Disney Pixar Cars - Target Goes on the Offensive

Target has seen the demand and decided to go on the offensive! The Haulers are HOT, and they are beating Walmart on price and meeting collector demand! You can find them this link...Target Cars Haulers Within a day, Target.com has listed three additional New Haulers, bringing the total to six New Releases they are Pre-Selling. Here are the latest...

Nitroade's Hauler is now ready to roll


Gil is a bit green around the mud flaps


Shiny Wax will brighten your day

Target is kicking Walmart's ass by pricing the Haulers at $12.99 plus shipping and handling. Target's aggressive marketing is beating Walmart by actually having them available on their website. Try this link to SAVE $5.00 on a $50 order or more Target $5 Discount. Walmart.com has been historically pathetic, never allowing you to buy the "Hot" Cars items on their site. Every time you try, all you get is, "This item is currently unavailable."

Target is also kicking Mattel's own MattyCollector.com upside the head, as they haven't had a single Cars release since the site was launched 9 months ago! Recently, they were supposed to finally release a 1:24th Scale Lightning McQueen on March 17th, yet delayed releasing it with no further info. The site has lost serious credibility with Cars collectors due to the sound of crickets being all they get.

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Disney Pixar Cars - Target.com Pre-Selling Haulers

The thing about collecting is that collectors scour the world for the best prices and supply. Today they found that Target.com is selling Disney Pixar's Cars Haulers old and NEW! I had a problem finding them on their site, so to make your life easier, I have them here at this link for you...Target Cars Haulers The URL was a mile long and I had to type every character, so I hope you appreciate the effort. It has also been brought to my attention that you can use the Target Discount Code TCMVS7RD to save $5.00. Here are the three New Haulers they are Pre-Selling...

RPM is on Pre-Sale at Target.com


No Stall is parked in a warehouse for 2 to 6 weeks


Trunk Fresh rounds out the trio of New Releases

Not a bad price at $12.99 plus shipping and handling. Target actually beats Walmart, which sells the Haulers for $13.77! Can you believe that?! Target not only beats Walmart by $0.78 cents, but actually has them available on their website. Walmart has always stunk when it comes to selling Cars items on Walmart.com. They are never available!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Preview of Bubba from Story Tellers Series

Remember the Story Tellers die cast Cars? They were Target Exclusives that came out a number of months ago. The stories came from the "World of Cars" book. The first story in the book is called "Hoodwinked." It's about a mean ole tow truck named Bubba, who taunts Mater and challenges him to a race. Jeez, everyone wants to pick on poor old Mater! I'm sure many of you thought the series was over. Well, here are pictures from the book, along with the Public's First look at Bubba!!

Bubba Towers over Good Hearted Mater!

Bubba Taunts Mater and Won't Give Back His Hood!

Mater and Bubba Face Off Before the Race!

Mater is Going to Show This Big Hunka Junk!

Bubba Has a Cocky Look on His Grill!

Bubba Can't Handle the Turns and Loses the Race!


Direct from the Mattel Design Studio!
Here for the First time...is Bubba!

Anyone Called Bubba, is Usually BIG!

Bubba the Big Boy, is Even Bigger than Red!

How Big is Bubba's Gas Tank?!

Bubba is Expected to be released as part of the Story Tellers series on September 1, 2009. I would expect the series to continue to be Exclusive to Target. I asked whether Bubba would be packaged the same as the previous Story Tellers releases, and was told the packaging may very well change. We'll have to see how Bubba looks once he gets his paint job.

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Disney Pixar Cars - Would You Like Metal or Plastic

Can you tell which is die cast metal and which is plastic?

Alternator Valley reader Tim, sent me these pictures of these two Mack Haulers to compare for you. It is tough to tell which is die cast metal and which is plastic. The top is the Target Exclusive, which is made of die cast metal and manufactured by Mattel. The bottom is the Disney Store Exclusive, which is made of plastic and manufactured by Disney Consumer Products.

This plastic version has a beautiful paint finish!

I touched upon the Disney Store Exclusive a number of weeks ago. You can see the plastic version is a longer and more accurate Mack in scale to Lightning McQueen. The Target Exclusive is a true die cast metal, and is shorter due to bringing it to retail at a reasonable price. I own both versions, but I prefer the good ole die cast metal!

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Disney Pixar Cars - You Never Know When You'll Strike Gold

One of my readers shares his story on finding "Treasure" at a Target in Tennessee! You never know what lurks in those caves we call stockrooms!

"I read your stuff all the time! I'm a huge fan of the Disney Cars and thought I would pass along this little story today. I went to a small town, Collerville, Tennessee, and visited the Target store. I thought just maybe they had gotten in some new stuff. I looked, and of course all the new Cars had been picked over. As I was turning away an employee asked if I needed any help. I told her I was too late and that all the new Cars were gone already. She told me to hold on for a minute. She was the warehouse supervisor and they were cleaning out the stockroom. She came back rolling a basket with some Cars stuff. I got all excited that I was going to find some new Cars! None! As she left, I opened a box with a few Cars that were left in it. I thought I was in another world...I found 12 original Desert Back cards in mint condition! Filmore with one L, Sarge, DJ, Doc Hudson, Chick Hick, Leakless etc. Wow what a find...and a Bonus 1 Chick Hick Hauler! I just thought I would share this as you never know what is out there. Thanks for your time, and thanks for the great articles!" David S.

