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This week we discuss updated details on the Aladdin Junior Series. We now have a release date, a clear look at the series and the reveal of the chasers. We also invite Brendt on the show along with us to share our top Vinylmation of 2013.
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Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Episode 146 Earful Tower
Saturday, January 4, 2014
MC's Top Ten Vinylmation Stories of 2013?
Instead of a top ten Vinylmation stories, I'm going to write about something more personal, the highlights of Destination Vinylmation this year. If you haven't heard or seen these posts you should check them out.
5. The 2013 Christmas Special
We always have a lot of fun creating our yearly Christmas episode. This year I think we pulled off the best one yet. Nick took a classic and turned it into a unique story about how Vinylmation effects us all, sometimes to an exaggerated degree. This episode also represented the most guest voices we've ever had.
4. Brendt's Role in Destination Vinylmation
This year we had Brendt come into the fold as a DV cast member. He's been able to help out with a lot of the day to day news for the site. Thank you Brendt!
3. The March Custom Madness Contest
We had a great roll out of a new event at Destination Vinylmation this year. The Custom Madness contest was awesome and we had an amazing turn out in submissions and voting. Thanks to everyone who participated.
2. Reflections of Evil coverage
This year we tried something new, and I think it worked well. Nick went to the show and I stayed home and posted to the site. We managed to break a lot of news as well as post some great images. Our live coverage of the talk was also great, despite Disney prohibiting recording and pictures during it. (And why? We still don't know)
1. 2013 DeeVees
This marked our third year, and our third awards show. We added several categories, including increasing our custom awards, and had a solid turn out. We can't thank everyone enough for being there to make this website and our podcast possible. Thanks to everyone in the community and here's to 2014!
5. The 2013 Christmas Special
We always have a lot of fun creating our yearly Christmas episode. This year I think we pulled off the best one yet. Nick took a classic and turned it into a unique story about how Vinylmation effects us all, sometimes to an exaggerated degree. This episode also represented the most guest voices we've ever had.
4. Brendt's Role in Destination Vinylmation
This year we had Brendt come into the fold as a DV cast member. He's been able to help out with a lot of the day to day news for the site. Thank you Brendt!
3. The March Custom Madness Contest
We had a great roll out of a new event at Destination Vinylmation this year. The Custom Madness contest was awesome and we had an amazing turn out in submissions and voting. Thanks to everyone who participated.
2. Reflections of Evil coverage
This year we tried something new, and I think it worked well. Nick went to the show and I stayed home and posted to the site. We managed to break a lot of news as well as post some great images. Our live coverage of the talk was also great, despite Disney prohibiting recording and pictures during it. (And why? We still don't know)
1. 2013 DeeVees
This marked our third year, and our third awards show. We added several categories, including increasing our custom awards, and had a solid turn out. We can't thank everyone enough for being there to make this website and our podcast possible. Thanks to everyone in the community and here's to 2014!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Nick's Top Ten Vinylmation Stories of 2013
It's the end of 2013. Time to look back and reflect on the year that was in Vinylmation. At the end of each year, MC and I come up with our top ten lists. One of our contributors, Brendt will also write one. To try to bring you a different side of things, we make these lists up of things we personally feel are remarkable from the past year... instead of trying to pick what a majority may see as the biggest stories. We also want to invite you to submit your lists as well. Just email them to DestinationVinylmation@gmail.com. Please include your name and hometown.
10. RIP Disney Vinylmation Blog
The Official Disney Vinylmation blog was shut down in 2013. It may seem like no huge loss. It was not often updated and most collectors that are reading this article probably preferred one of the many fan sites anyway. But in its heyday, the blog gave us wonderful previews and concept art. Vinylmation.com now points to the Disney Merchandise Blog. And that sight is a valuable place for all things from the Disney Parks. It hosts Pin, Vinylmation, Disney Art and other news. It also keeps an easy to follow and well updated release calendar. A nice trade off.
9. Whiskers and Tales
I didn't want to include this one, but it was a big headline for the first month of 2013. With the previous year's issues with Furry Friends, it was a shock that Disney Store would release a sequel. It seemed the same production issues were going to plague this series as well, but those reports may have just been people looking to find problems. In the end, Whiskers and Tales was never recalled, and the product was a success for the Disney Store.
