DH's 2012 Christmas buying guide *update for 2014 post 176* (1 Viewer)

[gmbacm]

4. Leap Pad Explorer/Tabeo Tablet. Yes, kids tablets are starting to become all the rage. Yeah, they are very weak, watered down tablets, but they work great for playing apps like most kids like to do. The Tabeo is great for setting up parental controls for internet use too (Leap Pad doesn't have wifi).

Which would you suggest?

Bump for OP. Looked at reviews and they both seem quite similar. Leapfrog is slightly faster and ore compact, but vtech one has expandable memory, wifi and cheaper apps. Which do you think is better for a 5 y/o? What can you actually do with wifi on the vtech?

 

[Brony]

Oh yeah, I'll be picking this up on black friday for $25.

I have one of these. POS. The lack of user-friendliness was a nice piece of nostalgia they threw in for free.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

4. Leap Pad Explorer/Tabeo Tablet. Yes, kids tablets are starting to become all the rage. Yeah, they are very weak, watered down tablets, but they work great for playing apps like most kids like to do. The Tabeo is great for setting up parental controls for internet use too (Leap Pad doesn't have wifi).

Which would you suggest?

Bump for OP. Looked at reviews and they both seem quite similar. Leapfrog is slightly faster and ore compact, but vtech one has expandable memory, wifi and cheaper apps. Which do you think is better for a 5 y/o? What can you actually do with wifi on the vtech?

Depends on what you want it to do. Vtech and Leap Pad are pretty much just educational 'gaming' systems. You can't access the web (as far as I know) and that's a big black mark against them. That being said, the Tabeo is turning out to be a steaming pile of crap that I can't recommend any more. It still sells well though. If it were me (and it is since I want a tablet for my daughter), I'd get the Coby tablet. You can get them for a good price and it's a million times better. In fact, TrU has one on sale on Black Friday for $80 that I already put to the side for myself.

Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[coyote5]

I was thinking about getting my 5 year old the leap pad, but he's been playing around on my Nexus 7 for the past 3 months so I'm concerned he'll think the leap pad is boring and it'll end up collecting dust... is the content pretty good for the leap pad?

 

[gmbacm]

4. Leap Pad Explorer/Tabeo Tablet. Yes, kids tablets are starting to become all the rage. Yeah, they are very weak, watered down tablets, but they work great for playing apps like most kids like to do. The Tabeo is great for setting up parental controls for internet use too (Leap Pad doesn't have wifi).

Which would you suggest?

Bump for OP. Looked at reviews and they both seem quite similar. Leapfrog is slightly faster and ore compact, but vtech one has expandable memory, wifi and cheaper apps. Which do you think is better for a 5 y/o? What can you actually do with wifi on the vtech?

Depends on what you want it to do. Vtech and Leap Pad are pretty much just educational 'gaming' systems. You can't access the web (as far as I know) and that's a big black mark against them. That being said, the Tabeo is turning out to be a steaming pile of crap that I can't recommend any more. It still sells well though. If it were me (and it is since I want a tablet for my daughter), I'd get the Coby tablet. You can get them for a good price and it's a million times better. In fact, TrU has one on sale on Black Friday for $80 that I already put to the side for myself.

Anyway, hope that helps.

thanks - helps cross off the vtech. Ill go with the leappad. I was thinking an android tablet, but I figure this might be better for this time as an "educational" toy. From what I understand these things are far and away the best for helping with reading, writing etc and tracking progress.

 

[Jaysus]

Ok wife was thinking about an Ipad or Kindle HD for the boys. I am sure that their is educational stuff for both devices. So my question is which one of these Devices would be better for 3rd graders?

Galaxy Tab 2 for $284.

No, iPad Mini is the play here.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Ok wife was thinking about an Ipad or Kindle HD for the boys. I am sure that their is educational stuff for both devices. So my question is which one of these Devices would be better for 3rd graders?

Galaxy Tab 2 for $284.

No, iPad Mini Nexus 7 @ 199.99 is the play here.

Fixed

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Ok wife was thinking about an Ipad or Kindle HD for the boys. I am sure that their is educational stuff for both devices. So my question is which one of these Devices would be better for 3rd graders?

Galaxy Tab 2 for $284.

No, iPad Mini is the play here.

