One of my favorite moments in the past six months was on October 1, 2012. I loved celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Epcot with friends and family. I will always remember watching the special Illuminations: Reflections of Earth show with my children, then hearing all of the great Epcot music while exiting the park (I am still wishing for an Epcot music box set one day). I recently found a few new merchandise items that continue the 30th anniversary celebration this year.

The first item is an incredible charm bracelet that contains original logos from Future World pavilions. The bracelet is attached to a postcard with concept art from my favorite EPCOT Center book I had growing up. The bracelet was released at Mouse Gear and World Traveler in Epcot, and at World of Disney at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. It will not be available via the Disney Parks online store (here is the item number for those interested – 400006967718).

There will be a new 24 pin mystery set released on February 21 at Walt Disney World Resort (it won’t be carried via the online store, so here is the item number – 400007261587). This set was created by Disney Design Group artists Quynh Kimball and John Henselmeier. You may recall they were instrumental in creating the Epcot 30 merchandise style guide. I spoke with Quynh about the pins featured in this set.

“The limited release mystery set has 12 known pins and 12 mystery pins,” explained Quynh. “We wanted to highlight classic attractions, shows and experiences from Epcot’s thirty year history. We included a mixture of pins with Disney characters enjoying Epcot attractions with other iconic things like my favorite pin, the globe from Illuminations: Reflections of Earth which opens to reveal the flame torch.”

Each mystery set will contain two randomly selected pins – one you can see and one that is a mystery. We typically don’t show the mystery pins but I couldn’t resist showing the five pins pictured above (A Horizons pin? Sold!). There will also be a Figment mystery pin in this set for those wondering.

Finally, fans who love the classic Epcot font (like me) should look for a new open edition pin arriving in summer.

Tagged: Epcot, Pins, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

When I served as project manager for Disney Pin Trading, I was often asked by guests which pins they should collect or trade. My best advice for someone starting a Disney pin collection is to pick a certain theme and trade for what you like. For years, we have offered mini-collections that are an easy way to jump start a collection. I spoke with Jeanne Lewis, merchandiser for Disney pins, about some of these new collections arriving in 2013.

“We have new limited edition pin collections coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts next year,” explained Jeanne. “Some pins will be released each month, while others may be released every other month or once each quarter. I like these mini-collections because they have one consistent story. I also like making these pins extra special by adding different elements like stained glass or sculpted metal.”

Fans at Disneyland will see the next chapter of the “Piece of Disneyland Resort History” collection. For this series, Jeanne acquired costume pieces from the Creative Costuming team from various Audio-Animatronics figures. I like the “it’s a small world” pin that features pieces of the Japanese girl’s obi sash from the attraction’s final scene. Each pin in the series will have an edition size of 1,000.

The “Window to the Magic” collection is also coming to Disneyland Resort. This pin series features scenes from classic Disney animated films where magical things took place by windows. The pins in this series will have edition sizes of 1,000.

For Walt Disney World Resort, there will be a pin-of-the-month collection called “Good Luck / Bad Luck.” This playful collection shows there are two sides to every story – lucky and unlucky. I thought the Flower pin was funny (poor Flower!). The edition size for these pins will be 1,000.

I convinced Jeanne to let me tease two new surprise pin collections for 2013. There will be six different pins in each collection, released at various dates throughout the year. The Walt Disney World Resort collection is called “Remember When” and gives a nod to classic Disney attractions and characters. The Disneyland Resort collection has images of vintage Disney characters in stylized crests. The surprise pins will each have an edition size of 750.

I invite you to keep watching Disney.com/Pins for the latest news about pin releases. Happy trading!


Check out these posts for more updates about Disney pins:

• Inside Look at New Merchandise at Epcot for Test Track Presented by Chevrolet
• New Disney Afternoon Items at Disney Parks Spark Childhood Memories
• Enhanced Disney Parks Shopping Card Makes Unique Gift for Merchandise Fans

Tagged: DLR, Pins, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Looking for a gift that will “drive” your friends and family wild for the holidays? Then pull over, because on December 15, do I have the ticket for you. The newest limited edition 1,000 piece, titled Hop On In, Jessica, from the Studios Ink & Paint Collection features none other than Jessica and Roger Rabbit, as they set off to cruise through the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Wondering which part has actually been hand-painted by our talented Studios Ink & Paint team? I’ll give you one guess… she’s quite a shining star!

