With we are celebrating Disney Month, I thought I would focus on the actual Disney products, not Marvel, Star Wars, etc. While the Disney figures aren’t for everyone, some are unbelievably sought after. These can range anywhere from limited edition pieces to some commons that have been retired. Some commons may be re-released soon, as Funko has hinted they will be taking some pieces out of the vault, but this is only speculation at this point. No one knows if Funko will be taking out DC, Marvel, Disney, or My Little Ponies. When reading this column, I will be largely referring to the Pop! figures, since that’s by far Funko’s most popular line. Now let’s move on to our magical list!
Belle is one of the most popular pieces for two reasons. One, this figure has been retired. Two, she comes from one of Disney’s most popular movies, so she is one of Disney’s most beloved princesses. These Disney Pop! figures tend to look really good since they are made to look a bit exaggerated. This fits in perfectly since Disney characters are too, with their colorfulness, big eyes, and distinguishing costumes. This one was released in 2011, so she was pretty early in the Disney Pop! life cycle, which is another reason why you will end up paying $80+ for her on the collector’s market. There are also two more Belles, the hipster and peasant, but neither have the charm the original yellow dress figure does.
It’s not a Disney conversation without bringing up Mickey. My personal Mickey favorite, and one that is quite popular, is the metallic 2-pack of Sorcerer Mickey and Chernabog from Fantasia. These will set you back around $100, which isn’t terrible considering you get 2 figures. This set is also numbered to 480, so I’m surprised this set doesn’t go for more than it does. It’s also a 2012 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, and those SDCC exclusives tend to go high, especially ones from past years. The commons for these two figures typically go anywhere between $30-45, so to get both for $100 or a little more isn’t bad, even with it being limited number. I also think these two really work well metallic.
The Little Mermaid is another one of Disney’s most popular movies, but, unlike Beauty and the Beast, it’s actually the villain who is more popular here. This is one of the major ones people are speculating will be unvaulted soon, but absolutely nothing is concrete when it comes to Ursula. Any Funko forum or group I visit, I always see the ultra popular Ursula being mentioned by Disney fanatics. This Pop! is a beauty and I love the devious look on her face, she is the perfect color and size. This beauty comes with a high price though, because you will be paying upwards of $120 for her which is why so many collectors are hopeful she will be unvaulted soon.
One of the Pop! figures I hope will be unvaulted soon is Genie. I can remember not buying the common Genie Pop! figure for $6. Quite a mistake on my part since this guy tends to go for around $60. There is a metallic version that goes for close to $120, but he is numbered to 480 and was exclusive to the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con. Aladdin was a favorite of mine growing up, so even though I do not collect much Disney I need to get my hands on Genie one day. The tiny legs with the huge upper body and that saccharin grin brings back so many memories.
Disney has quite a San Diego Comic-Con history with Funko, because the popular Blue Cheshire Cat comes from the 2012 event. Numbered to 480, he’s largely the same as the common Chesire Cat, but that variant color will run you about $155. You can get the common for close to $30, so unless you are a huge Disney fan, the common is probably your best bet.
Another blue variant that is quite popular is Mr. Incredible. The common red suit Mr. Incredible is retired and tends to go for about $50, but the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con blue suit exclusive goes for more than $150. Like most of the other SDCC figures mentioned, he is numbered to 480. Normally I would say just get the common if you’re on a budget, but I really think the blue Mr. Incredible is the far superior figure here. The head is the same, but that blue suit is much better looking. Not to mention you get a snazzy Mickey ears sticker on the box.
There are numerous popular figures I can talk about here, but I simply do not have the room. The last figure I will discuss in detail would probably surprise some, but with it’s rarity, event exclusiveness, and character popularity, it shouldn’t come as too much of a shock. There are four Dumbo Pop! figures. Common Dumbo in this case really is common. You can still get him at retail. The three others are not so easy.
These three were exclusives to the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con event. First, there’s the metallic version which is numbered to 480 and, except for the metallic paint, is the same as the common. He will put you out about $75, but that’s very reasonable considering what the other two figures would cost you. The other two figures are both numbered to 48, and can cost up to $1,000! The first one is a gold version, and, much like the metallic version, is only different from the common in color. The other is clown Dumbo variant, which is him sporting white clown paint with pink circles. If you watched Dumbo you will probably remember this look. Having a piece from Funko being numbered to 48 is insane but great. With the exception of prototypes, I do not think Funko would ever do this today. The rarest that I have seen from this year’s Comic Con was the Bryan Fuller figure which had a run of 144. There were several others ranging anywhere from 500-1008, but most of these were also available at overseas retailers and online. Bryan Fuller at 144 is a big deal, but a 48 count is a huge deal. And they were both released at the same time! I could not see myself paying these huge amounts for the Dumbos, but I’m a frugal collector. Any serious Disney or Dumbo collector would love to have these guys and would pay to have them.
To close out I’ll give you a list of five honorable mentions just to give you a little something else to look for. I’ll tell you where it was exclusive to, if it’s numbered, and a rough value.
Glow in the Dark Oogie, 2012 SDCC, 480, $185
Metallic Jack, Sally, Oogie 3-pack, Disney Expo, 500, $150
Flocked Lotso, 2011 Disney Expo, 480, $210
Mad Hatter, retired common, $85
Flocked Sulley, 2011 SDCC, 480, $165
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