RoE: Trade Night Vinylmation

Trade Night Vinylmation 
Expected release date: 2014 (One character per trade show)
Expected price: $16.95
LE 500
Blind Boxed with Variant
Variant Odds: 1 in 10
The solid color figure is the normal version, while the clear figure is the variant.

Do like the pins do! Expect huge lines at those merchandise registers now! Both pin and Vinylmation collectors will be crowding in. Our best understanding is that both WDW and DLR will get these, but not the same characters. For example, Figment will only be released at a WDW Trade Night, while perhaps Stitch is just for DLR. I also found out DLR does not have merchandise at the event? You have to go elsewhere in the morning to buy the Trade Night pin? So not sure where these will be released in Anaheim. In Orlando, there is a merchandise area at the Trade Night itself and that is the only spot the pin has been available.

I love it! Disney kept saying "The Chase is Back" and this proves it. This gives an inexpensive, nicely designed, exclusive, low edition size figure with a variant. THIS is what collectors desire. Good job Disney.

A Figment of Noah's Imagination

Update 3/6/13 Here are a few facts from Disney:

• Each piece is hand-painted in a purple pearl finish, which shines to show off Figment's smiling face, along with planets and stars
• Hand-signed by the artist on foot
• Includes acrylic stand with printed Noah Figment graphic on cut-out number "30" backdrop
• Produced on demand up to 30 pieces
• Inspired by Epcot's Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment attraction
• Commemorating Epcot's 30th Anniversary (Epcot� Center opened to the public October 1, 1982)
• Exclusive to DisneyParks.com/store
• Note: Custom hand-crafted works typically display unique texture and paint handling. Coloring may vary. No two are the same!
• Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery due to the custom nature of this product.
• Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of 2 of this item per order.
• Please Note: Due to the unique nature of this item, there are no refunds, exchanges or returns.
• Sorry! Express shipping not available for this item.

Artist Noah has released his latest 9" Vinylmation creation titled "Dream Dragon." It features Figment from Epcot's Imagination Pavilion and celebrates the 30th anniversary of the theme park.

There will be 30 of these made and are for sale right now exclusively at Disney's Vinylmation Facebook Store for $750. This custom continues Noah's style of an airbrushed figure on a stand with a painted back. I really like the Figment that is featured on the stand as well as the cut on "30."

Epcot's 30th Pins Preview

Epcot turns the big three-oh later this fall and I can not wait to see how Disney plans to celebrate. Well, we all know how they plan to celebrate... MERCHANDISE! Maybe we will have a commemorative vinyl? What we do know is there will be pins. Over at Once Upon a Pin you can see the latest previews from last Friday's WDW Trade Night. There was a ton of buzz surrounding the Epcot stuff.

First and foremost, this retro lanyard. There will also be a 10 pin mystery box series featuring Figment.

See the entire preview at OnceUponAPin.com and hear all about it later this week on the Once Upon a Pin podcast.

Nerds Rock! Stitch and Figment

Update 6/10/12 Available NOW online through the Vinylmation Facebook page store. Then will still be available at D-Streets starting June 22.

Update 5/29/12 Release date of June 22 and price of $12.95 confirmed for Stitch and Figment.

Yesterday Disney released pictures of the two next nerds in the Nerds Rock! series: Stitch and Figment. We first heard about these extras last year and now it looks like they are getting ready to stumble into our lives. No word yet on an actual release date.

	Nerd Figment Check out the wicked beanie on top. I wonder if the propeller will spin? It does not on the Donald Nerd. His shirt seems to say, "Let your ideas take flight." It is the logo from the Imagination Institute. Amazing! A must have!
	Nerd Stitch The poor guy doesn't look happy to be a nerd, but he sure is adorable. Even the glass cockeyed seem to add to the character. As many have said before, his shirt makes him look like a cast member of The Big Bang Theory. (Which just last episode had Shamy making their own podcast.) Also, a must buy!

Are either of these nerds going to be invited into your Vinylmation party?