8. WDW AP Discount Drop
While not directly a Vinylmation story, the drop in the Walt Disney World Premium Annual Passholder discount from 20% to 10% had a drastic impact on the hobby. I was not the only AP to purchase less product this year. Much of it had to do with already owning too much vinyl, but the discount drop did stop me from making any quick purchases. And not just with Vinylmation, I spent less money at WDW on all merchandise this year. And it was not an income thing, it was a mindset of not having the deeper discount. And I know many other people who can say the same thing. I am not a numbers person, but I have no idea how this helped WDW's bottom line at all.
7. DV's Christmas Special
This is more a personal pick, but putting together this year's Christmas Special, a Vinylmation take on "It's a Wonderful Life," was a personal highlight in audio production and writing. It was so much fun to do, and have so many voices and sounds involved. It was fun to create, and satisfying to listen to. I really hope you all enjoyed it as well. Listen to it here.
6. Beauty and the Beast
Last year, I had the Classic Collection ranked at the #2 spot on my list and called it Eric Caszatt's masterpiece. This year, the highlight set by far was Beauty and the Beast. Perfection doesn't even begin to describe this total work of art. To date, this is Maria Clapsis' and Caley Hick's masterpiece. And that is saying a lot giving their body of work. Each figure is flawless in design and production. And the stain glass ears will be hard to ever top.
5. In Park Trading Changes
How times have changed. In the span of a year, the facet of collecting that got me involved in Vinylmation in the first place, died and now is slowly returning to life. Trading in the parks with Cast Members was the life blood of Vinylmation. It got people to purchase a piece of plastic, sight unseen, knowing they had the chance to trade it for one they might want. But with the influx of hundreds and hundreds of figures at such a rapid rate, the trading boxes got filled to the brim with undesirables. Cast Members got annoyed with the over-sized, heavy trade boxes. Cast Members also ignored rules set in place so guests could not pick every number in the box and "cherry pick" the good stuff. Trading locations were drastically decreased at both WDW and DLR. Seemingly a negative at first, turned into a positive. Condensed trading location allowed Disney to insert more desirable vinyls. Cast Members also seemed to be better trained. Disney also introduced series specific trading boxes like Park Starz and Pixar. If this trend continues, expect trading at the parks to be fun once again.
4. Customs
Is it just me, or did custom artists take it to the next level this year? There are a ton of talented artists out there painting on this Mickey shaped canvas... and it is fun to watch. Innovation and creativity was abundant this year. Artists who have been doing this for 3 years or more perfected their craft. The idea of creating a set and selling it off as blind boxes really took off. And DV's Custom Vinylmation Madness tournament was a blast and we look forward to holding another one this March.
3. WDI Series
I'm not sure where this set stands in the hearts of most other collectors, but to me, the Walt Disney Imagineering set, released as an LE Open Window collection at the D23 Expo, is the best set ever made. It incorporates what I love about both the Disney parks and Vinylmation. It extends beyond what the park series gives us and shows us an Imagineer's take on how the attractions and themeing elements are created. As for the vinyl themselves, the designs have all sorts of detail with hidden meanings and symbols. The sorcerer hats that were added to represent the icon of WDI (Sorcerer Mickey) we so well used as part of the canvas, that the figures would not even come close to the greatness that they are without them.
