Disney Store Pixar Luca Merch (Toys, Plush, Clothing & More)— My In-Store Look!

 

Hey everyone! I know, I'm a couple weeks behind with this post (I was finally able to make it to my nearest Disney Store—an hour away—just a few days ago), but I had to make the time to do this write-up since I enjoy doing it each year! I always love documenting the Disney Store in-store setups here on my blog and giving you a peek at what's available whenever new Pixar merch hits... and this time with Luca would be no different! This tradition began years ago when I was searching online for pictures of older Disney Store merchandise/displays from some of my favorite Disney and Pixar films. I wanted to reminisce, but couldn't find anything...so I began doing this for myself and for anyone down the road who may come across this post. So far since I started this blog, I've done this for Monsters University, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Finding Dory, Cars 3, Coco, Incredibles 2, Toy Story 4 and Onward. It's a bit of history! Maybe you're coming across this post years from now looking to take a trip down memory lane like I had been trying to do. Who knows?

The Luca merchandise hit online on ShopDisney on Monday, May 17th (see my video rundown HERE) and in stores a little before that. If you've seen what's on ShopDisney already, then you've seen all this. In fact, the website even has a little more than what you see above and below. However, it's one thing seeing all this stuff individually on the website; it's another to see it all displayed together in a the themed section of the store. Totally magical! This stage set is much smaller and more low key than say, Toy Story 4 (or any of the Pixar sequels for that matter) and is much more in line with the amount of stuff we got for Onward last year— but I still love it. It's actually kind of nice and not quite as overwhelming. Very manageable for us collectors.

 

Check it all out! It's cool, yet also the same ol' modern Disney Store merch. These days, if you've been following with their yearly releases for a while now, you can totally predict what's coming: plush, tees, mugs, pins, figurine sets... (and since it's a summer release, also swimsuits and towels). Pretty standard stuff. Don't get me wrong though— everything does look great all displayed together as usual! I kind of just miss the old days with limited edition items, unique/sought after pieces, snow globes, etc. You know?

 

Honestly I'm not sure how much of this I'll end up buying (I'll see how much I enjoy the film), but I'm definitely the most tempted by the plush and the figurine set. Enjoy this detailed look!

 

So what are your thoughts!? Have you gone to your Disney Store yet to check all this out (or maybe already placed an order online)? What are your "must have" items or favorites in general? Looking forward to hearing what you have to say down below. And get ready for Luca, releasing exclusively on Disney+ on June 18th—I couldn't be more ready, just a few weeks away at this point!

Disney·Pixar Luca Merch NOW AVAILABLE on ShopDisney!

In addition to Mattel's fantastic line of Pixar Luca toys coming July 1st (see my videos HERE & HERE) the Disney Store's exclusive line of Luca merch (plush, figurines, shirts, swim and more) is available NOW to purchase in-store and online on ShopDisney.com! Check it all out HERE. 

By the way, how amazing is that minimal art featured on the tote and a lot of the clothes? So incredibly well done—it's totally my style and I'd love to know who the artist is. Let me know your thoughts down in the comments! What are your must-have items?

Events: The Disney Store Soul Merchandise Release—IN STORES NOW!

I'm a little behind the times here (since these Soul items dropped at the Disney Store and online in late November), but I couldn't miss doing this post even if it was late. If you've been following along with me for a while, you might know that I have a tradition here on my blog where I document the Disney Store merch release (the in-store setup) for every new Pixar film! I’ve been doing this since 2013– starting with Monsters University— and have loved archiving each display. It’s a bit of history to look back on! This tradition began years ago when I was searching online for pictures of older Disney Store merchandise/displays from some of my favorite Disney and Pixar films. I wanted to reminisce, but couldn't find hardly anything pre-Wall·E...so I began doing this for myself and for anyone like me who may be looking for a post like this down the road (I know I can't be the only collector who enjoys looking back at old merch setups to remember what it looked like and what products were available). Maybe you're coming across this post years from now looking to take a trip down memory lane like I had been trying to do. Who knows?

This is the 10th post like this that I've done. So far since I started this blog, I've done this for Monsters University, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Finding Dory, Cars 3, Coco, Incredibles 2, Toy Story 4, Onward and now Soul. 

Check it all out in more detail down below! 

