My Review & Comparison of Uni-Minis with Vinylmation

Previously, I posted about Universal Studios' version of Vinylmation, which they call "Uni-Minis". (You can check this out here). Today I wanted to give a review and comparison of Uni-Minis with our beloved Vinylmation.

Upside:

• I think Uni-Minis are pretty cute. From what I've seen, I think all of them look like the characters they aim to represent which is always good
• The 3" size, like Vinylmation, makes them easy to display
• They make a great souvenir from the Universal parks to remember your favorite ride or character by (which is what lured me in with Vinylmation, serving as a 3" memory of Walt Disney World
• The price point could be considered a positive. Vinylmation collectors are used to paying $12.95 for a 3" figure and since Uni-Minis retail at that same price point of $12.95, I guess they could be considered inexpensive - another positive

Downside:

• However I'm surprised by Uni-Mini's $12.95 price point. While that's the current standard in Vinylmation pricing, (with some Disney Store series pricing lower at $9.95 and limited edition figures pricing higher at $14.95, and Park Starz retailing for higher still between $18.95 and $26.95 for a single figure) usually Universal's merchandise is slightly lower than Disney's (take their mugs for example, which range from $9.95-$12.95, while Disney's range from $12.95-$16.95)
• While I think Uni-Minis make great souvenirs from your trip, especially for children, I don't like Uni-Minis are a collector's piece. Vinylmation has a uniform shape (unless we're talking about Park Starz) but each one is unique in design. The Mickey mold gives every figure something in common, yet the different designs and artwork are the reason to keep buying figures. In my opinion, you need a common characteristic (like the Mickey mold shape) to make something look like a collectible item, because they all share that same similarity. Uni-Minis seem to lack a common characteristic, except for height which isn't really substantial, that unites them as the same collectible item. Therefore I think a collection of them looks more like miscellaneous toys. Uni-Minis don't have a common trait that makes them instantly recognizable as Uni-Mini figures in the way you would instantly recognize a Vinylmation you hadn't seen before as being a Vinylmation
• I also don't like Uni-Minis as a hobby. Something great about Vinylmation is that you can completely immerse yourself in that world - it's a great form of escapism. There are websites, forums, blogs, videos, communities, release parties, etc. I feel like this all stems from the need to find other collectors to trade with, which is part of the purpose and fun of Vinylmation. Since almost all Uni-Minis are sold open window (which might be the attraction for some people over Vinylmation) there's no need to trade, nor does a trading community or in-park trade box location exist. In my opinion, this removed a lot of the hobby potential of Uni-Minis
• Since Uni-Minis are still relatively new, there are nowhere near as many figures as Vinylmation in existence or production. I feel for this reason that Uni-Minis don't captivate collectors in the way Vinylmation does, with previews; its own website, marketing, promotions, local releases at Disney Store, the anticipation of releases, etc.

I have yet to buy any Uni-Mins, but my favorites are The Cat in the Hat and E.T.

Universal Studios' Version of Vinylmation: Presenting Uni-Minis

It only makes sense (I guess) in the competitive theme park world that with the success of Disney's Vinylmation product, Universal would want to launch a similar merchandise craze. Vinylmation debuted in 2008 and on my trip to Universal in 2011, Uni-Minis had not yet surfaced. Fast forward to October 2013 and Uni-Minis were present in several locations around Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. They are certainly not everywhere you look like Vinylmation can be at Disney, nor have they been produced yet on the same scale as Vinylmation. In this post, I'll be explaining Universal's Uni-Minis.

Uni-Minis display case at the Islands of Adventure Trading Co.

Uni-Minis are 3" figures made of vinyl, that represent several characters found at the Universal Studios resort. The above picture shows the 6 most common figures: the film reel, Woody Woodpecker, Chilly Willy, E.T., Betty Boop and Spongebob Squarepants. Other figures include: Bart Simpson, Minions from Despicable Me, The Cat in the Hat and characters from Transformers.

The Uni-Mini boxes explain the figures this way:
"Each box contains one exclusive vinyl collectible figure inspired by your favorite movie and cartoon characters. You can collect them all!"

E.T. figures at E.T.'s Toy Closet

Most Uni-Minis are sold in boxes with a clear plastic window, which in the Vinylmation world we call "Open Window", so that you can see which figure is inside. Packaging is the same for each figure regardless of the character inside, and boxes do not have the character's name written on them., instead all the boxes say "Universal Studios - Mini Collectible".

However some Uni-Minis are sold in cardboard boxes that conceal the figure inside, like Vinylmation "blind boxes". These boxes list the series of Uni-Mini figures and the figures that make up that series, but the exact figure inside the box is unknown before purchase. I came across two series of these "blind box" figures: The Simpsons and Transformers.

Transformers Series One - sold at the Supply Vault

The box for this series listed 8 potential figures you could pull. It gives a ratio of 2/16 for the likelihood of getting each figure:

Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz and Grimlock

Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Thundercracker

And on the back of the box it appears Universal have their own version of a "chaser" and "chaser variant" or "superchaser" like in the Vinylmation world:

Back of the Transformers box

The box shows silhouettes of three figures with the ratios 1/96 for the first silhouette, 1/24 for the second and 1/48 for the third. More details such as the name and appearance of these figures is unannounced.


I enjoyed finding different Uni-Minis around Universal Studios Florida and I was particularly intrigued by the "blind boxes" and how they worked. I hope you enjoyed this look into Uni-Minis and stayed tuned for my comparison and review post on Vinylmation vs. Uni-Minis