For the past ten years, pins have been the souvenir of choice for Disney collectors and traders. This simple product line has brought many hours of enjoyment to thousands of fans who wanted to bring a little of the magic home with them after vacation. But a new collectible arrived on the scene recently and is capturing the imagination of Disney fans – Vinylmation. These Mickey-esque figurines, made out of vinyl, come in one basic shape (several sizes), but are decorated in a multitude of styles to capture the spirit of Disney and beyond.
A new shop officially opened at Downtown Disney Westside today (April 16, 2010) and will be the flagship location for Vinylmation at Walt Disney World. But before we talk about these cute little Mickeys, let’s take a look at the store and some of the other things that will be offered here.
While attending the press event today, I had the good fortune to speak with Kelli Coleman, Vice President Product Design & Development. She told me that D Street is similar to its sister shop Trend-D located at the Marketplace. Both are cutting-edge shops that offer pop culture apparel and novelties. But unlike Trend-D, boys and men will also be able to find unique Disney fashions to take home with them. I snapped a few pictures of the shirts that are for sale to give you an example of what I’m talking about. As you can see, this is not the same merchandise line that you’ll find at the Emporium at the Magic Kingdom.
D Street is a lot of fun and full of energy. Many of the props that line the upper shelves came from the old Adventure’s Club on Pleasure Island.
Here are a few more pictures of the “apparel” side of the store. Be sure to notice the numerous Mickeys – some hidden, some not.
The right hand side of the D Street store is primarily devoted to Vinylmation. Everything from starter kits to one-of-a-kind pieces are available here. Check out some of the cool displays.
This chandelier has 49 nine-inch figures and the table has 782 Vinylmation characters worked into its design.
It’s at this table that you’ll be able to create your own, personalized Vinylmation figurine. Blank characters are for sale and marking pins are on hand to help you design your own unique figure. You can use the Mickeys found in the table for inspiration or exercise your own imagination. Also, if you’d like to add some interesting eyes and mouths, a wide variety are available.
But if you’re not artistically inclined, some really cute, ready-made characters are just waiting to go home with you. These next pictures show three of the Vinylmation categories for sale, Park, Urban, and Muppet. There are other categories so be sure to check them out when you visit this store.
Also available are celebrity signed pieces and Vinylmations created by the Disney Design Group Artists. And for a slightly different take on this craze, canvas paintings with characters from the “Park” series can be found posing in front of their attractions. Here are a few samples.
D Street will also offer “Cast Member Vinylmation Trading.” This will give you a fast and easy way to complete your collection by swapping one Vinylmation for another.
As part of the press event, I was asked to sign a special Vinylmation that will be on display in the store. My name and ALLEARS.NET can be seen right below Mickey’s buttons.
I think D Street is a nice addition to Downtown Disney. This shop offers a different line of merchandise than can be found in so many of the other stores found at Disney World. And even if you’re not into Vinylmation, you should take the time to check them out. The creativity that goes into some of the designs is truly amazing.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to attend a Disney press event, I videotaped the opening ceremony today. I have edited the speeches in order to keep the video at around six minutes. The elapsed time for the “speed painting” was about eight minutes. Be sure to watch the Mickey dance routine at the end. It’s high energy and a great show!
Like just about everything else in Florida, the east coast D Street looks like it takes great advantange of the blessing of having more room than we have in California for a similar store. I don’t get vinyalmation at all, but I discovered how popular it was at the D23 event. Everytime I went to the D23 store at the Anaheim convention center, the MAJOR MAJOR purchases that were being made were the Vinylmation items, people were buying them by the dozens!
My son was in his high school play, Beauty and the Beast and he was playing Cogsworth. We wanted to give him something but could not find anything appropriate. My daughter bought a blank vinylmation and painted it like Cogsworth and gave it to him after the opening performance. It was perfect. I did not get it either until she created this one for him. There is more to these then just collecting, it allows you to be creative.
I’m a 62 year old grandmother who has been an avid anything Disney collector for many years. The exception will be vinylmation figures. It seems to me they would be better suited as children’s dolls at a reasonable price rather than as Disney collectibles. Those of you who collect them enjoy.
LOVED THIS ARTICLE!!
Thanks so much! My boys are going to be very excited!
Ok, I have to admit that I fought the Vinylmation factor, but my boys LOVE LOVE LOVE them!
I do think they are expensive, but my kids are allowed to use the money that family members give them to buy these figures if that is what they chose. The boys (age 5 and 6)do really play with them! (they switch heads too)
We play a Wheres Mickey and put them in different spots around the park and take digital pics of them. When we get home, we connect the camera to our TV and replay the pics and play “Where in the World is Mickey”.
Its alot of fun! Plus they fit into the suitcases!!
Jack, I heard a rumor that there was going to be a trading post for Vinyl Mickeys?? is that true? That would be awesome!!!
I just returned and visited the shop with my 14 year old daughter…..fairly disappointed…we too do not get the Vinyl creations….very pricey and the do it your self feature is basically stick-ons. Not the usual Disney quality and creativity we’ve come to love and expect. However, my daugther did buy a nice blouse so the clothing was a hit. Overall I think the vinyl idea will fade…hope the blouse doesn’t.
“Sounds like a gimmick that will fade quickly.”
