Family, travel, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

We recently took part in a new-to-me activity at Disney’s Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World: Make Your Own Vinylmation!

The blank Vinylmation figurines have been available to buy for several months, and now some Walt Disney World resorts are offering Vinylmation decorating as part of their menu of daily activities for guests.

At the Polynesian, a table was set up with dozens of colorful Sharpie markers to decorate the figures. We were invited to buy a blank Vinylmation from a nearby merchandise location and then let our creativity take over.

The cast members manning the table had set up some real Vinylmation figures to spark our creativity. The Theme Park Kid had a great time decorating her Vinylmation, especially when it came time to pop off the arms and the head to better color around them.

When she was done, she even signed the bottom.

Regular readers will know that I preach this a lot, but I will say it again: Don’t overlook the great amenities and activities at your resort when you vacation at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Most of us need a little break from all the stimulation inside the parks, and there are lots of fun activities happening at our resort when you need a down day. So, don’t forget to peruse that activity calendar you are given when you check in.

We found the Make Your Own Vinylmation activity at the Polynesian. I am told it also takes place at the All-Star Resorts. If you’ve seen it in other Walt Disney World locations, please let us know in the comments.

This post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival.  Go there to read more great Disney posts!

Walt Disney World has announced a series of new additions at Downtown Disney, a shopping and entertainment complex at the resort.

First up is the new store RIDEMAKERZ, which is opening March 25 on the Downtown Disney West Side. Shoppers can trick out their own remote-controlled car in an interactive environment. This store is open for a limited time, with plans to close it in the fall. The RIDEMAKERZ at Disneyland is apparently a big hit. Sounds like fun!

Another new store, D Street, will sell urban apparel, accessories and Vinylmation figures.  D Street comes after the successful launch of Tren-D on the opposite end of Downtown Disney. Disney says the store will have an industrial look and will showcase Disney-inspired art by local artists. D Street will open in April.

Downtown Disney’s AMC movie theater is also undergoing renovations. One of the theaters is getting a larger, floor-to-ceiling screen and video and audio enhancements to make for better 3D viewing. The changes will be done just in time for Friday’s Alice in Wonderland premiere.

And a new quick-service restaurant – Pollo Campero — will open in the space that was once a McDonalds. Pollo Campero will dish up chicken, yuca fries and sweet plantains, as well as Latin drinks such as horchata and tamarindo. The new restaurant is scheduled to open this fall at Downtown Disney.