Monsters University: Disney Store Mike Wazowski & Sulley Plush

Hello everyone! I wasn't suppose to be off from the blog this weekend, but a pretty big thing came up in my family. It's good news no doubt, so I'll be excited to share it with you soon! For you dedicated readers, thanks for hangin' in there.

Back in November of this past year, I started my reviews of the 2013 Disney Store Monsters University plush collection beginning with the "medium core" size characters. The Oozma Kappa gang was my first write-up (check out that post HERE) and I then took a look at the Mrs. Squibbles plush a few weeks later (seen HERE). Today I'm wrapping things up with the final two characters that were released in this medium core line...and what better way to end these posts than with everyone's two favorite scarers— Mike Wazowski and Sulley!

I really love both these plush. Mike Looks fantastic (his MU cap with the "worn" bill is great, not to mention his shiny retainer detail) and this is the best Sulley plush I've seen Disney produce (for a look at all the "derp" Sulley plush out there, check out the bottom of my post HERE). I'm very picky when it comes to Sulley plush and, though this one isn't perfect, I feel his face is definitely close enough to the character and is pretty cute overall. I wonder why Sulley is so hard for them to get right in plush form?

Sulley's size is 14.5" H x 10" W and Mike measures 13" H (when standing) x 7" W. Both originally retailed for the normal medium core price point of $19.99. Note— see them back in the day when they were on store shelves in my throwback post HERE!

Let's move in for a closer look...

The Disney Store's standard "Genuine Original Authentic" patch can be found on the bottom of both these characters.

Once again, these are quality plush toys with solid stitching, vibrant colors, detailed embroidered features and are made from soft materials (especially Sulley). If you're a Disney/Pixar plush collector or if your little one just loves these characters, these are the ones to track down if you haven't already. You really can't go wrong here!

Sulley has since been re-released at the Disney Store and is currently available online HERE or in stores. This particular Mike has since been long gone, but can be found on eBay using this direct link. Both can also be found on Amazon using the links below.

Finally, be sure to check out all the other sizes of MU plush I've posted about:

• "Small core" size [$14.95] Dean Hardscrabble
• "Mini bean bag" size [$9.95] Archie the scare pig, Claire & Brock, "OK" fraternity, "ROR" fraternity, "HSS" sorority, "JOX" fraternity and the "EEK" sorority  

  Have fun and happy scaring!

Cars: Sally with Cone & Lightning McQueen 2-Pack

Finally released once again, here we have a significant Mattel Cars 1:55 scale diecast re-issue...Sally with cone! This one has been a long time coming (eight years to be exact) as Sally with cone hasn't hit store shelves since the 2009 "Race O Rama" series (previously also released in the 2008 "World of Cars" series). I missed getting her originally and, with how rare and pricey she got over the years, I just never snagged her on the second hand market. With that said, this is a most welcome (and anticipated) addition to my collection.

This is the first time this Sally has been released in a 2-pack (previous releases were singles only). Though it would have been cool if a new version of Lightning McQueen was included here (since I had to settle for getting yet another basic original version of him in order to get Sally with cone), I can't complain too much—it was only a couple bucks extra.

Sally is #16/19 and McQueen is #17/19 of the 2017 "Radiator Springs" sub-series. Today I'll be specifically just taking a look at Sally since, again, McQueen is the same old same old.

As shown in the screen shot at the the top of this post, Sally was seen with a traffic cone on top of her after McQueen points out her "tattoo" in the film. She nervously bumps into a pile of cones and what happens happens!

"Hey...Do I spy a little pinstriping tattoo back there?"
"Ohhh, haha, you saw that??"

I like the nervous facial expression Mattel gave this diecast. It makes it much more scene accurate, which I appreciate and always look for! This version of Sally also has the scene specific tattoo on the back, which is very similar to the 2014 "Sally with Tattoo" diecast.

On the front of the package, you may have noticed Lightning McQueen's name is actually a sticker overlay. This was Mattel's quick response to a widespread factory spelling error— underneath the sticker it says "Lighting McQueen." Seems like Mattel caught the error just in time to make a last minute "fix"!

I found this 2-pack last month at Target and have seen it plenty of times since. If you're looking to add this to your Cars collection, be sure to visit your local store for availability. If you'd rather pick it up online, check out current eBay listings HERE or Amazon using the direct link below.

Happy hunting!

Events: Disney Store Cars 3 Merch Release (Phase 1- Kids' Swim Gear)

Ka-Chow! Mid last month, the Disney Store quietly released their first small selection of Cars 3 merchandise. Just like last year around this time for Finding Dory, the first bit of merch to hit stores is actually kids' swim/summer gear! Young Cars fans will be excited to head to the beach or pool being some of the first to sport new characters like Jackson Storm and Cruz Ramirez (among all time favorite race car Lightning McQueen of course).

