Diner Set (retired)
Dec 15, 2015 23:27:05 GMT -5
Post by KayMarie on Dec 15, 2015 23:27:05 GMT -5
This item was introduced in 2015 and retired in 2018, when it was replaced with a modified Seaside Diner.
Welcome to the Seaside Diner™! It has features just like diners in the 1950s—and more than 30 pieces to inspire hours of imaginative fun. The floor and counter-front are printed to look like tile, and the countertop is printed with a familiar '50s speckle pattern. A grill is attached to the back wall with oven doors that pull out to reveal a drawer for storage. Two dolls can sit at the padded corner booth, and two more can have a seat on the stools at the counter. This set includes a metal pedestal table with a rectangular top and everything needed to run a diner:
First off, this thing is enormous. It ships at approximately 40 pounds, and arrives in a box big enough for me to sit in (but only about 15 inches wide, so not really. Only a slight exaggeration). Shipping box is about 32" W, 40" H, and 15"W, if my memory serves me correctly.
This is me, on my knees behind the box. I'm 5'4" (approx 163 cm) and about 140 pounds (63.5 kg) if that helps give anyone an idea of size (Don't judge the facial expression; my sister had just made me laugh!). There are more unboxing and unpacking pictures in the album link at the end of this review.
Folded up, it's not terribly wide, about the length of a doll's arms outstretched, maybe a little more. It's quite intricately detailed. The "tile" on the wall of the counter and the floor are stickers, but they are very sturdy stickers that will hold up to a lot of scuffing and play. It is made of pressboard and plastic. No assembly is required.
Unfolded, the entire play area is over 3 feet long. It only bends so far--this picture shows its farthest extension.
From overhead, this is a good idea of how big it is. It will easily accommodate 5 or 6 dolls with furniture in place.
The little grill at the back is plastic, but heavy-duty plastic that will also hold up to quite a bit of play. It's sturdy, and I understand why they couldn't use metal or wood, because the thing is already hugely bulky and heavy, but it does diminish from the whimsy of it.
Overall, I would give the construction an A- to a B+. It's very heavy, but the hinges are made of a plastic composite (you can see them in the pictures above) that feels like it might not do too well if your kids are the more rambunctious type. The "glass blocks" are obviously plastic, but a nice, heavy-quality clear plastic that really does resemble the blocks. The booth and stools are made of a quality vinyl, one I absolutely adore, and the sign, counter, tabletop, and grill are all plastic, but nicely made plastic. My biggest complaint is that the hinges are only single-jointed, so the range of motion is only about 180 instead of the full 360. It has a little clasp that snaps in place when it folds up for carrying or storage--a nice touch.
Now the fun things. All the little accessories!
* Order slips to hang above the counter so the cook can see what was ordered
* Two pretend made-to-order burgers that include meat, bun, and condiments
* Pretend hot dogs, ketchup, and mustard
* A pretend chocolate malt
* A pretend strawberry malt
* Two orders of pretend fries and paper trays
* Two pretend breakfasts of sausage, scrambled eggs, and pancakes
* A doll-sized striped fabric apron and doll-sized hats printed with the diner's name
* Plates with a '50s motif
* Tongs for turning hot dogs and a spatula for flipping burgers on the grill
* A serving tray that dolls can carry
* A bell to ring when an order is up
* Menus
* Printed paper placemats
* A sheet of stickers to decorate the walls of the diner
Darcy models the apron, tray, placemat, and paper hat. So cute! She can really hold the tray. It slips between her index and middle finger and rests flat so that she can hold onto it. However, I don't think the dolls' arm elastic is strong enough to actually hold anything on the tray except for maybe one or two of the milkshakes.
The booth is a great size for two dolls. Three are a very tight fit, and there's nowhere to put the table with three. Here, you can see how 3 dolls, the booth, the table, and the jukebox can fit easily into the space when the wall sections are opened all the way.
Here, you can also see the milkshakes, the burger, the fries, and the little mustard and ketchup bottles, which are honestly my favorite part of the entire set. They're SO CUTE.
It might take a bit of a Houdini maneuvering, and would probably be quite difficult for the younger audience, but all of the accessories fit in the plastic drawer, even the big tray! Voila!
And everyone's favorite detail, the tiny metal bell, which really rings!
I don't want to swamp the review thread with way too many pictures, but there are lots and lots more at my album here: Maryellen's Diner and Jukebox
Overall, I'd give the set an A for construction, play quality, detail, accessories, and aesthetics, and a B- for the cost. I think it could easily be knocked down about $75 and be a great deal, but if you can get it on sale or with free shipping, it's sturdy enough and pretty enough to be worth the money, and it makes an absolutely phenomenal display piece.
