Friday, December 30, 2016

2017 Eachez Release


A 2017 Eachez has been released at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Shop Disney Parks App. This is a Limited Release Eachez with a common and variant figure. The common figure is Sorcerer Mickey (pictured left) with 9 in 10 odds of being in the blind box. The variant figure is Minnie (pictured right) with 1 in 10 odds of being pulled. Each blind box retails at $16.99. This Eachez may be released later at the DisneyStore.com.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Ice Skating Mickey

Series: Ice Skating Set
Artist: Maria Clapsis
Released: November 2013

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Friday, December 23, 2016

Attractions: Jungle Cruise Eachez Release


A second Vinylmation Attractions Eachez has been released today at the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort. The Jungle Cruise Eachez has a Skipper for the common figure with 9 in 10 odds of being in the box, while the Congo Queen boat is the variant figure with 1 in 10 odds of being pulled. The Eachez has a Limited Edition size of 2,500 meaning there are 2,250 common and 250 variant figures. Both figures were designed by artist Ron Cohee and each blind box retails at $16.95.

The Shop Disney Parks App is currently showing this as an in-store only purchase but that could change. ETA 12/31/16: This item is available at the Disney Store Online.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Santa Tinkerbell

Series: Santa Tinkerbell Eachez
Artist: Ron Cohee
Released: October 2014

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Friday, December 16, 2016

Rogue One Series Release


To celebrate the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a Rogue One Vinylmation series has been released today at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Store Online, and the Shop Disney Parks App. This is a 12 figure series with 11 commons plus a mystery chaser. The series was designed by artists Jason Peltz and Billy Davis. Each blind box retails at $14.99

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Snowman Minnie

Series: Holiday Snowman Set
Artist: R. Brostol
Released: October 2014

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Series: Holiday 
Artist: Susana Gay
Released: December 2010

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Vinylmation Stories - Penguin


I am a big fan of MuppetVision 3D as I'm sure I've said many times before on this blog. The jokes never get old, and the Muppets are so fun and cute! One of my favorite gags is the Penguin Orchestra. They don't play a central role at first, we see them ushered into the theater during the pre-show and then we see them raise out of the floor at the start of the show.


Their significance comes at the end when these innocent penguins shoot the Swedish Chef with a cannon, causing all kinds of commotion and ending our tour of MuppetLabs. My younger brother shares my love of MuppetVision 3D and bought this Penguin Vinylmation from Muppets #2 for my birthday one year. The story behind this fella is that he reminds me of the times I've laughed at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and my sweet little brother who bought this for me.

Sunday, December 04, 2016

Friday, December 02, 2016

9" Olaf Release


A 9" Frozen Olaf has been released today at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Store Online and the Shop Disney Parks App. This figure does not have a limited edition size and retails at $44.95. The artist is Chris Gardner.

Thursday, December 01, 2016

Throwback Thursday - December

Series: Poster Art
Artist: Tim Whalen
Released: December 2013

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Vinylmation Beginner's Guide - Where to Buy on eBay


As part of my Vinylmation Beginner's Guide articles and my New Collector's Corner segment, I've posted about being alert to Vinylmation scrapper sellers. I thought it would be good on the flip side to post some suggested on eBay sellers to use. If you're starting your collection, eBay is a great place to find older figures at very low prices. Even seasoned collectors like myself can use eBay to go back and pick up vinyls you may have missed.

Here is a list of eBay sellers I have personally used and highly recommend:
  • homelessjedi
  • *where-dreams-come-true*
  • theluckypennyllc
I highly recommend the above sellers because they have reasonable prices, free or low shipping costs, and their Vinylmation are in top condition. Vinylmation box sets from these sellers are unopened and blind boxes figures sometimes come with the box and foil included.

Homelessjedi is my absolute favorite eBay seller and I buy from him all the time. Whenever there's something I want, I visit his store first. He has a great selection, super fast shipping, the best prices, and he often runs promotions like buy 4 figures get 1 free which is a fantastic way to get your collection started! 

