Star Wars 2 Vinylmation at Celebration VI

It was day 4 of Star Wars Celebration VI. We had just finished recording episode #086 inside the Droid Racing Arena. We had bought all we wanted. Seen all there was to see. No more panels. No more stars. It was time to have fun with Vinylmation!

Wedge checks out an X-Wing Pilot prop helmet

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Han is happy in the paws of this Wookiee

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Tusken Raiders guarded the paper mache Star Wars universe

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A Vinylmation, a guy dressed like Obi Wan and a Jedi banana walk into a cantina...

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"Aaarrrrgggghhhhh!" (I'm not the chaser??!!)

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Vader is beyond upset about the commercialization of Carbon Freezing.

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"I hope that never happens to me." - Han Solo

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"I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee."

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"I run the damn Death Star and all I get is this lousy Vinylmation!"

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Greedo just hopes Jabba looks before reaching down for his next bite.

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"Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them." Vader threatens to turn enemies into vinyl toys... as Carbon Freezing has apparently become too mainstream. 

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Just like Beggar's Canyon back home? "I used to bull's-eye Vinylmation in my T-16 back home. They're not much bigger than two inches."

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Apparently the deal actually worked out for Lando

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What do you think Vader does when the Emperor isn't looking?

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Ponda Baba travels back in time to that fateful day on Tatooine... "Hey Muftak! Nice to see you. Do you mind standing right here in front of me for a minute?"

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Episode 086 Blocks

Ep. 086 Blocks Recorded live at Star Wars Celebration VI this week's episode features a review of Star Wars series 2 and the hologram Princess Leia. We also rundown the official Mickey's Circus itinerary with more hints and tips. We read and listen to your Mystery Mail Bag Questions and Comments. And like always, we deliver the latest news and release dates.

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Star Wars 2 WDW Release and Signing

Your comments relayed a hesitation to shell out $15 per Star Wars 2 blind box, and the turnout this morning for the release of the second series seemed to back up the talk. Not many of the usual faces were lined up along the Downtown Disney sidewalk to purchase this set on day one. Now, to be fair, Disney did not play up this release like they did with the midnight event that was Star Wars series 1.

This morning, there was only a small crowd when the doors opened at 9am. A crowed that all but disappeared until the 11am signing. 

There were about 20 people when Casey and Maria pulled out their pens. The crowed then, never more than about 10 deep, began a small but steady stream toward the autograph tables set up underneath the D-Street canopy. 

I personally witnessed less cases sold. Most of the cases seemed to be purchased by out of towners as if the locals were banking on just trading to complete their set. It is possible that part of the crowed that would have been here today was instead at Star Wars Celebration VI at the convention center and will pick up series 2 later in the week. 

I by no means think this is a condemnation on the series itself. It is a beautifully designed series with wonderful character selection. The big names HAD to be in here again, and Maria Clapsis did a fantastic job at making them her own. Maria talked about the attention to detail she gave all the designs. Casey Jones handled the aliens, and did so to perfection. 

A few guests brought along the LE 2500 Hologram Princess Leia that was released exclusively at Star Wars Celebration on Thursday. Many collectors in line where making deals to add her to their collection. Designed by Maria Clapsis, Leia differs from Ghost Obi Wan in 2 ways. The blue is a darker blue representing hologram instead of a spirit. Also, Leia's face is a more solid white as it would appear in the movie as opposed to Obi Wan's facial features being outlined. The most remarkable design element for myself is how it transitions from her face and hands to her robe and the stark contrast how her more lit up skin is "cut off" and the figure becomes a dark blue clear representing the robe. Here are a few more pictures from the signing:

Help me Obi Wan... Star Wars Celebration VI Explained

Star Wars Celebration is an official fan convention. It's four fun-filled days of exhibits, a vibrant, interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, and other surprises.

Thursday, August 23, 2012 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday, August 24, 2012 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 25, 2012 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, August 26, 2012 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM


Update: 08/10/12 The Disney Parks Blog released some updated information and pictures today. The leading news is the first confirmation outright from Disney that Star Wars Series 2 Blind Boxes will in fact be sold at Celebration. They also now are using two phrases I am so very wary of:

"This year, we have created some items that fans will only find at this event." And, "One of those event exclusive items is a 3-inch Vinylmation figure of Princess Leia as a hologram." We will see how "exclusive" these items remain. If there are any of the 2500 Leia figures left over, I'm sure they will be at the parks and/or online.

