Magical Merchandise: Disney American Girl Dolls

Happy Monday Friends!  It has been SO long since I've done a post about Disney merchandise.  Although I've saved photos of products here and there over the past year and a half, there's absolutely no way that I'll ever get "caught up" with them.  But I would like to get back into posting about merchandise more regularly.  So today I've made a special selection to get back into my Magical Merchandise Monday blog segment.

I believe I've briefly told you about my obsession with American Girl Dolls when I was younger.  Felicity was my absolute favorite, but I also had Samantha and a doll that looked like me.  I would spend hours pouring over the catalog when it arrived in the mail.  I always loved the little miniature foods and accessories.  Even as I grew older, my American Girl Dolls were very special to me, and I've taken extra care of them.

So you can imagine my surprise when one day, I opened my email inbox to discover that American Girl was making Disney Princess dolls!  It's like a dream come true!

In July of 2023, AG released three limited edition American Girl Doll Collector Series dolls to coincide with Disney's 100th anniversary celebration.  (I had every intention of posting about the dolls on here... and then a few weeks later my world came crashing down.)  The first three dolls released were Rapunzel, Belle and Jasmine.  Swarovski partnered with AG for the collector dolls and they had tons of sparkle and details on their outfits.  The dolls were limited to 4,000 of each design and they retailed for $300.

At the time, I remember thinking that $300 was a little more expensive than what I would want to spend on one of them.  But looking back, I wish I had splurged and gotten Rapunzel.  The intricate details on her dress are absolutely stunning!

But thankfully, I didn't totally miss out as this was only the beginning of the Disney and American Girl collaboration.  Since the original collector series, AG has also made more standard play dolls for little girls.  So when I saw these... I knew I had to get them.

In February of 2024, they released the first general dolls: Tiana, Ariel and Cinderella... along with other outfits and accessory packs (with sidekicks!) for each of them.

In July of 2024, they released limited edition versions of Anna and Elsa as part of their Frozen American Girl Doll Collector Series dolls.

In August 2024, I was pleased to see that Rapunzel was back, but it was a simpler version of the doll instead of the Swarovski collector design.  However, I didn't care because I knew she would be mine someday.  She also had accessories with her release.  The only disappointing part of her release is that Rapunzel didn't come with another dress option like the original three general dolls did.

Back in November they released Moana to coincide with the release of Moana 2 in theaters.  The doll is beautiful, but Pua and Hei Hei really steal the show!

And this was where I thought today's posts about new Disney American Girl Dolls was going to end... but I happened to check my email less than 5 minutes before I had this post scheduled to go live at 2:30 PM and they have literally just released a general Belle doll.  (Talk about some good timing!)  So after a few quick adjustments and additions to my post, here's what the Belle doll released today looks like!

Aren't these adorable?!?!?  I'm obsessed... and I'm confident that American Girl will be releasing more of the Disney Princesses as time passes.  I can't wait to see who is next and what other outfits, accessories and side kicks she'll have available!

The reason I picked this for my first Magical Merchandise Monday post back, is that I am now the very proud owner of two of these Disney dolls.  For Christmas this year, I asked Santa for a lot of smaller paints and crafting supplies... but my "big items" were Rapunzel and Cinderella.  So Christmas morning, I was transported back in time 30 years as I delicately opened Rapunzel (from my Mom) and Cinderella (from Jeremy).

The dolls are so beautiful.  I won't lie, even though I knew what they were when I was opening them, it still made me a little bit teary eyed.  It brought me back to being a kid and feeling all of the wonder when I first opened Felicity and Samantha.  And the two accessory packs I got took my breath away.  Rapunzel's little paint set is perfection, and Cinderella's pink dress tugged at my heartstrings.  That scene of the mice and birds making her pink dress will always remind me of my Nana.

It's safe the say that American Girl has knocked it out of the park on these Disney dolls.  I am so happy they have partnered with Disney to bring these dolls to the current generation of little girls... and to those of us "big girls" who are still young at heart.  °o°

All photos are from the American Girl website, their facebook page or from marketing emails they sent me.  For more information, please visit their website.  (I also used American Girl Fandom Wiki to research information in this post.)

Moana Merchandise

The other day, I told you how much I loved Disney's newest movie, Moana.  Of course, Eliot and I love our Disney collection, and I was more than willing to start adding some Moana merchandise to the mix!  Here are the Moana items we've gotten so far:

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Before the movie was even released, I bought a shirt from the Disney Store.  I was afraid they'd sell out of it shortly after the movie was released, and I originally planned to wear it to the movie.  We went straight to the movie after Thanksgiving, so I wasn't able to change into it, but I did wear it when Eliot and I went to see it the second time!

On the Saturday that we picked Sara up from the airport, I went to Hot Topic to get this bow. I'd seen it online and knew it was perfect to wear with my shirt!

Of course, I told you how Jeremy got me Pua and Hei Hei as my birthday gift.

