Episode 155 Sea Serpent

Ep. 155 Sea Serpent This week we talk about some upcoming events that do and may or may not include Vinylmation including, Imagination Gala, DLR Trade Night, NBC at DLR and D23 2015. We also discuss the release of Robots 4 and the final Mickey Through the Years combo.

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Episode 152 Polynesian Fire Dancer

Ep. 152 Polynesian Fire Dancer This week we preview the Disney Villains themed Robots 4 series. We also have a hearty debate about the practice of re-releasing figures with updated designs on the current Mickey platform that were previously on the old one.

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RoE: Robots Series 4

Sometimes they listen and just do things right. The fourth series of Robots, like number three, will use Disney Characters. All we have is the Big Bad Wolf's head to go on here, but it's enough to peak my interest!

Robots 2 Explained

Robots Series 2
Release Date: April 13
Where: D-Streets
Price: TBA
Details: This set is promoted as "Mix 'n Match." In a single blind box, you will receive a robot with mixed up parts. A head, a body, feet and 2 arms from 4 different Robots. You can collect the mixed matched bots, make your own combos or find the missing parts and put together the artists original Robot design... or the "correct" version. This set was designed by Bill Davis. Unlike Robots 1, this second series was designed by a single artist and will not be a Disney Store exclusive product.

Unlike our normal Explained tables, we instead will just share the Mix 'n Match instruction sheet Disney has supplied on the blog and in each blind box. You can download the pdf here. Or take a look at the image below.

Robot Alert!

Update: Check out WDW Trade Night Wrap Up for more complete info and better pics!

Vinylmation artist Eric Caszatt (@bigcrazy1) twetted this today:

Robots 2? Maybe, although I figured that would be a Disney Store product and I wouldn't think Eric would be tweeting it... maybe we will see tonight at the WDW Trade Event? I sure hope we see some good stuff there like Park 8 LEs... but this will do. Look at the light on his head! This bot is fantastic.

What's on the Vinylmation Horizon

So, what's with this information drought Disney? No solid info has been posted on Vinylmation.com since before the Super Bowl. And with an ever shrinking confirmed release calendar, the Vinylmation collecting community is wondering what's next? So I thought this is as good a time as any to go over what sets and figures we know about that should eventually get released. The first on my list was an intriguing collection that we saw at The Florida Project.

These 7" battery operated night light Vinylmation had the community excited... but by the end of the weekend, Disney announced they would be indefinitely delayed. Next up, Disney Classics.

Touted as the Have a Laugh follow up, the release of this series seems to be on the near horizon as it does appear in the Sneak section of Vinylmation.com. The picture above is from a teaser slide at The Florida Project. It looks like a black and white set of classic Disney characters as they first appeared many decades ago. Then we have a follow up to the popular Disney Store Robots series.

We expect to see Robots Series 2 sometime in 2012. We were excited to uncover a couple pictures from a website called http://gdpinvestigation.blogspot.com/. They claim these are images of Robots from Series 2.

This first image features some concept art.

This second image seems like the packaging design. How about a blast from the past? The next two pieces of concept art were already posted online at Vinylnation by the time I started collecting about two years ago. They both seem to feature Disney Vacation Club exclusive figure designs.

This first one is purple with a gold key.

The second one is a wonderful little white picket fence design with Mickey Heads and a "Home Sweet Home" sign. We only have one DVC figure so far... will we ever see these produced? You can put these on the shelf next to Clear Series 2. What ever happened to those? Let's dive into the movies for a bit. Last year, Disney released a teaser image for a Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides set.

This Casey Jones designed set is expected to hit shelves sometime in 2012. No word on if it will open window or mystery box. This next set has a more solid release window. It's the Jr. 6 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We don't have a release date, but Disney says to expect it in April. We recently found this image of the packaging on http://gdpinvestigation.blogspot.com/.

I am so excited for this detailed Jr set. The seven dwarfs are a given, but it will be interesting to finally get the reveal of the remaining 11 figures. Sticking with the movies...

Disney Character Star Wars is rumored to have a release around Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios (May 18-June 12). We should also see the second Star Wars blind box series later this year as well.

October is the rumored release window. Park Starz was an exciting 2011 release, and Disney promised we will see variants in 2012.

