Episode 157 Cyclops

Ep. 157 Cyclops This week Brendt steps in for MC once again and we list our Top Ten Variant Vinylmation of all-time. Post your lists in the comment section here. We also have an update on the upcoming WDW Trade Night and some Star Wars news.

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Rare Mammoth Unearthed

We thought it didn't exist. Disney did not promote them. No one had claimed to pull one. ...until now. About 6 month after Urban Redux 2 was released, a collector posted a photo of a one-of-a-kind Super Chaser on Vinylmation Exchange.

Eric Pham was the lucky collector and posted this message on Vinylmation Exchange.

Not sure what this one is? Got it from a bloxing purchase of Urban Redux 2 at DS.com. I could not find any info from anywhere. What do u guys think??

It is a hand drawn, one-of-a-kind figure based on the Mammoth figure in Urban Redux Series 2. The first series had 24 Super Chasers overall (4 hand drawn figures for each of 6 designs). This is the first we have documented from series 2.

Episode 140 Sumo

Ep. 140 Sumo This week we talk about Urban Redux 2's Variants, the reveal of Mickey Through the Years set 2 and new vinyls in Japan. We also discuss some Disney Infinity and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.

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Episode 138 Mod

Ep. 138 Mod This week we talk about the release of Marvel, Villains 4 and the variants that were found in both sets. We also talk about the set released at the D23 Expo in Japan. And we announce the final ballot for the 2013 DeeVee awards as we open up the voting.

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Episode 130 Wet Paint Donald

Ep. 130 Wet Paint Donald This week we give a full D23 Expo Vinylmation and Artist Meet and Greet Preview. We also find out news about Popcorns 2, Food & Wine and an update on Reflections of Evil. Matt from Vinylmation Kingdom stops by to talk about customs, scrappers and Walt.

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Ghostly Gus Appears

Not that it was a surprise to anyone at this point, but the last Park Starz 2 variant has been announced and it is a clear version of Gus from the Haunted Mansion. I was hoping for a little bit more, maybe even a three pack of the three ghosts, but this is what we get. The figure will be individually sold for $24.95 and there are 2000 of them. They will be released at D-Streets (and maybe online) on August 9th 2013. What are your thoughts on this (and any other) Park Starz variants?

Mahna Smahna

(pic posted by Dean Rowland on facebook)

It looks like there is a variant for the Snowth figure in the newly released Muppets 3 set. It's just a mouth change, but, it makes an awesome set of three with the main guy. I gotta have this!

What do you think of this variant?

Episode 128 Space Mountain Paris

Ep. 128 Space Mountain Paris This week we talk about the SDCC release of Behind the Masks 2 that was produced using Disney characters. We also discuss the release of the second series of Disney Afternoon and why it may or may not be a success. Robots, Ear Hat Ornaments and customs are also brought up. And Nick makes a big non-vinyl related announcement.

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Fossil Carnotaurus Park Starz Variant July 26

The fourth and final Park Starz 2 Variant will in fact be a fossil version of the Carnotaurus as many people suspected.

Thanks to Vinylmation Kingdom for uncovering this photo. It will be released on July 26.

Episode 127 Sonny Eclipse

Ep. 127 Sonny Eclipse This week we talk about another guest incident at D-Street. We discuss the upcoming Oswald poster art release, WDW trade night and the premier of "Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story." We learned the Muppets 3 chaser and indulge in a Comic Con Vinylmation Rumor. Recent releases are reviewed and Vinylmation Exchange admins stop by to give you the Top 5 Online Trading Tips.

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Episode 126 Primeval Whirl

Ep. 126 Primeval Whirl This week we talk about the latest Park Starz and Disney Afternoon news. We also discuss the current atmosphere of D-Street... how has it changed? And we introduce a new segment to the show where we talk to the admins of Vinylmation Exchange about current trends in the hobby.

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Park Starz 2 Variant "Set" Photo Leaked

Vinylmation Exchange posted a photo of the yet to be officially announced Park Starz 2 Variant Set that is scheduled for a July release.

It looks like the Pirates of the Caribbean Red Head will be teamed up with the series one POTC Pirate Skeleton for a sepia toned combo pack. As someone who is already not a huge variant fan, I think this is a big miss. First of all... she is the RED HEAD. She is known for her red hair. The original version is perfect in every possible way. I understand the vintage idea of using sepia for the pirates attraction, but I think sepia could have worked better for a Mark Twain or Wally Boag. That being said, POTC is much more popular than those two figures and so this will be marketed and will sell very well. This pack should be LE 2000 and cost $49.95.

Park Starz 2 Variants Update

Disney has released info about the first of the four variants for Park Starz 2. It will be a glow in the dark Tower of Terror Bellhop.

He will be released at D-Streets on June 28 for $24.95 and will have an edition size of 2,000. I understand what the artists are going for with the glow in the dark, but I personally think figures like this (and the Haunted Mansion variants) are overkill and bland. They look cool with the lights off, but don't look appealing when viewing a collection. Don't get me wrong, the common version of this figure is absolutely amazing, I'm just not a big fan of the all over the body glow in the dark. I like spot uses of it on a figure instead.

Also, Vinylmation Exchange posted a leak about what the other three variants will be. Remember, until Disney confirms it, the following is just rumor. Remember, Disney did give us general release windows, edition sizes and prices for all of these, but a member on VE has named them.

July
POTC Red Head and Skeleton Combo pack (rumor)
Edition Size: 2,000
Retail: $49.95

July
Gus Variant (rumor)
Edition Size: 1,000
Retail: $26.95

August
Carnotaurus Variant (rumor)
Edition Size: 2,000
Retail: $24.95

What could these be? The Red Head and Skeleton combo really stumps me. What is a valid variant of the Red Head? Pre or Post auction? Gus should be a clear version like the Park Starz 1 Bride. And as far as Carnotaurus, a comment made by a visitor to our site months ago may actually come true... a fossil version!

