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Remembering Pixar’s First Halloween Special When you think of Pixar, you might remember big-screen adventures, heartwarming friendships, and dazzling animation. But in 2013, Pixar surprised us with something new: their very first Halloween television special. Toy Story of Terror! premiered on ABC on October 16, 2013, bringing Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of Bonnie’s toys into a spooky new adventure. At just 21 minutes long, it may be short — but it’s packed with laughs, frights, and heart, making it one of the best seasonal treats Pixar has ever offered. For those of us who grew up watching Disney specials in the fall, it instantly felt like a modern echo of those nostalgic TV evenings with the family.  A Spooky Roadside Motel Adventure
The story begins with Bonnie and her mom driving through the night when a flat tire strands them at a roadside motel. While Bonnie sleeps, her toys venture out of the suitcase to explore, only to find that something is snatching them up one by one. With Rex panicking, Woody staying cautious, and Mr. Pricklepants narrating every moment like a horror-film critic, the setup leans into classic scary-movie tropes. The setting — a dimly lit motel hidden among the trees — is perfect for suspense, and Pixar balances eerie tension with playful humor. But it’s Jessie, not Woody or Buzz, who takes center stage. Her struggle with claustrophobia resurfaces when she’s trapped, forcing her to face her greatest fear to save her friends. This choice gives the special real emotional weight, reminding us that even in spooky moments, Pixar never loses sight of character growth and heart. Nostalgia, Tropes, and New Friends One of the delights of Toy Story of Terror! is how it tips its hat to classic horror while still being family-friendly. Mr. Pricklepants predicts every “rule” of scary movies — from splitting up to the ominous sound in the shadows — which adds a layer of playful parody. And then there’s Combat Carl, voiced by Carl Weathers. A brand-new character at the time, he became an instant fan favorite. His pep talk to Jessie (“Combat Carl never gives up! Combat Carl finds a way!”) is both hilarious and inspiring. It’s these little moments that make the special rewatchable year after year. Why It Still Matters Even though it first aired more than a decade ago, Toy Story of Terror! remains a seasonal gem. It captures what we love most about Pixar: characters we know and love, put into new situations that test their courage, deepen their bonds, and still make us laugh. For Disney nostalgia fans, it also recalls the tradition of TV specials — something that feels rare in today’s streaming age. Watching Toy Story of Terror! feels like gathering around for a vintage Halloween treat, much like those golden-age Disney episodes that aired on TV in the fall. Whether you’re a lifelong Pixar collector, a fan of Disney Halloween memories, or just someone looking for a short but spooky story, Toy Story of Terror! delivers. It’s funny, it’s a little creepy, and it’s full of heart. And for those of us who treasure nostalgia, it connects us back to that feeling of watching Halloween specials on cool autumn nights — popcorn in hand, lights turned low, waiting to see what happens next. So this Halloween, don’t forget to dust off this special and watch Jessie, Woody, and Buzz face the motel shadows together. When it comes to Toy Story nostalgia, Jessie has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve had Woody, Buzz, and Bullseye represented on my shelves for a while now, but Jessie—our yodeling cowgirl from Woody’s Roundup—was missing. After a few twists and turns, I’m finally excited to say she’s here! The Long Road to Jessie I actually tried to add Jessie to my collection once before. I ordered her through Goodwill.com, but after waiting over a month and a half with no shipment, I finally had to ask for a refund. Later, I spotted her at the Disney outlet store in Las Vegas, but the thought of dragging her back in my suitcase (or asking my parents to drop her off at the post office) made me hold back. Jessie kept slipping away from me—until now. Woody’s Roundup Edition The Jessie I have now isn’t a Toy Story 4 release, but a Disney Pixar Woody’s Roundup talking figure. She comes in themed packaging with “Woody’s Roundup” across the top and the classic red yarn hair we all know and love. Her box proudly reads “Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl”, and she’s interactive—equipped with over 20 phrases and a “toy detector” feature that allows her to recognize and respond when other Toy Story characters are nearby. This detail makes her feel like she’s stepped right out of the film and onto my shelf. First Impressions I love that this Jessie has such a classic look. From her cowgirl hat and embroidered western shirt to the cow-print chaps and belt buckle, she looks just like she leapt off the screen. Pulling her string instantly brought me back to the fun of the Toy Story movies and reminded me how much charm Jessie’s character adds to the Roundup Gang. Why She Matters Jessie isn’t just another toy on the shelf. She represents loyalty, friendship, and a reminder of the importance of play. For collectors like me, adding her means completing my collection.  