Disney has always been a freakishly big part of my life. Way back when I was a kid, before cable was really a thing, my mom delighted in buying Disney VHS tapes that we still have to this day. These were the classic releases of some of the most iconic movies in Disney’s repertoire. I’m talking Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and even the lesser-known classics like Fantasia. I’ve always been a sucker for Disney’s sappy sweet romance stories and even things that didn’t have any romance to them. The animation was and still is to die for, but beyond all of that, I have many happy memories from that time. Those movies were my childhood, so I was beyond ecstatic to learn that there were figurines to collect as memorabilia from them. I’ve always collected merchandise and figures from my favorite anime and video games, and I know I get to add my childhood to that collection.
I’m evaluating the Action Figures by three different metrics:
- Quality – By “Quality,” I’m referring to things like how well the statue looks, what characters are included, and if they are posed in an interesting way. A good quality figurine will try to capture the most from its source material as it can. It gets bonus points if it can recreate a pose or moment from the movie.
- Availability – What I mean by “Availability” is how easy it is to get your hands on the figurine. The two major factors to these things are how easy it is to find them on Amazon and how much do they cost. Ease of findability and affordability decide how available a figurine is.
- Serialization – “Serialization” refers to how many other figurines exist within the specific line. Still, for this, I’ll be taking into account how many other figurines exist for the specific movie or subject. It’s nice to have options when you’re looking for a collectible.
Now let’s get the guide started!
First Point Upfront
The best Disney Traditions Figurine that you can buy is the Enesco Disney Traditions Mickey and Minnie Heart Figurine. While this figurine isn’t based on any Disney movie, it does have two of the most iconic characters ever made: Mickey and Minne Mouse. The figurine goes for a pretty good price relative to the other figurines, and the scene it depicts is small and cute, making it a perfect gift for a sweetheart or something to have around the house.
#01 Enesco Disney Traditions by Jim Shore Lion King Stacked Characters Figurine
The Lion King was the first thing I looked up when I was browsing for Disney Traditions figurines. It’s my favorite movie. And this is one of my favorite figurines. It includes a lot of characters and has them posed in a really cool way. Your favorite character is probably included here since it has so many. It has Timon, Pumba, Simba, and Iago in one figurine, which is super cool!
- Quality 10/10 – The character variety included with this figurine is really what makes it shine. You get Timon, Simba, Pumba and Iago. I don’t think this is a reference to anything, but I swear I can hear “Hakuna Matata” playing faintly…
- Availability 6/10 – The figurine’s fatal flaw is definitely its price tag. These Disney Traditions Figurines usually don’t cost that much, but this one costs WAY more than the usual sitting around $70+ when at MSRP. If you can find it in a sale, take advantage of it.
- Serialization 8/10 – There are a lot of Lion King figurines, like a meditating Rafiki and a sleeping Adult Simba. The options are available for a Lion King fan, giving it all the points it earned.
Pros
- Has a lot of the characters from the Lion King movie in one figurine.
Cons
- This figurine is pretty expensive, even for one of the Disney Traditions.
#02 Enesco Disney Traditions by Jim Shore White Woodland Alice Wonderland Figurine
Alice in Wonderland is one of the more forgotten movies from Disney’s collection, which I find sad I really enjoyed them. They had a surrealist charm that isn’t easy to find in other series. Even the movie’s live-action version didn’t do justice to capturing all the weirdness that defines what makes Alice in Wonderland special.
- Quality 7/10 – I do like the characters the figurine includes. You get Alice sitting on a toadstool right above the Cheshire Cat and the White Rabbit, whose checking his stopwatch. The problem with this figurine is that it seems half-painted and faded. It’s an interesting aesthetic, but I would actually like some color, at least.
- Availability 5/10 – Another problem aside from this figurine’s color is the price tag. It’s not kind to the eyes or the wallet coming in at the high end of the Disney Tradition figurines.
- Serialization 6/10 – There aren’t too many figurines to come out of this movie, but for what it’s worth, the other figurines aren’t bad. You have one for the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat, which is something I appreciate.
