Disleelandia

Funko ‘Pop! Rides’ Jungle Cruise Figurine

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Dis-LEE

I saw that this Funko Pop figurine was released recently but thought you could only get it at the Disney Theme Parks. Then I was browsing in The Disney Store, as one does, and I found this World Famous Pop! Rides Jungle Cruise vinyl figure and… I fainted at the price.

Then I bought it anyway, as one does. It cost me $55.99 CAN (or $39.99 US), so please behold and enjoy:

It will be a real trial to decide whether to leave this in the box or to take it out and display it. I love the level of detail in the artwork on the box and so I feel it makes a good display piece in its own right. But the figurine is just so cool I want to look at it more closely!

What will I do?

I appreciate how the sides of the display box have windows to glimpse the figure within.

Our first glance at the Skipper. I wonder what his name is?

Not the back side of water unfortunately, but an interesting look at some of the features of the World Famous Jungle Cruise. Even the piranha look happy!

Even the top of the box has a display window.

Now let’s take the Congo Queen out of her berth for a closeup inspection:

Do you know the names of the boats from the Jungle Cruise attraction? Congo Queen is one of the boats found at the Walt Disney World version with the Congo Connie plying the waters of the Disneyland version.

So why is this boat called the Congo Queen? For an in-depth analysis of the connection between the Jungle Cruise, which sails in part through the Congo, and a certain movie called The African Queen, check out my earlier post entitled The African Queen Jungle Cruise.

You will also find a complete list of all the boat names from both Disney versions in that post.

The above picture shows many of the great little details to be found on this vinyl figure. Note the roof light, deck cleats, and rope rigging.

Nice touch to have the steam pouring out of the boiler!

Whoever he is, he’s rocking the standard issue Jungle Cruise Skipper hat.

Behind the figure in the box is a backing card that reproduces the artwork from the back of the box. But it adds some details and makes some changes. First, the hippos and piranha switch places. It adds two native shields/spears, one on each side of the picture. We can now see the lion rock, but with the zebra still alive and well, not just sleeping.

Lastly we have not one but two Jungle Cruise boats with skippers deep into their spiels. But… where are the passengers? After years of jokes about losing passengers, maybe they have finally snapped! After all, they get paid for the number of people they take out, not the number they bring back.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this post. If you did, then this is Lee and this has been the World Famous site called Disleelandia. If you didn’t, then my name is Mike and this has been from My Dreams of Disney.

Posted in Attractions, Collectibles, Figurines, Theme Parks | Tagged Attractions, Collectibles, Congo Queen, Figurines, Funko, Jungle Cruise, Pop! Rides, Theme Parks | Leave a comment

Mickey Mouse Playing Tennis Musical Figurine by Schmid

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Dis-LEE

I’m just going to go right ahead and lob this post at you! Then the ball will be in your court and it will be up to you to volley in response. Tennis, anyone?

If you got all that, then you must be a tennis pro, or at least, a tennis fan. Looking at Mickey, I can’t tell what category he falls into:

I tried to do some research on this piece but couldn’t find this exact figurine. There is an almost identical one with the only difference being Mickey’s ball arm is raised instead of lowered, like this one. Was this part of a multiple set where we follow Mickey through a complete serve? Unlikely, but interesting to consider.

This figurine works perfectly with a strong mechanism and loud, clear music. However, I have no idea what song it’s playing. And being as Schmid closed its doors in 1995, I can’t ask them! And if the stickers and printing on the base give the name of the song, as most Schmid musical figurines do, I can’t read them due to the pedestal base being in the way.

I’ve tried to find a definitive site for information on the Schmid company and a pictorial list of its extensive line of products, but one doesn’t seem to exist. If you know of one, please leave the link in the comments!

Note the tennis rackets and balls used as decorative detailing along the base. You can also see both the ‘Disney’ and ‘Schmid’ branding etched into the ceramics.

This would be a later release from the Schmid company as earlier versions have metal pedestal bases.

So we know this piece has at least one other variant. And it was likely part of a larger set with other Disney characters either playing tennis or some other sport. I googled different character names linked to tennis and Schmid, and no matches came up.