Parks Starz 2 Variants Announced

Kind of a tricky headline for kind of a tricky piece of news. Disney's Vinylmation website decided to tease us a bit by telling us that there will be Park Starz 2 variants, how many there will be, how much each one will cost and the edition size of each one... but no names or photos! But we can surmise some info from the post. Here is the lineup:

June

Vinylmation – Park Starz #2 – Limited Edition Variant Figure
Edition Size: 2,000
Retail: $24.95

July

Vinylmation – Park Starz #2 – Limited Edition Variant Figure Set
Edition Size: 2,000
Retail: $49.95

July

Vinylmation – Park Starz #2 – Limited Edition Variant Figure
Edition Size: 1,000
Retail: $26.95

August

Vinylmation – Park Starz #2 – Limited Edition Variant Figure
Edition Size: 2,000
Retail: $24.95

A few notes. One release is LE 1,000 while the rest are 2k... and you will pay an extra $2 for that one. Then, the first July release says "Figure SET." SET?! Hmmm, what will that mean? I have a few ideas. My Ben Franklin and Mark Twain combo pack for one. Or how about the other two hitchhiking ghosts? What do you think some of these variants will be? Check out our Park Starz 2 Explained page to see the lineup of regular figures.

Cutesters 5 En Vogue First Look

Disney showed off some of the new Cutesters 5 set today. We knew about the black dress one, but look at all the other options. Some weddings, some different colored dresses. This just brings up lots of questions. We know Caley Hicks was heavily involved with these from Mickey's Circus. It also looks like Thomas Scott is a major contributor. We will also see work from Martha Widener, who is new to Vinylmation. After consideration, I remembered that at Mickey's Circus they said this would be an eight figure set. I think these three sets below are variants, leaving 8 basic designs. This means one of the below is the chaser. We believe it is the flowers.

Caley Hicks designed this purse with a cute dog inside. The Light pink appears to be the regular version with a clear pink variant.

New to vinyl artist Martha Widener did these flower designs. This seems to be the chaser with a variant.

Then out of these two Thomas Scott figures, the yellow seems to be the regular with a blue variant.

This series will be released at both D-Streets and Online on March 29th. Each figure will be blind boxed in a tray of 16 and will sell for $12.95 each.

So far I only see I only see one really good use of the bow as not a bow (Audrey). - M.C.

I love the art style on these. They are not at all what I expected after seeing the concept art at Mickey's Circus, but I can still appreciate the designs. It is a very old school, fashionable art style that will sure ring a bell with a certain demographic (Zoe). The animals look to be right out of a mid 1900's Disney cartoon. Its a great use of the Cutesters line and a nice variation on the more cutesy cartoon stylize of the first few series. I think the bow is used perfectly. It only seems forced on the flowers. -Nick

It will be interesting to see where these designs go. Do we not get a "chaser" with this set? What do you think?

First Junior Chaser Variant Revealed

Over at vinylmationworld they are reporting that Bob Garner found this special surprise in a Juniors 7 In Space box. It's a red variant of the green chaser. So it's a Variant Chaser.

What do you think of variants in the junior series? Is it as cool as the 3" or pointless?

DLR Passholder Variant Revealed

Like we conjectured on the podcast (which isn't even out yet!) Disneyland will be getting a variant of the WDW Passholder vinylmation. Not only will the writing be changed to reflect the other park, the top balloon will also be a different color! The DLR one is yellow, the WDW is blue.

What do you think of these vinyls? Will you get both? Only one? Will the other parks get these too, like the Celebrations First Visit Balloons?

Another Variant for Donald Duck

Why did I not make this my actual prediction on the last podcast? In our preview for Park 11 I said an easy possible variant would be the different character Fun Wheel cars. Well it turns there is a Donald Duck variant of the Mickey Fun Wheel car.

I found this picture on the Vinylmation Exchange Facebook page. This marks the third variant (Park 6 Wet Pain, Animation 2 Noah) for Donald Duck. Does anyone know of any other Park 11 variants?

Haunted Mansion Variants?

Update 9/16/12 @VM_Paris just tweeted this picture seemingly confirming the existence of the HM Variants. Earlier this week, HM blind boxes were mistakenly released in Paris. Two notes... these are ones we see in the leaked photos below and also the color looks different but that could be just the light.

Hatbox Ghost clear and sold variant

Phineas clear and solid variant.

It's been a long time coming, but the Haunted Mansion series is set to be released on September 21s and 22nd. We might have just found a big reason for both the delay and why you'll want to buy this series...

The Variants!

An anonymous source sent us these pictures of what seem to be variants of the figures. Only rumor at the moment, but these figures definitely take the floating wedding cake. They appear to be non clear versions of several of the figures. They also appear to be made of the plastic that would glow in the dark. Can you imagine that??? Above is Phineas and the Hatbox Ghost, although the hatbox ghost losses his gold tooth for some reason. Below we also have a version of Gus. Who knows how many of the figures get this version. What if there is a glow in the dark version of everyone? The ghosts with all glowing bodies and the non ghosts with glowing eyes or other parts?

Of course, these also could be prototypes of an earlier version of the figures before they settled on clear. These could also be, but much more unlikely, some LE combo or something. We'll know in a week.

Here's a look at what we think it might look like if it glows.

Variants of the Dapper Dan Park 9

Update:

We just got in a photo of the purple variant from Chris!

Chris sent us our first look at the Blue Dapper Dan Park 9 Variant! (normal version is Red) He got 2 blue in a case and the filler in his case was Dumbo.

I so love this design, simple and perfect. One of the best variants to date in my opinion. Here is a look at the regular Red version.