These are set for a September 3rd release at the Tokyo Disney Parks for 1200 Yen.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Tokyo 2013 Halloween Vinylmation Revealed
Continuing the tradition of Tokyo dressing Disney characters in costumes for the Halloween Vinylmation, 2013 will see the release of a Witch Minnie Mouse and Mummy Donald Duck. Thank you to @Vinylmat0n for the photos.
The Minnie for sure glows. The Donald looks like he is made of the material to also glow. I love the idea, but like with many of the Tokyo vinyls, the designs fall a little flat in my opinion. It also seems like the production quality might differ from DDG products. But I'll still have to pick up the Donald. The expression and mummy wraps and accessory pumpkin (trick or treat bucket?) make a fun design. Minnie has a nice sculpted cape and hat.
These are set for a September 3rd release at the Tokyo Disney Parks for 1200 Yen.
These are set for a September 3rd release at the Tokyo Disney Parks for 1200 Yen.
I Love NY Combo Pack Released Today at Times Square Disney Store
A new combo packed called I Love NY was released on August 19th at the Times Square Disney Store. It retails for $26.95. No words if this will be available online. Thanks to the Playwright for the photos.
Nightmare Before Christmas Series 2 Coming in October
At the WDW Trading Night held last week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, a follow up to the Nightmare Before Christmas open window set was previewed.
The series is due out in D-Streets in October by Halloween. It will be an 8 figure blind box set featuring some of the second tier characters not featured in the open window version released a few years ago and a Jack in a different outfit. The known figures are Igor, Devil, Mummy Boy, Teddy, Bat, Real World Boy, and Jack in pajamas.
While there are some nice designs here, this shows why the marquee characters are placed in every Star Wars set. It will be hard to move these to people other than hard core NBC fans. It does say limited release on the box, but that is technically was all blind boxes are. My only hope is these are produced in real limited quantities and are only on the shelves through Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.
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| Photo from VinylmationKingdom.com |
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| Photo from VinylmationKingdom.com |
While there are some nice designs here, this shows why the marquee characters are placed in every Star Wars set. It will be hard to move these to people other than hard core NBC fans. It does say limited release on the box, but that is technically was all blind boxes are. My only hope is these are produced in real limited quantities and are only on the shelves through Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Walt Disney Imagineering D23 Series Review
In the world of Vinylmation, where set after set is pumped out of the factory at ever alarming rates, some designs blur into the background and much of the art and ideas start to look similar. Sure, different artists have their own style and after seeing a few dozen you have a good idea who did what. But every once in a while, a figure or series takes a leap forward and jumps out from the pack. The Walt Disney Imagineering series that was released at the D23 Expo is one of those sets. WDI Graphic Designers David Buckley and Justin Hamana have given us a fresh take on a produced Vinylmation figure. They pushed the boundaries, were innovative and took risks that we don't often see these days from the Disney Design Group. Don't get me wrong, that takes nothing away from the DDG artists. I still think they produce some amazing artwork. But introducing some new hands into the design mix is never a bad thing. The WDI series is what the Park series seemed to used to be. There are so many hidden details in here, that I don't even notice them all until the fifth or sixth look. In my opinion, this is the series of the year.
The Imagineering series was released at the 2013 D23 Expo inside the WDI Mickey's of Glendale shop. It is an open window set of 8 figures sold separately for $14.95 each. Each figure has an edition size of 1000. Originally, eight different Imagineers were going to each design a single figure. But somewhere in the process the entire series was put on the shoulders of WDI Graphic Designers David Buckley and Justin Hamana. David contributed 5 designs while Justin handled 3. With Sorcerer Mickey being the logo of WDI, each of the eight figures has the Sorcerer hat accessory. Let's take a closer look at each design. (audio review available in DV Podcast Ep. 131)
David Buckley's "3D Design/Sculpting" figure features the Yeti from Everest being sculpted in the body. The clay is wavy and uneven and is spread over a mesh frame. The use of clear to show the unfinished part of the sculpture is nothing short of perfect.
The feet represent the table. On the back, the table has some writing and there is a hilarious note attached to the body, "Note: Rework Arm Position," no doubt a reference to the broken Yeti arm inside the mountain. The hat features graph like lines and points that represent 3D Design on a computer.
All those details make this a wonderful piece, but the finger prints in the clay on the side are a remarkable touch.
"Landscaping" is an interesting design in that it could be rather boring, but the attention to detail by David raise this one up the ladder to one of the series standouts.
Just the fact that no part of the canvas was left unused. Roses in the ears, cobblestone in the feet, a Mickey face flower design in the head and flowers and leaves all over the place. But again, it is the hidden touch that makes the design. The sorcerer hat has stars and moons shaped out of flowers and leaves!
