2014 Designer Dolls - Fairytale Collection Part II

Ok.. after a busy day, I am finally able to voice my opinion on this set!

-Cinderella: The prince looks NOTHING like his picture, but is so close to the actual movie. So that was weird. lol. Don't like how short his boots are, his pants are supposed to go over the boots, not the other way around. As for Cinderella, the dress was well executed, and it does justice to the classic dress. Her face is problematic for me, mainly because it doesn't seem like a face she would make. I loved the soft expression she had in the picture and I was hoping we'd get that instead of the typical and generic princess face. Her hair is.... I can't really say since we didn't picture of the other side of her head, but that one strand of hair is bothering me... the hair should have split even further from the middle.. It just shows a lot of her hair and where the hair starts and it looks off. 4/5

-Aurora and Prince Phillip: BIG BIG BIG Disappointment. Phillip: Looks nothing like him or the actual picture. I thought they should have kept his red collar out. He is fine.. But Briar Rose.. Man what a disappointment. Where do I even begin? The dress is horrible. Not only does the color clash with her shawl, it just doesn't work. The gem stones look weird, and the inner skirt doesn't look as good as it did in the picture. Her hair is alright.. I still don't understand why it's hard for them to get her fringe right.. And her face looks like a barbie, not good at all. but the biggest problem I have with this set is her collar. What is going on there? The lace doesn't look good, and it looks off. They should have given her the buttoned up collar from the movie. 3/5

Tiana and Naveen: No surprise, this is my least favorite of the set, mainly because it's nothing new. But it's surprisingly the closest to the actual art. I'll give the doll set a 4/5 because the set looks good, but Disney should have done something new with them. Naveen needs a new face mold Disney...

Pocahontas and John Smith: Another major disappointment. John smith looks like john smith. nothing new there. Pocahontas on the other hand.... is a mess, literally! There is soo much going on with her dress and it doesn't look good. The fringes were supposed to be thread thin.. not that thick.. The hairpiece is off. Its not as nice and it looks in the picture. The worst thing however, is her face. it looks NOTHING like her character. How do I say this... Her cheeks are fat? They're not as thing as they were in the movie. 3/5

Mulan and Shang: Mulan looks nothing like her character, but her dress is very well made and actually flows exactly like the picture. Shang is shang.. There really is nothing that makes him stand out. 4/5

Overall, this set is good, but it's not as good as it could have been.

One of my biggest complaints about the very first designer set was that it was too lazy (doll wise) and that there was not much going on. But this current set is the complete opposite. There is so much going on with each character that it just becomes an eyesore to me. Maybe it's because they shoved two detailed dolls in one tiny window. Once again, the pictures look nothing like the actual dolls. I'm starting to think that those designers should overlook the dolls because it's really sad when something amazing is executed mediocrity. It''s really a shame, because aside from Cinderella, none of the other dolls are worth the $130. :/

Ok, so my new rankings based on the dolls alone and no preference:
1. Cinderella
2. Tiana
3. Mulan
4. Briar Rose
5. Pocahontas

Originally I wanted to purchase Aurora, but now I'm not sure. Maybe I'll wait till more pictures are out.

Best looking doll is definitely Cinderella. Mulan looks great too. I think Pocahontas would have looked better without her hat.

Love Cinderella, but I dunno how I feel about Briar Rose. I think I might get her anyways and if I don't like her in person then I can sell her or something. Mulan and Pocahontas are pretty as well, but I'm just not liking them enough to warrant purchasing them. And Tiana's I'm not surprised about- I can never seem to like the face molds for her, it just doesn't capture her personality to me. I'll for sure get Cindy though, love her dress and her hair!

Mulan doesn't belong in this collection. Her movie did not revolve around a great love story. I find it such an odd choice. Perhaps they wanted a 10th couple to round out the collection and the only other option among the 11 official princesses (Merida) does not have a love interest. Mulan belongs in the Disney heroine category with Jane Porter, Esmeralda, Megara, Alice and others. She's not even royal for Pete's sake. I hate that she's been lumped in with the princesses.

