DisneyStore Limited Edition 17" Dolls Discussion

[Niels94]

This made me laugh because, for the most part, I don't have many people in my life interested in dolls, so I will talk to my husband about new releases and the drama in doll collecting world. His eyes start to glaze over after a few minutes or so, and I have to stop.

Lmao! I do the same thing with family. Every evening I call to my grandma and she knows that once I start talking (or complaining) about LE dolls, she won't be able to get a word in between it for like 30 mins lol. I really wish I knew some doll collectors in real life...

 

[LMB925]

I was a guest for a very short while before I signed up too. I totally understand the feeling of intimidation. It was the same way for me. I felt incredibly awkward at first just jumping in to post something. I imagine most people feel like an outsider in the beginning and some may post a few things and then go away because of it. But I think the more you post then people start getting used to you and you get more familiar with others on here as well.

It feels good to know I'm not alone. It is funny how awkward it can be. Yes, I agree it's important to post in order for people to get to know you. I've tried to post more, but I find I'm still kind of in in that awkward stage. I usually don't feel I'm adding much. It's just my quiet nature I guess, not the people as much, the people here are great.

 

[Esmeraldapascal]

I have also been just a "watcher" even after I signed up and too am not very talkative and didnt feel the need to contribute because I simply enjoyed reading about other people's posts which made me feel not alone in my collecting. I understand now the importance of contributing. On another note, I also live in Florida and can relate to the bug/light/ heat issue.

I'm the same, I love reading what other people write but don't feel the need to always give my opinion, after reading what everyone has been saying about scaplers I really fear people might think I am one! I do try and contribute when I can and I always appreciate the link fairies, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have gotten my Anna, obviously I'll talk more around realise time because it's a very highly stressful time and I need to talk to others about what is going on, but I will talk throughout the year, I'm going off a bit now, and people probably don't care, but I felt the need to put this across!

 

[cambridge1066]

People with weather delays: check your tracking numbers! My Anna FINALLY got back in transit; the package made its way to North Carolina, which I found odd based on where I live but that's way better than still being stuck in Memphis! They still have not given me an exact delivery date, but I'm just happy it's on its way again.

 

[LMB925]

Thanks for posting- I agree with you all the way down! For me, scalper paranoia on here takes the fun out of doll collecting almost as much as scalpers themselves, and the only reason I joined this forum was because I collect dolls and I wanted to be able to share my experiences with other people who love the same thing. But I feel like I've been stuck in the new member corner and even though no one has been rude to me, I feel like new members are discouraged from participating at all or from asking questions, and it's sad. I don't know, I understand both points of view. It's just sad that scalpers have made this happen, y'know?

Yeah, I completely agree with you as well. It's sad there's so much negativity surrounding all this. I collect dolls and so do because for some strange reason they bring me a lot of joy. I like to keep the hobby as a positive outlet since my life has had a lot of negativity lately (I'm sure I'm not alone in that). Although I understand people's frustration and the need to vent. I just think maybe some of it might be misdirected, and it may further discourage new members from posting. I really do like this forum as it makes doll collecting so much more fun when you're able to share it.

 

[LMB925]

I joined this forum last year and I really like how informative it is and i'm really happy that there other people who share the same interest. ( I don't know anyone who is the same age or collects LE dolls where I live! ) I usually talk about it loads to my mum who I think has had enough of my talk-alot-otisis. (My sister is fan of Doc Mcstuffins so has "diagnosed" me with talk-alot-otisis) lol

I'm quoting you, but I'm laughing along with the others who quoted you. I do the same thing. I talk my mother's ear off about this stuff, and I'm in my 30's. I love collecting now as much, if not more, than I did as a teenager. My poor mother tries to be supportive, but she just gets this weird look on her face, smiles and nods a lot. She gets the full brunt of my obsession because I know it's okay she's thinks I'm nuts, but I'd rather other people not think so. I do try to minimize the doll talk, but the poor woman is unfortunately nice enough to ask me about them sometimes and then I can't hold back. Even a simple, "So, did you get your little dolls yet" leads to huge diatribe. I try to stop myself, but it takes a good 5 minutes on my best day.

