We LOVED Avengers Infinity war so we cannot wait for this one!
AVENGERS: ENDGAME in theaters April 26, 2019.
Category Archives: Activities
Toy Story 4 is coming!!
I am so excited to share with you that Woody and the rest of the toys are back for an all-new adventure in “Toy Story 4,” welcoming new friends to Bonnie’s room, including a reluctant new toy called Forky. “Like most people, I assumed that ‘Toy Story 3’ was the end of the story,” said director Josh Cooley. “And it was the end of Woody’s stmoory with Andy. But just like in life, every ending is a new beginning. Woody now being in a new room, with new toys, and a new kid, was something we have never seen before. The questions of what that would be like became the beginning of an entertaining story worth exploring.”
A teaser trailer slated to debut with “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” in theaters Nov. 21, is available today. Check out the new teaser trailer here:
But Forky insists that he is NOT a toy! An actual spork-turned-craft-project, Forky is pretty sure that he doesn’t belong in Bonnie’s room. Unfortunately, every time he tries to get away, someone yanks him back into an adventure he’d rather skip. “The world of Toy Story is built upon the idea that everything in the world has a purpose,” said Cooley. “A toy’s purpose is to be there for its child. But what about toys that are made out of other objects? Forky is a toy that Bonnie made out of a disposable spork, so he’s facing a crisis. He wants to fulfill his purpose as a spork, but now has a new toy purpose thrust upon him.”
Filmmakers called on comedian Tony Hale to provide the voice of Forky. “It’s a huge thrill to be part of the Toy Story family,” he said. “But it’s going to take a while for it to really sink in.”
Said Cooley, “When we thought up this character, Tony was the first actor that came to mind and I’m thrilled he accepted. Tony’s performance as Forky is a comedy salad of confidence, confusion, and empathy… served by hilarious spork.”
How were filmmakers able to convince Hale to give voice to Forky? “A utensil’s existential crisis?” he asked. “I’m in!”
U.S. Release Date: June 21, 2019
Voice Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Jeff Pidgeon, Blake Clark, Tony Hale
Director: Josh Cooley
Producers: Jonas Rivera, Mark Nielsen
NOTES:
- “Toy Story,” originally released on Nov. 22, 1995, was the first fully computer animated feature film and the highest grossing movie of the year. It was nominated for three Oscars® and two Golden Globes®.
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET opening in theatres everywhere November 21st
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET opening in theatres everywhere November 21st
In RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and best friend Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) leave the comforts of Litwak’s arcade in an attempt to save her game, Sugar Rush. Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the internet where they rely on the citizens of the internet—the Netizens—to help navigate their way. Lending a virtual hand are Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site “BuzzzTube,” and Shank (voice of Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race, a place Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces—so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he’s ever had. Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Zootopia,” writer, “Cedar Rapids”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt,” “Lilo & Stitch”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.
GAME CHANGER
New World Tests the Strength of Friendship
“Ralph Breaks the Internet” takes Ralph and Vanellope to a vast, unfamiliar world with
endless possibilities. When filmmakers put themselves in the characters’ shoes, they
realized Ralph and Vanellope would have completely different points of view when it came
to the internet. Says director Rich Moore, “They’re like a couple of small-town kids who
venture into the big city. One falls in love with the city, while the other one can’t wait to go
home.”
“Ralph is in love with the life that he has,” adds director Phil Johnston. “But Vanellope is
ready for a change—she wants to spread her wings a little. That creates conflict within
their friendship, which becomes the heart of the story.”
“I love that the film is about change,” says producer Clark Spencer. “Two best friends are
about to realize that the world won’t always be the same. The internet is the perfect
setting, really, because it’s all about change—things change by the second.”
The story kicks off in the arcade, where Ralph and Vanellope have been living
harmoniously—fulfilling their duties in their games during the day and hanging out together
in their neighboring arcade games at night. “Vanellope is lamenting the fact that her game
is getting a little boring,” says Johnston. “So, Ralph takes it upon himself to amplify the
excitement in Sugar Rush. And Ralph being Ralph—it doesn’t go exactly as planned.”
Ralph’s shenanigans trigger a chain of events that culminate with a player in the arcade
accidentally breaking the steering wheel off Vanellope’s game. When Litwak learns that a
replacement part would cost more than the game makes in a year, he has no choice but to
unplug Sugar Rush and sell it for parts. “The part they need to fix the game is at a place on
the internet called eBay,” says Pamela Ribon, who co-wrote the screenplay with Johnston.
