Retro Review: Barbie Travelin' House playset (1995)
Hi again, doll lovers! How is your summer going so far?
Jeez, this summer is keeping me busy. Our house makeover is finally taking off. We've been busy meeting with the contractor and choosing the materials. At first I was quite frustrated because I didn't see any progress, but now I finally see it moving, slowly but steady. Also, both Mr. Monster and I got sick a couple of weeks ago, which didn't leave with much time left to play with dolls. Anyway, I'm finally here with a new blog post.
A while back Barb posted on her blog about a doll she had as child. On that post, I told her about this playset and I thought it would be interesting to show it to you guys. Also, Barb, I hope you don't mind that I've been mentioning you like in 4 out of 5 blog posts lately. I hope you guys find it interesting, both if you had this as a child or if you are just curious about Barbie playsets. Let's start!
This is the Barbie Travelin' House. I didn't know the name of this playset, so I ended up googling something like "Barbie suitcase house" to find the name. It was produced in 1995, but I'm not sure if I got it that year or maybe on 1996. It was a Christmas present from either my grandparents or one of my uncles. I don't remember unwrapping it, but I remember that on the 26th I took it with me to a family lunch. Nichelle is going to guide us throug this lovely playset.
As you can see, the house on the outside looks like a suitcase/traveling trunk. It has some wheels on the bottom and this handle that you could lift to carry your playset.
It has some traveling theme stickers all over it, to accentuate the whole traveling theme.
To keep it close, it has this white fasteners. It also has a white handle with some stiching details on it.
Here's how it looks when you open it. I do remember that it came with a few accesories, but I don't know where they are.
Starting from left to right, here we have a pink cupboard that goes all the way up to the ceiling, a TV. stand with a white TV and some lights that really worked.
You can flip down the cupboard and your doll will have a nice bed to sleep. Since my table is also white, I put one of my photo backgrounds next to the bed, so it would show better on camera.
The cupboard was hidding this window and this cute little cat taking a nap.
The bed has a little lid that lifts to reveal a bathtube. I remeber it came with a little towel you could hang in that rack.
You can also lift this little platform and your dolls can sit there while preparing their bath.
Right next to the cupboard/bed/bathtube we have the TV. The TV stand has a little door that opens. On the TV you can see a little scene that features the Barbie Mini van that was produced that same year. Fun fact: in Spain, the mini van was called "Picnic car".
Whey you flip the TV, it reveals a little vanity and a mirror (not that it was super well hidden behind the TV).
The table has two little buttons and, when you press them, they reveal a phone and a music box.
Next we have this pink and white drawer . It has a white bust on top. I remember that this playset came with a hat and a couple of necklaces that you could put on the bust.
If you press the white button, the bust lifts to reveal a jewelry box, so your doll can keep her jewelry inside. Also, you can't open the drawers one by one, they open all at the same time.
Next we have the wardrobe. It has this little compartment on top, where you can store some stuff. You can hang the clothes in this little round rack.
You can press a little button that's next to it to make the rack pop out and you'll be able to spin it, so your doll can reach the outfits that are on the back.
Then, we have a pink drawer with a platform for shoes. The platform comes out and the drawer really opens.
I also found this hanger inside the house. I didn't think it came with this playset, but on some of the pics that I managed to find, the hangers shown seem to be this ones. I always thought this came with one of those 2 in 1 playsets that were produced in the early 90s. I had one that had a fridge on one side and a laundry room on the other.
I managed to find the commercial of this playset, where you can see all the stuff in action:
I love how they sing everything the toy does! Also, you can see some of the accesories I mentioned. I remember the hat as being pink, but on the add the hat they show is purple. Maybe it's my memory, or maybe it's a variant.
Also, here you can see the commercial of the 2 in 1 furniture set that I mentioned above. I only managed to find it in German.
I love this playset and it brings me so many childhood memories. I like the whole traveling concept and how the outside was style as a proper suitcase/trunk. Nowadays I'm not a huge fan of super pink playsets and I would prefer more realistic colors, but back then I didn't mind.
Since I started working on this post, I've been thinking about how a DIY version of this toy could be made. Maybe with a cheap or an old suitcase that has a hard shell on the outside. I wish I had the time, patience and skills to give it a go.
I hope you guys enjoyed this retro review, it's been something a little bit different for my blog. I had so much fun revisiting this toy that I played so much with during my childhood. Once I move, I might visit my parent's house again and try to find some more doll stuff from back then. Let me know if you would be interested in more retro reviews. Let me know aswell if you or someone you know had this playset or you never heard of it. Did it look any different? I'm curious to know if there were any variants.
