The Green Girl's First Exposure to Disney Vinylmation

Disney Vinylmation Toy Story 3 Series

The Girl Green was exposed to the world of Disney Vinylmation when she visited the Walt Disney World Resort for the Disney Princess Half Marathon.

The Vinylmation series consists of sets Mickey Mouse figures that are painted and sometimes accessorized to resemble characters and objects from Disney theme parks.

According to the Vinylmation Faq, although the figure is shaped like Mickey Mouse, it does does not represent the 'character' Mickey Mouse. The form is seen as a blank three-dimensional canvas upon which Disney artists can express their creativity.

Disney Vinylmation Toy Story 3 Series Buzz Lightyear

I initially accused Rad Runner Girl of being a Pin Collector when she shared her interest in Vinylmation collecting and trading with me. I quickly changed my tune when I discovered the Buzz Lightyear Vinylmation Figure.

Unfortunately, Buzz happened to be fall into the category of Vinylmation Figures that are sold in secretive sealed packaging so a buyer has no way of knowing which character they are getting until they tear open the foil wrapping.

Disney Vinylmation Toy Story 3 Series

I had written off any hopes of obtaining a little Buzz Vinylmation of my own until Rad Runner Girl explained the whole Vinylmation trading phenomenon to me.

At select Disney stores, they have a window box with three Vinylmation characters that are available for trade. In addition, some stores feature a blind 'mystery box' which is a black box with numbered 1 through 24. The mystery box rules vary from store to store so we learned it's important to ask upfront.

Rex staring at the Buzz behind the glass

Armed with my newfound knowledge of Vinylmation, I bravely made my first purchase and ended up with a very concerned looking Rex.

This is where the adventure began. Rad Runner Girl and I went from store to store trying to find a Buzz so I could trade in my unwanted Rex. We shook boxes and tried to muster x-ray vision to infiltrate the packaging.

At D Street we ran into an avid collector who tipped us off that the secret to finding a Buzz was to find the heaviest box because his helmet added weight.

Andy found me my Buzz!

Unfortunately, as talented as we are, neither Rad Runner Girl nor I could differentiate with certainty the weight of the boxes.

We resorted to sticking boxes in the hands of strangers and asking them which was heavier.

Fortuitously, one of these strangers happened to be a professional Buzz Vinylmation locator by the name of Andy.
With unparalleled precision, Andy lifted each Toy Story 3 series box until he came across a Buzz. He handed over the box with confidence and said, 'This is your Buzz!'.

The Green Girl's Buzz

I quickly purchased the potential Buzz and ripped open the package.

I squealed when I saw how handsome Buzz looked in his protective helmet.

I thanked Andy profusely and asked him to pose for a picture with my Buzz.

It was the perfect fairy tale ending to the Green Girl's Vinylmation story.

Buzz and Rex

What if the Green Girl gets another dinosaur? A mean one?! I just don't think I can take that kind of rejection! Rex
I'm Buzz Lightyear. I come in peace. Buzz Lightyear
Oh, I'm so glad you're not a dinosaur! Rex