Christopher Avalos of Evilos.com took a trip to the most recent Vinylmation Artist Party on July 25th at the Disneyland Resort D Street and was kind enough to share some pictures.

Christopher with Disney Design Group Artist Thomas Scott

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From Disney Parks Blog by Steven Miller:

Fellow Disney Parks blogger Michelle Harker recently wrote about several upcoming events at Disneyland Resort. She said she didn’t want to “steal my thunder” regarding a special event taking place at D-Street at Downtown Disney District in California. So here is “my thunder” (more like some additional details) about the Vinylmation Artist Signing and Meet and Greet scheduled for Sunday, July 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The particularly cool part is this event will feature the core Vinylmation art team from Disney Design Group including Thomas Scott, lead designer for Vinylmation; Eric Caszatt, Senior Graphic Designer (known for the previously discussed Vinylmation Oh Mickey!; and Lin Shih, production artist, who has designed figures, packaging and other three dimensional product modeling. Donald Ferro, Product Developer for Vinylmation, and I will also be there to meet with Vinylmation fans. It’s not often that the artists visit the West Coast, so I’m happy we will be holding this event (especially since many blog readers had asked for one in previous postings).

The artists don’t physically get to visit Disneyland Resort that often as Disney Design Group is located in Florida. The Disney Theme Park Merchandise headquarters is a non-descript building at Walt Disney World Resort, but inside the building is where the magic takes place. Merchandise, artwork, visual designs, store concepts and more are created by teams of merchandise Cast Members. Disney Design Group creates the merchandise artwork for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line and more. It’s pretty inspirational (okay – it’s down right awesome) to walk through their area and see artwork for upcoming merchandise items (by the way, the Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary merchandise looks fantastic – but that’s another story).

At the recent Artist Party at D-Street on July 11, we featured Randy Noble, Dan Howard, Tyler Dumas, and Monty Maldovan. It was a big success and a lot of fun (pictured above is Monty showing off his favorite figure he designed, Kermit the Frog). The July 25 party is the sequel to the July 11 party. For those who have never attended an Artist Party, it is an opportunity to meet the artists behind favorite your Vinylmation figures. The artists will also sign autographs, so please bring whatever Vinylmation figures you would like (even the previously purchased ones). Just remember there may be a limit to autographs (to keep it fair for all Guests).

Also, don’t forget to sign the “I Was There” Vinylmation. Above is a photo of the “I Was There” Vinylmation from the July 11 party, which will be displayed in D-Street. I hope to see you there.

From Official Vinylmation Blog:

The Park #4 combo pack featuring the Plane Crazy Mickey Mouse will be released at D-Street at the Disneyland® Resort on July 16. Speaking of Vinylmation™ Park, here is a look at some figures from the Park #5 collection:

 

 

 

From Official Vinylmation Blog:

Announcing three new Vinylmation™ releases this Friday, June 25 at the Walt Disney World® Resort! First we have the Vinylmation™ Jr Series #2, which made its Disneyland® Resort premiere just last week. Second is the Vinylmation™ Condiment set, which will also be released at Disneyland® Resort on June 25. Finally, we have the debut of a brand new Vinylmation™ figure, Plane Crazy Mickey Mouse:

 

This figure will sold exclusively in a combo pack with a randomly selected Vinylmation™ Park #4 series.

All of the new releases will be found at D-Street at Downtown Disney West Side on June 25. For those who are purchasing the Vinylmation™ Condiment set, note that as this is a limited edition item there will be a purchase limit of two (2) sets per Guest, per day.

From Disney Parks Blog:

I love Disneyland! My wife and I spent our honeymoon there, and I’ve visited the Resort nearly every year since the start of the new Millennium. There is something so special about the place where Walt Disney walked. That is probably why I’m excited about the new Vinylmation figures inspired by the 55th Anniversary of Disneyland Resort which we are calling “Vinylmation ’55.” I recently spoke with Susan Foy from Disney Design Group about the first two figures from this series – a 9” plus 3” set celebrating the 55th Anniversary of The Mickey Mouse Club (a television show that also made its debut in 1955).

“I started work on the figures in March 2009,” explained Susan. “I remember watching the original series as a child. The first concept I had was a tribute to the Days of the Week which evolved to the little girl and little boy Mouseketeer figures. I watched the show intro many times and remember seeing their cute faces on the curtains.”

Susan was first hired to work on designing merchandise for the opening of Disney California Adventure in 2001. She also created many outstanding designs for the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland Resort in 2005 (has it really been five year since then?). It only seemed natural to have her work on these first two figures for the nostalgic Vinylmation ’55 collection.

Susan shared that the girl and boy were originally going to be the 9” figures. Funny thing is the girl kind of reminds me of fellow Disney Parks blogger Michelle Harker (but don’t tell her I said that). The Mouseketeer kids eventually became 3” figures after the idea of creating a combo set was suggested by Donald Ferro, developer for Vinylmation.

“With the new combo set in mind, I wanted icons from the show that Guests would remember and would complement the young Mouseketeers,” continued Susan. “I liked the randomness of the Mousegetar. My husband is a musician so maybe that is why I chose that one. I also wanted to feature a character, so band leader Mickey Mouse seemed like a great choice. He is the leader of the club after all! ”

The original design for the Band Leader Mickey Mouse did not contain the baton and plume. Those features were added much later in the design process. Of all the figures we’ve created, the Band Leader Mickey is one of my ultimate favorites. The detail, design and overall look are striking to see in person.