As the excitement around the Toy Story franchise continues to grow — especially with its upcoming theatrical re-release — I wanted to take a moment to reflect on a particularly special time in the series’ history: the lead-up to Toy Story 4. Back when mall storefronts still glowed with the magic of the Disney Store, I had the chance to visit three locations across the country — New York City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles (Century City) — all during the release of Toy Story 4. Each store offered its own unique take on the movie's merchandising, promotional displays, and character showcases. Today’s post is a visual tribute to that brief but beautiful retail moment in Pixar history.   Disney Store – New York City The New York Disney Store was full of kinetic energy. Giant Buzz Lightyear and Woody standees greeted guests at the entrance, while themed backdrops and shelves were filled with plushies, costumes, and Toy Story 4 exclusives. Forky was already a fan favorite, and there were posters, lunchboxes, and t-shirts celebrating his quirky addition to the team.   Disney Store – Las Vegas In Las Vegas, the Disney Store embraced the color and light of the Strip. It felt like stepping into Al’s Toy Barn, but with real-world scale! The store featured a fantastic Buzz Lightyear rocket display, and special shelves of Toy Story merchandise that sparkled under neon lighting. Seeing the same merch through the lens of a new location added a surreal kind of magic — like traveling through the Pixar multiverse one souvenir at a time.   Disney Store – Century City, Los Angeles Back home in California, the Century City location felt like a hometown celebration. The displays here were clean, elegant, and heartfelt — full of nostalgia and newness all at once. Many of the themed items featured subtle nods to earlier films, including vintage-style packaging, updated plush designs, and retro character art blended with new faces like Gabby Gabby and Duke Caboom.  Time Capsule of Pixar Magic
These photos are more than just a gallery — they’re a time capsule of that last great Disney Store era. Many of these locations have since closed, and Toy Story 4 now lives on in our memories, digital libraries, and collectible shelves. But for one shining season, these stores offered a tangible connection to Andy’s world — and for collectors and fans, that’s worth celebrating. And as always — bonus downloads, and behind-the-scenes are waiting for you over on Technicolor Memories Patreon. "To infinity… and beyond." A Character Analysis from Toy Story’s Most Misunderstood Kid When Toy Story first hit screens in 1995, Sid Phillips became one of the most unforgettable villains in animated film history. With his buzzcut, firecrackers, and terrifying toy experiments, Sid was every toy's worst nightmare—and every '90s kid’s cautionary tale. But over time, fans began to wonder: Was there more to Sid than chaos and cruelty?  This is a look into the deeper, more complex legacy of Sid Phillips—his pain, his turning point, and his quiet redemption. A Chaotic Childhood (Fan Theory) Though Pixar never confirmed Sid’s background, many fans believe he grew up in a home filled with emotional neglect. His father, often away working long hours in construction, was distant and hard to reach. His mother, overwhelmed by depression, withdrew from daily life. Sid and his younger sister Hannah were left to fend for themselves in a house heavy with tension and lacking affection. For a child like Sid, the world could feel indifferent at best—and hostile at worst. He began acting out, not out of malice, but as a cry for attention. Loud behavior—even destructive behavior—was still a way to be seen. His toys became his only outlet. They were his experiments, his creations, and unfortunately, his victims. Misunderstood, Not Evil Sid wasn’t born cruel—he was shaped by his environment. At school, he was likely a loner, misunderstood by peers and adults. He didn’t destroy toys because he hated them. He broke them to see how they worked, to test his control in a life where he felt powerless. In Sid’s world, empathy wasn’t modeled, so how could he learn it? To him, toys weren’t living things. They were objects. And control over those objects made him feel strong in a world where he otherwise felt invisible. The Day the Toys Fought Back Sid’s entire worldview shattered the moment the toys revealed they were alive. When Woody and the others rose up and