After investing in an X-wing pilot's helmet and a toy-grade lightsaber during our 2022 visit to Disneyland, I decided that I would take it easy this time in terms of souvenirs - both in terms of price and size, given the challenges of getting my previous purchases back to Canada.
However, it's not a blanket boycott, I'm just restricting myself to something that will be an easier fit in my luggage, so I keep my eyes open as we make our way around the two parks. It's a target rich environment, given that a lot of Disneyland rides exit their passengers into a themed gift shop - not a subtle tactic, but undoubtedly effective.
One of our gift shop destinations is at the exit from Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, one of the few competitive rides at the park. The shop's offerings are a combination of Toy Story and Lightyear items - personally, I enjoyed Lightyear, regardless of its mixed critical reception and relatively poor box office performance, and I decide to purchase a boxed set featuring three characters from the movie: Buzz himself, Izzy Hawthorne, and Mo Morrison. (Darby Steel isn't in this box, and I'm fine with that - sorry, Darby was just not one of my favourite characters.)
The figures are well molded and have good articulation, although I'm surprised that they don't have ankle joints, based on the poses from the box art. (There's probably a disclaimer someplace on the packaging indicating that the artwork isn't representative of the actual toys.)
If you look closely, the painting is an odd combination of fine detail, such as Buzz's name tag, and general sloppiness. But let's be fair, these are general toy grade figures, you're not intended to look at them with a magnifying glass.
Buzz's handgun doesn't fit easily into his hand, but the hot water trick* quickly solves that, and the other characters have no problems holding onto their props - overall, a nice little addition to my collection of toys, although I have no plans to write my name on the soles of their feet.
Oh, and I bought a Mickey Mouse mug as well - good size, comfortable grip, simple artwork. I know, it's not science fiction, but it's probably time to pay tribute to the fact that, after all, it all started with a mouse.
- Sid
* If you’re not familiar with this solution, it is incredibly useful if you are having trouble getting a vinyl action figure to hold onto something: run hot tap water over the figure’s hand until it becomes flexible, shape it around the weapon or tool, then switch to cold water to set it.
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