World on Ice - Dwarf Figures

This unusual looking Dopey was a merchandise item sold at Walt Disney's World on Ice United Kingdom presentation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1994-1997). According to its current owner, it's likely the figure was originally purchased at the UK Birmingham NIA or NEC arena. Made of hard plastic, it stands just under 6" tall.

The Disney on Ice shows are produced by Feld Entertainment, the same longtime owners of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Dopey's base reads, "© DISNEY. Made Exclusively for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Inc., Made in China."

Dopey images via polo_polo01. 

___________________ 

These Grumpy and Happy figures were purchased from a 1998 Snow White show that was performed at Flanders Expo near Brussels, Belgium.

Grumpy and Happy figures courtesy of Disney Showcase Key.

Mattel PVC Figures, 1993

Snow White figures! There are a lot out there--different sets, different manufacturers, different release dates. Tracking down who made what and when can sometimes be a daunting task. So it's nice to receive a little help now and again from those in the know.

I was first clued into this 1993 set by the wonderful folks over at Disney Pixar Fanatics. They'd picked up these figures many years ago and were kind enough to share some photos.


The Figures:

Sold by Mattel, the complete PVC set consisted of Snow White (approx. 3 ¼” tall), the Prince (3 ½”), Wicked Queen (3 ½”) and all Seven Dwarfs (2 ¼” to 2 ½”).

[CLICK IMAGES TO HAVE BETTER LOOK]

"Mattel Inc." and "Disney China" copyright stamp on bottom along with 1993 date...

Above images courtesy of Disney Pixar Fanatics. Used with permission.

_____________

The Packaging:

The figures were available in a plethora of packaging arrangements--individually, bundled in groups of three, or in larger sets. Each package carried the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stylized font used in the late 1980s and early 90s as well as a banner of dwarf heads along the lower front.

This dwarf head graphic appeared (in slightly different forms) on a variety of other Snow White products in 1993. It was part of the marketing campaign that year to tie in with the North American theatrical re-release of the film.

Sold separately...

Individual packaging images via Bobby's World of Toys, DJ'S Online Garage Sale, A World Of Wares.

Bundle of three...

Mattel item #5364. 
Image via Toyattack's Mini Web Store.

Dwarfs in their own set...

Images via amhtgant.

Snow White with the Dwarfs set...

Image via tag24amos.

Snow and Prince with the Dwarfs set...

Torn box images via Bargain Hunting at Loki's.

The complete set of ten...

Image via Toyattack's Mini Web Store.

Finally, there was a Witch figure too--seen below in a scan of a package that also included Snow White and Dopey...

Witch set of three. Image scans courtesy of The Raymond Collection. Used with permission.

See more Snow White PVC figures in the earlier post on sets.

Snow White PVC Figure Sets

Snow White PVC figures...there are legions! Once I started looking for them, it became clear that this blog post would not be the final word on these little guys. Way too many out there to cover in one setting. But here's a good sampling of the latest sets and some that go back a few years...

On a recent trip to WDW, I came across this 9-piece PVC Snow White Collectible Figures set in a number of locations including the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney. Includes Snow White (approximately 4" tall ), the Prince (4 1/4") and all Seven Dwarfs (2"). Price $12.95 (USD). Manufactured for Disney Theme Parks.

[CLICK IMAGES FOR BETTER LOOK]

All photos from personal collection unless otherwise noted.

The same set was sold in slightly different Poseable Figures packaging 20 years earlier, circa 1991...

Above two images via Sumfun's Store. Special thanks to petromaz for dating this set.

_____________

This Snow White Princess Fashion Set is also currently being sold at numerous WDW locations...this one at the Contemporary Resort. Comes with one princess body and two interchangeable heads (to create a "different look"). Lots of accessories including 5 costume changes, shoes, mirror, broom, a squirrel, bluebird, rabbit and more. Snow White figure 4''tall; case 12" x 9". Price $12.95 (USD). Manufactured for Disney Theme Parks.

_____________

While on an excursion a few days ago to Chicago, I stopped by the Disney Store at Woodfield Mall to find this 8-piece Snow White Figurine Play Set which includes Snow, Prince, Evil Queen and Witch along with some animal friends (rabbit, squirrel and chipmunk). And only three of the seven dwarfs: Sleeping, Grumpy and Dopey. PVC plastic, figures up to 3 3/4'' tall. Manufactured for Disney Store. Price $12.50 (USD).

Fold-down back-of-package play scene. Seals up again with Velcro-type closures...

Image via sandinboca.

_____________

This Snow White Figurine Set from 2009 included the Princess, Prince and Queen plus the full allotment of Seven Dwarfs. Sold at Target and probably all the other usual stores as well.

Image courtesy of starberryshyne. Used with permission.

_____________

Back in January of this year, I found this lone Favorite Moments Snow White Doll with accessory dress on a shelf at Target leftover from the holiday shopping season. Paperboard animal friends. Manufactured by Mattel. Sold for under five bucks.

And here's basically the same figure but with a slightly altered face-painting (which is to be expected) and minor changes to the packaging design. Paperboard animals are no more. Available now from Mattel online for $5.99 (USD).

_____________

Just returned from a visit to Toys-R-Us where they had this Favorite Moments Snow White "sparkly fashions" set by Mattel. Contains the same princess figure as the one above. Also includes Dopey, 3 accessory dresses and a rabbit. Paperboard bluebird and squirrel. Priced at $11.99 (USD).

_____________

An earlier Favorite Moments set by Mattel similar to the one above except instead of a rabbit, you get Grumpy and several changes of shoes for the princess.

Image via Kid's Stuff 1215.

_____________

Here's Snow with the Prince in a Mattel Fairytale Wedding package.

_____________

The Snow White Fairy Tale Scene includes the Princess, Grumpy, Dopey, a chipmunk and props to recreate the cottage kitchen. Currently in stores, $10.97 (USD) at Wal-Mart.

_____________

The Royal Boutique which includes Snow White with the dwarf's cottage and some kitchen accessories. $19.99 (USD) from Mattel online.

Images via Mattel.

_____________

Snow White and Horse from Mattel's Favorite Moments series. What it says is what you get. Currently available at shop.mattel.com for $7.99 (USD).

Images via Mattel.

_____________

As it states on the box, "A royal home for Snow White's horse!" Yep, here's the Royal Stable. Currently available in stores. Includes no PVC figures from the film unless you count the horse.

_____________

The Deluxe Gift Set appears to have been manufactured in at least three similar yet slightly different packages. All contain the Snow White and Prince figures, 3 dwarfs, 3 beds, a horse, a couple of spare dresses (which differ between the sets), and an assortment of princess shoes.

The first set probably came out a couple of years ago because this front lower Snow White font was used in the 2009 Diamond Edition home video release...

2009 Set. Image via Entertainment Earth.

This second one may also have been released a couple years ago (again because of the style of font that was used). But this set was manufactured by Mattel...

Earlier Set.

The last of the Deluxe Gift Sets is still currently available in some stores. Also manufactured by Mattel, the display arrangement of the figures is flip-flopped from that of the earlier set. Snow and Dopey hold slightly different poses from their early incarnations as well.

Most Recent Deluxe Gift Set.
All stock images copyright Disney.

Producing these PVC figures most assuredly is quite inexpensive for Disney to do, probably pennies per piece. Yet for what they are, the characters actually possess a rather handsome charm to them. I'm not a big collector of plastic, but more than once I've been tempted to splurge on a set or two.

Also see post on 1993 PVC figures.