The Monorails: Live at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Long before they made an appearance as our favorite 3″ Disney collectibles, The Monorails were a band that toured around the Walt Disney World Resort performing at the resorts on their grand openings. We recently dug up some of The Monorails old concert posters, CDs, Albums and publicity photos. On May 28, 1994, Disney opened the Wilderness Lodge on the banks of beautiful Bay Lake. The Monorails were of course on hand for both openings. Take a look…

Concert Poster

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CD Cover

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Vinylmation Prognostication Disney World Resorts Series 1

Welcome to another installment of Vinylmation Prognostication! In this column I will be brainstorming “blue sky” ideas of what I would like to see future Vinylmation series to feature. I will examining the potential futures of current Vinylmation series as well as thinking up new series that I (and maybe other Disney fans!) would like to see be released. Since I have no idea what new series will be coming up this will be a fun way to dream up our wish lists so to speak. So, feel free to voice your thoughts on if you agree or disagree with my choices at the end of the article. With that being said let the prognostication begin!

In today’s column I will be creating a brand new series centering around the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels! My goal is to create a series that focuses on a unique feature at a Walt Disney World resort. I will limit my designs to represent only one resort per series. The front of the vinylmation will feature a design element that is unique to a certain resort and on the back of the figure’s head will feature the logo from that resort. With that being said, I will now unveil my Walt Disney World Resorts Series #1!

1. The Mary Blair Mural, Disney’s Contemporary Resort

photo from yesterland.com

I will start my series off with the classic mural from the Contemporary Resort’s Grand Canyon Concourse. On the figure I will try to include a couple of the native americans as well as the iconic five legged goat. It would be great to include an entire side of the mural, but rather than trying to cram everything on the figure I would like to focus on just a few of the characters from the mural. I think this would be a great tribute to the art of Mary Blair as well as a interesting design to add to any Disney fan’s collection.

2. Tiki God, Disney’s Polynesian Resort

photo from wdwlive.com

From the Polynesian Resort I would have my second figure be the Tiki God that is featured around the resort on various signs as well as the resort’s garbage cans. The figure would be all brown like the signs around the resort with the tiki’s head on the vinylmation head and body design on the figure’s body. A classic design representing one of the original resort hotels!

3. Main Building, Disney‘s Grand Floridian Resort

photo from diszine.com

With its white walls and red gabled roofs, this Victorian style hotel is the last of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts. I would have this figure be of the tower on the main building incorporating that iconic look onto the design.

4. Old Port Royale Food Court , Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

photo from wdwmagique.com

My design would encompass the food court…..yes the food court with its bright colored buildings and Caribbean themed lanterns. This quite possibly my favorite themed food court on property therefore in my mind warranting inclusion in this set.

5. The Lost City of Cibola Feature Pool Pyramid, Disney‘s Coronado Springs Resort

photo from distherapy.com

The Mayan pyramid that is the main feature of the resort’s pool would represent Coronado Springs. This is probably the most iconic design feature of this resort. I would love to see the pool be incorporated into the design by using the feet while the pyramid would encompass the body and the head of the figure.

6. Mardi Gras Jester, Disney‘s French Quarter

photo from dizzneemomma.wordpress.com

Lots of design possibilities exist with the French Quarter Resort. I am going to go with the colorful Mardi Gras jester statue that is located on property. I think it fits perfectly with the whole New Orleans theme going on at the resort. Accesory jester head on stick would come with the figure!

7. Globe, Disney‘s Yacht Club Resort

photo from disneyhotelsfan.com

Located in the lobby of the resort, the giant globe would by my inclusion for this resort in the set. I would love to see how detailed the designers can get with converting the globe to Vinylmation form. How much of the detailed information contained on the globe would the be able to get on the figure?