 

[jerzeegirl3]

Talking to people about doll collecting as an adult can be difficult. My coworkers and friends think it's insane to spend that kind of money. My mom is super supportive and helps camp out in line for the dolls. I just started this to do something special with my daughter. We have talks each time we get a new doll about how these dolls are not to play with. She told me that when she grows up and they're hers that she will open them and play with them, since she doesn't want to be a mommy and give them to her daughter.

 

[disneysfreakingprincess]

im sorry you feel like that, i dont think the person that said that to you meant to hurt your feelings, i am new to the forum too, im a big cinderella fan and i joined as i found the cinderella merchandise thread really helpful source on what was going to be released for the live action movie. Im not a doll collector or pin collector but i did get blue cinderella and oins this time around as it was part of the collection that i loved. I think after i tried to get the pins and failed through disney (same situation as wedding cinderella basically sold out before it even appeared on the page) i realised that with any Low LE numbers i will never stand a chance without the link. I ended up buying the pins on ebay. (Got them close to retail as the market was flooded with them so i was happy) but my point is, most of us dont have the links and i think going forward most of us will miss out on the low LE numbers and need to prepare ourselves for it.
I dont intend to purchase more dolls apart from beauty and beast whenever thats released (cant afford them and dont have a place to store them but i love looking at all the collections and dreaming lol) but I think disney will now start to released extra special LE dolls like wedding cinderella more often, i think beauty and the beast will have a regular 17inch and a special very limited 17inch esp as disney now know that people are willing to pay the extra £££ for them. I think personally start saving for the extra special dolls now, if you really love one then of course try your luck on the day of the release, if not and you still want it then prepare yourself to purchase on ebay, its not fair but unfortunately for most of us it will be the only way we will get it.

I know that person would never meant to hurt me! but it still did (stupid feelings lol). The whole group has so much scalpers hate lately.(They are all around us and we have to deal with them how must we hate them) and I was hoping we would all have a magical time helping each other. and not keep focusing, or not posting things because of scalpers. I think it's just lovely that they could help someone who does not collect them all but just wants one doll because she totally loves the movie and has no experience with the doll things and still could get the doll because of this. so I just hope we will inhale the positive things and exhale the scalpers and i am willing to pay 2000 for snow white (because she was the first one and rare with only 500 dolls) so i am ready for ebay prices!

 

[LMB925]

Thanks for the input (especially to your post LMB925). I think I'm going to continue to leave them on the shelf so I can look at them. Although, I think I will now grab a new microfiber cloth to dust them with. The added info also made me look at ebay listings a bit differently. Lots of people have no return policy, and its good to ask how they will pack the doll when they send it ( ie. Newspaper-would never have thought about the possibility of newsprint ink getting on the box).

I'm so glad you found it helpful. It really never occurred to me someone would use newspaper as packing material for something white before this happened to me. Now the sellers get a polite request from me to ensure they don't do it.

 

[disneysfreakingprincess]

Disneyfreakingprincess, I'm sorry if you feel unwelcome. I don't think most people here are purposely trying to make anyone feel unwelcome, at least I know I'm not. But I agree with Quasimodo and the others, I noticed a lot of new people that joined the forum right before these recent doll releases and quite a few who kept repeatedly demanding links or items numbers and not really contributing anything at all to the conversation. I'm sorry, but not only does that scream "scalper" to me, it is also kind of rude. I'm not saying you did this, but this is why a lot of people won't respond to these types of questions asking for links and such.

Also, everyone keeps complaining about others having inside knowledge -- I for one don't know anyone on the "inside," and when I started collecting I couldn't figure out how people got links --- no one ever told me either. I relied on the link fairies. It's only been after over a year of collecting that I have a better idea of how it works now. I try to get all of my dolls in store now anyway but, even for that, I get up usually around 4 or 5am in the morning to get in line and wait for several hours outside, sometimes in freezing weather, to make sure I get my doll. I've done a lot of research on these dolls, and keep up with releases and what's going on. I've put in the work, so to speak, and I'm sure a lot of others here have to. So when people come on here only at release time and start asking others to give them information and links, it is extremely off-putting. Again, this is not directed at you Disneyfreakingprincess, but to this issue in general.