That being said, this is the best Mulan doll that I have seen and since I love the character, I'll take it! I hope one day she's done up in her armor. It would be amazing.

One thing I love about Cinderella is that her hair looks closer to her real movie color of strawberry blonde -- I think it is the best color I've ever seen in a Cinderella doll, if the tones in the pictures are accurate. She's definitely the show-stopper of this year's series.

I like Aurora's face and the top part of her dress, but the skirt does look a bit off with the rhinestones and the multi-colored inner skirt. I agree that there is too much going on there.

freakabelle said:

Mulan doesn't belong in this collection. Her movie did not revolve around a great love story. I find it such an odd choice. Perhaps they wanted a 10th couple to round out the collection and the only other option among the 11 official princesses (Merida) does not have a love interest. Mulan belongs in the Disney heroine category with Jane Porter, Esmeralda, Megara, Alice and others. She's not even royal for Pete's sake. I hate that she's been lumped in with the princesses.

That being said, this is the best Mulan doll that I have seen and since I love the character, I'll take it! I hope one day she's done up in her armor. It would be amazing.

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Mulan is an original Disney princess so she belongs in the set moreso than the others you mentioned above. This whole Mulan being not being a princess is over used and old. Just accept that she is a princess in the Disney line up and move on. You may think that she doesn't belong in the set but can you imagine of they were to remove her from the set but include anyone else? There would be an outcry and people would play the whole racism card as they would have cut out the only Asian princess.

amm3 said:

One thing I love about Cinderella is that her hair looks closer to her real movie color of strawberry blonde -- I think it is the best color I've ever seen in a Cinderella doll, if the tones in the pictures are accurate. She's definitely the show-stopper of this year's series.

I like Aurora's face and the top part of her dress, but the skirt does look a bit off with the rhinestones and the multi-colored inner skirt. I agree that there is too much going on there.

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Agree with this 100% Love that they stuck with silvery blue tones for Cindy and didn't make her hair platinum coloured. Her dress is so pretty too- I like that they kept the top part sheer and floaty looking. Disappointed with the bottom of Aurora's dress though. I hate that strip down the middle, and the purple rhinestones near the top need to be removed. I wish they had kept it at a tea length skirt too and shown off her bare feet

I love the Cinderella doll and really like the Mulan set. I will probably choose one of those for my purchase (can't afford all of them - c'est la vie). I was disappointed in Briar Rose. Her artwork is beautiful; however the translation of the dress to the doll just doesn't work for me. The pattern of her underskirt almost looks like the wallpaper in my grandmother's house for crimony's sake. I will settle for the lithograph set and enjoy their beauty through the artwork. Keeping my fingers crossed to get Cinderella or Mulan!

This may have already been noticed, and I apologize if I am stealing someone's thunder… but the the slip cover says "Aurora" and the doll case says "Briar Rose." Think this was just a display error, or do you think this will be an oddity for the actual release?

Oooh, good eye Sunsprite! I wonder....

Something I just noticed which is quite nice about this set is that the princesses actually have "normal" eyelashes! XD No extra long lash at the end this time. *thumbs up*

Hm, I thought for sure I would want the Briar Rose set the most, but now I am really hesitant. Her dress looks kind of weird and Prince Phillip doesn't look like Prince Phillip. I like Cinderella's dress, but wish her face was different. I REALLY like Mulan and Pocahontas . . . I think they look the best out of all of this years couples. I am a little hesitant about John Smith, but I guess I will reserve my judgement until I see more photos. I thought Pocahontas would be on the bottom of my list, but I think she looks the best out of all of them. I was VERY excited to see these photos today

freakabelle said:

Mulan doesn't belong in this collection. Her movie did not revolve around a great love story. I find it such an odd choice. Perhaps they wanted a 10th couple to round out the collection and the only other option among the 11 official princesses (Merida) does not have a love interest. Mulan belongs in the Disney heroine category with Jane Porter, Esmeralda, Megara, Alice and others. She's not even royal for Pete's sake. I hate that she's been lumped in with the princesses.

