There is one word that causes me to break into song – “Ducktales!” Did you finish singing the rest of it? Like many of you, I was glued to the television watching the Disney Afternoon when younger. There were so many great shows (with great theme songs – “Spin it!”). Fortunately for many fans (including me), there is an artist with Disney Design Group who brought his love of the Disney Afternoon to a new series of Vinylmation figures. I spoke with Chris Chapman about his work during a recent visit to his office.
“My sister Jackie and I grew up watching the Disney Afternoon,” reminisced Chris. “Several Disney Design Group artists and I have been talking for awhile about introducing Disney Afternoon merchandise to Disney Parks. Vinylmation seemed like a great fit for these characters.”
There will be multiple two-figure sets featuring shows like “TaleSpin,” “Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers,” “Ducktales” and more (sorry, no set for “Disney’s Adventures of The Gummi Bears” at this time). These sets will have an edition size of 1,000 each and will retail for $26.95 each. The first set – Disney TaleSpin – is being released via the Disney Parks Online Store on March 2, 2011. Additional sets will be released at the D-Street locations in California and Florida in the coming months (keep watching Disney.com/Vinylmation for dates).
Chris was responsible for designing the figures and the packaging, which was inspired by the opening credits.
”I designed the boxes with the opening credits in mind,” explained Chris. “They feature splashes of paint, the classic Disney Afternoon logo and a black and white sketch of one of the characters in the set.”
These sets have been in development since January 2010. One figure in each set will have an accessory item like the hats featured on Baloo, Darkwing Duck or Chip. I asked Chris which figures he found most challenging to design.
“The toughest figures were Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack,” said Chris. “Their duck bills were difficult to translate to the Mickey Mouse shaped form. Baloo, on the other hand, was the easiest.”
I think my favorite figures are Chip and Dale (it’s Dale’s aloha shirt – how I want one like that!). Chris told me his favorite figure is Darkwing Duck.
“It is difficult for me to pick just one figure,” laughed Chris. “I like Darkwing Duck as I always liked that show. The show was a great mix of comedy and adventure. The figure with his hat turned out perfect!”
And with that said, “Let’s get dangerous!”
Comments
Y’know… I really feel like online is one way you want to market these things. Or at LEAST do two runs of them (one online, one in stores). Not to go against your selling plan or anything, but your Talespin sets selling out should have told you that people want them online. Take a person such as myself. I grew up with Darkwing Duck, Gargoyles, Ducktales, and the seldom mentioned Mighty Ducks animated series. A person like me, who can’t get to a Disney park just for a two pack of figures, is pretty much out of luck. Like mentioned before, just these is enough to make me want to collect every single one of the figures I possibly can. Not to mention, kids going to Disney parks these days won’t know the characters and will probably pass them by. From what I hear, these sets are limited to 1,000 each. There are definitely a lot more than 1,000 people who collect vinylmation. Something this limited just feels like a bit of a cop-out.
hello steven,
I came across a person doing a “pre-sale” for the ducktales and rescue ranger sets. he stated that they would not be released online. I was wondering if this is true? are the future sets not going to be available at disney store online? thanks.
Steve, I need some clarification on the NBC vinylmation pin set…Can I email you directly or can you email me?…My question is, it says on the pack that there are 5 chasers pins with this set is this correct? I ask because I got a pumpkin mickey today and was wondering if he is a Super chaser pin….Please get back to me…We met at the Star Wars Vinylmation premiere…Thanks, Bon and Zee!
GARGOYLES is a MUST! Still waiting for the second half of season 2 on DVD. :o(
Also, Gummi Bears please!!!
HI STEVE MILLER!!!! Thank you so much for the constant answering of our questions. I am so happy to say that ever since last week at Epcot my wife and I are took the fall for Vinylmations. i have a couple of questions though, haha and i know you have probably answered these in the past but im dying to know will the star wars series #1 becoming out again? cause the sale for it always seems to be depleted. would it come to New York City (well because i live in NYC) and lastly Will it only be sold at Walt Disney World? Thank you so much for your time.. Loving what you guys are doing with the Vinylmations
~Ray
@Erica – Yes, the TaleSpin is sold out.
@Raymond – Aloha! My pleasure. I love the fact that I can respond (when not writing future articles :-). Yes, Vinylmation – Star Wars #1 will return. I don’t have an E.T.A. yet but I’ll check with the Vinylmation team. It may have been held up by an Imperial blockade (LOL!). Unfortunately, the series will only be sold at Disney Parks and Resorts. Thanks for the kind words – I’ll share with the team.
Gummi Bears needs more love. I really want some Gummi Bears merchandise to give to all my kids nephews and nieces! (Not to mention the second volume of episodes on DVD *wink* *wink*)
I love Chip and Dale’s Rescue Rangers and I can’t wait to buy this one!
really cute
I’m so excited for these Vinylmations! Growing up, I used to watch all these shows, and I recently bought Darkwing Duck on DVD. I got so inspired, that I created a series of minimalist Darkwing Duck images.
They could be used as a template for custom Vinylmations that adopt this style, or just as the images themselves. I’d love to create more of these as well, for Tale Spin especially.
Anyway, just wanted to say I’m a huge fan of the Vinylmations (my slowly growing collection is only at around 13 right now). Hopefully I’ll be visiting the Disney parks again soon to get some more (Yay!).
