Watch Hawaiian Vacation

Hawaiian Vacation is a delightful animated short film from Pixar Animation Studios that serves as a sequel to the beloved Toy Story 3. Directed by Gary Rydstrom, this six-minute movie was released in 2011 as part of the Toy Story Toons series and is packed with joy, laughter, and the heartwarming chemistry that fans have come to expect from the Toy Story franchise. The short features the vocal talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and other key members of the Toy Story voice cast, reprising their iconic roles and ensuring that the characters remain as endearing as ever.

Set within the new home of Bonnie, the little girl who inherited the toys at the end of Toy Story 3, Hawaiian Vacation opens with the gang settling into their new surroundings and enjoying life post-Andy. With their future now secure, the toys look forward to participating in new adventures and creating happy memories with Bonnie.

The plot kicks into motion when Ken and Barbie, the iconic doll couple, reveal their eagerness to accompany Bonnie on her family vacation to Hawaii. Ken has meticulously planned a romantic getaway for Barbie, down to the last detail, with visions of sharing special moments together on the sandy beaches and basking in the tropical paradise. However, due to an unexpected turn of events, Ken and Barbie are left behind when Bonnie departs for her trip, much to Ken's dismay.

Refusing to let Ken's dreams be dashed, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the whole toy crew come together to show their friends that they don't need to leave the comfort of Bonnie's room to have the perfect vacation. In a show of camaraderie and quick thinking, they put their heads together to concoct an imaginative Hawaiian holiday experience right there in the bedroom. The gang leverages their creativity and the resources at hand to transform the surroundings and bring Ken and Barbie's dream vacation to life in clever and humorous ways.

Throughout the short film, we see the toys engage in antics and activities reminiscent of a true Hawaiian getaway, with each character providing their unique contributions to the efforts. They work relentlessly to set up scenarios like a beach, a luau, and other tropical delights. True to the essence of the Toy Story series, Hawaiian Vacation demonstrates the importance of friendship and the power of imagination. It also explores the themes of empathy and support, showing that the toys are not just playthings but also deeply care for one another and are willing to go to great lengths to make each other happy.

Visually, Hawaiian Vacation is a treat for the eyes. The animation is bright, vivid, and detailed, capturing the essence of Hawaii alongside the textures and nuances of the toys themselves. The colorful and inventive set pieces bring a lot of fun and energy to the screen, proving once again that Pixar's attention to artistic detail is unmatched.

Comedic elements are aplenty as the toys attempt to pull off a perfect vacation experience with the resources they have. There are numerous light-hearted moments and clever jokes, offering both kids and adults humor to enjoy. Familiar characters return with their distinct personalities, and their interactions are both an homage to their past adventures and an exploration of new dynamics now that the toys are in Bonnie’s room rather than Andy’s.

In customary Pixar fashion, Hawaiian Vacation also packs an emotional punch, though subtle, reinforcing the idea that it's the thought and love that counts, not the material or location. The toys' loyalty and willingness to support one another shine through, giving viewers—especially those who have followed the Toy Story films from the beginning—a sweet reminder of the depth and care infused into these characters.

Ultimately, Hawaiian Vacation is a charming and fun-filled extension of the Toy Story saga. It acts as a lovely interlude between the emotional farewell of Toy Story 3 and the adventures that lie ahead, offering fans a check-in with their favorite characters and showing that their ability to entertain and touch hearts remains undiminished. With the return of the classic ensemble voiced by stellar talent, Hawaiian Vacation is a beautiful, miniature escapade into the world of toys that solidifies its place within the canon of Toy Story’s cherished narrative.

Hawaiian Vacation is a 2011 adventure movie with a runtime of 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.