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Disney Pixar Cars - Finish Line Lightning McQueen

Things have continued to be slow on the new release front. Here's something new for you to start looking for in stores, especially Target. Finish Line Lightning McQueen with Chick Hicks and the King in a three pack. The detail is super! Notice the expression on Lightning, how about the way his tires are bent inward? Great design all the way down to his bare metal rims! Will he be released as a single? Don't know at this point. All I know is he is cooool!!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Disney Store Exclusive Mack Hauler

Another day, another discovery to share with you, my loyal reader! You thought the Haulers were to be released as one hauler in a clear plastic package. Oh, were we wrong! Not only are we seeing special Target packaged Haulers, now take a look at this Disney Store Exclusive Mack Hauler! Interestingly, Mack's paint appears to be done the same as the darker Cruisin' Lightning McQueen, which is included along with a normal Lightning McQueen. From what I've been told, Mack appears to be die cast metal! The set retails for $29.50 and is ONLY available at the Disney Store and DisneyShopping.com. It is currently on Sale at DisneyShopping.com for $22.99!

So, all you crazy completists can pull your last strand of hair out, as you now have a third variation of Mack alone to collect!! Ay, yai, yai!! It is a cool color though, isn't it?! Can't wait to see a "Plussed Up" Mack from MattyCollector some day!

Again, a special thanks to mi amiga Ivette from Austin, Texas!! She brought this set to my attention and sent along the pic for you to see.

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Disney Pixar Cars - The Stores To Find Cars

Walmart and Target have been major disappointments for the last couple months. Promises of pallets filled with Cars toys are more like dreams of sugarplums in some whacked out kid's head! They have let us down! No supply and nothing new!

Who are the New heros of Cars collectors?! That old dump of a store...Kmart! Right there with old glue horse Kmart is Toys R Us! Come on, you agree with me, you walk into a Kmart and it is like a morgue! You keep waiting to hear when they are going to file Chapter 11! Yet somehow, the old Blue Light Special keeps its doors open. Heck, Toys R Us isn't much better really! I don't know how they stay in business. BUT, in spite of the fact Kmarts always look like they are going Out of Business and Toys R Us hardly every has customers, they have come through strong in the last couple of weeks!

Toys R Us has been a consistent supply of New releases! I've found Impound Boost, Chief RPM, and Tank Coat Pitty! I've yet to find the next case with Impound Snot Rod, but I have a strong feeling they will have them very soon as well! So, kudos to Toys R Us for meeting collector demand over the last few weeks! It certainly made it easier to buy five Cars for the N2O promotion!

Today I had a feeling I should go into Kmart and voila! There were the two Over Sized Characters I've been searching weeks for...Mack and Marco! And, they had two of each, which is what I always buy! Not only did I find Mack and Marco, but I also found another Impound Boost! So, guess where I'll be going in search of Cars die cast toys? Well, it's safe to say I won't be going to Walmart until they get their act together!

Hope this gives you some help in your search for the elusive toys! You know, I paid $8.79 for each Over Sized and could care less. They had the darn things I wanted and I was happy to pay Kmarts price! Wouldn't you?

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Disney Pixar Cars - Is The Economy Impacting Your Collecting

KB Toys just declared bankruptcy, Circuit City, Linens and Things, and many more have recently done the same. Mattel, Yahoo, Citibank, even LucasArts have laid off thousands! Unemployment is at a twenty-six year high, the Dow is down 39%, while we carry the largest deficit in the country's history! The globe has fallen into recession as well. Sounds very positive, doesn't it?!

The question I have for you is, "Have these developments caused you to pull back on your spending of Cars collectibles?"

I've chosen to stop wasting time running around like I'm looking for Easter Eggs at Walmart, Target, etc. Thus, I'm saving money on gas. I'm also considering changing my collecting of two of each Car, to just one of each Car. I blame this on the lame supply that both Mattel and the retailers have failed to address to meet collector's demands. I'm getting sick of trying to track down toys like a dog chasing its tail!!

Collecting should be fun, not work! Don't you agree? I'm out for today!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Feeling Like A Mouse In A Maze Chasing Cheese

I've been quite sick over the last four days, thus my lack of recent entries. Add to this fact that there hasn't been much to write about! I could rehash old news so you'd have something to read every day, but that's not my style. I write when I have something substantive to tell you.

