Disney Sofia the First Magical Talking Castle

I gave this to my 4 year old granddaughter for her birthday and she was absolutely enthralled with it. I don't care if others have said it seems flimsy - it just doesn't matter when you see the eyes of a 4 year old light up with wonder. How many gifts can do that??

my daughter loves her castle, only issue is not all the figures talk like they should and they don't always work, i eventually just took out the stand that makes them talk.

As I am attempting to write this review, I have been pulled away...FIVE TIMES NOW...by my daughter asking for help with this, well, piece of garbage is the best term I can think of for it. I am angered that Disney would allow such a product to be released with its name on it. Parents-do yourself a favor and don't buy- SAVE YOUR MONEY AND YOUR CHILD FROM DISAPPOINTMENT. If you decide to purchase despite the less than favorable reviews, please do so knowing that you will be spending $60+ for a few pieces of cheap plastic, a cardboard garden AND second floor that will be destroyed the moment an accidental drip from a sippy cup hits it, a very flawed "hide and seek" feature for Clover that does NOT hold him and does NOT work, and a plastic box that is falsely advertized to recognize separately purchased (and also a large waste of money) characters, and unlock additional voices and phrases. In reality, this box either does not work at all, or recognizes every character as either Sofia or Clover. In all, I have spent over $150 on newly released Sofia the First toy sets that have all been a big disappointment. And yes, the heads pop off...over, and over. I would return them all in a heartbeat, but my daughter loves Sofia and would be very upset if I gave her these surprises and then took them right away. I just HOPE that Mattel, and Disney for that matter, takes ownership of these large Sofia Screw-ups, and at least offer to send out replacements that have the kinks worked out of them BEFORE they are released to Disney's Sofia the First fans.

Original review below. I wanted to post to all those disappointed with the first castle release that there are replacement parts for the castle now. Mattel will send you a Sofia (whose head stays in tack), a staircase (that doesn't fall off easy), a talking box (Roland and Miranda play royal entrance music, Amber talks, Clover still touchy, others say Sofia voiced phrases but that have to do more with their character), and some small parts that may get lost that come with castle. They will also send you a Sofia and Amber doll from Royal family collection. Overall, I'm happier with the product now. And my daughter is thrilled that not everyone speaks in Sofia's voice and that the heads stay on. To new purchasers - I'm not sure what version Amazon is selling. Best to check the stores and get the newest release (the new one has a plastic 2nd floor).orig post.This is a product that I really wish would have been on the AMAZON VINE program and had some reviews before the "preorder" was available. My daughter (3 years old) has been so excited for this toy to arrive at our home since I showed it to her when I first preordered it (her birthday was in May and it was to be a birthday gift, why I showed it to her). She plays daily with her Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse (everyday since Christmas), and I knew a Sofia castle would be amazing to her and a toy that would get alot of use.My honest advice. If your child does not know about this toy and you are merely trying to use this as a gift, don't bother. Your life will be much happier without this toy. Buy a Loving Family Dollhouse..I give that toy 5 stars. If your child knows about this toy and is asking for it, purchase at your own risk, you have been warned.Pros: - I think it's decently sturdy and easy to put together (minus the paper flooring on the second floor)- It's cuteCons: (pretty much what everyone else has hit on)- Sofia's head popped off 3 times today ("Mommy, uh oh....her head came off...waaahhhhhhh")- Clover doesn't actually fit in securely in the little "hide go seek" window seat...he falls in to the hole ("mommy....waaahhh")- Out of about 20 tries, Clover's voice worked exactly once.- I fear for the destruction of the paper floor on the second floor.I would totally return it if she didn't desire to play with it, but she played through the frustration all day. I also fear for the arrival of the Royal Family to our home in a few days. I understand that the characters don't speak correctly either, that King Roland and Prince James don't stand at all, and that they heads pop off the characters as well.Mattel - Please test your products before producing. Seriously. I knew this toy was in production since before Christmas, you have had plenty of time to show it to a small panel of kids and watch them play with it. This is the third toy we have purchased/received in a month with horrible construction from Mattel (specifically this toy, the barbie dream pool, and the Disney Princess MagicClip Aurora Carriage).Disney - Make your own toys. You are getting a horrible name by relating yourselves to these products.