Vinylmation Prognostication: Disney Parks Ride Vehicles

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 another brand new series! This time I will go outside the traditional Mickey Mouse shaped platform to create a series devoted to Disney Parks ride vehicles. Taking inspiration from the Park Starz series, the figures in this set will be shaped like the actual ride vehicles you would find at the various Disney theme parks. The size of the Vinylmation figures would be comparable to the size of the Park Starz figures. So, that gives you an idea of what this series is all about. Let’s explore the actual designs that I envision for Vinylmation Disney Parks Ride Vehicles!

1. Doom Buggy, Haunted Mansion

Photo from doombuggies.com

I am going to kick-off this series with the iconic doom buggy from the Haunted Mansion which can be found in several of the Disney Theme parks around the globe. What Disney fan wouldn't want their own mini doom buggy? In fact, there is always "room for one more” Vinylmation in anyone’s collection!

2. Train Car, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

For this vinyl I envision the front of the train from the attraction with one car attached. The car being the place where the guests are seated when riding. I think this design could be really interesting depending on how many of the little details could be transferred on to the figure. Trains have been use on the Mickey platform before, but to see an actual BTM train in vinyl form would be awesome!

3. Log, Splash Mountain

Photo from wdwradio.com

From Big Thunder to Splash Mountain, here we have the hollowed out log that transports you through the adventures of Brer Rabbit and whisks you down into the Briar Patch. This would be a great tribute to a ride woefully lacking in Vinylmation representation. (despite my first column on the subject!)

4. Boat, Pirates of the Caribbean

Photo from attractionsmagazine.com

As I continue to hit the classic Disney attractions, we have another Disney water ride vehicle. There is nothing too unique about the actual design of the boat in real life, however due too the popularity of Pirates I will include it in this series. A simple design, but one that holds a lot of great memories to people all over the world.

5. Space Shuttle, Space Mountain

Photo from mouseplanet.com

Representing another mountain, I will have this design be modeled after the Disney World version of the ride. I enjoy the sleek design of the WDW version the best. This is also an opportunity to have a variant of a design of the Disneyland version of the vehicle!

6. Bobsled, The Matterhorn

Photo from mouseinfo.com

Representing one of my favorite Disneyland attractions, I will include a Matterhorn bobsled in this set. Since the bobsleds were recently redesigned, I will have the figure be modeled on the new bobsleds currently being used at the park. However, here is another chance to include a variant of the old bobsled design!

7. Caterpillar, Alice‘s Adventures in Wonderland

Photo from flickriver.com

Sticking with another Disneyland attraction, I would next include the large caterpillar that is the ride vehicle for the Alice in Wonderland ride in Fantasyland. Now these caterpillars come in various colors so here is another opportunity for color variants. I would have the main figure be the green caterpillar.

8. Motorcar, Mr. Toad‘s Wild Ride

Here would be by ultimate Disney ride vehicle Vinylmation! While the ride vehicle is still in use at Disneyland, for WDW fans this would be a memento from a beloved lost attraction. Different variants could exist with this figure, featuring various colors and the different character names on the front of the vehicle. I would use the classic red colored car with the name of J. Thadeous Toad on the front of the car as the main design. I could see myself developing “motor mania” in pursuit of this figure!

9. Time Machine, Spaceship Earth

Photo from wdwfanzone.com

I will head back to Florida and Epcot Center to find my next design. I would love to see a “time machine” Vehicle from Spaceship Earth! I love the color and it would be interesting to include a more unusual ride vehicle in this set. This may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Disney ride vehicles, but the attraction is so great I must include it here.

10. Flying Pirate Ship, Peter Pan

Photo from flickriver.com

I will go back to Fantasyland for the next figure and give you the flying pirate ship from Peter Pan’s Flight. This could be one of the best designs in the set, with the details that could be included on the figure! Here is also another chance to include color variants based on the different versions found in the attraction.

11. Safari Jeep, Kilimanjaro Safari

In Park series #8 we saw this jeep transported onto the Mickey platform. I would like to see an actual mini version of the jeep in this series. Here we could get another very detailed ride vehicle as the jeep in the attraction has numerous little details on it. This would be a nice figure to round out this set with.

12. Jungle Boat, Jungle Cruise (Chaser)

Photo from matterhorn1959.blogspot.com

For my chaser, I will represent another classic Disney attraction, the Jungle Cruise! A classic Disney boat, the Jungle Cruise debuted at Disneyland in 1955. For my design I will use the original Jungle Boat design from Disneyland. The original design was a white boat with black smoke stack, and a red and white canopy. I think this would be a unique chaser and would be highly sought after.

