Scoop's Pin Talk ~ February 1, 2006

Presented by DisneyGuys Daniel!!

It's Pins. It's People. It's Pins. It's Prizes. It's Pins. It's Pin-formation.
Did I mention it was Pins?

Everyone who has been fortunate enough to be on Main Street for one of Scoop Sanderson's One O'clock Pin Talks knows they are fun, full of information about pins, air conditioned, and in addition to increasing your knowledge of pins, you just might walk away with a pin prize. But if you have the opportunity to be in town for one of Scoop's Special Edition Pin Talks, then run don't walk (well... Disney Security will yell at you if you really run so I guess just walk, but get there) to the movie theatre in the back of Exposition Hall. Make sure you arrive early enough to get a seat (and move all the way across filling in every available seat) because you will be more comfortable and sometimes Pin Games are organized to include just enough people as there are seats in the theatre. Of course, most of the Special Edition Pin Talks are "standing room only" but don't worry because there are plenty of chances to win a prize for everyone in attendance.

Excuse the interruption, but can someone explain why there is a picture of a purple petunia on my camera?

Anyway....

Today (Wonderful Wednesday February First), was no exception to the "You gotta be at this Pin Talk" rule as there was a plethora of pin prizes and a pile of pin previews. So, let's get right to it! There's Scoop Sanderson, Main Street Councilperson and eager reporter for the Main Street Gazette, who welcomes everyone. (insert spontaneous applause) Scoops distributes "Honorary Citizen" of Main Street U.S.A. buttons to everyone who has arrived on time at 1:00. He is also proudly peacocking a new pin that has magically appeared on his vest.

It's Pin 42779: WDW - Cast Champion Pin Trader Award 2005. Congratulations, Scoop!

Just before kicking off the Talk, Scoop introduced Brian, a new pin trader, who recently returned from duty in Iraq and more recently was presented with a Donald U.S.A. Lanyard Series pin as a "Thank You" for a job well done.

Since everyone is here for a Special Pin Talk, Scoop was ready to step out of the spotlight and put on his Press Hat to cover all the pin news that is sure to be presented. He introduces the Godfather of Pins for Walt Disney World Steven A(dorable) Miller. Now, Steven is a familiar face to everyone who has attended a pin event in the last few years (and "no" there won't be any pin events until September... so let's just get that out of the way). Steven is the point person for anything pins at Walt Disney World, the Cruise Line and his new empire in New York City at the World of Disney Store. If there is anything someone wants to know about pins, then Steven is the guy to ask. Of course, it doesn't mean he will tell you the answer, but he knows... oh, yes... he knows.

Steven takes the stage to applause (and at least one "Woo-Hoo") while sporting a stylish new haircut.

While Steven begins his presentation, all eyes are on his dangler. Steven shows off a cool, new lanyard with matching pin and dangler that will be coming out soon. It is an Asian influenced design with dragons in a Mickey head shape reminiscent of the dragon surprise pins from WDW. It will be an open edition set so don't start lining up, yet. You can see the cool design on the strapping of his lanyard...

... and here is a shot of the big dangler.

Next, Steven showed off a great framed set that will be at WDW around March. This set is based on the artwork that was created for the 50th Celebration and is sold as posters and gicleés.

Disney has taken the art, put at least eleven pins on it and will sell it as a beautiful framed set.

Steven told everyone about how the pin designers for WDW recently visited the Imagineering Archives in California. We can look forward to new pins that will be influenced by Imagineering art, but one interesting piece that Steven was able to share is based on "It's a Small World." To be ultimately released as a framed set in an edition of 300, this piece will incorporate both limited edition pins (around LE 2000) and open edition pins.

The art work is based on designs that Imagineers developed to incorporate Disney characters from the animated features into a refurbished Small World. While the idea was dropped by Imagineering, the art will live on as pins. Steven is showing some of the pin designs and the center art that will be the background for the framed set.

Steven loves the "vintage" Disney World art, and while he claims to not be old enough to remember it, he showed off the art for another framed set we can look forward to buying. (No... that is NOT a pin pursuit map... thanks for asking)

This framed set will include nine character pins on a very 70's stylized park map (NOT pursuit map). And even though the framed set will be limited, the pins will be available separately (á la Pin Pursuit but it's not) and on special backer cards like the second one from the left with Goofy.

THIS... on the other hand IS a pursuit map — the final Pin Pursuit map. Look for it in March and then that is it for Pin Pursuits. So to all of those folks who always had ten maps and claimed their children were just outside the gift shop... thank you very much.

