10 clever easter eggs in Toy Story that connect the Pixar universe

Toy Story is more than just a story about talking toys. It is also Pixar’s first feature film and the starting point of something much bigger: The Pixar Universe. Yeah, we are talking about that secret web of connections that links most of Pixar’s movies like a quiet game of cinematic hide and seek. These aren’t the in-your-face, neon sign kind of clues. Nope. These are blink and you will miss it moments that sneak into the background, hiding in plain sight, waiting for the sharp-eyed fan to say, “Wait a minute… is that…?”

Now you might be wondering - what’s the point of spotting these Easter eggs? It is not like Buzz Lightyear pops up to say, “Congratulations! You found the hidden reference!” But that’s what makes it fun. It’s like spotting a familiar face in a crowd of strangers. It makes the movie feel more alive, like all the characters across different films are somehow living in the same big animated world.

So, here’s a fun, not-too-deep dive into 10 clever Easter eggs from the Toy Story series that connect to other Pixar movies. These connections might not blow your socks off, but they will definitely make your next movie night a little more interesting. Let’s take a look!

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10 clever easter eggs in Toy Story that connect the Pixar universe

1) The pizza planet truck - the most traveled vehicle in Pixar

That yellow, slightly busted Pizza Planet delivery truck first appeared in the original Toy Story when Woody and Buzz hitched a ride to save the day. But it didn’t stop there. This truck is like Pixar’s version of a hitchhiking backpacker — it shows up everywhere. You can spot it in Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., Up, and even Brave (it’s carved into a piece of wood). The truck acts like a traveling storyteller, popping up in different movies as a fun little nod to longtime fans.

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2) A113 - the classroom number with a hidden past

This one is more than just a number. A113 shows up on license plates, doors, screens — you name it. In Toy Story, it is on Andy’s mom’s car plate. So what’s the deal? A113 is the classroom number at the California Institute of the Arts where many Pixar legends, including John Lasseter and Brad Bird, studied animation. It’s a quiet “thank you” to their roots. This number pops up in nearly every Pixar film, acting like a secret artist’s signature scribbled into the frame.

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3) Geri the cleaner from Geri’s Game

In Toy Story 2, when Woody gets a full spa-day restoration before heading to the museum, the man in charge of fixing him up is none other than Geri — the same old guy from the Pixar short Geri’s Game, where he plays chess against himself in the park. It’s not just a similar look; the animators confirmed it is literally the same character. From his glasses to that steady hand with a tiny paintbrush, Geri moonlights as a toy restoration expert when he’s not hustling himself at board games. Turns out, he is a man of many talents — chessmaster by day, toy surgeon by trade.

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4) Lightning McQueen parked at Sunnyside Daycare

Before Lightning McQueen zoomed into the spotlight in Cars, he made a subtle pit stop at Sunnyside Daycare in Toy Story 3. If you pause during the scene where Bonnie’s mom drops her off at the daycare, there is a red toy car in the toddler room with lightning bolt decals that looks a lot like our future racer. It is not a perfect match, but the color, shape, and markings scream “McQueen.” It’s like Pixar was leaving breadcrumbs for what was coming next, quietly teasing a whole new world from the toy aisle.

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5) The Luxo ball rolls through again

That yellow ball with a blue stripe and red star — aka the Luxo Ball — has a resume longer than most actors. First seen in the Pixar short Luxo Jr., it later appears in Toy Story when it rolls by Woody and Buzz. This ball also shows up in Up, Inside Out, Incredibles 2, and more. It is not just a toy — it’s a symbol of where Pixar began. Every time it rolls across the screen, it’s a quiet wink from the animators.

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6) Dinoco gas station isn’t just for Buzz and Woody

In Toy Story, Buzz and Woody find themselves stranded at a Dinoco gas station. Seems random, right? Except Dinoco is also the racing sponsor in Cars. The name pops up again in Cars 3 and Cars 2. While it might not mean that the worlds are connected, it does suggest that Dinoco is a common brand in the Pixar universe, kind of like their version of Shell or BP. It is background noise that builds a familiar world.

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7) The triple-duty carpet pattern

That funky, hexagon-style carpet in Sid’s house during Toy Story? It looks oddly familiar if you are a horror movie fan — it is the same pattern from the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. But the pattern doesn’t stop there. Pixar reused it in Toy Story 3, and the same style pops up in Monsters, Inc.. It’s not just a fun horror nod — it subtly connects scenes across Pixar’s catalog, using design as a quiet bridge between worlds.

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8) Ratatouille’s cooking pans tucked on a shelf

In Toy Story 4, Second Chance Antiques is more than just a store — it is like Pixar’s personal storage closet. Among the dusty teacups and creepy dolls, you can spot a rack of copper cooking pans that look suspiciously like the ones used in Ratatouille. They are hanging quietly on a back wall, the same kind you would find in Gusteau’s Paris kitchen. While there is no rat scurrying around or cookbook in sight, these pans feel like a soft tap on the shoulder, saying, “Hey, Remy was here.” It’s the kind of quiet background detail that Pixar loves to tuck in.

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9) The Coco guitar hanging in the corner

In Toy Story 4, there is a scene inside the Second Chance Antiques store where Easter eggs are spilling out of every shelf. One of the most interesting ones? Miguel’s white guitar from Coco. It is resting quietly against a wall, looking just as cool and skeletal as in the film. What’s neat is that Coco came out years after the Toy Story gang, but here the timeline bends a little, just to let Pixar fans enjoy a mini-crossover. The guitar doesn’t play itself, but its presence sings.

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10) A Bug’s Life crawls into Al’s toy barn

While Woody and the gang are sneaking through Al’s Toy Barn in Toy Story 2, there is a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo from the cast of A Bug’s Life. If you look closely in the toy aisle, you will spot a boxed set of action figures that look just like Flik and his insect buddies. It’s not a big flashy moment — no dramatic music, no close up. But it is a clever nod to another Pixar movie released just a year earlier. It’s like the bugs stopped by the store to get action figures made of themselves. Modest little celebs, those ants!

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So, what do all these Easter eggs really mean? Maybe nothing in the grand scheme of things. Pixar has said more than once that these are mostly inside jokes, fun winks to the audience and the animators themselves. But the fact that they’re there, and that they are so consistent, says something cool. These clues make us feel like every Pixar character might live just a few streets apart. These little overlaps make Pixar’s world feel more lived-in, more real, and a lot more fun to revisit. And let’s be honest: Rewatching Toy Story with an Easter egg checklist is a pretty great way to spend a lazy weekend!