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Sunday, August 31, 2014

Monsters Inc: Imaginext CDA Van


Here we have the Child Detection Agency (CDA) Van from Fisher-Price's Imaginext line of toys, following the University Row play set and figure packs post as well as the CDA Copter post from this past week.

Similar to the CDA Copter, this toy sports the Monsters University logo even though it was actually only featured in the original Monsters Inc. film (screen shot of one of the brief moments above).


As always with Imaginext, this is a fun, durable, plastic toy and is meant for young kids that are approximately 3-8 years in age. As far as the price, it originally retailed for about $17.99, but can now be easily found on sale for a few dollars cheaper since this product is over a year old at this point.


This toy includes one CDA agent figure (different than the one with the copter), features an opening front and back, and has a "human capturing claw" that extends and retracts as you turn the red knob on the top of the van.


 This is a super fun toy for kids to play with as they can re-create some of the most exciting moments in the film with their own imaginations. For me, I love it for its iconic look/design. I'll be excited to display it with the rest of my Monsters Inc. merch until the time comes to pass it down to one of my future kids. I definitely recommend this for any fan of the film!  

To see this toy in action, head over to YouTube (thanks to DisneyCarsToys).

You can pretty much still find this item in stores, but if it happens to be sold out near you, no worries. You can pick it up online (and on sale) over at Amazon or on eBay using the link below:
Monsters Inc: CDA Van Imaginext

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Cars: Back on the Map Gift Pack


From the Toys R Us exclusive "Radiator Spring Classic" series, here we have their most recent 3-pack release, "Back on the Map."

This gift pack includes waitress versions of the twins Mia and Mia in addition to Hank Hallsum. These characters can be seen briefly during the original Cars end credits, when the town of Radiator Springs is shown back in full swing (screen shot above; Mia and Tia seen in the center while Hank can be seen in the back left corner). These are 1:55 scale diecast cars from Mattel.


This was an awesome release for me since I had missed these characters back when they were first released in an earlier Toys R Us gift pack from a few years back, called "Flo's V8 Cafe." Additionally, Waitress Mia and Tia were also released together in this unnamed lenticular eyes "3-Car Gift Pack" with Flo.


This pack was released a couple of months ago, but has still yet to show up at my local Toys R Us. If it wasn't for my good friends T.J. and Julie over at PixarPost.com, I would still be on the look out for it. A big thanks to them for helping me track this one down!

If you're also having a hard time finding this pack in stores and are willing to pay just a little more than the $14.99 price tag, you can buy it on Amazon or on eBay using the link below:
Cars: Back on the Map Gift Pack

Are you a fan of Pixar's Cars franchise? Then be sure to check back here often as many more diecast characters from my collection will be posted right here during the next few months! In the mean time, you can explore what I've already posted in the Cars related labels to the right of this page.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Monsters Inc: Imaginext CDA Copter


A couple of days ago, I posted info on the MU University Row play set and figure packs from Fisher-Price's Imaginext line of toys. For today's post, I wanted to continue reviewing the Imaginext Monsters University/Inc. line with this Child Detection Agency (CDA) Copter that I recently added to my collection!

Although the package sports the Monsters University logo, It was actually only featured in the original Monsters Inc. film (screen shot of one of the brief moments above).


Per usual with Imaginext, this is a sturdy, well made, plastic toy and is meant for young kids that are approximately 3-8 years in age. As far as the price, it retails for about $18.99.

This copter comes with one CDA agent figure and also has a couple of play features such as an opening cockpit and a pop-out claw to grab up "contaminated monsters" or "human children" (which is released by the pull of a trigger on the handle). The propellers also spin, but you have to make that happen yourself by pushing them along.


This is a fun toy for children to play with as they can re-create some of the most exciting moments in the film with their own imaginations. For me, I love it for its iconic look/design. I'll be excited to display it with the rest of my Monsters Inc. merch until the time comes to pass it down to one of my future kids.

If you're interested in grabbing it for yourself or your little Monsters Inc. fan, you can buy it on Amazon or eBay using the link below:
Monsters University: Imaginext CDA Copter

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Cars: Radiator Springs Racers Limited Edition 9" Vinylmation


Back in the Spring of 2013, my wife Brita and I decided to take a pretty spontaneous road trip to California to visit Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure (DCA). We had an absolute blast and I cherish those memories almost on a daily basis. Note: Check out a slideshow I put together of our trip HERE

One of our favorite parts (if not THE favorite part) was having the opportunity to visit the brand new Cars Land there at DCA and one of our favorite rides of the week was the Radiator Spring Racers! It really took me by surprise on how cool (and gigantic) it really was, since I had avoided (mostly) all spoilers and footage from it. Because of the tremendously long lines, we were only able to ride it twice, but we were able to experience it once during the day and once at night, which was beautiful. We were also able to experience both versions of the ride, as one takes you through Luigi's tire shop at one point and the other takes you through Ramone's House of Body Art (which we had no idea about!).