Leia looks a little better here and you can really see the posters in back of the Speedsters. I'm really leaning toward picking those up too.

The Disney Parks Blog also released this photo of some SW Series 1 and 2 figs mixing with hologram Leia.

There will be two event tee-shirts with Disney characters as Star Wars characters. They are also introducing an Aurebesh nametag with a few additional destinations not found during Star Wars Weekends 2012.

"For those guests who missed being “frozen” in carbonite, the Carbon-Freeze Me experience will return for a limited, four-day engagement during the event. Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, this experience casts your likeness as a three-dimensional, eight-inch figurine (as seen in this video by my fellow Disney Parks Blog author Gary Buchanan and Star Wars: The Clone Wars star Ashley Eckstein). Retail is $99.95 (plus shipping), and event guests can participate on a first-come, first-served basis."

Disney will be introducing “D-Tech On-Demand." Guests can watch their iPhone 4/4S case designs printed onsite. The four cases in the top row will premiere at this event, while the bottom row features some designs that can be printed.

I'm excited that Series 6 of Disney Characters as Star Wars figures will be released at Celebration (and later at the parks). I have stated this before... I am still confused by this series. They seem to be designs rehashed with pluses. Pluto as R2 is new, but Anakin Mickey, Yoda Stitch, Queen Amidala Minnie and Darth Maul Donald have all been done before. The twist is you get a piece of the Goofy figure in each of the other 5 packages and get to piece him together.

The next installment of Muppets Star Wars will also release at Celebration (and later at the parks). This set features Animal as Boba Fett and Scooter as Lando with a Carbonite Han Solo.

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The rumors were true. The Princess Lea hologram LE variant for Star Wars 2 will be available at Star Wars Celebration VI. Celebration is an annual Star Wars convention, this year held at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center from August 23-26.

The Edition size is 2,500 and it will retail for $18.95. You can find it at the Disney Theme Park Merchandise
Booth #331. The posting on the exhibitor page of the Celebration website also says "Along with the release of Vinylmation Star Wars Series #2, this Celebration VI exclusive variant figure features Princess Leia as a hologram." Am I reading to much into the "along with" part? Might we see some SW2 blind boxes available at the convention as well? It would make sense. Disneyland has an August 25th release date.

Tickets are still available. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday Adult Passes are $55 each, Saturday Passes are $65, Adult Four-Day Passes are $135, Kids Four-Day Passes are $54, and Kids One-Day Passes are $27. Kids under the age of 6 are free with a ticketed adult. Kids ages 6-12 will receive kid pricing and kids age 13 and up will receive adult pricing. Order your tickets online at www.starwarscelebration.com.

Other goodies at the Disney Theme Park Merchandise booth:


D-Tech On-Demand – iPhone 4/4S Cases
Equip your iPhone 4/4S with new D-Tech on-demand cases debuting at Celebration VI. Select from a variety of Star Wars and Disney designs, and watch as the case is printed onsite. Retail: $36.95 each.

Star Tours – 25th Anniversary – Die-Cast Starspeeder Collection
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Star Tours, Disney is releasing the Starspeeder die-cast collection that features both the Starspeeder 3000 and the Starspeeder 1000. This Celebration VI exclusive will retail for $19.95.

Destination Vinylmation will be there all four days covering the event and will of course let you know what else Disney unveils.

Episode 085 Blackout

Ep. 085 Blackout This week we of course talk about the price hike for Star Wars 2. We also discuss the new series, I Love Mickey and run down the silent auction catalog for Mickey's Circus. Park 10 is reviewed. The Mystery Mail Bag is also full of great questions and comments. And if you listen to the end, you might learn some physics!

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Episode 084 Big Teeth

Ep. 084 Big Teeth This week we give an extensive Preview of the Mickey's Circus Vinylmation and Pin event along with some tips for first time trading event attendees. We also have a ton of news about the Star Wars 2 releases and discuss all the comments and questions you sent into the Mystery Mail Bag.