Here is a list of eBay sellers I have personally used and have been very happy with. The only reason I'm not listing them as highly recommended is because I haven't used them as much as the sellers in the previous list:
  • jee-utsuri
  • playbaseball06
  • vinylagent007
This list is not to say that these are the only good sellers on eBay, it's just meant as a guide for people feeling unsure or even scared when buying on the secondary market. I have used these sellers myself and can personally attest to their trustworthiness.

I would also like to note that I am not receiving any benefit or kickback for naming these sellers as suggested places to buy from. In fact, I doubt they even know! From one Vinylmation collector to another, my aim here is to give honest, helpful feedback for the benefit of others. 

If you have any questions, as always, contact me or leave me a comment and I will be glad to try and help! If you decide to buy from a seller not listed here, I strongly suggest reading my article on scrapper sellers so that you can ensure you are not buying fake or damaged figures. 

Happy collecting! 

Friday, November 25, 2016

Attractions: Splash Mountain Eachez Release


A Splash Mountain Eachez has been released today at the Disneyland Resort, the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Store Online. This is a two figure Eachez made up of common figure Br'er Rabbit and variant figure Br'er Fox. This is a Limited Edition of 2,500 meaning there are 2,250 common figures (9 in 10 chance of being pulled) and 250 variant figures (1 in 10 chance of being inside the box).

Br'er Rabbit was designed by artist Alex Maher and Br'er Fox was designed by artist Ron Cohee. Each blind box retails at $16.99. The Eachez packaging says "Vinylmation Attractions" on one side with "Splash Mountain" on the back of the box. I hope this is an indication that there will be other Vinylmation attraction figures on the horizon.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Friday, November 18, 2016

Happy Holidays 2016 Donald Duck Eachez Release


A Holiday Donald Duck Eachez has been released today at Disney Resorts, the Disney Store Online and the Shop Disney Parks App. This is a Limited Release figure with Donald Duck as both the common and variant figure. The common figure is Donald dressed in winter clothes with a hat, scarf and gloves. The variant is Donald covered in snow. There's a 9 in 10 chance of pulling the common Donald (pictured left) and a 1 in 10 chance of finding the variant figure (pictured right). Both vinyls were designed by Maria Clapsis and each blind box retails at $14.99

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Blue Sky

Series: Imagineering
Artist: David Buckley
Released: August 2013

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Vinylmation Review - Designer #2


When the Designer #2 series was first previewed on the Disney Parks Merchandise blog, I was pretty excited. Collectors seemed to like the unique style of the first Designer series, as well as the artist Miss Mindy. The second series did not disappoint! Instead of being a movie or park themed set, this designer series brought a variety of popular characters and a mix of different art styles to create an all-new series. When this set was released and I saw the backs of these figures, I was completely blown away! With all the changes in the Vinylmation world over the last couple years, this is exactly the series this hobby needs.


