Toy Story: Baby Bodysuits 5-Pack PAGE UPDATE

ROOAAARRR! Were you scared? Tell me honestly. Tonight's post is a quick page update to my Toy Story Baby Bodysuits 5-Pack write-up. I just added Aidan in this adorable "I'm a Nervous Rex" onesie that he wore this afternoon! Check it out HERE and stay tuned for the last update soon.

Up: Disney Store 10th Anniversary Plush Collection

Can you believe it's already been over a decade since we first heard the now classic line "Adventure is out there!"? Today marks the 11th anniversary of one of Pixar's most beloved masterpieces, Up. I wanted to celebrate here on the blog tonight by finally posting on the Up "10th Anniversary" plush collection released last spring at the Disney Store! This assortment includes medium core plushes of Carl Fredricksen, Russell, Kevin and Dug—you'll notice Dug is missing here though (I decided not to get him since I already have three other Dug plushes around this same size; you can view what he looks like HERE).

These plush are absolutely fantastic and a must-have for any fan of the film, especially if you're a collector. The details are so great; nothing went unnoticed (Carl even has his hearing aid and wedding ring). I love Russell's Wilderness Explorers sash and the accuracy of each patch (there's even empty spot where the "Assisting the Elderly" badge is missing). These are sturdy, quality plush made from some very nice fabric and other materials. I expect nothing less from the Disney Store at this point!

Each character stands at about 14" tall and originally retailed for $19.95. Check them all out down below!

CARL FREDRICKSEN

RUSSELL

KEVIN

If you're looking to add any of these to your Pixar collection, you can track them down on eBay HERE or on Amazon using the direct links below! Be sure to let me know your thoughts on these (and the film if you'd like!) and/or any questions you might have down in the comment section.

Thanks for the adventure, now go have a new one!

Follow me on Instagram @danthepixarfan

Cars 3: Fireball Beach Race 4-Pack (Target Exclusive)

Welcome back Disney·Pixar Cars fans! Today I'm taking a look at another Cars 3 Mattel 1:55 scale diecast set from back in 2017...this Fireball Beach Race 4-Pack (only at Target)! This has been sitting around for over three years now waiting to be reviewed. I cannot believe it's been that long since the movie came out and that I'm so far behind on some of these posts. Time just moves too quick these days! I remember getting this like it was yesterday since it was one of the first Cars 3 items I stumbled across and purchased.

This is a nice scene specific little set featuring four cars, several of which are "first looks" that have yet to ever be re-released: Sandy Cruz Ramirez (exclusive), Sandy Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen (exclusive), Guido with Rust-eze Racing Center Tool Cart & Tires (cart is exclusive; Guido and tires are the same as Pit Crew Member Guido) and Luigi with Checkered Flag (exclusive).

Sandy edition McQueen and Cruz look pretty cool with their sand color tires and sand/dirt splat details. I do think there should have been a bit more splatter, but it's enough to make these versions stand out from the standard releases. There are a couple other slight issues as well in regard to movie accuracy. For example, Luigi has a green flag during this scene in the film, not a checkered flag (not sure how that was overlooked) and Guido never brings any tool chest or tires out to Fireball Beach.

Here's a closer look at each diecast...

That's really it! There isn't a ton to go into here. Ultimately this is a good set, even if there were some errors/creative liberties taken. You know I had to get it for the exclusives though! Did you pick up this 4-Pack for your Cars collection? If not, you can snag it on Amazon using the direct link below and shout out any thoughts you might have down in the comments.

Happy collecting!

30 and ONWARD—My 30th Birthday!

30 and ONWARD! A HUGE thanks to my wife and family for throwing me the best Pixar Onward themed 30th birthday party tonight. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect and magical day!! Still can’t believe I’m 30 though—that part is still sinking in.

This is just a tease of what's to come. Check back soon for my full write-up with many more pics documenting all the details of the party! 

Cars 2: Wasabi Mouth Mater

Whatever you do, DO NOT EAT the free pistachio ice cream. IT HAS TURNED.  

Welcome back to the blog! Tonight I'm taking a look at another new Cars 2 inspired 1:55 scale diecast from Mattel...Wasabi Mouth Mater! I've been waiting for a single-pack release of this one for almost a decade, so I'm really excited to finally have this diecast as part of my collection. This version of Mater was only ever released in a couple of multi-packs clear back in 2011 (Tokyo Spy Mix-up 10-Pack & Tokyo Race Party 5-Pack), neither of which I ever purchased. So yah, this technically isn't a brand new release, but it's new to most people out there. I was able to snag it at Walmart just last week.

