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Exclusive: Animation Easter Eggs from the Disney Studios Short Films Collection

Watching the accompanying animated short is often my favorite part of going to see a Disney or Pixar film. From the magical hand-drawn style in the award-winning Paperman to Get A Horse!‘s eye-popping combo of original Mickey shorts and new 3D animation, each short has its own style and story that compliments its full-length feature and stands on its own. Fun fact: last year, I went on a week-long Disney cruise to the Caribbean, where they were playing Big Hero 6 in the on-ship theaters throughout the day. And because you could pop in and watch whenever you wanted, I MAY have watched Feast—the Disney short about the food-loving pup who is without a doubt my unequivocal spirit animal—multiple times a day. I’d slink into one of the aisle seats in the theater, stare in rapt attention as Winston the Boston Terrier went on an emotional and culinary journey, and then creep out again to hit the pool.

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I’m just saying, I love those dang Disney shorts.

Luckily, Walt Disney Animation Studios is releasing all of their shorts for the very first time in the Short Films Collection. The collection covers everything from early shorts like John Henry, Lorenzo, and The Little Matchgirl, to Tangled Ever After, Paperman, Get A Horse!, Feast, and Frozen Fever—and even includes introductions and interviews with the filmmakers behind the mini-movies. To celebrate The Short Films Collection’s early release on Digital HD/Disney Movies Anywhere, we have a few Disney easter eggs and fun facts to share!

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Tangled Ever After

Tangled directors Byron Howard and Nathan Greno joined forces once again for this short, and even voiced multiple characters: Howard voiced the Lantern Wrangler and Chef, while Greno voiced Maximus (<3), the Guard, and the impeccably named Stabbington Brothers.

The Ballad of Nessie 

If there’s one thing I like, it’s creepy monsters made cute, and Nessie is no exception. When Nessie’s kicked out of her home, she’s sent on a Homer-esque quest to find where she belongs. One of the potential new spots she checks out is none other than Clio from Pinocchio‘s fishbowl. I think Figaro would have something to say about that, though.

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How to Hook Up Your Home Theater

This short obviously draws from those classic Goofy cartoons from the 40s and 50s, including altering the original football field from “How to Play Football” (1944). The teams in the football game—the Geefs and the Dawgs—are also named after the “Geef” version of Goofy (without his long ears) and “Dippy Dawg,” Goofy’s original name. There are also a TON of other easter eggs hidden throughout this clip, most of them scattered throughout Goofy’s home. Can you spot them all?

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How to Hook Up Your Home Theater might have the most easter eggs in it just by its very nature. This style of short is classic Disney, and directors Stevie Wermers and Kevin Deters clearly have a deep affection for the source material. Different characters from classic Goofy shorts appear in the dog pile at the end of the short, including a hockey player (what is he doing on a football field?!) from “Hockey Homicide Goofy,” his horse from “How to Ride a Horse” (1950), and the stick figure golfer from “How to Play Golf” (1944).

There are even MORE easter eggs peppered throughout the images in the gallery below, from the shorts listed above and Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa. Let us know what other tidbits you spot in the comments below!

Walt Disney Animation’s Short Films Collection is available on Digital HD/Disney Movies Anywhere now, and will be released on Blu-ray on August 18.

Rachel Heine is the editor-in-chief of Nerdist. You can chat with her about Disney, cute pups, and food on twitter @RachelHeine, especially in gif form.

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