Things to love about this series:
  • It's something a little different - We've had a lot of Eachez releases recently, several Star Wars releases, and a fair amount of Marvel Vinylmation too. This set is different in that it's artsy, and not aimed at a specific movie or franchise
  • Good characters - I say this a lot, but I mean it. If you're a princess fan, there's Snow White and Belle in this set. You like Villains? There's Zurg and Cruella de Vil. You like classic Disney characters? There's Pluto and Donald Duck. In fact, you could argue that the designs on the back of these vinyls make this a 14 figure set
  • The Chaser - (Spoiler alert) The chaser is Sorcerer Mickey. Before you grab your rotten vegetables and tell me just how many Sorcerer Mickeys we've had, hear me out. It's true, we really got burnt out on Sorcerer Mickey figures, but this one is different. Firstly, it's far more artistic and doesn't look like any Sorcerer Mickey that came before it. Secondly, if you weren't sold on this figure when you saw the front, take a look at the back. This is my favorite Sorcerer Mickey ever, and now I wish I had that instead of the figure from Park #5 (trade anyone?)
  • The accessories - If you needed more convincing that Snow White and Belle were incredible figures, check out their accessories! The enchanted rose might be my favorite accessory ever with how appropriate it is and how pretty and well designed. Snow White's apple is something I don't think we've seen before. I love it because it's appropriate for the figure and has another design on the back (the poisoned apple), which makes it the perfect accessory for both Snow White and the evil hag on the back of the figure. Of course Buzz is not complete without his helmet, and I love that Donald's hat is an accessory and not drawn on the figure
  • Variants - This one is going in my things to love list and my things that aren't so great list. It's here in the things to love section because if you really love variants, there are two in this set 
  • Mix of platforms - This set uses a mix of the Mickey platform and the Minnie platform, and it works perfectly! I love seeing the two princesses in this series on the Minnie platform and how Minnie's bow has been well used in the designs
  • Great use of ears - The 16 designs in this series all have great use of ears with the exception of one (Belle). Even though some are more simple, like the ribbon on Donald's hat and Patch's ears, it looks great and works well for that character. I would like to have seen something more creative than plain black in the ears and bow on Belle, but overall the ears have been used very well in this set



    Things that aren't so great: 
    • Variants - I'm not a huge variant fan, especially when I don't think the variant is relevant. For example, the only thing that's different being the color. I guess the Pluto variant and Snow White variant are kind of like another artistic take on that same design, and maybe some people like that, but I think it's really just a color change for the sake of creating variants and I'm not a fan
    • Character repeats - We've seen every character in this set before, so there's really nothing new here in terms of unique characters. However, the designs are completely different and many far surpass their predecessors. If you want a character we haven't had before in Vinylmation form, you won't find it here. (Unless you want an angel/devil Pluto, we've had several Pluto figures but not that exact one). But even if you own some of these characters already, there's reason to add them to your collection again 


    Overall, despite the things I personally think aren't so great, I still think this is an absolutely fantastic series! I am so happy to see such a strong and desirable Vinylmation set and a few of these are on my want list for sure. 

    Friday, November 11, 2016

    Star Wars Legion #3 Droids Release


    The Star Wars Legion #3 Droids series has been released this week at the Disney Store Online. This is a 6 figure blind box set with 5 common figures and a chaser. Each vinyl figure is a Stormtrooper shape with a droid design. Each blind box retails at $12.95

    Thursday, November 10, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Goofy's Sky School

    Series: Disneyland Annual Passholder
    Artist: Maria Clapsis

    Tuesday, November 08, 2016

    The Backside of Vinyls - Catastrophe Canyon


    In today's The Backside of Vinyls, I'm looking at the Catastrophe Canyon figure from the Park #13 series, designed by artist Maria Clapsis. A lot of collectors didn't care for this figure, but I think it's expertly designed and a wonderful tribute now that the Backlot Tour is extinct.

    (Photo Credit: The Mouse for Less)

    On the back of the head we can see the canyon walls complete with their lines and cracks. Moving down to the body, the canyon walls continue in the background while we see the pumpjack in the foreground surrounded by fire. The fire continues in to the backs of the figure's arms in the same way that fire surrounds our ride vehicle during the scene at Catastrophe Canyon. On the back of the feet, we can see the water that cascades down toward the end of the scene.


    Finally, in the back of the right ear we see more fire, which begins above the canyon wall in the same way that the fire is pictured at the top of the figure above the canyon. Then in the back of the right ear, we have detail from the ride vehicle itself (pictured above) which makes a great use of the space and is a really neat touch.

    I think the backside of this Vinylmation is very well detailed, a job well done by Maria Clapsis and a great piece in my collection.