College starts in a month and I still haven't written all the posts that I wanted to write. I have already given up on doing more elaborated projects this summer and I will leave them for February, or even next summer. I hope will be able to write a couple more post before school starts, and I always want to write a post or two and leave them scheduled (but I never do so). Since I'm quite busy with my house reformation, I don't think I will have much time to write posts to get published now and to leave them scheduled. We'll see what happens.
So what do you guys think of this playset? Which toys did you have as a kid?
Take care.
M.C.
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Jeez, this summer is keeping me busy. Our house makeover is finally taking off. We've been busy meeting with the contractor and choosing the materials. At first I was quite frustrated because I didn't see any progress, but now I finally see it moving, slowly but steady. Also, both Mr. Monster and I got sick a couple of weeks ago, which didn't leave with much time left to play with dolls. Anyway, I'm finally here with a new blog post.
A while back Barb posted on her blog about a doll she had as child. On that post, I told her about this playset and I thought it would be interesting to show it to you guys. Also, Barb, I hope you don't mind that I've been mentioning you like in 4 out of 5 blog posts lately. I hope you guys find it interesting, both if you had this as a child or if you are just curious about Barbie playsets. Let's start!
This is the Barbie Travelin' House. I didn't know the name of this playset, so I ended up googling something like "Barbie suitcase house" to find the name. It was produced in 1995, but I'm not sure if I got it that year or maybe on 1996. It was a Christmas present from either my grandparents or one of my uncles. I don't remember unwrapping it, but I remember that on the 26th I took it with me to a family lunch. Nichelle is going to guide us throug this lovely playset.
As you can see, the house on the outside looks like a suitcase/traveling trunk. It has some wheels on the bottom and this handle that you could lift to carry your playset.
It has some traveling theme stickers all over it, to accentuate the whole traveling theme.
To keep it close, it has this white fasteners. It also has a white handle with some stiching details on it.
Here's how it looks when you open it. I do remember that it came with a few accesories, but I don't know where they are.
Starting from left to right, here we have a pink cupboard that goes all the way up to the ceiling, a TV. stand with a white TV and some lights that really worked.
You can flip down the cupboard and your doll will have a nice bed to sleep. Since my table is also white, I put one of my photo backgrounds next to the bed, so it would show better on camera.
The cupboard was hidding this window and this cute little cat taking a nap.
The bed has a little lid that lifts to reveal a bathtube. I remeber it came with a little towel you could hang in that rack.
You can also lift this little platform and your dolls can sit there while preparing their bath.
Right next to the cupboard/bed/bathtube we have the TV. The TV stand has a little door that opens. On the TV you can see a little scene that features the Barbie Mini van that was produced that same year. Fun fact: in Spain, the mini van was called "Picnic car".
Whey you flip the TV, it reveals a little vanity and a mirror (not that it was super well hidden behind the TV).
The table has two little buttons and, when you press them, they reveal a phone and a music box.
Next we have this pink and white drawer . It has a white bust on top. I remember that this playset came with a hat and a couple of necklaces that you could put on the bust.
If you press the white button, the bust lifts to reveal a jewelry box, so your doll can keep her jewelry inside. Also, you can't open the drawers one by one, they open all at the same time.
Next we have the wardrobe. It has this little compartment on top, where you can store some stuff. You can hang the clothes in this little round rack.
You can press a little button that's next to it to make the rack pop out and you'll be able to spin it, so your doll can reach the outfits that are on the back.
Then, we have a pink drawer with a platform for shoes. The platform comes out and the drawer really opens.
I also found this hanger inside the house. I didn't think it came with this playset, but on some of the pics that I managed to find, the hangers shown seem to be this ones. I always thought this came with one of those 2 in 1 playsets that were produced in the early 90s. I had one that had a fridge on one side and a laundry room on the other.
I managed to find the commercial of this playset, where you can see all the stuff in action:
I love how they sing everything the toy does! Also, you can see some of the accesories I mentioned. I remember the hat as being pink, but on the add the hat they show is purple. Maybe it's my memory, or maybe it's a variant.
Also, here you can see the commercial of the 2 in 1 furniture set that I mentioned above. I only managed to find it in German.
I love this playset and it brings me so many childhood memories. I like the whole traveling concept and how the outside was style as a proper suitcase/trunk. Nowadays I'm not a huge fan of super pink playsets and I would prefer more realistic colors, but back then I didn't mind.
Since I started working on this post, I've been thinking about how a DIY version of this toy could be made. Maybe with a cheap or an old suitcase that has a hard shell on the outside. I wish I had the time, patience and skills to give it a go.
