Greetings! This is the first edition of ‘What’s Up’; news and information for those of you who collect Disney. I will be letting you know about the latest collectables that Disney has to offer. I am a collector of many years, and many things, just like you. But, as you know, sometimes we just do not know where to find it. By sharing my love of all Disney items out there, I hope to help steer you in the direction of that ‘must-have’ piece of Disneyana you need for your collection. This first article will just touch on a few things you may be interested in but did not know about. In the coming articles I will share more on the Disney lines from Pez to Disney Doors. So I hope you will all enjoy this as much as enjoy hunting it down to share.

There are new items coming out everyday! Who could possibly keep up? There are many places where they surface; from Walmart, Target and Big K. Looking for that perfect Disney card or wrapping paper? Special DVD releases of some old favorites Like Ducktales, Chip and Dale and Goof Troop? Light-up character pins, Brass Key Dolls, Pez Dispenser, and Kleenex boxes too are all out there waiting to be found.

Disney Rose bushes and Tulips from the nurseries will go great with the new Ensenco Garden line for instance. It will have character planters, solar Tinker Bell, Wind chimes and a Mickey chair with matching table.

The post office not only offers us Disney stamps, but also Disney prepaid large envelopes, and boxes. They are wonderful additions for our Holiday - or just everyday - deliveries.

Let’s not forget the Disney character teddy bears. Most of these sell out before we know about them.
Disney and Nascar have teamed up again this year with some new cars featuring the Tigger, Buzz and Mickey and a Princess or two. Also from Nascar are some great jackets available for adults and children.

The parks have so many exclusives, that unless you make a trip every week you could not possibly see it all. A great find at Disneyland are the new pieces featuring a Land Attraction Vehicle and new Character sculptures. The first two released have Mickey and Pluto in resin with brass finish on a wooden base. A great combination I would say. Also, the new Clayworks Fab Five houses. These are done in the same style as last years Cinderella’s Castle, which was a unique and beautiful piece which came to life when lit by the gentle glow of an interior tea candle. At Walt Disney World brings us limited edition cross-stitch kits of the 50th Castle, Mickey and the Fireman, and more designs coming everyday.

DisneyShopping.com has gone through some changes but is quickly getting back on track. We'll be sorry to see the catalog gone, which finishes publication in April, but this is not the end to some wonderful new products that will be available online. New Big Figs, Harmony Kingdom boxes, Charm Bracelets, Metal Signs, Tapestry and Throws, not to mention an fanciful Disney Chess set, are just some of the collectable highlight awaiting.

I personally love the Harmony Kingdom boxes and Big Figs. The new HK for WDW Cinderella Wedding, limited to 500 pieces, is stunning. They also have Jiminy Cricket on the match box which would grace anyones mantle. The Big Figs bring life size magic to our homes and never fail to amaze me with their unique designs and special effects. The Jedi Mickey from WDW has a working light saber. Sorcerer Mickey with fiber optic waves is coming soon and the Disney imagineers are developing some must have pieces of the different Lands in the Park.

DisneyAuction.com has re-opened with new items to bid on every week. Everything they offer is an exclusive limited edition; including vases, plates, big figs, prototypes, and, of course, pins.

New from Master Replicas are some large figures due to release in the fall. The first one is a three dimensional recreation of the 1930's Mickey Pop-Up Book. The next three in the works are Donald, Pooh and the popular Pixie, Tinker Bell. Another new addition are Scene Replicas. They will quite unique with each figure inhabiting their own 'world'. The first in this line will feature the Little Mermaid.

If this isn't enough, I will also will have information on releases from Lenox, Story-Time, Jim Shore, Disney Precious Moments, Collectors Editions, Possible Dreams, Disney House Keys (How else does a Disney fan find their house key?), and the Walt Disney Classics Collection....the list goes on.

So hopefully you will enjoy the articles that follow highlighting not only the wonderful Disney products, but also some stories about the people behind the art. After all, we can never have enough of the Disney Magic!!!!!

If you have any questions or comments on this article contact Cindy at: wherethemagicbeg@aol.com or viist her website at: www.wherethemagicbegins.com