|
|
Post by MrsMac on Sept 29, 2009 22:23:25 GMT -5
I was lucky enough to get the Holiday Sleigh last October for my birthday. (Well, it actually arrived in late November thanks to being backordered.) I must say, it's absolutely beautiful...and BIG. This takes up a lot of room in storage (you really have to keep it in the box in the original molded styrofoam to keep the pieces from breaking) and requires a lot of room to display but I think it's worth it. The colours are gorgeous (I actually like the black with silver body better than the red of Samantha's Central Park sleigh) and the details are amazing, from the red quilted velvet seats to the little bells on the sleigh poles and harness. Though it is made of metal (with leather reins and harness), the pieces must be treated very gently because they can break easily and there is no way a child could put this together on their own or hook a horse up. (I have Penny and had to finagle the harness over the one that came on her, which took forever.) I also doubt if it would survive much real play. As a display piece for the holidays to show off two dolls comfortably, though, the sleigh can't be beat. The one thing I really would change (what were they thinking?) in this set is the lap robe. It's small, so only one doll can use it, and it's WHITE. Given that it is faux fur on one side and a satin material on the other it would no doubt get dirty easily and be difficult to clean. Totally useless. I ended up buying the plaid and dark "fur" lap robe from Samantha's sleigh to use with mine and I like it so much better. If you have the room to store and display it and don't mind spending a big chunk of change for something that will be strictly for display the sleigh is definitely worth it. It really helped integrate my dolls in to my holiday decorating and I can't wait to get it out again this year. If you have a cat, though, be forewarned: I spent ages shooing my cat off the dolls' laps as the sleigh seems to be the perfect place for a nap! Here are some pictures Right out of the box...it's huge!  Ready to hitch up the horse  The red velvet quilted seat is gorgeous  Ready for a sleigh ride - just need passengers  My daughter's dolls take it out for a test drive  |
|
|
|
Post by Rollsinsnow on Sept 29, 2009 23:08:23 GMT -5
I'll post a full review when I can, but here's a bit for this thread:
LOVE IT. I use Jackson as my horse and he works just fine. I don't regret buying it at all (although admittedly I did not pay full price for it). It's not even Halloween yet and I have it displayed in my living room. It just screams "holidays!".
|
|
|
|
Post by Kirsten on Oct 1, 2009 7:16:16 GMT -5
Tons of these were returned last year at the the AG store I worked at. They were not of very high quality, one of the bolts just snaps when a child tries to pull it.
I was going to buy it with my discount and passed when I saw them coming back early.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rollsinsnow on Oct 1, 2009 9:51:31 GMT -5
Tons of these were returned last year at the the AG store I worked at. They were not of very high quality, one of the bolts just snaps when a child tries to pull it. I was going to buy it with my discount and passed when I saw them coming back early. I saw lots of reviews that said that, but I see nothing low quality or breakable about my sleigh. |
|
|
|
Post by MrsMac on Oct 1, 2009 11:04:50 GMT -5
Tons of these were returned last year at the the AG store I worked at. They were not of very high quality, one of the bolts just snaps when a child tries to pull it. I was going to buy it with my discount and passed when I saw them coming back early. Which is why I said in my review that it is definitely just a display piece and wouldn't stand up to play. The quality of the piece is actually wonderful; it just isn't sturdy and must be handled with care. There is so much attention to detail on the sleigh and visually it is stunning. But it is mine, not my girls, and they were told in no uncertain terms that they weren't to play with it. I don't mind the fact that it is purely for holiday display and it was worth the cost to integrate my dolls into my Christmas decor. If you really want to play with it, though, then no, you shouldn't buy it because it will probably break the first time you try and pull it around the room. |
|
|
|
Post by kennedynkailey on Sept 10, 2010 22:09:37 GMT -5
How many of you had a problem with this AG Holiday Sleigh??? The reviews on the website make me nervous! We have one tucked away that I purchased a year and a half ago. DD loves it in the catalog and wants one. I am fearful of giving it to her with the comments about the weak spot where the harness attaches to the sleigh. How many of you had problems? Anyone not have any issues even when played with by a child???
|
|
|
|
Post by Rollsinsnow on Sept 10, 2010 22:53:31 GMT -5
Mine broke, but it was my dog and cat fighting (5lb and 10lb respectfully) who did it. By myself as a display item it was fine.
I thought it was pretty sturdy (I too read the reviews), I can't figure out how they managed it, but it was in the exact same place always mentioned.
|
|
|
|
Post by happymargaret on Sept 10, 2010 22:54:15 GMT -5
Actually, my DH was gently moving the sleigh just a little bit when one of the round things snapped. I had the horse set in between the poles and the poles were inserted into the round holes attached to the front of the sleigh. It had just been set up too. He felt badly and somehow glued it back together. It never got moved from its position after that. There were some comments last year concerning the breakage at that weak point.
I would not recommend a child play with it, for I can forsee a horse falling, or shifting out of position during play, and the holder snapping easily. It might not be easy to glue back together and have it hold.
It is a lovely display piece, but for the cost, it should/could have been designed a little better in my opinion. We will have to check our sleigh this year to see if the glue repair has held.
Hopefully, AG has become aware of the problem, and strengthened the weld, or the round thing itself on the new sleighs that are offered for sale this season.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kirsten on Sept 11, 2010 17:25:24 GMT -5
A few years ago I worked over the holidays at an AG boutigue. Over a period of a few days after Christmas 5 sleighs were returned, all with the same "break" I would think that this years batch, the problem should have been fixed.
It would be really expensive to return if you do not have store nearby.
|
|
|
|
Post by mellhall on Sept 11, 2010 20:30:59 GMT -5
We have it. It broke. It would be lovely for display, it is not sturdy enough to let children play with. I wish it had wheels or ball bearings in the runners so it could really be used. DD was disappointed. We fixed the sleigh with some plumbing hardwear, but it still is not very functional.
|
|
|
|
Post by AG2Elizabeths on Dec 14, 2010 17:51:24 GMT -5
Here it is in the store:  |
|