And just FYI to people -- there is not going to be a link to a doll that is still a week away from being released. I saw so many people asking for links here and on Facebook up to two weeks before the release dates. The link has to be "live" and that's not going to happen until the scheduled release time. It is completely pointless to be asking for links in advance.

no ofcourse not! I know nobody wanted to hurt me on purpose. I always asked it in a nice and respectfull way I still could prefer if people just answer with a tip or anything about oh maybe you should check here or something. not just ignore someone because they are new (I get that they would ignore someone who is rude but i always asked it in a nice way). I did not complain about others having inside knowledge. but about the people who say if you want themgo find information from inside otherwise you are lazy or don't deserve the information. because I just simply can't. And i just can't go to the uk or france to go to a store. I wish I could! I would even sleep there the day before. I really don't care I just want my dolls haha.

 

[Meritre]

It feels good to know I'm not alone. It is funny how awkward it can be. Yes, I agree it's important to post in order for people to get to know you. I've tried to post more, but I find I'm still kind of in in that awkward stage. I usually don't feel I'm adding much. It's just my quiet nature I guess, not the people as much, the people here are great.

Same here. And not being an actual collector doesn't really help. The only thing I actually collect are photos, so I have something to look at when I'm feeling 'dolly'.

 

[disneysfreakingprincess]

Seconding amm3 as well. It's never personal, and it always has to do with protecting the community. I think it's safe to say that regardless of anyone's opinions of certain members here we will always help out fellow collectors. I'm sure it seems cliquish but unfortunately the scalper market has really forced it to be that way. The best suggestion I have for you is to become active here - even if for a time. I used to be mega active on here but have been much less so in the past year, but I like to think that activity is enough to let people recognize I'm a genuine collector. I know I've made some great friends on here, and that's another way. Sometimes you have.to put yourself out there (and as someone with anxiety disorder I understand that can be difficult), but I think you'll see that it pays off.

from the day that I could finally register myself (because last year it didn't work still a mystery) I am replying to people so I am trying to show myself here so people would see: oh there is another collector maybe we could trust this one someday. That's why i also used my tumblr name maybe someone would see that i am always asking things or sharing my opinion on the popular tumblr page from samantha but with the scalpers hate lately i think many new people to the forum like me were scared you guys who are here for a long long long time would think oh there is a scalper we totally going to ignore this person. I also have anxiety disorder so that's why i was freaking out when someone talked about me. not about me in person but what i posted.

 

[Frozen_Jane]

Okay, now I'm back online here's my thoughts about the dolls.

After seeing the video, I do like Wedding Cindy more, I think she resembles Lily James much more than Blue Cindy. However, I also agree that $25-300 would have been a fairer price. I sure hope Disney don't do the same with any (potential) Frozen Fever Elsa because as others have said, she is my only chance at an Elsa in her iconic style dress. I am so not paying $2k for SQ Elsa....


Alright so here was my Cindy experience!


THE FILM:

The movie released here in Dubai for early viewings on the 11th (release day was 12th) So I saw it on the 10th US time. I really enjoyed it. Some bits were surprising but overall I thought they did a really nice job. I liked Lily as Cinderella, and the sisters did a good job. It's funny that Sophie McShera and Lily James worked together on 'Downton Abbey' and now here. I think Sophie was the slightly better sister... Cate of course as always was excellent. Half the time she didn't even need words to be Tremaine. I did like that they explained WHY LT is the way she is... not just a b!tch for no reason...


The slippers.... oh my....:bowdown: if they ever work out a way to make those, I am IN! I am wondering if someone will work out a way to 3D print them....


THE DOLL:


So the next day I had a work trip and I would be in New York. Just so happened to be release day for the dolls.

We landed late on the 12th and I got to bed around 1am, I woke up at 6 and couldn't get back to sleep. I had thought maybe to check out the DS in Times Sq, to get a doll for someone in my collector group in case anybody missed out. I don't have DS store in Dubai, so I was interested to see how release goes in store.