This Mater is part of this year's brilliant new "Funny Flashbacks" sub-series. If you've seen Cars 2, I don't think you need a reminder of when this moment happened, but I included a screenshot above anyway—it's certainly one of the more memorable scenes/gags in the whole film! Looking back at this scene tonight though, I was surprised to notice that you never actually see any wasabi in Mater's mouth like this diecast suggests. As Mater is about to eat the big scoop of wasabi (thinking it's pistachio ice cream), it cuts away; then the next time we see him, he's screaming and driving frantically toward McQueen and Miles Axlerod. 

Regardless, I still like that this diecast represents that scene even if there were some creative liberties taken. It's clever and Mater looks great with his wasabi green tongue and perplexed expression!

Note: There was also a Cars 2 plastic "Quick Changers" version of this same concept called "Mater with Wasabi Tongue" (seen HERE). I've always wanted to track down that one as well. 

This Mater will pair perfectly with the Tokyo party sushi chef pack released back in 2015. What are your thoughts? Are you also thrilled that this Wasabi Mouth Mater finally got released as a single? Look for it at your nearest Walmart or Target right now if you're looking to add it to your Disney·Pixar Cars collection. You can also search current eBay listings HERE or pick it up on Amazon using the link below.

Happy hunting! 

Toy Story: Baby Bodysuits 5-Pack PAGE UPDATE

Golly bob howdy! Tonight's post is a quick page update to my Toy Story Baby Bodysuits 5-Pack write-up. I just added Aidan in this adorable Slinky Dog onesie! Check it out HERE and stay tuned for more updates soon.

Hope you all had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend! 

Cars 3: Desert Race 11-Pack (Target Exclusive)

Hey everyone! Tonight I'm taking a quick look at this Target exclusive Cars 3 Mattel 1:55 scale diecast "Desert Race 11-Pack"— a set I've been meaning to post on for years several years at this point. This 11-Pack was released in the spring of 2017 and was one of the very first Cars 3 items I picked up. I basically considered it a starter pack to help get many of the new Cars 3 characters in one go and a way to get some of the "first look" exclusives; in fact, some of these cars (Todd Marcus and Rev-N-Go Racer) still haven't been released individually to this day. The other nine cars have since been released outside of this set in single packs.

I believe the "Desert Race" name here is referring to the "Copper Canyon Speedway" race as seen in the film's opening montage (that's the only location that seems to be in the desert). Regardless though, the 11 characters included here are: Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks with Headset (who never appears this way in the film), Cars 3 Lightning McQueen, Rev-N-Go Racer (No. 73, still unnamed for some reason), Todd Marcus (No Stall Racer No. 123), Tex Dinoco, Reb Meeker (Tank Coat Racer No. 36), Cal Weathers (Dinoco Racer No. 42), Brick Yardley (Vitoline Racer No. 24), Bobby Swift (Octane Gain Racer No. 19) and Jackson Storm. You can see their appearances in the film in the screen shot above! Most of the cars are main/secondary characters or background racers, so you know where to spot them.

Did you pick this awesome set up for your Disney·Pixar Cars collection? If not, you can find it on eBay or Amazon using the below (it originally retailed for about $45, so unfortunately it has since doubled in price). Be sure to let me know your thoughts down in the comment section if you have any insights or questions! Happy collecting.

Cars 3: Kris Revstopski (White Flag Version)

For tonight's Cars Mattel 1:55 scale diecast review, I'm taking a quick look at a new version of a Cars 3 character that was previously released...Kris Revstopski, this time with a white flag! The original version of Kris had a checkered flag and was available back in late 2017 (full review HERE) and then again in 2018 as featured in THIS 2-Pack. She was then released with a green flag in late 2019/early 2020 (seen HERE). Now we have this new white flag version, which is just hitting stores now as part of this year's new "Copper Canyon Speedway" sub-series. I was able to find this one at Walmart just a few days back.

As shown in the screenshot above, Kris is a flag waver for the Piston Cup racing series. She can be spotted at just about every race seen in the film, but the moment I chose to feature matches with the series she was released in—her at the Copper Canyon Speedway! This is the final race of the film's opening montage where McQueen first meets Jackson Storm. FYI: in racing, the white flag means "last lap".

Kris's official bio reads: Being a Piston Cup flag car like Kris Revstopski is hard work. Many fans of racing don't realize the rigorous training and testing a vehicle needs to go through in order to prove they are worthy of holding that checkered flag. When a race begins or ends, it's all eyes on Kris Revstopski.

I'd like to make a note that this isn't a straight repack of the original Kris diecast. This is actually the new (and more movie accurate) sculpt that was also used for the green flag version! The main difference is that her truck bed is now sealed off, rather than open. She's also a little smaller (and thinner) and has a different facial expression. Lastly, this one's flag is permanently attached, while the first version's flag was removable.