With many more toys and and additional products coming next month to the Disney Store (or early May at the latest), I'm calling this "phase 1." In this phase we have a rash guard shirt, swim trunks, a beach towel, sun glasses and flip flops. Check it all out on store shelves below!

Here are the links to each item if you're interested in snagging any of these online:

• Rash guard shirt
• Swim trunks 
• Beach towel
• Sun glasses
• Flip flops

These aren't items that I personally plan on buying (so I won't be doing individual in depth reviews), but I didn't want you to miss out on a few things you or your kids might be interested in! Also, once again (as I talked about in yesterday's post), it's just fun for me to document new set ups at the Disney Store as well.

Look forward to more on the main line of Cars 3 Disney Store toys and collectibles right here in the next month or so! In the meantime I'll be hotly-anticipating it just like you. Can't wait!

Events: Disney Store Inside Out Merch Release (May 4th, 2015)

Hello everyone! Today I was cancelled from going into work due to a blizzard, so I'm enjoying a fantastic snow day over here (in my pajamas I might add). This morning I was thinking about the upcoming Cars 3 merchandise releases (as I often do these days) and I remembered that I never documented the Disney Store Inside Out merch release day from a couple years back like I usually do!

If you're new to my site, I have a tradition of blogging about each new in-store Pixar merchandise release at the Disney Store; mainly so that I can record what everything looks like all set up before it sells out. There's something so magical about new merch displays! Plus I know now (and years from now) people might be wanting to take a look back at what the Disney Store looked like when Inside Out products came around. Maybe it's just me, but I know I've searched Google for what the Disney Store set up looked like for Pixar releases of years past. Detailed pictures are usually hard to find, so I hope this helps someone in the future who's looking for a throwback.

So far I've done this for Monsters University, [finally now] Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Finding Dory and, coming soon, Cars 3!

Anyway, welcome welcome to today's throwback post– now I'll be taking you back in time to the original release day of May 4th, 2015. Hopefully this will bring back some classic, "joyous" memories to you as well!

Since it was both the official release day for Inside Out merchandise AND "May the Fourth" (for all you Star Wars fans), I invited my Star Wars loving nephews up with me to celebrate and to participate in some festive Star Wars events.

While the kids were loving the events, I was checking out all the fantastic new products. I remember smelling the Bing Bong cotton candy plush for the first time and still wondering who the character would be in the film! Such fun times.

Let's take a closer look at else what was there upon the initial release...

I ended up buying many of these items that day and did in-depth reviews of each one during that summer. To read my thoughts on everything individually, be sure to check out the Inside Out label to the right of this page (or search for specific items in the search bar).

Something else that's neat is that this was the first time I heard about the new Disney Store that was opening—the one I ended up getting a job at later on. I remember having a good conversation with the manager there and he gave the new store that was opening my name and info. I didn't end up getting a job until later that year, but I guess you could say this store visit (and that conversation) were some of my first steps to becoming a Disney cast member! Something I'll never forget.

Thanks for joining me today on my trip down memory lane! What memories do you have associated with this day/these products? Do you have any photos of your excitement? Let me know your overall thoughts in the comments below. 

Cars: Heather Drifeng and "Michelle Motoretta" (2-Pack)

Welcome back fellow Disney·Pixar Cars fans for another Mattel 1:55scale diecast review! Today I'm giving you a look at another 2-pack that was released clear back in the spring of last year, but again, didn't show up to my area until only a couple months ago. Here we have Heather Drifeng and "Michelle Motoretta" (why her name is in quotes is a good question); numbers 8/9 and 9/9 of the 2016 "95 Dinoco Daydream" sub-series! This set hit last April in [2-packs] case B.

As shown in the screenshot above, Heather and Michelle are briefly seen in both of versions McQueen's Dinoco daydream (the version with himself and the one with Chick Hicks). They a part of the "Autobahn Society" which, according to the World of Cars Wiki page, are "three cars who travel around the world with some of the most popular names in racing, placing bets on various aspects of their careers." The third car in the society, Sedanya Oskanian, was released last year as well (seen HERE).

Honestly though, you can't really tell which ones are this particular group of three Sedans- but they're there!

Let's take a closer look at both of these characters out of the package—

Heather Drifeng

"Michelle Motoretta"

From what I understand, these cars were scheduled to be released way back in 2010— so it's really awesome Mattel finally gave them to us! They're not the most exciting of designs, but any new never before released characters are always welcome.

Since a couple months ago, I feel like this 2-pack has been everywhere in my area. I see it almost every time I go to any Target. If you're looking to grab this set for your collection, be sure to check your local stores to see if they're still hanging around in your area as well. If you're you'd rather just pick this online, check out current eBay listings or Amazon using the direct embedded link.

