Latest news with #Monsters
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Unassuming $30 toy is sending shoppers into a FRENZY... as A-listers pay more than TRIPLE the price to buy one
A seemingly unassuming $30 toy made by Chinese toy company Pop Mart is sending shoppers into overdrive as even A-listers are shelling out thousands of dollars for the limited-edition dolls. The toys, which originated in Hong Kong, are called Labubus - plush, furry little dolls that are described as 'elvish creatures,' with big teeth and elf-like ears. The Labubu is part of a larger collection from Pop Mart, called The Monsters, created by Belgium-based designer Kasing Lung. The Monsters were first created in 2015 as an illustrated story, and then became a series of toys around the 'iconic character,' Labubu. However, in recent months, the toys have taken off in popularity, with kids and adults alike clamoring to get their hands on the plush accessories. Not only are there lines wrapping around the outside of shopping malls across America, but in the UK, Pop Mart has had to pause sales of Labubus in-store to protect customer safety. Adding to the hype, Pop Mart will often drop limited-edition versions of the Labubu, like their most recent 'Big Into Energy' collection, which featured the toys in different Ombre colorways. Some of them also come in a 'blind box,' which means that what kind of Labubu you get is a total surprise, contributing to the appeal and excitement. They're now being seen as a status symbol, with wealthy women and men hanging them off their pricey Hermès Birkin bags and $2,000 Goyard totes. 'LABUBU's growth became especially noticeable in Q2 of 2024, with sales surging to four times that of Q1 – and continuing to grow,' Emily Brough, Head of Licensing at POP MART North America, explained to 'The demand for LABUBU is extremely high, with products selling out online within minutes and in stores the day of launch, and reselling for double and even triple the original price,' she continued. Brough shared that the character's 'adorable design' and overall versatility can be attributed to its viral popularity. It's even caught on with A-listers and celebrities, like Lisa of Blackpink, Dua Lipa and Rihanna, who have been seen carrying the plush, driving up sales and searches for Pop Mart. 'Celebrity visibility has played a key role in amplifying LABUBU's reach,' Brough explained. 'We don't pay for these placements — these organic moments have helped position LABUBU as a true It-Girl accessory and collector's item,' she shared. Of these A-listers include Bravo star and SiriusXM radio host Jeff Lewis, who has been going to great lengths to secure various Labubus for his eight-year-old daughter, Monroe. Lewis was first introduced to the toys by former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Crystal Kung-Minkoff, who filled him in on the trend. 'It's crazy, but I'm using my radio platform to find Labubus, I've got people now reaching out to me in Arkansas, saying, "I've got three, do you want me to buy them and send them to you?"' Lewis told exclusively. 'The listeners will DM me, and it's a little bit of blind trust, because people are like "Venmo me $350 for 32 Labubus,"' he continued. So far, it's been hit or miss for Lewis, who says he has been getting a minimum of five messages a day from his followers about the plush toys. In one instance, the Flipping Out star did send $350 to someone, but instead of getting 32 full-sized Labubus, he received tiny keychains. He ran into an even more unfortunate problem recently, when he paid $1,200 to a complete stranger for 10 Labubus, only to find out that they were totally fake - a 'Lafufu,' as some call it. However, he has secured some real ones, getting in touch with store owners in places like Hawaii to source them. 'I've got these scouts, like, all over the country,' he said. As he has begun collecting the toys for his daughter, Lewis has given some away to his friends and nieces, and even donated some to the local hospital. 'We all want what we can't have, and the fact that they're very difficult to get, it creates a very fun challenge and a competition,' he told Lewis added that he and Minkoff are now 'competing' against each other over who can find the latest and best Labubu. For her part, Minkoff learned of the dolls after a friend pointed them out to her in an airport, and then again when her daughter, Zoe, eight, became interested in them. Before their family spring break trip to Spain, Minkoff recalled letting her daughter scroll on social media to find some places she would want to go on vacation. And what she found? A little store in Madrid that sold Labubus. While that shop didn't end up selling them, they stumbled across another store in Madrid that did - and they subsequently bought 18 of them. 'Ever since then, everyone has looked at me, like some sort of ambassador for them because I started talking about it,' Minkoff told exclusively. And last month, her husband, Rob Minkoff, was on a trip to China, and bought even more of them for their kids. However, Minkoff and her husband have only let their kids open about six of the toys so far. 'Because of Jeff [Lewis'] show, I get probably 10 to 20 direct messages a day, and people want me to authenticate their Labubus,' Minkoff said. 'My whole world has become psychotic because of it, but these DMs that I'm getting are hysterical,' she added. But it's become something that her kids and even the entire family enjoys, as Minkoff will decorate her Hermès and other designer bags with the toys. 'Me, Max and Zoe, we have them kind of like, all over the house now, and we throw them on backpacks,' Minkoff said of her and her children. 'It's like, whatever we feel like throwing them on. No one has their own now, it became sort of like a collective family toy, where it's like, oh, I'm gonna hang these ones on mine.' Minkoff believes that there are a few variables that are making Labubus go viral. Not only does she credit the fun unboxing factor, but also the scarcity of the products and its price point. 'I think the price point makes it easy to become a collector, right?' Minkoff explained. 'You're not talking about collecting Birkins, even an $1,000 thing.' 'It's a fun thing to search for without being crazy expensive, and it becomes a present.' However, although they're cute for now, Minkoff knows the craze won't last forever. 'I also tell my kids, you know, at some point it's gonna go away, you're gonna go to the next fun thing.' Minkoff shared. But for now, Labubu's are in full demand - and the craze is showing no signs of slowing down.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Disney World reveals closing date for Tom Sawyer Island, details on new Cars area