If you're still looking to add this Kris Revstopski to your collection, head to the Walmart or Target nearest to you to check for availability. If you'd rather just pick her up online, you can use the direct link below for the best current Amazon listing. 

Happy hunting!

Cars 3: Muddy Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen

From Cars 3, here we have another newly released Mattel 1:55 scale diecast...Muddy Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen! This was another one I found just a couple days ago at my nearest Walmart. Though this isn't the most exciting or different variant of McQueen to date, it was still so fun to find something new in the wild. I do honestly love that we get different versions of the character like this to recreate very specific movie moments, even though to some collectors are entirely sick of getting so many different variations of McQueen at this point. 

He is part of this year's "Thunder Hollow" sub-series and was recently released in Case F. As shown in the screen shot above, this diecast is based on when McQueen is accidentally exposed after the Crazy 8 Demolition Derby race (when Mr. Drippy sprays off his muddy "Chester Wipplefilter" disguise). I gotta say, this diecast looks phenomenal and has some fantastic mud/dirt and water details! His concerned expression is great too.

You can find this one in stores right now, so be sure to visit your nearest Walmart and Target soon! If you'd rather just pick him up online, you can check out eBay listings HERE (no Amazon listing yet).

Happy hunting! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments.

Cars 3: Cupcake Lightning McQueen

Just yesterday, while checking out the latest toy selection at Walmart, I finally stumbled upon a few new Disney·Pixar Cars 1:55 scale diecasts from Mattel! I haven't found any new cases for probably over two months now, so this was a treat for me. One of the characters I was most excited to find was this Cars 3 inspired Cupcake Lightning McQueen! After all these years (and a million versions of Lightning McQueen later), I'm even surprised I could be this excited for another one of his releases. It's just such a fun and creative idea—I never even considered this moment as a diecast! This is one of the most unique McQueen variants to date.

Cupcake McQueen is part of this year's brilliant (brand new for 2020) "Funny Flashbacks" sub-series. As shown in the screenshot above, McQueen is seen this way when Cal Weathers and Bobby Swift prank him after a race while he's is being interviewed by Shannon Spokes. They drive by yelling "congratulations cupcake", spray him with a fire extinguisher and then throw confetti to make McQueen look like a frosted cupcake with sprinkles. A hilarious moment captured perfectly here with this diecast! Mattel has done a fantastic job once again.

Note: The cupcake "frosting" is removable. Underneath is just your standard Cars 3 Rust-eze Lightning McQueen.

You can find Cupcake McQueen in stores right now, so be sure to visit your nearest Walmart and Target soon! If you'd rather just pick him up online, you can check out eBay listings HERE or Amazon using the direct link below.

Happy hunting! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments.

Incredibles 2: Jakks Pacific 4" Action Figure Collection WAVE 2 Review

Ready for another one of my long delayed posts? I got one for you right here! I'm excited to finally share with you WAVE 2 of the 2018 Incredibles 2 basic 4" figure line by Jakks Pacific. If you missed my write-up on the first wave, be sure to check it out HERE. This second wave had a much more limited distribution compared to the first and was a bit lesser known. I only ever found two of the five figures here at the store; the rest I had to track down on eBay and Amazon over several months. This wave includes an Edna Mode & Fire Jack-Jack 2-Pack, The Underminer (with microphone), Elastigirl (new super suite; with stretch arm and goggles), Screenslaver (with laptop and electroshock weapon) and Mr. Incredible (blue super suite).

Each figure is about 4" tall or under, has five points of articulation (arms, legs and head; Mr. Incredible is the only exception as he has seven points—the two additional points are at his elbows) and retailed for $7.99. I originally spotted some of this wave at Target, but they may have also hit some other stores as well.

Let's take a closer look at each one down below! All of these characters look really great. I have no complaints with the overall sculpts/likenesses or paint. Really my only issue is with Edna and Jack-Jack (which is the same complaint I had with Violet from Wave 1)—they do NOT stand up. Edna is top heavy with rubbery legs, which was an odd choice of material. Jack-Jack also won't stand, not even for a second. One of my biggest pet peeves with any action figure line is when they don't stand well on their own. I wish these at least came with stands, but no. Not even peg holes on the bottoms of their feet. Luckily all the other figures in this wave stand just fine on their own, so that's a plus. Anyway, that's it...my only negative remark!

Edna Mode & Fire Jack-Jack

The Underminer just may be my favorite here in this series! I just really like his look and he's just a solid figure all around (and he stands up really well on his own ;).

The Underminer

I wanted to note that both Elastigirl and Mr. Incredible seem to be the exact same sculpts as their Wave 1 counterparts, just with new paint/different outfits. Once again, I really like Elastigirl's stretch arm accessory! The screen slaver goggles were a nice addition this time around as well.   

