I've never been to a store on release day since I'd have to take off work and drive about an hour to get to my nearest store and the possibility of walking away with nothing after doing that made it seem not worth it. I decided I'd risk it for the Frozen dolls, though. Too many things can go wrong online. I forgot about it being a Tsum Tsum release day. Now, I'm not so sure I can handle it. I'm also trying to figure out which Disney store to go to. There are three really close to each other around the Tampa Bay area from which I have to pick. I honestly don't mind paying a reasonable mark up on Ebay to avoid all that, but I know the mark up on these dolls will not be at all reasonable.
I really love the Disney collectible dolls, but buying them is such an awful experience. Seriously, it takes so much fun out of the doll hobby. It wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't such a panic about never being able to afford them on the after market if you don't get them when they are released. I feel bad complaining about it since it's not like they are a necessity and I'm lucky to be able to buy the ones I can get, but still, I just have a knot in stomach about it and these are the only dolls I collect that make me fantasize about giving up the hobby all together every time one is released. There have been so many this year too, and so much disappointment with the low number LE's.