Customer Reviews

Barbie: Wee 3 Friends - Party Doll Set

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In the fight over Bratz vs My Scene vs Barbie vs ??? Mattel has finally made a doll (3 to be correct!) that is cute and fun... and appropriate for younger children.
I'm an adult fashion doll collector, and I personally like the Barbie lines of dolls (from my childhood 70's Barbies to the My Scene dolls and all the variations in between). I've seen the Wee 3 Friends at Toys R Us many times, but passed them right by because they weren't "my type". I was sort of interested, but I wasn't going to waste $20 on dolls that would just end up in a box somewhere. That all changed this last week when I got the "Party, Party, Party!" set on sale at TRU for $10. As I was de-boxing them, I thought, "Jeez, if they had named Lila "Whitney", this would be the same set of friends as Barbie's little sister Stacie!". The `original' Stacie is blonde, Janet is African American, and Whitney is red-headed. I had NO CLUE this WAS Barbie's little sister Stacie in a different format. (For those who are disappointed that Stacie has gotten bigger, you can still find her in "original size" on eBay or in the Lily Pulitzer Barbie & Stacie Gift Set for $50).
I give this set of dolls 5 STARS because I think it's a great idea, and gives parents a choice. When they want to buy a fashion doll for a child, many parents are avoiding Barbie & Bratz. Some feel that traditional Barbie isn't "young" enough; others feel the sexuality & materialistic aspects of BOTH My Scene & Bratz are just too far out for younger, developing minds. (Adult collectors are a different story because most can tell the difference between reality & fantasy). So, where does that leave parents who want their kids to have "safe" toys when the children are crying for Barbie or Bratz (or other fashion dolls)?
Unlike Bratz and My Scene, these dolls don't come with an agenda, they don't spend their time chasing (or "crushing on") boys, and they aren't worried about how many clothes are in their closet (though many people have complained about not enough clothing... see end of this review for how to find more clothes that fit perfectly).
The clothes that come in these sets are adorable, the accessories are aplenty and the hair (on Lila & Janet) is so soft & silky! (Stacie's hair in this set is wavy & sewn to her clothing, so I haven't really done anything with it to know if it's "brushable" or not). Their faces are so cute- just like happy little girls should be when `hanging' with their best friends. The carrying case was a nice bonus, too :D
These WEE 3 FRIENDS, I believe, are ideal for younger people (boys & girls) to have `pretend play' with!
Not only does the child get 3 dolls (great to promote sharing & playing "nice" with others- and a great buy for the parents), but they are also ethnically different. Sure, they might have the same face & body mold, but with some color in the plastic, different color & styles of hair, & paint on the face, "ta-da!", three different girls. With the way the body is designed, I think it's actually easier for smaller hands to dress the dolls. And after reading the other 30+ reviews, I see that girls as old as 13 are having fun playing with these dolls. As for the size difference, who says you or your child has to "pretend" that these girls are 8 instead of 11? That's the beauty of playing with dolls. You use your imagination. I thought that the review by the girl in Nova Scotia was brilliant... she showed what playing with dolls is all about- imagination.
I think that Mattel FINALLY found a nice middle ground for younger doll lovers (and some of us older ones, too). The fact that they keep the price range decent is a big plus, as well. I hope that this line does not die out, but rather gains a following (which drives up sales, thus giving Mattel a reason to keep the line going). If Mattel were to release clothing sets and more playsets, I think the chances of this line's survival would be much greater. I just noticed the one playset (Splash! Splash! Splash!) before writing this review... I might have to buy that one!
As for finding MORE CLOTHING for your Wee 3 Friends, here's a little secret that I don't think anyone has brought up: The body is the same as a 90's Mattel doll called "What's Her Face" or "1000 Faces". You can find clothing, accessories, even wigs at Big Lots for about $3-$5 a pack. Or, you can buy clothing (or full boxed doll sets) on eBay. It's the exact same body style. The Wee 3 Friends heads are larger, so I doubt the wigs will fit... the wigs DO fit My Scene dolls, though. I have 4 nude What's-Her-Face dolls in a box somewhere... and their clothing is in the carrying case with my new dollies, Wee 3 Friends :D
I think for Christmas this year, my 6-year-old niece will be getting a set of Wee 3 Friends instead of Barbies for a change. I'll let her decide which is better for a little girl :D
I hope this review has been helpful for you, and doesn't just come off as a My Scene & Bratz "bashing" rant. >^..^<

These dolls are a big hit!

Each doll has her own accessories, including a cute little puppy. The carrying cases are each in a different color, and this makes it easy keep track of who has what, and is great to store and tote the dolls around.

The little girls I know that received one of these sets as a gift at Christmas were more than a little excited. Each doll is named, well made, and a delight to play with.

Since I love dolls, I really enjoyed playing with both of my little friends (ages 4 and 6) at Christmas. The dolls in all three sets are the same, but different because of what they are doing -- parting, dancing, or ice skating.

This is a wonderful set and the price can't be beat.

