Disney Store 2017 Classic Dolls are Here!

And sadly, there aren't too many changes to report, especially for the dolls I collect, but there are a few things they switched up that are fun. The face molds appear unchanged, and most of the dresses are almost identical to last year's. Also like last year, each of the princess dolls comes with a sidekick. Let's take a look!

As usual, I'll start with the dolls from my three favorite movies (only highlighting the princes from my faves), and then the rest of the dolls will be listed alphabetically.

To change things up a little bit, I thought it would be fun to include pics of the dolls both boxed and unboxed. I like seeing how the boxes change from year to year, but you can usually see more of the differences in the unboxed pictures.

If you'd like to take a look at last year's post to compare the changes, you can see it HERE.

Belle

(original images HERE)

So first, we have beautiful Belle. The only changes I see right away are the lack of glitter on her bodice this year and the shorter skirt length. Any other differences are so subtle, they won't show up until I see her in person. I have to say, I do hope she has at least a slight variation in her face paint, or I'm going to feel like I'm purchasing the exact same doll. :{

Just a note on the new box design. Boxes don't matter as much to me with this line since I always debox these dolls, but overall, I find this year's design quite plain compared to last year's. However, I do like the fact that each box has the title of the movie in its original script. That's kind of cool and nostalgic. ;)

Beast

(original images HERE)

The Beast appears to be exactly the same as he has been for the past two years, and since I wasn't a huge fan of him before, I'll be skipping this guy this year, too. :)

Rapunzel

(original images HERE)

The only difference I see in Rapunzel right off is that they kept her sleeves short. I really like it when they add her longer sleeves, since the dress is more movie accurate that way. No other differences stand out to me at this point. Again, it will be interesting to see her in person and see the slight variations.

Eugene (because I still refuse to call him "Flynn") ;)

(original images found HERE)

I'm pretty sure all the prince dolls are the same (except for one...but more on that later), so Eugene, like the Beast, is virtually unchanged. I think I'll pass on him this time, too, even though this mold is one of my very favorite renditions of him. :)

Anna

(original images found HERE)

Classic Anna. I'm so glad she was released right away this year instead of weeks later as an almost afterthought, like last year. I know everyone loves Elsa, but Anna has always been my favorite of the two sisters. That being said, I don't think I'm going to bring her home. Honestly, it's crazy enough collecting the Belle and Rapunzel Classic dolls. I really don't need to start with Annas, too. ;) Especially since I know her outfit will be so simplified compared to the original.

Kristoff

(original images found HERE)

Since I just purchased this version of Kristoff last year, I won't be getting him this time around. Did I ever review this guy for you guys? I can't remember...

Elsa

(original images found HERE)

Elsa's new doll seems almost the same as well. Definitely not getting her since I already try to limit my Elsa purchases. I'm just flat running out of room!

Hans

(original images found HERE)

Hans was the only prince/villain doll to receive a major change. He's wearing his outfit from the ball, and it actually looks pretty detailed, especially for the Classic line! I'm going to have to get this guy eventually. He'd look great on my shelf with my original Hans. I might tone down his freckles a bit, though. They're pretty big and dark compared to how they looked in the movie. 

***

I won't go into as many details with these others since I don't actively collect them, although I will make a few comments on some of the more obvious changes.

Ariel

(original images found HERE)

 Wedding Ariel

(original images found HERE)

Every once in a while the Disney Store releases wedding versions of some of their princess dolls. I haven't paid enough attention to have an educated breakdown of which ones they've released and how often, but I know I've seen Ariel, Cinderella, and Rapunzel in wedding dresses at different times. Wouldn't it be cool if they did a whole wedding line sometime, with wedding prince dolls, too? That would be awesome! :D

Aurora

(original images found HERE) 

Cinderella

(original images found HERE) 

 Jasmine

(original images found HERE) 

Merida

(original images found HERE) 

Mulan

(original images found HERE) 

I'm so happy that they FINALLY decided to change things up for poor Mulan, who's had essentially the exact same dress since 2010. I love that they did a version of her green and white outfit this time. Little Gal is super excited for the updated look, since Mulan is her favorite princess. I'm sure this will be one of her purchases on next year's birthday trip!

