We all know Disney does lovable characters better than anyone. They have products ranging from animation art to plush toys, and yes, crystal – if it has to do with Disney, collectors want it! Swarovski dialed in on exactly what collectors were looking for with figurines that really captured the characters personality and emotions and then drove up demand by making special limited edition pieces. Collectors literally couldn’t get enough.
Swarovski has several Disney Collections the first of which was the Disney Showcase Collection released in 2005. This collection included 6 beautifully crafted figurines – the classics: Goofy, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Pluto, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse. Each figure sparkles with Swarovski’s patented crystal cutting technique and colorization. These figurines are truly a collectors’ dream as they have all been retired and they rarely come up for sale.
Following up the first with another classic is the second collection, which features Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. This collection was released in 2007 and although it was retired in 2010 collectors can find an all-new Winnie the Pooh collection in bright sapphire, topaz, rosaline, and light siam crystal colors.
Next came the Bambi Collection; with Disney it’s just classic after classic. Bambi, Flower, Friend Owl and Thumper were released in 2008 and have since been retired. The Disney Thumper figurine by Swarovski has always been a favorite among collectors, and although this little fellow has been retired, Thumper can actually be found at a few select online Swarovski Outlets.
What true Disney collector would not complete a collection with Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Released in 2009 this collection makes up the largest Swarovski Crystal Disney collection to date. Unfortunately, these figurines are super hard to find, but the next collection still has some readily available figurines.
In 2010 Swarovski released the Lion King Collection which included 4 figurines: Mufasa, Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. These figurines have been retiring, but can still be found online, but probably not for long!
Barely a collection, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell make up Swarovski’s smallest Disney release. Peter Pan and Tinker Bell are both made from clear crystal and wear outfits of sparkling Olivine crystal. Each figurine is beautifully crafted and also happens to be two of the most popular crystal figurine collectibles to date.
Limited Edition Disney Figurines – The Real Draw
Since the first collaboration with Disney, Swarovski has released several Limited Edition Disney figurines, the first of which was Tinker Bell in 2008. In 2009, two Mickey figurines were released: Mickey Mouse Large Sorcerer and Mickey Mouse Sorcerer Small, each having unique poses and details. In 2010 Swarovski created a Disney Pinocchio Limited Edition figurine in faceted clear crystal with black diamond crystal and medium sapphire crystal accents.
In 2011, Swarovski introduced a Limited Edition Dumbo figurine to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the animated Disney film. Although this figurine was only available through 2011 before being retired it is rumored that this figurine can still be found online. OK, it’s not so much a rumor, I’ve seen it, all you have to do is Google.
For the Limited Edition release in 2012, Swarovski again released two figurines of the same character. This time it was Stitch from the popular movie “Lilo and Stitch.” The two figurines are very similar looking, but one, Experiment 626 had a limited release of only 626 figurines and came with a collar and a special experiment 626 plaque to set it apart from the other Limited Edition Stitch Figurine. That same year a Christmas Tinker Bell Limited Edition figurine was also released, featuring an adorable Santa hat and red dress made from vibrant Light Siam.
The newest Disney Limited Edition release is Swarovski Steamboat Willie Limited Edition 2013. This two-piece set features Mickey and Minnie Mouse from their 1928 debut cartoon and gleams in black diamond and clear crystal. Not only is it unique in that it celebrates the first Mickey film, but also in that it is one release with two separate figurines that fit together as one, or can be displayed separately.
Whether you’re a collector of Swarovski Figurines or Disney Characters, one thing is certain, you can’t go wrong when the two are combined.