I LOVE the Galaxy tab. I have a ipad and the wife has Galaxy 2 10.1 and I always find myself using her's instead. I'll probably just factory re-set my Ipad and sell it to my brother in law who is always whining about wanting one but is too cheap to buy a new one.

 

[Jaysus]

Ok wife was thinking about an Ipad or Kindle HD for the boys. I am sure that their is educational stuff for both devices. So my question is which one of these Devices would be better for 3rd graders?

Galaxy Tab 2 for $284.

No, iPad Mini Nexus 7 @ 199.99 is the play here.

Fixed

I have a Nexus 7, it is great I love it (so does my 5 year old daughter - but she has her own 7" tablet). He said that his wife wants an iPad so, in my opinion, the mini is the way to go for a 3rd grader.

 

[rascal]

regarding skylanders....do you need the battle arena or just the individual figures?

 

[Usual21]

regarding skylanders....do you need the battle arena or just the individual figures?

you just need the portal, game, and figures. Not the Battle Arena.

 

[Carver]

I need this Jewel Sparkles Lalaloopsy Doll. FML.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Oh yeah, I'll be picking this up on black friday for $25.

My wife pointed this out to me this weekend when she saw the flyer. My son wants the Wii U, maybe I'll get him the old school Atari instead and let him know how Daddy used to roll....

 

[texasheat]

So if I spot a Wii U in store I should snag it? is that what you are telling me?

 

[El Floppo]

4. Leap Pad Explorer/Tabeo Tablet. Yes, kids tablets are starting to become all the rage. Yeah, they are very weak, watered down tablets, but they work great for playing apps like most kids like to do. The Tabeo is great for setting up parental controls for internet use too (Leap Pad doesn't have wifi).

Which would you suggest?

Bump for OP. Looked at reviews and they both seem quite similar. Leapfrog is slightly faster and ore compact, but vtech one has expandable memory, wifi and cheaper apps. Which do you think is better for a 5 y/o? What can you actually do with wifi on the vtech?

Depends on what you want it to do. Vtech and Leap Pad are pretty much just educational 'gaming' systems. You can't access the web (as far as I know) and that's a big black mark against them. That being said, the Tabeo is turning out to be a steaming pile of crap that I can't recommend any more. It still sells well though. If it were me (and it is since I want a tablet for my daughter), I'd get the Coby tablet. You can get them for a good price and it's a million times better. In fact, TrU has one on sale on Black Friday for $80 that I already put to the side for myself.

Anyway, hope that helps.

My 5yo son has a Leappad Explorer (not tablet). He likes it *ok*, and I have to say he has been learning from it (like, learning NOT to use my Samsung G3)... but it seems like the programs are somewhat limited vs the ipad/phone collection.You can sync online with your "account" to update your system and programs, but it's not true on-line gaming by any means.

 

[El Floppo]

regarding skylanders....do you need the battle arena or just the individual figures?

you just need the portal, game, and figures. Not the Battle Arena.

I am so glad I have NO idea what you guys are talking about.

 

[cstu]

Ok wife was thinking about an Ipad or Kindle HD for the boys. I am sure that their is educational stuff for both devices. So my question is which one of these Devices would be better for 3rd graders?

Galaxy Tab 2 for $284.

No, iPad Mini Nexus 7 @ 199.99 is the play here.

Fixed

I have a Nexus 7, it is great I love it (so does my 5 year old daughter - but she has her own 7" tablet). He said that his wife wants an iPad so, in my opinion, the mini is the way to go for a 3rd grader.

I guess it comes down to whether you want a 10" or a 7". I find that the 10" is easier to use when I'm playing games with my 4 yo daughter.

 

[JaxBill]

Is the Wii U going to be worth it? I heard Nintendo wasn't even selling a separate second controller at first.

 

[SlaX]

Is the Wii U going to be worth it? I heard Nintendo wasn't even selling a separate second controller at first.

Early reviews look good. Time will tell how well it will be adopted and I'm sure there won't be a surge of people buying them until there's a Zelda game or true Super Mario sequel announced (I don't consider New Super Mario Bros Wii U a true sequel. It's just New Super Mario Bros Wii with a new twist). Plus it's too early to tell how well it will be supported by third parties, which Nintendo promises will be larger it's been since NES days.