 Pocahontas

(original images found HERE)

Snow White

(original images found HERE) 

 Tiana

(original images found HERE)

Tiana has gone back to her green dress this year. In some ways, I wish I'd snagged one of the blue-dressed Tianas either last year or the year before. Her blue dress has always been my favorite, and I loved her face mold and face paint. But again, I just can't justify collecting other Disney dolls. I have so many dolls in general, and my Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, and Frozen ones already take up so much room. I really don't need to add more. She sure is a cutie, though, especially in her lovely blue gown.

***

So, that's all for now! My tentative plan is to pick up a Belle, a Rapunzel, and a Hans, but I will probably wait for a while, at least until they go back on the "buy two or more, get them for $10 each" promotion they usually have going (it usually comes back about a week or so after the newest Classics are released). And I might wait for a free shipping code.

To see all of the new Classic dolls together, you can go to the Disney Store website HERE.

What do you guys think? Will any of you be tempted to add any dolls to your collection this year? Would you like to see more variety from the Disney Store with this line? Which dolls are your favorites? If you could oversee the production of the Classic doll line, what changes would you make?

P.S. I apologize to those of you who left comments I didn't respond to. I just noticed I was a bit behind! Sorry about that! I'll try to get to those a bit later.

P.P.S. Was it killing anyone else to miss D23 this year? Someday, I really want to go! Did you hear that all of the current Disney Princesses will be making a cameo appearance in Wreck-it Ralph 2? I can't wait! :D

This post contains no affiliate links and was not sponsored by Disney. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

2016 Disney Store Rapunzel Doll Review/Comparison

It's time for my yearly Rapunzel and Belle Disney Store doll reviews. :) These gals have been stuck in their boxes for the past month while I've been busy with typical summer craziness. It's nice to finally debox them and add them to my collections. :)

I thought this year, I'd start with Rapunzel. 

Since I've done so many of these reviews in the past, I'm not going to go into quite as much detail as I do for my normal reviews. I'm also not going to rate this Rapunzel doll. Instead, I'll share some of the differences between 2016 Rapunzel and her predecessors and discuss them. 

For starters, here's lovely Rapunzel in her beautiful box: 

Closer details:

Sides and back of the box:

It was super easy this year to carefully remove the front of the box from the back without damaging it.

So for those of you who love the backdrop of the box but want to at least partially debox your doll, here's an option for display. ;)

Rapunzel was held in place by the typical Disney Store twist ties and thread...

...and (grrr) plastic ties in the head. Sigh. Still holding out hope that someday toy companies will stop doing this to their dolls.

And here she is with her buddy Pascal! :)  

Rapunzel from the front...

...and the back.

Her dress this year is very similar to 2015 Rapunzel's. This year, the bodice is glittery instead of satiny. 

Sleeve detail. The sleeves appear to be identical to last year's.

The jewel embellishments from last year are gone, but other than that the skirt appears to be identical to last year's. Also, for those of you who are interested, she has rubbery legs with click knees, not the fully articulated legs of some of the Disney Store dolls.

The bodice has Velcro closure in the back.

It always makes me happy when clothing details are continued all the way around the clothing, even in the back where it's not visible from the packaging. Good job, Disney Store! :)

Her hair is the same golden-blonde of the more recent Rapunzel dolls, and is thinner than the earliest Rapunzels (also like the recent dolls). However, it may have been just my imagination, but it seemed like her hair was perhaps slightly thicker than the 2014 and 2015 dolls. 

My Rapunzel had a few shine marks, most likely from glue or hair product that can probably be removed.

Her face has a pinker tint to it than 2015 Rapunzel's, and her freckles are lighter. Her eyebrows are also slightly more arched, and her eye shadow coloring has a slightly pinker tone than 2015 Rapunzel's. She has the same basic face paint, though.

She's a lovely addition to my collection. :)

Pascal is the included sidekick/pet for this year. His eyes are a bit...um...intense. ;) He kind of looks like he's under hypnosis or something. :D

Pascal from his other angles: 

I was curious to see how 2016 Pascal compared to the Pascal that came with the original 2010 Rapunzel doll. Before I put them next to each other, I assumed they were exactly the same size and mold.