“Ralph and Vanellope have never heard of the internet, much less eBay, but Litwak has
installed a router, so the arcade is actually online for the first time. They decide to take the
leap into this unknown world and travel to the internet in order to find the steering wheel
and save Vanellope’s game.
“The internet strikes them as loud, fast, crazy and completely unpredictable,” continues
Ribon. “Ralph is nervous and uncomfortable, and Vanellope is smitten, of course.”
An Afternoon with a former New York Yankee at iPlay America!
Come spend An Afternoon with former New York Yankee, Tino Martinez! The first hour will be a moderated Q&A session with the audience and Tino. The remainder of the time is for meet & greets! VIP Package ticketholders go first, followed by Photo Op ticketholders.Please carefully read all packages to ensure that you are purchasing exactly what you would like.
Tickets can be ordered from HERE and details below;
VIP Package WITH my readers special code – tino (must apply at link above)
Ticket includes admission into the Q&A, one (1) personal item to be signed by Tino Martinez, and one (1) professional photo with Tino. Each VIP Package permits ONE (1) guest/parent to accompany the ticketholder. The guest is NOT permitted to meet Tino, receive any photos, autographs, or collateral. The guest MAY accompany ticketholder into the Q&A session. **NO PERSONLIZATIONS OR INSCRIPTIONS**
VIP Package $150
Ticket includes admission into the Q&A, one (1) personal item to be signed by Tino Martinez, and one (1) professional photo with Tino. Each VIP Package permits ONE (1) guest/parent to accompany the ticketholder. The guest is NOT permitted to meet Tino, receive any photos, autographs, or collateral. The guest MAY accompany ticketholder into the Q&A session. **NO PERSONLIZATIONS OR INSCRIPTIONS**
Photo Op Package $60
Package includes admission into the Q&A, one (1) professional photo with Tino Martinez, and one (1) commemorative photo of Tino Martinez. This package does not include any autographs. Each Photo Op Package permits ONE (1) guest/parent to accompany the ticketholder. The guest is NOT permitted to meet Tino, receive any photos, autographs, or collateral. The guest MAY accompany ticketholder into the Q&A session. EXTRA ITEM TICKET CAN NOT BE ADDED TO THIS PACKAGE.
Q&A Ticket $25
Ticket includes admission for one (1) person into the one (1) hour Q&A session with Tino Martinez. This ticket is ONLY for the Q&A session, no meet & greet, autographs, etc.
Extra Item Ticket $55
YOU MUST PURCHASE A VIP PACKAGE (NOT PHOTO OP PACKAGE) FOR THIS TICKET TO BE VALID. This ticket allows a VIP TICKETHOLDER to bring one (1) extra personal item to be signed. (MAX 2 EXTRA ITEMS PER PERSON! VIP Package already comes with one (1) item to be signed. If one (1) Extra Item Ticket is purchased, VIP Package ticketholder will be allowed to have two (2) items signed total. If two (2) Extra Item Tickets are purchased, the VIP ticketholder is permitted to have three (3) items signed total. Please read carefully as these tickets will not be refunded.
Legendary MLB Athlete Tino Martinez, NFL Star Sam Darnold to Come to iPlay America
Freehold, N.J., November 2, 2018 – Four-time World Series Champion and Olympic gold medalist, Tino Martinez, and third-overall 2018 NFL draft pick and starting quarterback for New York’s “Team Green”, Sam Darnold, will be appearing at iPlay America. Martinez will be appearing on Saturday, November 10, and Darnold will be at iPlay America on Tuesday, December 11 for meet & greets with fans.
Tino Martinez is a two-time MLB All-Star with a Silver Slugger Award and Monument Park honoree at Yankee Stadium. Fans can spend the afternoon with world-champion Martinez as he recalls moments from his note-worthy career with the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays. Doors will open on November 10 at 11:00 AM and the event will begin at 12:00 PM. VIP and photo-op ticket packages, as well as Q&A tickets are available for purchase. To view package options, visitwww.iplayamerica.com/event/afternoon-tino-martinez/.
Sam Darnold is the current quarterback for New York’s “Team Green” and third-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Before being drafted to NY, Darnold played for the University of Southern California. He will be spending the evening at iPlay America on Tuesday, December 11, giving fans the chance to meet him in person. Doors will open at 5:00 PM and the event will begin at 6:00 PM. Meet & greet packages are available for purchase atwww.iplayamerica.com/event/sam-darnold/.