That being said, this is the best Mulan doll that I have seen and since I love the character, I'll take it! I hope one day she's done up in her armor. It would be amazing.

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Actually Mulans story has EVERYTHING to do with love. It's the whole reason she joins the army - she loves her father. She loves Shang. They get married in the sequel . And her actions make her a princess. According to Disney.

im in love with Cinderella and Mulans doll set.

Will the whole set go on pre order soon ?

so it looks like the majority vote is Cinderella as the favorite and Mulan as a steady second.. Which has me worried about how likely I am to getting these 2 beauties.

So here is my two cents:
Cinderella set: The first one I was excited for as I adore Cinderella. Her dress is BEAUTIFUL and I love how the colour is not such a harsh blue like we always see it. It doesn't scream BLUE to me, it gives me a gentle silvery blue like it was suppose to be in the movie. The fabrics look beautiful, I adore her face mold, I like her mouth being open as it is (a lot of people elsewhere are complaining about the open mouth), I think her artwork is also my favorite. Cinderella is a must have for me!

Mulan set: I don't know what happened with her hair.. It just does not look like it matches the photo, and I'm not a BIG fan of the facemold but I like it. The dress looks BEAUTIFUL though and very different compared to the rest. This was my second pick of the set and now that I see some more pictures.. It's a hard MAYBE for me right now.. But I'm sure I'll give in and buy her.

Pocahontas set: dislike. I don't know, maybe because it's not a big poofy dress? Maybe I just find it weird they tried to exaggerate native wear, but she just doesn't seem glammed up enough to be part of this line. Though if you love pocahontas I'm sure this is perfect for you. I'll be passing on this one.

Tiana Set: HARSH dislike. I HATE that face mold. It just looks bad in my opinion. her cheeks look rather big and her lips look really big (I know it's an ethnic thing but it's big even for that doll), I don't like the facemold at all. The dress is.. Eh.. I've seen it before a hundred times and Disney is not being different, but they're just trying to embelish is. I don't like this set. I will be passing.

Aurora Set: That dress. Is. Hideous. I don't know about anyone else but I am thinking that the colour in the inner part of the dress with the outer of the dress just CLASH. They're fighting for your attention and it bothers me. I don't like the two fabrics together and it's just.. Bleh. The hair looks nice to me and I like her facemold, the dress looks a lot like Ariels but Ariels was executed better. I am on the fence about this set. Most likely a pass.

So over all I rate this:
Cinderella
Mulan
Auora
Pocahontas
Tiana

I want them all!

Cinderella is definitely my fave of the bunch, despite her being one of my least favorite princesses. Love her dress, it's gorgeous!
Think all the males look bad - especially Philipe and Charming.
Don't like Pocahontas' pose - it looks very stiff, compared to the others - though John Smith is probably one of the male dolls who looks most like the actual character (Shang is okay as well, I guess - the problem really lies with the princes).
Aurora is very pretty as well, maybe my second favorite of this set.
I'm excited about Mulan for the fact that she's Mulan and my all time favorite character, though not overly excited about the doll itself, though it could be worse. I think her dress will probably look nice up close.
Tiana's dress is nice, even though it's overused, but since they went with Mulan's matchmaker outfit, we'll get the same issue if they ever decide to make a 17" Mulan doll.

Still hope I'm able to get the whole set

I do really like all these and love all the artwork too! I like that Cinderella has her more accurate hair colour. Her dress looks high quality but it doesn't really scream Cinderella to me.
I think Aurora is very similar to Ariel from last year but I prefer Aurora and Phillip.
I might be in the minority but I love that flowered panel on her dress, so pretty. Although I wish the dress was shorter but can't complain as I also wished Ariel's was.
Super excited to get Briar Rose now and it's annoying that she is to be the last set released- longer wait for me

Ok I've been lurking for a while.. First post!

Before anything was announced, I really had my heart set on Briar Rose and Cindy but was pleasantly surprised by Mulan when the artworks were released.