 

[AcerFC]

small hijack

I just cant seem to decide between these leapfrog explorer tablets or kindle fires for the kids.

My 5 1/2 year old will love the fire but will love the princess tablet more. There is more for her to do on the fire but since she is only in Kindergarten, I like the idea of the learning games they have from leapfrog. But they have learning apps for the fire as well.

I know the fire will be too much for my 3 year old but I feel like he will want his siters fire if I dont get them the same thing.



Any input from people who have kids around those ages and have both in the house. At this point, Im leaning towards the extra 30 bucks or so and get them the fire.

 

[GreekFreak]

Any feedback on the PS Vita?

Target is having a Lego Batman 2 bundle for $200 on Thanksgiving night.

 

[Jaysus]

small hijack I just cant seem to decide between these leapfrog explorer tablets or kindle fires for the kids.My 5 1/2 year old will love the fire but will love the princess tablet more. There is more for her to do on the fire but since she is only in Kindergarten, I like the idea of the learning games they have from leapfrog. But they have learning apps for the fire as well.I know the fire will be too much for my 3 year old but I feel like he will want his siters fire if I dont get them the same thing. Any input from people who have kids around those ages and have both in the house. At this point, Im leaning towards the extra 30 bucks or so and get them the fire.

I got my 4 year old a 7" Lenovo tablet for xmas last year... she has had no problems with it, and still plays with it all the time.Go with the fire if that is what you are considering.

 

[AcerFC]

Thanks. I'm thinking fire for the 5 yet old and keep the leapfrog for the 3.

 

[Jaysus]

Thanks. I'm thinking fire for the 5 yet old and keep the leapfrog for the 3.

For what it is worth... my GB has a 3.5 year old who is more proficient with his wife's iPad than he is. I say skip the Leapfrog, and get fancy cases for the tablet. One that looks pretty for the 5 year old, and a bulletproof one for the 3 year old.

 

[AcerFC]

I know. I keep going back and forth. Ill check the AppStore for the fire and see what they have. The fire my wife has doesn't get used too much. They all use my iPad. The $30 extra for the kindle I can see, not sure about an extra 100 for iPad minis. Need to think about this now

Had to give me something else to think about jaysus. Thanks

 

[Jaysus]

I know. I keep going back and forth. Ill check the AppStore for the fire and see what they have. The fire my wife has doesn't get used too much. They all use my iPad. The $30 extra for the kindle I can see, not sure about an extra 100 for iPad minis. Need to think about this nowHad to give me something else to think about jaysus. Thanks

lolP.S. (check out the Nexus 7)

 

[GoFishTN]

I know. I keep going back and forth. Ill check the AppStore for the fire and see what they have. The fire my wife has doesn't get used too much. They all use my iPad. The $30 extra for the kindle I can see, not sure about an extra 100 for iPad minis. Need to think about this nowHad to give me something else to think about jaysus. Thanks

Not sure about the Fire, but the LeapPad apps are not cheap. They're $10-$20 at least. However, you can share one purchase between three (I believe) devices.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Any feedback on the PS Vita?Target is having a Lego Batman 2 bundle for $200 on Thanksgiving night.

Probably too late here but the Vita is a very nice machine. Shame the game library is so limited though. I've literally only played a few games on mine (Lego Batman, Assassin's Creed 4 and Persona). They really need an expanded library.

 

[GoFishTN]

I'm starting to see prices going up on the Terrain Twisters. How is the stock at your store?

Glad I grabbed two already.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

I'm starting to see prices going up on the Terrain Twisters. How is the stock at your store? Glad I grabbed two already.

We get 5-6 trucks a week, so we get them pretty regularly. The trick is getting in early enough to beat the scalpers. There's one guy that comes every morning to poach the hot toys to throw on ebay.Also, I'm not sure if there's a bigger flop of a launch than the Wii U. We got about 80 of them for sale on Black Friday and 25 of them are still available. The old Wii would have sold out in, literally, an hour.

 

[chet]

WiiU in a 2-game bundle has been available at ToysRUs online for a couple of days.

 

[SlaX]

I'm starting to see prices going up on the Terrain Twisters. How is the stock at your store? Glad I grabbed two already.

