Throwback Thursday - Baseball

Series: Sports

Artist: Randy Noble

Released: April 2010

The Collector's Space - My 9" Collection

When I started this blog, I said that I didn't collect 9" Vinylmation. At the time it was true. They retailed between $44.95 and $74.95 compared to the 3" figures at $12.95, and there was the issue of space. Where would I keep a collection that big? I couldn't live without the 9" Land figure, so I purchased that one and called it quits on 9" Vinylmation.

Fast forward 4 years and now I have eleven 9" figures in my collection. So what changed my mind? I wrote previously about some of my favorite 9" figures and I was finally able to find many of them at a reasonable price as people started to sell off their collections following the announcement of trading ending at the Disney Parks. And so my 9" collection took off and grew.

I had always wanted the Crossroads and Mine Mine Mine Vinylmation, but I never thought I'd be able to own either of them, since their secondary market price was sky high being some of the first 9" Vinylmation figures produced. The Up house was another coveted piece. There are many 9" figures that I like and can admire, but this small collection features my top favorites. There are a couple more that I want to get my hands on, but I have yet to see them being sold at a good price, or being sold period.

I still haven't figured out the space issue. I am not able to display all 11 figures at the same time. I rotate the figures I have on display periodically and the rest are sadly stored in a closet. But, I am extremely happy with my 9" collection!

Star Wars #6 Leia Combo Topper Release

The Star Wars #6 Leia Combo Topper has been released today at D-Street, the Star Wars Galactic Outpost, Launch Bay, and the Disney Store Online. The combo topper figure was designed by Maria Clapsis and retails at $24.95

Throwback Thursday - Pluto

Series: Ink & Paint

Artist: Enrique Pita

Released: May 2014

5 Year Anniversary

Today is the anniversary of the day I bought my first Vinylmation back in 2011. I joined the hobby and started collecting Vinylmation 5 years ago exactly. Here's an update on what my collection looks like after 5 years...

I currently own:

3" Vinylmation - 167

9" Vinylmation - 11

Jr. Vinylmation - 14

Park Starz - 9

Making a grand total of 201 Vinylmation!

I can't believe I own that many Vinylmation! I know I have nothing on some collectors with hundreds of vinyls, but I really don't want my collection to get too big or out of control. As it is I don't display all of those vinyls at the same time, which is probably why it doesn't feel like I have as many as I do. There are still more that I want to add to my collection and I'm sure there are still more releases on the horizon! 

If you're interested in seeing how much collection has grown in the past year, check out my 4 Year Anniversay update from 2015.

Happy 3rd Birthday Vinylmation Isle!

Today my blog turned 3! I've published 691 posts and had tens of thousands of visitors. I still love sharing my Vinylmation reviews, ideas, pictures, and the Vinylmation related musings in my head. So far, we as collectors have survived the ups, downs and uncertainties of the Vinylmation universe, and I hope it stays that way! I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to visit my blog, whether that's been once a month, once a week, or once a day. I appreciate each and every one of you! I also want to thank everyone who comments on my posts too. I really enjoy hearing your input!

Here's to another great Vinylmation year! Happy collecting!

Hipster Mickey Available on the Shop Disney Parks App

A while back I posted about the release of a new 9" Vinylmation - Hipster Mickey. This new figure was released exclusively at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, and has yet to be released online. While browsing the Shop Disney Parks App recently, I discovered that this Vinylmation is available for purchase via the app at the same retail price of $69.95. There are often deals on the app for free shipping too when you spend over a certain amount. (As of this posting, there's free shipping on a purchase of any amount until Sunday, April 17, 2016). So before you rush to eBay and spend $100 or more on this vinyl, check out the Shop Disney Parks app.

Throwback Thursday - Caveman

Series: Park Starz #3

Artist: Thomas Scott

Released: June 2014

Vinylmation Review - Mickey Mouse Club

The Mickey Mouse Club Vinylmation series was previewed last year on the Disney Parks Blog and it certainly had my attention from that moment on! I was excited to know when it would be released so I could see the other figures and the chaser. While the chaser didn't mean much to me (so I was a little disappointed) I think this is a really strong set overall, and another fantastic Vinylmation release.

