We all know that Disney has adorable characters better than anyone. They have products ranging from animation art to stuffed toys, and yes, crystal, if it’s to do with Disney, collectors want it! Swarovski marked exactly what collectors were looking for with figures that truly captured the characters’ personalities and emotions and then increased 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 figures, the classics: Goofy, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Pluto, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Each figure shines with Swarovski’s proprietary crystal cutting technique and coloring. These figures are truly a collector’s dream, as they have all been retired and rarely go on sale.
Following the first with another classic is the second collection, featuring Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore. This collection was launched in 2007 and although it was retired in 2010, collectors can find an entirely new Winnie the Pooh collection in brilliant colors of sapphire, topaz, rosaline and clear siam crystal.
Then came the Bambi Collection; with Disney it’s classic after classic. Bambi, Flower, Friend Owl, and Thumper were released in 2008 and have since been retired. The Swarovski Disney Thumper Figure has always been a favorite with collectors, and although this little one has been retired, Thumper can be found at select Swarovski Outlets online.
What true Disney collector wouldn’t complete a collection with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? Launched in 2009, this collection is the largest Swarovski Crystal Disney collection to date. Unfortunately, these figures are very difficult to find, but the next collection still has some figures available.
In 2010, Swarovski launched the Lion King collection, which included 4 figures: Mufasa, Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. These figures have been retired, but can still be found online, but probably not for long!
Just one collection, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell make up Swarovski’s smallest Disney release. Peter Pan and Tinker Bell are made of clear crystal and wear sparkling Olivine crystal suits. Each figure is beautifully crafted and they are also two of the most popular crystal figure collectibles to date.
Limited Edition Disney Figures – The Real Draw
Since the first collaboration with Disney, Swarovski has released several limited edition Disney figures, the first of which was Tinker Bell in 2008. In 2009, two Mickey figures were released: Mickey Mouse Large Sorcerer and Mickey Mouse Sorcerer Small, each one with unique poses and details. In 2010, Swarovski created a Disney Pinocchio Limited Edition figure in faceted clear crystal with black diamond crystal and medium sapphire crystal accents.
In 2011, Swarovski introduced a limited edition Dumbo figure to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Disney animated film. Although this figure was only available until 2011 before being retired, it is rumored that it can still be found online. Okay, 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 figures of the same character. This time it was Stitch from the popular movie “Lilo and Stitch”. The two figures look very similar, but one, Experiment 626 had a limited release of only 626 figures and came with a necklace and a special Experiment 626 plate to differentiate it from the other limited edition Stitch Figure. That same year a Christmas Tinker Bell Limited Edition figure was also released, featuring an adorable Santa hat and red dress made from vibrant Light Siam.
The latest release from Disney Limited Edition is Swarovski Steamboat Willie Limited Edition 2013. This two-piece set features Mickey and Minnie Mouse from their 1928 debut cartoon and sparkles in black diamond and clear crystal. It is not only unique because it celebrates Mickey’s first movie, but also because it is a release with two separate figures that fit together as one, or can be shown separately.
Whether you’re a collector of Swarovski figures or Disney characters, one thing’s for sure: you can’t go wrong when the two are combined.
