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Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses: Magical Dance Castle
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List Price: $79.99
Our Price: $29.95
Your Save: $ 50.04 ( 63% )
Recent Price Activity
Availability: N/A
 *Eligible orders over $25 ship free
Manufacturer: Mattel
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Amazon Maximum Age: 10
Manufacturer Maximum Age: 10
Amazon Minimum Age: 48
Batteries Included: 0
Batteries: 2
Binding: Toy
Brand: Mattel
EAN: 0027084358377
Feature: This enchanted castle offers full, 360-degree play
Is Autographed: 0
Is Fragile: 0
Is Memorabilia: 0
Label: Mattel
Manufacturer: Mattel
Manufacturer Minimum Age: 48
Model: J8916
Publisher: Mattel
Studio: Mattel
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Features
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This enchanted castle offers full, 360-degree play
Captures the fun of playing out the story where the 12 Princesses live
Complete with a bedroom and a dining area
A place where 3 Princesses can dance to music
The bed in the bedroom expands to sleep nine dolls, and a table converts into a bed for the triplets
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Editorial Reviews:
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In the DVD release, Barbie in The Twelve Dancing Princesses, the castle is the setting for the adaptation of Grimm's fairytale. This enchanted castle offers full, 360-degree play, and captures the fun of playing out the story where the 12 Princesses live in a "real" world as well as a "magical" world. On one side, there is a traditional castle environment, complete with a bedroom and a dining area. On the other side, it's a place where three Princesses can dance to music like they do in the story. The bed in the bedroom expands to sleep nine dolls, and a table converts into a bed for the triplets, too! Barbie dolls sold separately.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Shame on you Mattel!
Comment: Of all the Barbie Toys I've purchased, this is the biggest disappointment. The castle is flimsy, all the plastic is very thin. Mattel should be ashamed of themselves to rip off parents with this level of quality for $80. I share the other reviewers feelings that this product isn't even worth $30 due to its cheap parts. Alternate recommendation, buy the "Barbie Totally Real House". That's the type of construction and quality I know Mattel can produce, and it costs less than half the price of this Castle.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Made In China PIECE OF JUNK!
Comment: Mattel, you suck! According to Mattel, the product design and specifications are done in the U.S., which then gets sent to their overseas production. Not only is the QUALITY of materials and DURABILITY crappy, but the design and specifications for HOW the parts are supposed to work and fit together junk.
I would imagine that Mattel has to approve the design/fit/quality/etc. before mass production, so for the life of me, I cannot understand how they think this 'castle' meets the high standard of quality they claim to have. It is wobbly, many pieces fit too loosely together; like the headrails on the smaller beds that don't properly stay raised when you pull the up. In addition, it also lacks aesthetic charm. Sure, it's pink and somewhat princessy and the box gives you the illusion you're getting something nice, but aside from the cardboard mural that has the dancing pavilion and a bedroom scene on the other side--there's no other decoration. At the very least they could have included some stickers to simulate art on the walls or furniture or SOMETHING since the interior wall is so bare.
Overall, I've just noticed that with every new Barbie line, Mattel cuts one corner after another just to keep their shareholders happy. And since these "money-savers" are supposed to be subtle, people probably won't squak too much (insert big eye roll there). Even with their newest line, ISLAND PRINCESS, the dolls look cheaper, are slightly smaller in size (saves plastic and $$$, you know) and even the shoes aren't a proper fit anymore.
Well, Mattel you are probably right in thinking the average consumer won't notice too much and since no one else makes Barbie, it's take it or leave it and goodness knows we all 'take it'.
I for one notice and it's rubbish. I won't say I will never buy another Barbie product, however I will say I am most disappointed with Barbie and Mattel and right now, that greatly influences which brand of toys I will be buying in the near future--specifically this holiday season. I seriously doubt many if not all will be a Mattel product.
At least I didn't pay full price for this item, it was clearanced (under fourty dollars) at Toys 'R Us, if it wasn't for it being marked down, I wouldn't have bought it at all.
Customer Rating:
Summary: What a piece of garbage!
Comment: This is the first and only online review I've ever been inclined to write. I gave this Castle to my daughter for her fifth birthday after she begged me to buy it for her. That was yesterday morning. She loved it - but half a day later and the support beam has snapped off (broken and not repairable) and the staircase came off and the thing could no longer stand on its own. My daughter is generally not rough on her toys. When will I ever learn that most toys by Matel are of such cheap quality?! DO NOT BUY THIS JUNK!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Worth it- but only for less than half the price
Comment: I found this at an outlet store for 29.99. At that price I believe it is worth it.... but for this type of quality I would never pay 79.99. I agree with the other customers that yes, it is definitely cheaply made. I also think any princess castle or house is a burden to store unless it folds up nicely with enclosed space to store the extra parts inside. Most castles do- Cinderella, Princess & Pauper, Dora House, etc. The biggest drawback of the design is that it has to be reassembled every time you play and the parts seem like very random pieces to store. The material does feel very flimsy. It would also be nice to have just a little bit more of the song than 2 stanzas to keep hearing over and over again. For as incredible as the movie was, they definitely could've done a better job on the castle. All that aside though, My girls do love playing with it and I love it for the creativity. It is a very fun story to pretend play over and over again.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Barbie House
Comment: My granddaughter was delighted with this. (She was about 3yr. and 9 months when she got it. No dolls come with the house, but she substituted some that she already had. Parents reported that it was sturdy and seems to be of very nice quality. Thanks!
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