Events: Toy Story Vans Collection Release

Yeee- haw! After months of anticipation, the officially licensed Toy Story collection from Vans was released this past Friday (October 7). If you're any kind of Disney·Pixar fan, I'm sure you've heard the hype about this already. Everyone has been going nuts about it, with certain styles selling out the day they launched. Though I'm not planning on picking up any of this myself (if anything, maybe a pair of toddler shoes for our future kids), I most definitely wanted to document the release here on the blog. Being involved with the hype is half the fun!

This unique collection first and foremost includes a wide variety of different Toy Story inspired shoes for men, women and children. You'll also find shirts, socks, hats, backpacks and boxers- all featuring some of your favorite characters from Andy's room (look for some inspired by Sid's room as well). All the designs are fantastic, ranging from very simple to a bit more busy. Whatever your flavor, there's something that will meet your taste.

I stopped by the Vans store after work today (conveniently I work at a mall that has one) to snap some pics of the collection. Check it all out below!

I love that "ANDY" is written on the bottom of some of the shoe styles. Such a phenomenal detail.

Check out the entire collection at Vans.com HERE! With the line's overwhelming success so far, do you think can we expect to see more in the future (and from other Pixar films)? Time will tell! Stay tuned.

What are your thoughts? Have you picked up anything from this collection (or plan to)? Shout it out in the comments below.

Video Update: Finding Dory Hank Wall-Crawler Toy

In today's video update, I'm featuring the Hank Wall-Crawler toy in action! I'll be adding the video to the original post as well. Hope you enjoy!

Feel free to give the video a "like" and subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Much more to come!

Toy Story: Bug Face Buzz Lightyear Movie Collectible Figure

This Toy R Us exclusive Toy Story "Bug Face Buzz Lightyear" was released by Mattel in 2009 as part of their "Movie Collectibles" line of premium action figures. This was a very cool assortment of articulated figures featuring a unique selection of characters housed in "display worthy" collector packaging. For whatever reason though, I never picked them up back in the day and now I'm stuck trying to track them down on eBay (at least the select few that really interest me). This one was a must have.

In addition to Bug Face Buzz here, the line also included a standard Buzz Lightyear, Rocky Gibraltar (which I showed off HERE), Cereal Dunk Woody (seen HERE) a standard Woody, Hamm, Bo Peep and Jingle Joe.

This figure is directly based off the scene in Toy Story when Buzz jumps down into Andy's mom's van after hitching a ride on the outside. "Even though you tried to terminate me", he tells Woody, "revenge is not an idea we promote on my planet."

Man did they get the look right with this one! His grumpy facial expression is taken directly from the film and the splat bug detail is brilliant. The paint job here is top notch as well- I love how they even made sure to "dirty" him up a little bit.

There have been many, many Buzz figures over the last 21 years, but this is the only version out there with a smashed bug on his helmet. That makes this one incredibly unique! I wish they would do more subtle scene specific variations like this (Cereal Dunk Woody is a good example of that as well).

 Lets take a closer look at him out of the package...

Buzz measures about 4" tall, has articulation in his neck, arms, elbows, legs, knees and wrists (basically everywhere minus his ankles) and stands on his own without any balance issues. It's a really fabulous figure overall.

His helmet can be opened...but make sure the air is breathable! ;) I also noticed his hands are curled into fists as well; ready for that classic gas station tussle with Woody. Nice detail once again.

Visit eBay using this direct link to check out current listings. I was able to snag it just last week for around $18. Best of luck on the hunt if you're looking to add this one to your Toy Story collection! Please let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Wall·E-: Wind-Up Toy with Sound Effects

"Walllllll-eeeeeeee..."

Just released exclusively at the Disney Store, here we have their new Wall·E Wind-Up toy with sounds! This is an awesome little figure with a great sculpt and a surprising amount of detail. They really went all out with the weathered, "grimy" paint application. He is about 3.5" tall (3" wide) and retails for just $6.95.

Just wind Wall·E up and he will move forward while also lifting his head up and down and from side to side. Flip the switch on the back to hear some of his signature sounds directly from the movie! You'll hear whistles, beeps, other mechanical sounds and even some words ("Wall·E..." and "Eva!"). Three AG13 1.5V batteries are included. 

Look at this detail...the wind-up key is actually sculpted after Wall·E's little cockroach friend! Clever.

This is my third Wall·E Wind-up toy, but it's quite different than the other two I have. I definitely could not resist this when I saw it today! The other ones in my collection, the Wacky Wall·E and the Movin' Movin' Wall·E, are both very minimal and stylized in their designs. It's cool to now have a more realistic looking one (and the sounds take it up a notch as well).

Yo can pick this up at your local Disney Store or online HERE. Wall·E fans of all ages will no doubt love this!

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UPDATE 11/01/16- Video has been added below!

Video Update: Finding Dory Collectible Figure "Blind Bags" Series 3 Unbagging

In today's video update, I'm featuring an "unbagging" of the brand new Finding Dory blind bag figures SERIES 3 collection! I'll be adding the video to the original post as well. Hope you enjoy!

Feel free to give the video a "like" and subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Much more to come!

Finding Dory: Collectible Figure "Blind Bags" Series 3

Guys, the Bandai Finding Dory blind bags SERIES 3 collection is finally here! I can't tell you how many emails, comments and tweets I've gotten over the past two months asking when these will be released. The time is now! They first showed up in the UK a few weeks ago and are just now starting to hit across the US.