2. Disney Store Turns Corner
This may, in the long run, be more important than my top story. The problem is, we have such a small sample, it is hard to tell what the real story is. For about two years now, the Vinylmation put out by the Disney Store artists has been a mixed bag at best, but bordering on a horrible nightmare. While the talent of the artists has never been a question, many of them innovating high above some of the Disney Design Group, the choices for the themes of the sets they produce has been highly questionable. Set after set of uninteresting, non-Disney related sets like Zooper Heroes, High School and Wrestlers bombarded the shelves of local Disney Stores. Then, when sales presumably tanked, they went on sale for BOGOs and were shipped to outlets to be heavily discounted. In turn, this mostly unwanted product is all that collectors who don't live in Orlando or Anaheim had to trade. And collectors near the parks picked them up in bulk to trade with CMs at the park. It was a nasty cycle of wasted talent and unwanted, overproduced product. But then all of a sudden, the tide turned. Medieval went to BOGO like a week after it was released and no non-Disney theme product has followed to date. The Disney Store artists were also handed the reigns of Pixar Series 2 and the Aladdin Junior series. They added a fourth Disney Villains set. A Jungle Book set is on the horizon as is a Disney themed Robots 4! On top of all that, they seemed to have greatly improved the production side. I was shocked at the wonderful quality of Pixar 2 and Villains 4. Also, with the Disney Store not posting release dates or previews, Enrique Pita and Nacho Rodriguez (two Disney Store artists) have taken it upon themselves to promote the products via social media... and people are excited because it is Disney Themed! Great job Disney Store... keep it up.
1. LE Blind Boxes and Smaller Set Sizes
A Vinylmation revolution. Was the hobby dying? No, I don't think so, but it is going through an evolution. More and more people are realizing they can not collect everything. So buying habits are changing. One thing that seemed to be on the decline, was excitement for releases. I'm talking fanatical excitement. We used to line up outside D-Street for open edition blind boxes like Toy Story and Star Wars, while those days may be gone. We also stopped lining up for limited editions. With high quantities and lack of interest, you knew you could trade for it or walk in and pick it up a week later without waiting in line at 3am. For me, I stopped buying blind boxes at all. But now, that has changed. The introduction of LE Blind Boxes with Variants has made it fun again to run down to D-Street and purchase a blind box, eagerly anticipating what might be inside. This is a true game changer as seem at the Food and Wine Fest and Festival of the Masters. And, with smaller set sizes, I feel like dropping $20 on a couple blind boxes and getting a quarter of the set! Then trading for the others I may want. And in the process, having a shot at a chaser or variant. I already see renewed interest. I love the new direction of Vinylmation. Constantly innovating to keep us involved and excited.
NICK'S 2013 TOP TEN
10. RIP Disney Vinylmation Blog
The Official Disney Vinylmation blog was shut down in 2013. It may seem like no huge loss. It was not often updated and most collectors that are reading this article probably preferred one of the many fan sites anyway. But in its heyday, the blog gave us wonderful previews and concept art. Vinylmation.com now points to the Disney Merchandise Blog. And that sight is a valuable place for all things from the Disney Parks. It hosts Pin, Vinylmation, Disney Art and other news. It also keeps an easy to follow and well updated release calendar. A nice trade off.
9. Whiskers and Tales
I didn't want to include this one, but it was a big headline for the first month of 2013. With the previous year's issues with Furry Friends, it was a shock that Disney Store would release a sequel. It seemed the same production issues were going to plague this series as well, but those reports may have just been people looking to find problems. In the end, Whiskers and Tales was never recalled, and the product was a success for the Disney Store.
8. WDW AP Discount Drop
While not directly a Vinylmation story, the drop in the Walt Disney World Premium Annual Passholder discount from 20% to 10% had a drastic impact on the hobby. I was not the only AP to purchase less product this year. Much of it had to do with already owning too much vinyl, but the discount drop did stop me from making any quick purchases. And not just with Vinylmation, I spent less money at WDW on all merchandise this year. And it was not an income thing, it was a mindset of not having the deeper discount. And I know many other people who can say the same thing. I am not a numbers person, but I have no idea how this helped WDW's bottom line at all.
7. DV's Christmas Special
This is more a personal pick, but putting together this year's Christmas Special, a Vinylmation take on "It's a Wonderful Life," was a personal highlight in audio production and writing. It was so much fun to do, and have so many voices and sounds involved. It was fun to create, and satisfying to listen to. I really hope you all enjoyed it as well. Listen to it here.
6. Beauty and the Beast
Last year, I had the Classic Collection ranked at the #2 spot on my list and called it Eric Caszatt's masterpiece. This year, the highlight set by far was Beauty and the Beast. Perfection doesn't even begin to describe this total work of art. To date, this is Maria Clapsis' and Caley Hick's masterpiece. And that is saying a lot giving their body of work. Each figure is flawless in design and production. And the stain glass ears will be hard to ever top.
