The Easter Eggs in 'Brave,' 'Up,' 'Moana' and Other Disney & Pixar Films
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February 22, 2017 at 1:58pm EST
Fans of Disney-Pixar films have long delighted in poring over every scene to dig up hidden Easter eggs and create theories of how all of the universes are connected — and Disney recently added fuel to the fire with a mind-bending Facebook video linking a ton of movies.
Related story The Comfiest Shoes to Wear at Disneyland, According to a Disney-Obsessed Editor *and* a PodiatristHere’s our field guide to hidden gems in the magical kingdom of Disney-Pixar.
Originally published July 2012. Updated February 2017.
‘Brave’
We spotted two Easter eggs in Brave.
Pizza Planet truck in ‘Brave’
The iconic Pizza Planet truck, first seen in 1995’s Toy Story, appears in the form of a figurine carved by the Witch.
Sulley from ‘Monsters, Inc.’ in ‘Brave’
The likeness of Sulley, the softhearted blue monster in Monsters, Inc., is carved into a piece of wood in the Witch’s home.
‘Cars 2’
Maybe one of the most fun elements to go back and watch for is the foreshadowing of upcoming characters. In Cars 2, characters from Brave can actually be spotted in car form in artwork at the London pub.
The Pizza Planet truck shows up both on the Tire Talk TV show and near the end of the film, when Mater flies on jet packs.
Luigi’s family members are modifications of a popular vintage Italian sports car, the Fiat 500. The car’s nickname, Topolino, is actually the Italian name for Mickey Mouse.
Another trademark gem, “A113” refers to a CalArts classroom frequented by Pixar employees while students. In this pic, it is the catalog number of the engine photograph.
When Mater and McQueen drive past the Drive-In, the “Incredimobiles” is playing — the cars version of the studio’s The Incredibles. A poster for The Incredibles also pops up when the cars are in Paris.
Also in Paris, there is a restaurant called Gastow’s, a nod to the gourmet restaurant Gusteau’s in Ratatouille.‘Brave’ in ‘Cars 2’
Maybe one of the most fun elements to go back and watch for is the foreshadowing of upcoming characters. In Cars 2, characters from Brave can actually be spotted in car form in artwork at the London pub.
Pizza Planet truck in ‘Cars 2’
The Pizza Planet truck shows up both on the Tire Talk TV show and near the end of the film, when Mater flies on jet packs.
Another Pizza Planet truck in ‘Cars 2’
And here’s another.
Italian Mickey Mouse in ‘Cars 2’
Luigi’s family members are modifications of a popular vintage Italian sports car, the Fiat 500. The car’s nickname, Topolino, is actually the Italian name for Mickey Mouse.
A113 in ‘Cars 2’
Another trademark gem, “A113,” refers to a CalArts classroom frequented by Pixar employees while students. In this pic, it is the catalog number of the engine photograph.
‘The Incredibles’ in ‘Cars 2’
When Mater and McQueen drive past the Drive-In, The Incredimobiles is playing — the cars version of the studio’s The Incredibles. A poster for The Incredibles also pops up when the cars are in Paris.
Gusteau’s in ‘Cars 2’
Also in Paris, there is a restaurant called Gastow’s, a nod to the gourmet restaurant Gusteau’s in Ratatouille.
‘Toy Story 3’
What do Lotso and his friends ride on during a flashback? You guessed it… the Pizza Planet truck! Plus, a Pizza Planet calendar can be found in Andy’s bedroom.
The license plate of Andy’s mom’s car is A113.
Karma catches up with Toy Story‘s pyromaniac brat, Sid Phillips — in Toy Story 3, he has a brief cameo as a miserly garbage man (donning his signature black and white skull t-shirt, no less)!
Emperor Zurg, Buzz Lightyear’s archenemy introduced in the first film, is among the toys donated to Sunnyside Daycare at the film’s close.Pizza Planet truck in ‘Toy Story 3’
What do Lotso and his friends ride on during a flashback? You guessed it… the Pizza Planet truck! Plus, a Pizza Planet calendar can be found in Andy’s bedroom.
A113 in ‘Toy Story 3’
The license plate of Andy’s mom’s car is A113.
Sid Phillps in ‘Toy Story 3’
Karma catches up with Toy Story‘s pyromaniac brat, Sid Phillips. In Toy Story 3, he has a brief cameo as a miserly garbage man (donning his signature black-and-white skull T-shirt, no less)!
Emperor Zurg in ‘Toy Story 3’
Buzz Lightyear’s archenemy Emperor Zurg, introduced in the first film, is among the toys donated to Sunnyside Daycare at the close of Toy Story 3.
‘Up’
The courtroom Carl waits to be called into bears the inscription A113.
A Luxo Jr. ball, made classic by the studio’s short film Luxo Jr., lies on the floor of a girl’s bedroom when Carl’s house goes flying by. Also in the girl’s bedroom is a stuffed Lotso bear, unveiled the following year as the fuzzy villain in Toy Story 3 .
