D23 EXPO 2013: Exclusives

[JeffSaylor]

Mattel, Hallmark, Huffy, and Ridemakerz Join In The Disney Fun...


The D23 Expo just finished its third run in the park this past weekend and there’s no bigger collector of collectibles than Disney fans. There were not one, not two, but THREE official Disney merchandise locations at the Expo that all contained their own exclusive content.

The Dream Store was where you could get more theme park style merchandise including Vinylmation (vinyl collectibles shaped like Mickey Mouse), artwork, apparel, and games. The Disney Store had some exclusive content more focused on Disney animated properties like dolls, and plush supporting Planes and Frozen. And lastly, Mickey’s of Glendale was the official store of Walt Disney Imagineering, merchandise that is usually off limits to the casual Disney fan.

There was also a Collector’s Forum, an area where exhibitors from all over could sell their own collections of authentic Disney memorabilia. The Silent Auction was also available for the more wealthy to own a piece of Disney property, such as a Matterhorn Bobsled ride vehicle.

But that’s not all, several other vendors had some exclusives available only at the D23 Expo 2013:

MATTEL

Mattel had two exclusives this year and they were both great. The first was the Disney-Pixar CARS exclusive, The Convoy Brothers. This four pack of die-cast RVs are "The King’s" biggest fans. Each RV is a unique sculpt and comes in a great display box and outer box with the Dinoco Motor Oil design on the outside. This item ran $100 and sold out FAST.





The second Mattel exclusive was made in larger quantities and much more reasonable: The Toy Story Small Fry Buzz Lightyear figure. Featured in the Toy Story short, Small Fry, this “Happy Meal” sized figure was tired of waiting in the display of Poultry Palace and took the place of Buzz Lightyear. Priced at $25, the figure comes in a great display complete with paper food and a kid’s meal box design. The writer and director Angus Maclane also made himself available to autograph the figures.





RIDEMAKERZ

There aren’t a lot of Ridemakerz locations but having one in Downtown Disney Anaheim makes it easier to have some presence. This shop that features customizable remote control cars offered guests a limited edition D23 Lightning McQueen for $75 and limited to only 500 pieces.




HALLMARK

The company famous for greeting cards has long been an essential destination for collectible ornaments. This year, they’re offering two exclusive ornaments to the D23 Expo audience: Cinderella’s Castle ($35) and a Sorcerer Mickey Itty Bitty ($10).




HUFFY BICYCLES

Huffy Bicycles, long recognized for its bicycle innovations, launched a special run of limited edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse cruisers at Disney’s D23 Expo. Huffy produced only 1,000 of each Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse design, and D23 Expo attendees had the opportunity to purchase a cruiser and receive a frame badge engraved with the individual production number.





Both cruisers have aluminum frames and combine vintage Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse styling with custom features. Solid craftsmanship was used to create features ranging from the intricate sprocket design to the retro styled front bicycle headlight on the Mickey Mouse cruiser and the fabric lined wicker basket on the Minnie Mouse cruiser. The Mickey Mouse face and ears icon is sculpted into several components, including the chrome grip end caps, the fender caps and – everyone’s favorite – the valve stems. The fenders feature movie graphics from Disney’s classic cartoon short “Steamboat Willie,” and each cruiser features collector packaging, complete with a numbered certificate of authenticity.





In addition to the limited edition models available at D23 Expo, Huffy is developing a special edition version of the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse cruisers which will available in spring 2014. The special edition cruisers will feature timeless Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse designs plus exciting new features, and will be sold at nationwide retailers. Visit HERE and enter your email address to receive updates about the special edition Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse cruisers.

The next D23 Expo will return in 2015.

CLICK HERE FOR A D23 PHOTO GALLERY TOUR!

Story and Photography by David Yeh

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