We get 5-6 trucks a week, so we get them pretty regularly. The trick is getting in early enough to beat the scalpers. There's one guy that comes every morning to poach the hot toys to throw on ebay.Also, I'm not sure if there's a bigger flop of a launch than the Wii U. We got about 80 of them for sale on Black Friday and 25 of them are still available. The old Wii would have sold out in, literally, an hour.

Problem with Wii U this early is that there hasn't been any must have game for the system. This is probably the weakest list of launch titles I can recall, with with the Gamecube being the exception, which had a horrible launch lineup until Super Smash Bros Melee launched two weeks later. Pikmin 3 and Rayman Legends will improve the list when they launch, but I'm not sure of whether they'd be system sellers.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I'm starting to see prices going up on the Terrain Twisters. How is the stock at your store? Glad I grabbed two already.

We get 5-6 trucks a week, so we get them pretty regularly. The trick is getting in early enough to beat the scalpers. There's one guy that comes every morning to poach the hot toys to throw on ebay.Also, I'm not sure if there's a bigger flop of a launch than the Wii U. We got about 80 of them for sale on Black Friday and 25 of them are still available. The old Wii would have sold out in, literally, an hour.

That's interesting. Nintendo claimed that they couldn't keep them on the shelves. Until Nintendo finally admits that online gaming is a huge must for consoles, they'll never ultimately break through.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

I'm starting to see prices going up on the Terrain Twisters. How is the stock at your store?

Glad I grabbed two already.

We get 5-6 trucks a week, so we get them pretty regularly. The trick is getting in early enough to beat the scalpers. There's one guy that comes every morning to poach the hot toys to throw on ebay.Also, I'm not sure if there's a bigger flop of a launch than the Wii U. We got about 80 of them for sale on Black Friday and 25 of them are still available. The old Wii would have sold out in, literally, an hour.

That's interesting. Nintendo claimed that they couldn't keep them on the shelves. Until Nintendo finally admits that online gaming is a huge must for consoles, they'll never ultimately break through.

LOL, our back room in electronics is flooded with them. I think I counted 94 when I did the 'shrink' count yesterday. The only time we 'sold out' is the day the system dropped.

 

[iamsmilin]

I'm starting to see prices going up on the Terrain Twisters. How is the stock at your store?

Glad I grabbed two already.

We get 5-6 trucks a week, so we get them pretty regularly. The trick is getting in early enough to beat the scalpers. There's one guy that comes every morning to poach the hot toys to throw on ebay.Also, I'm not sure if there's a bigger flop of a launch than the Wii U. We got about 80 of them for sale on Black Friday and 25 of them are still available. The old Wii would have sold out in, literally, an hour.

That's interesting. Nintendo claimed that they couldn't keep them on the shelves. Until Nintendo finally admits that online gaming is a huge must for consoles, they'll never ultimately break through.

They aren't going to admit to a flop. They are probably hoping to build up some hype for the product.

 

[5Rings]

We got a display for this last night. I know what I'm getting my 8 year old now. That thing was awesome, I tried it out and it handled my weight (190 pounds) just fine so he'll be able to ride it for a while.

Does anybody have any feedback on this scooter?crap, out of stock already

 

[The Ref]

For what it's worth my 4 year old is begging for the Mermaid lalalalalalalalalaalalalalaloooooopsy.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Well, last year's thread was a success, so I thought I'd throw on out this year. It's funny, many of the things I put on here duplicates from last year. That's very odd in the toy industry.

Anyway, I work part time at Toys r Us during the Christmas season, so I see toys that are usually going to be the 'hot' thing during the season before everyone else knows they'll be 'hot. Here's this year's list:

Boys:

1. Wii U. If you can find a place that you can still pre-order this, stop reading and do it RIGHT NOW. They come out mid-November and you'll have to sell your first born to get one in December.

2. Skylanders. Like Last year, this will be the number one toy (not system). The new Giants set just released this past Sunday and we had 50 people lined up outside waiting to get in. When buying, the ones with the orange backing is new, blue backing is old. If you already have the old 'portal', you don't need a new one, but I'd get it anyway. With the old portal, you can still use two small figs on it but, if you play a giant, he's the only fig you'll be able to use. If you have the new portal you can use one giant and one regular fig. If your kids are anything like mine, they like to play two player games, so the old portal will limit that.

