridgit Mendler picking up her award for Radio Disney Live - Best Acoustic Performance: Ready Or Not (DISNEY CHANNEL/Michael Yada)
The Ardy awards hanging out backstage at the Radio Disney Music Awards (DISNEY CHANNEL/Richard Harbaugh)
Finally, Disney Channel star Debbie Ryan tells us the "story" of the creation of the Ardy...

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Episode 118 X-Ray Mickey



Ep. 118 X-Ray Mickey

This week we talk about the theme for the Reflections of Evil Trade Event at WDW and a brief overview of what it is all about. We also discuss the event merchandise previews we saw as well as the character selection. We also have updated news about the Star Wars releases and about a new LE Radio Disney Award vinyl.
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Saturday, April 27, 2013

3" LE Vinylmation Offered at Radio Disney Music Awards

A limited edition 3" Vinylmation is being offered tonight at the taping of the Radio Disney Music Awards at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, CA. The figure sold for $25 and is based on the new "Ardy" award given out to the winners that was designed by Disney Design Group Artist Lin Shih. It seems to be an LE 2000, but not confirmed at this time.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Pick up Mechanical Kingdom Cheap!

According to Disney, from April 26 - May 6 you can pick up Mechanical Kingdom from D-Streets for only $24 for 4! That's pretty cool. The only down side is that Ludwig is a online exclusive! This sale is part of the limited time magic event.

Do you have this set yet? Will you get it now?

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Who is the 13?

Now that you know What and When the 13 is, what about Who they are? (Who who, who who, I really wanna know!)

The tech team over at Destination Vinylmation has sifted thru the notices and discovered the names of these vile villains (as well at the heroes who will take them on). On the dark side we have:

Chernobog (Fantasia)
Oogie Boogie (Nightmare Before Christmas)
Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
Jafar (Aladdin)
Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)
Hades (Hercules)
Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)
Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland)
Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
Captain Hook (Peter Pan)
Dr. Facilier (Princess and the Frog)
Scar (Lion King)
and Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

Luckily we have the light side we have:

Goofy
Figment
Minnie
Mickey
Donald
Chip
and Dale

I like the massive selection of Villains (although I think Gaston is too dumb to be a true villain). I got excited when the description of the event included a nod to Figment. I was hoping for a few more unique characters in the group of 7. With Daisy out for Figment there is only one female good character. All of these chracters have also be represented in vinyl form. The only characters with "non traditional" figures could be Chip and Dale since they only get their own figure as Nerds or DCL workers.

Another note, Disney revealed that Madam Mim is a vinyl. But she's not even in this picture! What is up with that? Are there really 14 villains?

Also, does anyone else feel like this is a video game? I almost expect an announcement soon that Disney is releasing a mobile app that is a video game with these 7 against these 13. (Well, except that Disney keeps cutting their games departments and most recently dissolved Lucas Art).

What do you think? How many of these will see vinyl form? (Because we know they will all have pins!) And if you missed it, check out the previous article on the "mirror pins". Very interesting stuff.

When and What is the 13?

We learned back at Mickey's Circus that this year's big trading event was going to be called 13: Reflections of Evil. Today, the Disney Parks Blog gave us more info, and it kinda blows my mind.
Not only is this event starting on the Friday the 13th in the year 2013, but according to the story, it's going to feature 13 Villains who have come together to gain power. The only way this can happen is by using the Magic Mirror to bring all these villains to the same world. This was done.

Now (quoted from Disney Parks Blog) "As the newly assembled Villains are hashing out their nefarious plans, the Villains intentionally break the mirror and hide the thirteen shards. Now the mirror can never be used against them, as it is the only object that can send them home. Lucky for us, an imaginative purple dragon named Figment overheard their plotting and asks Mickey Mouse for help. Along with five of their trusted friends known as the “Lucky 7,” Mickey Mouse and Figment devise a plan to stop “The 13.” They must reassemble the broken shards to send the villains back to their rightful places in time."

This is an awesome story that seems to be leading to an awesome event. It almost makes me want to see all three days! I am also hoping for a series of 13 Villains Vinylmation to go with this story (It could be Villains 4!). But based on the pieces revealed today, I don't think that's happening (unless there is a lot more vinyl to come). Today we got to see two figures. First, a Maleficent on the Minnie platform.

This is interesting, although I'm not sure abut the use of the bow. I kinda wish they would use the Mickey platform head with the Minnie body to get interesting combo (just like Amber Gonzalez did with her Ladies of Disney Set).

The set Vinylmation revealed was a two pack set with Madam Mim. She looks better then she did last time we saw her in vinyl form. Madam Mim isn't even in the picture of the event! But the big question is what will be the second vinyl. It could be a mirror, that seems vital to the story. It could be the hero that defeats them. But I think this set of pins will give us a better idea of what it could be.

