Olszewski update

[cstephens]

For anyone who might be interested, I've updated our site to include the most current release information.

Click on the "latest update" link, and then click on the link for the July 22, 2012 update, which includes updated release information (particularly for the last set of Electrical Parade floats and the Storybookland piece), pictures of paper mockups of the Fantasyland Skyway chalet, the Toontown train station and the Kodak kiosk/small world ticket booth, information and pictures of the long-awaited character/vehicle packs (including the Mickey pumpkin), information and pictures of the C.K. Holliday train which was released, information about the availability of the Disneyland Main Street and Fantasyland platforms, quick update on WDW/Magic Kingdom miniatures pieces, pictures of the first Pixar-themed pokitpals, and information and pictures of a new line of products called PlayScapes.

Thanks!

[spectromen]

lol @ the typos. I know, believe me, I know.

It was my understanding that the Soda Fountain was only absent because their resources were going towards the pin release and trading event this morning, 7/28; otherwise, they would have been there.

[Dr. G]

Thanks for the update!

[cstephens]

Just an fyi for any collectors who might be missing pieces of the miniatures collection, gallery of light or pokitpals - The Disney Gallery at Disneyland is holding a special sale event the weekend of September 21-23. If you're in the area, it would be a good time to pick up what you're missing at a discount and have Bob be there to sign it as well.

[cstephens]

For anyone who might be interested, I've updated our site to include the most current release information.

Click on the "latest update" link, and then click on the link for the February 2, 2013 update, which includes pictures of the last set of floats in the Electrical Parade series, updated release information regarding Storybook, the Carrousel and seasonal packs, pictures of mockups of more detailed Alpine chalet, sky buckets and Toontown train depot, and pictures of newly released Gallery of Light pieces and upcoming pokitpals.

Thanks!

[Dr. G]

As always, thanks for the update. I really look forward to these. There's certainly sticker shock on the Storybook Land and Carrousel pieces. It seems like they were first going to be around $500, then around $600, and now almost $700. Ouch. I guess the "good" news is there's really just one big release per year... Thanks again!

[Malcon10t]

Why do you do this to me??? WHY???? <sets up new savings account> Sees several new pokitpals in my future....

[cstephens]

There's certainly sticker shock on the Storybook Land and Carrousel pieces. It seems like they were first going to be around $500, then around $600, and now almost $700. Ouch.

Yeah, I know, I hear you. At least with Storybook, it's a pretty big piece. The Carrousel is just a "normal" piece. However, there's a lot of development going on with both pieces, as they are fairly complicated, so that adds to the price. There has also been a steady increase in the price of materials over the last 5 or so years. I don't generally pay attention since we're not missing any pieces, but the prices of re-released pieces are considerably higher than when those pieces were first issued, and that's because the manufacturing costs have gone up for various reasons. My understanding, though, is that both of those pieces are expected to be *very* popular, not just with Olszewski collectors but with others who are simply fans of those attractions. I'm hoping they keep the current AP discounts in place, cause that really helps.

There's also still development going on with the Matterhorn, and people have been asking about that for years. Given how much material that's going to entail, I shudder at what the price and weight of that would be, depending on how they build the internal structure. Discussion/argument has been going on for some time from people who *really* want the Matterhorn and who are willing to pay $1,000 for it if necessary, but they don't understand that a handful of people willing to pay that price isn't going to make the piece worth making. We'll see how that progresses.

Why do you do this to me??? WHY???? <sets up new savings account> Sees several new pokitpals in my future....

Hey, at least it's only pokitpals! For now.

I'm eager to see what the new Gallery of Light Star Wars one will look like. That might need to be added to my collection. And I know about another park attraction Gallery of Light that is in development, that would be AWESOME, so I'm hoping it makes it's way through development to production. It would be very popular, I expect.

[Kuzcofan]

Thanks for the update.
I noticed the paragraph about leaving the package for pickup later. I have had this occur to me before too and they explained why. I completely understand and agree with it. The reason I was told is because if it is a signed or limited edition it isn't replaceable. If they are holding something they are liable for it if it is lost or broken. If it signed or limited edition they can't replace it. So by not accepting it, it will not be their resposibilty. I can just imagine the problems they would have if they broke a signed one of a kind Olszewski statue.

[cstephens]

The reason I was told is because if it is a signed or limited edition it isn't replaceable. If they are holding something they are liable for it if it is lost or broken. If it signed or limited edition they can't replace it.

Yep, I get that. It would have been nice if that had been explained at the time. The explanation I got was later, from a third party, who happened to have known about this policy which is seemingly rarely used. My biggest objection is the whole "we've always done it like this" comment from the cast member, when I know for a fact that it isn't the case since I've used the package express service with no issue for our signed Olszewski merchandise for many years now. I've had other cast members use that line for other things as well, when it's been a week since the last time I was able to do something that they tell me they've NEVER allowed. It would be different if they said "I've always done it like this". They seem to think that if they tell you it's always been handled that way, you'll just believe them, even if you've personally experienced something different.

[Malcon10t]

Yep, I get that. It would have been nice if that had been explained at the time. The explanation I got was later, from a third party, who happened to have known about this policy which is seemingly rarely used. My biggest objection is the whole "we've always done it like this" comment from the cast member, when I know for a fact that it isn't the case since I've used the package express service with no issue for our signed Olszewski merchandise for many years now. I've had other cast members use that line for other things as well, when it's been a week since the last time I was able to do something that they tell me they've NEVER allowed. It would be different if they said "I've always done it like this". They seem to think that if they tell you it's always been handled that way, you'll just believe them, even if you've personally experienced something different.

I have also used package express several times for signed items, and in fact once even discussed the signing with the person taking the package (last Aug I think, Boyer signing.) Good to know.