Animated Animals at Walt Disney World

A wolf, a hamster, two mice and three little pigs walk into a theme park...

The Three Little Pigs keep a close eye on the Big Bad Wolf as he prowls outside the MK Train Station looking for yummy guests.

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Bernard and Bianca start up their own flight school at Animal Kingdom.

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Rhino looks for adventure at the Animal Kingdom.

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Rhino visits the world's largest hamster ball.

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Bolt and Rhino get ready to go!

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Bolt and Rhino traveling together

Animation 2 Limited Edition Explained

Update 7/29/12 Geppetto, already released in Disneyland Paris, gets an August 10 release date online and at D-Streets. The Disney Blog says it will cost $12.95!!! Super value? Most likely a mistake. Also August 10, some quantity of the LE 1000 Rhino will be made available online after selling out at both D-Streets.


Update 6/22/12 Vinylmation Blog Event Calender updated dates for Roger, Humphrey, and Rhino

Update 6/6/12 Rhino removed from Vinylmation Blog Event Calender

Update 5/29/12 Release date of June 15 and price of $18.95 confirmed for Rhino

Update 4/21/12 Saw the box side for the 9" LEs revealing the entire lineup.

	Geppetto Pinocchio (1940) Artist: TBA Release Date: August 10 LE 1000 Price: $44.95
	9" Humphrey and 3" Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore Various Cartoons (1950's) Artist: Monty Maldovan Release Date: July 6th (D-Street) July 20th (Online) LE 1200 Price: $74.95
	9" Maleficent and 3" Prince Phillip Sleeping Beauty (1959) Artist: Casey Jones Release Date: April 20, 2012 LE 1200 Price: $74.95
	Three Little Pigs & Big Bad Wolf Three Little Pigs (1933) Artist: Monty Maldovan Release Date: March 2012 LE: 1200 Price: $44.95
	Roger Rabbit Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) Artist: Maria Clapsis Release Date: July 27th (D-Streets and Online) LE: 1200 Price: $44.95 Roger looks great on this large canvas.
	Rhino Bolt (2008) Artist: TBA Release Date: July 20th D-Streets & August 10 Online LE: 1000 Price: $18.95 A great expression on this hamster's face and wow! It comes inside his own ball. Brilliant!
	Bernard and Bianca The Rescuers (1977) Artist: Casey Jones Release Date: January 12, 2012 LE: 1200 Price: $26.95

9" Gepetto Animation 2 Released in Disneyland Paris

@VM_Paris tweeted a picture today that shows the 9" Animation 2 Gepetto has been released in Disneyland Paris.

We are still waiting on a release date to be announced for the US.

Release Day: Friday, July 27, 2012

Roger Rabbit and The Land 9" figures are both online and at D-Street

Last night, the links to purchase these figures went live at Midnight PST, but were hidden from searches for a good half hour. People also had issues checking out to purchase Roger Rabbit, but there seemed to plenty of quantity of the 1200 total available online as it is still available today. Or at least we all think this morning? I, along with many others got our confirmation emails... but past experience makes us hold our breath until the package arrives.

The Park 9 Combo Topper is also out today, only at D-Streets.

Episode 082 Goofy

Ep. 082 Goofy This week we review the new Animation 2 Rhino LE figure. We also dive into the aftermarket debate and have an update on the Disney Store Online.

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Rhino rolls out of D-Streets

Today we stood in line for 7 hours to pick out this cute furry guy from the D-Street in Orlando. Word is that in California they have been waiting since midnight and they are already out of the first stock and are waiting for the next one.

Tell us about your experiences getting Rhino.

We also got this pic of the store before the change out. Looks like the topper, Roger, and the Land are ready for next week.

Rhino!

Here is a look... July 20th to D-Streets!

Episode 078 SpectroMickey

Ep. 078 SpectroMagic This week we cover all the release dates announced for Park 9 and Animation 2. We also talk about the Villains 3, Mascots and Nerds releases. There is more news out of Japan and from under the big top.

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Animation 2 LE Update

Today Disney posted some new or changed dates for several of the Limited Edition pieces of the Animation 2 series.

