Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Lottie from The Princess and the Frog are the newest Disney Designer Dolls, and both are part of the Dance Series. The limited-edition dolls are sold only on DisneyStore.com and at Disney Parks. Ariel arrives online Friday, October 23, and Lottie follows Friday, October 30. Lottie is already in stores at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Release dates: Ariel goes on sale October 23 at 8 a.m. Pacific on DisneyStore.com, then at select Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort shops starting October 26. Lottie goes on sale October 30 at 8 a.m. on DisneyStore.com. She is already at select shops in both parks, including Der Teddybär in the Germany pavilion at EPCOT.
Price: Disney did not post prices. Lottie is selling for $129.99 in the parks and is limited to 3,300 dolls. Ariel has been spotted at the same $129.99 price.
What is the Dance Series? Disney Designer Dolls give classic characters a high-fashion makeover, and every doll in a series shares one theme. This is the second year of the Dance Series, which is all about stage and dance. Product Design Manager Steve Thompson looked at vintage dance posters to give the artwork a theater feel. Last year’s Dance Series had Giselle, Belle, Esmeralda, Tinker Bell, Aurora and Mulan. Giselle sold out the day she launched.
Ariel: Designer J. Fuchs pictured what an underwater ballet would look like and landed on jellyfish. “Ariel would definitely have something with lots of shimmer and motion,” Fuchs said. Her gown has a mesh bodice, a sequined peplum, sheer organza skirt layers and curled metallic ribbon. Foiled bubbles are scattered across the dress, and she wears a metallic hair clip, drop earrings, gold chains and shiny wristbands.
Lottie: This is Lottie’s first Designer Doll, and Fuchs called her “a natural choice with that amazing dress and her flair for the dramatic.” She wears a big pink Southern belle ballgown made for a Mardi Gras parade, with satin layers, puffed organza sleeves and a tulle underskirt. She comes with satin gloves, a fan and a tiara. Look closely and you will spot her childhood cat, Marcel, stitched on her skirt and sculpted on her shoe strap.
The box: Each doll comes in a box with gold foil, ribbon ties and a swirl of pixie dust around the character, plus a display stand.
Our take: Lottie finally getting her own doll is the big deal here, and the Marcel detail shows the designers know the movie. Last year, Giselle sold out in one day. If you want Ariel, be online at 8 a.m. Pacific on October 23. If you want Lottie, you can grab her in the parks right now.
Find more Disney merchandise news, see Disney’s look at the design process and check our Disney Consumer Products guide.