Elastigirl (with Goggles)

Screeslaver looks particularly cool. I really dig his laptop accessory with the hypnotism graphic on the screen. It can also fold like an actual laptop.

Screenslaver

Mr. Incredible (Blue Super Suite)

And did you know there was going to be a WAVE 3 with Screech, Reflux and Frozone with Ice Blast? Unfortunately they were cancelled. A huge bummer since we were finally getting into the more unique Incredibles 2 specific characters! I got the images below from an Amazon listing, but they were never available to purchase.

Well that about wraps it up! In the end, this is another super collection of basic poseable action figures. As shown in my pic below, you can see they look awesome all together. Though I expressed a couple small problems, I can still totally recommend these as really decent figures! Jakks Pacific really did a good job. I'm a sucker for small scale figure collections like this anyway, so I always knew these would be a must-get for me as soon as I saw them revealed at Toy Fair back in early 2018. I'm happy that, between the two waves, I was able to complete this whole line!

At this point, you can track these down on eBay or Amazon using the links below if you looking to add any to your Incredibles 2 collection. Let me know all your thoughts and/or any questions you might have down in the comments!

Toy Story Land Woody's Lunch Box REVIEW

Howdy everyone! Since I, like many of you, am currently going through Disney World withdrawals, I've been experiencing the parks the only way possible right now: through photos/videos and memories. I realized recently that I never did a full write-up on our last WDW trip (October 2018), so I thought it would be fun to at least document some highlights here to mix things up a little! First up, our review of Woody's Lunch Box in Toy Story Land. Sure, this was almost two years ago, but the items we purchased are still on the menu and I'm pretty sure nothing there has changed drastically.

Woody's Lunch Box is a really fun quick service location known for their grilled sandwiches, grown-up drinks, ice cream floats, desserts, kids' meals and more. The story behind Woody's Lunch Box is simple—Andy’s taken his lunch box, propped it open on its side with a Woody's Roundup thermos and turned it into a backyard walk-up window serving tasty eats and treats! Remember, when you're visiting Toy Story Land (thanks to the geniuses at Imagineering), you're the size of a toy in Andy's backyard.

Take a look down below at many of the bright, colorful and clever details surrounding this charmingly themed little quick service spot, including the lunch and breakfast menus. We ate there mid morning (around 10:30 a.m.), so they were serving both at that point. Who doesn't love a good immersive environment at the Disney Parks, especially when it comes to dining ?

Notice the menu is posted on a Pizza Planet alien juice box? Very nice.

Love the Woody's Roundup critters as animal crackers as well, ha!

 

Here's the view of the park/seating area. Even the tables have some fun details (like a note from Andy's mom), so be sure to look around the whole area if you like to take in all the details like I do!

The order stations have a some fun overlays; a Lotso themed "Bear-y Bites" station and a "Trixie's Treats" station.

And here's the breakfast menu, which is what we ordered from. We got the iconic S'more Sandwich (one of the things they're most famous for, so we needed to give it a try) and the Breakfast Bowl. We split both and both were tasty, however our consensus was that the Breakfast Bowl was a better experience overall. I guess it was just a pleasant surprise since I wasn't expecting too much from it and went there thinking the S'more Sandwich was the clear winner.

Breakfast Bowl: Hearty portion of Potato Barrels smothered in Smoked Brisket Country Gravy, Scrambled Eggs and a sprinkling of Green Onions ($8.79).

Tater tots, eggs and gravy you say? Yup, that's right. You might think it sounds a bit strange (and it may not be for everyone), but I remember my wife and I being really impressed with how flavorful and yummy it was! I just wish the portion was a bit bigger.

S'more French Toast Sandwich: Marshmallow and Chocolate Ganache stuffed in Grilled Custard soaked Brioche encrusted with Graham Cracker Crumbs ($8.29).

This was really tasty, don't get me wrong, but I guess I just expected more based on the description. I think we pictured something a bit more warm, moist and ooey/gooey, but what we got was a bit on the dry side without a ton of filling. Again though, this was almost two years ago, so I wonder if they've perfected/improved it at this point? Whether they have or haven't, if you've gone recently and tried it, let me know. If it's gotten better then I would want to give it another chance! Again, it wasn't bad, it just didn't live up to the hype for us.

I think that's about it! I wish we had tried some more menu items there at the 'ol lunch box to share our thoughts on, but there are just so many things to eat in Disney World and so little time. I'm really interested in the BBQ Brisket Melt (sounds right up my alley) and their other iconic dish, the "Totchos"!  I'm pretty sure I've heard good things about their Lunch Box Tart desserts as well. Till next time!

What are your thoughts on Woody's Lunch Box? What items have you tried? What are your favorites (would love to hear your recommendations) and least favorites? Shout out your thoughts in the comments below!

Have a magical week 💫