2015 Year In Review

There has been a lot of change in the Vinylmation World this year. To me it's seemed like a whirlwind of negativity and confusion. I'll admit that at times it's gotten me down and I apologize that I haven't kept up with the blog this year as well as I have in previous years for that reason. The changes have definitely affected and influenced my collecting habits, but this year hasn't been all bad. After almost 5 years of collecting... here's my 2015 In Review!

Number of Vinylmation in my collection as of this post:
3" - 150
9" - 11
Jr. - 10
Park Starz - 9

My favorite Disney artist right now is:
I think I have to say it's a tie between Thomas Scott and Casey Jones this year. I still love the work of several other artists like Ron Cohee, Caley Hicks, and Maria Clapsis, but I'm going to have to say it's a tie because Thomas Scott and Casey Jones have both produced an equal number of figures that I've fallen in love with this year. Thomas Scott's Marvel, Avengers and Star Wars: The Force Awakens figures have been absolutely fantastic, and Casey Jones has done several incredible series such as The Haunted Mansion, Star Wars #5, Park #16.

The upcoming set I'm most looking forward to is: 
For the third year in a row, we really don't have much information at this point on upcoming releases for 2016. Thankfully though, we do have some information at least. Therefore I can't really say what I'm most looking forward to for my collection personally, but I will say that I'm very happy that a 9" figure will be released and I think the Mickey Mouse Club 3" series looks awesome too. 

Holy grail that I wish I owned is currently:
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater 9" from Park #4. I have never seen this for sale or trade anywhere! I would love to get my hands on it and finally own it!

My favorite purchase this year was:
Probably the Mine Mine Mine 9" from Park #2. This is a Vinylmation that I have ALWAYS wanted but never in a million years thought I would own. Coming from the second Vinylmation series ever produced, and having a low Limited Edition size, this figure is consistently listed at around $500 on eBay. Luckily, I somehow stumbled on a listing one day that had a much more reasonable price and I snagged it without a second thought.

The artist whose work I added most to my collection this year was:
Ron Cohee. This year I added 10 figures that were designed by Ron Cohee to my collection. He has always been one of my top favorite artists. I love the work of probably every Disney Design Group artist, but Ron has an amazing ability to make his work look like it's popped right out of a Disney movie. In second place was Maria Clapsis, with 8 of her figures added to my collection, and in third place was Caley Hicks with 4 figures. This year I added the work of 11 different artists to my collection.

Something new I did this year was:
Expand my 9" collection. This time last year I only owned one 9" figure. I had said since the day I started collecting that I didn't have the room for a 9" collection, and the price was too high even if I did have the space. Well this year I did a 180 and decided that there were too many figures out there that I wanted. I got several for great prices, and I also splurged a little on the Up 9" which was my holy grail I wished I owned last year. I bought the Death Star 9" at retail because I absolutely had to have it from the second I saw it! But I'll be honest and say that the issue of not having space hasn't changed. Right now I have to keep my 9" figures boxed in a closet. 

I'm looking forward to another year of Vinylmation collecting in 2016!

2016 Walt Disney World Eachez Release

The 2016 Walt Disney World Eachez has been released at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Store Online. This is a blind box figure with 1 common and 2 variants. The black and purple figures are the variants, each with a 1 in 10 chance of being in the box. The blue and red Sorcerer Mickey is the common figure with an 8 in 10 chance of being in the box. All 3 figures were designed by Maria Clapsis and each blind box retails for $14.95. This Eachez is "limited release" meaning the exact number of figures produced is unknown.

2016 Disneyland Eachez Released

The 2016 Disneyland Eachez has been released at the Disneyland resort and the Disney Store Online. This is a blind box figure with 1 common and 2 variants. The black and purple figures are the variants, each with a 1 in 10 chance of being in the box. The blue and red Sorcerer Mickey is the common figure with an 8 in 10 chance of being in the box. All 3 figures were designed by Maria Clapsis and each blind box retails for $14.95. This Eachez is "limited release" meaning the exact number of figures produced is unknown.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Vinylmation Release

A Star Wars: The Force Awakens Vinylmation series has been released today at the Disney Parks and the Disney Store Online, to coincide with the release of the movie. This is an 8 figure blind box series with 7 commons, 1 chaser, and 2 variants. All figures were designed by artist Thomas Scott. Each blind box retails for $14.95, not the usual $12.95 price point. (It's been reported that this series is being sold at the Star Wars Galactic Outpost (formerly D-Street) at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World).

