DVD Review: “Dora and Friends”

Disclosure: I was sent this DVD to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dora & Friends

Released:  February 10, 2015

Studio:  Nickelodeon

Running Time:  92 minutes

Set in the fictional city of Playa Verde, Dora and her friends go on adventures, whether it’s rescuing a lost stuffed monkey for a little boy in the hospital or returning a ring to an ancient Mayan Princess.  Throughout her journeys, Dora uses Map App on her smartphone and a magical charm bracelet to navigate the city and overcome any obstacle.

Dora and Friends DVD includes the following episodes:

We Save a Pirate Ship! – Dora and her friends are at a Pirate Festival to benefit the restoration of the city’s ancient seaside fort, and Dora promised a little boy named Jorge that he could steer the festival’s pirate ship ride.  But when the pirate ship ride doesn’t show up, Dora, Kate and Pablo must build their own. They find an enchanted ship’s wheel that takes them to a talking pirate ship with secret treasures.

The Magic Ring – Dora and Naiya are helping out at story time with the younger kids at school when Pablo discovers a mysterious ring that shrinks him.  Dora and Naiya search through the library and find the secret of the ring, discovering that it’s been stolen and lost by an evil wizard from long ago. The only way the spell can be broken is by putting the ring back on the owner’s finger, an ancient princess.

The Royal Ball – Dora and her friends are having a Royal Ball in honor of all the kids who helped clean up the city park.  Dora and Alana head to the costume shop to get dresses, and find a golden gift box with a beautiful dress that’s perfect for Alana.  The golden box comes to life and tells them that the dress is for the princess – it’s his job to get it to her!  The box magically transports them to the royal grounds where they must escape a dragon and rescue the box from crocodiles.

Dance Party – Dora and her friends are putting on a dance party to raise money for the town’s new dance school. Alana convinces Pablo to teach her a simple step as a mirror ball magically transports them and Dora to the land of Baila, where they meet Celia.  She explains to them that her overprotective father, the mayor, has outlawed dancing after she stubbed her toe at her first dance.  Celia needs Dora and her friends’ help to convince the mayor that dancing is safe and fun.

I love that they have launched a more grown-up version of Dora, as after watching her for 8 years now it has been a little tiring.  This DVD is a great introduction to Dora and her new friends.  It features four episodes that all teach great lessons of teamwork, friendship and overcoming problems.  I admit I did miss some of the old Dora friends but it was a nice change for her and my daughter loves seeing how Dora has grown up in to a “big girl.”

BUY IT:  You can buy Dora & Friends on Amazon for $9.99 currently or wherever DVDs are sold.

WIN IT:  (1) US winner will receive the DVD “Dora & Friends”

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