Besides the new Skipper releases that have come out sporadically for the last few years, I haven’t really looked forward to or hunted for many traditional play line Barbie’s. However, there are a few releases expected out in 2013 that I am looking forward to.
Last year, Mattel launched a fantastic little web series called ‘Life in the Dreamhouse’. It features Barbie, her sisters Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea (formally Kelly), friends Nikki, Raquelle, and Teresa, and boyfriends Ken and Ryan. I highly recommend checking out the web series because it’s full of tongue and cheek sort of references and really fun to watch. You can watch all three ‘seasons’ on YouTube.
At Toy Fair 2013, Mattel announced a doll line themed around the series. Due out around August of this year and priced around $16.00-$22.00, I’m really looking forward to this new line!
Life in the Dreamhouse Talking Barbie
These special edition Barbie and Raquelle dolls say key phrases from the web series. They’ll also record your own phrases and play them back in Barbie or Raquelle’s voice. It looks like these talking dolls aren’t jointed and may have the model arms (ie: arms that are permanently bent in positions). Of course, promo shots can be deceiving, so we won’t know for sure until August.
Life in the Dreamhouse Talking Raquelle
The basic dolls are super cute, as well! Just like the talking dolls, these have rooted eyelashes and a fun, animated faces. The friend assortment has Summer, Teresa, Midge, and Raquelle. Unlike the talking dolls, it looks like these dolls are jointed at their elbows, wrists, and knees.
Life in the Dreamhouse Basic Teresa
Life in the Dreamhouse Basic Midge
Life in the Dreamhouse Basic Raquelle
‘Life in the Dreamhouse’ Summer confuses me a bit. Summer isn’t in the web series. Nikki is and I see no mention of any Nikki doll on any information that came out of Toy Fair. I would have preferred a Nikki doll, personally, to a character that hasn’t appeared in the web series.
Life in the Dreamhouse Basic Summer
I find it interesting that there is no Ryan in the line. I understand not putting in the sisters or Ken because most of the dolls currently out do look like the cartoon character’s. Ryan, however, was introduced in the web series as Raquelle’s brother and really should have a doll.
Another thing I would love to see is a black and white Midge that looks like how we first met her in ‘Life in the Dreamhouse’.
Skipper and Horse
The other doll I’m excited about is a Skipper set. Many of the Skipper dolls as of late have been a bit repetitive. This new Skipper is part of the ‘Barbie and her Sisters: A Pony Tale’ line. Barbie’s horse is supposed to move on its own, but it looks like Skipper, Chelsea, and Stacie’s horses are stationary. You can see pictures of the other ‘Barbie and Sisters: A Pony Tale’ dolls here.
Update: Barbielea did some sleuthing and found out a Life in the Dreamhouse Nikki was, in fact, brought to Toy Fair. The mystery of why she isn’t mentioned in any of the official blurbs and has no official promo shot is still just that– a mystery–, however, here’s a picture. You’ll also notice a new Ken featured in this screen shot. Based on this screenshot, it looks like the talking barbie’s may not have molded elbow’s after all!
Nikki on far right, Ken on far left.
So, that’s what I’m excited about in the Barbie world. What are you excited about? What do you think of these dolls? Share your thoughts below!
