Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses: Magical Dance Castle

by Mattel

Product Features

• 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

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 32.1 x 16.3 inches ; 2.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 13.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000ELIXTU
• Item model number: J8916
• Manufacturer recommended age: 4 - 10 years
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,020 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Every princess needs a castle; a pack of a dozen princesses needs a truly fantastic one. Based on the "Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses" DVD (which is very loosely based on the Grimm’s fairy tale), this two-story fortress is equipped with enough glamour, sumptuousness, and secret passageways to satisfy the most fanciful of imaginations. Decked out with the standard (in royal circles, anyway) turrets and alcoves, the castle features sleeping space for all 12 princesses (one bed expands to sleep 9, and the dining table converts to a bed for the triplets), an upstairs vanity, eating area with table and chairs, and a staircase leading to a "hidden" door, behind which is a magical dance pavilion with a spinning surface. The sisters, whose strict aunt won’t allow dancing, can secretly dance to their heart’s content, accompanied by music. Girls who are deep in the throes of princess adoration will be over the moon when they see this two-sided playset. Princesses (and prince) are not included, nor are the two required "AA" batteries. --Emilie Coulter

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Princesses Castle, December 20, 2006

By 

princesses mom "princesses mom" (Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses: Magical Dance Castle (Toy)

I was lucky to find this castle on sale for 29.99. I don't think that I would have paid 79.99. However, the look on my daughter's face when she opened it was priceless. The assembly is not hard, but not much fun. I would recommend putting it together before Christmas and putting a bow on it, so your little princess can play right away.

My daughter's favorite part is the music and turning dance circle. Even though the castle is two-sided the only part in the castle that my daughter has played with is the dance circle. My daughter has played with the expandable bed more than anything. If the castle didn't play music I don't think my daughter would even play with it. I am glad I got this, but it really is not that well made.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Glad to see the markdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!, December 25, 2006

By 

Roger J. Moulin (Worcester, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses: Magical Dance Castle (Toy)

I did get this on sale, but not at this price, but it still may be overpriced. IT IS NOT VERY WELL MADE. The plastic is extremelly thin and when clipping pieces together they do not snap well. I actually broke two of the connections putting it together the first time. If you have thoughts of folding this down to store it, forget it. Put it together, find a spot to let the oversized dinosour live and hope your child plays with it.

My daughter wanted this, so of course, we got it. To be honest, she has enjoyed it. She doesn't mid that the stairs keep falling off and the door pops off the hinge every third time it opens. She has plenty of dolls to use in the castle (none are included).

As a parent and for the money I had much higher expectations for this toy. It is really big and takes up much floor space if you want to play on both sides of the castle. I need to aslo repeat that it is not very well made. There are better choices.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute toy that does not rely on cheap technology, December 27, 2006

By 

Richard E. Mudd IV "richardmudd" (Williamsburg VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses: Magical Dance Castle (Toy)

I have been very critical of Barbie toys, and my reviews reflect my dissapointments. I would have rated this with 5 stars but the quality of the parts is sub-par.

That said, I have found that my daughters have enjoyed the toy primarily because they rely on their imagination. The components all work and the battery requirement is light.... which is a tremendous improvement from other barbie toys.