Well, I think this post has been a Grand Slam! But if you prefer a good drive to a fine serve, then maybe you should check out this earlier post on golf ball markers!

Posted in Collectibles, Figurines, Music, Sports | Tagged Collectibles, Figurines, Mickey Mouse, Musical Figurines, Schmid, Sports, Tennis | Leave a comment

‘Drink Coca-Cola in Bottles’ Tin Organizer

Posted on September 7, 2020 by Dis-LEE

I have in-laws who are currently decorating their home (mainly the kitchen) with a Coca-Cola theme. Being as I prefer Coke over Pepsi, I don’t mind donating to the cause when I come across something that might fit in.

My wife thinks they already have one of these replica storage tins, but two must be better than one when you’re trying to find space to store napkins and condiments! Of course, I could always keep it.

A six pack of ice cold Coke sounds so good right now! Who remembers buying pop/soda in glass bottles? Yup, then you’re old.

There is one main, longer compartment, with three smaller compartments beside it. I assume napkins would fit lengthways in the long compartment and condiments would be separated in the three square compartments.

Despite what it says on the sticker below, the tin actually measures 7″ long by 5″ wide by 7 1/2 ” high (to the handle) and 4 1/2 ” high on the side. So they were pretty close!

**By Tindex, The Tin Box Company, and presumably, China**

www.tindex.ca is a French manufacturing company out of Quebec, Canada. They offer custom tins designed and built to your specifications.

The Tin Box Company site offers more IP-based merchandise, including Coca-Cola products, one being very similar to what is featured in this post, but not exact.

And we have China. So who actually built this thing… who knows! But for only $9.97 back in 2008, you just couldn’t go wrong.

Posted in Advertising, Food, Merchandise | Tagged 6-Pack, Advertising, Coca-Cola, Coke, Food, Merchandise, Replicas, Storage Tin, The Tin Box Company, Tin Box, Tindex | Leave a comment

DVC ‘A Fairy Tale Vacation’ Promotional Postcards

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Dis-LEE

We’ve attended three presentations for the Disney Vacation Club (or DVC) system but just haven’t been able to put it all together yet.

But part of the fun of researching DVC as a holiday provider option is receiving promotional materials. Once on the list, they don’t forget you! But below I’m showing a great little gift I received from a friend who is actually a DVC member:

Not all gifts need to be big to be special! These postcards are just 4 1/4″ x 6″ and done in a sketch style.

Stitch is the perfect character to visit Disney’s first resort in Hawaii. Here he is pictured on a surfboard, wearing a lei, and dipping his toe in the waters.

Chip and Dale have brought their own snacks to EPCOT. Maybe they should have visited during the Food and Wine Festival!

Time for a Selfie with the whole gang at the Magic Kingdom. No holiday to Walt Disney World is complete without a visit to the Castle!

All three of the cards have the same back design. We see this promotion was from Disneyland. The tagline was “A Fairy Tale Vacation, year after year.”

We have several gifts from DVC. What is the favorite thing you have received?

Not a DVC Member either? If you want some ideas on how to save money on your next Disney vacation, check out this book review I did. It’s written by Kevin Barry and should help you to keep some of your money out of Mickey’s pockets!

Posted in Advertising, Artwork, Collectibles, Ephemera, Postcards, Travel | Tagged Advertising, Artwork, Chip and Dale, Collectibles, Disney Vacation Club, Donald Duck, Ephemera, Fab Five, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Postcards, Stitch, Travel, Vacation Planning | Leave a comment

‘Baymax Loves Disney’ Original Artwork

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Dis-LEE

Just a quick post to share a great piece of artwork featuring Baymax that we just received:

**Flying makes him a better care provider – Ba La La La La**

Big Hero 6 was a big hit for Walt Disney Studios in 2014 (the highest-grossing film of that year). Your Personal Healthcare Companion was a favorite character from the film.

A young friend of ours painted this Baymax Disney mashup.

Our adopted son, Heb, loves this artwork too! I think he wants us to hang it in his room.