 You can see my full video of the ride (night time, Ramone's version) below:



To commemorate the opening day of Cars Land back in June of 2012, California Adventure released this amazing Radiator Springs Racers 9" vinylmation, based on the ride's official poster design. This vinylmation was a one day limited run with only 500 made and was designed Maria Clapsis. It retailed at $54.95 and had a "one per guest" limit.


I absolutely love the design of the Radiator Springs poster (I'm a sucker for that minimal, stylized look); So naturally, being a fan of the poster, vinylmations, limited edition stuff AND of course Cars Land/Radiator Springs Racers, I had to get this one.

A few weeks ago, I had a very lucky eBay experience and lets just say I won this (new in package) for only $44.99...less than the original retail price! Luckily, nobody else even placed a bid. How did that happen given that these very rarely pop up on eBay and sell for hundreds of dollars? It beats me, but I'll take it!


 Ultimately, what this vinylmation does for me is bring back cherished memories of an amazing trip I had with my wife and the pure magic of visiting Cars Land for the very first time. I look forward to proudly displaying this for years to come.

Like I said, these only occasionally pop up on eBay, but definitely check there often using the link below and you might have some luck:
Cars Land: LE Radiator Springs Racers 9" Vinylmation

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to check back daily for more from my Pixar collection!

 Note: The comments section for each post is now fixed, so please feel free to share your thoughts. 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Monsters University: Imaginext University Row Play Set & Figure Packs


From last year's Fisher-Price Imaginext Monsters University line of toys, today I'm showing off the very fun "University Row" play set and the figures (sold separately) that were also part of the collection.


Imaginext toys are of course meant for very young kids, ages 3-8 years old and are full of sounds and play features. Lets first take a look at this MU play set below, which is based off of the fraternity and sorority houses (University Row) seen in the film. This set originally retailed for $29.99, but can now be easily found on sale for as low as $14.99.


The set comes with two figures, Mike Wazowski and Archie the scare pig, to recreate the classic chase scene in the movie. Mike is somewhat poseable (his arms, legs and even eye can move) while Archie is not. They are made of a sturdy plastic and have a great stylized look to them.

 Place them on the spinning yellow platform (under the ROR house) and turn the red knob for "chasing action" and phrases from Mike such as "1, 2, 3 SCARE" and "I'm catching that pig" as well as Archie "oink/squeal" sounds.


Another play feature: "Catch" Archie by placing him on the ROR "catapult" and press the red button on the top of the roof to send him flying through the air (with sound effects), through the HSS trap door and into his cage! Yes, in this set, pigs do fly.


 There is also a yellow revolving door on the balcony of the EEK house. Continue the "chase" up there which leads to the back of the houses, complete with a staircase. The red circular window to the ROR house also opens, giving Archie yet another escape route.


For a detailed look on how the play features and sounds work, visit THIS YouTube video by DisneyCollector to see it in action.

This is a fun, durable play set that encourages young kids to use their imagination. If you have a little Monsters University fan, I can't recommend this enough. I can't wait to be able to give it to my kids someday! This set is still available at most toy stores or can be purchased on Amazon HERE


Figure Packs
 What play set would be complete without additional characters though? Exactly. That's why I had to purchase the other MU Imaginext plastic figures which are sold separately in packs of two or three. Like Mike, the figures are relatively poseable, but limited to mostly just basic arm and leg movement.

The figure packs retail for typically around $8.99.

Oozma Kappa Sulley and Squishy (find on Amazon)

MU Hat Mike Wazowski and ROR Randy Boggs (find on Amazon)

Art and Terry & Terri (find on Amazon)

George Sanderson and Big Red (find on Amazon)

Johnny Worthington, Chet and Omar (find on Amazon)

"Sorority Pack": Carrie Williams, Nancy Kim and Violet Steslicki (Find on Amazon)

Scary Mike and Sulley w/"Practice Tentacles" (find on Amazon)

 There is one more figure set out there, featuring Art and Archie (with a cage), but I didn't feel the need to get it since I already have both those figures already from the above shown sets. If you are interested though, you can find it on Amazon HERE.
 

There we have it...a great play set and a great line of figures! That's not it though. I've recently added a few more Monsters Inc. / University Imaginext toys to my collection so stay tuned as I review them right here within the next few days.