The tree under which Carl and Ellie enjoy a picnic should look vaguely familiar… it is the same tree from A Bug’s Life!
In the first Toy Story, a grape soda pin is shown during a Buzz Lightyear commercial. Fast forward to this film, and Carl wears the exact same grape soda pin.A113 In ‘Up’
The courtroom Carl waits to be called into bears the inscription A113.
Luxo Ball in ‘Up’
A Luxo Ball, made classic by the studio’s short film Luxo Jr., lies on the floor of a girl’s bedroom when Carl’s house goes flying by. Also in the girl’s bedroom is a stuffed Lotso bear, unveiled the following year as the fuzzy villain in Toy Story 3 .
The tree from ‘A Bug’s Life’ in ‘Up’
The tree under which Carl and Ellie enjoy a picnic should look vaguely familiar… it is the same tree from A Bug’s Life!
Grape soda pin in ‘Up’
In the first Toy Story, a grape soda pin is shown during a Buzz Lightyear commercial. Fast forward to this film, and Carl wears the exact same grape soda pin.
‘Wall-E’
In her search, EVE rummages through the infamous Pizza Planet truck. The robots also refer to “pizza plants,” a joking nod to the Toy Story icon.
Can you imagine what code is associated with AUTO’s secret directive? If you ventured A113, your powers of observation are pretty sharp.
Wall-E uses the Pixar lamp from Luxo Jr. to fashion EVE’s arm in his EVE sculpture.
Many items in the junkyard pay homage to other films from Disney-Pixar: A Leak Less bottle, a brand sponsored by a character in Cars; Skinner’s scooter from Ratatouille; a Mike Wazowski antenna ball, in tribute to Monsters, Inc.; and a Rex toy as well as a Hamm piggy bank from Toy Story.
When Wall-E is playing paddleball, the shape of Mickey Mouse is discernible in the background.Pizza Planet truck in ‘Wall-E’
In her search, EVE rummages through the infamous Pizza Planet truck. The robots also refer to “pizza plants,” a joking nod to the Toy Story icon.
A113 in ‘Wall-E’
Can you imagine what code is associated with AUTO’s secret directive? If you ventured A113, your powers of observation are pretty sharp.
Pixar lamp in ‘Wall-E’
Wall-E uses the Pixar lamp from Luxo Jr. to fashion EVE’s arm in his EVE sculpture.
Leak Less from ‘Cars’ in ‘Wall-E’
Many items in the junkyard pay homage to other films from Disney-Pixar: A Leak Less bottle, a brand sponsored by a character in Cars; Skinner’s scooter from Ratatouille; a Mike Wazowski antenna ball, in tribute to Monsters, Inc.; and a Rex toy as well as a Hamm piggy bank from Toy Story.
‘Monsters University’
The School of Scaring classroom number is A113, which refers to the former classroom of John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton at CalArts. A113 makes an appearance in every Pixar feature film.
The Pizza Planet truck is in the driveway of the JOX fraternity house when Mike is riding Archie the Scare Pig down Greek Row. The Pizza Planet truck first made an appearance in Toy Story and has made a cameo in nearly every Pixar feature film.
The Pixar Luxo ball is in graffiti on the wall behind Claire Wheeler and Brock Pearson during their introduction to the Scare Games’ first challenge. Pixar Animation Studio’s groundbreaking short film Luxo Jr. was the first computer-animated short film released by Pixar during its first year as a studio in 1986.
Arlo from The Good Dinosaur has a little cameo as a toy on the floor when the monsters are cleaning up.A113 in ‘Monsters University’
The School of Scaring classroom number is A113, which refers to the former classroom of John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton at CalArts. A113 makes an appearance in every Pixar feature film.
Pizza Planet truck in ‘Monsters University’
The Pizza Planet truck is in the driveway of the JOX fraternity house when Mike is riding Archie the Scare Pig down Greek Row. The Pizza Planet truck first made an appearance in Toy Story and has made a cameo in nearly every Pixar feature film.
Luxo Ball in ‘Monsters University’
The Pixar Luxo Ball is in graffiti on the wall behind Claire Wheeler and Brock Pearson during their introduction to the Scare Games’ first challenge. Pixar Animation Studio’s groundbreaking short film Luxo Jr. was the first computer-animated short film released by Pixar during its first year as a studio in 1986.
Arlo from ‘The Good Dinosaur’ In ‘Monsters University’
Arlo from The Good Dinosaur has a little cameo as a toy on the floor when the monsters are cleaning up.
‘Frozen’
Elsa’s coronation featured a who’s who of guests from far-away lands — and movies. Most notably, Tangled’s Eugene Fitzherbert aka Flynn Rider and Rapunzel made an appearance.
