Friday, May 27, 2016

Star Wars Wicket 9" Release


A Star Wars 9" Vinylmation figure has been released today at D-Street, Star Wars Galactic Outpost and The Disney Store Online. This new Vinylmation is Wicket from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Wicket was designed by Maria Clapsis and has a Limited Edition size of 1,000 like previous Star Wars 9" figures. Retail price for this figure is $59.95.

Update: Wicket is now available for purchase via the Shop Disney Parks app (6/4/16).

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Cheshire Cat

Series: Color Block
Released: June 2012

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The Collector's Space - Long Live 9" Vinylmation


I've written before about the decline in production for 9" Vinylmation figures and how I want them to still be made but in a more realistic and appropriate manner. I have been extremely happy to see 9" figures accompany the Star Wars Weekend Vinylmation for the past 3 years, especially last year's Death Star 9" combo. This week Disney Parks Merchandise announced that although Star Wars Weekends are gone for good, there will be another Star Wars 9" Vinylmation released this May! 

The upcoming 9" Vinylmation is Wicket from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. We don't know yet which artist created this figure, but I think this vinyl has been designed wonderfully! Wicket looks almost fluffy, with his cute little expression and adorable eyes! What I love the most is the nighttime Endor scene in the ears. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you're probably sick of me griping about artists wasting space in the ears of Vinylmation - not the case here! Absolutely beautiful detail! 


I hope this is a sign 9" Vinlmation will continue to be released. Even one 9" figure a year prevents the platform from becoming extinct, although this will be the second 9" released in 2016 after Hipster Mickey. Plus, one or two figures a year will create a higher demand, and prevent 9" figures from being moved en masse to outlets. Due to the higher price point of 9" vinyls coupled with the bigger size, there's just no way collectors can keep up with numerous releases a year, leading to 9" figures becoming outlet fodder, which is what caused their withdrawal in the first place. It seems as if Disney are moving in the right direction by keeping the 9", but keeping releases very low. 

Retail price of the Wicket 9" is being advertised as $59.95, the same price as last year's Death Star 9". This is a more realistic price to entice collectors to buy. Go too low and you'll find locals stocking up to resell on eBay, go too high (some 9" have been priced as high as $99.95) and you'll still find 9" going to outlet, with sellers refusing to pay no matter how amazing the figure. 

The only downfall I can foresee with this figure, is the Limited Edition size. I assume there will be one, given that the last few Star Wars 9" figures were LE 1000. However, it didn't appear that Hipster Mickey was a Limited Edition so we'll see. If the size is too high to meet demand, there may still be the outlet issue. 

The artwork on Wicket is fantastic and I'm happy to see a 9" figure designed with a purpose. With artwork this good for such a popular brand, I can see this figure being a success. If we only get Star Wars 9" for a while, that's fine with me! It seems as thought, for the moment at least, Star Wars might be what's keeping 9" figures alive, I am all for it!  

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Vinylmation Stories - Oklahoma City Thunder


I've said many times before on this blog that I like collecting Park series Vinylmation. As you can tell, this is not a Park series vinyl. So let me tell you the story of why I added this figure to my collection. As I've also said before on this blog, that I'm from Oklahoma, and we are pretty proud of our basketball team! We don't have any other state teams in professional sports (besides college teams) so we take our basketball very seriously.


I'm a basketball fan, and I love watching the Oklahoma City Thunder play (who of course are my favorite team). We've had some great seasons, making our way to the Western Conference finals, and even the NBA finals. When I saw that there was an Oklahoma City Thunder Vinylmation in the NBA Series, I was thrilled! Since Oklahoma lacks professional teams in other sports leagues, I was happy to see my state represented in the NBA Vinylmation series. My happiness at seeing a crossover between Disney and my favorite sports team meant I just had to have this figure!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Nana

Series: Whiskers & Tales
Artist: Quincy Sutton
Released: January 2013

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Big Eye Goofy

Series: Big Eyes
Artist: Thomas Scott
Released: May 2010

Friday, May 06, 2016

Star Wars Rex and Ace Eachez Release


The 8th Star Wars Eachez, Rex and Ace, has been released today at D-Street, Star Wars Galactic Outpost, the Launch Bay, and the Disney Store Online. The common figure is Captain Rex (RX-24), with a 9 in 10 chance of being in the box, while the variant figure is Ace (AC-38), with a 1 in 10 chance of being pulled. These Vinylmation have a limited edition size of 2,500 meaning there are 2,250 figures of Rex and 250 Ace figures. Both vinyls were designed by artist Thomas Scott and each blind box retails at $16.95.

Thursday, May 05, 2016

Throwback Thursday - 80's Minnie

Series: D-Tour #2
Artist: Anne Marie
Released: October 2014

Tuesday, May 03, 2016

The Backside of Vinyls - Pardon Our Pixie Dust


For today's Backside of Vinyls post, I'm taking a look at the back of the Pardon Our Pixie Dust Vinylmation from Park #13. The back of this vinyl continues on from the front, with the construction tape across the arms, and cranes and ladders on the back of the ears. 


The body of the figure continues the Pardon Our Pixie Dust sign, with the wooden plank design. There's also a silhouette of Sorcerer Mickey, waving a wand that spreads pixie dust up on the back of the Vinylmation's head.

Of course I love that Caley Hicks didn't just design the back to be blank slats of wood, but I also love the symbolism of Mickey on the back of the figure. It's as if Mickey is working behind the scenes, spreading pixie dust to make magic happen at future attractions. You'll only see it if you turn the Vinylmation around! Another wonderful backside of vinyls!