Pros
- The best of the Alice in Wonderland figurines on the market.
- You get Alice, Chesire Cat, and the White Rabbit all in one place.
Cons
- I don’t like how this figurine seems to be half-finished. Parts of it look severely faded or just not colored.
#03 Enesco Disney Traditions by Jim Shore Winnie The Pooh Standing Personality Pose Figurine, 4.75 Inch, Multicolor
Winnie The Pooh is a franchise I tend to forget is owned by Disney. Honestly, the only time I am reminded of it is when I play Kingdom Hearts, which I find so strange because I LOVE Winne The Pooh. The movies were big parts of my childhood, and I can still do Winne The Pooh’s stretches from memory, so I’m glad I can get a figurine to commemorate my love.
- Quality 8/10 – I hold a special place for Winne the Pooh in my heart so I may be a bit biased with this figure, but I like it. There aren’t any other characters featured aside from the titular bear, which loses it some points. The paisley-like pattern on the bear is also a little weird, but I don’t mind it.
- Availability 9/10 – This figurine has a fantastic price. It is a little over $30, which is a great price. It’s not super cheap, but it is notably cheaper than the Alice in Wonderland and the Lion King figurines.
- Serialization 10/10 – Winne the Pooh has a lot of options available for the buyer who hasn’t quite made up their mind. You got two that feature almost all the cast of the 100 Acre Woods, a solo Eyore figure, and one for Tigger, amongst others. If this figurine isn’t your cup of tea, then give the others a look.
Pros
- The price is good for a Disney Traditions figurine.
- The coloring of this figurine really pops!
Cons
- It’s only Pooh Bear with no other characters.
#04 Enesco Disney Traditions by Jim Shore White Woodland The Princess and The Frog Tiana with Louie Figurine, 7.5 Inch, Multicolor
Princess and the Frog was one of the last 2D movies Disney put out. I remember it being modern enough for me actually to remember seeing it in theatres for the first time. I didn’t like the movie at first. I thought it was just mediocre, but I grew to like it more and more as I managed to catch it on the TV every odd or so time. The music was wonderful, and you could see how time had improved the techniques available to the animators.
- Quality 8/10 – The figurine comes with two characters: The main Disney Princess, Tiana, and Louis, the trumpet-playing gator. While it doesn’t reference anything from the movies, it is a saccharine sweet scene that I kind of wished actually was in the movie.
- Availability 5/10 – I don’t know how the price of this figurine got so high, but the normal price of this figurine is $70, which is one hell of a price tag. Even if you like Princess and the Frog more than anything else in the world, that price will burn a hole in your wallet that you’re sure to notice.
- Serialization 7/10 – You’ve got a decent amount of figurines to choose from when it concerns Princess and the Frog. You got Tiana and Naveen’s frog forms, Tiana in a gown, but not much else. I find it strange because there are plenty of characters to look at if they need inspiration.
Pros
- Based on Princess and the Frog, which doesn’t get much merch.
Cons
- This figurine is one of the most expensive in the Disney Traditions Collection.
- There are not many Princess and the Frog figurines, so a collection of them will have to be small.
#05 Enesco Disney Traditions by Jim Shore Little Mermaid Ursula Undersea Scene Figurine, 8.2 Inch, Multicolor, 4059732
Hot take incoming: I’ve never really liked The Little Mermaid. It was one of the movies I didn’t watch growing up, so I don’t have much nostalgia for it. When I finally got around to watching it now, I thought the movie was above average but not up to par with some of the other classics Disney has released and even some movies that aren’t considered classics. That being said, this is one of the best-looking figurines they have.
- Quality 9/10 – What I like so much about this figurine is how it presents itself in a unique and fun way. You get the antagonist Ursula, but the way you see Ursula’s pets (Floatsom and Jetsom) and Ariel has this air or aesthetic that is indicative of the underlying menace that Ariel was unfortunately unaware of.
- Availability 3/10 – Why do Disney Tradition figurines have to be so expensive? If you like The Little Mermaid, keep an eye on this one to see if it has a sale, but even then, the price won’t be super kind unless it’s on a huge discount.
