A few months ago my fellow Disney Parks Blog author Jennifer Fickley-Baker shared a story about Walt Disney’s airplane found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I would have loved to fly on that plane back in the 1960s, especially with Walt (do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time?). I’m fascinated with designs from the 1960s, and I often dream of being a part of the “jet set” (thank you ABC’s “Pan Am!”). So imagine my pure delight when Kevin-Michael Lezotte, product developer for D-Tech, showed me new retro style cases coming in February 2012. We discussed the inspiration behind these new items while standing in the D-Tech showroom at Disney Theme Park Merchandise.
“We wanted to introduce a retro style line to D-Tech,” explained Kevin-Michael. “We took our cue from styles of the 1960s and ’70s and from patterns used on the quite popular Walt Disney World Resort’s 40th anniversary merchandise. Originally, we thought of including a tag line on these cases but decided to remove it. The Mickey globe icon was perfect without any additional verbiage.”
There will be three cases introduced next year for laptops, tablets and mobile phones. I particularly liked the pattern found inside the cases. Kevin-Michael said the cases shown in these images are the first production samples and may have some slight color corrections while in production.
Despite any changes, these cases look incredible. I’m booking my flight now to “Awesome-ville!”
Here’s a look at more of D-Tech at Disney Parks:
18 Comments 4 Replies
Samantha on October 25th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Love the retro bag. Just got a new laptop and might have to pick up one when it comes out!
Connie on October 25th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I love these cases! Will we be able to pre-order them??
Jill on October 25th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
please put these on the disneystore
Elizabeth from FL on October 25th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Those are so cool! And I’m glad the cell phone case is versatile enough to use with a variety of phones, not just the iPhone!
Steven Miller on October 25th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@Connie – I’m glad you like them! Unfortunately, there won’t be a “pre-order” option for these items. The will be arriving at Disney Parks in February 2012. You can always contact Disney Parks & Resorts Merchandise Guest Services at 1-877-560-6477 once they arrive.
@Elizabeth from FL – Stay tuned as I’m finishing another article about D-Tech. There will be some additional smart phone cases coming. I’ve seen the artwork and styles; they look great!
Elizabeth from PA on October 25th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Love them! Simple but classic.
Adam on October 25th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
As soon as I saw the pics, I immediately thought “Pan Am.” Apparently you did too…love them!
Danielle on October 25th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
LOVE these!! So happy to see the return of the original logo. We want more!
Joy from IL on October 25th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Would love to see this design in a rolling carry-on bag!
Isabel on October 25th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
OMG !! Wonderful but PLEASE include a messenger style bag as well
Laura on October 25th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
I love the retro flight bag look of these items. Just going by the photos, it’s difficult to be certain of the type of material used to construct them. Will they be constructed with vinyl or treated fabric?
Steven Miller on October 25th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@Danielle – Right on! I love that globe logo too.
@Laura – They are made of vinyl. The inside uses a polyester fabric with padding.
kylie on October 25th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Will they be available on disneystore.com, or only in the parks? I really hope they’re online, I really want one!
Linzie on October 25th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
It’s very Pan Am Chic! And I LOVE them!!! I can not wait to pick up the bag! Very retro. Very Classy! Great colors and shapes! Way to go Merchandise Team!!! Brilliant to use the classic logo. Simple was definitely the way to go!
Leanne on October 25th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Love this design! Can’t wait to see out in the parks.
Paul on October 26th, 2011 at 7:39 am
Nice designs, any possibility of seeing this in a pin bag?
Niamh from Co. Cork on October 26th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Love this bag! Definitely on my ‘want list’. Any indication of what price they will be?
Daniel on October 26th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
I love these! I hope they become available on the Disney Parks online store. The retro logo is very cool. One piece of feedback: notebook sleeves should come in multiple sizes for multiple styles of computers. I have a 13″ MacBook Air, which slides around too much in the 15″ sleeves I saw at most of the WDW stores a couple of weeks ago. I do love the iPhone cases, though! They’re great! I bought 6 of them for friends at home.
Steven Miller on October 26th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Kylie – I confirmed with the Disney Parks Online Store team that these items will be sold via the online store! Yay!
@Linzie – Wow! Thanks for the positive review! I have shared with the art and development teams.
@Paul – I spoke with Julie on the pin team who said there are no plans at this time. But you may see these designs or ones inspired by them coming to the accessories category
@Niamh – I do not have confirmed retails at this point.
@Daniel – They will be sold online too!
Thanks for the feedback; I will share with the development team. And thank you for being such a fan of the D-Tech – six cases!? Wowza!
David from MA on October 26th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Steven – When will the Vinylmation iPhone cases be released? We saw a preview over a year ago…
Steven Miller on October 27th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@David – How timely! We just announced the release date for the four covers – November 11. They feature two different patterns – an all over and a line up. Cases were made for the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4 (and they should also work for the iPhone 4S). Each case has a retail of $31.95. Look for them in the following locations:
Disneyland:
D-Street – Downtown Disney District
The Star Trader – Disneyland Park
Off the Page – Disney California Adventure Park
Walt Disney World:
D-Street – Downtown Disney West Side
Emporium – Magic Kingdom Park
MouseGear – Epcot
Beverly Sunset – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Island Mercantile – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Amy on October 29th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Ahhh yes! I can’t wait for the cases! My Mickey comic strip case just broke recently. Time to get Disney-fied!
18 Comments