Anna’s sweet tooth knows no bounds. Some of her favorite treats are from the land of Sugar Rush, which is from Wreck-It Ralph.
Artist Lisa Keene’s painting — completed during the development phase of Tangled – is re-enacted during Anna’s signature song, “For the First Time in Forever,” when she leaps into the air and mimics the painting’s pose.
You can’t have anything Disney, without Mickey Mouse. The studio staple makes a cameo as a plush sitting on one of the lower shelves in Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Sauna.Rapunzel in ‘Frozen’
Elsa’s coronation featured a who’s who of guests from far-away lands — and movies. Most notably, Tangled’s Eugene Fitzherbert aka Flynn Rider and Rapunzel made an appearance.
‘Wreck-It Ralph’ in ‘Frozen’
Anna’s sweet tooth knows no bounds. Some of her favorite treats are from the land of Sugar Rush, which is from Wreck-It Ralph.
Anna re-enacting scene from ‘Tangled’ in ‘Frozen’
Artist Lisa Keene’s painting — completed during the development phase of Tangled – is re-enacted during Anna’s signature song, “For the First Time in Forever,” when she leaps into the air and mimics the painting’s pose.
Mickey hiding in ‘Frozen’
You can’t have anything Disney without Mickey Mouse. The studio staple makes a cameo as a plush sitting on one of the lower shelves in Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Sauna.
‘Finding Dory’
A113 shows up on a truck’s license plate towards the end of the movie.
Rudder and Fluke’s flipper tags read “A1” and “13.”
Riley from Inside Out is among the children visiting the aquarium.Another A113 in ‘Finding Dory’
A113 shows up on a truck’s license plate toward the end of the movie.
A113 in ‘Finding Dory’
Rudder and Fluke’s flipper tags read “A1” and “13.”
Riley from ‘Inside Out’ in ‘Finding Dory’
Riley from Inside Out is among the children visiting the aquarium.
‘Toy Story 2’
Tons of A Bug’s Life references pop up in Toy Story 2, including:
Heimlich on a branch when Buzz is in the tree.
A Bug’s Life calendar on the wall.
A Bug’s Life toys in Al’s Toy barn.
Mrs. Potato Head is at one point reading an A Bug’s Life book.
“Jessie’s Song” sequence features a landscape from A Bug’s Life, and also features the same tree from Up.Heimlich from ‘A Bug’s Life’ in ‘Toy Story 2’
Heimlich on a branch when Buzz is in the tree.
‘A Bug’s Life’ calendar in ‘Toy Story 2’
A Bug’s Life calendar on the wall.
Mrs. Potato Head reading ‘A Bug’s Life’ in ‘Toy Story 2’
Mrs. Potato Head is at one point reading an A Bug’s Life book.
The tree from ‘A Bug’s Life’ in ‘Toy Story 2’
The “Jessie’s Song” sequence features a landscape from A Bug’s Life and the same tree from Up.
‘Toy Story’
Arlo from The Good Dinosaur has a tiny cameo in the scene where the family is taking a photo in front of the huge stone triceratops.
Buzz bounces on a Luxo Ball when he’s trying to prove he’s a real space ranger who can fly.If you pay attention to when Woody calls the toys together to discuss Andy’s birthday in front of the bookshelf, you’ll notice the books are titled with some Pixar shorts, including The Adventures of Andre and Wally B, Tin Toy, Red’s Dream and Knick Knack.
Luxo Ball in ‘Toy Story’
Buzz bounces on a Luxo Ball when he’s trying to prove he’s a real space ranger who can fly.
Pixar shorts as book titles in ‘Toy Story’
If you pay attention to when Woody calls the toys together to discuss Andy’s birthday in front of the bookshelf, you’ll notice the books are titled with some Pixar shorts, including The Adventures of Andre and Wally B, Tin Toy, Red’s Dream and Knick Knack.
‘Monsters, Inc.’
Boo hands a Nemo toy to Sully.
Boo also has a Jessie from Toy Story doll laying on the floor in her room, as well as a Luxo Ball.
Yup, the Pizza Planet truck is in the movie, too!Nemo from ‘Finding Nemo’ in ‘Monsters, Inc.’
Boo hands a Nemo toy to Sully.
Luxo Ball and Jessie in ‘Monsters, Inc.’
Boo also has a Jessie doll from Toy Story and a Luxo Ball lying on the floor in her room.
Pizza Planet truck in ‘Monsters, Inc.’
Yup, the Pizza Planet truck is in the movie, too!
Moana
Aladdin directors Ron Clements and John Musker can be seen depicted on this tapa.
‘Aladdin’ totems in ‘Moana’
Clements and Musker featured again as totems.
The flying carpet in ‘Moana’
Although it’s made of tapa in Moana, this carpet’s pattern is identical to Aladdin’s flying model.
Aladdin’s lamp in ‘Moana’
Aladdin’s magic lamp is hiding in a pile of treasure in this scene.
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