- Serialization 10/10 – I may not like The Little Mermaid, but someone clearly does because there are SO MANY FIGURINES! You can get one of Ariel and Sebastien. You can get one of Ariel and her father, one that shows Ariel and basically the entire cast. This isn’t even the only one of Ariel and Ursula. There are just so many it’s kind of crazy.
Pros
- One of the best-looking Disney Traditions figurines.
- Has Ursula, Ariel and Flotsam, and Jetsam all in one figurine.
- Part of an extensive line of Disney Traditions figurines where scenes are carved into the villains.
Cons
- This figurine is inordinately expensive even when compared to the other price figurines.
#06 Enesco Disney Traditions Mickey and Minnie Heart Figurine
Mickey and Minne, while they haven’t had a movie, they are the mascots of one of the biggest media conglomerates in the world. Mickey Mouse himself is more well-known than the leader of countries due to the way Disney shoves him into everything. This figurine is a really good way if you simp for a media mascot like me. It’s Mickey and Minne in a really cute pose. I love it.
- Quality 9/10 – This figurine really benefits by being based on classic cartoon characters. It doesn’t have much color, but it doesn’t need to when all it needs to be is black and white. The only color it does have is bright red which makes the heart-shaped balloon pop and sells the figure. It reminds me of the modern Mickey Mouse shorts, which I love.
- Availability 7/10 – This figurine’s price isn’t the worst, but it’s still expensive. It comes in at around $45, which I think is a decent enough price for what you get. If you like Mickey and Minne as much as I do, then this is a figurine you should definitely take a look at.
- Serialization 10/10 – Dude, it’s Mickey Mouse. Do you think Disney hasn’t found some way to make a dozen different figurines of this guy? He has ones themed after Christmas, Valentine’s, and a dozen other variants of a dozen other things. The variety will make your head spin.
Pros
- You get two of the most iconic characters in history.
- A nice cheap figurine that’d be perfect for a gift.
- The lack of color really suits the classic black-and-white style the figurine si going for.
Cons
- It’s not based on any Disney movie. Rather, it uses Disney’s mascots.
#07 Disney Traditions by Jim Shore Beauty and the Beast Carved by Heart Stone Resin Figurine, 7.75”
Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney’s best movies, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The story was good, and the music was somehow even better. Even the animation was astounding as it pushed the techniques at Disney’s disposal, especially the scene where they danced in the ballroom. I am so thankful it got a figurine that does the movie justice.
- Quality 10/10 – This figurine is one of the best Disney has ever released. You get Belle, the Beast, Lumiere, Ms.Potts and her son, and Cogsworth. Belle and the Beast are even dancing as they did in the ballroom. Oh my god, I love it so badly.
- Availability 4/10 – I was this close to buying it for myself when the price tag slapped me across the face and stole my lunch money. It comes in over $80. While this Statue is good, there is no way I can fit that into my budget. I’ll just have to settle for the images of the figurine on the internet.
- Serialization 8/10 – There are more than a few Beauty and the Beast figurines for you to buy, but they lose some points because they all share some common features. I get that the scene in the ballroom is one of the most iconic things Disney has ever made, but I would like for Belle and the Beast to be doing a different pose, please.
Pros
- A genuinely wonderful-looking figurine that’s based on the iconic ballroom scene.
- Has most of the characters from the movie: Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Ms. Potts, and her son.
Cons
- On the high end of Disney Traditions figurines.
- I don’t know why Beast’s upper arm has that weird texture on it. That’s not in the movie.
#08 Disney Traditions Treasure Dive (Scrooge McDuck)
I was too young ever to catch the classic Ducktales! show. I really caught onto the series with the modern reboot, but I never quite managed to finish it. I’ll definitely get around to finishing it one of these days because Scrooge McDuck was one of my favorite characters. He had the bombast and arrogance I loved with a heart that was just big enough for him to come through at the end of the day. I love the character, and I love this figurine.