Now with the new photos of close-up pics of the dolls' faces and the whole view of the dresses...

1) Briar Rose and Prince Phillip: Such a disappointment! This was suppose to be my #1 from this entire set and I don't think I want to get them anymore. I really liked her face albeit a little Barbie-esque but the dress is just plain awful. I see a cat's face on her corset.. The yellow portion of her dress looks cheap and the rhinestones are weirdly positioned. If you're going to embellish it, do it right or don't do it at all! Way different from the concept artwork. And Prince Phillip... I think someone put it best somewhere else - he looks like a boyband reject.lol

2) Mulan and Li Shang: I was really pleasantly surprised by the artwork and loved how truthful they were able to make the dolls to it! I love the bottom portion of her dress though it would've been nice if it had more folds to make it more flow-y. I'm still hoping her top shirt/sleeve part is not going to turn out to neon pink but rather blush salmon pink though. Shang does look a little plain and I wished they had done a little more details to his armour. But overall I like!

3) Cinderella and Prince Charming: I really wasn't sure about them when I saw the artwork and honestly still feels if-y about her hair from the close-up pics. But I do like what they've done with the dress and that the color is not true-blue but rather a silver-blue tone. Wish they had put Prince Charming in white like the movies too but thank goodness they didn't make the doll tanned like in the concept art!!

4) Tiana and Naveen: I actually liked what they've done with Tiana but Naveen's face just looks... awful to me. And I honestly haven't been a big fan of her green dress and kind of wish they would have done something different with her for once - say, the blue dress she had on at Charlotte's party? I would love to see her in that dress.

5) Pocahontas and John Smith: Oh man there is just so many things that are wrong with this. First of all, why is her face so huge?! I'm not sure if it's the angle but her head/face just look way off proportion-wise compared to the rest of her body. And the headpiece just looks messy and not as elegant as the concept art. And gee are they so lazy they couldn't give her a real necklace?? John Smith is.. well, John Smith but he looks exactly like the $10 classic dolls you can get at the Disney Stores. Not worth the $130 price tag.

Rating-wise:
1) Mulan
2) Cinderella
3) Tiana
4) Briar Rose
5) Pocahontas

I think I'll probably end up getting Cindy and Mulan and pass on the rest. Honestly I love Briar Rose's outfit but this was such a big disappointment - I think I'll get the deluxe singing doll set instead. Her dress definitely looks better in that one.

Like almost everyone else, Cinderella is my favorite of the group. She is just gorgeous. I love the detail on her bustle, the dance pose, her hair, and her expression. For me, she is followed by Pocahontas, Mulan, Briar Rose, and then Tiana. I think Tiana is lovely and definitely would welcome her over my current classic Tiana doll...Naveen just diminishes the set for me. There is just something about him...like his head is too small or Tiana's is too big. I don't know. Anyway, I love them all and am so excited now. I am even more excited because based on comments here, and on facebook, it doesn't look like people are all that excited about pre-ordering the whole set. Hopefully that means I have a good chance at pre-ordering the collection. Wishful thinking maybe because the eBayers of the world still exist, but still hopeful...

This series looks really good. Some hits and misses but overall I think they tried harder this time around making things work. Cinderella's dress looks great. I think Tiana's looks well done also. I'm glad to see they made efforts with Pocahontas and didn't leave her out.

So...

I was most excited about Aurora but I am bit disappointed. I love the rose embroidery in her bodice and skirt, I like her hair (it is not perfect but it looks very beautiful and most accurate hair I have seen in a Aurora doll), she is named Briar Rose in her case and… well it is not terrible but I had hoped more. Aurora´s face does not look good, I had hoped a more movie accurate face mold, I think I should be worried about her 17 inch version too now. I think the idea of rose patterned panel was nice but it looks cheap. I thought the panel was just going to be gold and maybe embroidery. I do not like the rhinestones much. Phillip does not really look like himself either. And I was going to mention before but in the concept arts there did not seem to be lace and I was happy about that. At least this lace is more on scale. I was planning to get her and Phillip I do not really know now. She does have good things about her but the 17 inch version should be coming too and I only own Elsa and Anna November dolls and they are perfect and I rather keep my collection perfect. I need to think about this…¨

I think Mulan and Shang are the best ones. I suspected they would be since they would be easier to execute but I hoped Aurora and Pocahontas would look great, they seemed to have potential. I do not like Pochontas much, she is my favorite princess and I would have gotten her if her face was right. I understand her dress is very difficult it would be too simple for this collection id it was movie accurate so I was prepared that it would not look very good.

