Xero’s Heros and Zeros : Park 7 The Early Years

I’mmmmmmmmmm  Baaaaaaaaaaaaack. Did ya miss me? The wit, wisdom and truth that is Zeros and Heros is back for another installment. And bigger than ever too.

It has been sometime since I actually sat down to review a new series. To be specific, Sept 7 we learned all about Astrology. Or at least we learned that I was a Virgo, which apparently explains a lot about me. I have yet to buy that Taurus, but I did test drive one the other day. Nice car by the way. Drove a whole lot better than the Dodge Aries K. Eighties flashback. Sorry.

So Park 7 is interesting right? Met with a bit of excitement and controversy to match. Controversy? Well some would say that an entire series dedicated to Walt Disney World is over the top. Too much. What about the Original? Coca Cola? No, not Coke. What was up with New Coke anyways? Team Vinylmation kind of parallels the Coca Cola company in 1985. Don’t ya think? Sorry another 80′s reference. I gotta stop doing that. How bout those 85 Bears? Best defense ever?

Boom. Back on subject

We were talking about the Original.  You know, Disneyland. The one in California. With the 55th Anniversary…..I hear your complaints of omission, but let me explain. Remember, DLR had 5 55th 9” Anniversary posters and 2 55th 9/3 combos. All 7 are very well done. If you have not seen the posters, check them out. So that makes 9 vinyls dedicated to DLR. And let’s not forget the Ticket Set, another 6 vinyls dedicated to DLR. For a grand total of 15 vinyls released for the 55th Anniversary of DLR. All in all a pretty fair represention of the Original theme park. And I am sure that there will be plenty more DLR stuff. The vinylmation team shows no signs of slowing down production of these little Mickeys.

Moving on. I am ready for another Park series and am super excited that it is all WDW themed. The history of WDW is interesting to me, and I am sure that I am not alone. This series is full of history. Like Ted ” Theodore” Logan and Bill S. Preston Esquire once stated. “The world is full of History” And Walt Disney World is no exception. So let’s us the wisdom of Bill and Ted to guide us throught this edition of Zeros and Heros. So in the spirit of being excellent to each other, the two great ones have taken their own path with this review.

There will be No Zeros

There will be No Heros

I,with the help of Bill and Ted, will go through and explain, to the best of our ability what all 11 figures in this series represent. I just hope we get more than statements like Napoleon was a “Short, Dead Dude” or Caesar was the “Salad Dressing dude“. And Joan of Arc was NOT Noah’s wife.

So let’s Party on and get started

Cinderella's Castle 1971

I usually do not include the Chaser in my Zeros and Heros. But then again I usually do a Zeros and Heros. Since this is different, I am going to speak on the Castle Chaser. One of the best chasers. Ever. Hands down. The design is top notch and spot on. The colors are perfect. I can almost see Walt walking through the doorway. You know the picture.

I know. I know. The picture is of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at DLR, but this figure brings that feel back to life. And is that not what Vinylmation is all about? We want to connect with our vinyls. This one stirs up plenty of emotion in me.

“Ted, while I agree that, in time, our band will be most triumphant. The truth is, Wyld Stallyns will never be a super band until we have Eddie Van Halen on guitar.”
“Yes, Bill. But, I do not believe we will get Eddie Van Halen until we have a triumphant video.”
“Ted, it’s pointless to have a triumphant video before we even have decent instruments.”
“Well, how can we have decent instruments when we don’t really even know how to play? “
“ That is why we NEED Eddie Van Halen! “
“ And THAT is why we need a triumphant video. “
“ EXCELLENT! “
“Uh oh, we’re late! “
“ For what? “
“For school, dude! “
“ Oh yeah.”

No school today guys, but we need to get back to this report.

