DISNEY INFINITY Pirates of the Caribbean Characters

Posted on April 2, 2023 by Dis-LEE

Disney Infinity had the makings of a truly epic gaming platform that could have stood the test of time. But Disney decided to turn it into a Cash Cow by forcing gamers to buy new platforms every year if they wanted to use newly released characters. Duh! Sales went down. Duh! Disney cancels the initiative. Bean Counters 1. Disney Fans 0. You can read my take on this debacle here.

But with everything negative there is always a Silver Lining, and with that trope in mind, I give you the Disney Infinity Pirates of the Caribbean Characters:

Johnny Depp was the break out character from this Theme Park Attraction that became a blockbuster movie franchise. No one will ever forget the day that they almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!

But I think Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa was equally wonderful:

The level of detail on these figure sculpts is simply breathtaking. And the distinctive styling elevates these ‘mere’ game pieces to actual pieces of display artwork!

I also felt that the character of Davy Jones as played by Bill Nighy was simply next level:

So I now have three of the main pirates from the series as I add these two to my Captain Jack Sparrow game piece.

Again, what a shame Disney didn’t take a longer view of this platform. Instead of trying to make quick and ready cash in the short term, they could have kept releasing new characters, power discs, and levels, well, off into infinity!

Considering Disney named the gaming system after a word that means ‘a point in space or time that is or seems infinitely distant’, they certainly seemed to be very short sighted.

Posted in Attractions, Characters, Collectibles, Figurines, Gaming, Movies, Theme Parks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kellogg’s Mickey and Friends Eggo Waffles

Posted on April 1, 2023 by Dis-LEE

“Leggo of my Eggo!”

Every kid knows about Kellogg’s Mickey and Friends Eggo Waffles:

Do you remember screaming this at your brother or sister at the breakfast table? Did you fight over the first hot waffle to come out of the toaster? Kellogg’s marketing wanted this to be a childhood rite of passage.

In 1935, Frank Dorsa and his brothers used their mother’s kitchen to create what would later become an internationally beloved brand. Frank had a passion for finding ways to make things easier for people. That passion is what spurred him and his brothers to create a waffle mix that would evolve into what the world knows now as Eggo.

The manufacturing process is a system by which waffles are made on waffle irons, just like the ones you can find at home, and then flash frozen – thus creating the Eggo frozen waffle:

Obviously, shape is no problem. Just create a waffle iron with the desired shape, pour in the batter, and start cooking! These specialty waffles are made in the shape of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

The taste is the same as a regular Eggo waffle. If you like them, you’ll like these. They lack any real taste of their own, instead relying on butter and maple syrup to provide the flavour.

The back of the Mickey and Friends waffles have the same pattern as a regular Eggo. But I found a nice surprise if you ate them face up! You can store a nice extra pool of syrup in Mickey’s ears and Minnie’s bow. Yes, it’s all about the maple syrup!

Obviously these Eggo Mickey and Friends waffles are meant to evoke the excitement generated during a Disney vacation when you order Mickey Waffles. These tasty treats are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are so popular that Disney has created an entire line of merchandise in the shape of Mickey waffles! Mostly inedible, I believe.

Kellogg’s purchased Eggo in the 1970s and started the whole ‘Leggo of my Eggo!’ thing that rings out so iconic even over 50 years later. You can shout out this slogan no matter what someone has taken from you! A fun and functional phrase.

For more Mickey-shaped food fun, check out my Mickey Frozen Pizza.

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Book Review: Walt Disney Characters Needlepoint Book

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Dis-LEE

Publisher: Random House

Year: 1976

Pages: 96

Type: Hardcover

ISBN: 0-394-49910-7

“Embroidering your Disney friends on canvas.”

And who hasn’t thought about doing that? Me. I never thought about doing that until I found this old book in a Charity Shop! Even though it is in pretty bad shape, with writing within the pages and water damage, I still thought that the subject matter warranted saving it.