So, there you have it! An entire ride vehicle series that is outside of the traditional mold. I am sure I have left out some worthy ride vehicles so tell me what you would like to see included in this series. See you next time!

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!

Vinylmation Prognostication: Pirates of the Caribbean Series 2

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 exploring what possible vinylmations could be included in a second installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. From what I have heard out there on the internet there are strong rumors that there will be no series 2 of the Pirates of the Caribbean. However, if they were ever to release a second series, I think there are a lot of great characters out there that have yet to appear in vinyl form. Therefore, I give you my Pirates of the Caribbean Series 2!

1. The Wicked Wench

photo from disneyparksecrets.blogspot.com

I would start out with creating a vinyl of the ship in the attraction. Now there are several ways Disney artists can be creative for this vinyl. One would be to make the entire vinyl be designed as the ship. Another would be to shrink the ship down on the vinyl where you have the entire scene with the water and sky included on the figure. I would love to see them incorporate Captain Barbossa into the design re-creating a classic scene from the attraction!

2. Carlos (man in the well)

photo from Pirates of the Caribbean Wiki

Another great scene from the attraction is the scene where the man is being dunked in the well. In Pirates series 1, one of the men who has been captured from this scene was included in vinyl form. I would love to see a Carlos vinyl featuring Carlos spitting out water after being dunked like you see in the attraction.

3. Carlos’s Wife

photo from Pirates of the Caribbean Wiki

Since we would now have a Carlos figure, we must have his wife featured as well. You might remember her from the attraction speaking her famous quote, “Don't tell him, Carlos, don't be chicken!" She would be dressed in her nightgown and night cap.

4. The Red Head

photo from Pirates of the Caribbean Wiki

When the first Pirates series was announced, I thought for sure the Red Head from the auction scene would be included. So you could imagine my disappointment when Tiny from that scene was included instead. I would love to see this wrong righted by including the Red Head in this series. After all, “We wants the Red Head!”

5. Pirate Auctioneer

Now I know that this figure was already included in the Park 3 series, however I never thought that figure captured the look of the character from the ride. I think on the new platform, another Disney artist could come up with a better representation. Those are just my thoughts on the matter, therefore I am including the Pirate Auctioneer in this series.

6. Woman Chasing Pirate with Broom

Here is a chance for my first accessory of the series! I would include the woman from this scene as well as a tiny broom she is trying to swat the pirate with. This is a very humorous scene from the ride, and I would love to see it represented with a character in vinyl form!

7. Pirate from Muddy Pig Scene

photo from mixnmojo.com

Pirates Series 1 featured a pig from this scene, so I am going to go with a vinyl of the pirate from that scene for this series. The vinyl would feature the bearded pirate with his red hat and bandanna. His feet and clothes would of course be covered with mud like the pig vinyl in series 1. Bottle of rum would not be included as Disney lawyers would never allow that!

8. Pirate Prisoner

photo from Pirates of the Caribbean Wiki

From the prison scene I would include the pirate who is trying to attract the dog’s attention with a bone. In this scene he is the tall and skinny pirate who is holding out the bone towards the dog. I think the bone would make a great accessory for this figure. Another cool feature I would design for this figure would be a clothed red bandanna that is wrapped around the figure’s head.

9. Pirate Prisoner with Noose

Also from this scene I would include the pirate in the striped shirt who is holding a noose. Including a small noose rope would be a great accessory. Not sure if that could happen, but it is worth a mention!

10. Prisoner Dog with Keys

Ok, so we had this figure already included in Park 4! Again a redesign on the new platform would be a great addition to this series. Plus, this is my favorite scene in the ride and I am including it in this series. Enough said!

11. Jack Sparrow

Photo from Themouseforless.com

For the eleventh figure I thought I would include a version of Jack Sparrow from the attraction. I will include the Treasure Room version of Jack at the end of the ride. I would use the feet to design some of the treasure from the room. On the ears I would include the design of the chair that he is sitting on from the scene. I would also add the chalice he is holding in the scene as an accessory!

12. Peg Leg Pete (Chaser)

photo from User Burnsland on flickriver.com

For the chaser, I thought about including something that relates to the history of the attraction. Walt Disney World fans might remember the green parrot who sat up on a perch above the entrance to the attraction. This bird served as the “carnival barker” to attract people to the ride. He had many great lines and was one of my favorite things about the attraction. When the ride was redesigned with Jack Sparrow being included, Peg Leg Pete was removed from the entrance. I remember reading that he was later added as part of the décor of a store in Downtown Disney. Don’t know if he is still there, but I miss seeing him every time I go to ride Pirates. Having this as a chaser (with his pirate hat included!) would be a fitting tribute.

