Dumb ?s about WDI....

[Mali87]

Ok so here are my questions.....

Where exactly is WDI in CA and how often do they have/release pins? I just became familiar with Pin pics, DSF pins, and DPF and I keep hearing traders talking about WDI pins and I see them alot in trading books/here on DPF. To my understanding WDI is only open to cast members right??

I feel somewhat retarded asking bc I have been a trader since early 2000, but just recently learned all this new info when I had an DLR annual pass last year. Trading has gotten alot more high tech since my day.... jeez I feel old saying that haha.

Fellow pin traders please edumacate me on this subject :wavey::hsd:

 

[TheOtherSteve]

WDI (Walt Disney Imagineering) is in the Glendale area and they have a Cast only store. The past few years they have had events where D23 members (along with a guest) can get into the store. Pin releases are pretty random. Cast members can take a guest into the store.

 

[Mali87]

Ahhh okay thank u TheOtherSteve! When u say random do u mean like DSF where when they release stuff there's cool pins and other times than that there are either no pins or meh pins? lol

 

[Phoenix]

WDI also tends to set up a booth at the Disneyana fan club collectors expo. That is another way the public can get access to the pins. On their website it states that the next one is Feb. 17th 2013.

 

[magicmickey89]

Only for D23 members

WDI also tends to set up a booth at the Disneyana fan club collectors expo. That is another way the public can get access to the pins. On their website it states that the next one is Feb. 17th 2013.

 

[Mali87]

Hmm shoot I think I think I need to become a D23 member soon to get access to all these beautiful pins lol

 

[TheOtherSteve]

Ahhh okay thank u TheOtherSteve! When u say random do u mean like DSF where when they release stuff there's cool pins and other times than that there are either no pins or meh pins? lol

I think only Cast members have access to the WDI release schedule (if there even is one???). Disneyland releases every Thursday and DSF does either on a Film opening day or a Saturday and both are publically available at least a month in advance (except for Surprise pins).

WDI should have an area at the D23 Expo in August too.

 

[TheOtherSteve]

Hmm shoot I think I think I need to become a D23 member soon to get access to all these beautiful pins lol

D23 membership only allows you access at certain events (maybe 3 or 4 times a year). This year, at both the Disneyana events and at the Expo (which also costs $$$ to get into) and the D23 Events at WDI:

Mickey’s of Glendale, the Walt Disney Imagineering employee store in Glendale, California, will open its doors exclusively to D23 on Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, June 8. Members will have an opportunity to purchase limited-edition merchandise and view the park-like grounds at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts’ creative “think tank.” Additionally, in 2013, D23 will partner with Disney Store in key locations to host exclusive and one-of-a-kind events for our D23 Members.

 

[dizneyfanaddicts]

You do not need to be a D23 member to purchase at the Disneyana events. Although if you are a member of Disneyana or are a vendor at the Disneyana event you get first dibs before the general public. So if they release an LE150 like they did at the last event its tough to get them.

Only for D23 members

 

[initial_tb]

The last time a CM took me to WDI the cashier said that if they have a new release employees can access it through the "hub" (enterprise portal) on Wednesday. CMs can pre-order the pins and then pins are released at the store on the following Monday. I think that's right...

 

[Phoenix]

Only for D23 members

Not true. Disneyana is open to the general public.
Here is the info from their website:
The Disneyana Collector's Expo is the place where you will find the best mix of Disney collectibles and products, old and new, anywhere on the planet! The show takes place on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Garden Grove, California. The show will run from 11AM til 5PM for the general public, with Disneyana Fan Club Members being granted admission at 9AM. More details to be added soon!

I was at the last one and was able to peruse through the WDI store they set up. It is the biggest display usually at the expo. There are a lot of pins for sale from other collectors as well. There is a fee to get in though and if you want a chance at getting the best WDI pins you should get there before they sell out, or become a Disneyana member so you can get in earlier.

 

[H2454]

Like Steve said, WDI is Walt Disney Imagineering. They are pretty much the arm of Disney behind the parks, cruise lines, hotels, food, etc. I like to think of them as Parks, but they do a lot more. The main site is located in Glendale, CA and on that site there is a company store. It sells a lot of Disney Store and WDI items (t-shirts, mugs, DVDs, etc.) The store itself is Mickey's of Glendale. On select days, d23 members are allowed to shop at the store (and there is usually a pin release). Other than that, it's a CM and guest only store open M-F.

The schedule for pin releases is pretty erratic, but I would guess they do about the same as DSF. (2-3 times a month)

WDI will not be at Disneyana anymore. (Well, at least the next one.)

