Six minutes. That’s all it took for Pixar to prove there was life after what we all thought was the "final" goodbye in Toy Story 3. Honestly, when the credits rolled on the third film, most of us were emotionally wrecked. We saw Andy drive away. We saw the toys find a new home with Bonnie. It felt done.
Then came Toy Story Hawaiian Vacation.
Released in 2011 alongside Cars 2, this short wasn't just a quick gag. It was the first "Toy Story Toon," a strategic move by Pixar to keep Woody and Buzz in the public eye without committing to a full-blown sequel right away. It’s light, it’s colorful, and it features a Ken who is desperately, hilariously out of his depth.
The Plot: A Honeymoon in a Midwestern Bedroom
The premise is basically a classic sitcom misunderstanding. Bonnie is heading to Hawaii for winter break. Ken and Barbie—who are basically the MVP scene-stealers of this era—decide to stow away in Bonnie’s backpack. They think they’re headed for a romantic tropical getaway.
The problem? They picked the wrong bag.
Bonnie takes a different suitcase, leaving her school backpack—and two very confused plastic dolls—sitting on the floor of her bedroom in the middle of a snowy winter. Ken is devastated. He had this whole itinerary planned. He even has a "scuba" outfit that’s basically just a blue onesie.
What follows is Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang trying to recreate Hawaii inside Bonnie's room. You've got Mr. Potato Head acting as a surly resort bartender serving "drinks" out of a play sink, and Buzz performing a fire dance with glow sticks. It’s charming as heck.
Why Ken and Barbie Stole the Show
Director Gary Rydstrom, who’s mostly known for his legendary sound design work on things like Jurassic Park, really leaned into the Mattel of it all. Ken, voiced by Michael Keaton, is the perfect mix of "alpha male" confidence and absolute incompetence.
He’s a fashion plate with no actual skills.
In Toy Story Hawaiian Vacation, his heartbreak over missing the trip is treated with the same weight as a Shakespearean tragedy. It works because the stakes feel real to him. When the toys set up a fake "moped" ride (using a desk lamp and a rolling toy), the look of pure joy on Ken's face is weirdly touching.
A Cast That Didn't Phone It In
Sometimes with these shorts, studios swap out the big names for sound-alikes. Not here. Pixar got the whole band back together:
- Tom Hanks as Woody
- Tim Allen as Buzz (who gets another hilarious "Spanish mode" moment)
- Joan Cusack as Jessie
- Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head (one of his final times in the role)
- Timothy Dalton as the overly dramatic Mr. Pricklepants
Having the original voices makes a massive difference. It keeps the "canon" feel intact. You don’t feel like you’re watching a cheap spin-off; you’re watching a genuine chapter of their lives.
Small Details You Probably Missed
Pixar is famous for "Easter Eggs," and even in a six-minute short, they didn't slack off. If you look closely at Bonnie’s room, you can see a few nods to the wider Pixar universe.
One of the coolest details is the Captain Zip zipper pull on Bonnie’s backpack. He’s voiced by Angus MacLane (who later directed Lightyear). He actually shows up again in the later short Partysaurus Rex.
There’s also the sheer technical work. The "snow" outside Bonnie's window and the "tropical" lighting inside the room create this great visual contrast. The animators had to make the room look like a fake version of a real place, which is actually harder than just making it look "real."
The Legacy of the Toy Story Toons
Looking back from 2026, it’s easy to see Toy Story Hawaiian Vacation as the bridge that led to Toy Story 4 and the upcoming fifth film. It proved that audiences didn't just want "The End." They wanted to see these characters live their daily lives.
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It also set a tone. These shorts were allowed to be weirder and more gag-heavy than the movies. They explored the side characters. We got to see how the toys interacted with Bonnie's original toys—like Dolly and Buttercup—without the pressure of a 90-minute "save the world" plot.
Where Can You Watch It Now?
If you want to revisit this little gem, you’ve got a few options:
- Disney Plus: It’s usually tucked away in the "Shorts" section or under the "Toy Story" collection.
- Pixar Short Films Collection Vol. 2: If you’re a physical media nerd, it’s on the Blu-ray.
- Cars 2 Bonus Features: Since it premiered with the movie, it's often included as an extra there.
Actionable Tips for Pixar Fans
If you're planning a Pixar marathon or just want to dive deeper into the world of Toy Story Hawaiian Vacation, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the "Toon" Trilogy in Order: Start with Hawaiian Vacation, then move to Small Fry (the one with the fast-food toys), and finish with Partysaurus Rex. It shows the evolution of the toys' life with Bonnie.
- Check the Credits: Look for the names of the "Brain Trust" members. You'll see how many future directors started by working on these small projects.
- Look for the Lighting Shifts: Pay attention to how the "sun" in the Hawaiian scenes is actually just Bonnie's desk lamps. It’s a great lesson in creative cinematography within animation.
Toy Story Hawaiian Vacation might be short, but it's a perfect example of why we love Pixar. It’s about friends doing something ridiculous just to make another friend happy. That’s basically the core of the whole franchise, right?