After opening figure after figure and seeing all the hidden objects on the back, "Blue Sky" was almost a let down. I saw almost, because it still is a remarkably pleasing design by David Buckley that holds a lot of meaning to Disney Parks fans.
The same design elements are carried from front to back, but the charm is in the light bulb. The filament is a Hidden Mickey.
The figure that most showcases the talents of these two graphic designers is of course the one titled "Graphic Design." David used the front to showcase the Sir Mickey's sign that hangs in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. The back features the familiar Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland logo.
All the colors and fonts are spot on. Again the hat holds much of the magic with the stars and moons being made of vines and leaves on the front.
In my opinion, the best figure in this series and one of the greatest Vinylmation designs created to date is the ambitious "Master Planning" design. David was worried this wouldn't be read to well because there is so much going on here. But it is laid out so well, any Disney Parks would instantly recognize it as the original map layout for Project X, or what would become Walt Disney World.
This is a masterpiece, with all the buildings, roads, monorail tracks and bodies of water depicted. The back has a scale in the feet, legend in the body and a graph and compass in the ears. Perfection.
Justin Hamana packed a ton into the "Music" figure... including a non-Disney reference he was very proud of. The front has a reel to reel tape deck, audio waves and violin body. The back has audio mixer faders and knobs, a volume meter and eject button.
The ears have a reel, audio wires, what looks like a CD and a volume knob that goes to 11... a Spinal Tap reference. The hat is full of music notes and the hands have piano keys.
Wow, talk about using every inch of the canvas. This is why I get upset when I see completely white or blank ears.
"Construction" has a lot of little ideas present as well. Justin used clear well here to demonstrate the structure of a building rising above a blue wall. We see the familiar yellow caution tape that reads "Mouse at Work" and the wonderful "Pardon Our Pixie Dust" sign.
The feet blow me away. It looks to me like the various ground levels. I see sand, dirt and water table levels. There is a tiny, detailed crane drawn into the left ear and there is a lunch box on the structure on the back. A nice touch indeed.
The final figure is "Audio Animatronics." This is probably the weakest design in a very strong set. It pains me to say that about this one because it is still a really great figure. Just put up against the other seven designs in this set, it seems lacking of that "Wow!" factor.
But Justin once again use clear so well to show the inner workings of the robot. There are gears in the ears and wires in the hat. The back also has some circuitry and wires. The hands have little metal figures and it is little touches like that, that make all the difference.
This set dedicates itself to the theme at hand... celebrating 60 years of Imagineering. It has all the hallmarks of a set we Disney fans and collectors crave. It has a Disney related theme that has meaning and sticks to that theme. It has designs that mean something to any fan of the Parks. They have hidden details all over the place. The production quality is perfect. The designs are fresh and ambitious. While I was talking to David and Justin at the expo, I told them how much I love the backs of the figures. They were almost shocked, but overjoyed, that I took them out of the box. I know many collectors like to keep LE items boxed up for display or resale, but if you do not take them out and enjoy them, you are doing yourself and the designers an injustice. This set should stand one of the best overall Vinylmation sets created in the first 5 years of the hobby.
The Imagineering series was released at the 2013 D23 Expo inside the WDI Mickey's of Glendale shop. It is an open window set of 8 figures sold separately for $14.95 each. Each figure has an edition size of 1000. Originally, eight different Imagineers were going to each design a single figure. But somewhere in the process the entire series was put on the shoulders of WDI Graphic Designers David Buckley and Justin Hamana. David contributed 5 designs while Justin handled 3. With Sorcerer Mickey being the logo of WDI, each of the eight figures has the Sorcerer hat accessory. Let's take a closer look at each design. (audio review available in DV Podcast Ep. 131)
David Buckley's "3D Design/Sculpting" figure features the Yeti from Everest being sculpted in the body. The clay is wavy and uneven and is spread over a mesh frame. The use of clear to show the unfinished part of the sculpture is nothing short of perfect.
"Landscaping" is an interesting design in that it could be rather boring, but the attention to detail by David raise this one up the ladder to one of the series standouts.
After opening figure after figure and seeing all the hidden objects on the back, "Blue Sky" was almost a let down. I saw almost, because it still is a remarkably pleasing design by David Buckley that holds a lot of meaning to Disney Parks fans.
The figure that most showcases the talents of these two graphic designers is of course the one titled "Graphic Design." David used the front to showcase the Sir Mickey's sign that hangs in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. The back features the familiar Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland logo.
In my opinion, the best figure in this series and one of the greatest Vinylmation designs created to date is the ambitious "Master Planning" design. David was worried this wouldn't be read to well because there is so much going on here. But it is laid out so well, any Disney Parks would instantly recognize it as the original map layout for Project X, or what would become Walt Disney World.