But when they're side by side, there's a noticeable size difference.

You can see it better here. 2016 Pascal (on the top) is slightly larger than 2010 Pascal. (Hee hee, the specs on the white backdrop are glitter from all of the glittery Rapunzel dresses!) ;)

You'll also notice that 2010 Pascal has this funny little plastic loop attached to one foot. It was put there to help him perch on Rapunzel's hand.

2016 Pascal does not have the loop, and his slightly larger feet help him balance without needing any help.

I have to admit, I much prefer the "loopless" feet of 2016 Pascal because he can stand on his own. 2010 Pascal, as you can see from this photo, can't. 

But overall, 2010 Pascal is still my favorite. I love the soft look of his eyes and the subtle paint detail of the yellow highlights on his face.

When you compare the two faces side by side, the winner is obvious, at least to me. ;)

***

Since we're in comparison mode, I suppose we might as well move on to the big Rapunzel comparison. ;) 

Here are the Disney Store Rapunzel dolls from 2010 through 2016, side by side (feel free to click on the picture to make it bigger).

And here's a look at the differences in their hair. Yes, I actually unbraided all five of my previous Rapunzels' hair for this photo. Guess what I'll be doing over the next few days? ;)

And here, for your viewing pleasure, are closer looks at the individual dolls from each year. I've included pictures of the dolls, their faces, and their outfits. I've also added my own personal nicknames for each doll. ;)

2010 Rapunzel 

aka "Best.Hair.Ever Rapunzel"

2011 Rapunzel 

aka "Ballerina Rapunzel"

2012 Rapunzel 

aka "Barbiefied Rapunzel"

2013 Rapunzel 

aka "Sweet Rapunzel"

2014 Rapunzel 

aka "Shy Rapunzel"

2015 Rapunzel 

aka "Gorgeous Rapunzel"

2016 Rapunzel

aka "Twinsies with 2015 Rapunzel"

There are things I love about each of my Rapunzel dolls, but I do definitely have my favorites. 

Favorite Faces: 

2013 Rapunzel (on the left) had my favorite Rapunzel face until the 2015 doll (pictured in the middle) made her debut. Now they're tied. ;) But I also included 2016 Rapunzel in this category. Even  thought the subtle differences between her and 2015 Rapunzel make me slightly prefer 2015 to 2016, I still love both faces. These three gals capture Rapunzel the most, in my opinion. 

Favorite Outfit: 

Anyone who has collected the Disney Store Princess dolls in the past several years will know that the best outfits are always the ones that come with the original releases of the dolls. Once the dolls hit the "Classic" line, their outfits tend to become less detailed. 2010 Rapunzel was the first Rapunzel doll ever released, and her dress has lovely added embellishments like lace and embroidered ribbon that put it far above the others in quality and movie accuracy.

Favorite Hair: 

Once again, 2010 Rapunzel takes this category. She had the thickest, longest hair and was the only doll with iridescent strands of tinsel included in her hair to give the impression of Rapunzel's magic glowing hair. As I've mentioned in previous reviews, I can understand why the Disney Store stopped making Rapunzel's hair this way, between expense and playability. But I love the look and feel of 2010 Rapunzel's hair more than any of the other versions. This particular 2010 doll was a thrift store rescue, so her hair is not quite as nice on the ends, but it's still lovely overall.

Tangled will always hold a special place in my heart, and collecting Rapunzel dolls has been a fun way to enjoy this adorable, loving, quirky Princess. Which version of Rapunzel from the Disney Store is your favorite? :)

More fun is coming, guys! I can't guarantee I'll get my other two review posts up before I leave (especially with my Blogoversary on Sunday), but I'll see what I can do. 

Belle and Kristoff can't wait for their reviews. :)

Here's a preview of 2016 Rapunzel with her new kindred spirit. ;)

Have a wonderful rest of the week, everyone! :)

You can get your own 2016 Rapunzel on the Disney Store website HERE. 

To see my past Rapunzel reviews, check out my Doll and Toy Reviews page and look under the "Disney Dolls" category. :)

I am not affiliated with the Disney company. All thoughts and opinions expressed our my own.