Soul (I'd say for certain) holds the record for the smallest selection of merch available for a new Pixar film. I can't think of any other film that had less stuff than this (if anything, Up could maybe be a contender). Consequently, it's also the smallest display. It's understandable though (and I figured it would be the case), since Soul isn't really a very marketable film when it comes to toys and merchandise in general. Besides a couple plush, a few clothing items and an ornament, there's nothing much to report here if you've already seen what's available online. I'm actually surprised not even a classic style Disney Store figurine set was made! Honestly though, like I said with Onward, it's actually kind of nice to have a smaller and less overwhelming amount of merchandise—very manageable for us collectors.

I also want to note that there were a couple items that my Disney Store never got, such as the Mr. Mitten plush and Mr. Mittens (soul form) mug. I've included an image of both those items below (from their official listings on ShopDisney). You can see the full range of Soul products on ShopDisney HERE.

 So what are your thoughts!? Have you gone to your Disney Store yet to check all this out (or maybe already placed an order online)? What are your "must have" items or favorites in general? Looking forward to hearing what you have to say down below!

Next up will be merchandise for Pixar's summer 2021 film, Luca. I expect that merch to hit late April/early May (unless a shift happens with the film's release date).

A Look at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (October 2018)!

Who else here loves the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World?? We were finally able to attend it a couple years back (October 2018) for the first time and it was so much fun—and super tasty! We don't drink wine, but we are self-proclaimed "foodies" ;) so this was right up our ally. And of course, as a Pixar fan, I loved that the whole festival is Ratatouille themed! I thought you might enjoy seeing some photos from our visit, so tonight I'm taking a look at some of our Food & Wine (I''ll use F&W for short) memories.

First up, the F&W overlay at the entrance of the park is fantastic. All the Ratatouille inspired art used throughout this festival is adorably stylized! Don't miss this area for photo ops.

Who knew this would be the last time I would see this classic fountain? :( I can hear the music now...

Keep an eye out for exclusive F&W Ratatouille themed merch!

Here's one of the best parts (fun for all ages, but especially kids)—"Remy's Hide & Squeak" scavenger hunt! Around the park, there are 15 different Remy statues/figurines hidden in the all the different countries and at some of the F&W food kiosks! You can even purchase a map ($6.99) that shows you all the areas you can find him. Add a food sticker for every Remy you find! It's a really fun game that you can do on your own time.

Here's Remy at the "Next Eats" area...

In Germany...

...and in Italy! I didn't photograph all of them, but you get the idea. Have you played this? Let me know if you found them all!

We wish we could try all the tasty treats at every country's booth, but we only have so much room in our tummies and money in our pockets. One of the things we did try though was the Beijing Roasted Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin Sauce at the China booth! It was amazing. Highly recommend it if you see it there next time you go. 

 

The old "Wonders of Life" Pavilion is converted into the festival center during this time! I hadn't been in that building for years, so it was super nostalgic going back.

Here's a hidden gem we found inside the pavilion: the Ghiradelli sponsored section with very creative chocolate art on display! Just look at the Coco and Toy Story Land sculptures, made entirely of chocolate!

This was such a beautiful day filled with such great memories!

Here's another delicious snack we couldn't resist, the Beef Brisket Poutine (Disney World fries topped with brisket, beer cheese, poutine gravy, and crispy onions)! These were available at the Refreshment Port and were absolutely DElish.

Lastly, here are just some other Epcot memories from throughout the day. We ALWAYS have to get School Bread in Norway. If you'd never had it, make it a point to get it next time. We get it every single trip and crave it often! This use to be a lesser known treat, but I think the secret is getting out.

We love the "Living with the Land" ride! Shout it out if you do too. Many would say it's boring, but I think it's such an underrated gem (one I didn't even find until a bit later in life). I feel like it's the epitome of old school Epcot educational magic. It still feels very 80's and has a certain quiet/calming  ambience about it that we adore! It looked especially cute in the fall with all the pumpkins out on display.

RIP Club Cool! This was one of our favorites spots to hit up  every trip and we're sad it's gone. Again, who knew this would be the last time visiting it and taste testing all that delicious (and free) international soda! I had to give the place a shout-out here.

Well, I think that covers it! Whether you're looking into going to the Food & Wine Festival for the first time or you've already been and wanted to relive it through us, I hope you enjoyed. Let me know all your thoughts and experiences down below! What food do you recommend? Any cool aspects of the festival that we missed? There's so much to see and do! I'd love to hear your tips.