After that ridiculous "Black Friday," I feel like we as collectors, have been running around like the proverbial mouse in a maze chasing an elusive piece of cheese! I know a large number of you are getting fed up with the baloney of wasting gas and time chasing Mattel's Cheese. It isn't fun, it isn't making anyone happy, it is simply insulting. If anyone thinks running from Walmart to Toys R Us, from Target to KB Toys, from Walgreens to Kmart, is a productive use of your time, when the result of hours of running around end in disappointment, then you need to get a life!!

Christmas is just over four weeks away. Where the heck is Night Vision McQueen and the Collector's Guide? Where are the Haulers? What about NEW Cars like Sally With Cone, Dexter Hoover, Tumble Weed McQueen, Chase Boost, Chase Snot Rod, Tank Coat Pitty and Chief RPM? What's the story with the "Oversized" Cars?

I have not seen, nor have any idea where Night Vision McQueen is being sold. No one else seems to either. The "Haulers" must be under the mismanagement of General Motors, because who knows if we'll ever see them! Sure, some of the recent New Cars have come out...if you live, sleep and do nothing but sit in the aisles of Walmart or Target 24/7!! How about the stupidity of Walmart's Black Friday circular? The ad shows three "Oversized" Cars; Mack, Marco and Lightning Storm McQueen. People all over the country arrive at 5:00 A.M. and find Walmart has NOTHING, or if they do, they don't have Mack and Marco! Are you a satisfied customer? Or do you feel like a mouse that hasn't been fed, so you'll run through a maze for a stinking piece of cheese?! I think you know how I feel.

Let me tell you something straight up...I write what I observe and what's truthful. If something warrants praise, then I write positive things and give credit where credit is due. On the obverse, if I see garbage and poor management, then I'll criticize and point out issues that need to be addressed and rectified.

My next article will focus on the stupidity of Ebay Sellers who've hoarded the die cast Cars from the start. Have a good one! I'm outta here!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Where To Buy Them When You Visit Disney World

For all of you who plan on visiting Disney World, I'm going to tell you the reality about finding Cars Die Cast Toys while in Orlando! You'd think that Disney World would have the BEST selection and latest releases, but just the opposite is true. Since Cars came out in June of 2006, Disney World has had a pathetic inventory, and has been months behind the Newest releases. Not only that, but they charge double what you'd pay at Walmart!! Got to love the management decisions at the Mouse House. Whether they have deals with Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, or whoever, we should be able to find the finest selection at Disney World. I think it is stupid that they don't meet the demand! They'll catch on and listen to us once the second movie is out and three years have past. So, where can you find Cars in Orlando while visiting Disney World? I'm going to give you a few locations with addresses where you may get lucky! Here's the list...

Walgreens
12100 South Apopka Vineland Road

Orlando, FL 32836

(407) 238-0600

Walgreens
13502 South Apopka Vineland Road
Orlando, FL 32821

Get Directions(407) 827-1004

Walgreens
12650 International Drive South
Orlando, FL 32821

Get Directions(407) 238-4677






Walmart
8990 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819

Get Directions(407) 351-4142

Walmart
3250 Vineland Road
Kissimmee, FL 34746

Get Directions(407) 397-1130

Walmart
4311 West Vine Street
Kissimmee, FL 34746
(407) 390-1888





Target
4750 Millenia Plaza Way
Orlando, FL 32839

Get Directions(407) 541-0020

Target
4795 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34746

Get Directions(407) 594-0030

These are locations I've been to and are close to the Disney World Resort. Again, you may find Cars at these locations, and you may not. I've never understood the lack of inventory in Orlando. As a whole, the entire area can be three months behind the Newest Release at times. It is really a matter of dumb luck if you find something highly sought after.

You can try Once Upon A Toy at Downtown Disney, but that's where you'll pay double the normal retail price and likely to find Cars that have been out for a long time. I've yet to find anything at this store. Also, they don't get the items that are store exclusive like the oval carrying case Target carries. Frankly, their selection stinks!

There's one other store on Disney property that may have some of the same poor selection with the same high prices...The World Of Disney, also in Downtown Disney. This huge store is the focal point of Downtown Disney and sells everything. Everything but a good selection of Disney Pixar's Cars! No, I'm not happy with them?! It is ridiculous!

Finally, let's take a ride over to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Here you'll be able to see Mater and Lightning McQueen as full size working Cars! They are part of the "Stars and Motor Cars" Parade! I can tell you that you'll be amazed at the detail in the lifesized versions! They are a highlight of the parade.

After the parade, you can go over to Luigi's Casa Della Tires to hangout, take pictures and see them greet guests! Luigi's is in the back of the studios near Mama Melrose's Italian Restaurant. If you've been to the Studios in the past, Luigi's took the place of Al's Toy Barn. A small supply of Cars toys may be in the Stage 1 Company Store that primarily sells Muppet merchandise.

Have fun while at the "Happiest Place On Earth!" Hopefully, I've given you a few places that you may have some luck finding Cars for your collection. If things change or there's news about Disney Pixar Cars, you can be sure I'll tell you about it here at Alternator Valley!

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