Among the most memorable of the musical sequences in Disney’s Fantasia is Amilcare Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours, which is paired with an animated ballet full of animal dancers. One of the key characters, the lovestruck Ben Ali Gator, has been transformed into a designer vinyl toy by Super7. And not just any toy, a supersized one! Join me as I explore the figure’s details. But that’s not all, I’ll also show you some additional supersize figures as well as a Pixar Lightyear bundle you’ll want to see.
The Bare Necessities
Super7’s Fantasia Supersize Ben Ali Gator Figure is available for purchase on their online store. The character is one of four Disney Supersize figures (I have more information on the other three a little further down in this article).
The designer toy figure measures an impressive 16-inches tall and is intended for collectors aged 14 and up. But those extra-large dimensions also bring with them a supersized price tag; this figure costs $295.
The Supersize Figure’s Supersized Packaging
Like the figure, the box for Ben Ali Gator is big. Like, really big. But just as notable as its impressive size is the foil art that decorates it.
The sides of the box have two different designs, one with the character in a pose taken from his segment in Fantasia with the words “Disney Fantasia Vinyl Figure” and the other that simply reads “Disney Fantasia – Ben Ali Gator” without any extra graphic flourish. All sides are lined with a gold foil border.
The gold foil also borders the box’s top flap, which also bears the word “Disney” in the center.
The box is very pretty and if it wasn’t so big, I would be tempted to keep it to display somewhere along with the figure.
Meet Super7’s Ben Ali Gator Supersize Figure
Alright, onto the main event: Ben Ali Gator himself!
What’s in the Box?
The Ben Ali Gator figure is vinyl with painted features. With six points of articulation, he is able to move his head, arms, legs, and tail. The joints turn smoothly and stay in the position you set them in without issue. (Although, I will say that I couldn’t manage to get him to balance if his legs were turned at all.)
Here he is in his birthday suit.
But as you may recall, the scaley fellow didn’t dance around in the nude in Fantasia. And so, Super7 also provided him with his hooded cape and feathered cap. Both items are mostly made from felt with some satin details (the lining on the cape and the hat’s “feather”). The “feather” has a posable wire running through it so you can change its shape to an extent and it will hold.
The Magic’s in the Details
After securing the clasp on the cape and sticking his hat atop his noggin’ (attached via magnet), Ben Ali Gator is ready for his duet.
Manipulate his extremities to find the perfect pose to display him in. I rather liked this first pose, with him holding his cape in his claw.
Or maybe he is so excited that his arms are flung up high in the air.
On the bottom of his feet are two imprints. On the left foot, you’ll find the Super7 logo. And the right one has the Disney trademark with “Made in China.”
My Thoughts
It is clear that Super7 put a lot of thought and love into their Fantasia Supersize Ben Ali Gator Figure. I particularly like that the figure has fabric accessories as opposed to vinyl ones. Using different materials made him much more visually engaging and gave me more options when posing.
Is It Worth Buying?
Well, that depends on how much of a collector you are. If you are a dedicated Disneyana or designer toy collector, this figure is definitely something to consider. However, given the hefty price tag, more casual fans might find it not worth it. Yes, in the eyes of the former two consumer groups, the cost is acceptable given the high quality of the figure, but the latter may not find enough value to justify a purchase.
Other Super7 Supersize Figures
Super7’s Ben Ali Gator is joined by three other supersized figures, Brave Little Tailor Mickey, Pinocchio, and Sox from Disney*Pixar’s Lightyear. Mickey and Pinocchio cost $295 each, while Sox is $400.
Lightyear Sox is the most recent addition to Super7’s Disney Supersize line of figures. He is pricier than the other two but is also bigger (nearly the same height as the others – 15 inches rather than 16 – but also 20 inches long). He comes with a real metal tag on a leather collar and a little mouse protocol robot (with a glow-in-the-dark tail) for him to play with. His box is much more personalized than the previous ones, resembling a cat carrier (note the “Property of Star Command” printed on the side).
Brave Little Tailor Mickey Mouse is dressed in a tunic and shorts along with a removable belted pouch, all of which are made from fabric. And of course, he comes equipped with his giant-slaying scissors.
Disney Supersize Pinocchio Figure comes dressed in fabric clothes (just like a real boy!).
Bonus Round: A Look at the Super7’s Lightyear Early Enlistment Bundle!
We previously took a look at some of the merchandise created for Disney*Pixar’s upcoming film, Lightyear, and one of the items included in our coverage was this Lightyear Early Enlistment Bundle from Super7. For $75, it includes four of the company’s ReAction figures, made in the likeness of Buzz Lightyear, Alisha Hawthorne, Mo Morrison, and Sox, along with five items created exclusively for this Early Enlistment Bundle:
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- A Star Command 3-inch Embroidered Patch
- A Star Command Decal Sheet
- A Themed ReAction Figure Display Stand
- A Star Command Recruit Card
- An Early Enlistment Certificate
This Bundle will be shipped in two waves. The first, which will ship right away, includes everything but the actual ReAction figures. Those will ship separately later this year. Think of it as a preorder with bonus items that arrive early to tide you over until the main event. And given that four ReAction figures, purchased individually, costs $72, the bundle’s $75 sounds like a deal.
Super7 sent me the first part of the Lightyear Early Enlistment Bundle. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from your first shipment in this bundle.
Everything comes packed inside this themed cardboard envelope.
Open up that envelope and you’ll find a folder, covered with art and a list of the folder’s contents.
All the promised goodies are inside.
The ReAction Figure Display Stand is heavy-duty cardboard and comes folded flat to fit in the folder. Assembly was a simple matter of three folds and inserting two tabs into slots. It could not have taken more than half a minute to complete. I am looking forward to exhibiting the four Lightyear ReAction Figures on it once they are released.
You can find MiceChat’s showcase of merchandise for Disney*Pixar’s Lightyear, including Super7’s Early Enlistment Bundle, here:
New Pixar Lightyear Merchandise Goes to Infinity and Beyond!
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Let’s Hear from You
Do you collect designer toys? How do you like Super7’s Supersize Figures? And what do you think of the Lightyear Early Enlistment Bundle? Let me know in the comments below!
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