WDI Series Photoshoot

Walt Disney Imagineering D23 Series Review

In the world of Vinylmation, where set after set is pumped out of the factory at ever alarming rates, some designs blur into the background and much of the art and ideas start to look similar. Sure, different artists have their own style and after seeing a few dozen you have a good idea who did what. But every once in a while, a figure or series takes a leap forward and jumps out from the pack. The Walt Disney Imagineering series that was released at the D23 Expo is one of those sets. WDI Graphic Designers David Buckley and Justin Hamana have given us a fresh take on a produced Vinylmation figure. They pushed the boundaries, were innovative and took risks that we don't often see these days from the Disney Design Group. Don't get me wrong, that takes nothing away from the DDG artists. I still think they produce some amazing artwork. But introducing some new hands into the design mix is never a bad thing. The WDI series is what the Park series seemed to used to be. There are so many hidden details in here, that I don't even notice them all until the fifth or sixth look. In my opinion, this is the series of the year.

The Imagineering series was released at the 2013 D23 Expo inside the WDI Mickey's of Glendale shop. It is an open window set of 8 figures sold separately for $14.95 each. Each figure has an edition size of 1000. Originally, eight different Imagineers were going to each design a single figure. But somewhere in the process the entire series was put on the shoulders of WDI Graphic Designers David Buckley and Justin Hamana. David contributed 5 designs while Justin handled 3. With Sorcerer Mickey being the logo of WDI, each of the eight figures has the Sorcerer hat accessory. Let's take a closer look at each design. (audio review available in DV Podcast Ep. 131)

David Buckley's "3D Design/Sculpting" figure features the Yeti from Everest being sculpted in the body. The clay is wavy and uneven and is spread over a mesh frame. The use of clear to show the unfinished part of the sculpture is nothing short of perfect.

The feet represent the table. On the back, the table has some writing and there is a hilarious note attached to the body, "Note: Rework Arm Position," no doubt a reference to the broken Yeti arm inside the mountain. The hat features graph like lines and points that represent 3D Design on a computer.

All those details make this a wonderful piece, but the finger prints in the clay on the side are a remarkable touch.

"Landscaping" is an interesting design in that it could be rather boring, but the attention to detail by David raise this one up the ladder to one of the series standouts.

Just the fact that no part of the canvas was left unused. Roses in the ears, cobblestone in the feet, a Mickey face flower design in the head and flowers and leaves all over the place. But again, it is the hidden touch that makes the design. The sorcerer hat has stars and moons shaped out of flowers and leaves!

After opening figure after figure and seeing all the hidden objects on the back, "Blue Sky" was almost a let down. I saw almost, because it still is a remarkably pleasing design by David Buckley that holds a lot of meaning to Disney Parks fans.

The same design elements are carried from front to back, but the charm is in the light bulb. The filament is a Hidden Mickey.

The figure that most showcases the talents of these two graphic designers is of course the one titled "Graphic Design." David used the front to showcase the Sir Mickey's sign that hangs in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. The back features the familiar Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland logo.

All the colors and fonts are spot on. Again the hat holds much of the magic with the stars and moons being made of vines and leaves on the front.

In my opinion, the best figure in this series and one of the greatest Vinylmation designs created to date is the ambitious "Master Planning" design. David was worried this wouldn't be read to well because there is so much going on here. But it is laid out so well, any Disney Parks would instantly recognize it as the original map layout for Project X, or what would become Walt Disney World.

This is a masterpiece, with all the buildings, roads, monorail tracks and bodies of water depicted. The back has a scale in the feet, legend in the body and a graph and compass in the ears. Perfection.

Justin Hamana packed a ton into the "Music" figure... including a non-Disney reference he was very proud of. The front has a reel to reel tape deck, audio waves and violin body. The back has audio mixer faders and knobs, a volume meter and eject button.

The ears have a reel, audio wires, what looks like a CD and a volume knob that goes to 11... a Spinal Tap reference. The hat is full of music notes and the hands have piano keys.

Wow, talk about using every inch of the canvas. This is why I get upset when I see completely white or blank ears.

"Construction" has a lot of little ideas present as well. Justin used clear well here to demonstrate the structure of a building rising above a blue wall. We see the familiar yellow caution tape that reads "Mouse at Work" and the wonderful "Pardon Our Pixie Dust" sign.

The feet blow me away. It looks to me like the various ground levels. I see sand, dirt and water table levels. There is a tiny, detailed crane drawn into the left ear and there is a lunch box on the structure on the back. A nice touch indeed.

The final figure is "Audio Animatronics." This is probably the weakest design in a very strong set. It pains me to say that about this one because it is still a really great figure. Just put up against the other seven designs in this set, it seems lacking of that "Wow!" factor.

