We never know everything about everything; so, we are going to discover more about this internationally admired show that was part of everyone’s childhood. With that, here is a list of the top Dora the Explorer facts.
1. Dora was almost blonde
When the show was still in its brainstorming and planning stages, creators considered Dora as a blonde girl of European ancestry. Would you want to see how the show would turn out if Dora were European? I am curious.
2. Boots has gone on some adventures without Dora
Boots is Dora’s enthusiastic and trustworthy friend. And most of the time, best friends do everything together. In fact, Dora and Boots are rarely seen apart. However, in the episode entitled “Boots to the Rescue,” Dora did not have the prominent role. Instead, Boots was the primary lead of the episode. He guided the viewers throughout his whole journey of retrieving Dora’s song sheets.
3. Dora was the first Latina to ever have an inflatable in a Thanksgiving Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on the 26th of November every year in New York City. When Dora’s career peaked in 2005, the icon was honorably made into an inflatable float. Creators made an episode inspired by this event entitled “Dora’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” which was mainly about the characters’ journey in finding Dora’s missing boat float. How cool?
4. Isa is not an Iguana in other versions
Another main character of Dora the Explorer, Isa, is described as a highly intelligent iguana. However, in the French dub, the character was referred to as a lizard. In this version, Isa’s name is “Véra le varan,” which apparently translates to lizard.
5. Boots was not supposed to be a monkey
Boots was almost a mouse. Luckily, the creators decided that a purple monkey is the best option for the character. Would you prefer Boots as a mouse?
6. Dora’s middle name is actually “Explorer”
I know, as weird as it sounds, Dora’s middle name is Explorer. The sixth truth on our list of Dora the Explorer facts was unraveled in a poster advertising the Dora and the Lost City of Gold film. And if you are wondering what her family name is, it is Márquez. We know this because, in one episode, Boots referred to Dora’s mother as “Señora Márquez.” So, you do the math.
7. Each episode took about a year to create
Apparently, Nickelodeon really values the quality of the shows they release. We can say this because about 300 people work on every single episode of Dora the Explorer. That is so many humans! Props to Nickelodeon for the effort and dedication. And I guess all their effort did not go to waste considering how successful everything turned out.
8. Creators initially planned Dora as a bunny
Yes, Dora was not supposed to be a human in the first place. As we have mentioned earlier, Boots was meant to be a mouse. So, the duo was supposed to be of a bunny and a mouse. Could you imagine how the story would play out? I think the creators made a great decision in making Dora a human being. Do you agree?
9. Map can only be seen frowning once
With all her countless journeys, it is essential for Dora to carry a map everywhere she goes. Map, one of the main characters of the show, is a useful and optimistic friend of Dora. Impressively, he only frowned once in an episode entitled “Diego to the Rescue.” The reason behind this sudden change of mood is his worry that Boots was in trouble.
10. Boots was originally yellow
Behind every final decision are tons of rejected possibilities. One of the possibilities in this case is Boots being colored yellow. Some parts of Boots’ tail and tummy is colored yellow, but can you visualize him being yellow from head to toe? Would you prefer that version? Fortunately, the creators decided that violet was a more cohesive choice considering the color of the other characters.
11. “Azul” was the first Spanish word taught in the show
We all know by now that Dora is Latina. In fact, she is the very first Latina animated character to be featured in Nickelodeon. And throughout the episodes, Dora would teach her audience Spanish words and how to utter them. “Azul,” or blue, was the first word she introduced to the people. Did you learn any words from watching Dora?
12. Dora also teaches English words in other versions
Because the show has become well-known internationally, a lot of versions have emerged. Like what I have said earlier, Dora teaches Spanish words. But in the versions featured in non-English-speaking countries, she teaches English words instead. How awesome is that?
13. Dora the Explorer was ranked the #1 preschool show
Most of us grew up watching the series. So, this fact is not surprising at all. However, not only did the show win this title, but they won it almost immediately after it aired. That is unbelievable!
14. Dora and Boots’ friendship began because of Swiper
For the fourteenth truth on this list of the top Dora the Explorer facts, let us go on a trip back to memory lane. In the episode entitled “Dora’s First Trip,” Dora tries to remember the time when she first met her best friend, Boots. Later in the episode, we find out that Dora ran into Swiper trying to steal Boots’ red rain boots. And being the concerned citizen she is, Dora helped Boots stop the fox from succeeding with his plan. And that’s how their friendship started.
15. Backpack’s strap got broken several times in the show
In an episode entitled “Sticky Tape,” one of Backpack’s straps sadly got broken. Dora used some sticky tape in an attempt to make the situation better. And eventually, the strap became fine in the following episodes. However, it got torn apart again in another episode entitled “Dora and Friends: Into the City!” Luckily, Kate was able to fix the Backpack.
16. The same voice actor played the Map and Swiper
Believe it or not, the same man is behind the voices of two very opposite characters. The great and talented man’s name is Marc Weiner. And unlike the other characters who had different voice actors throughout the show, Marc was the voice actor of Swiper and Map the whole time. Points for loyalty!
17. Swiper does not speak Spanish
An episode entitled “Swiper the Explorer” revealed that Swiper does not know how to speak Spanish. But because he lives on Blueberry Hill, he learned some essential words like “abre,” which translates to “open.” People speculate that this may be the only Spanish word the character knows. Do you know how to speak Spanish?
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