I think I got to the store around 7:30am, and was 5th in line. The people before me obviously had done this before, with chairs and all that. At first I wondered if they were resellers, because no one really said much and everything, but I think everyone was just tired and it was cold. After awhile we started talking and I realised they were all also collecting. A group of friends I think.


One couple came up and asked if we were waiting for the dolls, I said yes. They were from France and had bought Wedding Cindy but wanted to know if she would be in store. They wished us luck and told me that at the time Wedding Cindy was still up on one of the European sites in case anyone there wanted to try for her.


The other people were really nice. And props to the supportive boyfriend who was being moral support! Haha!!! I am wondering AMM3 if you were there? (I was the Aussie girl, we talked about collecting and when we started/our fave dolls)


So they came and gave us the cards, soon after some guys lined up behind me, one was a collector who is also a drag queen and he shared some pics which was cool and the other turned out to be none other than the super awesome cosplayer J Hart Design! I totally fangirled! He told us how he's planning to make Cindy's blue dress and how much fabric is gonna need. I can't wait to see what he does with it, his work is just WOWWWWW!



Soon a CM came and told us, that the store would open and we would go upstairs and get our dolls in number order. They opened the store, did the key ceremony with a song sung to the tune of 'Little Town' from B&B... that was cute


Then we went up. I got my doll and noticed a crease in her box, I nicely explained that since the doll was not for me could I please check another one. I apologised for being picky but the CM was fine. Second doll was great. I picked her up and just wandered around the store for a bit. I sat down and watched Tarzan clips and spoke with a guy there about how it's sad Jane doesn't have any merch any more. Took a couple of pics of Cindy in her box. Then got the urge to check her number... and freaked out at the no COA!!!


I asked a CM and she said she thought it was behind the doll, but would check as they had gotten a memo. Sure enough it was there and my doll is #249!!!! I asked her how many dolls TS got and she said 17 (7 sold right at opening, and I saw 2 more go in the 15 minutes I was there) I also asked about Wedding Cindy and she said only ONE store in the US got them, whic was Glendale, CA as it is the original Disney Store. (Not sure if that is right since someone here sad two stores got her, but it makes sense)


I then walked around to see if there was anyhting else I wanted. Strongly resisted FF Elsa/Anna classics but may pick them up next week....


And stupid me TOTALLY forgot to go see the shoes and dress at Saks Fifth Avenue. I HOPE they are there when I go back on the 23rd.



I had also had Elsa and Anna shipped to me at my hotel and they arrived the day that I got there, but it was too late for me to collect them when Iarrived. So I went back from getting Cindy and collected Elsa. I will get Anna next week. My Elsa is perfect, no box issues although the outer shipper had gouges/dents in it. Phew! She is gorgeous and #385.


And in the end, Cindy won me over and has been added to my collection. I had to ship her home as no room in my case so she will be here in a few days. I love her slippers!!!


Sorry for the long posts, I am so excited I finally got to attend a release in person and that everyone in the line was so nice

 

[disneysfreakingprincess]

i agree with Selithiel and amm3 as well.

i remember commenting on the scalper proof and apologize if you found what i said to be offensive. it was not personal and i had no issue with you, just the concept of it. i still do. like i mentioned previously, one could very much fabricate a proof of a collection. now i would imagine scalpers not having a collection, but they might. or they claim to have one because they are in the process of reselling dolls or something.

what i'm saying is, there are so many variables. i don't know, the more ways i think about how that would work, the angrier i get. it's a very strange feeling and i can't explain it, haha!

i also agree with the whole "participate in the community" thing but even then, and not on this forum or anything, but i see people doing that in some other places just for the sole purpose of getting insider info and gaining trust of people. i mean, that would take a lot of time but i guess that pays off for them in the end somehow.

geez i sound very cynical.

again, sorry if you found what i said offensive.

