Now Available on DVD -- Chuggington: Safari Advenutes -- with Optional Bonus Pack Including Collector's Mtambo Toy Engine (Review)

new ‘Chuggington’ dvd
‘safari adventures’ Takes Fans on an ANIMAL-packed expedition

Right now Amazon is selling the DVD and Train Bonus Pack for only $12.99.

Preschoolers Nationwide Are in Store for Jungle-Sized Fun with
Anchor Bay Entertainment’s Latest Release

"All aboard the adventure train!  Preschoolers from coast-to-coast will go wild for “Safari Adventures,” the newest addition to the “Chuggington^™” DVD series from Anchor Bay Entertainment.  Featuring six traintastic episodes – plus a special Badge Quest episode – full of action-packed fun and positive messages for young trainees, the all-new compilation arrived in stores on February 12th. Two versions of the new DVD will be offered – including one that features a collectible Mtambo toy engine from TOMY^TM, making it the perfect gift for animal- and train-loving preschoolers alike.

“‘Safari Adventures’ features an irresistible collection of ‘Chuggington’ episodes that perfectly blend non-stop entertainment and valuable life lessons for young audiences,” said Erin Carter, Executive Director of Brand Marketing, Anchor Bay Entertainment.

In this assortment of jungle-inspired adventures, the Chuggington crew embarks on a trainload of engaging escapades with a variety of exotic animals at Safari Park.  Throughout the six episodes and bonus Badge Quest installment, Koko helps a pack of trackside squirrels, Brewster investigates banana thieves and Wilson manages to haul a mischievous elephant to its new home.  The action continues with monkey business for Zephie, a royal visitor for Mtambo and more.  Alongside helpful adult chuggers like Puffer Pete, Eddie and Dunbar, preschool trainees will explore key concepts such as problem solving, working together and being patient to help them stay on the right track as they learn and grow.

A colorful and contemporary CGI-animated TV show from Ludorum that reinforces early social readiness skills, “Chuggington” airs weekdays on Disney Channel’s Disney Junior programming block for kids ages 2-7, and daily on the new 24-hour Disney Junior cable and satellite channel. The series is currently in its third season.

“Chuggington” has become a global sensation since its debut in September 2008 in the U.K.  The show has been licensed to more than 175 territories worldwide and has established ratings records in several key international markets, including the U.K., Germany, France and Australia.  The series made its stateside debut in January 2010. "

-----

My Thoughts:


I have lost count on how many Chuggington DVD reviews I have done over the years.  All I know is that we have a nice little collection of DVDs that Savannah and Arabella love watching.  There is not a week that goes by that they are not tuning into the television to watch their favorite trainees, or asking to have me put on one of their favorite Chuggington DVDs.  And, if the DVD s weren't enough, Santa brought Savannah an entire Chuggington train set for Christmas, with all her favorite trainee engines, including Brewter, Wilson and Koko.


So, when Savannah saw this DVD arrive in the mail, she went crazy.  I have to say, though, that she was more excited about the limited edition Mtambo toy engine that came with this bonus pack DVD.  I ended up ordering another bonus pack from Amazon in order to for Arabella to have her own toy train to play with.  But, as we wait for Arabella's Mtambo toy engine to arrive, the girls are surprisingly getting along and sharing the toy train that cam in this set, as they watch all six episodes that make up this DVD.  In addition to the six episodes, this DVD also offers some great bonus features including:

• Bonus Badge Quest Episode: Animal Helper
• The Chugger Spotlight: Koko
• The Chugger Spotlight: Mtambo
• Coloring and Activity Sheets

Even though we have only had this recent release for a few days, the girls have watched all six episodes a handful of times.  They made a point to have Daddy sit down with them over the weekend and watch all six episodes, as he rearranged Savannah's Chuggington train set into a new track formation.  And, through the entire DVD, the girls took turns playing with the Mtambo toy engine that came with this bonus pack, as well as their other Chuggington trains.  

It was hard to decide which of these six fun-filled Safari adventure episodes about friendship and teamwork were my daughters' favorites, as they watched them all equally, and got into all of them. So, if you have a Chuggington fan in your house, you will want to make a point to pick up this recent release, which is available as the DVD alone, or with the collector's toy train that comes in the bonus pack.  I would suggest spending the few extra dollars and buying the bonus pack, as your little Chuggington fan will go crazy for the train. :-)
 


About “Chuggington^™”
Chuggington is a CGI-animated series that follows the adventures of Wilson, Brewster and Koko, trainee engines, each with their own unique personality and learning style.  The series is set in a world much like our own with cities, villages and diverse cultures and geography.  Entertainment and enjoyment are at the heart of Chuggington, but embedded within each story are important educational and developmental messages centered on learning and social-emotional development.  Chuggington is directed by Sarah Ball, who won a BAFTA award for her work as a director and writer of Bob the Builder^™.  Further information is available at www.chuggington.com.  

About Anchor Bay Entertainment
Anchor Bay Entertainment is the home entertainment division of Starz Media, LLC.  It includes the Anchor Bay Films and Manga Entertainment brands.  It distributes feature films, children’s entertainment, fitness, TV series, documentaries, anime and other filmed entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray^™ formats. Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment has offices in Troy, MI, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.  Starz Media (www.starzmedia.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation.

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.