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Star Wars 2 Explained

Star Wars Series 2 Explained
Release Date: Celebration VI: August 23, WDW August 24, DLR: August 25, 2012
Price: $14.95
Details: Blind Box 12 figure series

Update: 08/17/12 Series 2 accidentally released at Emporium at the Magic Kingdom today. Rumored price is $14.95 per blind box!!!!!

Update: 08/14/12 Picture of Chaser added. HQ pics of all the characters now available.

Click image above to reveal the chaser

Update: 08/13/12 The Disney Parks blog released some new photos today and some words from SW2 artists Thomas Scott and Casey Jones

“The first series was created at a different time in Vinylmation history,” explained Thomas. “When we began developing series two, we considered several factors for future growth. We again worked closely with Lucasfilm when selecting the characters for the new series. We also thought about how those characters could appear in future series.” - Thomas Scott

“I like using the ears as a way to further enhance the story,” explained Casey. “When designing these figures, I looked for something iconic to add to the ears, such as the ‘binary sunset’ on the Tusken Raider or Obi-Wan Kenobi figures. Adding design elements from the film help set the stage for each character.” - Casey Jones

The article says that Casey Jones created concept sketches of each figure, while Maria Clapsis turned those sketches into full-color images.

Update: 08/07/12 Artist Casey Jones tweeted us to let us know the release date for Star Wars 2 in Orlando will actually be Friday, August 24 (Disney's Events page said 8/25). Casey Jones will be at D-Street from 11am-1pm EST to sign Star Wars 2 figures.

Update: 08/06/12 Release date of Saturday, August 25 announced for D-Street Orlando. Casey Jones will be at D-Street from 11am-1pm EST to sign Star Wars 2 figures. Also, the LE 2500 Princess Leia Hologram figure will be on sale at Star Wars Celebration VI from August 23-26. Celebration is a ticketed convention held at the Orange County Convention Center.

Update: 07/29/12 Release date of Saturday, August 25 announced for D-Street Anaheim. Casey Jones will be at D-Street from 3p-6p PST to sign Star Wars 2 figures. No release info for Orlando yet. But the weekend of August 23-26 is Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando, so a release is expected.

Update: 07/18/12 Pictures of 11 of 12 figures now up. Here is a look at them in their entirety from Vinylmation World.

Update: 07/08/12 Pictures of Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Muftak added in pin form.

Update: 11/17/11 The facebook page for Star Tours had a first look at the Obi-Wan vinyl from Star Wars 2.

Star Wars Series 2 is based on characters from a New Hope Episode IV, the first Star Wars movie to hit theaters. This series was a Casey Jones, Maria Clapsis and Thomas Scott collaboration, each contributing to different parts of the design process they could best handle. As more figures are released, we will see the composition of the set. Do they have to repeat the big stars of the movie franchise? (Luke, Leia, Han Solo) Or can supporting characters carry this second series?

	Darth Vader Window in one ear, stars in the other. A bit more realistic looking that the series 1 version. It has a helmet shaped feature coming off the head!
	Princess Leia The walls of the ship in her ears look great. Can't wait to see the details in her clothing in person. The hair buns are the perfect touch after the braided hair ring for series 1.
	Luke Skywalker His return for series 2 puts him on Tatooine with the duel suns ablaze and the colorful skyline in the ears.
	Muftak He is found in the Mos Eisley Cantina. He is paired up with Kabe in the movie
	Ponda Baba Nice coloring and that's a great looking, although ugly, face.
	Han Solo He looks a lot better in this series. I didn't like the bland Han look from Series 1. He looks more rugged here with more defined hair and clothing features.
	X-Wing Pilot Great visor look just like X-Wing Mickey.
	Grand Moff Tarkin Tarkin is the commander of the first Death Star. In Episode IV he is portrayed by actor Peter Cushing. This set is doing a great job so far at use of ears. Instead of blank, the artist is using them to represent where we might see the character.
	Obi Wan Kenobi Luke's first mentor as a Jedi. Also the chaser in Star Wars 1 with a "ghost" variant.
	Greedo The bounty hunter that comes after Han on Tatooine. He never shot first!
	Tusken Raider Roaming Tatooine, these guys ride single file to hide their numbers. Amazing use of ears. The desert scene looks great.
	Mystery Chaser Click on image to see the chaser and our thoughts on it.