Throwback Thursday - Carbonite Han Solo

Series: Star Wars 3

Artist: Maria Clapsis

Released: June 2013

D-Street Replaced at Walt Disney World

The beloved hub of Vinylmation has now been replaced by a new store at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World. D-Street had been moving further and further away from the Vinylmation haven it was created to be for quite some time. It's not too surprising that the store has changed this week to become "Star Wars Galactic Outpost". For a while the store had mostly been selling Star Wars merchandise, so I guess it made sense to re-brand the store and make it official. Vinylmation have not been sold at D-Street for a few weeks after the merchandise was recently moved to Disney Pin Traders. 

Preview of New Vinylmation Coming in 2016!

We are getting less and less information these days on upcoming Vinylmation releases, so I was pleasantly surprised to see Vinylmation featured in a video posted by Steven Miller of upcoming 2016 Disney Merchandise on the Disney Parks Blog.

Here are some stills of the Vinylmation that were featured:

No prices, release dates or any other information has been given yet, so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney Parks Merchandise page and of course Vinylmation Isle for more information on these releases as it becomes available. I am happy to see more releases on the horizon!

Throwback Thursday - The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights

I know that I've previously featured this Vinylmation on a Throwback Thursday post, but now that the Osborne Spectacle of Lights are coming to a close, I wanted to feature it again. 

Series: Holiday 2009

Artist: Jeff Ebersohl

Throwback Thursday - Peppermint

Series: Jingle Smells #1

Released: October 2011

Happy Turkey Day!

Star Wars Darth Vader Eachez

A Star Wars Darth Vader Eachez has been released today at Disney Pin Traders at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Store Online. This Eachez has a Limited Edition size of 2500, meaning there are 1250 common figures and 250 variant figures. The figures were designed by Thomas Scott and Casey Jones. The common figure is the unmasked Vader (pictured left) with 9 in 10 odds of being in the blind box. The variant figure is the masked Darth Vader (pictured right) with 1 in 10 odds of being in the blind box. Each blind box retails for $16.95.

Marvel #3 Loki Combo Topper Release

The Marvel #3 Loki Combo Topper has been released today at the Disney Parks and the Disney Store Online. The Loki figure comes with a blind box from the Marvel #3 series and retails for $24.95. Loki was designed by artist Thomas Scott.

Pixar #3 Jack Jack Eachez Release

The Pixar #3 Jack Jack Eachez has been released today at Disney Springs and the Disney Store Online. This Eachez has a Limited Edition size of 2500, meaning there are 2000 commons and 250 of each variant. The common figure is Superhero Jack Jack with 8/10 odds of being pulled. There are 2 variants: Jack Jack as a monster and Jack Jack as a fireball, each one has 1 in 10 odds of being pulled. Ann Marie Brown designed all 3 figures and each blind box retails for $16.95

Throwback Thursday - Yensid

Series: Fantasia #1

Artist: Thomas Scott

Released: October 2012

Mickey's Really Swell Diner Release

The Mickey's Really Swell Diner Reveal/Conceal Vinylmation series has been released today at Disney Pin Traders in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Store Online. Chef Mickey is the reveal topper included with every blind box. Inside the blind box itself is one of 4 mystery figures: Goofy, Minnie, Donald or Pete. All 5 figures were designed by Thomas Scott and each blind box retails for $24.95

Throwback Thursday - Mascot Goofy

Series: Mascots

Artist: Maria Clapsis

Released: June 2012

Marvel Agents of SHIELD Phil Coulson & Nick Fury Release

The Marvel Agents of SHIELD Phil Coulson and Nick Fury set has been released at the Disney Store Online and at Disney Pin Traders in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort. The set was designed by Thomas Scott and contains a 3" figure of Director Nick Fury and Phil Coulson, based on their appearance in the Marvel movies and Marvel Agents of SHIELD tv show. The set retails for $29.95

Marvel #3 Release

Marvel Series #3 has been released today at Disney Pin Traders in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort and at the Disney Store Online. This is a 12 figure blind box series containing 11 commons, 1 chaser, and 4 known variants. The set was designed by Thomas Scott and each blind box retails for $12.95

Throwback Thursday - Rutt

Series: Animation #5

Artist: Brian Blackmore

Released: August 2014

Trick or Treat!