    Friday, November 04, 2016

    Doctor Strange Eachez Release


    A second Doctor Strange Eachez has been released today at Disneyland, the Walt Disney World Resort, and the Disney Store online. This Eachez has a Limited Edition size of 1,500 and is made up of 1 common figure and 2 variant figures. All figures were designed by Thomas Scott and each blind box retails at $16.99.

    The common figure (pictured top left) is Ancient One with a 7 in 10 chance of being pulled for a total of 1,050 figures. The first variant is Mordo (pictured top right) with a 1 in 5 chance of being pulled for a total of 300 figures. The most elusive variant is Doctor Strange himself (pictured bottom) with 1 in 10 odds of being in the box for a total of 150 figures.

    Thursday, November 03, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

    Series: Walt Disney World Annual Passholder
    Artist: Dawn Ockstadt

    Friday, October 28, 2016

    Doctor Strange Eachez Release


    A Doctor Strange Eachez has been released today at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Store Online in anticipation of the upcoming Marvel movie Doctor Strange that will be released next Friday. These figures have a Limited Edition of 2,500 and were designed by artist Thomas Scott.

    The common figure (pictured left) is Doctor Strange, with 9 in 10 odds of being in the box for a total of 2,250 figures. The variant figure (pictured right) is the Doctor Strange Astral Projection figure with 1 in 10 odds of being in the box for a total of 250 figures. Each blind box retails at $16.99

    Thursday, October 27, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Clown with the Tear Away Face

    Series: The Nightmare Before Christmas #2
    Artist: Casey Jones
    Released: September 2013

    Friday, October 21, 2016

    Star Lord Eachez Release


    A Star Lord Eachez has been released today at the Disneyland Resort, the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Store online. The common figure is masked Star Lord (pictured right) with 9 in 10 odds of being in the blind box. The variant figure is unmasked Star Lord (pictured left) with 1 in 10 odds of being inside the blind box. This has a Limited Edition size of 2,500 meaning there are 2,250 common figures and 250 variant figures. Both figures were designed by artist Billy Davis and each blind box retails at $16.99

    Thursday, October 20, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Not So Scary Halloween Pumpkin

    Series: Halloween 2012
    Released: September 2012

    Friday, October 14, 2016

    Designer Series #2 Release


    The Vinylmation Designer Series #2 has been released today at the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disneyland Resort, and the Disney Store Online. This is "Limited Release" 8 figure blind box series made up of 7 commons and a chaser, all designed by artist Jeff Granito. I loved this series from the start but I am blown away now that I've seen the backs of these figures! Each blind box retails at $12.99

    UPDATE: There are two variants in this series, Snow White and Pluto! Click here and here to check them out

    Thursday, October 13, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Dr. Facilier

    Series: 13 Reflections of Evil
    Artist: Ron Cohee
    Released: September 2013

    Friday, October 07, 2016

    Disney Princess Tsum Tsum Vinylmation Series #1 Release


    A Disney Princess Tsum Tsum Vinylmation series has been released this week at Disney Stores and the Disney Store online. This is an 8 figure series including: Cinderella, Gus, Ariel, Flounder, Jasmine, and Rajah, plus two mystery chasers. Each blind box retails at $12.95

    Thursday, October 06, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Magic Mirror

    Series: Park #5
    Artist: Adrianne Draude
    Released: October 2010

    Tuesday, October 04, 2016

    The Backside of Vinyls - Haunted Mansion Tightrope Portrait


    With Halloween just around the corner, I decided a Haunted Mansion Vinylmation would be appropriate for October's The Backside of Vinyls. This is the ballerina from the tightrope portrait in the Haunted Mansion.

    Naturally, the back of this vinyl is largely the back of the ballerina herself. Her collared dress, her hair, and her white gloves. In the back of her left ear is the parasol she holds while standing on the tightrope, and some of the foliage from the painting can be seen in the back of her right ear.


