The Vinylmation series featuring “Beauty and the Beast” is set for release on June 21 at Disney Parks and the Disney Parks online store. I recently spent time in New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort with some of the 3-inch figures (what a great backdrop for photos!). Upon returning to the office, I spoke with the Disney artists, Caley Hicks and Maria Clapsis, who designed this beautiful new series. While gathered in Caley’s office, I learned that both Maria and she are long-time fans of this classic Disney animated film.
“When lead Vinylmation artist Thomas Scott gave us this project, we jumped at the opportunity, as we’ve both loved the film for years,” explained Caley. “Stained glass became a common theme for this series. At first, I knew I wanted to use stained glass-like designs for the packaging. We ended up adding that element to the figures’ ears. This tied the whole collection together from a storytelling perspective.”
Like previous limited release mystery series, this set contains 11 known figures and one mystery chaser figure. There are some variant figures in the series as well. Guests can purchase this series either as individual mystery boxes or as a complete tray. I love the little details on the packing including Belle’s image on the underside of the tray.
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I’m amazed at how vibrant the series looks. Maria said the series looks that way because they chose vivid base colors for the figures, which really made the designs pop.
Caley told me her favorite figure is Philippe the horse.
“I enjoyed including Philippe as he’s not often featured on merchandise,” continued Caley. “When I was younger, I would always save Philippe’s image as my last page to color in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ coloring books [laughs].”
While Maria also liked Philippe, the Beast is her favorite character.
“I think Beast was my favorite character,” said Maria. “When I first saw Glen Keane’s animation for the Beast on the big screen, I knew I wanted to be a Disney artist. I guess you could say the Beast was my inspiration for my career today.”
If you are in Florida on June 21, you can meet Caley and Maria at D Street in Downtown Disney West Side. They will be signing figures and meeting with fans from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They are encouraging guests to wear favorite “Beauty and the Beast” attire.
Comments
Hi I have question is Chip part of this set or is he only on Mrs. Potts ears? I love Chip is he one of my favorite people from the flim and such an important part! I would love to see him in this set.
No one has a vinylmation made of himself like Gaston.
@Luke – Nice 🙂 Thanks for the laugh.
Hi, will you be able to buy this series in the UK?
@Lucy – Wow! I hope all is well in London. Gosh, I’d love to visit one day. Unfortunately, the Disney Stores in the UK will not carry this series. They told me that you should be able to find it at Disneyland Paris.
These will also be released at Disney Stores around the country!
What store will these be available at, at The Disneyland Resort?
@Cat – This series will be released at multiple locations throughout the Disneyland Resort. I would check D Street in Downtown Disney District first. You’ll also find it at locations like Emporium or The Star Trader in Disneyland Park; Off the Page at Disney California Adventure; or World of Disney.
So excited about this series…
Will these be in Disney stores around the country ?
@Eric – Great question. I’m checking with that team. I know it will be carried via the Disney Parks online store – http://www.DisneyParks.com/Store
@Eric – I confirmed with the team that the series will be released at Disney Stores as well.
Yay! Thank you Steven, and of course I’m a fan!
I’m excited for this series! But I’m even more excited for some Park Starz 2 variants! 😉 anymore news by chance?!
@James – I don’t know of specific plans for those characters, but you will see a two pack for Belle and Beast coming to D23 Expo.
@Katie – We will be sharing images of those variant figures on the Facebook fanpage for Vinylmation in the coming weeks. If you aren’t a fan of the page (guessing you are however), please visit here – https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/exit/?go2=http://www.Facebook.com/Vinylmation
I love this series so much!
I wish it included the wardrobe and the feather duster, who are some of my favorites from the film. Any chance for any two-pack limited releases, as other series have had?
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