Here’s a look at the new cel!

Special Note: The first 750 framed cels ordered will come with a special limited edition pin to commemorate the release.

There are a few formats in which it will be available and a few ways you can purchase. Here are some tips:

• Unframed Cel – $125
• Black Frame and Cel – $215
• Black Frame with Pin and Cel – $245
• Black Frame with Pin, Postcard and Cel – $255
• Gold Frame and Cel – $285

If you have already decided to add this to the top of your list for the holidays or know just whom to get it for, then here’s an added bonus. On December 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Ink & Paint artists, Erin Magill, Theodora M. DeLaney, David Rippberger, Lynn Rippberger and Sharon K. Vincent will actually be on hand to sign it at Studios Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to purchase the Ink & Paint cel, then contact Walt Disney Event Services to pre-order your cel at 407-827-7600, Monday – Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. But please note: All pre-orders must be placed with Walt Disney Event Services no later than Friday, December 14, 2012 by 12:00 p.m. EST.

I’ve got more details on this release on www.ArtofDisneyParks.com, so check it out when you have time.

Tagged: Art of Disney, DHS, Pins, WDW

Filed: Art of Disney, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

For months now, my son has been asking to ride Test Track presented by Chevrolet. He rode the previous incarnation of this fun Epcot attraction and loved it. The official opening takes place tonight, (December 6), which also happens to be my daughter and son’s birthday. I’m tempted to tell him that I got him Test Track for his birthday, but I think I’ll settle for a T-shirt. New apparel is just one of things that guests will find as they pass through the merchandise location. I stopped by last week for a first look at what to expect.

The merchandise location is found just beyond the Chevrolet showroom, and will carry a variety of automotive-themed goods including shirts, hats, toy cars and more. There is also a section with Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” merchandise, and a dedicated area for Disney-themed automotive items like antenna toppers, fuzzy dice and window clings. Toward the exit, guests will find a booth where they can make official “Automotive Designer” photo badges.

For the opening, we are releasing several new shirts for adults and kids with artwork created by artist Cortney Williams. One shirt has Mickey Mouse in the driver’s seat with a ghosted image of the ride’s test categories of Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness and Power. A shirt and a hat will have only the attraction’s logo (simple designs are sometimes the best!).

There are a few additional items arriving next year, including a tie-dyed shirt for kids with the attraction logo, a photograph frame, and an antenna topper. Finally, we will have two open edition pins which have been updated with the new attraction color scheme. The original Test Track car pin (above right) has been a fan favorite since the original attraction opened in 1999.

Here are a few additional images from the location:

Read these posts for more about the newly re-imagined Test Track:

• Peek Inside The New Test Track Presented by Chevrolet with Imagineers & Chevrolet Design
• New Test Track Costumes Unveiled at Epcot This Week
• First Look: Renderings of the New Test Track Chevrolet Design Center Pre-Show Released

Tagged: Epcot, Gallery, Pins, Test Track, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

I recently shared with you a look at some of the commemorative items that will be released at Magic Kingdom Park on December 6. One thing that won’t be found at Magic Kingdom Park that day will be the limited edition pins created for New Fantasyland. Instead, we will be holding a special release party for the grand opening pin collection that evening at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This release party will take place in Room J at the Convention Center from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We will also be offering space for guests to trade pins (or Vinylmation if desired) during that time. We thought this would be a great way for guests to enjoy the magical grand opening of New Fantasyland in the morning then continue the celebration at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in the evening. I spoke with the Disney trading and merchandise events teams to learn what items will be released that night.

During this event, we will be releasing six individual limited edition pins, including the “I Was There!” pin. We will also be releasing a super jumbo-sized pin; a boxed pin set inspired by Casey, Jr.; and individual pins plus the complete boxed set inspired by Walt Disney’s animated classic “Dumbo.”