8. The Kitchen Sink, Disney‘s Beach Club Resort

photo from Coronado.forumotion.com

This ice cream sundae monstrosity that can be found at the Beaches and Cream Soda Fountain is the first thing that pops into my mind when somebody mentions this resort. I have never had the guts or stupidy (call it what you will) to order this monster on my prior visits to the resort, but I hear it is quite the experience for others who have. Regardless not too many resort are known for one particular food item, but the Beach Club is at the top of the list.

9. Carousel Chandelier, Disney‘s Boardwalk Resort

photo from floridaphotomatt.com

Another lobby design feature for the set! This stunning chandelier is easy to notice on one’s visit to the Boardwalk. Fitting nicely with the overall theme of the resort, this chandelier features horses as well as angels holding the light features of the chandelier. How about including the light feature as an accessory? I think that would be kind of unique!


10. Totem Pole outside Mercantile Exchange, Disney‘s Wilderness Lodge

photo from dipity.com

Outside of the Wildreness Lodge’s gift shop you will find a totem pole. This isn’t a traditional totem pole though! This one features Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Humphrey the Bear. The Wilderness Lodge has a lot of unique design features, but I like this one. It also is a perfect way of sneaking in some Disney characters for this series.

11. Giraffe on the savannah at Jambo House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

photo from mousellaneous.org

For Animal Kingdom Lodge, I would have the figure feature one of the resort’s giraffes grazing in the savannah with the  Jambo House in the background. If they could include some tiny people watching the giraffe from the balcony of their room it  would be even better. Not sure if that last detail would be able to be included, but whatever the design the giraffe on the  savannah would be a fitting representative for this resort!

12. Serpent, Electrical Water Pageant (Chaser)

Photo from afrugalfriend.net

While not technically part of any resort the Electrical Water Pageant is held nightly around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. The show passes by all of the resorts in the Magic Kingdom area, so there is my justification including it in this set. Of all the floats in the show, the serpent is my favorite. I also, think this would be a unique chaser that encompasses multiple resorts rather just picking out a chaser from one specific resort. If they could put some electric lights in the figure to make it light up that would be awesome!

So, there you have it! An entire resort themed Vinylmation Series. I know I had to leave some resorts out of this series, but that is why there is a series #2! Feel free to voice your thoughts on what you would like to see for this series below. See you next time!

WDW Resort Trading Locations

Click for larger map with Resort Locations
	All Star Movies Donald's Double Feature Clear Trading Boxes
	All Star Music Maestro Mickey's Clear Trading Boxes
	All Star Sports Sport Goofy Gifts 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Oval (5-8 figures)
	Animal Kingdom Lodge Zawadi Marketplace 1 Clear Trading Box
	Beach Club Beach Club Marketplace 1 Mystery Grab Bag 1 Clear Trading Box
	Boardwalk Inn Character Carnival 1 Mystery 15 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Box (Located out the back of lobby, down the steps to the left.)
	Caribbean Beach Calypso Trading Post 1 Mystery 15 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Box (Located inside Centertown, around back of resort. Trading boxes are at kiosk.)
	Contemporary Fantasia 1 Mystery 15 Trading Box
	Contemporary Fantasia Market 1 Clear Trading Box
	Coronado Springs Panchito's Gifts 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Box
	Dolphin Hotel Daisy's Garden 1 Clear Trading Box (Located on 2nd floor near the Central and West elevators.)
	Grand Floridian Mickey Mouse Mercantile 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box
	Saratoga Springs 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Box
	Polynesian Trader Jack's 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Box
	Pop Century Everything Pop Shop 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box
	Port Orleans French Quarter Yacht Club Marketplace 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Box
	Port Orleans Riverside Yacht Club Marketplace 1 Mystery 24 Trading Box
	Wilderness Lodge Mercantile Traders 1 Clear Trading Box
	Yacht Club Yacht Club Marketplace 1 Mystery 15 Trading Box 1 Clear Trading Box

The following Disney World Resorts do NOT have trading locations (although some may still sell Vinylmation at the stores): Fort Wilderness Campground, Swan Hotel, Old Key West, Bay Lake Tower.