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Justin Marshall

Artist Justin Marshall has been featured before, and so you may know of his fondness for a certain purple dragon. Well, he may have topped himself with his latest work.

Front view of Justin's new 9" Figment

Back view of 9" Figment

To see more of Justin's work, please visit his Facebook page.

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Justin Marshall

As a child, my favorite Disney characters were Dreamfinder and Figment. I loved the EPCOT attraction as it originally was. It was a delight for kids and adults alike. So when custom artist Justin Marshall came to us with a Journey Into Imagination custom, I could not wait to share it with everyone.

Destination Vinylmation: What does Journey Into Imagination mean to you?

Justin: I have always loved journey into imagination. It really shows the magnitude of figments popularity because this is a character that is spawned from a EPCOT attraction, and no where else, yet after all these years seems to be just getting stronger and stronger in popularity. Now that the original ride is gone makes it even stronger for that demand for figment, and the Dreamfinder. It was a experience for all ages that brought you through the arts, literature, performing arts, and science. For a time where no one owned a computer, the technology was amazing. They can bring back the exact same ride, substitute a few things with 21st century advantages and you will have a hit!

DV: So you're not a big fan of the current version of the ride?
Justin: The ride now is... half ass done, and its a shame for all the creativity and hard work that went into it and now it sits in crates in a warehouse some where on the Disney property.

DV: I really like the retro feel of this custom. It seems like something you would find at EPCOT in the '80s. But this figure really seems to hold special sentimental value to you.
Justin: I made this to keep the attraction alive, and hopefully the new generation of disney lovers will someday get to experience this attraction the way it was intended with some 21st century tweaks.

But wait, there's more! Justin also wanted us to include these 3" Figments as a compliment to the 9" Journey figure.

This is one great looking Figment! Check out the detail on the space suit. 

Here is Figment in his sweater.

Great job Justin. For more Justin Marshall customs, check out his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/justinchad82

Figments of our Imagination

Now that we have the latest Vinylmations in hand and in pictures, we thought it would be interesting to compare the Figment from Park 1 to his latest edition as part of the Park 5 set.

Park 1 Fig Mouse by Maria Clapsis

Park 5 Tux Figment also by Maria Clapsis

Both are 3" figures.

In the Park 1 he has on his original outfit, basically nothing but a shirt with his name on it, whereas, in the Park 5 set he has on a little tux with a top hat. (Very distinguished)

In the Park 5 figure, his nose and face are defined much better, even giving the illusion of a snout, but in the original Park 1 he's just got a smile and eyes. (I think this is because the artist is more familiar with the medium.)

Not much else is radically different, although on the Park 5 Figment he's got thumb nails and his wings are just a little smaller.

Journey into Awesomeness!

The much anticipated Dreamfinder 9" Figment 3" combo Vinylmation was released today at D-Street Orlando and California! This is a perfect use of the 9", 3" combo and the detailed depiction of these two Disney fan favorites in spot on.

Dreamfinder and Figment were the stars of the former Journey into Imagination ride at EPCOT. The ride opened in 1983 and the pair happily entertained audiences for 15 years. In 1998, the ride was refurbished and Dreamfinder was taken out and Figment's role was reduced. Guests were very upset. One of the only places in Disney to get your Dreamfinder fix these days is in Mouse Gears. One of Dreamfinder's flying machines now decorates the EPCOT Mouse Gears store.

And this detail in Dreamfinder's right ear wonderfully depicts his blimp.

As another imagineer tribute to Dreamfinder, the name Dean Finder, appears on one of the lab doors in the current Journey ride queue. In 2002, Disney once again refurbed Journey and added more Figment for guests to enjoy. Now Vinylmation and Disney fans can enjoy this pair back together again with this Maria Clapsis designed Vinylmation limited to just 1,200 pieces. It retails for $74.95. And here are some of the first up close shots of the new 3" Figment Vinylmation that accompanies Dreamfinder:

Also released today is the 9" Retro Magic Kingdom for $44.95 at D-Street California and Orlando.