In 1995, Walt Disney Art Classics released its first Holiday Series from the animated short, Pluto's Christmas Tree (1952). This short features the Fab Five and Chip 'n Dale.In Pluto's Christmas Tree, Pluto comes bounding outside to help Mickey get a Christmas tree. Chip 'n Dale see him and make fun of him, but the tree they take refuge in is the one Mickey chops down. They like the decorations, especially the candy canes and Mickey's bowl of mixed nuts. But Pluto spots them and goes after them long before Mickey spots them. Pluto tries to show Mickey but winds up crashing the tree for his effort. Minnie, Donald, and Goofy drop by to sing carols.
It's first release was Mickey Mouse and production was limited to that year and Mickey came in both ornament and figurine size. The following year (1996), Pluto became the second release in this series.
In 1997, Chip n Dale became the third release, and marked they're debut as part of the Walt Disney Classics Collection.
Included with the figurine size Little Mischief Makers was a Santa Candle (pictured at right). The candle was also sold separately. It was not done in ornament size.
In 2000, Donald Duck was the sixth and final release joining fellow carolers Minnie Mouse (1998) and Goofy (1999). Also released in 2000 was the Opening Title (pictured above).To round out the Holiday Series, Walt Disney Art Classics created a new Lamppost Base directly inspired by the film. The base lights up and features spots for all three carolers -- Minnie, Goofy and Donald.
Adapter Information: The Lamppost Base can be lit by either batteries or an adapter (not included). The downside of the batteries, they don't seem to last for very long and for many years now, wasn't sure what type of an adapter to use.
Finally solved that problem thanks to fellow collectors and friends, Bob & Toni and Jimi. Stop by Radio Shack and pick up the following:
A Universal 1.5-12V/300mA AC to DC Power Adapter that retails for $19.98. Wide voltage range and six (6) Adaptaplugs make it ideal for use with numerous electronic devices. For the Lamppost Base, you use Adaptaplug F. Well worth it! Am able to light my Lamppost Base nightly and enjoy throughout the holidays. Thanks Again Guys!
Special Note: The base is available for the figurine size pieces only.
Walt Disney Art Classics made available two disc ornaments available through Parkwest/NALED Dealers. Designed to compliment the figurine and ornament releases, the "Pluto Helps Decorate" disc ornament (pictured at left) was released in 1996 and the "Little Mischief Makers" disc ornament (pictured at right) was released in 1997.
In 1997, Walt Disney Art Classics released a Holiday Base to display your Pluto's Christmas ornaments and/or figurines. The base has the wording "Holiday Series-Walt Disney Classics Collection."
An Annual Ball Ornament was released in 2000 from the ending sequence, featuring Carolers Minnie, Goofy and Donald that will be part of another blog entry later this week.
For complete information and pricing of all the releases from this animated short, please check out the Pluto's Christmas Tree section of the Image Gallery & Secondary Guide.
As a Christmas Treat, I've included a clip of the animated short (courtesy of YouTube.com) below:
Pluto's Christmas Tree is a Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Cartoon ©Disney
Always happy to help out our fellow collectors. Don't forget Don, I was the go-fer on that expedition! LOL
ReplyDeleteI loved this series. I was so happy that they did ornament versions as at that time I could not afford the full sized pieces.
ReplyDeleteI really miss having a holiday series and hope that WDCC will consider doing another one in the future!
I so agree wtih you Matthew, I truly hope they bring back the holiday series. I have every single holiday series piece from all of the sets done thus far.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Don on the adapter, I'll have to see if I can find one.
Hi Don! I FINALLY made it to the blog! Thanks for the info on the adapter. Wasn't aware one could be used with the lamppost base.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm here you may not be able to get rid of me! LOL!
Bob & Toni, am so glad we had that conversation because for so many years, was frustrated not able to always have my Lamppost Base lit. Mary & I have been enjoying it every night since I picked up the adapter.
ReplyDeleteMatthew, I actually did the ornament version based on plans to only display at Christmas and space and disappointed they didn't make a smaller version of the Lamppost Base for the ornament size. I then saw the base displayed with Minnie, Goofy & Donald in person and next thing I knew, ordered and had shipped in time to display for Christmas that year .. LOL!
Matthew & Behr, I too wish they would do another Holiday Series in the future. Truly miss the absence of a holiday release this year.
Behr & Carl, you're more than welcome. Thinking you should have no problem finding one as Radio Shack had a decent supply when I purchased mine.
Carl, glad you finally made your way here!
I'm with Matthew, I started collecting mostly ornaments because that's all I could afford at the time. I have all my WDCC ornaments up year round on a table top wire tree. I love the ornaments and was soooo happy when WDCC issued the small world ornaments. Really do hope for more ornaments in the future, holiday themed or not, I love them all!!!
ReplyDeleteJust like Behr, love all the holiday collections. Never knew about an adaptor for the base. What voltage do you need?
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention about the ornaments. I really liked the disc ornaments. Wish they would have kept them up. I guess NALED decided not contract with WDCC for more. When they went to the ball ornaments, I really liked them, but wish more could be made.
ReplyDeleteJeff, if you purchase the one I posted in my blog entry, it plugs into a normal wall socket.
ReplyDeleteUpdated original blog entry with more specific information on the Adaptaplug and which one to use for the Lamppost Base.