5. In Park Trading Changes
How times have changed. In the span of a year, the facet of collecting that got me involved in Vinylmation in the first place, died and now is slowly returning to life. Trading in the parks with Cast Members was the life blood of Vinylmation. It got people to purchase a piece of plastic, sight unseen, knowing they had the chance to trade it for one they might want. But with the influx of hundreds and hundreds of figures at such a rapid rate, the trading boxes got filled to the brim with undesirables. Cast Members got annoyed with the over-sized, heavy trade boxes. Cast Members also ignored rules set in place so guests could not pick every number in the box and "cherry pick" the good stuff. Trading locations were drastically decreased at both WDW and DLR. Seemingly a negative at first, turned into a positive. Condensed trading location allowed Disney to insert more desirable vinyls. Cast Members also seemed to be better trained. Disney also introduced series specific trading boxes like Park Starz and Pixar. If this trend continues, expect trading at the parks to be fun once again.
4. Customs
Is it just me, or did custom artists take it to the next level this year? There are a ton of talented artists out there painting on this Mickey shaped canvas... and it is fun to watch. Innovation and creativity was abundant this year. Artists who have been doing this for 3 years or more perfected their craft. The idea of creating a set and selling it off as blind boxes really took off. And DV's Custom Vinylmation Madness tournament was a blast and we look forward to holding another one this March.
3. WDI Series
I'm not sure where this set stands in the hearts of most other collectors, but to me, the Walt Disney Imagineering set, released as an LE Open Window collection at the D23 Expo, is the best set ever made. It incorporates what I love about both the Disney parks and Vinylmation. It extends beyond what the park series gives us and shows us an Imagineer's take on how the attractions and themeing elements are created. As for the vinyl themselves, the designs have all sorts of detail with hidden meanings and symbols. The sorcerer hats that were added to represent the icon of WDI (Sorcerer Mickey) we so well used as part of the canvas, that the figures would not even come close to the greatness that they are without them.
2. Disney Store Turns Corner
This may, in the long run, be more important than my top story. The problem is, we have such a small sample, it is hard to tell what the real story is. For about two years now, the Vinylmation put out by the Disney Store artists has been a mixed bag at best, but bordering on a horrible nightmare. While the talent of the artists has never been a question, many of them innovating high above some of the Disney Design Group, the choices for the themes of the sets they produce has been highly questionable. Set after set of uninteresting, non-Disney related sets like Zooper Heroes, High School and Wrestlers bombarded the shelves of local Disney Stores. Then, when sales presumably tanked, they went on sale for BOGOs and were shipped to outlets to be heavily discounted. In turn, this mostly unwanted product is all that collectors who don't live in Orlando or Anaheim had to trade. And collectors near the parks picked them up in bulk to trade with CMs at the park. It was a nasty cycle of wasted talent and unwanted, overproduced product. But then all of a sudden, the tide turned. Medieval went to BOGO like a week after it was released and no non-Disney theme product has followed to date. The Disney Store artists were also handed the reigns of Pixar Series 2 and the Aladdin Junior series. They added a fourth Disney Villains set. A Jungle Book set is on the horizon as is a Disney themed Robots 4! On top of all that, they seemed to have greatly improved the production side. I was shocked at the wonderful quality of Pixar 2 and Villains 4. Also, with the Disney Store not posting release dates or previews, Enrique Pita and Nacho Rodriguez (two Disney Store artists) have taken it upon themselves to promote the products via social media... and people are excited because it is Disney Themed! Great job Disney Store... keep it up.
