Park Starz Announced. It’s A Good Thing, people.
This will be a quick update after my 6 hour drive home but prepare for more over the next few days. For starters I want to thank the Disney and the Vinylmation team for a great event. Now one of the primary reasons people were anticipating the Vinylmation chat was because of Project Z. Whenever there is a mystery, people begin freaking out trying to figure it out. This is sorta how it went down:
Oh my God what is Project Z?
I bet it has something to do with a machine.
Or Sesame Street. Those damn muppets love letters.
I wonder if Bert and Ernie will be a combo set?
It’s not Sesame Street idiots. It’s obviously for Zorro.
Or a Zebra.
A Zebra is like a horse. HOLY CRAP WE ARE ALL GETTING PONIES!
(random fans faint)
I am sad to report that no free ponies were given out. Project Z was announced to be what I sorta thought it would be: a series based on different molds. And that is mostly what it is. Project Z has an official name now. It is Park Starz.
Unless Starz Movie Channel sues then get used to that name. So what is Park Starz? Here’s my unofficial non-pony description.
Park Starz is a series of 12 figures. Each case will only have 12 figures so when you buy a case you have it all. Also, chasers are now a 1/12 ratio. Each figure will have a different mold based on the shape of the character. There will be 1 chaser and the prices will retail at $18.95 and come out in October. Why the price difference? Well for starters, each figure will come in a beautiful tin. I’m also assuming each figure costs more due to the different molds. I also assume Bob Iger wanted more gold coins in his money bin. It was also announced that Park Starz Series will most likely only be released one per year.
This is the case of 12. When you buy a case, you get the entire set. (Photo courtesy of Sean Hasle)
Here is a blown up shot of the packaging and the case from Sean’s photo.
Now lets take a look at a few of the series. The first two photos were taken at the Florida Project event.
Figment and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Squid (Photos courtesy of Sean Hasle)
The Yeti and Big Al (Photos courtesy of Sean Hasle
Now here are some official photos released by the Vinylmation team.
So the difference in these figures from the traditional Vinylmation mold is obvious. I know that some fans are upset about the mold change. I really think this is overreaction though. Let’s review. Does the “Park Starz” mold replace Mickey? Absolutely not. This is a new brand. I’m a fan of analogies so compare the Mickey mold to Coca-Cola and Park Starz is Sprite. Sprite’s existence doesn’t diminish Coca-Cola. It just reaches out to a new market. Ricky Brigante at “Inside the Magic” website made a comment to me earlier on Twitter that he doesn’t like Vinylmations but he will buy a few of the Park Starz. So this brand extension shouldn’t hurt your love of Vinylmations. I’m not saying you should love the line or even buy them. I just wouldn’t castigate the DDG for their existence.
Did they mention the format of these things, i.e., are they also all blind boxed like Vinylmations just with a steeper cost?
The 12 figures are all in blind box tins. Packaged 12 per case. So if you buy a case, you get the set. Other positive is that chaser ratio is 1 out of 12.
How is there a chaser if there is only 12 in a case?
Aren’t all the cases the same 12 figures in each and every case? Just wondering..
Yes they are in a tin so you will not be able to see them before buying them. As far as the mickey mold not being replaced by these, it already has with the new mold. I don’t like the way that the world of vinylmation is heading. To me these just should not be considered part of the “vinylmation” family. I think what Disney is trying to do is take the customer base that has built with vinylmations and try to branch out. These are, in my opinion, very expensive for what you are getting. I know they come in a tin and all but $20 once you factor in tax for one of them, expensive. They could have been put in a regular blind box to lower the cost if the tin is the reason for the inflated price. I was involved at the beginning of the beanie baby craze and I remember once Ty Warner started adding new lines to get the beanie baby customers to buy into it all started to wane. There were Beanie Kids, Beanie Buddies etc. I have a feeling that is what is happening here. I don’t expect vinylmations (original) to lose their value or popularity but doing this cheapens what once was called a collectible. The park starz are just going to be plastic toys in my eyes.
Sorry disney but it’s a no on the new mold and a no on park starz. . . . . you can keep them all.
