Disney is releasing the very first Vinylmation Muppets Series this March – and we are beyond excited.
But what is Vinylmation? According to the Walt Disney Company’s website describing the collectors items:
“According to Donald Ferro, Product Developer for these new vinyl figures, Vinylmation is about expressing creativity and the mysterious thrill of the chase. It’s a thrill for our Disney Artists to who see the Vinylmation™ figure as a blank canvas. Their inspiration comes from everywhere Disney Park icons, urban landscapes and even holidays. With each figure having a distinctive art style and personality, there’s a Vinylmation™ figure out there for everyone!
There are a variety of figures to collect from 3″ limited releases to 9″ limited edition figures. For 3″ limited releases, there are typically 12 figures per series. Eleven figures are known while the twelfth is called the mystery chaser. Each 3″ Vinylmation™ is packaged in a blind pack which means you wont know which figure youre getting until purchased. The 3″ figures are sold individually or you can get a whole tray. Buying an entire tray guarantees you the entire set of Vinylmation™ figures from that collection, and also gives you additional duplicate Vinylmation™ figures to trade.
Some Vinylmation™ figures have additional items in the boxes as well, such as cards featuring the original artwork.
9″ figures are sold sans mystery in a window box. In addition, many commemorative Vinylmation™ figures and collections (such as the D23 Expo and anniversary figures) are sold individually and are also not a mystery.”
Monty Maldovan, from the Disney Design Group, said about designing the Muppets Vinylmation figures: “The initial work for the Muppets series was started in 2008. I started sketching various Muppet figures on a blank template which I thought would work for future Park series. Once I started drawing, I couldn’t stop. I eventually ended up with way more than 12 designs. I wanted to include so many of my favorite characters like Sam the Eagle. But we had to make cuts. I guess that is why we called this ‘Muppets Series #1.”
Quynh Kimball from the Disney Design Group worked on creating unique packaging for the Vinylmation series: “In a way, Monty and I wanted this series to be an extension of the Muppet*Vision 3-D attraction. The packaging needed to have all the fun, whimsical and wacky Muppets sense of humor. We visited the attraction and took pictures for inspiration. Many details from those photos made it onto the final packaging.”
The first Muppets Vinylmation series is hitting Walt Disney World Resort locations this month while they will be available for purchase at Disneyland Resort locations in March.
See images of the new Muppets Vinylmation figures below:
Source: disneyparks.disney.go.com
OMFG!!!! SOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!