3. Hot Wheels Terrain Twister. I would have killed for a toy like this when I was little. The jist of it is that it's a remote control car with kind of a cork screw treads that allows it to ride of pretty much any terrain. We had a demo and I wanted one after it was done.

4. Ninjago Lego sets. I missed these on the list last year but not this year. The newer sets will be hard to find during Christmas since the cartoon on Cartoon Network is so popular. Look for the buy one-get one half off next month to get more bang for the buck.

5. The last one I kind of struggled with, so I'll go with a two-way tie: Beyblade Beywheels and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Yeah, TMNT. Go figure, right? Anyway, there's a new cartoon on Nick that's popular so these things are hot again, especially the Sewer Lair playset. As for BeyWheels, they're the newest beyblade that was so popular last year. The big thing for them will be the 'Destroyer Dome'. Basically it's a giant battle dome that's a huge step up from the old molded plastic ones of last year.

Girls:

1. Furby. Yup, what's old is new again. They come in a bunch of different colors and are as annoying as the old school ones.

2. LaLaLoopsy. Another transplant from last year. Again, watch which ones you get as the older ones are in much less demand.

3. Monster High. Yet another transplant from last year. The people who are making these are genius, plain and simple. Also, as a stocking stuffer, don't forget to pick the DVD movie.

4. 1 Direction dolls. It's simply amazing how these dolls are selling. I had never heard of them, but they are flying off the shelf even now.

5. Again, I'm having trouble with the last one so I'll cop-out again and call it a three way tie between: Winx, Hairmonies and Novi Stars dolls . I'm less confident about Novi Stars, but Nick is going in to high gear schilling them, so I wouldn't want to leave them off.

Little critters:

1. Doc McStuffins. HUGE right now. We can't keep the Doc doll in stock now, so I can't imagine what will happen a month from now.

2. Switch and go Dinosaurs. Another hot toy now so it'll be very hard to find later. They don't fly out of the store like Doc, but they don't last long on the shelf either. This product is by V-Tech so it might be with that stuff instead of the regular kids toy aisle.

3. Bouncing Tigger. Pretty cool toy. Tiger has a spring tail and jumps around while singing. IMO, this is a much better toy than the latest Elmo, but I'm sure he'll be popular too.

4. Leap Pad Explorer/Tabeo Tablet. Yes, kids tablets are starting to become all the rage. Yeah, they are very weak, watered down tablets, but they work great for playing apps like most kids like to do. The Tabeo is great for setting up parental controls for internet use too (Leap Pad doesn't have wifi).

5. LOL Elmo. This year's Elmo doll. Don't think an explaination is necessary here.

Anyway, that's it for this year's installment. As usual, I'll check in to help answer questions.

Since it's just a few days until Christmas, I thought I'd update with my hits and misses:Hits:

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. INSANELY popular right now. The 'Sewer lair' doesn't sit on the shelf for more than a few hours before they are gobbled up. The 5 inch figs are likewise hard to keep in stock.

2. Doc McStuffins. The Doc doll doesn't make it through the day no matter how many we get. We got 40 CASES one morning and they sold out by dinner time.

3. Skylanders. If the new wave of second series characters would ever arrive, this might be number one on the list. The fact that they're still selling the same figs that came out during the second game launch is astounding and very short sighted.

Misses:

1. Crayola Color Sprayers. BIG miss here. We can't keep them in stock and are backordered until doomsday at the warehouse. HUGE exclusion from the first list.

2. Lego Creationary. Not quite the miss that the Color Sprayer was, but it consistantly sells out the day we get them in.

3. Novi Stars dolls. No business being on the list. These are peg-warmers right now.

4. LOL Elmo. Guess people are finally getting sick of the little red *******.

The rest was pretty spot-on. The Wii U is definitely a disappointment sales wise (we still have plenty) but it still sells well enough not to be considered a flop.

 

[cstu]

2. Doc McStuffins. The Doc doll doesn't make it through the day no matter how many we get. We got 40 CASES one morning and they sold out by dinner time.

Luckily my 4 yo doesn't demand any toys, but I waiting to get the Doc McStuffins Check Up Time since she's into doctor stuff right now.On another note, why the heck is there only one DVD out of that show?