First, because MC is writing this post and it was his prediction, Roger Rabbit is no longer coming out on July 13th, instead it has been moved to July 27th at both D-streets (but he will bounce into the Disney Store Online on July 27th.). The LE is 1200 and the price will be $44.95. Although it's a 9" figure, the WDW section says it's a 3". Weird...

Second, Humphrey the Bear and Ranger set will be coming out on July 6th at D-Streets. The LE is 1200 and the price for the two pack is $74.95. They will come to the Disney Store Online on July 20th.

And third, Rhino is now officially named in the event listing for his release. According the blog he will be coming out on July 20th at D-Streets. There will only be 1000 of him and he will cost $18.95

Impromptu Signing

Disney artists Thomas Scott and Casey Jones stopped by D-Street Orlando to pick up some Abe Lincoln Park Starz Variants (their latest creations) and left behind some treats for fans.

Casey Jones signed boxes of his 9"/3"/Jr Nightmare set

And his 9"/3" Malficent and Prince Phillip

Thomas Scott signed his Alice collection including 9" Crying Alice...

...9"/3" Walrus and Carpenter... 

...and Alice Flowers set.

Also at D-Street:

Coming June 22 to a D-Street near you!

Rhino Escapes

 

Well, he was scheduled for June 15th (or at least an unnamed Animation 2 LE figure was) but now the Vinylmation blog has removed that listing from it's event calender. We'll keep ya posted if it returns.

Upcoming Animation 2 LEs

Nick was able to take a pic of the upcoming Animation 2 LEs.
First, Geppetto 9" LE 1000
Second, a 9"/3" combo, Humphrey and Ranger J Audubon Woodlore LE 1200.
Along with the previously announced Maleficent and Prince and The 9" Roger Rabbit, these seem to be the 9" limited edition figures.
Still wondering about the Rhino ignite we saw earlier.
What do you think of these sets? Geppetto will go nicely with Pinocchio from the Animation 1 set.

Episode 066 Palm Trees

Ep. 066 Palm Trees In Zoe and Annmarie's first episode as the new hosts of Destination Vinylmation, they talk about the release of the new Monorails series and Big Bad Wolf set. They also have a rundown of upcoming events and release dates as well as read your comments and questions in the mystery mail bag. The Combo Contest 3 results are also revealed.

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I'll Huff and I'll Puff and I'll Review these Vinylmation

The Big Bad Wolf and Three Little Pigs set came out today at D-Streets. This LE 1500 set sell for $44.95 and was designed by Monty Maldovan for the Animation 2 Limited Edition series. On the surface, the set is spectacular. It's a perfect use of the 3" and Jr combos. The amount of detail and character packed onto the Jr figures these days is remarkable.

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Each of the pigs has their own facial detail, ear design and clothing design. Some of the best designed Jrs ever and makes me even more excited for Snow White. There is one slight problem however. But it is in the production. Maybe I have never looked close enough upon Jrs, but there seems to be some glue protruding from where the arms meet the body.

I noticed it on all three in this combo pack. It is not enough to pass on this set, but it does knock the grade down a bit if that is the issue on all the combos.

The backs are what you'd expect... the clothing, hats and tails. Next up is the 3" Big Bad Wolf.

It is a wonderful design all on it's own. The colors and proportions do capture the movie character. But when I put this up against Enrique Pita's Villains 2 design, I'd have to give Enrique a slight edge.

Villains 2 Enrique Pita

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I like Monty's feet and body on the Animation 2 combo figure, but Enrique gives us a much more detailed and villainous face. I also like Enrique's over sized hat design and ears. Both artists offer a completely different look at the same character. Monty gives a more smooth animated feel where as Enrique delivers a more gritty depiction of this villain. Overall, this LE combo shouldn't be missed if you are a fan of classic Disney animation. It's a great nod to the film. Ideally I would have liked to see an LE of 1000 and a price tag $10 cheaper, but that didn't keep these guys from my display cabinet.

WDW Trade Night Wrap Up

Update 3/4/12 Two updates below. Alex Maher actually had a hand in the Snow White Jr designs along with Thomas Scott. Also, Billy Davis is freelance, not a Disney Cast Member.

We had a ton of fun and learned a lot last night. Including many, MANY, release dates!!! Take a look...