spoke to him, Sid faced something no one had ever shown him: accountability. He realized—for the first time—that his actions caused pain. This moment of terror wasn’t just frightening. It was transformative. For a boy who had never been taught empathy, it was the first spark. His understanding of the world expanded, and for the first time, he may have begun to question his behavior. From Destruction to Design After that pivotal moment, Sid began to change. He still lived in the same house, still struggled with the same family challenges, but something had shifted inside him. Instead of breaking things, he began to build. First it was small: model airplanes, science kits, sculpture. Later, it was bigger: bikes, cars, homemade machines. He began to create things that had purpose. Things people admired. While he was never perfect, Sid found healing in creativity. His inner chaos calmed through craftsmanship. And as he matured, he eventually moved out and found steady work—perhaps in auto repair or construction. His energy, once so destructive, became useful. Some fans believe he even began volunteering with local kids, helping them fix things and showing them what no one had shown him: care. The Garbage Man Cameo – A Quiet Redemption In Toy Story 3, fans caught a brief glimpse of Sid again—now a garbage man, wearing his same skull T-shirt and bobbing to music as he worked. To some, it was just a cameo. To others, it was a powerful metaphor. The job is humble. Honest. Grounded. And symbolically? It’s perfect. Sid, once the destroyer of toys, now helps clean up the world. He isn’t the villain anymore. He’s just a man doing his job, maybe still a little rough around the edges, but no longer ruled by chaos. No longer lost. Sid’s Legacy Sid Phillips stands as one of Pixar’s most quietly complex characters. What began as a symbol of childhood fear has become, in hindsight, a story of growth. His destructive behavior was never about evil—it was a child crying out for help. And when the moment came, he listened. His transformation wasn’t loud or perfect. It was slow. Subtle. Real. And that’s what makes his story so powerful. Because for every child who feels unseen… for every misfit who turns their pain outward… Sid is a reminder: You are not your past. You are who you choose to become.  Bringing Pizza Planet Home Ever wish you could beam yourself straight into Pizza Planet? That neon-lit, arcade-buzzing, alien-approved dream from the original Toy Story has stayed with many of us for decades. And now, thanks to one very special find—the Pizza Planet Pizza Maker—I'm recreating that slice of 90s magic right in my own kitchen. In today’s post, I’ll share my first impressions of the machine, ideas for using it with store-bought or homemade pizzas, and how this fits into my ongoing celebration of the Toy Story legacy as we build momentum toward the re-release. If you’ve ever wanted your own Pizza Planet night, this post is for you! About the Pizza Planet Pizza Maker This fun little appliance looks like it jumped straight off the Pizza Planet truck. Designed with Pixar fans in mind, it holds a 10-inch pizza and is perfect for:
It works like a mini pizza oven, giving you that bubbly cheese, crisp crust, and warm nostalgia all at once.   🍕 Making the Pizza: Easy as 1-2-3 Whether you're hosting a movie night, working on Toy Story crafts, or just looking for a fun dinner idea, here are two easy ways to use the Pizza Maker: Option 1: From Scratch
Option 2: Quick-Fix Frozen Fun
Don’t forget to cue up your Toy Story soundtrack while it cooks Behind the Scenes: Pizza Planet in My Technicolor Memories World This isn’t just about dinner—it’s about memory-making. I’ve been archiving vintage Disney Store footage, character merchandise, and personal reflections on Toy Story. This Pizza Maker ties it all together:
Pizza Party Ideas for Toy Story Fans Planning a watch party or blog-themed dinner? Here are a few creative extensions:
These kinds of family-style Disney moments are what Technicolor Memories is all about—taking those magical movie scenes and making them part of your everyday story. The Pizza Planet Pizza Maker might seem like a novelty—but to fans like us, it’s a portal. A way to bring joy, storytelling, and Disney magic to the table in the most delicious way possible. 💌 Patreon friends will get bonus printables -alien-themed pizza party labels, stickers, and more to bring your own Pizza Planet table to life.  |
Welcome to a place where Disney nostalgia meets storytelling magic. I create uplifting, history-rich content celebrating Walt Disney’s original vision and the golden age of Disneyland. From forgotten dining spots to untold stories of Walt’s creative team, this blog is a tribute to imagination, innocence, and timeless joy.
Rediscover wonder with me — one story at a time. Amazon storefront 
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