Disney Store 12" Rapunzel Doll Review and Comparison (2013 Edition)

I mentioned today on my Facebook page that I would be doing my Belle review post first, but I forgot that my Rapunzel review needed to come first because of the way I arranged the pictures.  If I have time, I might review both today...I'll just have to see how things go. ;)

Here's Rapunzel in her box, as you already saw in my previous post:

The back of the box

The side views

And a few box details:

As you probably noticed in the previous pictures (and probably remembered from my previous post), the box was open on top and dented above Rapunzel's head.

A look at the open box from the back.

It was hard to capture on film, but the plastic was also right up against her face.  Thankfully, her head was turned so far to one side that there was no damage to her face paint.

Each of the new Princess dolls have a picture from the film with a "Scan for Movie Moment" thing you can scan with your smart phone...if you have one. ;)  I don't, so I wasn't able to try this.

Rapunzel's beautiful new face paint. :)

The packaging was about the same as last year's edition-a couple of twist ties and some thread and tape holding in the hair.

There were also the same plastic pieces and rubber bands holding in her hands.

And sadly, they still had the annoying plastic piece attached to her head.  I really wish the Disney Store wouldn't do this.  It's very difficult to get the plastic cut low enough that it doesn't poke through without cutting the doll's hair in the process. :{  I think I did okay this time around, but it makes me nervous to have to cut that close to her beautiful hair!

Rapunzel's skirt had tissue underneath it to help it poof out nicely.

And just like previous years, there was a HUGE amount of glitter from the dress that was on Rapunzel's legs.   It tends to stick even more to the rubbery, Barbie like legs than the hard plastic jointed legs from the previous year.  

This picture also confirms that we're back to the "normal" legs on the princess dolls this year.  As many have expressed, I wished they would have improved the articulation rather than give up on it entirely.  Maybe next year? ;)

I tried to show how much glitter was on my hands after handling Rapunzel's skirt, but the camera didn't do the sparkles justice. ;)

So here is Rapunzel in all of her unboxed glory.  You'll notice that she came barefoot like the first two editions of the doll.

Aside from her eye color, which is just slightly darker than the movie, I think is one of the cutest and most accurate face molds and face paint jobs they've done on a Rapunzel doll ever.  I love her subtle makeup and lighter freckles.  I am completely in love with her and so glad I added her to my collection. :)

At least one of you mentioned that you wished she didn't have so much hair gel.  I like the gelled section because it makes her hair look more like the movie.  And she actually has far less gel than last year's doll.

My Rapunzel's bodice was a little off-centered.  A bit unfortunate...but this is the type of thing that could be avoided if you chose to hand select a doll from the Disney Store.

Her skirt was a bit off-centered too.  I guess it's good that it at least lined up with the bodice. ;)

Her dress from the back.

The skirt was just a little gappy beside the Velcro, but I think a lot of this was from the twist tie that held her in.  With time, I think it will lay more naturally.  It seems to have plenty of material.

Overall, I'm very pleased with her in spite of her flaws. :)

She has a sweet, friendly look with a touch of mischievousness hidden behind her eyes.

Here she is with my new Belle (giving you a little preview for my next post). ;)

Two friends relieved to finally be free from their boxes. ;)

And now for the fun part...the comparison of all four Rapunzel dolls.  From left to right, we have 2010 Rapunzel (released along with the movie), 2011 Rapunzel, 2012 Rapunzel, and 2013 Rapunzel.

My 2010 Rapunzel has been through several changes, including freckle removal and a body swap with a LIV doll.  You can see the original review I did of her HERE to get a better idea of what she looked like brand new.  

The most noticeable difference between the original Rapunzel and the newer editions is that she has no eyelashes.  She also has virtually no makeup and very lightly colored lips.

And here is 2011 Rapunzel.  This Rapunzel somehow missed the freckle removal, so she is exactly as she was when I purchased her.  Still, if you'd like to, you can see my original review of 2011 Rapunzel HERE (you'll have to scroll down a bit past the Belle pictures).  It's not a review of this particular Rapunzel doll...the one I reviewed did have her freckles removed and was used for a giveaway later.  (Funny behind the scenes tidbit here:  it took me a while to figure out how my Rapunzel doll somehow got her freckles back before I remembered that it wasn't the exact same doll in the review!) :} 

As you can see from the photo, 2011 Rapunzel has eyelashes added and features a lot of pastel pink-colored eye shadow.  She also has pinker cheeks and slightly darker lips.  

2012 Rapunzel has had her freckles removed as well.  You can see my original review HERE for her NIB look.  

This Rapunzel has the most extreme face differences.  She doesn't look much like the movie but has very striking color.  Her eyes are deeper green and have less eye shadow.  Her eyebrows are lighter and thicker, and her lips are a much deeper pink.

And here's the newbie!  Her eyes are almost the same color as 2013 Rapunzel's, but her coloring is less dramatic and closer to the movie character's coloring.  Her face mold also appears to be slightly wider in the cheeks than last year's doll, which also adds to her more accurate look.

And here's a look at all four dolls together so you can see the differences.  Feel free to click on the picture if you'd like to see it closer.

I thought it would be fun to compare their dresses one more time, too.  Here's a look at the bodices of the 2010 and 2011 Rapunzels.

And here we have 2012 and 2013.

And now the skirts: 2010 and 2011 Rapunzel...

...and 2012 and 2013.

2010 Rapunzel still has the most movie accurate dress, but I enjoy each dress for different reasons.

I found the differences in hair lengths interesting.  Oh, and my first three dolls originally came with straight hair as well, but their hair has been braided and is wavy as a result.  I've found it's much easier to maintain their hair when it stays in a braid. ;)  I thought it was interesting that 2013 Rapunzel's hair is the shortest yet.  I wonder how many moms going crazy over taking care of Rapunzel hair influenced the new length? ;)  While the shorter hair will undoubtedly be disappointing for collectors, it should be easier for kiddos to work with.

 Since I'm a collector myself, as far as hair goes, 2010 Rapunzel is still my favorite.  Even though her hair is the hardest to care for, I love that it's so long and has the iridescent strands in it. :)

A closer look at all four dolls:  2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

And Blogger and Facebook both insisted on uploading this picture vertically instead of horizontally...not really sure why. ;)

So my final thoughts?  I love all four of my Rapunzel dolls, but my 2010 and 2013 editions are my favorites.  If I could combine 2013's face with 2010's hair and dress, I think it would just about make the perfect Rapunzel doll. :)

I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the 2013 Rapunzel's dress with its off-centered bodice and skirt, but I liked the design overall.  And her face is the best I've seen from the Disney Store dolls.  I think she'd also make an excellent doll for young Disney fans with her shorter hair, simple dress, and regular legs.  

Next year, I'd love to see a similar face design, a dress that was a bit closer to the movie's (and better quality), and articulated legs like the LIV dolls. ;)

I'm going to take a break for a bit (it's still so incredibly hot....it's making it hard to type coherent sentences), and then later this afternoon I'll work on my Belle post for all of you.  It should be up by tomorrow at the latest. :)