Justin Hamana packed a ton into the "Music" figure... including a non-Disney reference he was very proud of. The front has a reel to reel tape deck, audio waves and violin body. The back has audio mixer faders and knobs, a volume meter and eject button.
"Construction" has a lot of little ideas present as well. Justin used clear well here to demonstrate the structure of a building rising above a blue wall. We see the familiar yellow caution tape that reads "Mouse at Work" and the wonderful "Pardon Our Pixie Dust" sign.
The final figure is "Audio Animatronics." This is probably the weakest design in a very strong set. It pains me to say that about this one because it is still a really great figure. Just put up against the other seven designs in this set, it seems lacking of that "Wow!" factor.
This set dedicates itself to the theme at hand... celebrating 60 years of Imagineering. It has all the hallmarks of a set we Disney fans and collectors crave. It has a Disney related theme that has meaning and sticks to that theme. It has designs that mean something to any fan of the Parks. They have hidden details all over the place. The production quality is perfect. The designs are fresh and ambitious. While I was talking to David and Justin at the expo, I told them how much I love the backs of the figures. They were almost shocked, but overjoyed, that I took them out of the box. I know many collectors like to keep LE items boxed up for display or resale, but if you do not take them out and enjoy them, you are doing yourself and the designers an injustice. This set should stand one of the best overall Vinylmation sets created in the first 5 years of the hobby.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Episode 131 3D Mickey Chaser
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Monday, August 12, 2013
From D23: Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story Review
Today, the D23 audience that attended the Disney Interactive panel were treated to the premier of Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story. When I first heard about this venture, I was skeptical of the quality and motivation behind the making of this animated web series. This seemed like a way of pushing a product into the mind set of another group of future buyers. But over time, as screen shots and a trailer hit the web, it was clear this was a more artistic undertaking than I had assumed. Somehow, a team at Disney was given a budget, albeit a small one, to put together a story about Vinylmation. After attending the presentation, it became clear that Disney Interactive is trying to provide quality, short form entertainment to pull audiences toward their web content. While Blank may not provide direct revenue, it will provide content to attract an audience and keep them coming back for more. It should also drive product sales, but not in the overly blatant way I expected.
Blank is a three minute long, stop motion animated short. We saw episode 1 of a series of web shorts that will soon be released at Disney.com/Blank. The story is based around Blank, a 3" Vinylmation who does not get painted at the factory. He soon meets Bow and they go on a truly epic journey that is left to be continued in future episodes. This first part introduces the world these Vinylmation live in, as well as a cast of characters that include a Park Starz squid, a train based on the monorail platform and these non-Vinylmation crane monsters. You instantly care about your main characters Blank and Bow. They convey so much emotion without a single facial expression. But you know what you are seeing. The beginnings of a true love story. And while they face dangers together, you begin to root for them to reach safety. But they are pulled apart. And so begins the struggle for the two to reunite. You forget for a moment that this is a story told with Vinylmation as the medium. It is a story for any time, place or age.
The animation is beautiful. The story is touching and engaging. I can not wait to follow this adventure and see where future episodes take Blank and Bow.
Blank is a three minute long, stop motion animated short. We saw episode 1 of a series of web shorts that will soon be released at Disney.com/Blank. The story is based around Blank, a 3" Vinylmation who does not get painted at the factory. He soon meets Bow and they go on a truly epic journey that is left to be continued in future episodes. This first part introduces the world these Vinylmation live in, as well as a cast of characters that include a Park Starz squid, a train based on the monorail platform and these non-Vinylmation crane monsters. You instantly care about your main characters Blank and Bow. They convey so much emotion without a single facial expression. But you know what you are seeing. The beginnings of a true love story. And while they face dangers together, you begin to root for them to reach safety. But they are pulled apart. And so begins the struggle for the two to reunite. You forget for a moment that this is a story told with Vinylmation as the medium. It is a story for any time, place or age.
The animation is beautiful. The story is touching and engaging. I can not wait to follow this adventure and see where future episodes take Blank and Bow.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Collector's Corner: Matt Schlien
Name: Matt Schlien
Hometown:
Coconut Creek, FL
Collection Count:
426
3" =410
9" =6
Jrs =9
Park Starz =1
Customs =0
How long have you been collecting?
Since 2010
What is your favorite figure that you own?
Woody from Toy Story because he was the first one I purchased.
What is your favorite figure that you don’t own?
Park 2 Snow White because I miss that attraction and I feel that vinyl represents that ride.
Which of these is the best feeling about collecting vinyl?
Pulling a figure from a blind box with my 4 year old daughter and getting the one I want is the best feeling! However, one day I picked the Park 5 Haunted Mansion from a mystery box at Hollywood Studios and the artist was actually there that day so I was super stoked!
Thanks for your showing off your collection Matt!
If anyone else would like to show off their collection just contact us.
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