Oh the “new Mickey mold” is another discussion entirely. haha. I didn’t touch that one. I’m discussing that it makes no sense to complain about a new line. The additional line doesn’t diminish the brand. A few other changes might but that’s another argument for another time.
The price point is high but so is all Disney merchandise. The tin, I’m assuming keeps people from squeezing paper boxes and feeling the Octopus tentacles or Big Al’s fat butt.. haha. I am assuming they also paid attention to the love of tins that is weirdly obsessive in the vinylmation community.
If you want to know what will happen to Vinylmations, don’t look at Beanie Babies. Look at pins. For better or for worse, that’s the business model as it appears to me.
its really not a good thing at all..guess i was expecting too much from the Z..If they can go to all that trouble, why cant they just keep the original mold for the Park series only?? heck i’d pay $19 each for those with a tin.
What were you expecting from Project Z. I’m asking honestly. Because this was at least a decent pay off regardless of what we like. If it would have been the “Park 7″ announcement, I’d be ranting and raving. haha
truthfully, when i saw that “prototype” ( and i use that term loosly)from Hong Kong on ebay a few weeks ago with they head of the robot butler sweeping from the Horizon ride, i was hoping there was going to be a line kind of like that. Since they took away the original Mickey mold, i’ve lost any interest in the new designs. (including these Z things). But for me anyway, a series like the Robot from Horizons would be something i’d buy. It really kills me seeing the Kitchen kabaret on the new mold…but i digress.lol
I actually agree with you on this one Baltar. Nothing wrong with these. But they are just another Disney collectable. Nothing more. Nothing less. Not sure why they are $20. But whatever. Disney priced me out of this one. And I am sure that I am not alone
If I want one or two i would just be content to buy them opened off eBay of the likes rather than drop $20 for a blind tin. I may even nab the one I want off eBay for less than retail. I sense a future D&S here.
Not complaining. There is nothing wrong with the collectable, I just will not be getting any.
Now if there was a variant smiling Yeti or glow in the dark Figment or whatever inserted into the set than maybe I would blind tin(?) one or two. No wait a minute. Not for $20. I pass
And for the record Disney, a chaser can not be the same production run as a regular figure. This set DOES NOT HAVE A CHASER. Just an unidentified surprise figure. Sorry folks. Chasers by defintion have to be a lower prodiction run.
Xero,
Well said and I too will not be buying any of these. Not exciting, too expensive and not vinylmations!
So much that I really like about this new series.
I love the Park emphasis. I like the dabbling in different molds (especially since the new mickey mold still disturbs me at times). I like the tins. I like that it Disney trying something that’s not safe. The price is the kicker for me. My first instinct was that there is no way I will pay that much, but I also know Disney has experts that figure out what the masses will pay. I will need to see them in person before I pull the trigger, but I am very intrigued and hopeful that these will be a great augmentation to our park collection.
I agree Pete. This is a nice collectable which emphasizes the parks. That is very cool. Very cool indeed. I guess that I just do not need another collectable right now.
Do we for sure know that these are 3”? Now if they were 5 or 6” that may make the $20 price point worth it.
You saw them in person Baltar. How big are they?
I am also excited about the attraction represented that we haven’t seen…Tiki Room, Haunted Mansion, POTC, small world….some awesome possiblities out there.
Ha. Maybe once a year is just not enough for these. Tiki Room would be cool.
Yeah the price is high and definitely will keep me out of the entire market.
You make a good point Xero in regards to the chaser ratio. This might be my fault and not theirs. They might not have ever mentioned “chaser” and it could have just been me using the word in error.
Pretty sure they used the word chaser. Not that it matters too much. More of a mystery figure, I guess:)
I like your explanation better. I don’t like the idea of me making a mistake. hahaha
Maybe we can get 6 people to split a case?
Xero, I honestly didn’t think to compare them to another 3 inch vinyl. However from the above pictures, we can definitely see that they are different heights. The tins also look taller than the traditional tins we are used to. The original “Think Outside the Mould” image listed the figure as 3″ but I think it’s safe to assume some could be taller.
I like almost all of this set. The Figment looks bad. I’m a big Figment fan and I don’t understand why they used such a weird mold. The other three have appropriate molds and they look great.
in terms of price point here are my thoughts: I’m thinking the production run will be small on these and the molds will probably not be used again, so Disney has to make their money back on these. In comparison, other designer toy companies (like Kidrobot) sell other small run production toys and raise the prices on them.
