The Best Toy Dolls | Review

Finding the right doll is often about finding a “friend” who feels just right to hold and look at. Whether you are collecting for display, giving it as a gift to a child, or looking for a comforting companion, here is a breakdown of these specific dolls to help you decide which fits your goal best.

​1. Disney Animators’ Collection (16-inch)

​These dolls are designed by actual Disney animators to look like the princesses as toddlers. They are known for their “sweet and curious” expressions. I have the Belle and Mulan dolls.

​Belle: She wears her signature blue village dress and comes with a small, pillow-like, plush “Chip” that’s attached to her hand (but removable). Her face is very stylized with large, expressive eyes and a noticeable toddler look with a round face and cheeks. Her hair is the plug style, but these Disney dolls have a painted scalp that matches the hair color, so that it’s not as noticeable as the dolls that were around when I was a kid.

​Mulan is still in the box as of this review, but she has the toddler style face that’s part of this specific collection; and her plush pillow is “Little Brother” (her dog). I personally don’t think they did a good job with Mulan, but I find Mulan to probably be the hardest Disney female character to replicate as a doll.

​Feel & Quality: These are solid vinyl dolls. They are sturdy, have “weight” to them, and can stand on their own if their feet are balanced correctly. Because they are 16 inches, they feel substantial to hold, especially if the doll is for a child —almost like holding a real toddler’s hand. My little tot actually tried walking with Belle, holding her hand, just as if she was real. It was an adorable sight!

​2. Disney Princess “My Friend Belle” (14-inch)

​Often confused with the Animators’ line, this 14-inch version is slightly smaller and more “play-ready.”

​The Difference: While the 16-inch Animators’ Belle has a unique, artistic sculpt, the “My Friend” series usually has a more generic “fashion” face. She often comes with a tiara and a hairbrush, and this doll actually has a face that’s very similar to the Bratz dolls.

​Best For: If you want a doll that is easier to dress and carry around. The 14-inch size is a bit more portable and fits standard “large doll” clothing better than the chunky Animators’ style. I was able to find an outfit for her on Temu that fitted perfectly, but am still currently not able to find one that fits the Animators doll.

​3. Generic Temu “Reborn” Dolls (22-inch)

​These are the large, toddler-sized dolls often found from online retailers like Temu, which is where I got mine from.

​The Hair: Since these have glued-on wigs rather than rooted hair, they are best for “look but don’t over-brush.” The long hair is dramatic and beautiful for photos, but because it’s a wig, you have to be gentle so the cap doesn’t lift. It’s probably not glued down as good as the original American Girl dolls were, but the hair quality is much nicer than the current AG dolls.

​The Body: Most of these are completely vinyl, (the 24 inch ones usually are vinyl limbs with a cloth body). At 22 inches, they are the size of a premie or small size newborn, making them very “realistic” for kids, and great for wearing actual baby clothes (size premie or newborn). These dolls are also anatomically correct, so they’re good as therapy dolls to.

​4. Disney Princess “The Little Mermaid” Petite Deluxe Set (6-inch)

​This set is perfect if you like “micro-storytelling” and having multiple characters at once.

​What’s Inside: Unlike the single dolls above, this is a multi-character set. It includes 6-inch versions of Ariel, along with friends like Flounder and Sebastian, and other little accessories.

​Articulation: Even at only 6 inches, Ariel has 5 points of articulation (neck, shoulders, and hips), so it can sit or stand on its own when pose correctly.

​Why it’s great: It includes the “Dinglehopper” brush and a change of clothes for Ariel (from mermaid to the pink gown). It’s a complete movie scene in one box. Trying to find generic doll clothes can be an issue though; but the biggest problem is that the shoes come off easily, meaning they also get lost easily — and the novelty size makes it hard to find a replacement.

​5. My Life As “Raegan” (18-inch Walmart Exclusive)

​Raegan is part of the “My Life As” line (similar to American Girl but more affordable), it’s an exclusive Walmart brand.

​Features: She has green eyes and brunette hair. Unlike the Animators’ dolls, Raegan has “sleep eyes” (they close when she lies down), which can be very soothing if you like a more “realistic” doll.

​Poseability: She has a soft lower torso with poseable plastic limbs, and a plastic chest plate, which makes the neckline look more aesthetic than the American Girl dolls. She is a “standard” size (18 inches), meaning you can find endless outfits and accessories for her.