This is not the first craft / DIY book I have found depicting Disney characters in unusual mediums. Some day I would like to pay someone to create all of the projects. What a post that would make! But time and finances will forever forestall that kind of undertaking.

But if you are a fool for wool and just love spending hours on extremely intricate needle work, than maybe this book is for you!

Lisbeth Perrone spared no effort on this publication. She has provided numerous patterns to choose from featuring many of the most popular Disney cast.

The designs are fun and unique:

The first half of the book has images of the finished products with some of the stencils needed to produce them. The second half of the book contains the remainder of the stencils, along with the materials needed for each particular project:

If you’re interested, it is recommended to use 3-ply Persian-type wool or a 4-ply tapestry yarn. But don’t use standard knitting yarn as it will go slack over time and ruin your creations.

There are a few pages at the very front of the book explaining what tools you will need. Then a brief discussion of how to cut and tape your canvas. How to draw the outline of the pattern. How to keep the various colours straight for each design. Than you just have to stitch, block, and mount your work and you are done!

Honestly, she lost me at the description of a Basket-weave Stitch! But I’m sure it would all make sense to someone already skilled in needlepoint.

The designs and colours are totally 70s! But that is the charm and I think any of these finished projects would be a delight to have today.

I would give this book a 4.5 Out of 5 Stars. I think you would have to be quite an accomplished needlepoint person before attempting any of these designs. Some seem very intricate and would require a lot of time and meticulous craftsmanship. A novice might not end up with a recognizable product!

For an example of another book of crafts based on Disney characters from the 1990s, check out my previous Book Review of Disney’s Family Fun Crafts.

Posted in Artwork, Books, Characters, Clothing, Crafts, DIY, Fashion, Furniture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disney’s FROZEN II Anna Plush

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Dis-LEE

Frozen II was released in 2019 as the 58th animated film produced by the Walt Disney studio. It is the sequel to Frozen (2013). I hated both of them.

But I’m a collector at heart and did find something, or I should say ‘someone’, to like and add to my Disneyana collection. You can see my Olaf Build-a-Bear by clicking the link. But more recently, I also found a Disney’s Frozen II Anna Plush:

Anna’s costume is magnificent! It has so much detail and is applied to the plush in layers. A nice level of detail for what would have been an inexpensive item.

Elsa is the main female lead of the film but I feel that Anna is the one that actually deserves the admiration and emulation from young people. She is a true heroine and so a character I can enjoy despite her dreadful movie!

Imports Dragon invites us to “Unlock the magic of Imports Dragon to discover the amazing brands and toys we help bring to life every day! Explore our brands to uncover our latest products, watch fun content, play games and enter exciting contests. Visit regularly to make sure you don’t miss out on any new updates!” They offer no less than 62 distinct IPs to choose from. If you click the ‘Disney’ link on their site and then ‘Shop Now’ it will take you directly to the shopDisney official site. Most of the 62 links seem to take you to other selling sites for product.

An interesting feature of these dolls is the hair. It seems to have two layers, making it look like Anna is wearing a toupee!

The Rapunzel Disney Store plush has the same type of hair thing going on, only different.

Posted in Animation, Characters, Dolls, Movies, Plush, Princesses | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disney’s ‘The Cat From Outer Space’ Movie

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Dis-LEE

As a collector, I love having more than one version of something. It’s always interesting to see how they are the same and how they differ. Old technology often gets forgotten as it becomes obsolete. But I believe there’s history that deserves to be remembered in all old things!

In a world where streaming has become the preferred way to view movies, VHS and even DVDs are relegated to the Charity Shop or yard sale. But on Disleelandia, we’re putting two versions of Disney’s The Cat From Outer Space movie back on the viewing schedule:

I found the VHS copy recently and had to buy it if for nothing else than the awesome cover photo. I already had the DVD copy. Both contain the same movie, obviously, but the DVD has an extra minute of footage. It also has French and Spanish subtitles and a Widescreen presentation.