“Meet & greets and Q&A sessions with notable athletes are always sought after by our fan base,” said Jessica Schwartz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for iPlay America. “We’re excited to present New York sports fans with the opportunity to interact with two local stars from the MLB and NFL with our Tino Martinez and Sam Darnold meet & greets.”
Check out what else is happening at iPlay America throughout the remainder of the year;
About iPlay America
iPlay America is the place to Get Inside the Fun! Its all indoor, family-friendly themed environment provides guests nearly four acres of outstanding rides, games, and attractions making it the perfect destination for FUN year round! The Event Center @IPA is home to concerts, corporate events, expos, galas, trade shows, company outings, sporting events, social gatherings, and every kind of party. iPlay America offers guests a mouth-watering selection of Boardwalk style fare, classic American cuisine at Game Time Bar & Grill, and an impressive event catering menu. ALWAYS free to enter, iPlay America’s guests can enjoy exciting attractions like 2-level Laser Tag, Indoor Go-Kart Track, Spinning Coaster and the Sky Trails® High Ropes Course (the largest indoor ropes course in New Jersey). iPlay America is a 2017 winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Service. For FUN, fine food, and events of any size, the award winning iPlay America is the place to Get Inside the Fun. iPlay America is located on Route 9 at 110 Schanck Road in Freehold, New Jersey.
iPlay America Grand Opening of Newly Renovated Laser Tag Arena + JAGMAC VIP Giveaway!
On this Saturday November 3rd, JAGMAC, a pop music group will be performing live in City Square here at iPlay America. JAGMAC is a musical group of siblings with a unique blend of talents including singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and sign language. Kids of all ages love this group because they are extremely interactive.
My kids absolutely ADORED them!
With their catchy choruses, pure vocals, and dynamic routines, JAGMAC is set to take the music world by storm! These siblings’ unique blend of talents include: singing, songwriting, dancing, choreography, rapping, playing musical instruments, sign language. And probably most impressively, every member of JAGMAC holds a black belt in Taekwon-Do, and four members of the group are two-time world champion black belts in the Philippine martial art, Eskima.
General Admission tickets to this show are free and there are VIP meet & greet packages available to purchase. You can download tickets through Ticketfly online at https://www.iplayamerica.com/event/jagmac/.
I am giving away FOUR VIP passes (a$200 Value!) to the show at 6pm On this Saturday November 3rd.
The winner will get up to (4) VIP Packages – $50 each value
This ticket includes a pre-show backstage meet & greet with JAGMAC. Ticketholder will also receive a $10 iPlay America Game Card and an event poster!
ENTER TO WIN by clicking below and completing the tasks! The more you complete, the more entries you get.
Along with being at the show, it is the perfect weekend to be at iPlay! iPlay America is marking the grand opening of their newly renovated, multi-level, 6,500-square-foot laser tag arena. The renovated arena boasts new game modes, featured power-ups, additional bonus targets and other features that dramatically enhances game play.
Official Press Release:
iPlay America Announces Grand Opening of Newly Renovated Laser Tag Arena
Freehold, N.J., October 31, 2018 – This weekend, iPlay America is marking the grand opening of their newly renovated multi-level, 6,500-square-foot laser tag arena. The dynamic, responsive arena is the latest update to the indoor amusement park and entertainment venue in Freehold, N.J.
The updated arena features new game modes, featured power ups, and additional bonus targets. These features dramatically enhance the structure of game play and take it to a whole new level. The new power up feature gives players the opportunity to pick their power up mode anytime, anywhere – unlike most versions of laser tag that give a player power ups at random. This update also includes interactive LED illumination, which boasts the ability to change colors, pulse, strobe and react to game play events in real-time. Newly installed kiosks allow players to easily input their information to create a player profile, including a player name and photo. The kiosks can also send text messages when games are about to begin and deliver score cards via email and more. Each laser tag game in the new arena can host up to 35 players at a time.
“We’re always looking to bring guests exciting upgrades and new features to our most popular attractions,” said Jessica Schwartz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for iPlay America. “The new technology and additions to our arena are sure to offer our laser tag fans a fresh and entertaining experience. We can’t wait to see the exhilarating games that ensue!”
For more information, visit https://www.iplayamerica.com/attraction/laser-tag/.