Haunted Mansion #2 Release

The Haunted Mansion Series #2 has been released today at Disney Pin Traders in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort, and at the Disney Store Online. This is an 8 figure blind box set with 7 commons, 1 chaser, and 2 known variants. The series was designed by Casey Jones and John Henselmeier. Each blind box retails for $12.95

2015 Holiday Eachez Release

The 2015 Holiday Eachez has been released at Disney Pin Traders in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort. The common figure (9 in 10 odds) is Mickey, wearing a Santa hat and holiday sweater. The variant (1 in 10 odds) is Minnie, wearing a red Christmas bow and holiday sweater. Each blind box retails for $14.95

Throwback Thursday - Vampire Stitch

Series: Halloween 2013

Artist: Caley Hicks

Released: September 2013

2015 Christmas Minnie & Mickey Set Release

The 2015 Christmas set has been released today at Disney Pin Traders at Disney Springs in the Walt Disney World Resort. The set has two 3" figures: one of Minnie and one of Mickey each dressed as Santa. The set retails for $29.95

Throwback Thursday - The Pumpkin King

Series: The Nightmare Before Christmas #1

Artist: Casey Jones

Released: September 2010

Snapshot Sunday - Country Bears

The End of D-Street As We Know It...

Effective today, D-Street will no longer sell Vinylmation merchandise. New Vinylmation releases will be sold at Disney Pin Traders in Disney Springs instead. No reason has been given of course, but I can tell you that I am extremely heartbroken to see this happen. D-Street was created as a Vinylmation store, like Pin Traders is a pin trading store. I don't understand why Disney is making these changes. I feel like I'm being discriminated against for choosing to collect Vinylmation over pins.

UPDATE: I can confirm having been to Walt Disney World this month, that there are absolutely no Vinylmation sold at D-Street. The majority of the store is now Star Wars Merchandise. All of the Vinylmation decorations are gone, with the one exception of the conveyor belt that used to spit out Vinylmation. That is still there, with Vinylmation on it, however it no longer moves.

Pixar #3 Release

The Pixar #3 series has been released today at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Store Online. This is an 8 figure blind box series with 7 common figures and a chaser. The figures were designed by Maria Clapsis, Ron Cohee, Caley Hicks, Chris Gardner and Thomas Scott. Each blind box retails for $12.95.

Throwback Thursday - Evil Queen

Series: Villains #2

Artist: Gerald Mendez

Released: October 2011

My Thoughtful Spot - Vinylmation Still Isn't Dead

Back in April, I posted about why Vinylmation isn't dead, and I still stand by what I said in that post. However, there have definitely been some changes in the Vinylmation World. Disney really seems to have given up on the Vinylmation page on the Disney Parks Merchandise website. There used to be a time when we would have detailed information on upcoming Vinylmation released about 2 months out. Now we're lucky if they post about a release the week before. The information often lacks edition sizes, artist information, and sometimes even the retail price.

Of course, there's the removal of the trade boxes too, and I'll admit I still don't understand that. It potentially makes people less likely to buy an unknown product when they can't trade it. Then again, I guess it could be argued that after the contents of the trade boxes declined so drastically, perhaps there really weren't that many people trading anyway. (I personally would still trade for the fun of it).

The Haunted Mansion Series #2 - to be released October 30

I think there are still collectors out there who take all of this to mean that Vinylmation is on its way to extinction. Online forums have closed, other Vinylmation websites have stopped posting, there are more figures available at cheaper prices on eBay... but I'd like to reiterate why I think Vinylmation isn't dead.

Like I said in my last post on this issue, my honest opinion is that Disney is always going above and beyond trying to promote their latest craze. At one time it was pins, then it was Vinylmation, then I think you could even say it was Duffy The Disney Bear, and now it's Tsum Tsum. There was a time when all you saw was pins, then all you saw was Vinylmation, and now all you see is Tsum Tsum. Pins never went away, and so I think Vinylmation will be here to stay too.

Pixar Series #3 will be released October 16

I think Disney lacks the energy to promote Vinylmation because they're using it all to promote Tsum Tsum instead. All this leads to my main point which is: Vinylmation are still being released and the series being produced are still strong. While we aren't getting many previews - and that is made much worse by not having a trade event this year - at least we still have some great releases. Aladdin was just what fans called for, the Designer Series was beautifully done, and now we have some other fantastic series on the horizon: The Haunted Mansion Series #2 and Pixar Series #3.

While we don't know much (of course) at this stage, Pixar #3 will be released on Friday this week, and The Haunted Mansion #2 will be released October 30. I'm sure collectors will love both! I'm already excited to see the other Haunted Mansion figures, and I will be picking up two figures from the Pixar series for sure!

Overall, I think the proof that Vinylmation is still going strong lies in the constant stream of releases (we've had at least one a month), and the popularity of the series that are being released. I believe the artwork is great, and the figures that have been chosen will be gladly received by collectors.

Snapshot Sunday - Tower of Terror Lobby

Mail Day!

I'm so happy that I finally own this set!

