By Finding Dory is definitely the most highly anticipated animated movie this summer and I would bet big bucks that it is going to be the highest grossing animated movie this year. It’s been 13 years since Finding Nemo’s release in 2003, but everyone’s love for Nemo, Marlin, Dory, and the whole gang has just swimming through all those years and is still very much alive today! Although the movie’s release date is not for another month, all the toys have hit the shelves and judging by the look of all the characters, you just know that it’s going to be a future classic.
There is definitely no shortage of Finding Dory merchandise, but one particular toy that caught my attention, which was this Zuru water activated Swimming Dory toy. There are a number of Swimming Dory and Swimming Nemo toys, but I think this Swimming Dory toy is definitely the best I’ve seen. There is a Finding Dory Bath Wind Up Toy, which has the obvious problem of having to pull the string every time you want Dory to swim, and the Disney Store exclusive Swimming Dory, which talks but has very large cracks/breaks across the entire body for movement. This Zuru Swimming Dory toy is to scale, looks absolutely stunning without obvious lines across her body, and is water activated!
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4b91sU7g6w[/embedyt]
This Zuru Swimming Dory can be purchased separately or part of the Finding Dory Coffee Pot Playset, which includes a plastic coffee pot which serves as a fish tank for Dory (I’m sure the coffee pot will make more sense once we have all seen the movie). Dont worry, Swimming Dory is not alone because there are 3 more characters in this collection, which includes a water activated Swimming Nemo, Marlin, and Bailey.
Now do keep in mind that if you plan on purchasing the Marine Life Institute Playset, the Swimming Nemo is included with the set. Also note that the Swimming Bailey is a lot larger than Dory, Nemo, and Marlin, and will not be able to swim around in either the coffee pot or the Marine Life Institute Playset.
Now back to Swimming Dory.
This Swimming Dory is reasonably priced at £7.99 in the UK and $15.94 in the US. The detail of her face and body looks absolutely great and is very accurate to the movie. Her sizing is also very well done as she is to scale. There are some some minor paint marks on her body and paint is slightly smudged on her eyes. I would normally have a problem with paint problems such as these for a collection piece, but considering that this toy is meant to be in the water, I think these are very minor and do not take away from the toy at all. There are two very small black sensors near her fins, one on each side, and if you put your fingers on both of them, Dory will start moving and try to swim even when she is out of the water.
Now what makes this toy so amazing is Dory’s tail. Dory’s tail is made of rubber and will move around with different variations to vary the direction she swims in. I think Zuru has done an excellent job because the way her tail moves from side to side makes Dory swim and move around like a real fish would 🙂 While you can purchase the playsets, you of course can use your own tank or bowl, and even your bathtub! These swimming toys would make excellent bath toys to make bath time a little more fun. A little tip, if you’re going to use a fishbowl, I reccomend using a plastic bowl rather than a glass one because as you can see from my video, Dory will hit the sides and make the glass clink and clang.
If you’re a fan of Finding Nemo and the upcoming Finding Dory film, this toy is definitely a must have because it is loads of fun and very well made. Although the packaging was very well done with the sea life background and base for all the toy collectors out there, I think this is a toy you should absolutely take out of the packaging to bring Dory to life and let her keep swimming!