The Cat From Outer Space was released in 1978. If you haven’t seen this movie in awhile, it basically follows the story of a UFO that makes an emergency landing on Earth. The occupant turns out to be a cat named Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7. Since his Mother Ship can’t send a rescue party before it leaves the solar system, he sets about investigating how to repair the ship himself. Using a special collar that amplifies telekinetic and telepathic abilities, he recruits a lab scientist named Frank Wilson (Ken Berry) to help with the repairs.

As they say, hilarity ensues.

Why I buy actual hard copies of movies is to have the physical packaging with the artwork. They often make great display pieces! Often you can chart the differences in marketing from one release to another of the same product.

The VHS I have below was released in 1997:

The DVD I have below was released in 2004:

Just seven years makes a world of difference! The VHS looks more dated or vintage with the DVD looking more modern and flashy. As far as I can research, this movie has never been released on Blu-ray to compare any further progression of the packaging.

Well, as the marketers say: “There’s Disney Magic in the Memories”!

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Minnie Mouse CUBD Small Plush

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Dis-LEE

I’ve been a Disney fan for decades and a memorabilia collector for years, and just when I thought I’d seen every trend that Disney had hitched their characters to, along comes something that makes me go ‘Huh?’ I guess nothing should surprise me anymore. What a blockhead! No, wait… Minnie is the blockhead!

Think I’m being harsh? Nope. Check out this Minnie Mouse CUBD small plush:

This plush is about 4″ square, or cubed, and has one strange feature. Minnie has chosen to wear a bow, not only on her head, but also on her butt. Now that’s an interesting fashion statement!

Right Side
Back Side
Left Side

Cubd has produced many characters across a wide variety of IPs but doesn’t seem to be in business any longer.

I’ve tried to find the official website for this brand but when I enter the address found on the original store tags (above) I get redirected to a website for Cuba. It’s very nice, but not very helpful.

But the other company mentioned on the tags is the thenorthwest.com website. This company is very much still in business and producing Disney and other IPs. This is what they have to say about themselves:

The Northwest Group, LLC is the leader in Branded Home Textiles. As the number one throw manufacturer in the United States, Northwest continuously produces New, Innovative and Exciting products for the majority of the worlds’ most recognized and loved Brands in Sports, Entertainment and Lifestyle. In addition, we carry a full line of Northwest Original designs.

That said, I couldn’t find anything about Cubd in their ‘Search’ box.

No matter which of the six sides you choose to view this plush from, it’s just plain strange! Good thing I only paid $2.99 CAN for it at a local Charity Shop.

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POP! Ad Icons Pan Am Stewardess Figurines

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Dis-LEE

Pan American Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was an American airline that was the first airline to fly worldwide and pioneered numerous innovations of the modern airline industry. To say it has become an iconic brand is an understatement!

So it’s no wonder that we have these POP! Ad Icon Pan Am Stewardess figurines:

Representing one dress style, two bag choices, and three nationalities, these vinyl figures look simply gorgeous, darling!

Before we have a look at our three stewardesses in more detail, let’s have a look at ‘The Blue Meatball’:

Pan Am Douglas DC-8-32
Catch Me If You Can

There is no doubt that Pan American planes were instantly recognizable in airports around the world. The girls of Pan Am were instantly recognizable in airports! Why? Perhaps it was because of their unique and classy outfits.

First, we have the blue business suit with no bag. The uniform was designed by Evan Picone and the bowler hat was made by Borsalino, Italy:

No we have the uniform with the white bag with the blue logo:

Now we have the uniform with the blue bag with the white logo:

These gals can’t stand on their own two feet. No, they aren’t tipsy from attending one too many cocktail parties at 30,000 feet, it’s just that Funko insists on creating figurines with big heads and itty-bitty feet! For that reason, I am leaving them in the boxes and displaying them with my vintage airplane lamp:

Thank you for flying the Friendly Skies with us today. Please return your trays to the upright position, unfasten your seat belts, and run screaming to the nearest exit! Yes. We have crashed.