No pictures yet, but Disney said they will sell variants individually, meaning no blind boxing for them. This is a fresh approach were you can just go ahead and purchase the variant outright if you want it. We also have one hint... "copper". Most people are looking at you Mr. Lincoln. Sticking with the "breaking the mold" theme...

We know absolutely nothing about Popcorns except this teaser image. But we do know plenty about Haunted Mansion... except a release date.

Between pins and concept art, we have a solid idea of what this set will look like. But for two years, we have been hearing rumors of release... I think I speak for everyone when I say "Please Disney, make 2012 the year we finally see this one!" And don't forget the watch.

This is due out around March/April. And last but not least...

Vinylmation.fr has been teasing us for about 4 months. We are expecting some exclusive vinyl sometime this year in honor of Disneyland Paris' 20th anniversary. So as you can see, although it has been a slow news month, we as Vinylmation collectors have a lot to look forward to in 2012 and beyond. What have I left off this list? What are you most looking forward too?

Robots on Sale at Disney Store Online

More prices slashed at Disney Store Online! Check out these cool prices on Robots. $150 for a case and $25 a piece for the 9". If you've waiting to buy them, now seems to be the time.

Win a Robot!

Update: 8/14/11 If you listened to our most recent podcast you'll know that Sarah won the contest. Congrats Sarah and your robot is on it's way! Thank you to everyone who entered, and also thanks to the Disney Store for providing the prize. Look for more contests soon!

The Disney Store exclusive Robots series has been out or a while now and we wanted to know which one was your favorite.

Just post a comment with which robot you like the most from the series. We'll randomly pick a comment as a winner and that winner will receive a unopened blind box from the robot set cutesy of Destination Vinylmation and the Disney Store. The contest starts now and ends at noon on Saturday August 13th EST.

Only one entry per person! Good luck!

Robots Signing at California Disney Store

Disney is amazing us with the promotion and coverage of the Robots Vinylmation release. They continue this week with artist profiles and a story on the artist signing this past weekend at the Fashion Valley Disney Store in San Diego, CA.

Photo from Disney Store Blog

Here, Marcella Lau signs a Robot for a guest. Take a look at the set up. Huge detailed displays featuring the artists in the background. Again, showing the Disney Store going all out for this release. I can't wait to see what they do for Lion King! (another Disney Store release) Hope it's more of the same fanfare.

Photo from Disney Store Blog

For more pictures and the full story on the artist signing, check out this article at the Disney Store Blog. If you were there, send us your pictures and story too.

Disney Store Blog Talks to Vinylmation Artist Enrique Pita

Last week, we featured Disney Store Artist Enrique Pita in our "Spotlight On" series. Today, the Disney Parks Blog released a great interview with Enrique. They also released this look at Enrique's Robots concept art:

Copyright Disney

When asked about the creation of the Robots series, Enrique said "For the Robots series, I came up with the original concept and then we decided as a team that we wanted to do the wind-up robots. But, from there, we created our own robots and named them on our own." Read the full interview with Enrique here.

Episode 031 Toon Hole

Ep. 031 Toon Hole This week Nick and MC review the newly released Urban 7 set. We also discuss the amazing PR campaign that surrounded the Robots series.And, of course, we also talk about the latest news, release dates and answer you questions in the Mystery Mail Bag.

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Robots Vinylmation Chaser

Well the time has come again to reveal another of this week's release's chaser. This picture was taken from sfmissionfinds's eBay auction.

And now the Chaser for Robots!

What do you think???

Spotlight On: Disney Store Artist Oskar Mendez

All this week, we are taking a look at the Disney artists behind the Robots Vinylmation series. There has also been a ton of Robot news announced. Make sure to check out Robots Explained, Robots Uncovered, Podcast Ep. 30, Robot Artist Signing, a look at the great packaging, our review of Robots, and of course, Disney's "When Robots Attack!" video for more Robots coverage.

Oskar Mendez
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
Photo Copyright Disney

The son of Senior Character artist, Gerald Mendez, Oskar Mendez literally followed in his father's footsteps. Born in Mexico City, Oskar came to the US when he was 4 and graduated from Art Center college of Design in Pasadena, CA before stepping into his first job at the Disney Store. Now Oskar's been at the Disney Store for 4 years and is designing Vinylmation like Communication Bot and the limited edition Reflector Bot from the Robots series.

Reflector Bot 9"

Oskar gets his inspiration primarily from animation artists old and new, such as Peter de Seve, Claire Wendling and Heinrich Key... to name a few. Oskar loves to draw from life and paint when he gets the chance.