So, there you have it! My plan for Pirates of the Caribbean 2. Feel free to voice your thoughts on what you would like to see for this series below. See you next time!

Vinylmation Prognostication

Welcome to Vinylmation Prognostication! In this column I will be brainstorming “blue sky” ideas of what I would like to see future Vinylmation series feature. I will examine the potential futures of current Vinylmation series as well as think up new series that I (and maybe other Disney fans!) would like to see. 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 if you agree or disagree with my choices at the end of the article. With that being said let the prognostication begin!

Today I will be discussing my ideal choices for the next Park series. Of all the currently released series, the Park series is by far my favorite. If you look at some of the recent Park series releases they have centered around a specific theme. Park 7 and 8 were themed around Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary. Park 10 was themed around Disneyland Paris. And Park 11 was themed around Disney’s California Adventure. For Park 12 I am going to continue with a series based around a specific theme. However, instead of an entire park or resort I am going to focus on a single attraction. Now, of all the released park figures over the years one popular attraction has been neglected. I am going to correct this wrong by making Park 12 based entirely around Splash Mountain!

1. Brer Rabbit

photo from Passporter.com

The main character in the attraction has to be the first character included in the set. I would pick the Brer Rabbit figure from the early part of the attraction. That would be Brer Rabbit who’s looking for a little more adventure! As an accessory I would include his hobo like satchel.

2. Brer Fox

photo by AndrewHavis on flickr

The main villain of the attraction must be a part of this set. Figure would include the hat accessory.

3. Brer Bear

Brer Fox’s side kick would come with hat and club accessories.

4. Brer Frog

photo from All Ears.net

As the narrator of the attraction you see him early on in the ride. Ideally I would like to see him come with his trademark hat and pipe. Not sure if Disney would allow a pipe to be an accessory for a Vinylmation figure, but it is worth a try!

5. Mr. Bluebird

photo from findingmickey.com

You see him early on in the Briar Patch as Brer Rabbit is setting out on his journey. I would include his blue top hat and cane as accessories for this figure. The cane could be part of the art work painted on the Vinylmation as oppose to a separate piece.

6. Porcupine Drummer

photo from All Ears.net

In my opinion one of the most memorable minor characters in the ride. He is using a turtle as the drum. I envision the artist incorporating the turtle into the artwork on the Vinylmation for this figure.

7. Fishing Goose

photo from All Ears.net

Throughout the attraction there are a few overall wearing geese who are fishing. I would include one of them on this figure. I would like to see the goose wearing his straw hat with a fishing pole accessory. This is another minor character from the ride that I think would work well in Vinylmation form.

8. Banjo Playing Gator

photo by krisjaus on flickr

Here is yet another memorable minor character that is spread throughout the ride. The Banjo Playing Gator appears as you enter the final show room after descending down the big drop into the Briar Patch. I would like to see the gator come with his hat and ideally a small banjo.

9. Tambourine Playing Chicken

photo from OnlyWDWorld.com

In one of the final scenes the tambourine playing chicken is seen on the riverboat (called the Zippa-Dee-Lady) playing her tambourine. Again I would like to see the tambourine as an accessory, but if it could only be included in the figure’s art, I would be good with that.

10. Can Can Goose

The Can Can Goose is also on the riverboat at the end of the attraction. I think this would be a nice addition to the set and round out an impressive array of minor characters in the ride.

11. Chick-A-Pin Hill

photo from All Ears.net

To round out the regular characters from this set I would include the mountain itself. This would be a good spot to use one of the figure’s ears to feature the tree at the top of the mountain. The face and body of the figure could feature the drop leading down into the Briar Patch. The feet would then be a good spot to feature the Briar Patch’s thorny vines.

12. Vulture (Chaser)

photo from All Ears.net

I think one of the vultures from the attraction would make a worthy chaser for the set. I would have the chaser come with his trademark black top hat. I think the vulture would be a good chaser because he is a more obscure character, but also very memorable to everyone because you see them as you begin up the hill for the big drop into the Briar Patch.

So, there you have it! My idea for the Park 12 series. Feel free to voice your thoughts on what else you would like to see in a Splash Mountain themed set. See you next time!