This is awesome. I grew up watching all these cartoons after school. I hope some of them will be release before my WDW trip early May. 🙂
Also did the Tale Spin set sale out online. Checked the store this morning and could not find them on the site.
Is the Tale Spin one the only set that will be released on disneystore or will the others sets be on there as well?
Steve, thank you for the quick response. We are all delighted that they were posted at the online store. Is the price of $26.95 an error? The blog had it previously posted as the sets would retial for $24.95
Thanks again.
They are up and available on the Disney Store website – $26.95 for the set. If you purchase 2 (then you will be over the $50 mark)I think you are able to even use the free shipping or $5.00 shipping code. Not sure if the Disney Visa (DRVCMEMBER) code works for vinylmations or not. But you can try if you have a Disney Visa 🙂
@Dana – Thank you for the update. We had some technical difficulties today with the launch. I apologize for the challenge.
I second Barbara’s question. The Disney TailSpin set isn’t anywhere on the store. Is there a specific time that they are being released?
The blog and the events section shows what is stated above: The first set – Disney TaleSpin – is being released via the Disney Parks Online Store on March 2, 2011. No sign of it at the online store. Any idea what happened or when we can expect to see these?
Thanks.
Are the other sets going to be released online as well or just in the parks?
Man, I don’t get the decision to release the first set online, and the next ones at D-Street. Please let us know if the rest of the series will be a D-Street exclusive or if they will be online too. It seems like if you were going to make one part of a series a ds.com exclusive, all of them would be available online! I really want Scrooge and Chip/Dale….but I’m in Seattle!!!!
Steven – THANK YOU for such an exciting reply!!!! We will keep watching the boards 🙂
Must… own… Scrooge… Vinylmation!!
Okay, I’ve debated getting into Vinylmation, but this has me sold for sure! These figures look amazing – the Disney Afternoon was a staple in my house growing up!
I hope they come out with a pin set for these. My daughter loves a lot of these shows and would be giddy to add them to her pin collection.
My husband is more into the Vinylmation though and will probably be on the look out for these when we go on vacation.
Are the future sets beyond TaleSpin going to be exclusively at D-Street, or will those be available online as well?
Aw, I really wanted Ducktales and Darkwing Duck. Being in MD really limits that if they’re not going to be sold online. 🙁
This series is pretty awesome!
I especially love the accessories. I’m guessing the figure with the skateboard (to the left of the second picture) is Max. Is the skateboard included with the vinylmation?
TaleSpin was the BEST series Disney ever made. I have so fond memories of that show which had much more depth than the average kid series.
Good stuff!
Richard, I absolutely agree with you. I’ve never been a vinylmation fan, but I need me some Scrooge McDuck!
More Disney Afternoon merchandise please. Not a huge Vinylmation fan but would love some t-shirts, stuffed animals, etc. Not pony tales or cotton tales, NO! Duck tales woo hoo!!!!!
WOW!!! I am so excited to see all the vinylmation figures from this series. I vividly remember watching all those Disney Afternoon shows when I was younger so they hold a special place in my heart. I think Darkwing Duck might be my favorite one.
I agree with Katie– I would LOVE a Gummi Bears set to be added to this series. Any chance that will happen anytime in the future?
I have another question, though. Besides the TaleSpin set, when the other sets are released in the parks will they also be released, even in a smaller limited quantity, in the Disney Parks Online Store? Thanks for your help.
You’re missing the BEST PART of the Disney Afternoon – GARGOYLES! Quite possibly the best show (animated or not) on TV EVER!
I’m so excited about this set! Some of my favorite memories are of the Disney Afternoon Shows! I hope that they add Gummi Bears soon though!
I’ll be getting these ASAP. especially The Ducktales Vinylmation set.
Wow these are great! What a champion for Disney Afternoon! I hope to see more merchandise with Disney Afternoon characters on it!
This is one of the best Vinylmation series yet. Definately brings back memories. We have Rescue Rangers and DuckTales DVD’s at home we watch. Making sure to pass on the great Disney classics to my children.
Have a question about something mentioned: “The first set – Disney TaleSpin – is being released via the Disney Parks Online Store on March 2, 2011. Additional sets will be released at the D-Street locations in California and Florida in the coming months” Does that mean that TaleSpin is online exclusive and the other sets will come to the parks later or that a select # of TaleSpin sets will release online this week and more TaleSpin sets will come to the parks later? Sorry, just want to make sure. Thanks
@Lynda – The TailSpin set is an on-line store exclusive. The others will be released at the D-Street locations in California and Florida at future dates.
It’s great to see these forgotten characters brought back!
Maybe they could also return to the theme parks someday?
I was not a Vinylmation fan… until now. I will definitely be buying this series, especially Scrooge McDuck and Darkwing Duck – my favorites!
Ricky B
Inside the Magic
Steven, is there any way to let us know if the Admiral Donald set and the Night and Day set on the Disney Dream are part of a new series and we can hopefully expect more. Any additional information on the cruise vinylmations would be great! Thanks as always!!!!!
@Dana – Great question. I’ll have to do some checking and will post info on the Vinylmation.com site. I can say that if you are a fan of Disney Cruise Line (to which I know you are :-), then I think you’ll love what is coming!
Love Darkwing Duck – brings back alot of memories when the kids were young. Thanks for the great update!
Great article. Chris is a great artist. I am not a vinylmation fan, but this makes me want pick up the rescue rangers set. Great job translating the duck bills.
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