    The best part of the back side of this figure is the crocodile at her feet, which extends around to the left and right side of the vinyl. The detail by Ron Cohee is very impressive, with no space wasted. I love how you can turn this figure around to see the extension of the portraits, in the same way that the portrait itself appears one way in the Haunted Mansion, before transforming to give a very different image as the room stretches. You can see the guests in their "corruptible mortal state" by looking only at the front of the vinyl, and see the complete portrait by looking at the backs of the figures. Perfect!

    Friday, September 30, 2016

    Rogue One Shoretrooper Eachez Release


    A Rogue One Shoretrooper Eachez has been released today at Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, the Shop Disney Parks App and the Disney Store Online in anticipation of the upcoming release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in December.

    There's one common and two variants that make up this Eachez. The common figure (pictured in the top left) has a 9 in 10 chance of being in the blind box, while the two variant figures (pictured top right and at the bottom) each have a 1 in 20 chance of being in the blind box. This is a Limited Release meaning exact production quantities are not known. Each blind box retails at $14.99

    Thursday, September 29, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - September

    Series: 2013 Poster Art
    Artist: Caley Hicks
    Released: September 2013

    Sunday, September 25, 2016

    Vinylmation Stories - J. Jonah Jameson


    Today's Vinylmation Story is a little different from many of the other backstories behind the Vinylmation I chose to add to my collection. I'm a huge Disney fan, but I still enjoy and appreciate the Universal Orlando Resort. While there's obviously competition and rivalry between the two, each has something the other doesn't have, and I like spending time at both.

    I was drawn to J. Jonah Jameson because he is a recurring character in the Spider-Man universe who also features in The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction in the Islands of Adventure theme park at Universal Orlando. Spider-Man happens to be one of my favorite rides over at Universal because I'm kind of a comic book geek.

    The entrance to the Daily Bugle
    (Photo Credit: UOFanGuide.com)

    Jonah Jameson is first seen when you enter the attraction queue, themed to the Daily Bugle. His picture is hanging on the wall as you step inside. Continuing on in the attraction, you make your way through the Daily Bugle, seeing various different articles the journalists have written, as well as notes from Jonah. You set out to follow Spider-Man and make headlines for Mr. Jameson, who is contact with you throughout the ride.

    A journalist's work station inside the Daily Bugle
    (Photo Credit: UOFanGuide.com)

    This Vinylmation reminds me of the ground-breaking Spider-Man attraction that I love so much, and he's expertly designed by artist Thomas Scott. This figure looks like he walked out of the comics! His outfit is perfect, he has the same angry expression he always has, and what a perfect touch to add a Daily Bugle newspaper article in his ear - which features a memorable comic headline, "Spider-Man: Hero or Menace?" This figure was also a gift to me from my sweet younger brother, making him a very sentimental piece in my collection. All this is what made J. Jonah Jameson a must-have for my collection.

    Friday, September 23, 2016

    Marvel Hawkeye Eachez Release


    The Marvel Hawkeye Eachez has been released today at Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the Disney Store Online. There's a 9 in 10 chance of pulling the common figure, Hawkeye in uniform, and a 1 in 10 chance of pulling the variant Hawkeye. This is a Limited Edition of 2,500 meaning there are 2,250 common figures (pictured left) and 250 variant figures (pictured right). Both were designed by artist Thomas Scott and each blind box retails at $16.99.

    Thursday, September 22, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Mystery Bakery Figment

    Series: Mystery Bakery
    Artist: Ron Cohee
    Released: July 2013

    Friday, September 16, 2016

    Vinylmation Jr. #15 Marvel Series Release


    The Vinylmation Jr. #15 Marvel series has been released today at Disney Stores, Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort and the Disney Store Online. This is a 12 figure set, with 11 commons and a chaser, plus a variant. Each blind box retails at $9.99

    Thursday, September 15, 2016

    Throwback Thursday - Mr. Tom Morrow

    Series: Park #5
    Artist: Thomas Scott
    Released: October 2010