Disney World reveals closing date for Tom Sawyer Island, details on new Cars area Show Caption Hide Caption Disney World, Disneyland to get new theme park lands and attractions Disney announced new lands and attractions for its global theme parks at its 2024 D23 fan event, including "Monsters, Inc." and villains-themed areas. It's time to say goodbye to an iconic piece of Walt Disney World. On Tuesday, Disney Parks announced that Magic Kingdom's Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and Rivers of America will close on July 7 to make way for a new "Cars"-inspired area unveiled at last August's D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. For decades, Tom Sawyer Island has offered guests a tranquil, tree-canopied respite from crowds and a cornucopia of caves and other places for kids to explore and stretch their legs. Many longtime fans have expressed sadness at their imminent loss, but newly shared details suggest similar experiences ahead. Is Cars replacing Tom Sawyer Island? Yes. The area is being reimagined as "Piston Peak National Park," part of Magic Kingdom's largest expansion to date. "Imagine an awe-inspiring wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and impressive geysers," Disney Parks Blog posted Tuesday. "Inside Piston Peak, guests will be able to see and explore the visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more all set within the Disney and Pixar 'Cars' universe." It will be different from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, which is set in Radiator Springs. Disney said Imagineers will use a style of architecture developed by the Natural Park Service to blend structures into Rocky Mountain-inspired Piston Peak, and trees will serve as a natural border between an off-road rally attraction and the rest of Frontierland and Liberty Square. Can you go on Tom Sawyer Island? Yes. Guests can take a raft to Tom Sawyer Island through its last day of operation at Magic Kingdom, July 6. That's also the last day of operation for Liberty Square Riverboat, which circles the island along the Florida park's Rivers of America. Disneyland's Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will remain open. The California attraction was personally designed by Walt Disney and enhanced in 2007. What's coming to Disney World in 2025: New nighttime parade, Disney Villains show and more What's closing at Disney World in 2025? Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo will close at Disney's Hollywood Studios on July 8 – just a day after Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and the Rivers of America. Guests have until July 7 to say farewell, but the Muppets will return eventually. Disney plans to reimagine Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith with a Muppets theme. "It's Tough to be a Bug" closed at Disney's Animal Kingdom in March. It will be replaced with a new "Zootopia: Better Zoogether" show later this year. Animal Kingdom's TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and shop Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures closed in January for the first phase of construction on a new Tropical Americas inspired land, which will eventually replace DinoLand U.S.A.
Euronews
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Labubu: Why is everyone so obsessed with these 'creepy' dolls?
What's happening? Labubu dolls, that's what. Creepy cute little monsters with fluffy bodies and razor sharp grins. Originally created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for his picture book series "Monsters", they were turned into figurines in 2019 as part of a collaboration with toymakers Pop Mart. Since then, their popularity has skyrocketed — especially in bag charm form. Everyone wants one! Why are they in the news? Last week, Pop Mart decided to pull the toys from all 16 of its UK shops until June, citing "potential safety issues". Many fans have responded angrily — but only have themselves to blame. The announcement followed a fight that reportedly broke out in a London store, where people had queued overnight to obtain the latest Labubu editions. "People were shouting, basically saying there were no more Labubus left,' one customer told the BBC. 'I even witnessed a fight between a worker and a customer." What's driving this craziness? As is the source of most contemporary trends, we can blame TikTok. The trend took off after Lisa, a member of the popular K-pop band Blackpink, was seen with one on her bag. At the time of writing, there are 1.4M posts under #Labubu, with people excitedly sharing their collections, unboxings, and even crocheting their own versions. In an age where most things are mass produced and easily obtainable, Pop Art's blind boxes and limited edition drops are exciting in their spontaneity. How much are they? In the UK, they tend to cost anywhere between £13.50 (€16) to £50 (€59), although rare editions can go for even more. One of the main reasons for the recent chaos is re-sellers, who frantically buy up new drops purely to hike up the price, leaving genuine buyers out of luck and frustrated. Ok, but can we talk about the fact grown adults are getting so upset over toys? Sure, but don't you know we're in the midst of a plushie pandemic?! From Jellycats to Squishmallows — adults have become key consumers of all things cute. According to research group Circana, one in five toys and games are now bought by over-18s for themselves. It's a rapidly growing market known as 'kidults', and led by a mixture of things — like people having children later and overwhelming existential anxiety. The world is on fire, might as well buy some weird little guys to cope. But… Why are they so scary looking? That's their appeal: the combination of sweet and sinister. Another example of this is the hugely popular Sonny Angels — cherubic little figurines wearing themed bonnets and no pants. Sure, they sound whimsical, but if you look closely enough at those perfectly poised arms and sideways glances... They're plotting something. But it's often these subtly unnerving/bizarre elements of certain toys that make them stand-out; the expressions and outfits characterful and endlessly adaptable. Sounds like Labubu have got this whole 'kidult' toy craze in the bag. On the bag, more like! Speaking of which — ours suddenly looks awful lonely without... Don't even... via GIPHY
