What is with Vinylmation?!?!?!?!

I am clueless as to what they are and what there purpose is. Personally I dont like there is something about them that rubs me the wrong way. May its that same something that is why some people like them I dont know, but if somebody could explain this that would be awesome.
 
I think they're pretty creepy, too. I think they look like robots from outer space! I wouldn't buy one...I'll take a t-shirt or a watch over those any day!
 
When did the parks debut these things? I don't think I saw them the last time we were there (1/09). Does someone have a picture? I still don't know WHAT they are- like action figures of different characters??

I'm confused... :confused3
 

Count me among the clueless. I have no idea how these things came about and have no desire to purchase any. DH and DS have a couple of the pins, but they're some of the ones that look like Disney characters so they aren't quite so awful.
 
It's the current trend. I work for a distributor and we recently added an "urban vinyl" section to our catalog. I believe there were a lot of vinyl figures coming out of Japan and it started to catch on with people in the "urban culture".

If you think they are strange, you should see the smoking figures. Figure of everything from animals to food items and inanimate objects smoking cigarettes. They even have figures of cartoon cigarettes smoking cigarettes.
 
I kind of like them, but don't understand the whole craze over them. Of course I never understood the whole pin trading craze either. Some pins are really cool, but not enough for me to go nutty over them.
 
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what do they look like :confused3 I won't get to see them until my trip in October so I have no idea what you all are talking aboutpopcorn:: can someone please post a pic or a link
 
Yes, I did read that this is something that is really popular in Japan.
The only Vinylmation figure that I think is even remotely interesting are the plain white ones. At least with those you are supposed to create your own artwork and designs with markers. That could potentially be cool.
I wonder if the characters would sign the blank white ones? Hmmm.
 
At first when I saw them back in Sept 2009 I was a little confused. :confused3 But then recently I've been reading about them more and saw an article on the DisneyParks blog about them. I'm starting to think they are pretty cute and might be fun to get one or two. I don't think I would buy tons of them but a couple here and there.

oh and I had seen the idea to use it as a guest book for a disney wedding and immediately loved it! We had been struggling on finding something small for our 30 guests to sign at our wedding!! So that's what we are using!:thumbsup2
 
I honestly had no idea what you guys were talking about and so off I went to Google :lmao: And I STILL have no idea what they're all about...seems to me they're just plastic figures? :confused3 I'll stick with my pins...
 
Our kids (3 boys, ages pre-school to pre-teen) LOVE Vinylmation.

They typically use all (or most) of their gift card money on these, and so our older boys usually get 3 per trip. Here's why:

1) They aren't into pins, but like to collect something to remind them of Disney. These little guys sit on their desks/shelves and every time we see them, it reminds us all of WDW. It's very happy to see them and think about where they opened each box, and their reactions.

2) The excitement of opening the box to see what you get is huge. It's like a new toy and a game in one.

3) They don't break very easily and our pre-schooler likes to carry his around and play with them like action figures. They sit in cars, they go down ramps, they "fight" each other, he lines them up.

4) The new holiday collection is cute for our festive, holiday-loving kids. Halloween is one of their favorites - so a Mickey decorated like a ghost or pumpkin is a big deal.

Fun story: Our two older boys really liked the vinylmation painted like a ghost. They each chose a box from the holiday collection, and one of them opens the ghost. The other looks disappointed and says, "there are only two in each set - no way I'll get the ghost." He opens it up - it's a ghost! He's thrilled. They cheer. The CM at the counter cheers. We all cheer - big celebration. Now our youngest really wants a ghost - anyone hate vinylmation and want to sell us the ghost?

5) It's Mickey Mouse.

So they are not all cute, but they are little and durable and fun for our kids. Once you see that kind of excitement and enthusiasm from your kids, these little vinyl toys become really great and very special!
 
It's the current trend. I work for a distributor and we recently added an "urban vinyl" section to our catalog. I believe there were a lot of vinyl figures coming out of Japan and it started to catch on with people in the "urban culture".

If you think they are strange, you should see the smoking figures. Figure of everything from animals to food items and inanimate objects smoking cigarettes. They even have figures of cartoon cigarettes smoking cigarettes.

You're talking about a line by Kid Robot... and you are correct about how the trend started... it has moved from Japan to the US. There are stores dedicated to nothing but vinyl figures in all the major metro areas. Look up Kid Robot or Original Fake and you will find tons of them... they are not aimed at kids either... they are for adults mainly... especially since some of the 4ft and above ones will run you into the thousands of dollars...
 
I'm in the 'don't get it crowd' - I just find them unappealing...
We pin trade and I'm a little worried that there will be a glut of the vinylmation pins. I ordered a big lot of pins from eBay and a bunch that he sent me were the vinylmation ones. On the upside we won't have a problem giving those ones up to trade!
 
You're talking about a line by Kid Robot... and you are correct about how the trend started... it has moved from Japan to the US. There are stores dedicated to nothing but vinyl figures in all the major metro areas. Look up Kid Robot or Original Fake and you will find tons of them... they are not aimed at kids either... they are for adults mainly... especially since some of the 4ft and above ones will run you into the thousands of dollars...

We met a lady who is super obsessed with Kid Robot. In fact, the way we met her was when she was doing a scavenger hunt for the web site and they had to collect pictures of the vinyl figures doing all sorts of funny stuff. One thing on the list was to get a "family portrait" with all the people holding Kid Robot masks over their faces. A mutual friend suggested us and we agreed to pose for the picture. We had never heard one ting about the vinyl craze, but when we went to do the picture for her she told us all about it. These are people in their 30's and 40's who have china cabinets dedicated to vinyl figurines from Japan!


SO - these are the people who would love the Mickey figurines I guess. We thought it was kind of nuts, then again they probably think the same thing about me and my obsession with Disney!! :rotfl: Seriously, they were super sweet and own a local candy store, so my kids were thrilled when we got paid in candy. :)
 
I don't really get them either. Some of them are cute but I would only want the ones I like. I did see a solid white one that someone had taken on a cruise and had all the characters sign it. That was really cute.
 
Funny, as I was reading this DW told me they are opening a new store in DTD called Vinylmation Station. We don't get them either, but I thought WE were in the minority. There was a LONG post praising these a few months ago. Different strokes I guess.
 
my husband is obsessed with collecting all the vinyl mickey trading pins. we currently have probably around 30 or 40 of them but i'm pretty sure there are hundreds of designs out there. i dont get it, he needs help :lmao:
 
I don't understand the ones with the designs already - but the idea is that you get the ones that are blank and either use crayons, paint, glitter, whatever to personalize it. It is a great project for anyone who likes art. Kid Robot is a huge force in the vinyl figure industry. People wait in lines for hours and hours and then personalize them in some way or another. Here is a link to some of what they have been turned into:

They are definitely more popular with adults than children...

http://www.vinylpulse.com/munny_gallery/

But, you gotta admit that the imaginations that some of these creators had is mind boggling! :) Mine would be a solid color with some spots or something - not nearly as detailed! :laughing:
 
Found some pics on the Vinylmation thread (over at the Disney Collectors board): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2397659&page=2 Scroll down about halfway to see a nice collection.

Now that I know what they are, I think they are kinda cute. I don't think I'd be interested in collecting them, but we might get one when we go in November...
 


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