Park 2
I'm back! After a long hiatus from blogging, it is time to discuss park 2. After looking over the history behind these figures (or lack thereof) I have carefully handed out pumpkins. Who is the dud of the set? Who is the stud? Read on and find out, do you agree?
Aquaramouse 
History of the figure: NO RELATION TO THE PARKS
Why is this in the park series? I could find no connection to the parks for this one. I mean it reminds me of the gas station tank in Toontown in Disneyland but the fish isn’t cartoony so that can’t possibly be it.
The rating correlates to the fact that it simply does not belong in the park series. Maybe if it was an Urban vinyl it’d get higher.
Poncho Mickey 
History of the figure: Everybody that has been to a park has seen these, or bought them. This hold especially true if you only go to Disneyland once a year for Christmastime and your favorite ride is Splash Mountain so you beg you parents to go an the only possible way they let you is to buy one of these and even then the poncho doesn’t cover shoes. Don’t you love wet socks?
As for the vinyl., it is simple yes but I like how his face is mostly concealed. Reminds me of those parents that NEEDED there kid to be in a poncho yet let them go on Splash Mountain. Don’t forget to put on your jacket too! A big fan of the classic mickey on the back, really adds to the nostalgia.
Festival of the Lion King 
History of the figure: A live stage performance beginning in 1998 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Also at Disneyland Hong Kong. It is a condensed version of the Broadway stage show.
I happen to enjoy this figure. It represents the African style of artwork well and what is worn on stage. What truly makes this figure is the Rafiki painted Simba on the back of the head. Great choice! Also applaud the use of different animal hides for the parts of the body.
Mike Mouse 
History of the figure: Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is a dark ride attraction at Disney’s California Adventure Park. It opened January 22, 2006. In Tokyo Disneyland, there is an attraction called 'Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek'. Walt Disney World has Monsters Inc Laugh Floor which opened on April 2, 2007.
Simple sometimes just works and in this case they hit the mark. The grin and eyeball are spot on. Also like the inclusion of horns (which could be improved with clear ears). Also could have used some claw hands and feet if we were to be picky.
Monkey 
History of the figure: Could be an ode to Disney’s Animal Kingdom which opened on April 22nd, 1998. Could also be a reference to the World Famous Jungle Cruise!
Monkey is cute and the tail wrapped around the banana is a nice touch but this is just too generic for me. There just isn’t enough here to scream Disney, probably why it is on the bottom of popularity for this set.
Panda 
History of the figure: What I can only assume to be a nod to Disney’s Animal Kingdom once again, even though pandas are not in the park. Other than that no panda connection with the Disney parks
Because of the lack of connection to parks, this vinyl’s rating suffers. It is a shame because I do like it and really want to give it at least one more pumpkin. Once again, this would have been a good Urban choice or maybe even for Animal Kingdom set, hmm who’d of thought.
Snow White’s Scary Adventure 
History of the figure: Snow White’s Scary Adventure is a dark ride at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. It is one of the few remaining attractions that was operational on Disneyland's opening day in 1955. The ride is now gone in Magic Kingdom as part of the Fantasyland expansion.
If we are going purely off of connection to the parks, this figure might take the cake. It is so well detailed and reminds me EXACTLY of the little carts you get in to ride the ride. The details in the ears are fantastic with everyone’s two favorite dwarfs but what really puts it over the edge is the portrait on the back of the head. WOW!
Penny Arcade 
History of the figure: The Penny Arcade is located on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. In the Penny Arcade guests can still see and use operational penny machines showing short films.
Not the most eye appealing figure but at least it is actually in the park! That being said, it is just ok. I like the penny in the ear and like the featuring Mickey Mouse on the back. Most creative aspect is using the operating crank as the figures mouth.
Toontown Toonhole 
History of the figure: Toontown, home of Mickey and Minnie opened in 1993 at Disneyland. A similar land opened at the Magic Kingdom as Mickey's Birthdayland on June 18, 1988. It became Mickey's Starland on May 26, 1990, and Mickey's Toontown Fair on October 1, 1996. Its storyline portrayed the land as the holiday home for the characters who reside at Mickey's Toontown in California. Mickey's Toontown Fair closed permanently in February 2011 in order to make way for the expansion.
I am a big fan of Toontown and I am sad to see it go at Disneyworld. With that being said, this figure is BAD! It lacks creativity and what makes Toontown special, THE TOONS. I understand the manhole concept and like the green “dip” seemingly seeping out of the hole but what is up with the front? Why not include Roger Rabbit or a Weasel? Anything but the plain and boring black vinyl with what looks like a sash of warning tape. This vinylmation was wronged! It could have been so much more. If you want to remember Toontown, I recommend getting Park 3 Trolley, a much better representation of Toontown.
Little Mermaid
History of the figure: The Little Mermaid opened in theaters November 14, 1989. Ariel’s Undersea adventure opened at Disney’s California Adventure, June 3rd 2011.
Now please don’t kill me but I actually don’t love this design. I like the choice of Little Mermaid but she seems to be placed haphazardly on the back of the figure, kind of reminds me of a fathead on a wall. Here is what I do like: I absolutely love Flounder on the belly and the little bubbles. Here are my ideas that would have made this figure even better: Now hear me out, why not put Sebastian on a little sandy beach on one ear and Scuttle on the other ear and make Ariel smaller on the back so you get her whole body. OR you make her small on the back of the head and put the underwater Prince Eric statue on the back of the vinyl body. Dang! Good idea right? Thank you for sticking with me, I knew I wouldn’t let you down.
Little Green Man 
History of the figure: The Buzz Lightyear attractions (known as Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters, or Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, depending on the park) are all rides in Tomorrowland. Toy Story Midway Mania is also another Toy Story themed ride located at Disney’s California Adventure.
Man do I like these little guys but my one gripe from the moment I saw him was where is his antenna? Why not attach it in between the ears, heck even paint it in one of the ears. He seems lacking without it. The uniform is great though and the pizza planet button is a little detail I thoroughly enjoy.
Pongo 
History of the figure: 101 Dalmatians was released in theaters on January 25, 1961. There is no 101 Dalmatian themed attractions in any Disney park, sad I know
Pongo looks great on the mold. He is the original Furry Friend. The only thing to complain here is that 101 Dalmatians isn’t included in any Disney theme park, which really isn’t this figures fault.