Seeing them in person, they did look pretty cool…
I liked the yeti and the bear…
I would be interested to see what else they come out with…
I would probably collect one or two here and there, but not try to get the WHOLE set…$$$
I think they might be a supplement to my growing collection…
However, they do not have the pull for me like the original mold does…
…and don’t get the VM team started on that topic! LOL
A couple of people spoke up during the chat and were obviously upset about things…the VM team seemed to really not want to hear about it…
I quote “it is what it is at this time”…
They did say they were only going to release about one Z series per year…
I did speak up during the chat and confirmed Park Starz was not going to replace anything…it is just going to be another product line (echoing Baltar’s comments)…
I feel (and I do not think I am alone) like why do they have to keep changing everything? I asked for chocolate ice cream and they are giving me tutti fruitti!
However, learning about all of the different new mold series they have slated for the next several months (into 2012) kind of makes me think they will come out with some cool Z characters also…
Wow, did I ride the fence on that one or what! LOL
I want them, but I don’t think I can afford an entire set at $20 per. Maybe if they go on sale on the disney store website or something…. however, if they are out while I’m down at WDW, I’ll probably pick up one or two.
Any idea what the others will be? Will we actually see Gary Sinese vinyl (Mission: Space)? I also find it interesting that quite a few from this set are already in VM form (Figment, Yeti, Big Al, POTC (unless they finally give us the redhead)).
A couple of comments.
I like them..and yes the price is high..but I’m more likely to drop $18.95 for one of these then $80 for a 9/3 Combo. For case buyers it’s nice to get the whole set in one swoop with no extras (If that’s what you like). As we know DDG doesn’t price these. Disney has a separate department that prices this stuff and people will buy them.
Park Starz will expand the market to new people who don’t care about or for the Mickey mold and give people with an affection to an attraction or character the rare opportunity to buy Merchandise from that attraction.
Disney Pins have wildly varied from the original sets and styles that came out in 1999 and they remain wildly popular (They have also increased wildly from the original max price of $6.95) and Vinylmation will expand, change, grown and continue to sell
There is nothing wrong with Park Starz. If you like them and can afford them, you buy them and that’s about it in a nutshell.
I personally have no interest in collecting them. The only way I can see myself buying any of them is if it’s a particular character that I really like. I don’t like the name “Park Starz” They should have just called it Park Stars. I don’t see how the “Z” adds anything.
As far as Vinylmation goes, the new mold is still awful in my opinion, and nothing I saw at The Florida Project convinced me otherwise, if anything I was more convinced that I don’t like the new mold. The Small World Juniors are cute, I can see myself collecting them.
You speak the truth Caren
As of now, I have yet to garner any interest in these. Unless the remaining 8 figures, there’s nothing really that makes me want to go out and drop 20 bucks right off the bat for this. Eh…I’ll stick to POP Vinyls for now I guess. I honestly dislike the name too…Park Starz…makes it sound like Bratz. Idk, I’m all set. For a huge mystery that these were I’m disappointed. NEXT!
Love the Park Starz… I think the Z was just a marketing strategy…
I love the idea of the park being represented… I also don’t mind calling them vinylmations, as they are still made of the same product and are still representing Disney, which ultimately is animation.
I like these MUCH better than the new mold mickey and would rather collect them than the new mold. I think that they can do a ton with these and I am excited to see the many designs that they come up with…
I don’t like change, but this set could be a good way to deviate me from the new mold HORROR!
I agree Allyson. It’s making it a lot of easier to say no to the new mold. I like the molds of these and that of pop vinyls so much more than the new mold. Makes it easier to say no.
Dont know why Disney continue introduce new brand/product and not fixing existing problems…… continue introduce new things just keep adding problem… pile it up until too high and ALL fall at once. I really wish Disney can get their act together instead of thinking ALL PROFIT why not try to provide fans better service and quality of product… people saying new mold actually better for design and apply paint… well I purchased few figures with new mold… quality and design still the same or worse…. so I guess Disney is going through a big make over… not be better but get worse!!!!