Tiana looks nice and even tough Naveen does not look that much like himself he seems to have the best outfit of the princes. But I think the Tiana look a bit boring even tough they seems to have tried. I think they are the second best couple but I am not really consider getting them since I still have not seen the film ( know I should, in fact I just rented it but in the end I was too busy to watch it).

Cinderella and Charming look wonderful, the most beautiful and "fairytale" and most concept accurate but not themselves. I would not recognize either if I did not know these were them (well the Prince´s face looks pretty good but I do not know). Much better than the redesign Cinderella however so that was great. If I would get the whole collection they would look so wonderful and I would not mind them looking different. But I guess I like film accurate faces, dresses can look different especially since this is a fairytale theme and not 17 inch doll. But Cinderella just looks like Rapunzel her in my opinion.

Ranked

Mulan, Shang
Tiana, Naveen
Cinderella, Prince
Briar Rose, Phillip
Pocahontas, John Smith

Maybe I will change my mind about Aurora after more pictures, I wanted to love her. Perhaps I should get her and if I do not still like her try to trade her for Mulan or Rapunzel.

I can't wait for them to announce the dates for these! When the artwork came out I was excited for Tiana and pocohantas, now seeing them I kinda want them all! But that's not going to happen! So will try for tiana, pocohantas and at a long shot briar rose!

I should do my rankings too lol
1. Briar Rose and Phillip, she's absolutely perfect IMO the only negative is Phillip looks nothing like himself but overall love this set.

2.Mulan and Li Shang, really nice set. Lots of detail

3. Cinderella and Prince Charming- looks the most like the art work, love Cindys dress and hair colour but take away the name tag and I wouldn't no who she was. Would prefer her hair in a bun.

4. Tiana- Think she is very well done but Naveen! While he does look the most like himself he looks cheap like something Mattel would release. Wereas Phillip doesn't look like himself but at least he doesn't look cheap or ugly.

5.Pocahontas- I feel bad putting her last because it's really not her fault as their isn't much else you can do with her outfit but to me she's as perfect as can be.Just abit boring compared to the ones in big dress's.

I showed my mum and she didn't recognise Cinderella and thought Mulan looked awful and Aurora and Pochontas were the prettiest. It's funny how everyone has different favourites.

Im sad Aurora will be released last as it's a longer wait lol.

Regardless of my rankings I think all five of these are nicer than all of the first five( apart from Ariel maybe). Better posed, more detail. Less of the gaudy embroidery and lace cough belle and Snow White.

I am super excited for these! I cannot wait. I will be getting them all. Aurora and Cinderella are my faves in the set, but I think they all look fabulous! Bravo! I am so happy with Pocahontas, I think she looks so pretty and I love Tiana's face and Mulan's robe is exquisite. Love, love, love!

Matthewlondon said:

I showed my mum and she didn't recognise Cinderella and thought Mulan looked awful and Aurora and Pochontas were the prettiest. It's funny how everyone has different favourites.

Im sad Aurora will be released last as it's a longer wait lol.

Regardless of my rankings I think all five of these are nicer than all of the first five( apart from Ariel maybe). Better posed, more detail. Less of the gaudy embroidery and lace cough belle and Snow White.

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It's always interesting to see that there are so many different opinions on the very same (pictures of the) dolls.
Longer waiting means you have more time to put money aside for her

I lovvvveeee cinderella and Pocahontas!!! They are my 2 most wanted from the set!!!!