UCLA alumnus Aldrin Gamos collects Disney Vinlymation figurines as way to connect with friends, coworkers

Aldrin Gamos’ framed diploma and Bruin football calendar hang from the walls while his orientation counselor name tags and stacks of business cards clutter the desk. At first glance, his bedroom reflects only his identity as a recent UCLA alumnus.

But in early afternoon the sunlight hits his Vinylmation collection just right, and this isn’t quite a grown-up’s room anymore.

A militant line of three-inch tall figurines stand atop his computer, their plastic eyes staring at the cases of similarly colorful creatures across the room.

Gamos owns 44 Disney Vinylmation collectibles. A melding of the words “animation” and “vinyl,” the movement allows professional artists to use the classic Mickey Mouse shape as a blank canvas.

The small vinyl figures are all shaped like Mickey, yet artists may decorate them to look like any object they choose. Figurines have been painted to resemble everything from movie characters to foods to abstract artworks.

Vinylmation collectibles are sold at Disneyland and Disney stores; the size Gamos collects cost $10 each. Collectors usually purchase the figures in opaque boxes, not knowing which of the advertised designs is inside until they’ve opened the box.

Vinylmation fans like Gamos often trade figures at the Disneyland park or during special trading nights.

It was at a recent trading night that Gamos swapped his vinyl of Dodger from the movie “Oliver and Company” for Stitch from “Lilo and Stitch.”

“There are some intense interactions at trading nights because some people are so obsessed,” said Gamos, who studied sociology. “I once met a lady who had 200 vinyls.”

Gamos works in the orientation office at UCLA and was introduced to Vinylmation about a year and half ago when his coworkers posted pictures of their collections on Facebook.

“At first I thought (collecting) was stupid; I didn’t want to fall for something like that,” Gamos said with a chuckle. “Then I went to Disneyland, bought my first vinyl and got addicted.”

Inspired by Gamos, fourth-year psychology student Jennifer Ellingwood bought her first vinyl, a figure decorated like a basketball, last fall.

She now owns 14 and said she loves collecting because the figures serve as reminders of frequent trips to Disneyland with her friends.

“I don’t think Aldrin will ever stop collecting,” Ellingwood said. “It’s really exciting to watch him find a vinyl he likes or has been wanting for a long time.”

As a Disneyland annual passholder, Gamos has a zest for Mickey Mouse.

Plush varieties of the iconic critter are nestled behind his TV and atop his dresser.

Disney movies are also a favorite, and the DVD rack is brimming with flicks like “Toy Story 3″ and “A Goofy Movie.”

“Sure, there are rides to go on and stuff, but vinyls add something tangible to the whole Disney and Disneyland experience,” Gamos said. “You never know which one you’re going to get, and you never know who you’re going to meet through trading. It’s so fun because it’s unpredictable.”

Though Gamos said some friends call his habit too expensive or too juvenile, most are supportive and trade vinyls with him at the park.

One such pal is fourth-year music education student Justin Lee, who buys and trades figures for Gamos to add to his collection.

Lee said clashing tastes in vinyls sometimes make it difficult to purchase for his friend.

“Aldrin really, really likes brown,” Lee said after referencing his friend’s first purchase, a brown vinyl decorated as a turkey. “And I really, really like yellow. But Aldrin gets the last word because the vinyls I buy are ultimately going to his collection.”

Lee said he remains committed to his hobby despite its cost because he knows the thrill of the chase makes his friend happy.

In Gamos’ room, the sunlight is now fading, but one vinyl still stands out as more magical than the rest.

It’s Sorcerer Mickey, and the mouse’s star-studded hat and bright red cape make him Gamos’s favorite vinyl of all. Perched atop a crammed case of figurines, Mickey stands alone with a mischievous smile on his face and one eye shut in a wink.