Note- To get all caught up on this fun line of figures, check out my series 1 and series 2 posts.

I've been going to my local stores a few times a week in search of these for a while now. Tonight I stopped by Toys R Us with a hope of finding them and, needless to say, I was thrilled to see a fresh case sitting right there on the shelf. Success!

Once again there are eight characters to collect. This time around we have Jenny, Charlie, Destiny, Sea Otter (version two), Squirt, Hermit Crab (version three), Hank (version three- coral) and the ever popular [and anticipated] Gerald. This is almost my exact prediction I made in my series 2 post!

Just like with the first two series, these are technically classified as "blind bags"- however each bag actually has a little window on the back so you can see who you're buying. I love that! I like that it gives you options; you can either live on the edge by seeing who you get once you open it (like a traditional blind bag) or you can cheat (like me) to make sure you get them all.

I personally like the best of both worlds. I like to make sure I have them all there at the store (plus I hate getting repeats), but then I open each of them without looking once I get home (so there's still a little element of surprise).

 Let's have a closer look at each figure!

Jenny

Charlie

Squirt

Destiny

Sea Otter (version two)

Hank (version three- coral camouflage) 

Gerald

Hermit Crab (version three)

I absolutely love these sculpts and the stylized design of each character. If I had any complaints, it would be that the otter does not stand on its own and that Destiny could have been made a bit bigger. Overall though, it's a really good set. They're made of a hard plastic, are about two inches in size and do not have any articulation. Retail price is $2.99 (which varies slightly depending on where you purchase them).

This whole "blind bag" collection is just fantastic. What makes it so incredibly cool is the vast array of characters we've gotten thus far over the three series; we're talking 24 unique characters/variations! Can we expect a series 4 in the near future or is this the end? Lets speculate....

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If series 4 was made, I would love to see Bailey, Tad, baby Dory, the squid, a seagull, the loud mouth clam, another version of Hank and another hermit crab. Can you think of any other possibilities? Shout it out in the comment section and be sure to check out my "unbagging" video below!

UPDATE 4/27/17- Series 4 has been released! See my full post HERE.
UPDATE 3/29/18- Series 5 has been finally added to my collection! See my full post HERE.

Cars: Mattel "Wheel Action Drivers" Collection

Just released from Mattel, here we have their newest collection of 1:55 scale plastic Disney·Pixar Cars characters..."Wheel Action Drivers"! With the press of a button, watch as each car has a unique "popping action" movement; a fun way to bring even more life and imaginative play to your Cars collection.

Here I have Lightning Mcqueen and Ramone, but there are a bunch of other characters out there to collect as well! Doc Hudson, Sarge, Sheriff, Mater, Red and Mack, as well as a "Race and Win" playset", are also available (some seen on the back of the packaging below). 

Each car essentially has "two actions in one." For example, press down on his back and Ramone's body lifts at the same time his front wheels pop out on either side. As far as Mcqueen, he sticks out his tongue and has a similar simultaneous wheel popping movement.

This is a fun collection that especially young Cars fans/collectors will enjoy! It reminds me a lot Mattel's line of "Quick Changer" plastic cars that was introduced a few years back with Cars 2. You can find these currently at Walmart, Toys R Us, Target, Amazon (direct links below) or wherever Disney·Pixar Cars toys are sold (retail is around $5.99).

Last but not least, a huge thanks to Mattel for sending these over to review! Really fun stuff. Look for more right here soon, including a brief video of these in action.

Stay tuned and happy hunting!

UPDATE 10/11/16- 

I just added the "Wheel Action Driver" Mater to my collection! Though I tried to resist (since I hardly need yet another Mater), I couldn't help but snag this one. I can't have the Wheel Action Mcqueen without his best bud to bump tires with! I just really like the "wheel popping" action and how they move just like in the films. Now they can practice their best friend handshake (or...tireshake?) as seen in Cars 2.

Once again, this Mater has two simultaneous actions in one when you press down on his back. In addition to Mater's popping tires, his engine swivels as well. I like it!

Finding Dory: Hank Wall-Crawler Toy

Just released exclusively at the Disney Store, here we have their brand new Finding Dory Hank Wall-Crawler toy! If you were a kid in the 80's or 90's, chances are you've played with "wall crawler" style toys before. I know I did, so this brought back memories for me.

The original version from the 1980's was called "Wacky Wall Walker" and was shaped just like an octopus; so this was a pretty genius idea, taking the original concept and just making it into the likeness of Hank.

Hank here is made from elastomer (basically a very gummy, soft, squishy rubber), is about 4.5" in size and is incredibly sticky. Just slap him up on any wall or window surface and he will tumble down while sticking to the wall in cool ways! It's neat to see his tentacles going every which way as he "crawls." It's almost lifelike.

I was just testing this out a few minutes ago and it works great. It's really fun to watch over and over again since no two crawls are ever the same! If possible, be careful not to play with this in hairy, furry or dusty areas as Hank will quickly loose his stick and stop working.

You can find this at your local Disney Store for just $6.95 (or online HERE). It makes for a simple little inexpensive treat that Finding Dory fans will mostly definitely have some fun with! Check out my brief demonstration video below-