“EXCELLENT“

Disney's Polynesian Resort 1971

It is indeed a pleasure to introduce to you a gentleman we picked up in the South Pacific. We call him Polynesian Luau Dude. He represents a most excellent resort. “And he loves San Demis” I think that it is the excellent water parks that drew him to San Demis. Anyway. Did you know that the Polynesian Resort was orginally named Polynesian Village? This monorail resort opened in 1971 with the opening of the Magic Kingdom. The resort is themed like Hawaii and the South Pacific. Just like the Polynesian Luau Dude. Excellent. The hotels are shaped like longhouses that are all connected via paths with the Great Ceremonial House being the centerpiece of this excellent resort. Bit of funky history. On December 29, 1974 (1974 -12-29), John Lennon signed legal paper work officially ending the Beatles at the resort. Woah. Dude.  Bogus. Heinous. Most non-triumphant. Yea Lennon totally blew it dude.

Star Jets 1974

Star Jets was considered the focal point of Tomorrowland due to its soaring, spinning rockets and central location when it was built during the 1974 expansion of Tomorrowland. The vehicles circled round and round, 80 feet above the ground. “But now everything is different, but the same… things are more moderner than before… bigger, and yet smaller… it’s computers…… San Dimas High School football rules.” Thanks for the explaination Ox. But let me expound. In 1994, the attraction was re-designed and re-opened as the Astro Orbiter. Yep. Making it more moderner than before. And we also have a vinyl of that ride…..San Dimas football rules

America Parade 1976

Hop in the phone booth and dial up 1976. America on Parade was a spectacular tribute celebration to America’s history, people, and traditions. I was barely old to enough to remember the celebration of America’s Bicentennial. And would have loved to witness this epic parade. But with the help of the internet I have found some great pictures of this parade. So party on dudes and enjoy the processional.

Thanks to yesterland.com for this wonderful picture. For more pictures and information follow this link http://www.yesterland.com/americaparade.html.  With 50 parade units, 150 character performers, and lasting over a half hour, America on Parade was a grand experience. What would Abe Lincoln have to say about this celebration? “Fourscore and… seven minutes ago… we, your forefathers, were brought forth upon a most excellent adventure conceived by our new friends, Bill… and Ted. These two great gentlemen are dedicated to a proposition which was true in my time, just as it’s true today. Be excellent to each other. And… PARTY ON, DUDES!.” Well President Lincoln, That’s L-I-N-C-O-L-N, BIll and Ted did not conceive the Parade, but they are helping me with this review. PARTY ON DUDE.

 

World of Motion 1982

“General Motors now invites you to travel the open road – to discover that when it comes to transportation, it’s always fun to be free!”  So hop aboard and explore. Sometimes a picture is a thousand words. Thanks to lostepcot.com we can see this now famous Sea Serpent.

Do you know who that picture is of Ted? “Okay. Um… Had wooden teeth, chased Moby Dick.”  ”That’s Captain Ahab, dude.” Well, I guess you are kind of correct. That was Captain Ahab, but I am not sure that Captain Ahab is who was see in this picture, But who knows, maybe he ran into a Sea Serpent or two in his time as well.

I think that I have confused some. So I think that a video will be a bit better. Watch and see.

World of Motion

“Ted, you and I have witnessed many things, but nothing as bodacious as what just happened.”

Any other questions guys?

“Do you know where there are any personages of historical significance around here?”

Yes. Yes I do. Let’s move on and I will explain

Journey Into Imagination 1982

You asked for historical significance, you got it. I bring to you, “Two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer, but a loveable fellow! From head to tail, he’s royal purple pigment, and there, Voila! You’ve got a Figment!”  What really needs to be said about Figment? Get this one while you can. It will be the most popular figure from the set. Remember all you need is One Little Spark.

And with that Little Spark we will conclude part one of our Park 7 review. Come back next week for the rest of the story.

That’s Paul Harvey, Dude.

Ok, the boys have left for a minute. So I have time to let you all know my Zeros and Heros from these 6

Heros – Castle Chaser, StarJets, SeaSerpent

Zeros – Figment, American on Parade, Luau Dude

Actually I need to make one small change to the above list……..

Heros – Castle Chaser, StarJets, SeaSerpent

Heros – Figment, American on Parade, Luau Dude

OK, done. Now I am happy with the list. See you all next week.