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Cars 3: Band-Aids

Box Side A

Just as I expected, Cars 3 Band-Aids have hit shelves not too long after my prediction! The early tie-in products/overall marketing patterns have been so consistent over the past few Pixar film releases that it's getting easier and easier to guess what kind of stuff will be released and when. For example, what has come out so far for Cars 3 is almost completely mimicking what was done for Finding Dory last year (some food items, swim gear, Band-Aids, bubbles, balls, bikes, scooters, beach towels, etc...). It's seriously like deja vu, but with cars instead of fish!

Just like with the previously released Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory Band-Aids, this boxed set includes 20 bandages (assorted sizes) with 12 unique designs. Lightning McQueen, as well as newcomers Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm, are heavily featured.

I get excited for these Pixar Band-Aid releases for a few reasons: first of all, it's one of the first things [in this case] Cars 3 related out there right now. Secondly, it's kind of become a tradition at this point. And lastly, they're just fun to put away for my future kids to use!

Box Side B

The screen art/graphics on these are actually really neat looking. Cars fans will notice a few nods to the films, such as a design featuring a bunch of the Piston Cup racer sponsor logos (definitely one of my favorites here), a couple designs with McQueen's signature "95" and a reference to an upcoming race we'll see in Cars 3 called the Florida 500.

Let's take a closer look!

Larger size

Smaller size

Be sure to race over to your local store soon if you're interested in adding these to your home's first aid box. You just might come across them! I personally found them at Walgreens for $3.99 (after searching around assuming they were released), but I'm sure they'll show up at Walmart and Target stores soon as well. If your little ones are already fans of Cars then these are a must have!

Ka-Chow! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Cars: Dirkson D'Agostino (Trunk Fresh)

Released last summer from Mattel, here we have the latest Cars 1:55 scale release of Dirkson D'Agostino (or better known by his sponsor, Trunk Fresh)! If you're an avid Cars collector, you might notice that this is not considered a numbered mainline 2016 release. This was released in a separate "movie moments" sub-line that saw very, very limited distribution (found mostly at really random grocery stores, like Kroger and Fred Myer for examples, across the US).

So far, seven Piston Cup racers have been featured in this "movie moments" series including: Lightning McQueen, Sidewall Shine, The King, Tow Cap (which I reviewed HERE), Shiny Wax, Gask-Its and, as seen here, Trunk Fresh. Each one comes with a neat, never before released plastic pit stop barrier accessory according to their sponsor (this one features the "Trunk Fresh" logo). Dexter Hoover (a race official), Marlon "Clutches" McKay (a security car" and Charlie Checker (an official pace car), were also released in this line with safety cone accessories.

As shown in the screenshot above, Dirkson is briefly seen zooming past the camera a few times (and spinning out) during the film's opening Motor Speedway of the South (Dinoco 400) race. He is one of the 36 race cars competing for the Piston Cup. He's only on screen for a couple moments, so don't blink or you'll miss him.

This racer has been released several times in the past, but this is my first time finding him as a single (remember I only started my "completist" Cars collecting in 2011). I'm so glad he was re-released, even it was limited! Here are the previous times Trunk Fresh here was available:

• In 2007 in the "Supercharged" series 
• In 2008 with the Pit Race Launcher 
• In 2008 in the tremendously limited "Speedway of the South" 36 pack
• In 2009— Kmart exclusive (with rubber tires)
• In 2010 in a Target exclusive "Speedway 4-Pack"
• In 2013 in a Target exclusive "Race Day Fan "4-Car Gift Pack"

Here's a closer look at him out of the package!

I was so excited when I happened to stumble across this while grocery shopping a few days ago. It was totally unexpected! I found him at Stop & Shop here in Connecticut, which is an east coast grocery chain.

If you're still looking to add Trunk Fresh to your Cars collection, be on the lookout at any major grocery store chain near you. If you're not having any luck, you can always check out eBay or visit Amazon using the direct link below. Best of luck on the hunt! Let me know you thoughts in the comments below.

Cars: Dan Sclarkenberg & Kim Carllins

"McQueen's driver arrived in California but McQueen was missing!" -Dan Sclarkenberg

Today I'm excited to be jumping right back into the world of Cars with another fun diecast review! I'm still in the process of posting on last year's cars and then I'll take a look at some of my more recent 2017 acquisitions. 

This 2-pack featuring Dan Slarkenberg and Kim Carllins was released last April (wow almost a year ago already), but oddly enough it didn't actually start hitting stores in my area until this past November/December. These are of course 1:55 scale diecasts from Mattel, with Dan being #13/14 and Kim being #14/14 of the 2016 "Piston Cup" sub-series. This is the first ever release for both of these characters! 