 

[SlaX]

2. Doc McStuffins. The Doc doll doesn't make it through the day no matter how many we get. We got 40 CASES one morning and they sold out by dinner time.

Luckily my 4 yo doesn't demand any toys, but I waiting to get the Doc McStuffins Check Up Time since she's into doctor stuff right now.On another note, why the heck is there only one DVD out of that show?

Because the show only started airing this year?

 

[rascal]

My son got 3 of those switch-go dinos...he hasn't put them down. He also got a lepster, which lasted about 2 minutes.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

My son got 3 of those switch-go dinos...he hasn't put them down. He also got a lepster, which lasted about 2 minutes.

Glad he likes them. I've been hearing similarly positive reviews from others about them as well.

 

[cstu]

2. Doc McStuffins. The Doc doll doesn't make it through the day no matter how many we get. We got 40 CASES one morning and they sold out by dinner time.

Luckily my 4 yo doesn't demand any toys, but I waiting to get the Doc McStuffins Check Up Time since she's into doctor stuff right now.On another note, why the heck is there only one DVD out of that show?

Because the show only started airing this year?

Thanks, the Wikipedia page said there were 2 seasons. I was able to find the entire season on newsgroups last night though.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Well, last year's thread was a success, so I thought I'd throw on out this year. It's funny, many of the things I put on here duplicates from last year. That's very odd in the toy industry.

Anyway, I work part time at Toys r Us during the Christmas season, so I see toys that are usually going to be the 'hot' thing during the season before everyone else knows they'll be 'hot. Here's this year's list:

Boys:

1. Wii U. If you can find a place that you can still pre-order this, stop reading and do it RIGHT NOW. They come out mid-November and you'll have to sell your first born to get one in December.

2. Skylanders. Like Last year, this will be the number one toy (not system). The new Giants set just released this past Sunday and we had 50 people lined up outside waiting to get in. When buying, the ones with the orange backing is new, blue backing is old. If you already have the old 'portal', you don't need a new one, but I'd get it anyway. With the old portal, you can still use two small figs on it but, if you play a giant, he's the only fig you'll be able to use. If you have the new portal you can use one giant and one regular fig. If your kids are anything like mine, they like to play two player games, so the old portal will limit that.

3. Hot Wheels Terrain Twister. I would have killed for a toy like this when I was little. The jist of it is that it's a remote control car with kind of a cork screw treads that allows it to ride of pretty much any terrain. We had a demo and I wanted one after it was done.

4. Ninjago Lego sets. I missed these on the list last year but not this year. The newer sets will be hard to find during Christmas since the cartoon on Cartoon Network is so popular. Look for the buy one-get one half off next month to get more bang for the buck.

5. The last one I kind of struggled with, so I'll go with a two-way tie: Beyblade Beywheels and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Yeah, TMNT. Go figure, right? Anyway, there's a new cartoon on Nick that's popular so these things are hot again, especially the Sewer Lair playset. As for BeyWheels, they're the newest beyblade that was so popular last year. The big thing for them will be the 'Destroyer Dome'. Basically it's a giant battle dome that's a huge step up from the old molded plastic ones of last year.

Girls:

1. Furby. Yup, what's old is new again. They come in a bunch of different colors and are as annoying as the old school ones.

2. LaLaLoopsy. Another transplant from last year. Again, watch which ones you get as the older ones are in much less demand.

3. Monster High. Yet another transplant from last year. The people who are making these are genius, plain and simple. Also, as a stocking stuffer, don't forget to pick the DVD movie.

4. 1 Direction dolls. It's simply amazing how these dolls are selling. I had never heard of them, but they are flying off the shelf even now.

5. Again, I'm having trouble with the last one so I'll cop-out again and call it a three way tie between: Winx, Hairmonies and Novi Stars dolls . I'm less confident about Novi Stars, but Nick is going in to high gear schilling them, so I wouldn't want to leave them off.

Little critters:

1. Doc McStuffins. HUGE right now. We can't keep the Doc doll in stock now, so I can't imagine what will happen a month from now.

2. Switch and go Dinosaurs. Another hot toy now so it'll be very hard to find later. They don't fly out of the store like Doc, but they don't last long on the shelf either. This product is by V-Tech so it might be with that stuff instead of the regular kids toy aisle.

