Discover one of the most popular collections among Walt Disney enthusiasts: the Walt Disney Classic Collection. This marked the first time Walt Disney produced their own merchandise. And when they did it, they did it in true Disney style: with the best artists, the highest quality, and an endless dose of magic.
What is WDCC
WDCC stands for Walt Disney Classic Collection. The WDCC consists of an extensive line of figurines based on classic Walt Disney movies. These figurines were handmade and painted by a diverse array of artists. In addition to these figurines, WDCC also includes hand-sculpted wooden statues, aprons, art prints, balloons, banners, bases, bookmarks, buttons, cases, catalogs, charms, clocks, clothes, coins, crystals, dishes, flyers, greenbooks, keychains, lithographs, model sheets, ornaments, pins, plush toys, postcards, posters, sericels, sketches, and more.
However, the porcelain figurines of WDCC are the most coveted by collectors. In addition to the colorful porcelain figurines, there are also whiteware porcelain figurines.
The History of the Walt Disney Classic Collection
This marked the first time that Walt Disney produced their own line of Disney items. Before starting production, the Walt Disney staff spent three years studying characters in classic Disney movies. Their goal was for each statue to depict a specific pose of a character or group of characters. By combining several of these statues, collectors can create a three-dimensional version of a scene from a classic Disney movie. How amazing is that!
Walt Disney began producing these magnificent figurines in 1992 and continued until ceasing production in 2012. Each sculpture bears a unique mark, indicating the year it was produced. With their keen eye for detail, Walt Disney selected marks inspired by Disney movies.
Who Designed the Walt Disney Classic Collection?
The team of designers for the WDCC collection consisted of:
- Blaise Gauba
- Bruce Lau
- Chris Peterson
- Chuck Williams
- Cliff Jackson
- Dave Spafford
- Dave Pacheco
- Doug Hild
- Dusty Horner
- Gwen Dutcher
- Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales
- Joel Harlow
- Kent Melton
- Larry Nikolai
- Margi Wray
- Patrick Romandy-Simmons
- Rafaello Vecchione
- Robert King
- Robert Olszweski
- Ruben Procopio
- Terry Izumi
- Tim Bruckner
- Tony Cipriano
- Valeria Edwards
How the WDCC Figurines Where Made
The figurines of the WDCC are made from high-quality porcelain. After they were crafted, each piece was hand-painted. Interestingly, many figurines were initially produced in parts. During production, these parts were then ‘glued’ together. This technique allows for the use of different materials in a single sculpture.
A significant drawback of using porcelain is crazing. Many WDCC figurines exhibit this issue, often due to improper storage or display. Always ensure your porcelain collectibles are kept in a room with stable, warm temperatures and consistent humidity. Learn more about how to maintain your precious collectibles.
Retired WDCC Collectibles
After the figurines were completed, they were ‘retired,’ meaning that production of these specific pieces was stopped. For the WDCC collection, this also involved the destruction of the molds, making it impossible to resume production.
The Popularity of WDCC Collectibles
The enduring popularity of Walt Disney characters from their movies remains evident today. This is not only due to the popularity of WDCC collectibles but also because many other artists, like Jim Shore and Romero Britto, have drawn inspiration from WDCC sculpture designs.