More upcoming fun at iPlay this year;
About iPlay America
The only place to Get Inside the Fun is the City of iPlay America. Here guests of all ages enjoy 250 + arcade games, rides and attractions, NJ’s largest Indoor High Ropes Course, Go Karts, 2-Level Laser Tag and more. Perfect for birthday parties and all sorts of celebrations for everyone in the family, on the team, in the group or company. It’s easy to book a private party suite with the help of a certified party planner. iPlay America’s Event Center is where the most popular stars perform. Warehouse 100 is one of the region’s largest expo and trade show venues. iPlay America • Route 9 at 110 Schanck Road in Freehold, New Jersey • 732-577-8200 • iPlayAmerica.com.
Geoffrey’s Toy Box Plus Toys “R” Us Still Alive?
Toys”R”Us is alive and well! At least in Canada. But if you’re thinking of shopping the online store and reliving your childhood, think again. You can browse the store which looks exactly the same as the USA site did, however unfortunately you cannot purchase without a Canada “ship to” address. I assume it was part of their acquisition deal that happened in June 2018.
Toys”R”Us (Canada) Ltd. announces the completion of the acquisition of its business by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. Toys R Us Canada is now a proudly Canadian-owned and operated business employing more than 4,000 Canadians and Canada’s only exclusive coast to coast business with over 80 locations dedicated to kids and babies across Canada.
As Canada’s leading toy and baby retailer, we are thrilled to be part of the Fairfax family and to now operate as a reinvigorated company that is 100% Canadian. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our valued customers for their loyalty with us over the last several months. We are passionate about our business and want Canadians to know that we are champions of play with the newest trends and hottest toys in our stores. We believe that parenting is an adventure and Babies“R”Us Canada will be there along the journey to help parents.
While there are talks of a promised spin-off of Toys”R”Us in the works even as soon as next month, it is unknown if it will be open in time for the Holiday shopping season. I know I am hoping for that “Big Toy Book” to be put in my mailbox the week leading up to black friday as it has every year prior. Will it happen? When we do not really have a definitive answer at this time.
What we do know, is there is hope that we will once again walk the aisle’s of a child’s dream store, and be able to see, touch, and feel the toys which is what separates it from all of the large online retailers like Amazon, and nothing can compare to that. If anything, it sure looks promising.
Comicbook.com posted that there were reps from the new company at the Toy Preview 2018 in Dallas, including Geoffrey himself boasting a “Back from Vacation” cape;
Full Press Release below;
WAYNE, NJ – October 2, 2018 – Geoffrey, LLC, Toys “R” Us, Inc.’s intellectual property holding company subsidiary, announced today that it is moving forward with a plan for substantially all of its assets to be acquired by a group of investors led by Geoffrey, LLC’s existing secured lenders.
The announcement was made following a five month marketing effort by Boston-based Consensus, an investment bank retained to market the assets of Geoffrey, LLC, that resulted in several formal and informal proposals to acquire the intellectual property assets. After considering such proposals, it was determined that the proposal from the existing term lenders was meaningfully higher and better than any other global bid or the sum of the bids received on individual assets. The transition of the business to its new owners is pending approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court and all major creditor constituencies are supportive. Geoffrey, LLC thanks all parties that participated in discussions with the company over the prior months, particularly those that submitted proposals, for their thoughtful and diligent engagement.
Geoffrey, LLC, as reorganized, will control a portfolio of intellectual property that includes trademarks, ecommerce assets and data associated with the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us businesses in the United States and all over the world, including a portfolio of over 20 well-known toy and baby brands such as Imaginarium, Koala Baby, Fastlane and Journey Girls. The reorganized company will own rights to the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us brands in all markets globally, with the exception of Canada. It will also become the licensor of the brands to the company’s existing network of franchisees operating in countries across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and in South Africa.
In addition to continuing to service these markets, the new owners are actively working with potential partners to develop ideas for new Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores in the United States and abroad that could bring back these iconic brands in a new and re-imagined way. Geoffrey LLC will provide additional detail on this front as it becomes available.
For now, you can check out all of the other retailers who attended Fall Toy Preview and are very much open for business this holiday season.
The following retailers attended Fall Toy Preview 2018:
- 7 ELEVEN
- 99 CENTS ONLY STORES
- AAFES
- AAHS GIFT STORES
- AC MOORE
- ALIBABA GROUP
- AMAZON
- AREYOUGAME.COM
- BARNES & NOBLE, INC.