My daughter, 7, *loves* this set of dolls. She's really into "birthdays" and this gift was a big winner. There are lots of little pieces to lose, but the dolls are cute, and she loves them. The carry case is a great idea to keep all those little bits together. I like seeing the diversity, too, but more wouldn't be a bad thing. My only complaint is that the dolls' outfits are a bit brief for little girls who are supposed to be 8 years old. These are nice (mostly) age-appropriate dolls for little girls; a vast improvement over "My Scene" and "Bratz."

After having been a Barbie kid my self, I thought it was about time that Matel made great strides and creating the late '90's (to present) Barbie to fit the actual curves of a woman. I have Barbie clothes from the '80's and the clothes do not fit the newer barbies. Newer Barbie has breast size diferences and and a bigger butt. I also think that it's great that Matel has expanded their creativity and created more themed Barbies. My daughter especially enjoys the Wee Three Friends. She wanted those ugly Brazt doll. I told her that she could have a "Barbie" type doll when Barbie came out with one that suited her 4 year old imagination. As we walked further down the toy isle... I found my self buying the swiming pool & Wee Three Splash friends. I did think that they were teens, but I think that Barbie's sister should be made into a teen and not an eight year old stereo type doll. Some MOTHERS should get a grip and be thankfull their daughters want the Wee Three Friends and not some Ugly Bratz doll that represents promiscuousness and it's just plain ugly.

Finallly, a revolutionary breakthrough in the age-appropriateness and durability of our dolls! These girls only have tiny breasts, like the ones I had when I was eight or nine, so I don't see the point of complaining. Children don't stay children forever, so accept that! These dolls are very stable and durable, and unlike "BRATS", they actually have feet. Their shoes are big and fit on better, so you can't lose their shoes so easily. They don't look anorexic and they feature a dazzling, friendly smile, and they actually speak of friendship, unlike "Bratz" or "My Scene". They also come with a sweet carrying case, so you won't lose them so easily, and also three cute little pets with three dolls! Three times the fun! These dolls weren't meant to be placed in a Barbie van, so don't try! These dolls are the best! I will have no "Bratz" in my house, but I will have these little ones!

I bought Wee 3 Friends Playing In the Snow scene for my daughter's fourth birthday. She and my five year old son (much to my husband's horror!) have been having a wonderful time pretending with these dolls. I like the dolls because they convey innocent playtime that is appropriate for children. I did not realize until I read other reviews that one of the dolls is supposed to be Barbie's EIGHT year old sister! I thought these dolls were maybe thirteen or fourteen because they have training bra size boobs and curves. I wish Mattel would make different clothing and assessories available. Don't they know that the number one reason little girls like to play with dolls is to comb their hair and change their clothes? The children and I have problems with the dolls being so stiff because the legs do not bend at the knee and the arms do not bend at the elbow plus they barely bend at the waist. My daughter spent twenty minutes or more stuffing two of the dolls into the front seat of her Barbie's Ford Escape! She has the third doll standing on the back seat hanging out of the sunroof! My son says they are pretending they are in a parade! Great dolls that could stand some improvement.

Don't worry about the photo. The dolls come with a lot more than just that. There's plastic bottles; cameras - a lot more than what the photo shows.
The dolls are very strong. They have feet, and they stand up alone. They have an excellent friendship theme. Amd they are not anorexic.
The dolls are fun. I like them better than bratz.

I agree with all that has been already said about the changing outfits and the great bag to keep them in. The outfits could be more age approprate for the young girls though. My daughter has had tons of fun putting on shows for us between the three girls, ice scating, singing, dancing, ect. The only reason I looked on here was to see if they could get in the bathtub and get wet. One comes with a bathing suit and my daughter insists they can get in the pool and the tub!! No one has brought that up yet. The price is awewome as well as the porportion sizes compaired to Barbies!!! I absolutely LOVE these dolls. If I have another child, I'll never get another "barbie with the impossible figure, I will get these 3 friends!! I 'm glad Barbie had a hand in making them so they did finally get what all of us mom's were talking about. :)
If you are considering this purschase, I really don't think you can go wrong!! :) My daughter wants to collect them all now.
Good Luck!!

I was thrilled to find this set of dolls at my local toy store. It is an adorable set of ethnically diverse dolls. I must admit that they seem a little big to play as Barbie's 8 year old sister, but I think that they are most appropriate to be played with on their own or with one of the other Wee 3 Friends Sets. I like that they have the fun clothes and accessories with out lots of make-up. (I have never been comfortable with the Bratz Dolls, and I think that this is certainly a nice alternative.) I am looking forward to giving these to my daughter for her 4th birthday.

Thank Goodness somebody realized that sometimes you actually buy dolls for girls, not 40 year old women reliving their childhoods! The hypersexualized features on the Bratz dolls weren't appropriate for the 4 year old and the living to shop "my scene" life wasn't the message I wanted send either. These dolls are tweeners and my daughter loves to make up adventures about going to school and playing together. I have to agree with the other reviews in hoping Mattel extends the brand to more clothes and adventures- without having to add more dolls. I should also note that we spent the money for a "Hopscotch Hill School" doll and my daughter likes this just as much and I don't worry about her destroying a $50+ doll. Yes, Mattel now owns American Girl Co. too.