3. Bouncing Tigger. Pretty cool toy. Tiger has a spring tail and jumps around while singing. IMO, this is a much better toy than the latest Elmo, but I'm sure he'll be popular too.

4. Leap Pad Explorer/Tabeo Tablet. Yes, kids tablets are starting to become all the rage. Yeah, they are very weak, watered down tablets, but they work great for playing apps like most kids like to do. The Tabeo is great for setting up parental controls for internet use too (Leap Pad doesn't have wifi).

5. LOL Elmo. This year's Elmo doll. Don't think an explaination is necessary here.

Anyway, that's it for this year's installment. As usual, I'll check in to help answer questions.

Since it's just a few days until Christmas, I thought I'd update with my hits and misses:Hits:

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. INSANELY popular right now. The 'Sewer lair' doesn't sit on the shelf for more than a few hours before they are gobbled up. The 5 inch figs are likewise hard to keep in stock.

2. Doc McStuffins. The Doc doll doesn't make it through the day no matter how many we get. We got 40 CASES one morning and they sold out by dinner time.

3. Skylanders. If the new wave of second series characters would ever arrive, this might be number one on the list. The fact that they're still selling the same figs that came out during the second game launch is astounding and very short sighted.

Misses:

1. Crayola Color Sprayers. BIG miss here. We can't keep them in stock and are backordered until doomsday at the warehouse. HUGE exclusion from the first list.

2. Lego Creationary. Not quite the miss that the Color Sprayer was, but it consistantly sells out the day we get them in.

3. Novi Stars dolls. No business being on the list. These are peg-warmers right now.

4. LOL Elmo. Guess people are finally getting sick of the little red *******.

The rest was pretty spot-on. The Wii U is definitely a disappointment sales wise (we still have plenty) but it still sells well enough not to be considered a flop.

Well, with Elmo turning out to be a pedophile, my guess is a lot of parents just don't feel comfortable buying Elmo dolls right now.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Well, last year's thread was a success, so I thought I'd throw on out this year. It's funny, many of the things I put on here duplicates from last year. That's very odd in the toy industry.

Anyway, I work part time at Toys r Us during the Christmas season, so I see toys that are usually going to be the 'hot' thing during the season before everyone else knows they'll be 'hot. Here's this year's list:

Boys:

1. Wii U. If you can find a place that you can still pre-order this, stop reading and do it RIGHT NOW. They come out mid-November and you'll have to sell your first born to get one in December.

2. Skylanders. Like Last year, this will be the number one toy (not system). The new Giants set just released this past Sunday and we had 50 people lined up outside waiting to get in. When buying, the ones with the orange backing is new, blue backing is old. If you already have the old 'portal', you don't need a new one, but I'd get it anyway. With the old portal, you can still use two small figs on it but, if you play a giant, he's the only fig you'll be able to use. If you have the new portal you can use one giant and one regular fig. If your kids are anything like mine, they like to play two player games, so the old portal will limit that.

3. Hot Wheels Terrain Twister. I would have killed for a toy like this when I was little. The jist of it is that it's a remote control car with kind of a cork screw treads that allows it to ride of pretty much any terrain. We had a demo and I wanted one after it was done.

4. Ninjago Lego sets. I missed these on the list last year but not this year. The newer sets will be hard to find during Christmas since the cartoon on Cartoon Network is so popular. Look for the buy one-get one half off next month to get more bang for the buck.

5. The last one I kind of struggled with, so I'll go with a two-way tie: Beyblade Beywheels and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Yeah, TMNT. Go figure, right? Anyway, there's a new cartoon on Nick that's popular so these things are hot again, especially the Sewer Lair playset. As for BeyWheels, they're the newest beyblade that was so popular last year. The big thing for them will be the 'Destroyer Dome'. Basically it's a giant battle dome that's a huge step up from the old molded plastic ones of last year.

Girls:

1. Furby. Yup, what's old is new again. They come in a bunch of different colors and are as annoying as the old school ones.

2. LaLaLoopsy. Another transplant from last year. Again, watch which ones you get as the older ones are in much less demand.

3. Monster High. Yet another transplant from last year. The people who are making these are genius, plain and simple. Also, as a stocking stuffer, don't forget to pick the DVD movie.