We’ll let Baymax have the last words: “On a Scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this artwork?” I rate it high, and maybe it could even hang in the Disneyland Hotel! Check out what is hanging in the Disneyland Hotel by clicking here to view an earlier post.

Want to learn more about Baymax? Here’s a few tidbits for you:

Marvel’s Big Hero 6 comic books were around for 10 years before Big Hero 6 hit theatres.
Baymax’s motions are modeled after baby penguins.
Your “Personal Healthcare Companion’s” huggable design was inspired by a real robot.
Over 200 signs were designed for San Fransokyo.
For the film’s finale, the filmmakers consulted a theoretical physicist at CalTech.
Nearly 700 unique characters populate the film.
Legendary comic book artist John Romita Jr. has a producer credit on the film.

Posted in Artwork, Characters, DIY, Movies | Tagged Artwork, Baymax, Big Hero 6, Characters, DIY, Hidden Mickey, Movies | Leave a comment

Snoopy A to Z Throw Pillow from Hallmark

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Dis-LEE

At my time of life, the favorite time of day is bedtime! Oh, to be sent to my room in the middle of the day for a time out… yes, thank you! And I think Snoopy feels the same.

Oh, if only I was a little Beagle with a comfortable roof on my doghouse:

**Snoopy and I have the same favorite letter!**

The Peanuts gang has brought much humor and love into the world over the years. Snoopy, the hip dog ‘belonging’ to Charlie Brown, is by far the standout character. Although I primarily collect Disney merchandise, if any other IP is going to slip in, it’ll be Snoopy!

I’ve had this exact look on my face many a time.

Have you ever thought you’d just lay down for a little nap, only to find that your position isn’t quite right?

Trying another position, but that one just doesn’t do it either!

Ahhh! Now that’s the right way to sleep if you’re a dog on a roof (I’m a side sleeper, myself).

Okay, that last letter was out of order. Oops!

Hallmark has offered a great deal of wonderful merchandise over the last few years. Disney and Peanuts are two of the most popular IPs sold in their stores. I’ve mentioned before that Hallmark often has better Disney stuff than even the Disney Store! And when it comes to Peanuts merch, I’ve rarely found more interesting things than on a Hallmark shelf.

This little throw pillow rests on a shelf above our bed, reminding us to choose our best position and… sleep well!

For more Peanuts merchandise, see what I found at Canada’s Wonderland by clicking the link.

Posted in Artwork, Merchandise | Tagged Alphabet, Artwork, Charles M. Schulz, Hallmark, Merchandise, Peanuts, Pillows, Snoopy | Leave a comment

Bullseye Plush Purse – Pixar’s Toy Story 2

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Dis-LEE

It’s rare for a sequel to rise above ‘also-ran’ status, but Pixar’s follow up to the hugely popular Toy Story movie (now a franchise) was arguably better than the original! I prefer to say ‘as good as’ because the first introduction of an idea that begets more of it can’t be second best. So says I! But after Buzz Lightyear, the cute little horse and Woody sidekick, Bullseye, has become one of my favorite Disney characters. I am guilty of collecting too much merchandise featuring this little horse that rides like the wind:

To display this Plush Purse, I have used the chain handle to hang Bullseye from our bedroom ceiling. Unorthodox, sure, but effective!

Behold the cuteness!

One of the jokes from Toy Story 2 is that Bullseye has Andy’s name spelled out on his feet, one letter per hoof. But when called upon to display his child’s name, he mixes up the spelling. He does eventually arrange the letters to spell ANDY.

As far as purses go, the little girl that carries this one better be travelling light!

So maybe you could find one of these little purses for your little girl and give her the best friend anyone in the Wild West ever had!

If you think Bullseye is cute as a purse, check him out as an animal cracker!

Posted in Characters, Clothing, Movies, Pixar, Plush | Tagged Bullseye, Characters, Clothing, Movies, Pixar, Plush, Purses, Sequels, Toy Story 2 | 2 Comments

Phillips 66 Die Cast 1939 Chevrolet Panel Truck

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Dis-LEE

The Mother Road is so iconic that many companies have incorporated at least the number ’66’ into their names in an attempt to ride the popularity to increased business and profits. The Phillips Petroleum Company was no exception, thus: Phillips 66. It was founded by Lee Eldas “L.E.” Phillips and Frank Phillips and incorporated on June 13, 1917.

Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 by the National Highway Commission. It begins in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Santa Monica, California—a distance of 2450 miles. Apparently some time in 1927, the “Phillips 66” name for the gasoline came about by a combination of events. The specific gravity of the gasoline was close to 66; the car testing the fuel did 66 miles per hour; and, the test took place on US Route 66.

The Phillips 66 shield logo, linking it to U.S. Route 66, was introduced in 1930 in a black and orange color scheme that would last nearly thirty years. In 1959, Phillips replaced these colors with red, white and black, the one still deployed. And so we have another cool ’66’ logo to enjoy and collect.

Most vintage automobile shows you attend will have many cars and perhaps some pickup trucks on display. But I always gravitate to the work vehicles like the Panel Truck modeled here. How cool would it be to have one of these awesome rides with your business name on the side? Rolling up to a clients house would certainly make a lasting impression.

Greenlight Collectibles, producers of authentic die cast replicas, is very active in the market today. Their product line is too vast to cover here so I certainly encourage you to click the link and visit the website for yourself.

Before you do, however, check out this beauty:

I love this truck. I would live in this truck. I would marry this truck. I may have a problem. Does anyone know a good therapist?

Also known as The Main Street of America, Route 66 has been made famous and eternal by both song and pictures. (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 lists many of the stops along the highway that are still visited today, and the television show Route 66 (a bit ‘On the Nose’ there) kept the interest alive. Henry Fonda travelled down US 66 in The Grapes of Wrath depicting how it was used as a primary route for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

History. A cool collectible. And interesting trivia. What more can one post provide?

Posted in Advertising, Collectibles, Die Cast, History, Signage, Transportation | Tagged 1939 Chevrolet Panel Truck, Advertising, Chevrolet, Collectibles, Die Cast, Greenlight Collectibles, History, Phillips 66, Phillips Petroleum Company, Route 66, Running on Empty, Series 10, Signage, Transportation | Leave a comment

Disney’s The Great Locomotive Chase Magazine Ad Page

Posted on August 22, 2020 by Dis-LEE

The Great Locomotive Chase is a 1956 American historical adventure film produced by Walt Disney. It was based on the real locomotive chase of 1862 which occurred during the American Civil War.

Walt was a history buff and so it is not uncommon to find a film like this in his ‘canon’. It also afforded him the opportunity to reuse one of his favorite actors, Fess Parker, of Davy Crocket fame.

To be clear, I did not rip anything out of anything. I wouldn’t do that! I merely purchased it from someone else who did. Of course, being as this page comes from 1956, I think we can be forgiven this minor bout of vandalism!

I love finding pieces of old advertising like this magazine page. It’s always interesting to see how a film was marketed and to see the great artwork that was used. Let’s have a closer look at the primary cast:

The films main star is Fess Parker as James J. Andrews, the leader of a group of Union soldiers who volunteered to go behind Confederate lines in civilian clothes. The mission was to steal a Confederate train and drive it back to Union lines. To discourage interference, they tore up railroad tracks and destroyed bridges and telegraph lines along the way.

No coon skin caps were worn during the making of this film.

The production would have been especially exciting for Walt as it featured not one, but four, authentic steam locomotives! The steam engine upon whose exploits the film is based, the General, was represented in the film by the William Mason locomotive, built in 1856 but preserved in operating condition in Baltimore, Maryland, to this day.

Jeff Hunter plays William A. Fuller in the film, but you may remember him for his later television role, where he played Captain Christopher Pike in the original 1965 pilot episode of Star Trek.

The film reteamed Fess Parker with Jeff York, who had portrayed Mike Fink (King of the River) in the 1954-1955 Davy Crockett miniseries. York even gets another great song to sing with “I Stole A Locomotive Just to Take a Ride ‘Cause My Daddy Was A Railroading Man”. Well, okay then!