I did not even know who it was till you posted this because once I read it i freaked out and removed it right away so I did not know who posted it. i was gone from the forum for a day or 2 because i was scared. (well I am only a child so ignore my overrated feelings) but i completely get why people would not trust me. maybe i was trying to hard to prove it right away. I know you would never try to hurt me in person. but well i felt like that and i knew it would not go away until i would write it off in the forum and i hoped the new people who also maybe were scared would maybe think: hey i am not alone because i've seen someone who also felt like this. I am going to be active on the forum

 

[disneysfreakingprincess]

Yeah, I completely agree with you as well. It's sad there's so much negativity surrounding all this. I collect dolls and so do because for some strange reason they bring me a lot of joy. I like to keep the hobby as a positive outlet since my life has had a lot of negativity lately (I'm sure I'm not alone in that). Although I understand people's frustration and the need to vent. I just think maybe some of it might be misdirected, and it may further discourage new members from posting. I really do like this forum as it makes doll collecting so much more fun when you're able to share it.

that is exactly how i felt the other day. it discouraged me to post anything or ask something. I think we need more magical positive news back into the forum :wavey: I am sorry that I am spamming this whole page D:

 

[Disneylover]

Talking to people about doll collecting as an adult can be difficult. My coworkers and friends think it's insane to spend that kind of money. My mom is super supportive and helps camp out in line for the dolls. I just started this to do something special with my daughter. We have talks each time we get a new doll about how these dolls are not to play with. She told me that when she grows up and they're hers that she will open them and play with them, since she doesn't want to be a mommy and give them to her daughter.

I feel feel the same way. I'm not an adult yet, but my parents aren't in to these dolls like I am. My mom could care less since she doesn't care for dolls, and she thinks I should spend my money on other things than dolls that she thinks will end up in the garbage. But she's supportive about it and she liked the aurora doll I got. My dad is much more supportive, but when I told them I was planning on getting Le Snow White, they didn't/wouldn't approve of me spending 1000+ on a doll. Anyways, they don't really mind since this thing is better than doing bad stuff like other teens my age.

 

[cambridge1066]

So I've sat back and listened for a while to the back-and-forth discussion about scalpers, which is pleasantly civil so far and full of fascinating debate about whether or not to let new people in on all the "inside information." Now that my anger at UPS has finally blown over (yay!) I feel I have two cents to add.

I would just like to point out to everyone (new and old collectors alike) that scalpers are not necessarily new people; it's wishful thinking to assume all scalpers must be new because there's no way they wouldn't have gotten caught if they'd been scalping for a year or more. I didn't have a great example of this ideology until last week. A "collector" who shall remain nameless has been very vocal on a particular FB group. Well, the day the newest wave of Frozen dolls came out he was furious that his order for an LE Anna was canceled and made the mistake of venting about it on the group. I guess he got it figured out because last night I saw his advertisement for that same doll for $260...on that same FB page. I know for a fact this person has been actively "collecting" for at least as long as I have (one year next month), and probably longer. Then there is another group full of veteran collectors called Disney Flea Market, which has all but endorsed scalping for as long as I'd been a member. Another incident relating to the newest wave of Frozen dolls happened the day the dolls were released in-store and before the online release on that page when a scalper tried to sell the whole set for $800. When a group of people immediately commented about how completely inappropriate it was to want that much for the dolls before they finished selling at retail, the admins deleted all of their comments. Then they came back with a pinned post saying they would ban anyone who created "unnecessary drama" before the actual release, and then commented back and forth literally for hours about how ridiculous it was for anybody to complain about the scalper's prices in the first place. I know plenty of well-respected, high up collectors on that page who scalp frequently and are never maligned by anyone for it because of how long they have been "collecting." Needless to say, I am no longer a visitor to their page.

So that said, I don't think scalping should have much of anything to do with collecting experience; they are not one and the same, and a person on this page should not automatically be trusted just by their join date or the size of their collection. It's true that it's a huge factor in determining who might be a scalper, but it's not the only factor. I have four LE dolls, including two that are on their way to me, and I'm sure that most people here have more than that if not entire sets of Disney LE dolls. But I am no scalper and buy only the dolls I want for my collection to begin with, since I don't want all the characters or want to hold off in the hopes of buying earlier ones.