- BARSTONS CHILD’S PLAY
- BEALLS, INC. – BEALLS OUTLET/BURKES OUTLET
- BED BATH & BEYOND
- BEDROCK CITY COMIC CO
- BIEIN
- BIG KAHUNA FUNDRAISING
- BJ’S WHOLESALE
- BLICK ART MATERIALS
- BLOOMS CANDY
- BOUNDLESS NETWORK
- BOXLUNCH
- BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
- BURLINGTON STORES
- C-A-L RANCH STORES
- CALENDAR CLUB CANADA
- CALENDAR HOLDINGS, LLC
- CANADIAN TIRE
- CAROLYN’S GENERAL STORE
- CEC ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
- CHANNEL CONTROL MERCHANTS
- CHARMING CHARLIE
- CHEEKY MONKEY TOYS
- CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPS
- CINEMARK
- CITI TRENDS
- CLAIRE’S
- COPPINS CARDSHOPS INC.
- COST PLUS WORLD MARKET
- COSTCO WHOLESALE (CANADA)
- COUPANG CORP
- CULTURE CORNER
- CURRENT MEDIA GROUP, LLC
- CVS HEALTH
- DAVE & BUSTERS
- DEEP ELLUM TOURIST CENTER
- DILLARD’S
- DOLLAR TREE
- DOLLARDAYS
- DPPS VIVID LLC
- ENCHANTED TOY
- ERWIN DISTRIBUTING
- FAMILY DOLLAR
- FANTASY ISLAND TOYS
- FARAH EXPERIENCES
- FAT BRAIN TOYS
- FIREFLY BUYS
- FORMAN MILLS
- FRANK’S CLUB STORES
- FRED’S INC.
- FRY’S ELECTRONICS
- FUEGO HOLDINGS LLC – ATTIC SALT
- FUEGO HOLDINGS LLC – FUEGO
- FUNFINITY
- GABES
- GAMESTOP / EB GAMES
- GENERAL COMMERCIAL CORP.
- GEPPETTO’S
- GIANT TIGER STORES LIMITED
- GIOCA STORES S.R.L.
- GREAT AMERICAN OPPORTUNITIES
- GROUPON
- HALF PRICE BOOKS
- HALLMARK
- HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER
- HERRSCHNERS, INC.
- HOBBY LOBBY
- HOBBYTOWN
- HOBBYTOWN (NORTH LITTLE ROCK)
- HOLOCRON TOY STORE
- HOME HARDWARE STORES LIMITED
- HOT RAGS
- HOT TOPIC
- HSN
- HUDSON’S COUNTRY STORE
- IMAGINE THAT TOYS INC.
- INDIGO BOOKS AND MUSIC
- INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM
- ISLAND BEACH GEAR
- IT’SUGAR
- JCPENNEY
- JOHNSON SMITH
- JOURNEYS KIDZ
- JUANA LA IGUANA
- JUSTICE
- KID TO KID (ARLINGTON)
- KIDDING AROUND
- KID’S KORNER
- KIDS WAREHOUSE
- KIDSWHEELS
- KIDZART, INC.
- KINNEY DRUGS
- LANDRY’S
- LEARNING EXPRESS
- LEARNING EXPRESS OF DALLAS
- LEARNING EXPRESS OF FRISCO
- LEB HOBBIES
- LIBRAIRIE RENAUD-BRAY
- LITTLE PASSPORTS, INC
- LORI’S GIFTS
- LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS & COUNTRY STORES
- LTD COMMODITIES
- LUGGAGE SHOP OF LUBBOCK
- M & A LTD
- MACY’S, INC. – MACY’S BACKSTAGE
- MADNESS GAMES & COMICS
- MARDEL
- MASTERMIND TOYS
- MELVILLE DIRECT
- MI PUEBLITO
- MICHAELS STORES
- MID-STATES DISTRIBUTING CO.
- MINDWARE
- MJ BEANZ
- MMP LIVING
- NAPPY SHOPPE LLC
- NATIONAL STORES, INC.
- NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART
- NESTFAMILY
- NICKELODEON UNIVERSE (MALL OF AMERICA)
- NICKELS AND DIMES INC.
