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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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Friday, April 18, 2014
Episode 157 Cyclops
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Star Wars Weekends 2014 R2 Eachez Preview (and May the 4th Pins)
We now have a full preview of the R2-D2 / R2-MK Eachez that will be released on May 15th at the Rebel Rendezvous event. It is $16.95 and LE 2500. Event attendees have been able to pre-purchase up to 2 Eachez blind boxes. No word if more will be available at the event and if any will be available after the event. Presumably, it will sell out if quantities are not purposefully held over.
Rebel Rendezvous is a ticketed event held the day before Star Wars Weekends official begins. This Eachez features duel Thomas Scott designs. A R2-MK figure that is seeded 9 in 10 and the rare variant R2-D2 that is 1 in 10.
On an odd note, the blog calls this a "Star Wars May 4 Eachez" and there are a few things that bother me about that. First, it is "May the 4th" or the Star Wars joke does not work. Second, it is being released in conjunction with Star Wars Weekends, not Disney's May the 4th celebration. I wonder if this was originally designed as an LE release on the 4th before they came up with Rebel Rendezvous? Just FYI, there are some great LE 2500 pins releasing on the 4th and 5th. Take a look...
Rebel Rendezvous is a ticketed event held the day before Star Wars Weekends official begins. This Eachez features duel Thomas Scott designs. A R2-MK figure that is seeded 9 in 10 and the rare variant R2-D2 that is 1 in 10.
On an odd note, the blog calls this a "Star Wars May 4 Eachez" and there are a few things that bother me about that. First, it is "May the 4th" or the Star Wars joke does not work. Second, it is being released in conjunction with Star Wars Weekends, not Disney's May the 4th celebration. I wonder if this was originally designed as an LE release on the 4th before they came up with Rebel Rendezvous? Just FYI, there are some great LE 2500 pins releasing on the 4th and 5th. Take a look...
Monday, April 14, 2014
Whiskers & Tales and Furry Friends Photoshoot
We combined all the cute little animals of the Whiskers & Tales and Furry Friends sets for this trip around the Walt Disney World Resort.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Episode 156 Alien
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This week Brendt steps in for MC and we list our Top Ten Mickey Mouse Vinylmation of all-time. Post your lists in the comment section here. We also preview Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and the upcoming WDW Trade Night and review the recent DLR Trade Night.
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Friday, April 4, 2014
The Significance of Packaging for Re-Released Vinyls
Back on March 21st, various open window, open edition Vinylmation received a re-release of sorts. The vinyls included Agent P from the Phineas and Ferb series; Nerds Rock! Mickey, Minnie and Stitch; The USA Flag; and Autograph Book, Princess and Rainbow from Theme Park Favorites. We knew some of these re-releases included a transition from original Mickey platform to the current one and others received slight design alterations, but what we did not know, was they would all receive new packaging. Each one of them is in an identical box. First, they are the new, slimmer box type. Of course, each one has an open window. And, most striking to me, each box has the Theme Park Favorites logo slapped onto it.
To me, the packaging hints that this is a step further than just a re-release. It becomes almost an all-star selection of past open edition Vinylmation. I think this is significant to note for a couple reasons.
First, to all collectors worried about "value" of the original figures... this packaging sets the re-release apart from the original. Nerds Rock! for one had some of the best designed packaging for an open edition, open window series. So collectors who have the original, still have something special.
Second, this packaging seems to represent a mind set for Disney. They want to re-release out of stock open edition figures, but only ones that made them money. It is a wonderful, survival of the fittest philosophy that may shave off undesirable figures quicker from the shelves. Improving the hobby and clearing up shelf space. We know money is the bottom line, but this seems to hint toward a proactive approach to improving what is on the shelves.
Third, plain and simple, this way of packaging re-releases is very cost effective. One design for all, no matter what series they were originally released under.
Overall, I have zero problem with this move. While it is possible we may someday see an all-star selection of past blind box Park figures for a 10th anniversary with re-imagined Park 1 vinyls... I have a feeling they will stick to re-releasing open edition figures only. It is a great way to give new collectors an opportunity to pick up some older, popular figures but it also satisfies the core hobby by re-packaging and rewarding the original purchasers.
To me, the packaging hints that this is a step further than just a re-release. It becomes almost an all-star selection of past open edition Vinylmation. I think this is significant to note for a couple reasons.
First, to all collectors worried about "value" of the original figures... this packaging sets the re-release apart from the original. Nerds Rock! for one had some of the best designed packaging for an open edition, open window series. So collectors who have the original, still have something special.
Second, this packaging seems to represent a mind set for Disney. They want to re-release out of stock open edition figures, but only ones that made them money. It is a wonderful, survival of the fittest philosophy that may shave off undesirable figures quicker from the shelves. Improving the hobby and clearing up shelf space. We know money is the bottom line, but this seems to hint toward a proactive approach to improving what is on the shelves.
Third, plain and simple, this way of packaging re-releases is very cost effective. One design for all, no matter what series they were originally released under.
Overall, I have zero problem with this move. While it is possible we may someday see an all-star selection of past blind box Park figures for a 10th anniversary with re-imagined Park 1 vinyls... I have a feeling they will stick to re-releasing open edition figures only. It is a great way to give new collectors an opportunity to pick up some older, popular figures but it also satisfies the core hobby by re-packaging and rewarding the original purchasers.
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