This style of Vinyl toy has been popular with collectors for years now. If you “don’t get it” that’s fine, but calling it a gimmick just because it’s something you don’t understand isn’t fair.
Hey Jack,
Thanks for this blog on D-Street! Something new to check out Dowtown.
I’m with the group of people who don’t get it. I like them, love the creativitity, but this is being compared to pin trading?? Like someone else said, how are collectors going to carry all these little creatures around?
I don’t plan to collect these, but would love to buy one of the nine inch ones because some of the designs are fantastic. Very unique memento. When I visit the shop, I will check out “your” Vinylmation!
Quick question: are the canvas paintings for sale? I really liked that idea.
-Kirstin
A great article and a shop I will definately be visiting.
However, I’m in the category of “I don’t get it” when it comes to vinylmation. They look just like disgarded lumps of bubble-gum to me (and I though that was banned in WDW ;))
I think the D Street store is a great concept, but am saddened to see that Mickey Mouse takes on a “mean spirit” and a “gangster” type image with all the graffiti, hip hop poses and menacing faces. I’m hoping as the store develops this will be come of a high end Disney store similar to Trend D. Having a “home base” for Vinylmation is a brilliant move and takes on almost a Vinylmations Museum feel. It’s the only place on property where all of the pieces can be found.
Hey!
Thanks for the neat review of the new store in downtown disney!! It looks interesting.
I wish could go this year but it is impossible! I LOVE the new clothes. Our boys wanted t-shirts in the past but didn’t wear them when we got home (teenagers!)…I know they will like these!
Hi Jack,
A Vinyl Mickey Mouse?
Sounds like a gimmick that will fade quickly.
I will stick with my Soft/Furry/Cuddly Mickey Mouse any day.
While encouraging to see boys/mens wear, are they in large sizes? When I’m at WDW (3-4 times a year) I see alot of big guys. We are 2XL, 3XL, 4XL . . . We would spend $$$ and love to take home shirts and tees. BUT THERE IS NOTHING FOR US!
Jack’s Comment:
I cannot speak to the sizes at D Street because I did not look. But I definately know that Disney carries 2X and some 3X in men’s sizes. Maybe not in every fashion and style, but it is available.
However, I’m not the person to tell. You need to stop by City Hall or Guest Relations and let them know what’s on your mind.
Hi Jack!
I really don’t get Vinylmation, but the store looks so cool! Now in June I’ll go take a look. Without your blog I wouldn’t have seen how neat it was, and wouldn’t have gone in!
Can’t wait for your next update!
For those who still don’t “get” Vinylmation, or are interested in where this whole thing got started, I highly recommend reading the wikipedia entries on “designer toy”, “Dunny (toy)”, and “Qee”.
Hi Jack
I like your updates and info. I check each day. As for D Street. I don’t like how they are trying to make Mickey “punk”. Not all of pop culture is good. I don’t like the dark angry looking Mickeys. Mickey does not look good as a “goth” or “punk”. This will probably be a store where my money will not go. Thank you for allowing my input. And no I am not some old guy.
Back again…..yes, after careful review this is the zebra from the adventurers club. I am glad that they are using some of the props from the club around the resort area. Do you know if the other side is still a bench? It looks like they did paint some of the stripes to match the colorful atmosphere.
Jack’s Answer:
As you’ve already figured out, the zebra is from the Adventure’s Club. However, the back side is not a bench, but more display cases. And you’re right; they have painted a few of the strips to make the zebra a little more funky.
Do you know if the Zebra Structure was from the inside top floor of the Adventurers Club?
hey jack
the new shop in downtown disney looks pretty cool. it seems to have a new look for mickey as opposed to what is normally seen. as for the vinylmation i like it. it adds a use of creativity to mickey and being a fan of art, I can’t wait to check it out. can’t wait for your next blog and as always, keep up the great work.
Hi Jack,
I will be able to visit this store in Dec because we booked our trip last week!
Disney Cathy
Definitely on my list of ‘shopping haunts’. Thanks for the info Jack. Informative and fun as usual. Thank you
Jack, I just have to tell you that your blogs are tremendous. I have never posted a comment for anything before, but I finally had to give in! Keep up the fabulous work!
What is Vinylmation? I saw it around Disney World when I was there this past December and could not figure how what it was or was about.
Jack’s Answer:
Vinylmations are small plastic Mickey Mouse figurines that have a very rounded shape. But instead of seeing Mickey painted on the figurine, a number of different characters or objects can be seen on his skin. For example, one Vinylmation might look like Pluto while another is painted to look like a monorail. The possibilities are endless. Take a closer look at some of the pictures in my blog and you’ll get a better idea of what I’m talking about.
So far it’s been my experience that people either love Vinylmation or simply don’t “get it.”
Im so excited to check this shop out!!!
I love the clothes here they are really chic!
But the Vinylmation is utterly expensive!!
The prices go from $9.95 for one of the little bitty figure $39.99 for one of the 9″ inch figures, and $14.99 for the blank create your own figure. I probably will spend half my spending money here but probably on the clothes….
This shop looks so neat! I can’t wait to check it out!
…as for Vinylmation, I still don’t get it, and I’m afraid I never will. It seems like customized and customizable toys you’d find in a Happy Meal. Plus, you can’t carry it around and show your Disney pride.