Pull-String Talking Woody Doll: "There’s a Snake in My Boot!"
Written: Apr 26 '02 (Updated May 23 '02)
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Pros: Authentic-looking, easy pull-string
Cons: Gets dirty easily, limited phrases
The Bottom Line: Though this can be a rather pricey toy, it sure is a big hit with die-hard Toy Story fans.
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| Dr_Steph's Full Review: Thinkway 16" Pull-String Talking Woody |
Though all three of my kids are big "Toy Story" fans, my youngest son (age 2) is completely obsessed with the videos and the characters. During our two week vacation last Christmas, he requested to watch "Buzz Lightyear" (his name for the Toy Story 2 video) at least four times a day. I think it must have given him a sense of familiarity and security as he had to adjust to unfamiliar places and routines.
Given his preoccupation with Toy Story characters, I was pleased that I had the foresight to buy my son a Pull-String Talking Woody Doll during our November trip to Disneyland (which we took without him since he’s terrified of life-size animated characters). He got the doll for Christmas and Woody has been entertaining our family ever since.
Meet Sheriff Woody
The Pull-String Talking Woody Doll from ThinkWay is 16 inches tall and is meant to resemble Andy's favorite cowboy toy in the movies, Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Woody has a large smiling plastic head (with a rather pointy nose) and brightly-opened eyes. His long thin hands, big brown cowboy boots with spurs, removable brown cowboy hat, and brown holster are plastic as well. The rest of Woody is plush fabric toy. He's dressed in blue jeans, a yellow and red checked shirt with big silver buttons, a black and white vest, a red bandana around his neck, and a shiny gold sheriff badge on his vest.
Woody's legs are very long in proportion to his body. Because they are stuffed with polyester fill, he can't stand upright for more than a second or so. He can be propped into a sitting position, though. Also, as in the movie, Woody's head can turn around 360 degrees.
So What Does He Do Beside Sit There and Smile?
He talks. Woody has a large white hoop on his back connected to a pull-string. When you pull it out and let go of it, Woody says one of 5 phrases:
~ "Howdy partner!"
~ "My name's Woody."
~ "You're my favorite deputy."
~ "Yeeha, cowboy!"
~ "There's a snake in my boot!"
The pull string is very easy for any child to operate and therefore has minimal frustration potential (always a good thing in our house).
Tucked inside a velcro closed pouch in Woody's back is a battery compartment, held closed with a tiny Phillips head screw. This toy takes two AAA batteries (included). We're still running strong on the original set of batteries after 4+ months.
Play Time With Woody
You might think that five short phrases would make this a boring toy, but so far it hasn't been for my son. He loves to drag Woody around by his arm, just like Andy does. So far Woody's arm hasn’t shown any sign of wear from all the loving attention. Though his hat does come off, we've managed to keep from losing it by either wedging it firmly on Woody's head or leaving it at home if Woody goes somewhere with my son.
My son's favorite ways to play with Woody are to get together with his Buzz Lightyear toy and battle "bad guys" or to hold hands with his sister's Pull-String Jessie Doll. He also likes to snuggle up with Woody at night. It's pretty cute…
We have found that we have to restrict his play with Woody to inside because the fabric gets dirty easily. So far I've been pretty successful cleaning this toy with mild soap and a wet washcloth. At his insistence, we've written my son's name on the bottom of Woody's boot, just like Andy did.
What About the Gun?
Woody comes with a very prominent holster, but, as far as I know, he does not come with a gun. I'm trying to remember when we first opened this toy and I recall being quite pleased as I noticed the empty holster. Of course, there is the possibility that I spotted the gun and immediately tossed it out (which is what I would do). My memory is failing me on this point. If anyone know for sure whether this toy comes with a toy gun or not, please let me know, OK? Anyway, I see the absence of the gun as a good thing. So far my son hasn't missed it at all.
Dr_Steph's Recommendation
Though this can be a rather pricey toy (usually goes for $18 to $22 new on ebay), it sure is a big hit with die-hard Toy Story fans. I personally wish that it had a few more phrases, including the one's from the movie ("Reach for the sky!" and "Someone poisoned the water hole") but my son doesn't care so I shouldn't either. One of my friends was outraged that the voice on the Woody doll is not that of Tom Hanks. Again, it hasn't bothered any kids that I know of so I don't worry about it.
The biggest drawback to buying the Pull-String Talking Woody Doll is that you will undoubtedly feel compelled to complete the set (like I have) and spend a bunch more money on a Talking Buzz Lightyear and a Pull-String Talking Jessie Doll. Then, of course, there's Bullseye, the Prospector, Rex, Hamm, Slinky…
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 20
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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