But on the flip side, I think newer collectors, including myself, HAVE to understand that it's perfectly logical for veteran collectors to be suspicious of us at first. I would say why, but most of them have already said it so perfectly I don't see the need. I also agree that discussion, particularly about the non-financial details of the dolls such as whether or not the Cinderella dolls really look like Lily James (the jury's still out on that one, lol), what costumes they will pick for upcoming dolls, whether there will be more Harrods sets, etc. is a great indicator of who's really interested in the dolls for their intended purpose. And like veterans have already said, if you've been on the forum for a while AND contributed to the thread during non-release seasons that's really the best way for anyone to see if someone's a scalper or not. I too am suspicious of guests who lurk around the forum and read posts since at least one is probably on a reconnaissance mission for eBay at any one time, but at the end of the day I don't think it's right to be overly paranoid and hide information to the point where most of us are in the dark. It's great to talk to a group of people who share this love of Disney and the LE dolls, and I absolutely love reading discussions here so long as they are polite, which they are 95% of the time. I'd hate to see the strong community feeling of this thread be ruined because of scalper paranoia.

I am sorry if this came out as babble, since it is rather long-winded now that I've read it over to myself! But really, on a personal level I have felt very welcome here on the forum and look forward to future discussions with all of you, whether you joined this morning or have been collecting since the beginning.

 

[Matthewlondon]

Been so poorly last few days but excited for Elsa and ball gown Cinderella to arriveAll ready have the Anna and love her, think Cinderella is my favourite based on pictures of the new dolls, I just love her box! I think Cinderellas box and Maleficent's box are my favourites from the line up.
I have just seen Frozen Fever, and wasn't keen on the green dress in pictures but in the short it looked stunning! I need a LE Frozen Fever Elsa. What do you think chances are of getting a Frozen Fever Elsa this year are? Also do you think maybe they will do a designer Elsa doll based on the snow queen dress.

 

[Frozen_Jane]

^^^^^ This. I see some of the same names cropping up on 'collector' groups 'begging' for dolls they 'sadly; missed out on only to see that same person selling that very doll in another group/page.... like they think we don't all join many groups not just one. That's why I'm glad I have my 'no scalpers allowed' trusted collector group on FB.... we get dolls for each other....

 

[cambridge1066]

What do you think chances are of getting a Frozen Fever Elsa this year are? Also do you think maybe they will do a designer Elsa doll based on the snow queen dress.

There is a 116% chance of LE Frozen Fever dolls, in my opinion. The ideal time would be whenever the short comes out as a bonus feature for a feature film (probably Cinderella, since that is the one it accompanies in theaters), but it could also just be any old time thanks to the seemingly random timing of the newest Frozen dolls. The other day I actually heard their announcements were to commemorate Valentine's Day, but that doesn't explain the withdrawn Regal Elsa or the fact that they were released in March.

Oh, and while I'm not as interested in Designer dolls as I am in the 17'' sets, a lot of people are predicting that Elsa will be the D23 exclusive doll this year. If she is, I imagine she'll wear her snow queen dress.

 

[jerzeegirl3]

Been so poorly last few days but excited for Elsa and ball gown Cinderella to arriveAll ready have the Anna and love her, think Cinderella is my favourite based on pictures of the new dolls, I just love her box! I think Cinderellas box and Maleficent's box are my favourites from the line up.
I have just seen Frozen Fever, and wasn't keen on the green dress in pictures but in the short it looked stunning! I need a LE Frozen Fever Elsa. What do you think chances are of getting a Frozen Fever Elsa this year are? Also do you think maybe they will do a designer Elsa doll based on the snow queen dress.

I'm glad to hear someone liking Cindy's box. I actually love it in person and was so surprised by the tie in the back.

If I had to complain about ball gown Cindy, it would be that her neck is really long and skinny, making it a little odd, and just too much glitter on the chest.

 

[rabbitunderground]

I did not even know who it was till you posted this because once I read it i freaked out and removed it right away so I did not know who posted it. i was gone from the forum for a day or 2 because i was scared. (well I am only a child so ignore my overrated feelings) but i completely get why people would not trust me. maybe i was trying to hard to prove it right away. I know you would never try to hurt me in person. but well i felt like that and i knew it would not go away until i would write it off in the forum and i hoped the new people who also maybe were scared would maybe think: hey i am not alone because i've seen someone who also felt like this. I am going to be active on the forum

again, i apologize if you felt offended and unwelcomed. perhaps i could have worded things differently and i certainly didn't type it with
malice in mind but i still stand by what i said. and it wasn't even directed at you but more of the some comments that arose from scalper proof and how to prove that. i think it was comment #2343 or something.

