Mary Blair's concept art for the Contemporary Resort
Grand Canyon Concourse tile mural... as a ceramic vase.
Walt Disney World turns 40 this year and Jody and I were invited to concept nostalgic collectibles for the Orlando resort's anniversary. Naturally, we adore the vintage look of WDW in all its 'seventies orange and lime-green goodness. Excited about the project, we submitted far more concepts than Disney had expected, including attraction replicas and scale models, a line of retro Tiki mugs for the Polynesian resort, and other cool stuff. Disney ultimately decided on a small assortment of "gift" items similar to things we had designed for Disneyland's 50th last year, which we think are pretty cool too. (As for those unproduced collectibles, don't cry. There's always the 50th Anniversary to look forward to, right?)
A boxed trio of mini-attraction posters silk-screened
the old fashioned way, onto sheets of tin!
In a rare departure from the way we've always created collectibles in the past, we had assistance from the Florida merchandise team in Disney's Design Group. Talented artists on their own, we'd like to give DDG a hearty round of applause for all their efforts. In particular, we want to express our warmest gratitude to Disney artist Linda Flynn who labored over the nitty-gritty details to get exactly what we wanted out of each item. Linda, you rock.
Vintage graphic "Magic Kingdom"paper cup, cast in ceramic.
The items are already beginning to be released at various locations around the Florida resort: The Tin Attraction Poster set is available right now at Downtown Disney, EPCOT Center's Art of Disney, and at the Magic Kingdom's Disneyana Shop. The other items will follow throughout the summer.
Boxed Dinnerware set illustrated with the colorful
map insert in the 1971 Preview Center Map.
Jody and I will be in Florida for the Resort's big Fortieth Anniversary shindig, with an appearance and signing event at the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 2011.
Note to west coast Disney fans, we've been informed that as of now, there are no plans to offer the Florida collectibles in Anaheim, but you can order these items though the Walt Disney World Guest Services Mail Order Merchandise Dept. by calling (407) 363-6200.)
30 comments:
I just gushed on your FB wall, but have to say it here too. These are brilliant!
This is Olympically excellent. Shame about the Tiki mugs for the Polynesian, but otherwise loving these to bits.
P.S. Let's not be pessimistic...there's always the 45th anniversary.
These are AMAZING! And you are going to be there for the 40th. Can't wait to meet both of you and get you to sign these great items. Do you Know when the details will be released?
Hooray! More things I can't live without. I saw the tin attraction posters last week at Downtown Disney. Keep up the great work. Love it!
ACK! If I'd known you guys were also doing merchandise for WDW's 40th, I wouldn't have wasted my money on all those Shag collectibles! I cannot wait to get my hands on this stuff. :)
My thoughtful boyfriend already purchased the ceramic cup for my birthday. It is fantastic and looks great next to its Disneyland counterpart. I can't wait until the rest of the collection is available - it's all so amazing (as always!).
Really cool cups, especially that they are ceramic. The dinnerware everything for the 4oth anniversary is something i want..
Kevin - This WDW stuff is AWESOME. You and Jody NEVER EVER cease to amaze me with the quality products you put out (Soundsational, Trader Sams Bar, collectibles, etc). You can tell that you are true Disney fans - but you really get what collectors and fans want.
Will you two be at D23 to meet us fans? I cannot be at WDW on October 1. I've already made 2 trips there this year but I would love to meet you guys if you will be at the D23 EXPO.
Keep up the good work.
We bought the poster replicas! I hung them in the same order as the picture before I saw it! We will try to make your signing event October 1!
We'll miss you by a few days, won't be there 'til the 8th. But the new items look great! We'll have to try and track them down when we're there.
Very nice as always; love the mini posters, especially. That dinnerware set is pretty fun too!
Love the vintage look. And anything with Mary Blair's concept art. Have fun in Orlando!
Your work is amazing! It captures the era perfectly.
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Are any of these items limited edition, or are they all open edition???
Too bad about the Tiki mugs.
Wow. This is really frustrating for we West Coasters. Merchandise Guest Services says the posters are sold out at 2 of the 3 locations and will not be restocked there. They don't even have SKU numbers for the items or know what they look like. When they call the locations for me, they have to leave a message and no one calls them back. Looks like I'll have to wait and buy this stuff at a 300% markup on eBay....
Carriatrick, that is frustrating. Thanks for sharing this. It's not surprising, as we hear this same complaint about Disney Merchandising quite a lot. I don't believe any of the items are sold out (perhaps just for that day, but not permanently.) These items were so recently released and Disney makes lots of them. Our signing event isn't until October 1, and each of our WDW 40th items is supposed to be on hand for us to sign that day...so don't give up. I would recommend waiting a few days and then try calling them again. Would it be helpful to you if I researched the skew numbers and posted them here?
Yes! Please post the skew #s if possible. I tried calling them too and they haven't called me back...
Waaaaah!!! I've been DYING for a Polynesian Resort Tiki Mug FOREVER!! Kevin, could you at least post a pic of the prototype for us to Drool over? Pretty Please??
Thanks, Kevin—you were right! I kept calling and even emailed them the photos of each item, and eventually Merchandise Guest Services was able to get me all four items.
Here, for others' reference, are the SKUs and prices:
Mini Poster Set ($65): 400003320479
Boxed Dinnerware ($40): 400002962472
Vase ($36): 400003633685
Cup ($17.95): 400003377473
I've got my Disneyland ceramic "paper" cup sitting right next to me. Love it! Can't wait to add the Magic Kingdom one and start a collection. Now, about those custom Trader Sam's mugs...
Thanks Carriatrick!
ParadisePeer, those Trader Sam's mugs have been in the works for months. We'll keep you posted. The ball is in Disney's court now...
Oh golly miss Molly! I want it ALL. I'm such a Disney fanatic! All of it is beautiful. Well done sir, well done! :)
I love all your work! I just wish we could have seen more of the 40th merchandise you had planned.
Kevin, I love the paper cup and the plates!
Great job!
Do you remember the old spot-color plastic bags that Disneyland used up through the 80's? I always loved the slightly out of register illustrations of the various attractions.
Are we ill that we love this stuff?
Just got my tin posters, and they are AWESOME!
We will be there on October 1st! I assume that you will be at the Art of Disney store that day to sign? Can't wait to meet you and have you sign everything!!
I love the cup. I just had a FL friend pick me up one to go with my 55th cup.
I can't wait to see more artwork from you!
For anyone that's gotten them, how do the mini attraction posters hang on the wall? Nail holes, or do they have a hanger?
There's a sawtooth hanger embedded in the back.
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