This update, not going to lie, hurt my brain a little bit to process. Disney certainly does not make it easy for us. By the way, side note, and probably why I am in a bad mood while writing this… Did anyone else see that the WDW Premium Annual Passholder discounts will drop to 10% as of January 1, 2013? So as my discount gets cut in half, I can tell Disney that not only will they be getting less money from me at renewal, but I’ll be sure to purchase at least half as much merchandise as I normally do. Anyway, how about those release dates… They changed some days. Changed some locations. Added new dates and even duplicated some. Take a look.
The Disney Vacation Club Exclusive 3-inch figure (Open Edition / Retail: $14.95 ) was moved from a January 11th release date to February 15th in the parks only. It is still supposedly set for a January 11th online release. The design of this figure is not known at this time, but is presumed to be from this this concept art.
As I have been presuming for a few weeks, the January 10th release of the 3″ Run Disney figure (Commemorative / Retail: $12.95) and WDW Marathon Weekend Mini Medals (Open Edition /Retail: $1.95) will be at the Clubhouse Store at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the Expo that takes place before the races. How do I know these releases better than Disney itself? The odd part is, they kind of took away the part about it also being available at D-Street in Orlando. I say “kind of” because, well here is the exact wording: “ESPN Clubhouse Shop, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex t Downtown Disney West Side in Florida”. Um, ya, ESPN is not at Downtown Disney. However, there is a later posting on the Events page about the Mini Medal accessories being released at D-Street Orlando on January 22nd. But that still still leaves the 3″ figure. I presume it will also end up at D-Street, if not on the 10th, then by the weekend. The 3″ Run Disney figure remains on the release slate for January 10th at D-Street Anaheim The January 13th signing with artist Maria Clapsis also remains in place for 5-7pm at D-Street Orlando.
On February 1st, the February 2013 Poster Art 3-inch figure by Patty Landing (Edition Size: 2,013 / Retail: $14.95) will be released at both D-Streets. In an exciting turn of events, the exact same figure is also listed for a February 11th release… but only in Anaheim Sorry Orlandonians, you only get it once. Here is a look at the calendar art and Vinylmation figure.
On February 22nd, both D-Streets will receive a new 2013 Easter 3″ figure designed by Billy Davis (Commemorative / $14.95). No photos of this design as of yet.
The left coast D-Street will also get a Mad T Party, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, 3-inch figure set (Edition Size: 1,500 / $24.95). No photos of this design as of yet either.
Lastly, the Disney Vinylmation Facebook page store will get the Fantasia Series # 5, Baucchus & Donkey from The Pastoral Symphony, 3-inch figure set (Edition Size: 1,500 / $24.95). We did not know until this posting what characters were in sets 5 through 8. I wish they accompanied this release info with a photo, but they did not. So here they are from the movie itself.
I’m with you Nick on the Passholder discount change. Even though I live in TX, I still try to use my pass for 3-5 trips a year. Considering that all I buy plus staying on property half the time. They are certainly going to miss the money that they think they are enjoying when I don’t make those trips or get an AP next year. If me not purchasing Three Premiere APs at $750 each plus a few thousand for property stays plus a couple thou in souvenirs as well as food is worth dropping my discount 10% then by all means go ahead and enjoy it Disney. The guy is not going to just accept this. If Disney was in trouble financially I would be glad to do my share, but this is another show of greed. As a shareholder, I have been plenty satisfied but Disney will be going in my “sell” folder as well.