- NORDSTROM, INC – NORDSTROM
- OFFICE DEPOT
- OLLIE’S BARGAIN OUTLET
- ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY
- ORSCHELN
- PAPER FIRST AFFILIATES
- PARTY CITY
- PAT CATAN’S
- PEAVEY INDUSTRIES, LP
- PEOPLE’S PHARMACY
- PIER 1 IMPORTS
- PLAY STREET MUSEUM
- PLAYTIME TOYS
- PRICESMART
- R.H. RENYS INC
- ROSS STORES, INC. – DD’S DISCOUNTS
- ROSS STORES, INC. – ROSS
- RURAL KING
- SAMKO SALES
- SAM’S CLUB
- SATISFY THE BEAST
- SCHOLAR’S CHOICE
- SCHOOL TIME
- SHARPER IMAGE
- SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT
- SMITHSONIAN
- SPENCER’S
- STAGE STORES / GORDMANS
- STAMFORD TOYS
- STAPLES
- STAR KIDS TOYS LLC
- STODDART ENTERPRISES LTD
- SUNEEL LLC
- SUNRISE RECORDS
- SUPER DOLLAR – ST. CROIX
- TARGET
- TEXAS MONKEY BUSINESS
- THE ARACA GROUP
- THE ENTERTAINER (AMERSHAM) LTD
- THE PAPER STORE
- THE TOY MAVEN
- THE VERMONT TEDDY BEAR COMPANY
- THINKGEEK, INC.
- TJX, INC. – HOME GOODS
- TJX, INC. – HOMESENSE (CANADA)
- TJX, INC. – MARSHALLS / TJ MAXX
- TJX, INC. – MARSHALLS / WINNERS (CANADA)
- TJX, INC. – SIERRA TRADING POST
- TJX, INC. – TK MAXX (EUROPE)
- TOP NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
- TOP SHELF BRANDS
- TOYNK TOYS
- TOYOLOGY TOYS
- TOYS & GIFTS
- TOYS ‘R’ US – CANADA
- TOYS TOYS (NJ)
- TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT
- TUESDAY MORNING
- URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARKS
- USA TOY FACTORY
- VARIETY WHOLESALERS
- W & B ENTERPRISES, INC.
- WALMART ECOMMERCE
- WALMART INC.
- WELL.CA
- WORLDWIDE
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum and Back to School
Last week was back to school. It’s always a mix of emotions for parents and kids alike, anxious and happy all at the same time.
My kids and I wanted to have a last hoorah before going back to school and we had the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum to go along for the journey.
The zoo was calling our names since we hadn’t been all year and the is one only a little over an hour at that we’ve never visited. Check out my coverage on it here.
The hybrid is A-Mazing on gas mileage. Half electric and half gasoline engine this darn thing charges itself! Yes, you read right.. no plugging it it although I believe you technically could. Any time you go below 30mph, the engine switches to electric and doesn’t suck up any gas.
I had a full tank of gas when I started my week, and a full week later after driving to and from work, the zoo which is an hour+ away, and to and from school pick ups and drop offs, I still had just under a quarter tank of gas left.
Not to mention $10 put it back up over a half tank!
Not only is the hybrid awesome on gas, it boasts a fabulous interior if you can find the Limited Platinum edition. This photo has no filter, just amazing interior lighting and interior leather seats. My kids really enjoyed how big and open the it was with the captain’s chairs. The center chairs move forward, backwards, recline and collapse forward foot extra space needs.
The rear row of seats fit 3 and also recline and collapse. Look at all this space. Its almost like a minivan fell without the “mom-van” stigma.
The limited edition comes with these rims and open country tires. The AWD feature makes for a smooth ride regardless of the weather.
Safety is a big concern for everyone but especially top of mind for parents. All new vehicles now must have a backup camera but I’ve seen some that work poorly at night.
Night time is probably one of the most important times to have clear vision on your back out camera, especially in a larger SUV. Kids are always in and out, and even when you think they’re in, they’re back out. The light on the back of this camera comes in handy for illuminating the space behind you like in a dark parking lot.
Check out that trunk! HUGE space with the 3rd row folded down. You can fold just one seat, or just the 2 on the right if you want. Someone can still fit comfortably back there with one side down.
The Highlander fit easily into my daily routine. My mornings start of with an early bootcamp classes and the leather cooled seats help to not feel so sweaty! I car pool with a friend and she absolutely loved that little fact haha!
I’m already missing the huge spacious inside of the Toyota Highlander and especially the heated and cooled leather seats.
The only downside (aside from my oldest son getting car sick from the new car smell) is the lack of ability of the push to talk navigation feature. I thought by now they’d figure it out for all vehicles. My 2016 vehicle does the same thing, it rarely understands me and I just get frustrated. Maybe it’s just me?
If you want a laugh, check out my fighting with the navigation push to talk system LOL! Even with the “teach your voice” feature I still couldn’t get it to work for me properly.
I hope everyone had a great first week back to school! My kids certainly did but they’re already counting down the days until Summer break and so am I!
