If your child likes Barbie, Kelly, and McDonalds, chances are good that he/she will like the Mattel Barbie McDonald Playset, especially if he/she already owns the McDonald's Barbie And Kelly. This set includes an incredible amount of play pieces, and allows Barbie, Kelly and friends to work at the Golden Arches. The set is reasonably priced and is slightly more sturdy than certain other Mattel Barbie sets. Recommended for Ages 3 and up, it is my view that the set is most appreciated by children 4 and up. My daughter -10- recently got rid of massive Barbie playsets, yet kept this one.

DETAILS, Also Known as Too Much Information...
My youngest daughter was able to recognize the Golden Arches sign at a young age, heck perhaps it was fate considering that I officially went into labor with her at a local McD's. If you ever wondered how fast a McDonalds employee could move, and if you want to obtain phone privileges... just let the counter staff know, "I must use your phone, my water just broke!" There I was super sized, exasperated, and amazed that my little one was knocking the way into the world, slightly more than a month early. Those workers scurried to assist my daycare assistant with getting all my daycare charges out of the playzone. Fast forward a few months... at 4 months of age my youngest decided that she liked water so long as it came out of a McDonald's cup and straw (dang mom of mine *grin*). And so a substantial time later she was introduced to fries, and yes, she liked them. We really aren't frequent friers, but our local McD's had a nice (and clean) kids playzone and food that the little ones appreciated, so we did occasionally visit.

As time passed it became evident that my youngest daughter liked the McDonald's brand (even though she only liked fries and water from there). During those trips to toy stores she raced to McDonalds theme toys. Gram was fine with this, and actually found it to be cute. When my daughter became interested in Barbies, Gram gave her the McDonald's Barbie And Kelly. During a later toy store visit she selected the Mattel Barbie McDonald Playset. This set continues to be appreciated.

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SET INCLUDES:
Counter with Cash Register
Table and chairs
French Fries
Dessert Pies
Hamburgers
Drink Dispenser
Drinks
Drink Counter
Fry Basket with Scoop
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This set requires some assembly: stickers to apply, pieces to snap together, and cardboard to put into place. The largest piece in this set is the combination Fry Cooker, Dessert Pie Keeper, Soft Drink Dispenser counter figuration. This counter set is approximately 14 1/2" wide, 14" tall, and 2" deep. The door on the pie storage opens, a fry basket sits into the counter-top and a pretend drink dispenser allows your child to sit a cup under it.

The table set actually resembles the tables and chairs a local McDonald's uses. The table has a teal top and the two chairs are trimmed with teal, yet have white seats. Barbie and Kelly can sort-of sit on these chairs. As with other Mattel furniture, using the chairs takes patience.

The cash register counter is 6" wide, 5 1/2" tall and approximately 2" deep. This unit is plastic and all pretend. Stickers offer detail, but there is nothing working on this unit. I suppose a benefit to this is that there are no batteries required, all child-powered. The front of the unit has a sticker of the McDonald characters.

Perhaps one of the favorite parts of this set are the plastic accessories. These sturdy pieces include: Meal Trays, French Fries, Dessert Pies, Hamburgers, Drinks, and Fry Basket with Scoop. There are a few other accessories, and for an additional purchase you can add McDonald's Barbie And Kelly. Two of the meal trays are most appreciated, as they offer a full meal. One has a drink, hamburger, and fries... the other has a burger, sundae, and apple pie. I suppose if this set was manufactured now, they would likely add a fruit and walnut salad?!

Overall this is a nice set, allowing children to "play" McDonald's. I do appreciate that no pieces in this set make sounds, rather the children supply them. Play sessions with this set are average - for Mattel Barbie - ranging from 5 - 15 minutes. Of course playtime is lengthened when the children have additional Barbie items.

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Thank you for reading!

©2005 Lisa_J


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 14.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years