Barbie Fantasy Tales - Enchanted Castle with Twirling Musical Dance Stand and Transforming Rooms

by Mattel

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 6.8 pounds
• ASIN: B0002A5J04
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,555 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com

It's more of a fancy doll cottage than a castle, but I suppose no matter how compact, only a castle can pull off pointed spires, pink walls, a moving, music-playing ballroom floor, and inhabitants (Barbie and Kelly being two of them) dressed in gossamer and glitter. Inside, castle status is confirmed, as there's a lot of royal stuff to play with: a fireplace with grate, a canopied bed that doubles as a luxurious bath, a well-accessorized vanity, a fold-down mirror becomes an extravagant dining table, and lots of hidden storage compartments that can only be opened by Barbie's bluebird key. Some parental construction is required. Choking Hazard: small parts. Not for children under 3 years.--Diane Beal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mini-Castle for a Princess on the go, November 24, 2004

By 

S. Lejeune "Doll Addict" (Baton Rouge, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Barbie Fantasy Tales - Enchanted Castle with Twirling Musical Dance Stand and Transforming Rooms (Toy)

I rated this 4 stars for educational value because my daughter is learning how all the pieces have to go in order to close it properly and the "dance floor" plays Tchaikivsky's Swan Lake. I am also letting her find all the secret hiding places that the bluebird keys unlock. She uses her imagination a lot when playing with this set. She has no Kelly dolls so the little bed is for the tiny stuffed Lila unicorn that came with the Swan Lake tea set doll---works great. A miniature teddy bear would work too. The bed canopy falls over a lot, but can be moved out of the way when the princess takes a bath. Best of all, it closes up tight and has a handle. Takes up very little room. The big pink chairs don't fit inside though, so they live in the box with the Barbie dolls. The "dance floor" thing looks kind of like a mirror with wheels, but I like that it works without the batteries. The batteries just make the Swan Lake music play.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Really cut, but not very durable, April 24, 2005

By 

G. McCarthy (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Barbie Fantasy Tales - Enchanted Castle with Twirling Musical Dance Stand and Transforming Rooms (Toy)

I really wanted to give this castle 5 stars, but it just isn't made very well.

My 5 year old daughter received this castle from Santa. We have a small house, and I liked that the castle had an eating area, vanity, Barbie canopy bed, small bed and bathtub, yet still closes up compactly. It took a LOT of time to set up on Christmas eve. There are a bunch of pieces and stickers to put in place. 4 of us worked on it for about 2 hours. We finally figured everything out, but I didn't think that the instructions were very clear. In fact, there was one hiding place (the clock) that we never figured out how to open.

Christmas morning, my daughter was ecstatic! She is very into Barbies and princess, and she had a grand time with the castle. Of course, in short order, SHE discovered how to find the hiding place in the clock! I guess that's why this is marketed to little girls.

She has been playing with the castle steadily (but not roughly) for 4 months now, and it just isn't holding up. The little Kelly bed has broken off, and the canopy/footboard has broken. I was able to glue the canopy/footboard so that it is still usable, but the Kelly bed is now a stand-alone item.

My daughter would rate this castle highly, because she loves playing with it. Her Barbies and "dollhouse friends" (Little People sized dolls) all live in the castle, and really, how could a princess-girl resist it? But I have to rate it a little bit lower, since I expected it to hold up better.

Bottom line - It's a pretty neat castle for $35, but it doesn't give you value in the long run.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the price, December 29, 2004

By 

Nancy T. Anulare "jkbgmom" (New Baltimore, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Barbie Fantasy Tales - Enchanted Castle with Twirling Musical Dance Stand and Transforming Rooms (Toy)

I checked out a few of the Barbie castles and homes, and thought for the money, this one looked cute. Many of the other ones are $90 and up! I figured for a 4 y/o who recently started playing with Barbies, I'd start out smaller and see how she likes it rather than spending so much on a huge castle or house.

I'd have to say, it was a good decision. It folds up so nicely, and provides just as much enjoyment for her. From what I can tell, the bigger sets are just that, bigger, but not much more to them and way too much money.

We are into princesses here, so this is just perfect. Enough space for a few Barbies, and 2 girls (or mom and daughter) to sit and play!