 

[kupo1121]

All I know is that they make absolutely amazing pins!!! Between the Princesses and Princes on Thrill Rides to the recent Lilo and Stitch Halloween 2012 as Alice in Wonderland Cast, they make great pins!

There's no way to see what they'll release before they release it, is that correct or did I read somewhere wrong? They just announce what they'll release, when they do and that's that? Also, the only WDI is in CA? There isn't any in FL? Darn -__- I wanted to do the Disney College Program in WDW, which would let me be a cast member as I worked there but if it is only in CA, I have to re-evaluate my thinking.

 

[Adam20cali]

Cast members have access to the WDI release schedule but they need to know how to find it on the hub

 

[Phoenix]

WDI will not be at Disneyana anymore. (Well, at least the next one.)

OK that is a major bummer if that comes to pass.:shock:

 

[RetroDiz]

WDI will not be at Disneyana anymore. (Well, at least the next one.)

Any more info on this? What is the source?

I'm going to the sale this Sunday and would really like to plan. (Not that there was much left over for the general public last time anyway; but it was fun to go through.)

Also I can't for the life of me find an official website for Mickey's of Glendale.

 

[jadestarr]

WDI Store aka Mickey's of Glendale can only be seen from the Disney HUB. Moreover, you have to be on a disney server (ex. NOT signing into the HUB from home), pin releases are random. We usually geta few days advance notice, sometimes a bit more.

 

[jadestarr]

**That was meant for the online store, there is of course the physical store already mentioned in this thread before.

 

[matt24256]

Its listed on Disneyana's facebook page. No WDI or DSF.

BREAKING NEWS:

Vendors: all tables for the Disneyana Collectible Expo Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel, Garden Grove are now SOLD OUT! Thank you very much to all our vendors.

We do not have an up-to-date list of vendors for publi...cation, but we can say that Walt Disney Imagineering and the Soda Fountain will NOT be attending this time.

 

[RetroDiz]

WDI Store aka Mickey's of Glendale can only be seen from the Disney HUB. Moreover, you have to be on a disney server (ex. NOT signing into the HUB from home), pin releases are random. We usually geta few days advance notice, sometimes a bit more.

Thanks - I know the public cannot access pins. Just wondered if they had a news page for announcements such as attendance/non-attendance at the Disneyana sale. I can't find any definite information.

EDIT: Just missed this; exactly what I was looking for; thanks!

Its listed on Disneyana's facebook page. No WDI or DSF.

BREAKING NEWS:

Vendors: all tables for the Disneyana Collectible Expo Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel, Garden Grove are now SOLD OUT! Thank you very much to all our vendors.

We do not have an up-to-date list of vendors for publi...cation, but we can say that Walt Disney Imagineering and the Soda Fountain will NOT be attending this time.

 

[Ozzie1988]

WDI also tends to set up a booth at the Disneyana fan club collectors expo. That is another way the public can get access to the pins. On their website it states that the next one is Feb. 17th 2013.

They said that will nit be attending disneyana anymore

 

[markheardjr]

WDI usually does a release for holidays. Typically we see pins for Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, St. Patty's Day, Earth Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July, Thankgsiving, and sometimes days like Administrative Asst. day, Groundhog day, Easter etc.

They also have a lot of series they do, most famous are the Sorceror Hats, Characters in Sorceror Hats, Attraction Posters, I.D. badges, pressed pennies, trash cans, characters in CM outfits, weather vanes, etc.

The store is pretty cool. They have some things you can't get anywhere else. Aulani lanyards and shirts for example, or Star Tours t-shirts and hats not sold in the parks. iPad cases and mouse pads. They also have a decent amount or art, sculptures. And then they have the everyday stuff a company store has like greeting cards, logo items, movies. (But the logo's and movies are for Disney!) They have a medium sized cafeteria in the complex and a Starbucks that was opened to D23 members at the last release. There are always sale items, sometimes pins. They sell Artist Proof framed pins and pin sets often but the popular AP framed sets go to the first few in the door each time.

If you ever do campout there isn't a restroom or eatery right close. It's a good 15-20 minute walk or a short drive to somewhere like Del Taco, 7-11, or Taco Bell.

 

[Gingernutty]

WDI is a cast member store - does this mean cast members from anywhere in the company? As in, I am a cast member in the Disney Store in the UK, would I be allowed to go there?

 

[markheardjr]

WDI is a cast member store - does this mean cast members from anywhere in the company? As in, I am a cast member in the Disney Store in the UK, would I be allowed to go there?

I think if you have one of those sideways Disney I.D. badges you can get it. You just check in guests at the counter in the main building to the east of the store.