 

[rabbitunderground]

I'm glad to hear someone liking Cindy's box. I actually love it in person and was so surprised by the tie in the back.

If I had to complain about ball gown Cindy, it would be that her neck is really long and skinny, making it a little odd, and just too much glitter on the chest.

i second this. i also have an issue with her top ribbon that makes it look like a lunch box but i just taped the access ribbon to the side to make it flat. haha!

 

[amm3]

The other people were really nice. And props to the supportive boyfriend who was being moral support! Haha!!! I am wondering AMM3 if you were there? (I was the Aussie girl, we talked about collecting and when we started/our fave dolls)

Hahaha! Yes that was me! I started reading your post and realized you were the person behind us. Lol the chairs... we finally got wise and started bringing a chair a few releases back. It makes such a huge difference if you're standing there for several hours. It was so nice to meet you and so awesome to meet someone from the forum.

I thought my COA was missing too. I had a little mini freakout at home until I figured out where it was.

And I definitely think you made the right decision to keep Cindy for yourself!

 

[LMB925]

Contrary to some posts I've seen here, these dolls do cost real money to produce. After the prototype work is done in California, there is a significant amount of work on each of these that can only be done carefully by hand, one stitch or rhinestone at a time. Making a line bigger is not simply waving a wand and making it so.
Additionally, as anyone who owns more than a few of these can attest, these dolls take up space. Increasing an edition size or sitting on unsold dolls is going to be difficult to accommodate.

In looking at how Disney has experimented with edition sizes over the years, it seems pretty clear that numbers aren't fixed and they're kind of constantly experimenting, but the high edition size of Wedding Rapunzel isn't necessarily the answer.

You bring up a very good point. I often find it confusing people think the dolls cost next to nothing to produce. Sure, the materials may not be that much, but there is a lot that goes into making them, a lot of people getting a cut, and there's a lot of expense. It's like when people complain Starbucks is a rip off for charging $5 for a cup of coffee that could make at home for less than a $1. It's not the same at all. You buy more the than product, and the company still needs a profit on top of their expenses of running the business that includes all kinds of insurances, leases, taxes, payroll, advertising, utilities, supplies, etc...

Yeah, I don't get what they were thinking with wedding Rapunzel. It seems kind of obvious to me she wouldn't be that popular just on my niece's reaction. If they put her in a blonde wig I think it would be different, but not accurate to the story. I also don't get what they were thinking with this wedding Cinderella.

I do still think Disney can still make a hefty profit on these if they make more. I think their analysts can fairly well predict which dolls will do better than others at this point. That's why there are fewer male dolls. I'm sure they're still working it all out, but I think if they cared about the consumers they would make more, but they are business and have reasons for doing what they do that is in their best interest,not ours. That's understandable, and businesses exist to make profit, not take risks. There's a lot of ways of looking at this and going about it. I'm judging the situation on my overall doll collecting experience. To me it seems crazy how quickly these sell out and I think it's sad when people that would truly appreciate the dolls don't even have a chance to get them, and are saddened to such extremes. I love the dolls in general and actually think Disney could charge a lot more than they do. I compare them to dolls that go retail for $200 to $400, and find them better. Of course, that's apples to oranges as no other company strictly focused on doll making can compare to a big company like Disney. It's just most companies are happy to have an LE doll sell out within 6 months and they make a good profit at that. Disney does a phenomenal job on these dolls and they are only going to gain attention.

I wish Disney would explore other options so people weren't so upset and taken advantage of by scalpers. There's the option of a limited time pre-order without a fixed number assigned. I've seen that work well for small doll companies. I also really would like them do a second run on some of the dolls, just change them up a little bit. I know that would royally tick some people off, but overall more people would be happy. I'd love SQ Elsa, but $2k is not something I am willing to do. It'd be cool if they even varied the design a bit by changing size or changing packaging. I personally don't care these are LE. I just really like the dolls. I buy mass produced dolls to runs of less than 100.