There are several interesting points in here. With the economy the way it is and the amount of profit, I wonder how much new profit all these new sets will garner. For me, I think I’ll buy a few of Park Starz but that means I’ll cut back elsewhere. I’ve pretty much decided to no long buy 9 inch combos. They are too expensive for my budget. So in this sense, Disney can still get my 80 bucks but they’ll get it through 3 Park Starz instead of a 9 and 3 combo.
I agree w/ AllysonS, I prefer these over the new mold and I definitely plan to p/u a case. I can handle a case a year of these…
I agree w/ Baltar as well, it will absolutely result in me spending less on the regular Vinylmation line. But I actually welcome the relief. haha
Can’t wait for the next few Fridays to get a look at some more of the designs. If they only could have announced 9″ Park Starz figures too I’d be even more excited about them.
Thomas Scott stated that “Vinylmation” is a brand. Not a Shape. I get that. If you don’t…. get over it. lol. why so much anger? If you don’t like it don’t buy it. This is not replacing the Mickey shape (i get being upset over the new mold, but that’s another beast). I love the Squid. I don’t like Big Al. It reminds me of Pop! Vinyl… except produced by disney… and by disney artists, the same one’s who spend endless hours giving us designs we love. i GET why it’s under vinylmation. if you don’t like it. don’t collect it. At least as far as the Artists stated, this is not becoming a new focus. it’s something that stays “For the Parks, where Vinylmation started.” i LOVED 20K as a kid. It’s why i broke down for my first 9″. It’s why i’ll want this squid to hang out with my Pop! Vinyls.
some of you act like Disney just owes you something YOU wanted. People who love Disney, or grew up on Disney, will like these when they simply didn’t “get” vinylmation before. And why? cause it’s not weird and various art. it’s a representation of the things they love/loved as a kid. It’s not about you people. I love collecting vinylmation because it has become part of the Disney “Magic” for my fiance and myself. Collecting. Trading. Finding that one that we wanted… oh… so… much. Especially in a Mystery Box. This will allow others to enjoy. Other kids (adults w/ a kids heart) to experience “magic” because they like, get, and understand it better.
i get old mold/new mold. i don’t get people getting all upset and huffy over THIS. and if you people are just worried cause you’re afraid the market with tank…. good. let it tank on you. cause i collect because i’ve loved doing it with my soon to be wife. and it’s why i’m happy that we both became “ok” with the new mold. Collect because you love. i rip my stuff out of the box. i could care less. because it’s MY collection. and not meant to be my retirement plan or get rich quick scheme.
trust me, it has nothing to do with worrying about the market tanking (It will eventually anyway). Its about Disney taking away (for no reason) a hobby that many of us came to really enjoy! If we cant vent our frustrations here on a vinyl site, where can we vent? Its our only hope (slim that it may be) that someone from Disney will realize the mistakes that were made a try to rectify them.
That’s it excatly underdog. Some of us feel as if the hobby was ripped right out from under your feet. And are still bitter
But Park Starz are fine, they have the potential for being cool. They are just not for everyone
And for the record underdog, vent as you see fit
this is not a New Mold/Old Mold Debate. if that were it i’d kinda get it. cause i miss the Mickey Features as well. but you complained because Project Z wasn’t something you wanted. it was something new. something the artists were excited about. I’ve met Thomas Scott. I’ve heard multiple interviews with him and other artists. they are not arrogant people. they are people who LOVE disney and LOVE sharing it, and are humbled when people love what they do. down to earth and genuine.
and they ARE artists. That was the point of Park Starz. it was the Thomas Scott’s and Casey Jone’s baby project. Something that they, as artists, came up with, and fought for. This was not Disney Management asking to earn another buck. this was ARTISTS wanting to do what they do… art. and to provide another way to share what they love (Disney) to the guests. when i get to present a new art concept… it excites the heck out of me. i would want to build hype around work that i am proud of as well.
