BSA306, who's using 3D for prototyping toys? 2 April, 2017

http://www.happyworker.com/toy-design-prototyping

We've done something that's astounding... we’re really, really happy. People are saying this is the coolest thing they've ever done. Think this represents how awesome Happy Worker is.

Jason Bischoff, Licensing Manager
Blizzard Entertainment
http://www.aniwaa.com/3d-printing-for-toys/

 Offering a better customer experience

3D printing can also be used to improve the consumer experience.

McDonald’s for example, announced two years ago, considering the idea of 3D printing the Happy Meals toys directly from its restaurants. Children would only have to choose their toys, customize and print them in 3D. It is an opportunity to improve the customer experience in restaurant during the preparation of the meals.

Much ink has flowed since this interview of Mark Fabes, IT Director of McDonald’s UK, however, since then, nothing has been launched yet. Indeed, Mark Fabes said that “this was only an idea”. Still, this ‘idea’ reveals the potential that brands see in 3D printing to improve the experience of their customers.

http://www.geek.com/gadgets/mcdonalds-wants-a-3d-printer-in-every-restaurant-so-they-can-print-happy-meal-toys-1576582/

https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/toy-prototype-manufacturers.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-manufacture-your-own-designer-toy-or-start-/
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/421470/how-3-d-printing-is-transforming-the-toy-industry/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/how-to-create-a-product-prodotype/article17827023/  No!  This is from 1996 and now about 3D printing at all

http://www.polygon.com/features/2016/1/27/10811024/manufacturing-skylanders-disney-infinity-shovel-knight

Like Skylanders, Disney Infinity is a "vertical toys" business, which means the toys are designed, developed and manufactured internally, which is different from Disney's typical toy development process. Most Disney toys are licensed to other companies for manufacturing, like Hasbro, Mattel or LEGO, and those companies then make products based on Disney's specifications.

Yoda from Disney Infinity

"Five years ago, you were just a video game developer, and now you're worrying about all these different types of things," Vignocchi says.

Disney Interactive even brought in some toy people from its Consumer Products division for a few months, teaching the game people the process of making toys. One of the recommendations they made: In order to crank out figures quicker, make them 2 inches tall instead of the 6 inches Pixar had initially suggested.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/3d-printing-toys-2014-8?r=US&IR=T

McKinsey estimates the total economic impact of 3D printing technology will be $US230-$550 billion per year by 2025, $US100-$300 billion of which will be direct consumer products such as toys.