I hope you guys enjoyed this retro review, it's been something a little bit different for my blog. I had so much fun revisiting this toy that I played so much with during my childhood. Once I move, I might visit my parent's house again and try to find some more doll stuff from back then. Let me know if you would be interested in more retro reviews. Let me know aswell if you or someone you know had this playset or you never heard of it. Did it look any different? I'm curious to know if there were any variants.
College starts in a month and I still haven't written all the posts that I wanted to write. I have already given up on doing more elaborated projects this summer and I will leave them for February, or even next summer. I hope will be able to write a couple more post before school starts, and I always want to write a post or two and leave them scheduled (but I never do so). Since I'm quite busy with my house reformation, I don't think I will have much time to write posts to get published now and to leave them scheduled. We'll see what happens.
So what do you guys think of this playset? Which toys did you have as a kid?
Take care.
M.C.
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What a fabulous concept, everything you need in a house all in one suitcase! Thank you for sharing and explaining all the ins and outs MC, I really enjoyed seeing this and reading your post. :)
ReplyDeleteIf only Mattel realised how well these would sell now in today's home decorating colours . . . they would make a fortune! I know I would buy one for sure. :)
Big hugs,
X
Hi Xanadu! As they say in the commercial: "It's Barbie's home away from home". I love the concept of furniture that "transforms" into something else.
DeleteI agree with you. I feel like the older playsets and doll lines (from the 80s, 90s...) were far more creative than the ones they produce nowadays.
Thanks for stopping by, I'm glad you liked my post.
I don't mind the mentions; I'm glad if I inspire someone. I really like your childhood doll house. The pink is overdone, but there are some very nice details, like the lights, and the jewelry box with the little ballerina.
ReplyDeleteI remember mini vans not being very popular in Europe. Especially with bulky car safety seats for kids, a lot of families here find them very practical.
I'd love to see more retro stuff, if you can find it. It's always neat to see doll things from all eras. And as you said, it can often be applied to a future project.
Hi Barb! I'm glad you're cool with the mentions. I think that you always have to give credit if someone has inspired you, it's the right thing to do.
DeleteMini Vans are getting more popular here, specially for families with kids, but back then I don't recall seing many. Also, as far as I know, in Spain cars of a certain width aren't allowed, so some American cars can't be imported. I think it's because our roads are narrower
.
Thanks for your comment, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I'll try to find more toys from my childhood once I move home.
What a brilliant set this is, a child could have hours of fun with it I'm sure. I have never seen anything like this before but then I was a child in the 60s and 70s so this didn't come until later, but it really looks like a great toy to play with.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I wasn't particularly interested in dolls although I did have Teeny Tiny Tears and Sindy, Patch and Sindy's boyfriend Paul. I preferred to make and play with paper dolls, I loved creating clothes for them from paper.
I certainly would be interested in seeing more of your retro toys in the future on your blog :)
Sharon in Spain x
Hi Sharon! If we had to travel somewhere, my parents would suggest I took this playset with me, because it isn't very bulky and you can store accessories inside. I think I once saw a much earlier version of this playset, but it wasn't as detailed and I don't remember the name.
DeleteI was obsessed with Barbie, I had lots of them. I had other fashion dolls like Sindy, but I lived the era of the Hasbro Sindy, so mine won't look as yours. I also loved Polly Pocket, so I may try to find my favourite Polly Pocket house and do a similar review.
Take care Sharon.
I do remember these sets, even if I did not own one or get one for the kids. There were something similar in late 80's too. I had a yellow little suitcase filled with the most important things - my Barbie, my Sindy, pens and paper and stickers. Then I could travel. :)
ReplyDeleteHi DollsDolour. I've seen that Sindy used to have something similar, but back in the day. I think this is a great concept that parents could use to carry their kids favourite toys wherever they travel.
DeleteThanks for taking the time to comment on my last posts.
Take care.
They managed to put so many details into this set! I would have been thrilled to have something like this as a child, though I didn't like Barbie until they switched from Superstar to GG and I was already in my late teens. The wardrobe/bed/bathroom is straight out of a Japanese super-compact apartment XD
ReplyDeleteYes, the playset is really well thought. I always loved Barbie and dolls in general, but some of my favourite playline Barbies used the Mackie head sculpt (like, for example, Bead Blast Barbie). Overall, I prefer dolls with closed mouth or that aren't showing a lot of teeth.
DeleteSince nowadays mini home seem to be all the rage, maybe Mattel will rescue this concept, who knows?
Thanks for stopping by!
Interesting set! The suitcase looks lovely. So many details. I didn't have such things in my childhood, but now in my adult life, I try to fulfill my doll-related dreams.
ReplyDeleteHi Inesa! It was a great toy to have as a kid. I too, try to fulfill my childhood dreams now in my adult years.
Delete