Things to love about this series:

• Variants! - How could I not start there? Collectors go nuts for variants these days, way more than they do for chasers. It's the whole reason we have Eachez. For the first time, EVERY figure in this set has a variant! The variants are the same figures in color, and they look stunning
• Accessories - These figures wouldn't look half as good without their accessories. Mickey has a baton and his bandleader hat, while Ranger Woodlore has his hat accessory, which looks fantastic
• Different molds - I think it's really neat to see Clarabelle and Daisy on the Minnie mold. To put those two alongside the regular Mickey mold adds depth and variety to the set, which I like
• Characters - Ranger Woodlore and Humphrey the bear aren't known by everyone, but with so many Vinylmation already out there, it's always nice to see new characters over repeats of the same figure for the tenth time. While both these characters have been produced already, these characters have been repeated for the first time in this series

Things that aren't so great:

I think for those unfamiliar with the Mickey Mouse Club show will not have such a strong connection to this set as those who do. In that same vein, I think they may not recognize some of the characters, or appreciate the chaser. I certainly don't understand the chaser and therefore it doesn't appeal to me personally. But overall, like I said, this is a strong set. The characters are great, beautifully designed, and who wouldn't want a colored variant?!

Snapshot Sunday - Topiaries

Throwback Thursday - Color Blocks

Series: D-Tour

Released: January 2012

The Backside of Vinyls - 3D Design

(Photo Credit: Destination Vinylmation)

For today's Backside of Vinyls, I am taking a look at the back of the 3D Design Vinylmation from the Imagineering series. What's neat about the back of this figure is that it holds a hidden and hilarious joke, that's even more funny because it's Disney Imagineers poking fun at other Disney Imagineers.

A little background: the Imagineering series was designed by Imagineer artists (not the usual Disney Design Group artists) for the D23 Expo. The series has 8 figures, each depicting a different aspect of the Imagineering process. The front of this particular figure, shows the Yeti from Expedition Everest under construction.

On the back we can see the construction of the Yeti and the sculpting taking place. There's also a note on the back of the vinyl's head that reads: "Note, rework arm position". As you can see, the Yeti's right arm is clear, showing how it has yet to be completed. This is a reference to how the Expedition Everest icon broke very early into its existence, and is now unable to be repaired. In the attraction, the Yeti's right arm used to move forward as if to grab guests, as the Yeti simultaneously plunged forward. Many fans are aware that this is no longer the case, and the Yeti's arm now has limited movement, while his body remains stationary.

The back of this figure shows a small, but significant touch from its very humorous designers. It's these little details that bring so much more to Vinylmation.

Vinylmation Stories - Aztec Warrior

You might wonder why I own the Aztec Warrior Vinylmation from Urban #8 when it's clearly not a Park Vinylmation. Let me tell you the story why. I had never bought an Urban Vinylmation before, they just didn't appeal to me. But when I saw this one, I immediately thought of the Aztec man who lit up on El Rio del Tiempo in the Mexican pavilion at Epcot. 

(Photo Credit: Mice Age)

I miss El Rio del Tiempo deeply, and I wish it would come back. I love how I can remember the ride and the music when I look at this figure, despite him not being a park figure. When I look back at pictures of the Aztec man from the ride, I think this Vinylmation looks pretty similar, despite not being designed to specifically look like that character.

And that's how and why the Aztec Warrior joined my collection!

Star Wars #6 Release

There won't be any Star Wars Weekends this year, but the annual tradition of releasing a Star Wars Vinylmation series has continued. Today, Star Wars #6 was released at D-Street, Star Wars Galactic Outpost, Launch Bay and the Disney Store Online and for the first time we have a reduced case size for the Star Wars line. While most series moved to 8 figure sets some time ago, Star Wars has remained a 12 figure set until now.

The set includes 8 figures: 7 commons, 1 chaser, plus two variants have already surfaced. All 8 figures were designed by Disney artist Maria Clapsis. Each blind box retails for $12.95