The annual Disney Trading celebration was recently held in World ShowPlace at Epcot from September 7-9, 2012. This was the twelfth year that we’ve held this event. You may recall from previous articles that this year’s theme was Mickey’s Circus, a nod to the Storybook Circus in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park. I visited the experience on Friday and Sunday to capture some of the festivities.
The décor created for this event has always impressed me. This year, the display team used artwork from the event merchandise to create the circus-like atmosphere. My favorite things were the giant Ringmaster Mickey statue and the “Dumbo” scene found near a trading area.
Disney pin trading was the theme for Friday and Saturday, while Sunday was dedicated to Vinylmation. This annual event has turned into one big trading party with opportunities for guests to collect pins and Vinylmation from several unique trading activities, or to trade with each other in at massive trading area.
Guests also got to see new things coming from different divisions of the Walt Disney Company, including Hong Kong Disneyland Resort; Disneyland Paris; Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store in Hollywood, California; and, of course, Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.
I loved seeing some of the unique one-of-a-kind Vinylmation figures created by several artists. I wish I had the talent to make something like the ones I saw.
More important to me was seeing many friends whom I’ve met over the years. I once again took a photo with Molly, a 94-year-old guest who has been attending this annual event for years. Seeing her and several others reminded me of how trading continues to bring people together.
If you missed this event, please mark your calendar for two merchandise events in 2013.
The first celebrates the 50th anniversary of my favorite attraction at Disneyland park – the Enchanted Tiki Room. This event will be held June 28-30, 2013, in California, and I cannot wait!
Then prepare for an appropriately themed Disney Villains event on September 13-15, 2013, at Epcot. How fortunate the event will start on Friday the 13th!
Watch the Disney Parks Blog for details as they become available.
Check out these posts for more about Disney pins and Vinylmation:
Comments
AAAHHHHH!!!!! TIKI ROOM! And on my birthday! I can’t wait to see what they come out for it! So excited, it’s on my calendar 🙂
@Don – Great to see you!
@Jennifer – I know!! Tell me about it. Looks like I may need to plan another trip to California for this event. Funny, I visited California at the end of June this year where I enjoyed Dole Whips in the Enchanted Tiki Garden. Wonderful!!
I am so glad you were able to make it this year!
Will the Tiki Room event be a 3-day trading event much like Mickey’s Circus, or more of a merchandise event like the Gear up for Summer event?
@Jim – That image was created as a first teaser image for the Friday the 13th event at Epcot. I don’t know of plans at this point for it to be made available for retail. We haven’t offered a high-resolution image but it’s something to consider as more details are determined. Please stay tuned.
@Michelle – I don’t believe the final assortment has been determined yet. So you may see Vinylmation as part of it.
@Jimmy – I know the event won’t be like the annual trading event that has been held at Epcot. Yet all the details have not been finalized. I believe trading will be a part of it but I don’t have confirmation as to what extent. As soon as I get more details, I will share. If anything, I hope you save the date like I am. 🙂
Will the Tiki Room event in Anaheim include Vinylmations?
That poster with chernabog in the mirror is amazing. Will it be available anywhere for purchase? Or is there a high resolution version available somewhere?
Thanks!
are left over pins and such from Mickey’s Circus going to be available for purchase at any of the parks?
@Sasha – Yes! You can find select remaining pins at Pin Central in Epcot, Disney’s Pin Traders at Downtown Disney Marketplace and select locations at Magic Kingdom. I also know that some remaining Vinylmation figures can be found at D-Street in Downtown Disney West Side. I saw them yesterday when I visited the location.
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