4. 1 Direction dolls. It's simply amazing how these dolls are selling. I had never heard of them, but they are flying off the shelf even now.

5. Again, I'm having trouble with the last one so I'll cop-out again and call it a three way tie between: Winx, Hairmonies and Novi Stars dolls . I'm less confident about Novi Stars, but Nick is going in to high gear schilling them, so I wouldn't want to leave them off.

Little critters:

1. Doc McStuffins. HUGE right now. We can't keep the Doc doll in stock now, so I can't imagine what will happen a month from now.

2. Switch and go Dinosaurs. Another hot toy now so it'll be very hard to find later. They don't fly out of the store like Doc, but they don't last long on the shelf either. This product is by V-Tech so it might be with that stuff instead of the regular kids toy aisle.

3. Bouncing Tigger. Pretty cool toy. Tiger has a spring tail and jumps around while singing. IMO, this is a much better toy than the latest Elmo, but I'm sure he'll be popular too.

4. Leap Pad Explorer/Tabeo Tablet. Yes, kids tablets are starting to become all the rage. Yeah, they are very weak, watered down tablets, but they work great for playing apps like most kids like to do. The Tabeo is great for setting up parental controls for internet use too (Leap Pad doesn't have wifi).

5. LOL Elmo. This year's Elmo doll. Don't think an explaination is necessary here.

Anyway, that's it for this year's installment. As usual, I'll check in to help answer questions.

Since it's just a few days until Christmas, I thought I'd update with my hits and misses:Hits:

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. INSANELY popular right now. The 'Sewer lair' doesn't sit on the shelf for more than a few hours before they are gobbled up. The 5 inch figs are likewise hard to keep in stock.

2. Doc McStuffins. The Doc doll doesn't make it through the day no matter how many we get. We got 40 CASES one morning and they sold out by dinner time.

3. Skylanders. If the new wave of second series characters would ever arrive, this might be number one on the list. The fact that they're still selling the same figs that came out during the second game launch is astounding and very short sighted.

Misses:

1. Crayola Color Sprayers. BIG miss here. We can't keep them in stock and are backordered until doomsday at the warehouse. HUGE exclusion from the first list.

2. Lego Creationary. Not quite the miss that the Color Sprayer was, but it consistantly sells out the day we get them in.

3. Novi Stars dolls. No business being on the list. These are peg-warmers right now.

4. LOL Elmo. Guess people are finally getting sick of the little red *******.

The rest was pretty spot-on. The Wii U is definitely a disappointment sales wise (we still have plenty) but it still sells well enough not to be considered a flop.

Well, with Elmo turning out to be a pedophile, my guess is a lot of parents just don't feel comfortable buying Elmo dolls right now.

I had forgotten about that. All I know is we could probably build another TrU with all the leftover Elmo dolls we have.I worked a few hours in the morning on Christmas Eve since I was off at my full-time job and it was astounding how many people honestly thought they were going to walk in the morning before Christmas and get anything other than leftovers. And than they loudly complained when they were told *insert hot toy* was sold out. Oh well, that's why I stay in the stock room (not slacking, that's my section).......

 

[Kraft...]

How are the Hobbit Legos doing? My son is all about those right now, since we saw the movie over the weekend. He got 3 sets from Santa and various relatives, now he wants to spend some of his christmas $ on the ones he didn't get.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

How are the Hobbit Legos doing? My son is all about those right now, since we saw the movie over the weekend. He got 3 sets from Santa and various relatives, now he wants to spend some of his christmas $ on the ones he didn't get.

As cool as they look, they don't sell as well as some of the others. I imagine you'd have no problem finding most of the Hobbit sets right now.

 

[SlaX]

How are the Hobbit Legos doing? My son is all about those right now, since we saw the movie over the weekend. He got 3 sets from Santa and various relatives, now he wants to spend some of his christmas $ on the ones he didn't get.

As cool as they look, they don't sell as well as some of the others. I imagine you'd have no problem finding most of the Hobbit sets right now.

I wanna know when TrU starts getting the Back to the Future Lego sets.

 

[Jobber]

Paging Deranged Hermit.

It's never too early to start thinking about this stuff.

 

[Jaysus]

I already pointed the inlaws at the Hug Me Elmo doll, I am guessing that one is going to sell out quick.

ETA: Cookie Monster