The Best Toys of 2006 – Pre-school
The Little Mermaid Magical Talking Salon
Manufacturer: CDI
Ages: 3 and up
Suggested Retail Price: $70
What it is
This fall, Disney opens its much-vaunted "vault" to release the eighth installment in the limited-time availability Platinum Collection with The Little Mermaid, Special Edition.
To commemorate this movie release, Disney has teamed up with a variety of manufacturers to offer Little Mermaid Special Edition products including the Magical Talking Salon.
This interactive child-sized vanity is packed with gadgets and gizmos such as salon supplies, sound effects, a stool, and even a dingle hopper (true fans know what this is).
Why it's fun
Ariel, The Little Mermaid, is consistently ranked as the favorite Disney princess. Playing with a vanity that recreates Ariel's under-the-sea world, complete with shell-embellished scissors, allows kids to interact with Ariel in a way that combines the romance of the storyline with make-believe dress up.
This role-play fun is kicked up a notch with the salon's interactive elements, which feature Ariel's image appearing in the mirror and a voice-recognition system that responds to kids' voices.
Who's going to love it
Disney's film, The Little Mermaid, is a favorite, and the new edition is likely to introduce a whole new group to the character. For those who are already into the Disney
Princesses, this is Ariel's year, so this is likely to be a hit with any girl who's into playing "Princess"-most girls ages 4-6.
What to be aware of
The Magical Talking Salon is a child-sized vanity that comes in a large box, making it a great "big box" gift item for any mermaid- or Disney Princess-themed event. As you might expect with a large item, there will be some assembly required. You will also need four "AA" batteries, which are not included.
