Mattel Barbie My Size Royal Secrets Throne Playset

My granddaughter absolutely loves this chair.She was so happy when she opened it for Christmas.I had to put it together right away and she started carrying it next to people she wanted to sit next to.I am so happy she loves this chair.

If so and if your daughter is between the ages of 3 and 6, this might be the PERFECT gift; it turns out to be an astonishingly versatile toy. I was truly amazed by how much there was to it!

First, let's start with the throne itself. Six molded pieces snap together (with considerable force required) and are held in place by six Phillips-head screws. There must be some kind of upper weight limit, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Frankly, if you can fit your butt between the armrests and sit with your knees lower than your head, I think it will hold you. Three AA batteries, not included, power the (mercifully short) musical fanfare produced whenever your princess sits down, which can be switched off. Under the seat, opened by button or plastic key, is a secret compartment that can hold all the accessories. The left armrest has a recess to hold the (toy, unbreakable) mirror; the right has a compartment that hides a tiny folding throne for the included Peek-A-Boo Princess doll and doubles as a cup holder. The short tie-on throne skirt can also be tied around your princess' waist in order to turn any outfit into royal attire. In addition there is a collection of suitably royal jewelry: tiara, 2 rings, 2 shoelace clips, 2 bracelets, a pair of clip-on earrings, and a necklace with a hidden jeweled key for the under seat compartment, which when not in use, can be clipped to the throne itself at their designated attachment sites or stowed in the seat.

Defects? About the only complaint I have is that the jewelry tends to fall apart; the quality really isn't up to the clever design.

I compared this in the store with the similar but more expensive Disney Princess Magical Talking Throne but figured this to be the better bargain for all but the Disney fanatic.

Note: Alternatively there are a couple of extras containing special editions available: Barbie My Size Throne - Special Edition with LIGHT UP WAND! and Barbie My Size Throne with Bonus Dress, and there is a matching Mattel Barbie Island Princess Magical Castle Vanity available, too. Photos suggest the existence of two different colors: pink and purple, but all I've ever seen is pink.

My daughter is 4 years old and she got this chair last year for Christmas. She loved it. It mostly sits in her room now, but I think she still gets a kick out of it and shows it off when new friends come over.

JEWELRY

The jewelry is cute. It's typical toy jewelry, so don't expect the highest quality or you'll be disappointed. You snap the jewelry all over the chair to decorate it. That didn't last long. Most of the jewelry quickly got lost with her other toys. I never see my daughter actually put the jewelry where it was intended. At most, she puts them in the seat.

THRONE

The throne is nice and sturdy. It plays music when the kids sit in it, which they love. There is a space under the seat to store things in and the jewelry decorates the chair. There's a mirror on one armrest and a little doll in the other armrest with a tiny throne of her own -- a cute addition.

SKIRT

The skirt is just way too large for the average 3 or 4 year old. It doesn't work as a skirt at all because of its size, so my daughter just leaves it on the chair. That's too bad, since it can't be used as intended.

Pros:
+fun for the imagination
+nice and sturdy
+lots of jewelry
+plays music when sat upon
+doll and mirror in armrests
+storage in seat

Cons:
-jewelry slots on chair impractical for kids
-skirt too large to wear

SUMMARY

A nice chair for a budding princess. It will make her feel like royalty.

I purchased two of these thrones last Christmas for my then[...] old daughters. I knew that if I got just one for the older girl, I'd have a constant fight so I got one for each.

They were a huge hit on Christmas day, and the little jewels and necklace and other bits and pieces were soon scattered about the living room. That was the last time I saw most of the pieces that go to the chair.

We now have two thrones devoid of decoration - and any part that wasn't permanently attached - sitting in a corner of the playroom untouched. After the novelty of the chairs wore off, the girls preferred to sit in their soft, foam chairs that are much more comfortable.

The good things about this chair are the seat cushion opening up, and the skirt is cute when it's on the chair.

The necklace is a strangling hazard (found that one out the scary way) and the tiara is difficult to get back into the chair once it comes out a couple times. The tiara folds and unfolds to double as a headpiece and a throne decoration, and the design means that it doesn't do a super good job at either one.

Same with the skirt. As long as it's on the chair it's cute, but it's too big to use as a dress up item. So I'd rather see it attach to the chair better than just ties in the back. Velcro, buttons, snaps... I'm not picky.

Why did I purchase this chair?

I thought that my girls would incorporate it into their make-believe play much more than they did. I guess I just haven't raised little princesses because they are happier spending time play-cooking and serving each other tea at a little table.

Who would this chair be good for?

I think if you have a little girl who definitely plays "princess" and creates makeshift thrones as part of her fantasy, then this would be a good item. I don't think the "dual" purpose of dress up and decorations is a good idea. Doing it again, I would superglue the decorations in place and just buy dedicated dress up stuff.

Then the chair would continue looking nice, no choking/strangling problems, and no frustrations with constantly trying to switch it back and forth from decorated throne to dress up clothes when you really want to have both at the same time.

This is so adorable and my little girl just loves her chair. I recommend this anyone with a little princess.