This final pursuit (and one of the best looking so far) will be transportation themed while the completer pin will be the entry archway that we all drive under as we enter Walt Disney World property. "Good-bye Pin Pursuits", and "Hello" to something new to get everyone excited about going to seven different locations across property on the same day. Hopefully something that everyone will be able to complete without having to run out of the completer pin because you didn't beat someone with ten maps to the finish line.

In case you didn't know, there is another Star Wars Weekend schedule for 2006, from May 19 through June 11. While there will be plenty of pins available during that event (note: merchandise event... not pin event... no pin events until September... GET IT!), here is a preview of two open edition pins that will be Mickey with his light saber and a new favorite, Darth Tater.

If the designs work out, there will also be a Super Jumbo for Star Wars Weekend that includes a galaxy of characters from the Star Wars movies.

Now for the news about the Cast Lanyard Series. After carefully considering all the speculation that has been posted in this thread already, here is what is happening according to the Man-in-the-Know Steven. The Cast Lanyard Series.... is coming to an end. Well, sort of. The Cast Lanyard Series is being re-marketed, re-vamped, re-engineered, but mostly just re-named to the "Hidden Mickey Pin Collection." Get it... the little Mickey heads that are now found on all the current Cast Lanyard Series pins (look down in the lower right corner... yeah... that one). BUT... you can probably look forward to a re-appearance of some of the most popular CLS pins from the earlier series being re-released so everyone has another chance to complete their series. And in an effort to help educate guests about the Cast.... I mean... "Hidden Mickey" Pin Collection, you will be able to find new additions to some of the series on the racks in the pin stores. Yes, it is to educate and not just generate revenue. The new additions to some of the series will be on special backer cards with information about the series and how to find them (and if Disney is smart... a check-off list).

These new designs (and expect more than is pictured) for the existing series will be slightly larger (just to annoy the collectors who are compulsive about consistency). Since you will be paying for them, Disney figured you might want something bigger for your buck (more like nine bucks). So, throwing out any desire to have a nice matching, complete set of CLS/HM pins, you can look forward to buying these (with more designs to follow).

Steven was brave enough to open the Pin Talk to questions.

Some of the information that was gleamed during the answers included how much Steven likes the little things in life including mini-pins. Very popular with new designs at Hong Kong Disneyland, look for sets of mini (aka cutie) pins to come to WDW. Sold in sets of four and more, these little pins will not weigh down your lanyard and will be tradable individually.

There were also questions about Sedesma pins (Hey, Sedesma has a license from Disney to produce pins), and a question about "scrapper" pins which elicited a fairly company line response about how Disney Legal is doing everything they can.

With another great presentation of previewable pins coming to a close, Scoop stepped up to thank Steven for sharing his time and giving us a peek at what is coming soon to the pin world. Steven departed to shouts of thanks and rounds of applause. Again, it is worth mentioning that it is a great way to spend an afternoon by attending one of these Special Edition Pin Talks when guest speakers join Scoop.

Now it was time for more fun as Scoop set about putting on a few games to give away the grand assortment of pin prizes provided by Steven. After swearing to "Just have fun" and say "Thanks" while not getting upset at receiving a free pin, Scoop continued the fun and games by finding nine people in the audience who had received "special" buttons at 1:00. Those nine were split into three teams of three to assemble a jigsaw puzzle and solve the clue to present a correct pin. For those who might want to play along, here is the completed jigsaw. Can you solve the puzzle and come up with the name of a "classic" Disney character and post a picture of a pin with that character?

While they were solving, the rest of the seated audience was allowed to select by number from Scoop's Amazing Pin Rack of Surprises. Each selection included a pin prize, and some were extra special surprises.

Then, there were trivia questions for everyone else with more pin prizes. Finally one of the teams solved the pin puzzle (yes, it took longer than expected and I think my photo is angled to make solving a bit easier). Then there were prizes for the losing teams of boxed pin sets, event pins, and other great limited edition pins. First the members of the losing teams had to answer trivia questions FROM THE 1800's. Finally, the winning team members answer a few more tough but ancient trivia questions to select their grand prizes from a selection of great pins. You gotta get to these Pin Talks!

Scoop thanked everyone for being there and being part of this Special Edition Pin Talk. Everyone gathered up their prizes and headed out into the 70° Florida sunshine to enjoy the rest of this Wonderful Wednesday in the Magic Kingdom.

Watch the boards and Dizpins.com for announcements when "official" news is released for the next Special Edition Pin Talk with Scoop Sanderson. AND don't forget that you can drop by for plenty of fun and pins with Scoop during the scheduled Pin Talks at 1:00 Sunday through Wednesday (subject to change, of course). I'll see ya there!

Many many thanks to Daniel for this great report and the pictures!!