For an account from a real Pan Am Stewardess on what it was like to be working the aisles back in the day, check out this link.

FUN FACTS: Did you know that there was a Pan Am television series back in 2011? It lasted for one season and you can learn all about it by clicking this link.

Posted in Celebrities, Clothing, Collectibles, Fashion, Figurines, History, Transportation, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Art in Advertising by David K. Stone

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Dis-LEE

Publisher: Pitman Publishing Corp.

Year: 1961

Pages: 48

Type: Softcover

ISBN: 1-9876543

“…the success of the ad depends upon the illustration’s effectiveness.”

If you’ve ever wondered if you have what it takes to break into the world of advertising, this booklet is for you. It’s short and to the point but still packed with just about everything an aspiring artist would need to make a success with a pencil or paint brush.

I’m primarily drawn to these publications because of the vintage look and feel of them. And although they are decades old, they always seem to hold up in the advice and instruction they give. There truly is no school like the Old School!

The contents walk you through the process of choosing a specialty, obtaining the correct equipment, perfecting your drawing, and then selling your portfolio to an agency or client.

The four pages below are a sampling of the words of wisdom and graphic artwork used to teach this interesting profession:

I’ve included the next page because it explains the process of developing a cover, with this booklet’s own cover:

David K. Stone (1922-2001) was an American Illustrator. According to GoodReads, Stone was a native of Reedsport, Oregon and an illustrator of over 80 books and magazines. His paintings are part of a permanent collection in the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Princeton University, the Smithsonian Institution, Society of Illustrators, as well as in private collections.

It seems only natural that such a gifted and accomplish artist would create such a How-to booklet like Art in Advertising. He would have been in his late 30s when he created it, and at the peak of his profession. Over 60 years later, his experience still holds up!

I would give Art in Advertising a solid 4.5 Out of 5 Stars. As an artist myself, I could easily follow the instruction and know that it could be just as easily applied by even a novice. But it is a bit brief, so one would be better served by the booklet if they already had some art instruction from an accredited course.

I believe it’s true value today lies in it’s historical context.

Posted in Advertising, Artwork, Books, Education, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wreck-It Ralph Funko Soda VANELLOPE Figure

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Dis-LEE

“Au revoir, Admiral Underpants and goodbye, Major Body Odor. ” Oh yeah? Well: “Farewell, Baroness Boogerface!”

And with that distasteful exchange, we can start the third post of a three-part series featuring the main characters from the amazing Disney movie Wreck-It Ralph. In the Number Three spot we have another secondary character, but of the movie, not the other game in the movie! In her game, she is the title character. I know. It’s even more confusing.

Behold the Wreck-It-Ralph Funko Soda VANELLOPE figure:

Vanellope von Schweetz steals Ralph’s medal and uses it to buy her way into the nightly race that determines which characters will be playable the next day in her game of Sugar Rush, one of the games in the arcade in the Wreck-It Ralph movie. But she is forbidden to race because she has a glitch that causes her to move and teleport erratically, which endangers the other racers. Ralph agrees to help her get back in the race and Vanellope promises to give his medal back when she wins.

Funko Soda produced 8,400 regular figures and 1,600 Chase figures for this character. I got the regular figure:

Vanellope was voiced by Sarah Silverman.

Most girls would be upset to have a lollipop stuck in their hair, but Vanellope doesn’t seem to mind! In fact, she seems to have an entire candy store stuck in her ‘do.

These figures are small but fun and full of personality.

For more fun with Vanellope Von Schweetz, check out my post on Wreck-It Ralph merchandise at the now-defunct Disney Store.

RALPH / FIX-IT FELIX / VENELLOPE VON SCHWEETZ

Posted in Animation, Characters, Collectibles, Figurines, Gaming, Limited Edition, Movies, Princesses | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment