Mickey’s Circus Trading Event Coming to Epcot in September

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From the Disney Parks Blog...

Mickey’s Circus Trading Event Coming to Epcot in September

posted on June 13th, 2012 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager

The annual Disney Trading event returns to Epcot from September 7-9. Titled “Mickey’s Circus,” the event will feature three days of trading, for both pins and Vinylmation. I caught up with Jeanne Lewis, product developer for pins, who said the title of the event was a nod to Magic Kingdom Park.

“We wanted to give a nod to the new development taking place in Fantasyland,” explained Jeanne. “Knowing that Storybook Circus was opening there, we thought we could re-create a “circus” in World ShowPlace at Epcot. With the bright colors and many circus acts, there seemed to be lots of great content for merchandise.”

I asked Jeanne about some of her favorite items.

“One of my favorite items is the drawstring pouch trading bag,” answered Jeanne. “It’s meant to look like a circus peanuts bag with vintage striping. We included two characters not often featured on pins – Timothy Mouse and Jiminy Cricket.”

There are approximately 26 pin items designed specifically for this event, including boxed sets, individual pins and even some Passholder-exclusive items. Jeanne said that a Disney Villains mystery set is another favorite.

“We had fun finding a way to fit the Villains into this assortment,” continued Jeanne. “The chaser pins for this set are clever, and will be a nice surprise for guests who randomly receive one.”

I was just happy to see a Hades pin because he rules!

For Vinylmation, we are releasing some 9-inch and 3-inch figures designed by Disney Design Group artists Ron Cohee, Caley Hicks, Eric Caszatt and Monty Maldovan. I love Ron’s design for Ringmaster Mickey, which has a removable top hat.

This year, the event will feature two days dedicated to pin trading. On Sunday, the entire day will be dedicated to Vinylmation.

There are separate packages available to attend the pin trading and Vinylmation events. Both events will include gifts, entertainment and first-purchase opportunities for some unique merchandise. Attendees will also be able to trade for pins or Vinylmation created specifically for trading experiences at each event.

There is an early booking discount for the pin trading portion of the event that ends on June 19. We are also offering a separate breakfast and dessert reception for guests attending the pin trading portion of the event.

I hope you are able to attend!

Check out more news about merchandise at Walt Disney World Resort in the posts below:

• A Glimpse at Disney Parks Merchandise on the Horizon
  
• Duffy the Disney Bear Celebrates Father’s Day with New Shirt
  
• Coffee Mugs Percolate to the Top of Disney Parks Souvenirs
  

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/06/mickeys-circus-trading-event-coming-to-epcot-in-september/

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Oh, when I first saw this title, I thought it said "Mickey's Circus "Training" Event". I thought maybe they were gonna set up a trapeeze act attraction, figures it's actually about pins and those vinylmation things.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

The blog says this is an annual trading event.

I've never been.

And, after seeing this junk mechandise, I plan on keeping it that way.

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

More info from MousePlanet...

Trade pins & Vinylmation at "Mickey's Circus"

This year's (pin and Vinylmation) trading event at Walt Disney World will be themed as "Mickey's Circus" and will take place September 7 to 9, it was announced last week. The theming was chosen to honor the opening of the Storybook Circus area in the Magic Kingdom park. The event will again take place at Epcot's World Showplace pavilion.

There will be 26 pin items designed exclusively for the event, as well as special 9-inch and 3-inch Vinylmations—and dual-size sets. Pin items include a drawstring pouch trading bag, boxed sets, individual pins, and Passholder-exclusive items. One new set will be a Disney Villains mystery set.

At this year's event, the two merchandise lines will be separated. Pin trading events will take place on September 7 and 8, while September 9 will be devoted to Vinylmation trading.

The pin event costs $120 per person, and includes:

• A jumbo-sized pin of Ringmaster Mickey including pin-on-pin elements
  
• A four-pin boxed set with characters from it's tough to be a bug
  
• First opportunity to pre-purchase limited edition pins designed for the event
  
• Artist signings
  
• A$30 gift card redeemable at Epcot food & beverage locations
  
• Trading activities and games, and more.
  

The first 750 Guests who register for the event will also receive a limited edition early registration pin. Anyhone registering by tomorrow will pay $105 instead of $120.

Other special experiences available for the pin event include a special Opening Acts Breakfast the morning of September 7 (for $40) that provides

• A breakfast buffet
  
• An exclusive pin
  
• Extra trading time before the event itself opens. .
  

Mickey's Circus Big Top Dessert Reception takes place after the pin portion of the event concludes on September 8 (also for $40), and includes extra trading time after the event, a dessert buffet, an exclusive pin, and a special viewing area for Illuminations. You must be registered for the pin event to sign up for the breakfast or dessert events.

The Vinylmation event costs $60 per person, and includes

• A 3-inch and 1.5-inch Vinylmation set featuring Mrs. Jumbo and Dumbo
  
• First opportunity to pre-purchase new Vinylmation figures designed for the event
  
• Artist signings
  
• A$15 gift card redeemable at Epcot food & beverage locations
  
• Trading activities and games, and more.
  

The separately ticketed events do not include admission to Epcot, which is required for admission to the event venue at World Showplace.

To look at the merchandise catalogs for the events or for more information, go to the event sites for the pin event and the Vinylmation event.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/10020/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

More from the Disney Parks blog...

A Closer Look at Vinylmation Coming to Mickey’s Circus Trading Event at Epcot

posted on June 29th, 2012 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager

I recently shared details about the Mickey’s Circus trading event coming to World ShowPlace at Epcot this September. This is the third year we’ve featured Vinylmation as part of this annual event, which has been held since 2001. This time we’ve dedicated an entire day – Sunday, September 9 – to the Vinylmation Showcase. I recently took a closer look at some figures specially designed for this event.

During last year’s event, Disney Design Group artist Ron Cohee created the sketch pictured at the top of this article. It was made to officially announce the first 3-inch figure coming to this year’s event, Ringmaster Mickey. The limited edition figure will have an edition size of 1,500. The original sketch will be featured (along with a 3-inch figure) as an auction lot during the event.

Ron’s Ringmaster figure wasn’t the only one inspired by a sketch. Caley Hicks shared with me her sketch pictured above, which was turned into a 9-inch figure. She originally planned her seal as a 3-inch, Urban Series figure. Once the Mickey’s Circus theme was announced, she repurposed the design. Only 100 of these 9-inch figures will be made for the event!

Also having an edition size of 100, Eric Caszatt’s lion joins the low-edition-size figure club. His original artwork and final figure are presented above as a side-by-side comparison.

I love the packaging created by Caley for the figure sets coming to the event. I often find that packaging is just as important as the merchandise inside. I particularly like that Monty Maldovan made Bongo and Lulubelle as 3-inch figures, as they aren’t often featured on merchandise. You may recall them from “Bongo,” which was the opening animated segment from “Fun and Fancy Free,” originally released on September 27, 1947.

If you would like a look at these figures and the Disney pins we’ve created for the event, I invite you to attend Disney Trading Night on Friday, July 6. This free activity will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Fantasia G Ballroom. Disney artists Monty Maldovan and Mike Sullivan will also be on hand to sign the recently released Vinylmation – Duffy The Disney Bear figures and Pin Trading Nights pin respectively.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/06/a-closer-look-at-vinylmation-coming-to-mickeys-circus-trading-event-at-epcot/

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

As my kids say:

SMH

As I say:

WTF?

Do people really buy this crap stuff?

I guess they do, or else they wouldn't be making it.

I don't get it.

TCD

[Lou... 3,118]

$120 for a pin event, really?

Yet another example that P.T. Barnum was right.

[Judy in Texas 150]

Vinylmation is weird. They give me the creeps.