As shown in the screen shot above, Dan and Kim are reporters for "MPH 55 NEWS." They appear in the film during, what I call, the "McQueen's gone missing" montage (right after Mack asks "did I forget to wipe my mudflaps?").

 

Let's take a closer look at both of these out of the package!

Dan Slarkenberg

Kim Carllins

Both of these cars look great. I especially love their color schemes (particularly Dan's shade of green) and the fact that both these characters are brand new! Really solid stuff; no complaints here.

Now it's time for some FUN FACTS! There's a few this time around...

•  Dan Slarkenberg is named after Pixarian Dan Scanlon (director of Monsters University and the Cars short Mater and the Ghostlight) who also VOICED the character in the film!

• Kim Carllins is named after Kim Collins, a visual effects artist and production manager at Pixar (her credits include Brave, Up, Finding Nemo and Ratatouille—among some others).

• The Dan Slarkenberg diecast was actually originally scheduled to be released in the Mattel 2010 "Final Lap" collection, but was cancelled! Glad to see he made a comeback all these years later. 

Well that about wraps things up today with this look at Dan Slarkenberg and Kim Carllins...two new awesome additions to my collection. If you're looking to grab these, I've still been seeing them often at Target—so definitely check the local stores in your area. If you'd rather just pick this set up online, you can check out current eBay listings HERE or Amazon using the direct link below (really nice sale price currently).

Thanks for driving by everyone. Until next time! 

Disney Tsum Tsum Mystery Stack Packs by Jakks Pacific (Series 5)- Pixar Only

We made it everyone! Today I'm concluding my write-ups on all the Pixar related Jakks Pacific Disney Tsum Tsum Mystery Stack Packs by giving you a detailed look at series five. If you missed my previous posts, I'd recommend checking those out before moving on (series two HERE, series three HERE and series four HERE). It feels good to be caught up with this collection and in "real time" now since series five here was just released early last month. It's the latest and, in my opinion, the greatest series so far!

The Pixar characters included in this series are Sulley and Boo from Monsters Inc., Hank (with mini Dory) and Nemo from Finding Dory and Jessie from Toy Story 2. The other 10 Disney characters in this set are (as seen on the front of the case below): Tick-Tock, Elsa, Peter Pan, Cruella de Vil, Mufasa, Pumbaa, King Louie, Barrel, Jack Skelington and King Triton.

I had a blast going around to all my local Target stores last month trying to feel for and find all these guys. It took some work, but it obviously paid off since I have everyone here I was looking for (again I was happy that I didn't need to go to eBay). The two "rares" in this series, namely Jessie and Boo, were the hardest ones to find. Though I was able to stumble across a bunch of full, untouched cases, the rare included almost every time was Jessie (if you didn't know, there's only one "rare" per case—so in this instance for example, you'll either find a case with Jessie or Boo but not both).

Jessie was relatively pretty easy to find once I started finding so many full cases. As far as Boo though, she was very difficult for me. I had searched for weeks with no luck... but one night I decided to take a drive to a Target I knew of a bit further away. What a spark of inspiration! I walked right to the Tsum section, found a full case, felt a few and almost immediately felt her big accessory. I knew right away I had found her. Yah, I could have just paid extra and got her online, but the hunt is half the fun of collecting for me!

Like usual, all the Tsums Tsums in this series are about 1.5" in size and are made of a soft vinyl/plastic material. The display pieces (which are the best part), such as Sulley's door station, Boo's Harryhausen's take-out box, Hank's coffee pot, Nemo's anemone and Jessie's TV, are made of a harder plastic. Each pack retails for $2.99.

Let's take a closer look at all of them out of their packages! 

Sulley

Boo

Hank & Dory

Nemo

Jessie

To reiterate, Jakks Pacific also makes [non-blind] three packs and nine packs of these little plastic Tsums (featuring many more characters in a variety of different sizes), but they don't come with any display accessories. I'm personally gonna pass on those and just stick with these mystery packs (to keep things simple), but I wanted to throw it out there in case any of you were interested.

I also wanted to note that all the Tsums of varying sizes, as well as all the accessories, are stackable (as demonstrated on the front of the case box using the Lion King characters). That element adds a lot of fun to this collection.

Ok now it's that time to pick favorites! I'm going to have to choose Sulley (with that awesome mini door station featuring Boo's door) and Hank with Dory (love that coffee pot accessory; one of the more intricate releases thus far). Those are the two that made me interested in collecting these in the first place! All of them though are extremely cute and I'm impressed with all of the designs. They're all so well done and I'm so excited to see what the next series will bring.

Which ones are your favorites here and who do you hope to see in the future? When do you think we'll get a series six? Shout it out in the comments below!

Finally, if you've yet to check out my full unbagging video, you can check it out using the player below. Be sure to like and subscribe to my channel for more content. ;)