Throwback Thursday - Bad Apple

Series: Park #1

Artist: Randy Noble

Released: December 2008

The Backside of Vinyls - Haunted Mansion Constance Portrait

(Unfortunately she has some paint transfer on her head from my new Vinylmation shelf)

Welcome to another episode of The Backside of Vinyls! As Halloween is fast approaching, this installment will be Halloween themed. Today I'm looking at the back side of the Constance Portrait Vinylmation from the Park #12 Stretching Room Portraits set.

I think the back of this figure is absolutely fantastic! Just like the stretching portraits themselves, you can see the the "mortal" portraits by looking only at the front of the figure, but turn it around and as if the portrait is stretching, and you can see the end of the portrait on the back.

In the backs of the ears we can see the foliage surrounding Constance, along with the rose she holds in the painting. On the back of the figure's body is the tombstone from the portrait. While it doesn't have all of the inscription, the beginning is abbreviated as RIP. You can see the bust on the back of the vinyl in pretty accurate detail, with the axe in his head also of course.

I love that all of the necessary elements of the stretching room portrait have been included in this figure, and I think it works fantastically having the second half of the painting being portrayed on the back.

Snapshot Sunday - Hollywood Tower Hotel Lobby

A Halloween Mail Day!

Vinylmation Designer Series #1 Online Release

The Designer Series #1 designed by Miss Mindy has been released at the Disney Store Online. This blind box series has 7 commons, a variant, and 1 chaser. Each blind box retails for $12.95

Mickey and Minnie Halloween Eachez Online Release

The 2015 Mickey and Minnie Halloween Eachez has been released at the Disney Store Online. Each blind box retails at $16.95. These figures have a limited edition size of 2,500 with 2,250 being the common Mickey figure and 250 being the variant Minnie figure. Both Vinylmation were designed by Maria Clapsis.

Throwback Thursday - Ghost Mickey

Series: Holiday #1

Artist: Rachael Sur

Released: September 2009

My Thoughtful Spot - Vinylmation Series Repeats

Recently, the Aladdin series and the Toy Story Jr. series were released. I don't know about you, but when I first saw these new series they looked pretty familiar. Upon closer examination, I noticed that it looks like both series are identical to previous releases, as if the exact same artwork was just printed on to a bigger or smaller figure. I think the Aladdin series definitely looks like more convincing evidence of this theory.

Arguably, there are only so many ways you can translate Rex, Buzz, Woody, Jasmine, Abu and Iago on to a Vinylmation, and the Toy Story Jr. series does seem to have more of a "cutesy" spin on most of the characters. But with Aladdin, things could have been done to spice up the figures, such as positioning Jasmine's hair differently, or have Abu hold something instead of have he same jewels in his eyes. When you look at the pictures below, you'll see that the figures are not in the slightest way different between the 3" and Jr. molds.

(Left: Rex from Toy Story #1. Right: Rex from Toy Story Jr.)

The Aladdin series was recently released as a 3" series, but before that we had an Aladdin Jr. series released in January 2014. With Toy Story, it's the reverse. The most recent release was a Jr. series, but before that a similar 3" series was released in September last year and June of 2010.

In a way, this seems like Disney are being lazy, regurgitating previous releases as a different size - maybe because they knew it was popular before, so it will be a success again, or maybe because they're not sure what else to do and these themes at least tie in with DVD releases. I'm not sure what the reason is for these series "repeats".

(Left: Jasmine Jr. Right: Jasmine 3")

I don't think it's all negative though. For starters, something is better than nothing in this age where many people think Vinylmation is "dying", soon to become a Disney past. At least it's a Disney series, and not a terrible, unappealing set of the Medieval and High School ilk. Secondly (with Aladdin at least) I remember hearing and reading many collectors express their desire to own Aladdin as a 3" series. Now their wish has come true.

There are a few differences between these series: Toy Story Jr. has 2 new characters that are not featured in the 3" series - Sid and the Alien. The Aladdin 3" series has a different chaser to the Jr. series - Genie instead of the Cave of Wonders and Genie Jafar.

(Left: Abu Jr. Right: Abu 3")

Ideally, I would love to see fresh, new series produced. There are still plenty of collectors out there who haven't thrown in the towel (like me, and I assume like you since you're reading), with new collectors still joining the hobby. I think it's less likely that people would want a repeat. Partly because if they bought it the first time around, they probably don't want multiples in their collection. On the flip side, if they didn't like the series the first time, what would change their mind now? But of course, that's not always the case, as I mentioned with Aladdin.

However, these repeats so far have been very well designed, and are still great Disney sets. It could be a lot worse, and at least there have still been recent Vinylmation released. What were your feelings when you saw another Aladdin and Toy Story set?