As usual, the line exploded about 40 minutes from the doors opening. Also as usual, much pre-show trading took place.

Then the scramble for tables began. These shows have been incredibly packed lately. Pin and Vinylmation traders alike claimed their space and hunkered down for 3 hours. But the highlight of any WDW Trade Night (sorry DLR traders) are the displays of upcoming figures... and we got to see a few new ones!


Alice in Wonderland LE Flowers Set
Thomas Scott
LE 2000
April 20th
Four 3" figures make up this set. It was a great little surprise to see a yet to be revealed Alice LE set and a lot of excitement surrounded this one.

Alice 3" Flower

Alice 3" Flower

Alice 3" Flower

Alice 3" Flower

Alice 3" Flower Box Back

Looks like a perfect addition to the Alice series. Designed with care and every detail in mind, the colors truly pop in person.

Alice in Wonderland LE Cheshire Cat Set
Thomas Scott
April 13th
Also on display were the two 3" figures from the Cheshire Cat set. This one we knew about for quite a while, but were happy to get a release date on it. What we couldn't get a release date on however was the 9" LE Alice set we have had sneaks of on the Vinylmation blog.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Jr 6
Thomas Scott and Alex Maher
April 20th
This of course is the next Jr. mystery box set of 18. We have seen a lot of dwarfs, but finally all 7 together. Now Thomas alluded to Snow being in this set... and come on, what would the set be without here, but we saw her in all her tiny glory last night.

I'm a big fan of Snow and in Jr form, she is captured wonderfully. Right along side Aurora from Villains 2, the Princesses look good on the miniature canvas.

Robots 2
Billy Davis (entire set)
April 13th
With the first Robots set put in the hands of the Disney Store artists, it was a mild surprise to see the second series designed by artist Billy Davis. Billy, has given us Sea Creatures and even the Urban 8 Robot. That Robot was sure a pre-cursor to what we will see in Robots 2. Billy certainly took a different angle on the look of the Robots for this series and so far, I think I like it better than the first series. Shielded from view (guess they were not supposed to be on display last night) were two other Robots, and one had a big bubble (think Buzz) giving a 50's sci-fi movie robot feel. Since I just dined in the Sci-Fi diner, I recognized the style.

Day/Night Bot

Bulb Bot

9"/3" Animation 2 Price Phillip and Maleficent Dragon
Casey Jones
LE 1200
April 6th
Honestly, the Maleficent dragon doesn't do much for me. I enjoy the Villains 2 Maleficent better. However, the Price Phillip looks absolutely spectacular! Not to say the dragon isn't expertly designed, just a matter of personal taste. I don't like how I'd have to buy the combo to get him. (anyone want to set up a split?) This is a solid LE addition to Animation 2.

3" Price Phillip with sword. The ears are perfect with the thorns!

Another view of the Prince. The back has a painted on cape.

9" Maleficent Dragon

9" Maleficent Dragon back

9" Park 8 Mickey Mouse Revue
LE 1500
March 30th
Paris got it first, but our time is coming soon. The first in a line of Park 8 LEs. I wasn't really into this design... that is, until I saw the back last night. Breathtaking and super creative.

I'll show you the back first. To me, this design over the whole thing would make a perfect vinyl. It really represents the former attraction.

The front isn't bad either. It honestly looks like an Animatronic's face. Interesting new 9" mold hand design to hold the accessory baton.

9" Animation 2 Roger Rabbit
Maria Clapsis
LE ?
July 13th
OK, this one is cheating. We didn't see it at the trade event. But sometime after this weary eyed trader went to sleep last night, the Vinylmation Blog updated with a release date and turnaround of the great 9" Roger Rabbit.

Meanwhile at D-Street....

The store was lit up with the new 7" Night Lights.

Green, Red, Purple and White are available for $24.95 each and they come with batteries.

You can test them out in the store, so I'm not sure how much juice those batteries will have left once you get it home.

The USB drives were also available.

Urban 1 Oopsy, Cast Exclusive Mickey and Cutesters 1 Owl where the chosen designs.

Probably due to the $65 price tag, these where kept behind the counter where guests had to ask for them.