Jun 28 WDW Olszewski Release Report

[mikelan6]

Adam and I started collecting the Olszewski Walt Disney World Main Street miniature collection by buying the Cinderella Castle piece back in 2005. After purchasing the next two pieces in the series back in 2006, it took Walt Disney World all this time to release their next three pieces. When they announced the date for the release and signing by Mr. Olszewski, we knew we had to go.

We drove up from Miami and after some brief stops, we arrived at the Magic Kingdom’s toll plaza around 10:45 AM. The announcement from Disney noted that Mr. Olszewski would be signing the pieces at Main Street’s Art of Disney store from 10:00 AM till 11:00 AM, and then for a few hours in the afternoon. I wasn’t very optimistic that we would arrive in time for the early signing as we still had to take the monorail or ferry boat to the park. After going through security and the turnstiles, we finally arrived at the Main Street Cinema shop a few minutes after 11:00 AM. As this was our first experience with this type of event, I only had information from Disneyland’s previous releases as a guide. At Disneyland’s events, people wanting to buy the pieces would line up from before the park’s opening time and wait for hours in a queue to purchase the pieces. I was happily surprised upon entering the store to find only a few people in front of the display, the open cash register and Mr. Olszewski seated there. There were plenty of boxes in the back and the table was filled with Mr. Olszewski’s Main Street pieces, the Gallery of Light pieces and more. We quickly requested to purchase all three pieces and advised the clerks that we would take them with us, as opposed to having them shipped to the front of the park, to our resort (we weren’t staying on property this time) or shipped by common carrier. The three pieces that were being release were Exposition Hall with Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, The Chapeau and Confectionary and the Central Plaza – also known as the hub. The pieces were already signed by Mr. Olszewski. A cast member wrapped up the pieces for us, while we were paying and then waited to speak to Mr. Olszewski, who was sitting at the end of the table next to the first piece – Cinderella Castle. There were only four people before us, but as we learned, Mr. Olszewski was a wonderful man with many fascinating stories and loved to share them with his collectors. When we finally got our turn, we were able to spend some time discussing the collection, the future of the pieces, how he started his career as miniaturist and much more. We must have spent around 15 minutes talking to him and were even able to take some photos with him. I am not sure we will visit Walt Disney World for every future release, as the added expense of the drive, tolls, hotel stay, park tickets and everything else is much more than ordering the pieces online and having them shipped home – but the pleasure of meeting Mr. Olszewski was priceless.

Here are some photos from the event and of the pieces.

The sign outside the Main Street Cinema / Art of Disney Store announcing the release.

The Emporium

Uptown Jewelers

The Emporium

East Street

Adam, myself and Robert Olszewski.

Mr. Olszewski and one of his new fans.

The hidden Lady and the Tramp scene behind Tony's Restaurant.

Exposition Hall and Tony's Town Square Restaurant.

The Confectionary and the Chapeau

The same building showing the hidden scene.

Mickey and Minnie inside The Chapeau store.

The Central Plaza ... aka the hub.

 

[PanamaMike]

Thanks for the info.
I'm looking forward to adding to my Main St. collection.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Thanks so much for the info and pictures. I love the collection but am confused as you mentioned 3 pieces issued in 2006. What are they? I only know of 2. Thanks!!!

 

[kiddisney]

thanks for the report - it's nice when things work out and you get to really enjoy these types of events -

 

[neonurse]

Thanks. Wonderful pics!!

 

[mikelan6]

Thanks so much for the info and pictures. I love the collection but am confused as you mentioned 3 pieces issued in 2006. What are they? I only know of 2. Thanks!!!

You are correct. There were only two - City Hall and Town Square.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Whew!!! I thought I missed one. Are you eventually going to purchase the platform to display the pieces or leave them as is. It would take alot of room to show with the platform and alot of work!!! I think I will leave them as is. I haven't decided whether to purchase all of the WDW collection or just the pieces I really like.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Can you take any pics of the pieces lit up in the dark? I think Cindy's Castle is beautiful, but once I saw that it actually lit up and changed colors, I was sold and purchased it on my last trip in May! I'd really like to see these lit up if you can get a couple good pics.

 

[CanadianGuy]

This is a better fit on our Disney Collectors forum here on the DIS. And I'll be moving this one there from here on ThemeParks.

Thanks!

Knox

 

[mikelan6]

We will most probably not get the platform since we really don't have the room for it all. Right now, we have it in a mirror backed enclosed display case so that we can see the backs and have set them up to a single power switch so that they all turn on at the same time.

I don't have the pictures with the lights on yet as we're still setting it up, but I do have a youtube video of the castle with the lights on. Just do a search with my username - mikelan6 and you'll find it.

 

[Meriwyn]

Oh goodness! These are LOVELY pieces! I'm glad you had such a nice experience at the gallery

 

[doombuggy]

He was at The Art of Disney at DTD the next day. I took my piece in for him to sign. He was very friendly and talked to me about the new pillboxes that have been released at DL and will be coming to WDW at sometime in the future.