Welcome to the Seaside Diner™! It has features just like diners in the 1950s—and more than 30 pieces to inspire hours of imaginative fun. The floor and counter-front are printed to look like tile, and the countertop is printed with a familiar '50s speckle pattern. A grill is attached to the back wall with oven doors that pull out to reveal a drawer for storage. Two dolls can sit at the padded corner booth, and two more can have a seat on the stools at the counter. This set includes a metal pedestal table with a rectangular top and everything needed to run a diner:
First off, this thing is enormous. It ships at approximately 40 pounds, and arrives in a box big enough for me to sit in (but only about 15 inches wide, so not really. Only a slight exaggeration). Shipping box is about 32" W, 40" H, and 15"W, if my memory serves me correctly.
This is me, on my knees behind the box. I'm 5'4" (approx 163 cm) and about 140 pounds (63.5 kg) if that helps give anyone an idea of size (Don't judge the facial expression; my sister had just made me laugh!). There are more unboxing and unpacking pictures in the album link at the end of this review.
Folded up, it's not terribly wide, about the length of a doll's arms outstretched, maybe a little more. It's quite intricately detailed. The "tile" on the wall of the counter and the floor are stickers, but they are very sturdy stickers that will hold up to a lot of scuffing and play. It is made of pressboard and plastic. No assembly is required.
Unfolded, the entire play area is over 3 feet long. It only bends so far--this picture shows its farthest extension.
From overhead, this is a good idea of how big it is. It will easily accommodate 5 or 6 dolls with furniture in place.
The little grill at the back is plastic, but heavy-duty plastic that will also hold up to quite a bit of play. It's sturdy, and I understand why they couldn't use metal or wood, because the thing is already hugely bulky and heavy, but it does diminish from the whimsy of it.
Overall, I would give the construction an A- to a B+. It's very heavy, but the hinges are made of a plastic composite (you can see them in the pictures above) that feels like it might not do too well if your kids are the more rambunctious type. The "glass blocks" are obviously plastic, but a nice, heavy-quality clear plastic that really does resemble the blocks. The booth and stools are made of a quality vinyl, one I absolutely adore, and the sign, counter, tabletop, and grill are all plastic, but nicely made plastic. My biggest complaint is that the hinges are only single-jointed, so the range of motion is only about 180 instead of the full 360. It has a little clasp that snaps in place when it folds up for carrying or storage--a nice touch.
Now the fun things. All the little accessories!
* Order slips to hang above the counter so the cook can see what was ordered
* Two pretend made-to-order burgers that include meat, bun, and condiments
* Pretend hot dogs, ketchup, and mustard
* A pretend chocolate malt
* A pretend strawberry malt
* Two orders of pretend fries and paper trays
* Two pretend breakfasts of sausage, scrambled eggs, and pancakes
* A doll-sized striped fabric apron and doll-sized hats printed with the diner's name
* Plates with a '50s motif
* Tongs for turning hot dogs and a spatula for flipping burgers on the grill
* A serving tray that dolls can carry
* A bell to ring when an order is up
* Menus
* Printed paper placemats
* A sheet of stickers to decorate the walls of the diner
Darcy models the apron, tray, placemat, and paper hat. So cute! She can really hold the tray. It slips between her index and middle finger and rests flat so that she can hold onto it. However, I don't think the dolls' arm elastic is strong enough to actually hold anything on the tray except for maybe one or two of the milkshakes.
The booth is a great size for two dolls. Three are a very tight fit, and there's nowhere to put the table with three. Here, you can see how 3 dolls, the booth, the table, and the jukebox can fit easily into the space when the wall sections are opened all the way.
Here, you can also see the milkshakes, the burger, the fries, and the little mustard and ketchup bottles, which are honestly my favorite part of the entire set. They're SO CUTE.
It might take a bit of a Houdini maneuvering, and would probably be quite difficult for the younger audience, but all of the accessories fit in the plastic drawer, even the big tray! Voila!
And everyone's favorite detail, the tiny metal bell, which really rings!
I don't want to swamp the review thread with way too many pictures, but there are lots and lots more at my album here: Maryellen's Diner and Jukebox
Overall, I'd give the set an A for construction, play quality, detail, accessories, and aesthetics, and a B- for the cost. I think it could easily be knocked down about $75 and be a great deal, but if you can get it on sale or with free shipping, it's sturdy enough and pretty enough to be worth the money, and it makes an absolutely phenomenal display piece.
*mod edit to remove dead image links*