Woody Toy Story Signature Collection | Product Review
Toy Story Signature Collection Sheriff Woody (Target Exclusive, 2019) — The $100 Cowboy That Divided Collectors
In the spring of 2019, as anticipation for Toy Story 4 reached a fever pitch, Target quietly released what would become one of the most talked-about Toy Story collectibles of the modern era: the Target Exclusive Toy Story Signature Collection Sheriff Woody from Thinkway Toys.
I bought this doll when it was released, at the Target in Clarksville, TN in May 2019.
*Below is an update from my original blog post written on May 16, 2019.
The $100 Woody Review
At first glance, it looked like the ultimate Woody. Premium packaging. Collector-focused presentation. Movie-inspired accessories. A hefty retail price hovering around $100 after tax. For many collectors, it appeared to be the definitive Woody doll.
Yet years later, the figure remains one of the most debated releases in the history of the Toy Story Signature Collection line.
The Return of the Signature Collection
The original Thinkway Toys Collection and Signature Collection figures had built an almost legendary reputation among Toy Story fans.
Beginning around the Toy Story 3 era, Thinkway produced collector-grade versions of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye, and other characters designed to replicate the toys seen on-screen as closely as possible. These weren't simple children's toys — they were marketed as premium replicas intended to satisfy adult collectors as much as kids.
When Toy Story 4 arrived in 2019, collectors expected an updated version of Woody that would improve upon earlier releases.
Instead, they got something a bit more complicated.
First Impressions: An Impressive Presentation
One thing almost everyone agreed on was the packaging.
The 2019 Woody arrived in a display box inspired by Woody's Roundup memorabilia, giving it a genuine collector's-item feel. The presentation immediately communicated that this wasn't a standard toy aisle purchase.
The doll featured approximately 50 sayings and phrases, making it one of the most talkative Woody figures Thinkway ever produced.
For many collectors, simply seeing the figure displayed in its packaging was enough to justify the purchase.
Then there was the price.
Buyers were spending close to $100 for a single Woody doll. Many collectors specifically remember paying around $90 before tax or roughly $100 out the door.
That price became controversial almost immediately.
The earlier Collection and Signature Collection figures had been considerably less expensive. Some longtime fans recalled paying around $40 for previous Woody releases years earlier. Seeing the new version cost more than double raised expectations dramatically.
When a toy reaches the $100 threshold, collectors stop asking whether it's "good" and start asking whether it's "worth it."
The biggest criticism centered on screen accuracy.
Many collectors expected the most movie-accurate Woody ever produced. Instead, numerous fans felt the 2019 version looked slightly off compared to earlier releases.
Common complaints included:
- Facial sculpt differences
- Head proportions
- Fabric choices
- Overall likeness to the movie character
- Certain costume details
Some collectors argued that earlier Thinkway Woody dolls actually captured Pixar's design more faithfully despite being more affordable.
That created a strange situation: The most expensive Woody wasn't necessarily viewed as the best Woody.
One area where the figure excelled was interactivity.
Like the movie character, the doll featured a pull-string mechanism packed with dialogue.
The Signature Collection Woody included roughly 50 phrases and voice clips. While not every classic line from previous versions was present, the amount of dialogue remained impressive and helped create the illusion that this was a genuine living Woody toy.
For collectors who valued play features and authenticity over sculpt accuracy, this remained one of the strongest aspects of the release.
A Collector's Piece More Than a Toy
The reality is that very few buyers spent nearly $100 on this Woody intending to drag him through a sandbox.
The figure occupied an unusual space:
Too expensive for rough play.
Too interactive to be merely a statue.
Too collectible to ignore.
Many owners ended up displaying him on shelves alongside other Toy Story collectibles rather than treating him as a traditional toy. Even contemporary reviews often described it as a collector-focused purchase rather than a child's everyday plaything.
The Thinkway Factor
Another reason the 2019 Woody has become more notable over time is what happened afterward.
Thinkway Toys eventually exited the Toy Story collector market, and the Signature Collection line effectively came to an end around 2021. As a result, the Target-exclusive Woody became one of the final major releases from the company.
Collectors who passed on it in 2019 later found themselves facing a shrinking supply on the secondary market.
What once seemed overpriced suddenly became harder to replace.
Secondary Market Value
Today, sealed examples regularly appear on resale marketplaces, often selling for amounts significantly higher than the original retail price depending on condition and completeness.
Like many Toy Story collectibles, resale value is heavily influenced by:
- Original packaging
- Functioning electronics
- Box condition
- Whether the figure remains sealed
Mint, unopened examples command the strongest prices.
Looking Back: Was It Worth $100?
The answer depends entirely on what you wanted.
If you were a collector:
Probably yes.
The presentation, rarity, electronics, and eventual discontinuation make it a significant piece of modern Toy Story collecting history.
If you wanted the most movie-accurate Woody:
Maybe not.
Many collectors still argue that earlier Thinkway releases achieved better screen accuracy at a much lower price.
If you were buying for a child:
Almost certainly not.
A hundred-dollar Woody is difficult to justify as a regular toy when numerous less expensive versions exist.
Final Thoughts
The 2019 Target Exclusive Signature Collection Sheriff Woody occupies a fascinating place in Toy Story collecting.
It wasn't the universally beloved masterpiece collectors hoped for. It wasn't the undisputed definitive Woody. Yet it wasn't a failure either.
Instead, it became something more interesting: a snapshot of the final years of Thinkway's premium Toy Story line — a beautifully packaged, feature-rich, expensive collector's item that sparked endless debates among fans.
Seven years later, people are still arguing about whether it was overpriced, inaccurate, underrated, or misunderstood.
And in the world of toy collecting, that's usually a sign that a release mattered.
Amazon.com currently has a Woody doll from their Disney Store that is very identical to the Signature one (but at a more affordable price and significantly less than the $100 that the Signature one is being sold for).
Amazon creators independently recommend products and may earn commission from purchases.
It's great if you're planning on giving it to a child, or even if you want a Woody doll to complete a Toy Story collection of your own, but want something that is reasonably priced and not going to make a dent in your wallet!
