Give me a few minutes and I'll explain when i get home. - IndyandMarion  913.0 #1 1:27PM

It's a collectable. It started in Japan in the 90s (not Disney) as a blank vinyl figure. Using it as a canvas, the artist could put any design they wanted, a form of animation... Hence: Vinylmation. In the early 00s, Disney celebrated Mickey's 75 Bday. They asked celebrities to create a giant figure as they saw fit. In 2008, Disney unveiled the Create Your Own figure at the Festival of the Masters at DTD. In November (I believe), Disney released the first collection: Park 1. These figures were the artists (Mostly Disney painters) were representations of an attraction, character, et. From around the parks all over. They announced that each set would have 12 figures, 11 you could see on the box as a preview and 1 Mystery Chaser in which you didn't know what it was (making it the mist difficult to get). - IndyandMarion  913.0 #1 1:47PM

Lol Indy! :) - PixieDust76  73.7 #59 1:52PM

Nit all are $10. Some range from 9.95-12.95 for one 3". The 9" are $45. The 9"/3" combo sets are about $70. Special edition two packs (which sell out quickly the day of release) are 26.95. A tray of 24 figures (a complete set of 11 plus one mystery figure and another set without the mystery figure will set you back about $300). Now. The small 3"boxes. You don't know which is in it (and please don't open the box trying to peek inside. The figure is kept inside a sealed packet inside the box. Opening the box without paying for it is wrong, and it also prevents that from being sold. On the side of the box, you'll see pictures of the figures in the set (NOT which figure is in that certain box) to give you an idea of what is in the set. - IndyandMarion  913.0 #1 1:54PM

Thank you Indy! I knew you would know the backstory. My Florida MWs are so much more helpful than California MWs. I had a feeling they originated in Japan, they just have that look. Your timeline helps too. I didn't see them in October 2008 (you mention they came out in November) and when I was back in October 2010 they were everywhere! - CollegeDisneyKnowledgeGrad  393.6 #6 1:54PM

No problem. Glad I could help. - IndyandMarion  913.0 #1 1:56PM

I'm going to DL this October. Is there anything special I should be on the lookout for in the way of Vinyls? - CollegeDisneyKnowledgeGrad  393.6 #6 1:58PM

It all depends. Go look at destination Vinylmation or vinylnation (.net) and look at what's coming up. When you're here, go to D-Street and look around. - IndyandMarion  913.0 #1 2:08PM

We collect only the ones we like, we don't buy full sets just to have a whole series. They are extremely addicting, so be careful! You can trade at the parks and local Disney stores which is fun to do, especially if you are looking for a specific vinyl. - Andrea84  297.2 #15 3:18PM

To elaborate on what Andrea said about trading: At various areas at all four parks, DTD as most Disney resorts have displays called Trader Boxes. These are a fun way to trade the figures you don't want. Typically there is a black box of 15 slots. You don't know what figure is in each slot. Pick a number and you trade your figure for that figure in the slot. If you don't like that one, you can trade for one in an three slot clear box (you can see what's in it). Sometimes you'll get a CM who won't make you trade it if you don't want it, and may give you another chance. Heck, I've had a few that have asked what I'm looking for and have helped me out in getting it. - IndyandMarion  913.0 #1 3:27PM

This is fascinating! I knew I was missing out on something. I will have to keep my eyes out for these things. - CollegeDisneyKnowledgeGrad  393.6 #6 3:41PM

And now no one buys trolls like we did back in the day. - Westcoast  61.3 #3551 5:30PM

Thanks for the explanation, Indy. I didn't know much of that myself. - ally  440.3 #4 6:05PM

Think I'll start a Vinylmation FAQ on here to bump when needed. - IndyandMarion  913.0 #1 6:23PM

Interesting and cool facts. I just recently started collecting vinyls. Thanks. - CherryTreeLane  456.4 #269 7:14PM

What is a "chaser"? (In Vinylmation language, not bar language.) - CollegeDisneyKnowledgeGrad  393.6 #6 12:58AM

Each case has 24 Vinyls, 2 of each design and one mystery chaser. Because there is only 1 per case the chasers are harder to find - LBChica  1500.2 #52 1:08AM

Thanks. I was wondering. Myself. I see post about them. - mommytoaprincess1207  12.5 #167 1:09AM

@Indy A Vinylmation FAQ would be awesome - LBChica  1500.2 #52 1:13AM