Disney’s Vinylmation Chronicles
The 100th-anniversary celebration of Disney has introduced a new collectibles release: a limited series of five Vinylmation figures unveiled on October 16th, the day when Disney was founded 100 years ago. The most surprising aspect of this release was not just the well-made designs or the limited characters, but the revival of the Vinylmation platform, which appeared to be dormant.
However, the decade-long popularity of Vinylmation has recently declined rapidly. The platform itself is based on the shape of Mickey Mouse and features various Disney characters, including collaborations.
One can assess the diversity of Vinylmation by exploring the Rikitoys Collection, which comprises designer toys and collectible figures. The RikiToys Vinylmation collection features various versions of cartoon characters, including those from Mickey Mouse, Nightmare Before Christmas, or Elliott and Pete. Additionally, it includes street artists’ interpretations of the platform, as seen in the New York Series or Urban Series.
Vinylmation figures were successfully sold in Disneyland and online, becoming the most successful Disney merchandise until recent times. The figures are typically released in blind boxes, increasing collectors’ interest. However, the introduction of blind boxes, showcasing a large variety of collectibles, could be one of the reasons for the decline of Vinylmation. Collectors were disturbed by the number of released figures, which were not easy to follow. Another factor is the intense competition within Disney merchandise, such as Tsum-Tsum, as well as in the collectibles market as a whole, where Funko POP or POP Mart have become extremely popular.
The new anniversary release does not appear to be widely successful, primarily embraced by Vinylmation enthusiasts. Nevertheless, we wish this Disney enterprise all the best. The more products presented in the market, the better the choice.