- Quality 9/10 – This figurine only has Scrooge, which is a shame. I would’ve liked to see Hewy, Dewy, or Louie. What does give it back its points is the reference to one of Scrooge’s favorite hobbies, that being going swimming through his pile of coins and jewels. It’s just a tub rather than a humongous vault, but I still like it.
- Availability 5/10 – This figurine doesn’t quite manage to fall onto the extreme end of the price scale, but it is high. It also isn’t easy to find on Amazon either. I had to really dig through the pages before I found it.
- Serialization 4/10 – Ducktales doesn’t have too many figurines to its name. There are sets of Hewy, Dewy, and Louie, but I couldn’t find any of the other Ducktales characters, or even one with the 3 boys and their uncle all in one figurine. I have to take a few points for that, at least.
Pros
- The figure is posed really well with Scrooge swimming through a bathtub of money.
Cons
- You only get Scrooge and no other characters.
- There aren’t very many Ducktales figurines available for you to buy.
#09 Enesco Disney Traditions by Jim Shore White Woodland Mulan Sitting Figurine, 5.5 Inch, Multicolor
I don’t want to say Mulan is underrated, but I don’t hear people talking about it often enough. The movie is one of Disney’s best. It’s a very touching movie with some of the best songs. The way A Girl Worth Fighting For acts as a bait and switch when they come across the doll in the burned village, revealing that the girl worth fighting for wasn’t a beautiful woman, but the innocents caught in the crossfires of war was nothing short of perfection.
Quality 10/10 – I like how the figurine includes Mulan and her dragon Mushu. Having more than one character is good, especially at this figurine’s affordable price. I do dislike how it has Mulan wearing the dress instead of the more iconic soldier’s uniform, but it’s really not that big of a deal.
Availability 8/10 – The figurine is pricey, but what Disney Traditions Figurine isn’t? However, you get Mulan and Mushu in this one. That’s two characters for a surprisingly low price. It’s not bad if you want to have two of the main characters of Mulan sitting on your shelf.
Serialization 7/10 – There are more than a few Mulan figurines for the inquisitive buyer, but not as many as some other movies. I’d also go as far as to say that many of them are, frankly, not that good. I only spotted one other one that truly caught my eye. The others were just solo figures of Mulan.
Pros
- Mulan is a really good movie, and this is a really good figure to go along with it.
- There are plenty of Mulan Figurines for you to purchase so that a nice collection can get started.
Cons
- I don’t recall Mulan ever wearing the dress the figurine has in the movie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Where’s the Best Place to buy Disney Traditions Figurines?
Answer: The best place to buy them is definitely on Amazon. They have an entire section just for them, so it’s really easy to browse through them all and find one that suits your fancy.
Question: Which Figurine Would Make the Best Gift for my Child?
Answer: I definitely think the Enesco Disney Traditions by Jim Shore Winnie The Pooh Standing Personality Pose Figurine, 4.75 Inch, Multicolor would make a decent gift for a young child. It’s based on one of the characters from one of Disney’s more kid-suited franchises, and it has bright, noticeable colors that kids love. That being said, I’m not sure a child would want a stone resin statue.
Question: Who is Jim Shore?
Answer: Jim Shore is a well-known artist whose prolific for making stone-resin figurines. He partnered with Enesco in 2000, which really got him notoriety as his creations became sold in more and more places. He’s partnered with many brands like Animal Planet, Walt Disney, Crayola, DC Comics, and many more. He also makes more generic figurines that aren’t tied to any specific brand, such as angels and Christmas.
Conclusion
Disney is one of the largest parts of my childhood, so it’s nice that there’s a large line of collectibles for it. They all have a certain level of charm and quality that makes them desirable. However, that’s not to say they are without issue. The biggest hurt point is the price. It’s hard to afford more than one when they are all so aggressively expensive. Doubly so when they’re expensive, hard to break, and have to be shipped in the mail. That’s a combination that’ll have you pulling out your hair. If you’re willing to overcome those two points, you certainly have a fantastic collection waiting for you.
Thank you for reading, and happy hunting!
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