I'm guessing you're a new collector?
Here's 2015's release schedule:
17" Dolls:
March:
- Summer Anna
- Kristoff
- Regal Elsa
August/September:
- Teal Jasmine
- Red Jasmine
- Aladdin
- Jafar
- Jasmine/Aladdin Platinum Set
November:
- Frozen Fever Elsa
- Frozen Fever Anna
Designer Dolls:
- Snow White/Hag
- Elsa/Hans
- Elsa/Hans (D23)
- Pan/Hook
- Rapunzel/Gothel
- Ariel Ursula
So in total, Disney released 16 dolls last year.
If we go by years:
2014: 12 dolls
2015: 16 dolls
2016: 11 dolls
Honestly.... Just by observation, i would say money isn't the issue with most of the collectors. If they want something, they'll figure out a way to pay for it. I know some people do care about the budget, but the majority favor the doll over the budget.
Also, it has been over a month since we placed the orders for the Beauty and the Beast dolls, so they spaced them out quite well compared to last year's releases. Last year's releases immediately sold out within the hour (save for a couple I think). And a tentpole character like Cinderella should never last more than the hour mark. That in of itself shows how poorly this line is being received. Also, as a lot of people have mentioned, the chances of them getting the platinum set is very slim, so they're not even gonna try and also, a lot don't think the doll is worth the $750. And again, Aladdin came out last year with a platinum set and that didn't change the spending pattern.
Also take into account the lack of merchandise this year. Art of Belle barely got any good merchandise and they didn't release any designer merchandise, especially the pins and the lithos. So that's a lot of money that collectors would have saved and spent on the dolls.
Which leads me to my initial conclusion that interest is running low and Disney would be wise to cut the line. It's heading towards a dead end.
I'm not attacking you or anything, but I just thought I'd enlighten my side of the discussion.