John Lupton plays another William in the film, this time William Pittenger. But it wasn’t to be his only Disney film appearance. He later acted in The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973) as the race starter, The Whiz Kid and the Carnival Caper (1976), The Young Runaways (1978), and The Secret of Lost Valley (1980). Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of these films as they weren’t exactly blockbusters, with some released directly to television.

And there you have it. For just $5.00 CAN I have a great piece of ephemera to add to my growing stack of paper collectibles. For more Disney-themed print advertising pages, click the link!

FUN FACTS: Ephemera, in case you were wondering, are items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity.

Posted in Advertising, Artwork, Ephemera, History, Movies | Tagged Advertising, Artwork, Civil War, Ephemera, Fess Parker, History, Jeff Hunter, Jeff York, John Lupton, Movies, Steam Trains, The Great Locomotive Chase | Leave a comment

Mickey & Friends Travel Trailer Insulated Lunch Bag

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Dis-LEE

Mickey’s Trailer is one of the best Disney Shorts in my humble opinion! It came out in 1938 and starred Mickey with Donald Duck and Goofy along for the trip. It turns out to be a near disastrous vacation with plenty of perilous and death-defying antics! Just what one would expect when this trio gets together. Danger is best shared with friends so Mickey decided to add his best friend, Pluto, for a second road trip, commemorated with this very nice Travel Trailer Lunch Bag:

Yes, as the fender sticker says: “The Adventures Begin Here!” One wonders if they would be smiling if they knew what kind of adventures were likely awaiting them?

Also notice the Hidden Mickey sunrise/sunset over a mountainous terrain.

The level of detail on this piece is amazing. You can see the hitch and the dual propane tank cover at the front of the trailer. Nice touches!

The detail continues on the drivers side with a vent and one more sticker, which says: “Smore Adventures Please” with two crossed sticks with marshmallows on them. I second the sentiment with my own “Yes, please!”

If you compare each side of the trailer, you’ll find Donald, Goofy and Pluto seen from the front and from the back. Another nice touch!

We have two features on the back of the trailer. One is the Hidden Mickey hubcap on the spare tire, which is also on each of the main tires.

Then the license plate is ‘EST. 28’ which of course refers to Mickey’s first appearance on screen in the Short Plane Crazy. Perhaps foreshadowing his luck with the different forms of transportation he would use throughout his career, Mickey crashes the plane in the end!

This trailer is vintage and old school so no air conditioning unit is to be found on the roof. Only a strap for lifting and carrying.

Another wonderful feature of this Lunch Bag is that the door opens revealing a place to slide and hide your smart phone.

As per the title of this post, the inside of this Lunch Bag is insulated to keep your edibles cool. So I guess this trailer does have a type of air conditioning!

Under the top flap that you open to access your delights is a picture of Mickey with the saying: “Go Places” along with a few lines to put your name and address. Handy, as when one travels with Mickey and friends, getting lost is just part of the itinerary! Having this information available may help rescuers return the trailer to your home. You, on the other hand, will be on your own.

Prefer to brown bag it? Check out these great little promotional food bags from Subway restaurants by clicking the link!

FUN FACTS: Mickey’s Trailer was the 100th Mickey Mouse Short released and hit theaters just about five months after the block buster sensation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

FUN FACTS: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has a similar ending to the earlier Mickey’s Trailer. Goofy is the driver in both Shorts and is just as oblivious to the mayhem around him in both appearances! At the end of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, when the cars reattach to the train after dangerously careening around, Goofy joyously tells the ‘Nit Pickers’ Mickey and Minnie that “I told ya nothin’ was gonna go wrong!” while at the end of Mickey’s Trailer, when they arrive reasonably intact at the bottom of a treacherous mountain pass, he says “Well, I brought you down, safe and sound.” History repeats itself and some goofs never change!

Posted in Food, Merchandise, Shorts, Transportation | Tagged Donald Duck, Food, Goofy, Lunch Bag, Merchandise, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Shorts, Trailer, Transportation | Leave a comment