and i’m sorry. i have no freaking idea how “Project Z” is “Disney taking away (for no reason) a hobby that many of us came to really enjoy”. it’s not like they said: “ok, no more mickey (old or new, but that’s not the debate). only these new figures”. You can still pursue things. I’ll always be on the hunt for Wall-e and Eve. seriously. If i took out the few New Mold in my collection, i’d still be rounding on 400 3″ alone!! and i don’t even come close to having a full set of all of them. i’d rather have the old mold 1,000x over the new… and i’ve said as much. but there comes a time when you realize…. it’s time to move on. and i REALLY don’t get ranting and complaining about Park Starz. These amazing artists just presented something that is both awesome in design and helps OTHERS have something they might love to remember disney and enjoy that magic. Something they were so Proud of… that they fought for and we’re able to produce THEIR OWN ART (because these molds, these designs, this project was all them)… and you basically spit in their face and said: “I wanted you to tell me you we’re bringing back the old mold. how dare you have any other artistic aspirations.” as an artist myself, i’m defensive of this project.
A different market totally. The charm of the ‘real’ vinylmations is that they all look like Mickey. It is great to see how creative people get when they are confined to one..ehhuumm two molds.
I have never collected a vinyl until vinylmations and these just don’t appeal to me. Whether to buy these gambling on an investment is another thing (couple of boxes of park 1 would look good right now).
They also didn’t mention how many would be released did they? Once a year in big supply could make this a very very weak collectible.
After seeing the four different Park Starz molds released, I can say that I like these. Although I don’t see myself chasing after all of them, I can see myself buying a few here and there based on designs I like. Ironically, I hate the NEW mold Mickeys and cannot stand the design, thus would not buy any. The Park Starz is in a different category. Disney had no business changing to the NEW mold with Mickey vinyls, but Starz stands on it’s own. I am looking forward to the other designs in the series.
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Can anyone tell me if the subject of NEW mold/OLD mold was asked during the question and answer session at TFP? It would have been interesting to see one of the speakers to simply ask the audience, “Who here likes the OLD mold better than the new mold?” I like the artwork for many of the vinylmations planned for 2012, but still won’t buy the new mold.
“Who here likes the OLD mold better than the new mold?” Haha. I would have asked that question if I was there. No doubt. Or asked “Who here likes the NEW mold better than the OLD mold?” And then been politely escorted out of the room after the room goes quiet LOL
And you, my friend, would have gotten yourself blocked on twitter for such sacrilege! Not clamoring for the new mold seems to be the Worst. Thing. Ever. Heck, having a dissenting opinion’ll do the same thing. Not, of course, that I have any firsthand knowledge of such. Also, in my head, I both clicked like and +1 on that comment. =)
It was brought up a few times. Frankly, it was answered the same way it had been answered before. Saying that it allowed the artist’s work to better be shown on the vinyls than the old mold. Bringing it up over and over just would lead to rudeness towards the artists. I personally thought one person was rude. The new mold is here. It’s not going anywhere. Not saying I agree with that but constantly badgering the artists about it would just be rude. Regardless of the decisions they make, I think at some point we let it go. Now does that mean we have to like it? No of course not. I just don’t know how many other ways I can express my feelings on it anymore. I’m tired. haha
I know where you are coming from Baltar. Honestly, I do feel the same way. The artists don’t deserve the badgering just like we don’t deserve the new mold.
Hopefully, some of the artists read this blog and understand I love them, just not what they have to apply their beautiful artwork to. I just want things to go back to the old ways. It probably never will, but I hate to give up trying. There were sooo many cool ideas that have been presented to us at the TFP and I hate to pass them by, but just cannot get past the look of the new mold. While lots of collectors have been filling Disney’s coffers with cash this past month, I have been un-regrettably spending money elsewhere by filling in holes in my 3″ OLD mold collection. I would love to continue my Park and Urban series and even buy the upcoming Haunted Mansion and D-Tour series, but will just wonder what could have been.
I felt the same way. You can dislike the new mold but still have good manners. Funniest part was that lady trying to tell Thomas how big the Park Starz are. Haha. I’m guessing he might know a little more about it than she does. But as far as Park Starz go, I agree with Baltar. This is a totally different thing, apples and oranges to Vinylmation. If they were replacing standard VMs with Park Starz, then fine, go nuts. But they’re not. I guess people are reacting strongly because Disney chose to keep Park Starz under the Vinylmation banner.
Well said!
Park Stars or Park Art or Park Dudes, etc., possibly would stick around longer. Who knows. I like the idea, just not the name.