After my birthday lunch, we went to the mall and found these Moana Pop Vinyl figures at FYE.  The store is closing and everything was 30% off, so I got all three of them!

I mentioned how both Elissa and I bought the Moana soundtrack on Black Friday during our trip down to Boston.  It's been in my car CD player nonstop since then.

I also mentioned getting a book at Barnes and Noble prior to that.  What I didn't tell you was that it was this Art of Moana book!  It was on the sale table for 50% off!  And, I ended up getting it for only $13.50 after using one of Sara's Black Friday coupons!

I saw this Moana ornament at Walmart when I was looking at ornaments for my Christmas ornament exchange.  I had to add her to our collection.

Then, when Eliot and I were at Hot Topic with Elissa the other day, I got these Moana socks in a moment of weakness.  (But they're super cute and Pua!!!)

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When the three of us went to Target, I found this Moana reusable bag for only $1.

I also found a few Pua Tsum Tsums.  Let's just say we left with 3- one for each of us.

Up until now, that's all the Moana stuff we've bought thus far.  However, I do plan on purchasing the rest of the Moana Tsum Tsum set.  Although, a few are already sold out, so I might willingly resort to going on eBay... I guess we'll see.

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Plus, I did put the new Moana dress from Hot Topic on my Christmas wish list... it's only a matter of time before Eliot and I add more items from the newest Disney princess to our growing Disney collection!  I hope you enjoyed seeing the merchandise we've found so far.  If you did, "what can I say except you're welcome."  °o°
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Moana Movie Review

It's time for me to ask the million dollar question: Have you seen Moana yet?!?!?!  Eliot and I went to see it with his sisters on Thanksgiving.  And it feels like I should have posted this the second after the movie ended.  I've been writing it in my head for a week and a half.  The movie was amazing.  I can't say enough good things about it.  If you haven't seen it, stop what you're doing and get yourself to a movie theater stat!

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Just when I thought Disney couldn't impress me anymore than they already have, they pulled another one out of the hat.  The storyline to Moana was beautiful.  And I can honestly say that I didn't see the ending coming.  I thought it was a beautiful mix of Disney storytelling with the Polynesian culture.  I was completely captivated the entire movie and I didn't check my phone for the time once.  And at the end, I wanted more.

Of course, the animation was impeccable as always.  (I can never say enough wonderful things about the Disney and Pixar animators!)  The scenery in this movie was just as stunning as the other movies I've seen.  However, there was another fun element that we haven't ever seen this much of before- the top of the ocean.  In Moana, the ocean was like another character itself.

There's a scene in the beginning of the movie with Moana as a toddler.  She goes into the ocean and it pulls up around her as if she's viewing the ocean life through an aquarium tank.  The sea turtle swims by and it's just breathtaking.  The white foam, sparkles on the water and countless shades of turquoise and blue are so lifelike; it's incredible.  (I love this scene!  I found the international trailer so you can see it too!)

It's not a Disney movie unless there are a few Easter eggs hidden throughout.  I figured there would be a few placed in the film so I made sure to pay attention.  While watching it, we saw Sven, Wreck-It-Ralph, and I think I even saw Rapunzel's magic flower at the end of the movie!  There was also a reference to Sebastian from The Little Mermaid if you stayed to watch the end of the credits!

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Finally, my favorite part of the entire movie was the music.  Before seeing it, I already had small snippets of "We Know The Way" stuck in my head.  Watching the trailer was all I needed to keeping humming along.  It was catchy, upbeat and fun.  I didn't buy the soundtrack before I saw the movie because I didn't want to ruin the movie, but as soon as I saw it, I wanted the soundtrack.  (Elissa and I both bought it on Black Friday.)

My absolute favorite song on the soundtrack is "How Far I'll Go" which is a song that Moana sings at the beginning of the movie.  (It's a beautiful song that is reminiscent of "Let It Go.")  Throughout the movie, there are a few rephrases, each more empowering than the last.  I've had it stuck in my head for days... and I'm very ok with that!  (Here's a music video of the version of "How Far I'll Go" sung at the end during the credits!)

Overall, the movie is beautiful, stunning, and pure Disney magic.  I love most Disney movies I see, but not all of them stir deep feelings within me.  I teared up a few times during the movie, which is normal for me.  (Toy Story 3 anyone?)  But, I've also teared up a few times simply by listening to the soundtrack.  Not every movie evokes that much emotion from me, so I know this one is a winner based on that fact alone.

In fact, Eliot and I are planning to go see it again tonight!  (I've literally been waiting all week for this; I wanted to see it again earlier this week but we've been too busy!)  I'm also contemplating how we might be able to get my parents, Jeremy and Nana to go see it while we're home for Christmas or over New Year's Eve weekend...

I welcome Moana to the Disney movie family with open arms.  I know it will become a classic and people will enjoy hearing her story for years to come.  °o°