The new Disney Artist Collection of pins by Alex Maher, available today as part of the weekly Disney trading pins releases, features Mickey and Friends with trains.
Disney Artist Collection Pins by Alex Maher
This morning’s standby line for standard pins was already quite long by the time that we got to EPCOT, but guests looking to purchase the Artist Collection series specifically were able to join a virtual queue. This allows guests to sign up for a text notification for when to return to Port of Entry to purchase their pins and have them signed.
Alex Maher is a senior character artist with Walt Disney Attractions Merchandise. Read his artist blurb below:
Alex Maher was born in Miami, Florida and began drawing as a yong child. By the age of five, Alex already knew that he wanted to work for The Walt Disney Company, a pursuit he held onto until making his childhood dreams come true.
His art career started as an illustrator-draftsman for the U.S. Navy, and after his time in the service, Alex held various positions as a graphic artist and illustrator in his hometown of Miami. Yet, all the while, he still yearned to work for Disney.
With encouragement from his parents and his wife, he courageously moved his family to Orlando in the summer of 1991 to turn his aspirations of becoming a Disney artist into a reality. On December 6, 1993, he achieved his lifelong dream of being hired full time as a senior character artist with Walt Disney Attractions Merchandise.
As a character artist, Alex’s responsibilities include drawing all the Disney characters, training the younger character artists, and ensuring the integrity of the Disney characters is upheld. Like the stories he grew up with, his happily-ever-after journey to realizing his magical dream was complete.
Limited Edition Classic Mickey Train Pin – $24.99
This Artist Collection pin features a classic pie-eyed Mickey Mouse riding atop a train, not unlike Walt Disney had done in iconic photos before. He wears a blue engineer hat and rings a bell in one hand. This pin is a limited edition of 2,000.
Limited Edition Goofy Train Pin – $24.99
This pin depicts Goofy as he appears in the Mickey Mouse shorts, serving as the engineer of a locomotive riding through a lush landscape. This pin is a limited edition of 2,000.
Limited Edition Mickey Mouse Train Pin – $24.99
This pin sees Mickey serving as conductor for a more modern train. He waves out the window, wearing a yellow shirt with white overalls and a blue engineer’s hat. This pin is a limited edition of 2,000.
Limited Edition Mickey Mouse & Friends Jumbo Pin – $69.99
This Walt Disney World-exclusive jumbo pin features Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, and Chip ‘n Dale, all waving from the caboose of a train. The Walt Disney World Railroad logo is represented on the back railing. All characters but Pluto and Minnie wear matching blue engineer hats. This pin is a limited edition of 750.
Another pin in the Disney Artist Collection by Maher is a Disneyland Resort exclusive, and therefore wasn’t available during our trip to EPCOT.
Other Pin Tuesday Releases at EPCOT
Disney Charming Carousels Jungle Cruise – $22.99
The final pin we picked up in this week’s release is the latest for the “Disney Charming Carousels” collection, inspired by Jungle Cruise. The “horse” for this pin is not a horse at all, but a hippo! It wears a red saddle with green accents and a brown bridle. Beneath it is one of the boats that guests ride while aboard the attraction.
What do you think of this week’s pin releases? Were you able to get any of the Disney Artist Collection pins by Maher and have them signed? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
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