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I do wish they could have come up with a different name. Most words that end in “Z” don’t really stick around long (Ride Makerz). With we old school folks, it makes us think that the people who use words that end in “Z” means they cannot spell very well, thus don’t have a lot upstairs.
You know Figment is knod of growing on me. Not sure if he is $20 worth of growth, but he is growing on me. Excited to see the Tiki Room and HM
Did they release some pics of the Tiki Room or HM Park Starz or are you just wishing from the Project Z teaser pics?
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If Disney only releases one set per year, you can buy one per month and not think twice about it. You don’t have to rush and buy all 12 because you only have one day to enjoy them before the next release. Wow, I may become a dedicated Park Starz collector and just forget vinylmations all together. With all the money I save on Vinyls, I can take 3 or 4 more trips a year (from TX) to the parks!! LOL.
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Remember that the $18.95 price tag becomes $15.16 when you apply a passholder premium discount. Not quite as bad for Figment as a 20 spot.
I agree with you completely Brad. I would rather have good looking Yeti than a mouse that doesn’t look like a mouse. Focusing on this slightly more expensive series that is so park-centric, makes it a lot easier to say no to the others VM’s that may be cheaper, but don’t work as well. New VM series seems less special when there are so many lined up to come out within a months time.
New pics are up for Park Starz: Alligator from Blizzard Beach and Robot Butler from Horizons…. shame, was hoping for that Gary Sinese vinyl!
Thanks Traivs!
The Robot Butler is actually my second cousin!
Since Vinylmation is inspired by vinyl toys like those produced by Kidrobot and Kidrobot have all sorts of different series/molds – the original robot, Munny, Dunny and even things like The Simpsons – I really don’t see why anyone has a problem with any of this. Unless they simply don’t understand the vinyl toy phenomenon to begin with, that is.
Jeff, I’m going to explain my “theory” of how a chaser works in a series of 12. If they consider it a chaser and we only have 12 designs, it’s not a chaser. It’s just another blind box.
However, I’m going to make the assumption that they have something up their sleeve. I’m thinking that the chaser will consist of NUMEROUS variants. Maybe 3-6 variants. That way you have a reason to keep attempting to “Blind box”. That’s the only thing that can justify calling the 12th PS vinyl as a chaser.
I heard that the next one in the series is something to do with a small world any news on this?
Yes, the 11th vinyl we will know from this series will be from iasw. Then there is the chaser, which is of unknown origin. However, if Baltar is right, then there would have to be one that has variants.
Idea on the vinyl, if it is indeed a varient? Hmmm….. Dumbo,maybe? John from Carousel of Progress?
We’ve had enough Dumbos i would think. haha Now IASW would have been a great choice for the chaser/variant idea but alas, it’s not.
Travis’s idea of Carousel of Progress is intriguing. We could have John in each scene or even other characters. Intriguing.
Since my OLD mold collecting has been slow these past few months, I decided to give the PArk Starz a try. Honestly, I must say that I have been impressed with Series 1. So far, I have picked up the chaser, Figment, Constance, Robot Butler, Country Bear, and the Giant Squid. Since I am an old school collector, weight means “quality” in my book. These guys are sturdier and heavier than your average small character collectible toy. The variety of designs is exciting. The colors really POP also. I am looking forward to future releases as long as they don’t go crazy with variants.
There are still several variants that I need from past vinylmation released series like Park 6, Urban 7, etc. It’s a nice feeling to complete a series of anything, but when it comes to paying for those variants at the expense of another series, it’s bothersome. One variant per case at a reasonable “chase” rate is plenty satisfying for all. Super variants are nice for the resellers to profit by, but even there, I don’t think enough make it into collectors hands to complete sets.
All in all, I like the concept of Park Starz. To make them even better, I would either like to see them an inch or two bigger or a little lower in price. Change the name! It’s been discussed before, but thingz that end in “z” usually don’t stick around long. That said, I want to see these guys stick for a long time. A series a year or two, AT THE MOST, and Disney has a winner on their hands.
What’s the word on Park Starz? Some say they are retiring, others say, “No.” How are supplies? Are the trays full? Do they turn often or collect dust? Anybody trading them these days?