What are some other Vinylmation Oskar Mendez has designed?

Maleficent 9" Villains 1	Aurora Jr. Villains 1
Kaa Villains 1

Spotlight On: Disney Store Artist Jim Valeri

All this week, we are taking a look at the Disney artists behind the Robots Vinylmation series. There has also been a ton of Robot news announced. Make sure to check out Robots Explained, Robots Uncovered, Podcast Ep. 30, Robot Artist Signing, a look at the great packaging, our review of Robots, and of course, Disney's "When Robots Attack!" video for more Robots coverage.

Jim Valeri
Senior Manager, Design
Photo Copyright Disney

Though he was born in Akron, Ohio, Jim Valeri considers himself a California native. With a degree in illustration from Cal State Northridge, Jim worked in the aerospace industry for some time before becoming an intern at Disney Consumer products in 1994. Sixteen years later, Jim is still with the company creating Vinylmation like Cranky Bot from the Robots Series. Jim also created one of the exclusive Limited edition 9" Robots, Salvage Bot.

Salvage Bot 9"

Art is a compulsion for Jim, so working in the creative environment of the Disney Store and making characters come to life everyday is only natural.

What are some other Vinylmation has Jim Valeri designed?

Hey, Taxi! NYC Exclusive	New York, NY NYC Exclusive
Bonzai Villains 1	Stromboli Villains 1

Robot Vinylmation Artist Signing

Spotlight On: Disney Store Artist Enrique Pita

All this week, we are taking a look at the Disney artists behind the Robots Vinylmation series. Make sure to check out Robots Explained, Robots Uncovered and Podcast Ep. 30 for more Robots coverage.

Enrique Pita
Senior Designer
Photo Copyright Disney

For Disney Store Senior Designer Enrique Pita, it's always been a dream to work for Disney. Born in Havana, Cuba, Enrique moved to the US in 1980 and studied commercial art design at LA Trade Tech College. Since then, Enrique used his expertise to expand his career throughout a number of industries including print press, typography, illustration and graphic design for companies like Guess, Tiltworks and Jerry Leigh. At the Disney Store, Enrique creates artwork for everything from t-shirt graphics to Vinylmation. His recent creations include Radio Bot, Love Bot, UltraSonic Bot and El Elektro Bot from the Vinylmation Robots series.

Radio Bot 3"

An avid Disney fan, Enrique calls himself a "collector who creates collectibles", and is proud to show off his robust collection of Disney figurines both at home and in the office.

What are some other Vinylmation Enrique Pita has designed?

Statue of Liberty Minnie NYC Exclusive	Ursula Villains 1
Prince John Villains 1	Bad Pete Villains 1

Vintage Robot Boxes

All this week, we are taking a look at the Robots Vinylmation series. Make sure to check out Robots Explained, Robots Uncovered and Podcast Ep. 30 for more Robots coverage.

It's funny how much detail is put into something that is meant to be thrown out by the consumer, but Disney has given us some great packaging for Vinylmation lately. When it's not a Park, Urban or Holiday series, they really reach outside the box. The Star Wars tray was a real standout.

Copyright Disney

Disney also did a great job with sets like Cutesters and Animation as well. Then Pirates came around, and both the tray and individual box design really blew us away.

On July 22, Disney releases the Robot series of Vinylmation. We have talked the past few days about what's in the box, but today, we will show you the packaging. The design is absolutely brilliant. This series is based on Robots from the 1950's and '60's, so both the tray and blind boxes have a very vintage Sci Fi feel.

The colors on the box and the fonts used are all reminiscent of what you will see if you pick up a vintage toy robot.

I tried to open our blind box without ripping the flaps... that proved difficult. But you can see, as with Muppets and Villains, there is some entertaining writing on the flaps.

"Robot Fun! Prepare Yourself"

"There's No Turning Back Now...
NOW You're The Coolest Kid On The Block!"

Of course, the 11 Robots and Mystery Chaser outline are shown on the back of the box. And you can see the designers "aged" the box with fake creases and tears.

This packaging is sure to snag the eye of a passer by in the Disney Store that might not be looking for Vinylmation. For collectors, packaging as great as this just adds a little something to the experience of opening up our blind boxes. The artist did a great job at capturing that vintage Sci Fi feel from the outset and then carriing the them into the product itself.