It’s that time of year again. The holidays are quickly approaching and for those who celebrate Christmas, the month of December is filled with anticipation, fun, excitement, and energy as preparations for the holiday near.

Disney has three fun Advent Calendars this year to get everyone in the spirit of fun and celebrations. Every day in December a new item is revealed in the calendars as the countdown to December 25 gets closer and closer.

The Disney Animators’ Collection Advent Calendar (lists for $34.95) is filled with all the whimsy and fun of the Animators’ Collection of dolls and plush. For fans of this collection, the Advent Calendar will bring more cherished items. The collection is focused on the Disney characters as children, and the Advent Calendar contains miniature representations of the characters from Pocahontas, Tinker Bell and Peter Pan, Belle, and Ariel.

The box is designed with the same care as the boxes for the Animator dolls. Open it to see 24 little doors, one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Opening each door reveals a white plastic bag. The bags contain the little keepsakes. Spoiler alert – door #1 contains a tiny Pocahontas and door #2 contains a tiny Tick Tock. There are scenery made out of card stock so the little characters can be placed to create a setting for them.

The Animators’ Advent Calendar is for ages 3+ due to the small size of the keepsakes.

There are two other Disney Advent Calendars ($99.95) this year. For collectors of the Tsum Tsums, there is a fun Tsum Tsum Plush Advent Calendar, with 25 (this one goes to Christmas) micro Tsum Tsum plush: Mickey on sled, Minnie skiing, Goofy in snowball, Thumper as snowman, Bambi as reindeer, Tigger with candy cane, Dumbo in snowball fight, Miss Bunny as present, and more.

For Star Wars/LEGO there is a new LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar ($46.95) with 24 individual tiny Lego keepsake items from the Star Wars films.

This is the time to buy/order your Disney Advent Calendar from your local Disney Store of the Shop Disney website.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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Introducing Water Wubble – refillable water balloon balls from the makers of the Super Wubble Bubble Ball! Fill them a little, or fill them a lot. There’s no tying, because they seal themselves – and no cleanup, because they splash, but don’t pop! Unlike traditional water balloons, you don’t need to fill Water Wubbles from a faucet or spigot. You can also fill them by dunking them under water, which makes them a great take along to the pool or beach!

Where to Purchase: Target – Toys “R” Us – www.WubbleBall.com

It looks like a bubble, plays like a ball – and now it lights up the night. It’s Super Wubble Brite, the light-up, color-changing Wubble. Squeeze it, whack it, throw it, bounce it – even sit on it! It floats, wobbles, dribbles, spins, and smashes – all while putting on an amazing light show! Made from squishy, squashy, super soft and lightweight Xpandium, Super Wubble Brite can be inflated to a gigantic 2 1/2 feet tall and changes from red to blue to green – and all the colors in between. It’s fun to play with in the dark, indoors or out, all year-round.

Where to Purchase: Target – Toys “R” Us – www.WubbleBall.com

Take the ultimate high-tech game of tag to new heights with the Laser X Long-Range Blaster. Featuring 25-shot rapid fire, LED spotting scope and super-fast reload, the Long-Range Blaster has pinpoint accuracy up to 400 feet – day or night! Compatible with all other Laser X gear, it allows for more challenging games in larger spaces. Safe infrared beams can go through windows and bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents, while advanced sensors allow a voice coach to offer tips and tricks throughout the game. Plug in headphones (not included) and listen to a stereo soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re inside a video game!

Where to Purchase: Target – Toys “R” Us – www.GetLaserX.com

With 10 built-in games that test a player’s speed and skills, the Laser X Gaming Tower not only enhances a game of Laser X, but makes it possible to play solo. Use it for target practice, or blast the tower during a game of Laser X and hit multiple players simultaneously – from up to 150 feet away! An LED scoring display and full-color lighting effects let you track shots and hits. You can also play a high-tech game of Capture the Flag, where you not only aim to tag opponents, but try to blast the Tower to win more points for your team!

Where to Purchase: Target – Toys “R” Us – www.GetLaserX.com

Laser X is the ultimate high-tech game of tag! Blasters feature pinpoint accuracy up to 200 feet – day or night – and invisible infrared beams can go through windows and bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents. Advanced sensors know when players are blasting, being hit, running or hiding, and an interactive voice “coach” uses this intel to offer tips and tricks throughout the game. Plug in headphones (not included) and listen to a stereo soundtrack while you play. All Laser X sets work together. Play one-on-one, in teams, or set your blaster to “rogue” and it’s every man for himself!

Where to Purchase: Target – Toys “R” Us – www.GetLaserX.com

WordSpiel® is a game Where the END is just the BEGINNING®. Make words starting with the last letter or letters of the previous player’s word. Just like the name, WordSpiel, Spiel uses the “S” from WordS. The first person to use all their cards wins. Enjoyed by wordsmiths and rookies alike, this word game challenges players to make the best word possible within 60 seconds. A digital timer is included to keep players on their toes. Make a long word to use your cards faster or end with a tricky letter to really challenge your opponents!

Where to Purchase: Barnes & Noble – Book-A-Million – Amazon – www.setgame.com

Encompassing top-notch battery ride-on features, the Rollplay GMC Sierra Denali 12 Volt Battery Ride-On Vehicle is a professional grade kids’ car! Cruise at speeds of 2.5 or 5 MPH in forward, and 2.5 MPH reverse while enjoying all of the great features the truck has to offer. With non-slip rubber traction strips, two opening doors, working LED headlights, and horn and engine sounds, kids love to ride this adventurous, premium pint-sized truck. Features an intergraded MP3 player with speakers. A high-speed lockout enables parents to set the max speed at 2.5 MPH or turn it up to 5 MPH for older children. Take fun into the fast lane with the GMC Sierra Denali 12 Volt Vehicle Ride-On, which includes a battery and charger, and features two seats to accommodate your child and a friend. Maximum capacity of 130 lbs total. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Where to Purchase: Walmart – Amazon

The Rollplay 12 Volt Up-Rider unique design combines the stability and control of traditional scooter handlebars with an innovative wheel configuration – the four wheels provide smooth steering and balance, while you create a pivot of 360 degrees for easy turns! Provides fun dynamic speed and braking for better control and 12 volt motor drive for reliable use. The revolution of ride-on toys is here! Has a max speed of 4 mph. Maximum weight up to 150 lbs. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Pivot 360 degrees for easy turns
4 wheels provide deeper tread and smoother road contact
Dynamic speed and braking for better control and 12 volt motor drive for reliable use
Find comfortable handle positions with adjustable hand positioning
Max speed 4 mph
Maximum weight up to 150 lbs
Recommended for ages 5 and up

Where to Purchase: Walmart

From ring to ZING! Mozi transforms into mystical entertainment when taken out for a ride. Once activated, Mozi spins continuously as it travels up and down, from one arm to another, or as you pass it to a friend.

To activate Mozi, place your hand through the ring, raise your arm, and let Mozi roll. For a smooth ride, Mozi moves best on bare skin.To flatten, hold Mozi in between your hands and turn your top hand counter clockwise.

Where to Purchase: www.funinmotiontoys.com – Learning Express stores – Speciality toy stores
see website for store locator