Disney Well Represented at TTPM 2016 Spring Showcase

If you’re a fan of a particular Pacific regal blue tang with short-term memory loss, get ready to see a lot of her in the coming months as Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory made a big splash (pun somewhat intended) amongst Disney’s upcoming licensed properties at the TTPM (Toys, Tots, Pets and More) 2016 Spring Showcase in New York City recently. Also making strong appearances were perennial favorite properties Marvel (just ahead of next week’s wide release of Captain America: Civil War) and Star Wars (still riding high on the worldwide success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens), amongst other Disney properties.

Listed as one of TTPM’s “Hot Movies” for tie-in toys in summer 2016, Finding Dory could be seen at several booths, including Pacific Cycle’s Kid Trax, who showed off a cool “submarine” for kids to ride around in, as well as quad bikes for Finding Dory and Captain America. Elsewhere, Bandai America showed off their own line of Finding Dory toys, including Swigglefish, a new line of figures where each character’s tail moves in a unique pattern as you roll them along. (SRP $6.99 each) The characters on display were Dory, Nemo, Marlin, Destiny, Bailey, and Hank (not pictured). Also a part of the line is the Swigglefish Mr. Ray 3 in 1, which allows children to put their Swigglefish on Mr. Ray like he is taking them on a field trip (singing not included), and it opens to provide storage for several Swigglefish, making it also a handy carrying case. (SRP $19.99, figures sold separately)

Also part of Bandai America’s line is Let’s Speak Whale Dory, who will record your voice and play it back in “official whale language” for hours of fun. (SRP $14.99) If interactivity is more your speed, there’s My Friend Dory, who responds when you talk to her, changes her mood depending on what you ask, and even recognizes when she’s upside-down. (SRP $39.99) If your child wants something softer and cuddlier, Bandai America is also producing a line of Finding Dory plush. In addition to a line of large plush (SRP $21.99), there will also be a line of Whispering Waves plush, which come with two modes: playing quotes from the film, or producing a soothing ocean noise to help your child fall asleep. (SRP $19.99) Bandai America’s line of Finding Dory toys is set to release sometime in May. Zuru will be releasing a line of water toys, allowing figures of characters from the movie to swim underwater or perhaps in a coffee pot! (SRP $19.99) Uncle Milton is also diving into the world of Finding Dory with a line of room decorations from their In My Room brand. Kids will be able to immerse their room with images from Finding Dory with the Undersea Light Projector (SRP $29.99), create a custom sign with their own name with the Finding Dory My Sign! (SRP $29.99), and listen to Dory through a remote-controlled wall hanging with the Dory Wall Friends (SRP $34.99). Uncle Milton’s line will be available later this summer.

Meanwhile, no matter whose side you’re on, Marvel fans won’t be disappointed with the toys inspired by Captain America: Civil War, Disney’s second entry on TTPM’s “Hot Movies” list. Team Iron Man fans can strap on Iron Man Repulsor Gloves, with light and sound effects and missile-firing action, while Team Cap supporters can wield the Captain’s iconic shield with the Captain America Mask and Shield Set from Disney Store. Hasbro also brought the Civil War to the Spring Showcase with the Hasbro Heroes Bus, showcasing some of their hottest toys from the world of Marvel. Most Captain America: Civil War toys are available now. Jazwares brings Marvel to the world of Chuck & Friends, redoing the character in the style of Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, and Spider-Man, with Thor, Rhino, War Machine, and the Green Goblin coming later this Fall.

Fans who wanted to head to a galaxy far, far away were treated to lightsaber-making demonstrations, while Hasbro showed off a new set of Star Wars figures based on the battle on Takodana from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, including Rey, Finn, BB-8, and Maz Kanata, and Disney offered a 20” Big Fig of Rey from Jakks Pacific, which has five to seven points of articulation. Elsewhere, Lego showed off a set from Star Wars: Rebels, and Hot Wheels offered cars themed to The Force Awakens.

Other Disney franchises represented included Disney’s newest princess, Elena of Avalor, with an Adventure Dress from Jakks Pacific, available this Fall. Just Play had several offerings from Disney Junior’s Sofia the First and The Lion Guard (which made TTPM’s “Hot Brands” section of their Spring 2016’s Most Wanted List), including Mermaid Magic Princess Sofia, a bath toy that lights up and sparkles, and the Defend the Pride Lands Play Set, an interactive play set with sound effects that correspond with individual figures. Hasbro brings the story of Brave to life in a new way with Disney Princess Merida Magical Story Skirt, a figure that, when you pour water on her skirt, it magically reveals a story on the pattern. Hot of the recent success of Zootopia, Tomy is producing action figures and a vehicle package of Judy Hopps’ police cruiser. Tomy is also producing a line of small plush, with Judy, Nick Wilde, Emmett Otterton, Finnick, Mr. Big, and Assistant Mayor Bellweather available now, with Officer Clawhauser and Flash due this Fall. Lego offered an early glimpse of the highly anticipated Lego Disney Minifigures, set to release May 1st. Each Minifigure reflects the marriage of their original character designs and Lego’s distinct style.

And finally, there was Disney’s rising star in the toy world, Tsum Tsum (Disney’s second entry on the “Hot Brands” section of their Most Wanted List). Disney offered an early look at the Finding Dory line of Tsum Tsum, featuring nine characters from the film, including Dory, Nemo, Marlin, and Hank. The characters will be offered in small, medium, and large sizes, depending on the character. These Tsum Tsum will be available at Disney Stores and DisneyStore.com starting May 17th. Meanwhile, Jakks Pacific will now be offering vinyl versions of Tsum Tsum in 3-packs, 9-packs, and blind bag packages, in characters from all over the Disney and Pixar spectrums. Like their plush counterparts, they will be available in three sizes, but some may come with special accessories, like flaming hair like Inside Out’s Anger or a surfboard straight out of Lilo and Stitch, which you can mix and match. The characters stack nicely on top of each other, allowing for adorable character mixes.

Overall, the TTPM 2016 Spring Showcase showed that playtime is a big time for Disney, and thanks to their collaborations with various toy manufacturers, kids can let their imagination run free with their favorite characters.