Referencing her original design concept, I asked Susan if she had a favorite day of the week. Some of you may recall each day on the show had a different theme.

“Certainly not Mondays,” laughed Susan. “Fridays are always great but I also like Tuesdays.”

These two figures will be released exclusively at D-Street in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. Each set has an edition size of 555. Stay tuned to http://www.Vinylmation.com for a release date and look for more figures coming from the Vinylmation ’55 collection this year.

From Official Vinylmation Blog:

Well, you said and we listened! Mark your calendars this coming Summer for some opportunities to meet the talented artists behind many of your favorite Vinylmation® Figures. These events, and a few others, will take place at D-Street in Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort.

June 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – ACME Animation Art Show with Special Guest Artist Steven J. Daily

July 11 from 11: a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Vinylmation™ Signing with Disney Design Group Artists Dan Howard, Monty Maldovan and Randy Noble

July 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Vinylmation™ Signing with Disney Design Group Artists Thomas Scott, Eric Caszatt and Lin Shih

August 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – “Tail Gate Party” Trunk Show

August 14 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Vinylmation™ Signing with Special Guest Artist Noah

August 21 (time to be determined) – Vinylmation™ Signing

September 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Vinylmation™ Signing with Disney Design Group Artist Casey Jones.

And we have to say this …. all information is subject to change without notice. But we’ll keep you advised if anything changes. For now, save the dates!

From Official Vinylmation Blog:

Mark your calendars Vinylmation™ Fans on the West Coast. On May 22, Quinn Shurian, 2010 Disneyland® Resort Ambassador, will be trading Vinylmation™ Figures at D-Street located in the Downtown Disney® District. He will be trading from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., so please stop by and say “Hello.”

We also invite you to check out some new wallpaper images we added to the “Fun” section. While there, look further down to see some new Avatars/Icons. The one-of-a-kind images were taken by Steven before the opening of D-Street in Florida back in mid-April. Several of these figures have sold out so we thought some of you may enjoy having these images (since only one person in the world has the actual figure – and congratulations to those lucky individuals!).

Happy Downloading!

Also, Official Vinylmation Site previewed several figures that will be released in the future, including a future Annual Passholder Exclusive, the Florida Orange Bird, and a figure from Park Series #5, Dad from Carousel of Progress.

From Official Vinylmation Blog:

The Vinylmation 9″ Figure inspired by the classic Adventures Thru Inner Space attraction from Disneyland® Park is now available on the Disney Parks On-Line Store.

We are also excited to share today a new wallpaper image based on the one-of-a-kind figure designed by Disney Design Group Artist Quynh Kimball for the grand opening of D-Street in Florida. It is currently on display (and available for retail) at the location. We hope you enjoy it as it is one of our favorite designs. We will post some additional one-of-a-kind wallpaper images within the next week or so. The photograph of these figures was shot by Steven (and yes, he had his EPCOT Center camera strap).

 

Quynh Kimball – One-of-a-Kind – 1618×1050

Quynh Kimball – One-of-a-Kind – 1280×1024

Quynh Kimball – One-of-a-Kind – 1024×768

Quynh Kimball – One-of-a-Kind – 800×600

Banks and Sidney Lee of WDW News Today stopped by the D-Street Grand Opening today and brought back some great pictures of all the festivities (click any photo to see a larger image):

Preparation being made for the event

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From Disney Parks Blog:

A key part of the Vinylmation experience is creative expression. We want our Guests to express their creativity using the blank Create-Your-Own Vinylmation we offer. So, I am particularly excited to announce a destination for Vinylmation creativity – a specially designed “Vinylmation Creation Station” in D-Street at Downtown Disney WestSide in Florida.

The table being used for this Create-Your-Own Station will measure approximately 6’ by 6’ (now that’s a big table!). Under the glass table top, Guests will see a variety of Vinylmation 3” figures arranged to make a stunning backdrop for creative expression. Any guesses as to how many figures were used? I’ll tell you at the end of this article.

I’ve discussed before on the Disney Parks Blog some ways in which you can create your own unique Vinylmation masterpiece. With this new station, Guests will be able to create something before leaving the new Vinylmation mothership, D-Street.

Once a blank Vinylmation is purchased (they are offered in a variety of colors and sizes), Guests can stop by the Vinylmation Creation Station. Then it is “go crazy time” — draw on it, have friends and family sign it, keep track of the places you visit during your Disney vacation. Express your “inner Vinylmation” however you see fit. Seriously, it is pretty easy to do. Check out this creation that Donald Ferro, developer for Vinylmation made, using a white Vinylmation 3” figure and some eyes.

In the months to come, you will find a variety of stickers, gems and other items to use for decorating your blank Vinylmation. We are even working on some “pre-designed” Vinylmation figure that will have designs printed on the figures (imagine a giant 3-D coloring book).

If the three-dimensional form is a little intimidating to start, you can download a blank two-dimensional template on Vinylmation.com (templates are in .PDF format). They are a great way to practice your skills.

Oh, the number of Vinylmation 3” figures used in the table … 782. Did you guess correctly?