My 2013 Disney Parks Mermaid Ariel 12'' Doll is compared to the previous version, the 2011 Disney Parks Mermaid Ariel doll side by side, both boxed and deboxed, in photos and in a written review. Here they are standing, supported by Kaiser doll stands.
The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel Doll has a few major changes from the 2011 Parks Mermaid Ariel Doll. She has the face and hair of the 2012 Disney Store Classic Ariel doll, which I find more attractive than the old Parks doll. She has the outfit and accessories of the old 2011 Parks doll, except that the tulle and organza overskirts have been removed. She has the body of the 2011 Parks dolls, with non-articulated arms, and rubber legs with internal knee joints and fixed angled feet. I find that the new Ariel is a more attractive and movie accurate doll. As with the old doll, the only glitter is on her shell bra, which doesn't shed. That makes the Parks doll definitely better as a play doll than the current Disney Store Ariel dolls.
Following is a detailed comparative review of the 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel Doll versus the 2011 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll. The review is divided in various physical categories.
Head and Face: The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same head and face as the 2012 Disney Store Classic Ariel doll, with a couple of minor differences. Her eyebrows are a little lighter, and the rouge on her cheeks applied more heavily. She has the same head and face mold as the 2011 Parks doll, but her face is painted very differently. Her big wide open blue green eyes are little bluer and brighter, her pupils are smaller, and more oval. She is also glancing severely to her right. The old doll was looking straight ahead, but glancing up slightly. She has a little silver eyeshadow, whereas the old doll has light pink eyeshadow. Both dolls have four eyelashes over each eye, but the new doll's lashes are much thicker and pointed more upwards. Her rusty brown eyebrows are longer and thicker. The new doll has a bit more rouge on her cheeks. She has a small straight now. She has a happy open mouthed smile, with light pink lips. The old doll has a wider mouth, with dark pink lips, and her mouth is more open. The new doll's face is prettier, livelier and more movie accurate.
Hair: The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same hair as the 2012 Disney Store Classic Ariel doll, but with some significant differences. Her bright red hair waist length is mostly straight, ending in gelled curls. It is parted on her right side (opposite to that of the movie character). To keep it out of her face, it is gelled around her forehead. There is also a portion that would normally be shaped into her iconic long curving bang (as on the 2011 Parks Ariel). Instead it is tied with a rubber band, and formed into a tubular curl, to which the starfish ornament is attached (which also happens to hide the rubber band). Her hair is considerable less full than the 2012 Disney Store Ariel, and more neatly arranged, flowing past her shoulders, rather than surrounding them. The 2011 doll has the same bright red color hair, but it is a couple of inches longer, and straighter, with only gentle soft curls at the ends. She has the proper part on her left side, with the very long stiff curly bang going across her forehead to fall down the right side of her face. Despite the part on the wrong side, and the lack of the curly bang, I think the 2013 doll has more attractive hair.
Outfit: The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same outfit as the 2011 Parks doll except for one major change. The floor length tulle and organza overskirt that was attached to the waist of her tail is now gone. I never cared for it, and I though it made Ariel appear like a Polynesian dancer, so I'm glad it was removed. Now Ariel looks like her normal Mermaid self. Her outfit consists of a tinseled and sequined dark green tail that is sparkly without having any glitter. There are fins at the waist and tail ends, made of glittering light green tulle. The tail fins are flat and hemmed, so they stay their shape whether she is standing or lying down. There is glitter in the fins, but it seems to bee embedded in the cloth so it doesn't shed. Her bra (or bikini top) is two layers. The base layer is green satin, that has a velcro fastener in the back, and a strap that ties behind the neck. Over the green bra is sewn a bright purple glitter covered cloth that is shaped like two clam shells.
Accessories: They 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same accessories as the 2011 Parks Ariel. They have a light purple hair brush with a blue green gemstone on the back. They also have a large 2 inch starfish shaped ornament in her hair, over the left side of her face. The starfish is made of green foil backed cloth and is iridescen. There is a large green gem at its center. The brush is useless for actually maintaining her hair, but the hair ornament is simple but very nice looking.
Body: Both the 2011 and 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel dolls have the same body. The arms are not articulated. The elbows and wrists are slightly bent in fixed positions. They have rubber legs which have internal knee joints and fixed angled feet. The hip joints allow them to sit down with their legs together and back straight up. But the knees can only bend about 40 degrees, so their legs stick out when they are sitting. In their tails, the dolls stand 11 3/4 inches tall. Their skin tone is medium flesh tone.
Packaging: The 2013 Parks doll box is now rectangular, at 13'' H x 7 1/4'' W x 2 1/2'' D. The back and bottom are of double thickness cardboard, to which the doll and accessories are attached. There is a clear plastic window attached to the backing via tabs, through which the doll can be viewed from 3 sides and the top. On the back is a current Disney Princess promotional image, with background scenes from Disney Parks specific to each Princess. The box is fairly easy to take apart without damaging it, and it is sturdy and reusable.
The 2011 Parks doll box is semi-cylindrical, which measures 13 3/4'' H x 7 1/4'' W x 4'' D, so it is considerably larger than the new doll boxes. The front of the box is clear plastic, that is semi-cylindrical, so the doll can be seen from all sides except the back. The top cover is also clear plastic, and is removable. The backing with the doll attached is a separate piece that is completely removable from the box, which is necessary to debox the doll. The deboxing is trickier than for DS dolls or the 2013 Parks dolls. The box is reusable, and is sturdier than the 2013 Parks doll box.
2013 Disney Parks 12'' Princess Dolls Released in Disneyland
Disneyland Resort Anaheim (DLR) finally has the new 2013 Disney Parks 12'' Princess Dolls, which have been available in Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World since May 2013. The are still priced at $19.95 each, which is basically twice the price of the equivalent Disney Store doll (which is frequently on sale for $10 each). They are a joint release by Disney Theme Parks Merchandise (USA) and EuroDisney (Disneyland Paris).
As of June 30, 2013, DLR had 7 of the 10 new dolls available: Cinderella, Aurora, Mermaid Ariel, Wedding Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and Rapunzel. Missing were the new Snow White, Tiana and Tinker Bell. All of the old versions of the dolls were still available. They were still selling the old (2012) Merida doll that was joint Disney Store and Disney Parks release. There hasn't been a new version released by Disney Parks so far. I bought them at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. The Emporium on Main Street in Disneyland had no Disney Parks Princess dolls for sale.
I will photograph them boxed, during deboxing and fully deboxed. They will also be reviewed and compared with other versions of the Disney Princess dolls.