1. LE Blind Boxes and Smaller Set Sizes
A Vinylmation revolution. Was the hobby dying? No, I don't think so, but it is going through an evolution. More and more people are realizing they can not collect everything. So buying habits are changing. One thing that seemed to be on the decline, was excitement for releases. I'm talking fanatical excitement. We used to line up outside D-Street for open edition blind boxes like Toy Story and Star Wars, while those days may be gone. We also stopped lining up for limited editions. With high quantities and lack of interest, you knew you could trade for it or walk in and pick it up a week later without waiting in line at 3am. For me, I stopped buying blind boxes at all. But now, that has changed. The introduction of LE Blind Boxes with Variants has made it fun again to run down to D-Street and purchase a blind box, eagerly anticipating what might be inside. This is a true game changer as seem at the Food and Wine Fest and Festival of the Masters. And, with smaller set sizes, I feel like dropping $20 on a couple blind boxes and getting a quarter of the set! Then trading for the others I may want. And in the process, having a shot at a chaser or variant. I already see renewed interest. I love the new direction of Vinylmation. Constantly innovating to keep us involved and excited.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
2013 DeeVee Voter Contest
Here are all the details on the Voter Contest for the 2013 DeeVee awards.
All you need to enter is to fill out a 2013 DeeVee ballot.
All the ballots will go into a random drawing where one person will be drawn as the winner.
That winner will then give us 5 Disney characters they would like to have as a custom.
Our custom artist will create a 3" version of one of those characters and give it to the winner! Fun and easy.
And now for the special announcement: This year's voter contest winner will receive a their custom from the one, and only, Miranda Legendre!
Here is a sample of her previous work...
You can also find more of her work over at facebook.com/mirandalegendredesigns.
A big thanks to Miranda for helping us out with this special prize.
Remember everyone that the voting for the 2013 awards will end on October 20th at 11:59 PM EST. Click here to vote! destinationvinylmation.com/2013/10/2013-deevee-ballot/
All you need to enter is to fill out a 2013 DeeVee ballot.
All the ballots will go into a random drawing where one person will be drawn as the winner.
That winner will then give us 5 Disney characters they would like to have as a custom.
Our custom artist will create a 3" version of one of those characters and give it to the winner! Fun and easy.
And now for the special announcement: This year's voter contest winner will receive a their custom from the one, and only, Miranda Legendre!
Here is a sample of her previous work...
 |  |
A big thanks to Miranda for helping us out with this special prize.
Remember everyone that the voting for the 2013 awards will end on October 20th at 11:59 PM EST. Click here to vote! destinationvinylmation.com/2013/10/2013-deevee-ballot/
Sunday, September 15, 2013
RoE: Festival of the Masters Vinylmation
Festival of the Masters
LE 1200
Blind Box
Variant Odds: 1 out of 6
Release Date: November 8th, 2013
Expected price: $16.95
Update: Variant odds and HQ photo added. The regular version has paint splatters, the variant is clean.
Update: It looks like this might be like the Food and Wine set. Blind boxed with a variant. No official word yet, but with these two similar figures that's our best guess.
It's nice to see the Festival of the Masters get it's own Vinylmation. It's also nice to see a WDW event get a specialty vinyl. This particular one is fun and festive and I think it's a perfect fit. Although next year it would be cool to get a non mickey character like the Food and Wine festival has.
LE 1200
Blind Box
Variant Odds: 1 out of 6
Release Date: November 8th, 2013
Expected price: $16.95
Update: Variant odds and HQ photo added. The regular version has paint splatters, the variant is clean.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Let the nominations start...
First, which figures will you nominate for this year's DeeVees. Last years' categories included:
| Favorite Disney Artist Favorite Disney Commissioned Artist Favorite Custom Artist Best 3″ Figure Best 9″ Figure Best Jr. Figure Best 12 Figure Set Best non-12 Figure Set Best Variant Best Use of Ears Best Trading Location Most Likely to Be Found in a Trading Box Best Accessory Best Mickey | Best Non-Mickey Platform Figure Best LE Combo Set Best Use of Clear Best Location Specific Best Packaging Best Vinylmation Event Most Anticipated Upcoming Series Best DV Episode Favorite DV Cast Member And the special Red Balloon Awards Categories: Best Furry Friend Best Park Series |
But the big thing we'd like you to think about is:
What new categories would you like us to include in this year's DeeVees?
Ponder that for a bit, and then send us an email, or write on our Facebook page, and we will take it into consideration. The DeeVees a fan award, so we always enjoy input from the fans!
