A Big Bear Hug
Written: Mar 26 '01 (Updated Mar 26 '01)
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Pros: Soft, Safe, Durable, Even survived the washing machine
Cons: A little bulky for a small child to carry
The Bottom Line: Bear is the perfect giant cuddly toy. He is durable and a friend just waiting to happen.
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| mryia's Full Review: Bear in the Big Blue House Plush |
Why we bought Bear?
My daughter is a Bear-a-holic and my husband and I happily support her addiction. She has all the Bear videos, beanies, tableware, bedding, curtains, a life size cardboard cut out, clothes, shoes, toys, computer games, you name it (including a trip to MGM and two rounds of his traveling stage show just to see him live), if they make it in Bear she has it. We had finished our Christmas shopping for 1999 when this giant guy was released, but we just had to get him for her any way. Off we went to the Disney Store to learn that our local store didn't have them in stock yet.
We came home and hoped on the Disney Store online and happily ordered the big guy for our daughter. About 5 days later, the UPS man came with a huge box. I was so excited, I couldn't wait to open it and see what he looked like in person, but I had to wait until naptime so that my daughter wouldn't claim him on the spot. Bear was worth the wait.
Our Initial Reactions to Bear
I opened the box and I was in love. Bear looked just like I had pictured he would look and I could already imagine him sitting peacefully on the end of her bed. His fur was very soft and the color of his fur was very rich and vibrant. He was however a little bigger than I had imagined. They warn you that Bear is 18 inches tall (in his permanent sitting position) but I guess I didn't realize how big that was until he was sitting on the couch beside of me.
I gave Bear a good work out that day. I was just sure, that his fur would pull out or his eye would pop off and then he wouldn't have been safe for my daughter. After pulling, tugging, squishing, and rolling around with him, nothing came loose (I don't think he even lost a hair). I was very impressed.
Time went by and Christmas day arrived. My husband and I patiently allowed our daughter to make her way through her presents, unwrapping each one, and playing with it. Then came the big moment. We had saved Bear for last. I used the big shipping box that Bear had arrived in to wrap him up. The box was as tall as she was and when she ripped open the paper and saw Bear inside she squealed with delight.
My little girl and Bear immediately went rolling across the ground. She hugged him and chattered at him and attempted to drag him across the floor. Here is where we noticed the first small problem. Bear was almost too big for our almost 18 month old to move by herself. As much as she wanted to love him and carry him with her, she just couldn't (not for lack of effort on her part though). It really didn't seem to bother her though because she went right back to hugging him and wrestling him right where he was.
Let's flash forward.
How has Bear lasted
We have now been the proud owners of this Giant Plush Bear for over a year and in that time he has had many interesting things happen to him. Bear has been fed many types of food (everyone of them easily surfaced washed off of him), he has helped us finger paint (the red didn't leave any tint behind but the blue discolored his fur a little after he was surfaced washed), he has made many a trip to the grocery store and rode in the baby seat with her (we usually have to get one of those two seater carts because they won't both fit in a standard cart), and he even went to the doctor with us once (Bear is so brave he didn't cry during the whole examine or shot). I thought Bear had been through everything and I was amazed he still looked brand new.
One fateful night though, everything changed. Our little darling threw up. She didn't make it out of the bed and her faithful friend was right in the line of fire. Bear caught all the vomit right on his big, soft, furry belly. What was I to do? I surface washed him several times, but his fur seemed gum and boy, did he ever reek! I used Fabreeze on him, I aired him out on the porch, I gave him a quick shower with a light shampooing, but still he had a terrible smell and his fur just wouldn't lay right. I called Disney and they were at a loss as to what to tell me (though they did offer to sell me another one and waive shipping fees). I decided to give it one last shot though, before I replaced him. I put Bear in a pillow case, pinned it shut, and into a gentle load of the washing machine he went. I said a little prayer that everything would turn out okay and waited. The wash ended and I put Bear in the dryer. 55 minutes later when the timer sounded I ran for the laundry room.
Boy was I surprised. I expected to find a mis-shapen, sorry looking Bear but instead it was like opening the box up on him for the first time. His fur was soft and looked like new, even the tint from the previous finger painting experience was gone. I was so happy, Bear didn't need replaced after all.
The Short Version
If you are looking at buying Bear for your child, buy it. We have went through many a toy in our short 2 1/2 years but Bear is still going strong after a year of hard use. While the cost (around $40) may seem a little high to begin with, he really can take quite a beating and still look like new. Please keep in mind though, smaller children may get frustrated with trying to move him because of his large size.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 44
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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Epinions.com ID:
mryia
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Member: Mryia Williams
Location: Ohio
Reviews written: 65
Trusted by: 10 members
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