But Justin once again use clear so well to show the inner workings of the robot. There are gears in the ears and wires in the hat. The back also has some circuitry and wires. The hands have little metal figures and it is little touches like that, that make all the difference.

This set dedicates itself to the theme at hand... celebrating 60 years of Imagineering. It has all the hallmarks of a set we Disney fans and collectors crave. It has a Disney related theme that has meaning and sticks to that theme. It has designs that mean something to any fan of the Parks. They have hidden details all over the place. The production quality is perfect. The designs are fresh and ambitious. While I was talking to David and Justin at the expo, I told them how much I love the backs of the figures. They were almost shocked, but overjoyed, that I took them out of the box. I know many collectors like to keep LE items boxed up for display or resale, but if you do not take them out and enjoy them, you are doing yourself and the designers an injustice. This set should stand one of the best overall Vinylmation sets created in the first 5 years of the hobby.

Episode 131 3D Mickey Chaser

Ep. 131 3D Mickey Chaser This week we review the D23 Expo. The Vinylmation, the events, the stores and the people. Nick chooses his set of year and MC says not so fast. We also have news about a new Nightmare blind box series, more NYC vinyls, Halloween Tokyo figures and much more.

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Imagineering Vinylmation Explained

Walt Disney Imagineering Vinylmation Set
Released: WDI Mickey's of Glendale shop inside 2013 D23 Expo
Open Window set of 8
LE 1000
$14.95 each

Update: 8/19/13 - Nick's WDI set review is here. HQ photos and descriptions added below.
Update: 8/11/13- Product shots added.

8/2/2013- It is an amazing thing. The Imagineers create the environments inside the theme parks that draw us in and capture our imagination. Then, we want merchandise to celebrate our love of Disney. For me, Vinylmation was an exciting piece of merchandise because it felt like taking a real piece of parks home with me and putting it on my shelf. Now, the Imagineers themselves have gotten in on the action. At D23, a series of Vinylmation will be released that was designed by a couple of Imagineers. It will be sold at the WDI Mickey's of Glendale shop inside the Expo. This shop, is unique in that it is a sample of the real California store that is only accessible to Imagineers. But at the Expo, any guest will get to browse and purchase the treasures inside.

It seems like a set of 8 Vinylmation. No word on if they are open window or blind box. And as of this post, the above shot is the best look we have at them. Here are my thoughts on what they represent... feel free to help out, I am by no means exactly right. As I thought, they used the Sorcerer Mickey in some form... in this case a hat. Also, as I hoped, they seem to represent Imagineering milestones, feats, or concepts. (from left to right)

	Blue Sky David Buckley The Imagineer's idea process. A wonderful depiction of blank paper floating in a blue sky. The filament in the light bulb has a Hidden Mickey.
	Landscaping David Buckley They had some groundbreaking innovations here. Love the moon and star shaped leaves in the hat.
	Music Justin Hamana Various instruments of playing and recording music. Justin stuck a Spinal Tap reference in the ear where the dial goes to 11.
	Master Planning David Buckley A secret project in Orange Country Florida. A very ambitious design to layout an entire map on the front... but it reads so well.
	Graphic Design David Buckley One of the little treasures of the parks. The front and back are different pieces of signage found around Magic Kingdom. Sir Mickey's, a Fantasyland store and the Tomorrowland main logo.
	3D Design /Sculpting David Buckley Shows the sculpting process of the Everest Yeti on a mesh frame. Love the use of clear. Some clay dripped on the table. A hilarious note to "rework arm position." The Hat is all about a computer 3D design program mapping.
	Construction Justin Hamana Construction of a building and the fence around it. Uses Mickey's colors. Crane in ear. Lunch pail on structure on the back.
	Audio Animatronics Justin Hamana The insides of a moving robot in the park.

Walt Disney Imagineering Creates Vinylmation Series for D23

The D23 Expo website has posted a signing on the schedule for Walt Disney Imagineering Vinylmation Artists on August 10 from 3 - 4pm and August 11 from 12:15 - 1:15pm. Also, Evilos and Vinylmation World have posted this poster from Mickey's of Glendale, the WDI shop in California that will have a shop at the Expo:

The ideas can be endless here! I love the idea of Disney's Imagineers getting into Vinylmation design. Do you think they will be similar to the park series? Will they document the history of Imagineering milestones? Will they be a whole new platform? Who knows! One thing is for sure... we will finally get an Omnimover Vinylmation!!!!

I could not find any info on David Buckey, but I did find this on Justin Hamana: "Over the past three years, I have created environmental design elements within the Disney theme parks and developed marketing materials including Disney gift cards, banners, posters, and logo designs." I'm excited for this series and can't wait to see the reveal!