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Disney World reveals official start date for Disney Starlight nighttime parade
Disney World reveals official start date for Disney Starlight nighttime parade Show Caption Hide Caption Disney World, Disneyland to get new theme park lands and attractions Disney announced new lands and attractions for its global theme parks at its 2024 D23 fan event, including "Monsters, Inc." and villains-themed areas. For the first time in nearly a decade, Walt Disney World will have a nighttime parade for everyday guests. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will debut at Magic Kingdom on July 20, the Florida resort shared Tuesday. The parade was first announced at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event last summer, but the start date had been under wraps. Inspired by its long-running predecessor, the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade, Disney Starlight will center on the power of a wish and feature a mix of characters from classic and contemporary Disney Animation and Pixar films. 'What guests are going to be able to get in this parade is a nod to the past but also eyes firmly set on the future,' Tara Anderson, show director with Disney Live Entertainment, said in a teaser video shared by Disney Parks. 'So you're going to hear melodies from older films, newer films in a very magical, mystical way.' The Blue Fairy, whom guests may remember from 'Pinocchio,' will power the illuminated parade with her magic. Other characters will include Elsa, Moana, Asha from 'Wish,' members of the Madrigal family from 'Encanto,' Miguel and Pepita from 'Coco,' Peter Pan and Wendy, various Disney princesses with their princes, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse , and more. A train, inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade, will be among the many floats. This is Disney World's first regular nighttime parade since 2016. Other nighttime parades, like Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, are exclusive to specially ticketed after-hours events and not included with standard park admission like Disney Starlight will be.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What are the viral Labubu dolls and why they've just been pulled from UK stores
Sometimes, the most unexpected things become viral. In recent months, a peculiar doll with oversized eyes, a mischievous smile, and a furry exterior has quietly taken over the hearts of people, particularly in fashion and toy worlds. Labubu, the quirky monster doll that became a viral sensation and celebrity favourite in a very short time is making news for its abrupt disappearance from UK stores. Needless to say this has left fans both heartbroken and furious. While a return has been promised, fans remain seething over the suddenness of it all. Hong Kong-born and Netherlands-raised artist Kasing Lung is credited with creating this madly popular doll inspired by Nordic mythology along with other Monsters characters for a series of picture books in 2015. How it entered the fashion world and became a charming accessory is another story. Labubu dolls were first spotted dangling from the designer bags of A-listers like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and BLACKPINK's Lisa. Before anyone knew, it fueled a collectible craze. According to Google Trends, searches for 'Labubu doll' skyrocketed, and peaked at over 2.1 million queries in a single month. Why Labubu dolls were pulled from the store Labubu fans and shoppers across the UK were taken aback when the viral doll went missing from all 16 outlets of Pop Mart, the toy brand behind Labubu, in May. The decision came after a series of disturbing scenes unfolded at store locations, with reports of chaotic crowds, overnight queues, and even fights breaking out among eager buyers. In one particularly troubling incident at Pop Mart's Stratford store in London, fan Victoria Calvert described an atmosphere that quickly spiraled into aggression: 'People were shouting, basically saying there were no more Labubus left. I even witnessed a fight between a worker and a customer," a customer told BBC. The decision to temporarily withdraw the dolls until June is meant to 'prevent any potential safety issues.' But fans aren't convinced. Social media users have expressed their dismay over the sudden unavailability of the product with some blaming the brand's drip-feed stock tactics and others targeting resellers who've driven prices sky-high. Origins of Labubu Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born illustrator created Labubu, part of a fictional universe called 'The Monsters', which includes friends like Zimomo, Mokoko, and Tycoco. Each character features unique traits, but Labubu with her nine visible teeth and infectious grin, quickly captured people's fancy. In 2019, Pop Mart teamed up with Lung to launch the first line of collectible Labubu toys. Sold in 'blind boxes' - sealed packaging where buyers don't know which design they'll get, the toys added an element of surprise that only intensified their appeal. Every new collection features fresh themes, outfits, and accessories. The most recent drop, 'Big Into Energy,' launched around April end, showcases ombré-colored fur and matching painted teeth, each toy symbolizing different emotional energies. US: Sneeze-guard makers can't keep up with huge demand