These pins are called the "mirror" set. In it, each villain is shown with their alter ego. How awesome is that? And does that mean that the second piece of the Mim set might be her in a different form? Could they have two piece sets for all 13 villains? In the past they have only had a few vinyl each year, could this be the year they bust out over 26 vinyl? I certainly hope so!

Also note, tickets for the 13: Reflections of Evil event will go on sale via DisneyParksMerchandise.com on May 8 at 1:00 p.m. EST.


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

UPDATE- WDW Trade Night!!! April 30th

Update: 4/24/13 New start time plus news. The Disney Parks Blog says that the event will take place from 5-9 p.m. The event will be in the Grill and the adjacent lobby. There will be NO Vinylmation trading table. Space will be super limited. Good luck!

4/12/13- Over the past few days, collectors on every Vinylmation fan site have been discussing an unofficial fan sponsored trade night. Did we scare them into making this move? Out of nowhere, the Disney Merchandise Blog today announced a Walt Disney World Trade Night on Tuesday, April 30th held, where else, but the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The free activity will be held from 5-9 p.m. at EPSN Grill and Josten’s Center.
Both Vinylmation and Pin collectors are of course welcome and there will be two LE 750 Pin Trading Night pins available for $15.95 each.

For those who need it, here is a link to the ESPN WWOS Maps and Directions page.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Episode 117 Squiddy



Ep. 117 Squiddy

This week we review Animation 3. We also talk about the release, chasers and variants of Goofy's Candy Co. and Wild West. And as always, a complete release and events schedule.
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Collector's Corner: Steven

This week we talk to our friend Steven. Here is his collection...




Destination Vinylmation: Great collection. How long have you been collecting?
Steven: I've been seriously collecting when Pixar series one came out, I had most of the toy story ones so I finished both of those sets at the same time.

DV: First vinyl ever?
S: My first vinyl ever was park 2 little green men I was on the DCL and had a gift card and didn't know what to get so I decided to try the Vinylmation blind box and got the one I really wanted.
DV: Favorite Disney vinyl?
S: My favorite Disney vinyl is little green men as you can tell in the picture.

DV: Do you have any custom/favorite custom vinyl?
S: My only custom is a red vinyl with orange dusting done by a good friend on another Vinylmation page. Her name is Bex Luty, her work is so cool.

DV: Vinyl you would most like to have that you don't yet?
S: I would love to have either Wall-E and Eve set or paint drip Mickey.

DV: And what unreleased vinyl are you most looking forward to?
S: I can't wait for Monsters University set to come out! I've been waiting for it for a while now.
DV: Thanks for the time. Keep on collecting!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Park Starz 2 Signing with Casey Jones

There will be a signing of Park Starz 2 with Artist Casey Jones on Friday, May 10 from 5 – 7 p.m. at D Street, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World.

Jrs 8: Goofy's Candy Company Chasers


The Disney Merchandise Blog posted the two chasers from the Goofy's Candy Co. Jr. 8 series. One is the official Goofy's Candy Co. logo in the head with Goofy's signature laugh "Gawrsh!" written all over the body. The other chaser is Goofy, looking goofy and apparently sweating. What do you think of these chasers and the set as a whole. Will you get them? Check out Goofy's Candy Co. Explained.

Spotlight On: Oliver's Primary Mickey

This week we got an email from aspiring 11 year old artist who wanted to show off his first custom piece of artwork. We love custom artists here at Destination Vinylmation, and especially enjoy when we can show off people who might not have the ability to show their artwork off themselves. So here's Oliver and his Primary Mickey.
Destination Vinylmation: Hi, Oliver, give us a quick intro on yourself.
Oliver: I am 11 and this is my first custom vinyl.  I have been collecting for a while and while I was in Disneyland I thought I would try a custom out.
DV: It's a great first custom! Do you like being an artist?
O: I think it is cool being a custom artist and like having my own work in my collection.
 
DV: I think that's what makes Nick do his. Have you done a lot of art?
O: I have done a few designs on paper and hope to try some of them out sometime.
DV: Why did you pic a Rubik's Cube as inspiration?
O: I just thought it was cool doing  a primary color themed Vinylmation.
DV: What's your favorite Disney Vinylmation?
O: If I had to pick my favorite out of my collection I would pick the Burbank Exclusive Director Mickey, I just like how it reminds people of Walt himself.
DV: That's one of our favorites too. What custom Vinylmation design do you think you'll do next?
O: If I do another custom I want to do something Disney themed.
DV: That's a good idea. The community kinda loves Disney. :) Thanks for letting us do a spotlight on ya Oliver, and next time you have something, let us know!