Thanks, and happy reflections!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
2013 Poster Series Signing with Dave Keefer
On January 4th at D Street in Orlando Disney Design Group Artist, Dave Keefer will hold a signing from 5 to 7pm. On that same day, the first 2013 Poster Art inspired Disney Pin and Vinylmation figure will be released. Dave will be available to sign the Vinylmation, pin and Poster Art Calendar. The Vinylmation is LE 2013 and will retail for $14.95. The pin is LE 2000, costs $19.95 and comes with a display easel. The calendar includes some amazing artwork and has perforated pages to make it easy to remove the posters. It retails for $19.95.
Each month, a new Vinylmation and Pin (as well as other merchandise including iPhone cases) will be released based on artwork from the 2013 Poster Art Calendar. This previous article took a look at the entire Vinylmation set and the calendar pages.
Each month, a new Vinylmation and Pin (as well as other merchandise including iPhone cases) will be released based on artwork from the 2013 Poster Art Calendar. This previous article took a look at the entire Vinylmation set and the calendar pages.
Friday, December 21, 2012
2013 Dated Vinylmation Released Today
This open edition figure is available right now on Disney's Vinylmation Facebook store. You can pick it up for $12.95.
The figure will be available on December 28 at Disneyland and on January 4 at Walt Disney World.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Episode 101 Haunted Mansion Clock
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Friday, December 14, 2012
Changes to Release Schedule
Disney updated the Events page of the Disney Vinylmation Blog today and with that, came a couple date changes. The Pixar Tuck and Roll combo, still listed as LE 1000 by the way, has been moved from December 28 to January 4.
Also, while Disneyland will still get the open edition 2013 figure on December 28, Walt Disney World will have to wait until the following Friday. Due to an early release in Hong Kong, we thing the Open Edition 2013 figure will be this one...
And on February 1st at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii, the following Mickey and Minnie figures will be released.
They are LE 1500 and retail for $14.95. This is a clarification as well because the way Disney originally listed these items did not make sense.
Check out the full upcoming release calendar here.
Also, while Disneyland will still get the open edition 2013 figure on December 28, Walt Disney World will have to wait until the following Friday. Due to an early release in Hong Kong, we thing the Open Edition 2013 figure will be this one...
And on February 1st at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii, the following Mickey and Minnie figures will be released.
They are LE 1500 and retail for $14.95. This is a clarification as well because the way Disney originally listed these items did not make sense.
Check out the full upcoming release calendar here.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Episode 100 Flowers and Fairies
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Sunday, December 2, 2012
Episode 099 Carousel of Progress John
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Tuesday, November 6, 2012
2013 Poster Series Release Dates... Maybe?
Disney announced something... I know that's not specific but here are the details. According to the events calender on vinylmation.com there will be a release of a "2013 Series - 3-inch figure (Open Edition / Retail: $12.95)" on December 28th at D-Streets. They also have a January 11th release of a similar figure for the online Disney Store. We are assuming that means this is the first (and maybe second) release of the 13 2013 Poster figures we saw at Mickey's Circus (seen above). Only, at Mickey's Circus, they said there would be a limited edition of 2013 for each figure, not open edition like the website says. Maybe the website meant open box. We'll follow up and give out more information as it becomes available.
Right now the events page is full of mistakes. They can't even spell December correctly.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
2013 Poster Series Explained
***This page still contains relevant information, but please go here for a continuously updated page with the release line up and info.****
2013 Poster Series Explained
Monthly Release during 2013 with a special 13th figure released TBA
Price: $14.95 each
Disney has done it. They have made dated merchandise cool. The idea behind these figures is very innovative. They had 13 different artists design a poster using the common themes of "Believe in Magic", 13, and a sorcerer's hat. They then adapted the artwork across multiple merchandise lines. In addition to vinyl, there will be pins, D-Tech, shirts and prints. Every month, a different design will be released and an artist signing will be held. All Vinyls will have an LE of 2013. The 13th design will be online only. The order of release has not yet been announced. Here is a look at the posters and merchandise:
-
The 13 Vinylmation
January
February
March
April
August
June
July
May
December
September
October
November
TBA (December 2012 on the calendar)
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