For Passholders, we will have three individual limited edition pins celebrating Be Our Guest Restaurant, Storybook Circus and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. Passholders will also find a limited edition sling bag (edition size 600) and a 24kt coin card (edition size 1,000). A valid Passholder ID must be presented in order to purchase these items.

The most important thing I learned is none of these items will be found in Magic Kingdom Park on December 6 as all quantities will be released at this event. If you plan on attending, guests may start lining up at the Convention Center beginning at 4:00 p.m. (the Resort will not allow guests to line up any earlier).

Excited for the opening of New Fantasyland? Join in on the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #NewFantasyland.

Tagged: MK, Pin Trading, Pins, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

I enjoy finding items at Disney Parks that remind me of my childhood. When I saw some new Disney Afternoon merchandise, I could faintly hear the catchy theme song that introduced the afternoon block of 1990s television programming. I remember watching shows like TaleSpin or Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers during the afternoons with my sister. I also remember borrowing VHS cassettes from a local library (blast from the past), as I was fascinated with all things Disney. I know I’m not alone in my love for the Disney Afternoon, so here are three new items coming to Disney Parks.

Last year, we released two different shirts featuring DuckTales and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers. We recently introduced two new shirts at select Walt Disney World Resort locations; one shirt has characters from Disney’s The Adventures of the Gummi Bears, while the other has one of my favorites, Darkwing Duck.

On December 6, we will introduce a limited release mystery pin inspired by the Disney Afternoon. I caught up with Disney Design Group’s Mike Sullivan, who created the artwork for this series, to learn more.

“We made this pin set after seeing the popularity of the Disney Afternoon Vinylmation series released last year,” explained Mike. “For this 15-pin set, I included logos from several popular shows and a mix of character vignettes. I liked watching DuckTales, so I made sure to include a few pins from that show.”

Each box will contain two randomly selected pins. Three of the 15 pins in the set have an edition size of 200. Mike told me the artwork for those pins “will remain a mystery on the packaging, yet the pins were inspired by the opening credits.”

Look for the pin set to be released at multiple locations at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Best place to start is Disney’s Pin Traders at the Downtown Disney areas in both California and Florida.

What is your favorite show from the Disney Afternoon?


See the posts below for more news on the latest Disney Parks merchandise:

• Holiday Stocking Memories Inspire New Disney Gift Cards at Disney Parks
• New Shirts Have Phineas & Ferb Enjoying the Best Day Ever at Disney Parks
• New D-Tech Cases Coming to Disney Parks in Fall 2012

Tagged: DLR, Pins, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

I’m happy that I’ve started my holiday shopping a little earlier than normal this year. I usually shop for gifts online, yet I still enjoy braving the crowds to find that perfect gift. When I’m looking for unique gifts, I head to Disney Parks (hello, World Showcase at Epcot!). I have an outstanding update to one unique gift item that makes shopping at Disney Parks even easier.

We introduced the Disney Parks Shopping Card and Deluxe Framed Castle Pin Set Product for $1,000 in October 2011. As a refresher, you can use this card to shop for merchandise at Disney-owned and -operated merchandise locations at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Vacation Club Resorts located in the United States.

We have enhanced the shopping card to allow certain discounts to be applied to when the card is used for merchandise purchases. Accepted discounts include, but are not limited to, Passholder merchandise discount, Disney Vacation Club discount and AAA Member discount. I cheered when I learned my Cast Member discount could also be applied. There is no discount, however, on the purchase of the actual shopping card.

When you purchase a card, you also get a Deluxe Framed Castle Pin Set that has a suggested retail value of $350*. The framed set features as many as 60 authentic Disney Pins that have been framed and double matted to create an image of Cinderella Castle. I thought the image of Santa Steven holding the set would give you an idea of its size.

To purchase the card and for a full list of terms and conditions associated with the Disney Parks Shopping Card, please visit http://www.DisneyURL.com/DisneyParksShoppingCard.

*Additional shipping and handling charges will apply. Suggested retail value of the Deluxe Framed Castle Pin Set is based on the aggregated individual retail value of the Disney pins included in the set as well as framing and matting costs. Limit two (2) purchases per guest. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Tagged: DLR, Holidays, Pins, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort