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🐝 The BUZZ on HONEY BEE ACRES! Sylvanian Families Calico Critters COMPETITOR Kitchen & Baby Review!
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2021
- Welcome Back!
Today I'm breaking ALL the Critter Collector rules and featuring a Sylvanian Families / Calico Critters COMPETITOR brand... Honey Bee Acres! Just kidding, there is NO SHAME in mixing and matching critter brands LOL!
I recently saw this new line of Critter-sized miniatures at Wal-mart - Honey Bee Acres - and just had to check them out! I picked up the Honey Bee Acres Sweet Home Kitchen and "Baby Lucky," a small unicorn baby & wagon set. The kitchen was $9.97 and the baby was $4.97 in-store.
What drew me to the kitchen is the gorgeous, modern farmhouse chic design of the sink, and the bright (but not obnoxious) patterns of the curtains and rug. I also liked some of the accessories I could see in the packaging (like the mixing bowl spoon and ice cube tray), and I thought the fridge and oven were super-cute with good realism and attention to detail. But what about the quality? And would they be compatible with Calico Critter furniture? I just had to find out!
My initial thoughts while opening the kitchen and taking the pieces out was, "Hmm... this is definitely NOT the same as Calico Critters!" The plastic (most of if) is noticeably lighter, flimsier, and just a bit cheaper-feeling than the high-quality, dense plastic composites used in most Calico Critter furniture. While I do like the aesthetic - and do appreciate the fine detailing and interactivity - I am just too spoiled by the bar Sylvanian Families has set.
As far as being compatible side-by-side with Calico Critter furniture they are a bit awkward. The sink and oven sit several millimeters shorter than standard Critter countertops, and the fridge is much shorter comparatively. Also, while elements of the Honey Bee kitchen are much more detailed than most plastic dollhouse furniture, the Calico Critters fridge I used in this comparison is far MORE detailed.
The baby unicorn is a little bizarre in my opinion, and definitely a few rungs down on the quality ladder compared to Calico Critter babies. It's still a cute doll, and does have a lot of fun detailing (I especially like that it has a tail!), it's just not anything like Sylvanian Families.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Great line at a very affordable price-point. I would definitely consider these as gifts for children who like critters or dollhouses, and I really do appreciate the time and attention that went into producing these. However, I won't be incorporating them into our collection, and here's why: the scale is a little off, the color scheme is a bit too different (out of place) for Calico Critters, and there are some minor quality gripes I have (like the fridge door not staying closed).
I will incorporate some of these accessories since I already bought the sets, and will probably put the kitchen furniture in my daughter's Loving Family dollhouse. I did order the Honey Bee Acres Around Town Van, which is styled like a retro VW bus, but that'll likely put a cap on our Honey Bee Acres adventure!
What do YOU think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for watching, see you next time!
MUSIC CREDIT: Happy Mistake by RKVC, RUclips Audio
honestly i really like the furniture packs of these little guys. I think for only $10 the sets come with a lot of accessories. im not a huge fan of the critters themselves , they are cute but i feel like they are much smaller than calico critters and they can't stand on their own very well.
I agree 100%! Great sets at a really good price, but yes the critters are a bit unstable looking, and I personally don't like the bobblehead look (although they aren't bobbleheads, the heads are comically bigger than the bodies, and the limbs seem twiggy compared to Sylvanians).
Thank you for showing your honest opinion. Some youtubers just say they like calico critters just cause it’s a critters channel. You actually were honest, and told the people what they need to know, like calico critters plastic is better quality.
Great video, keep up the good work!
Personally don’t like honey bee acres, they haven’t been released in my country. I think it’s the quality of these items that are trying to compete. They usually just don’t have the same quality as Sylvanian Families. I am not sure I will purchase any but they seem to be not the same quality and look. Thanks for reviewing because now I know what to expect! They still are cute miniatures I am just used to the cuteness and quality of Sylvanian families!! Great video by the way 💖
I agree 100%! I really love the quality/detail/realism of Sylvanians, and I have never seen a competitor come close in that regard. But compared to other toys, they do seem good and nicely detailed, and the price is low.
I’ve seen those ones at Walmart here in Michigan and even though they look cute, I would rather pay a little more for the real Calico critters. Once you’re used to the good quality of the calico critters , its hard to get used to those other brands. I bought the Lil Woodzeez huge house set last year but ended up just reselling it, I had a hard time getting used to its qualities and kept comparing it with my collection.
Ps: I absolutely looooove your collection!! Keep uploading videos, I’m here to watch all of them 😂
I feel the same way! I do like the look of Honeybee and Woodzeez, but even tho it’s scaled correctly it just doesn’t seem to “fit” well with Calico Critters, but if I never knew about the real thing (or if I was a kid) I’d be totally enthralled!! It’s the comparison that’s the problem LOL! Thanks for watching!! ❤️
@@AdventuresinCritterland definitely, If I was a kid I would love those just as much as Calico critters! But as an Adult collector, calico critters is a rabbit hole without an end, that’s no way back once you fall in love with them 😂
I saw the “Honey Bee Acres” too! I did like some of their furniture. Thank you for doing the comparison. They are really cute but some of the plastic appeared to be definitely different.
I like the Honey Bee Acres farmhouse because it reminds me so much of my childhood :)
Nice video and review! I appreciate to hear the review from someone who experienced both brands (Calico Critter and Honey Bee Acres). I always admired the Calico Critter, but I couldn’t afforded them, quite expensive to my pocket. When I found the Honey Bee Acres I got excited, finally I am more near to afford this one brand. I see by your review that Honey Bee Acres is a more cheaper material, that explains the price in comparison with Calico Critters. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!! ❤️ I really like the Honeybee brand, and I appreciate that it is a whole different look than Calico, even though it's a competitor. So collectors can get both, without feeling like they have the "real thing" and a "knock off." But yes, Honeybee is a different quality, but you get MUCH more for the money compared to Calico Critters, and for some people it could come down to a preference on the style they like. But I will say, the Honeybee critters are a much different quality, whereas the furniture is more comparable between the brands.
@@AdventuresinCritterland Thank you for getting back to my comment! I enjoyed your video and appreciate you gave justice to both brands and explained why. It helped me understand where to find the similarities and differences between the two. Great share! Thanks!
Wow! This kitchen looks so cute! I love that unicorn💖🦄
Never seen the Honeybee acres items. I nuch prefer the Sylvanian items.
Wow I have never seen anything like these before in the UK! It does look cute but I think the price appears to reflect the quality. I’m not too sure on the bobble-headed design of the creatures too 🤔 very interesting to see!
I totally agree! I think they're a good overall value, good maybe for younger children who like miniatures, but the bobble-head look isn't for me and I'll always have a strong bias for Sylvanians LOL!
I like the look of this set, even though the plastic's not as high quality. I have the bathroom set. I like the van as well, just haven't found it yet. The critters themselves are not my style.
Yes me too it’s like “farmhouse chic,” whereas most Sylvanians have a more old fashioned look. It’s good to have the variety. Btw the Honeybee van is great, the kids play with it all the time and it’s held up great, I was surprised! I thought the doors would break lol but they haven’t 👍
Very interesting! I hadn’t heard of these before. I have to say, I’m obsessed with that unicorn figure. I think they’re too incongruous to display alongside my critters but I’m also into vintage G1 my little ponies and I feel like this unicorn bridges the gap between my toy obsessions 😆 do you have any other competitor/knockoff critters? I have a couple of vintage rabbits that were sold to me as Forest Families but they don’t look like any other Forest Family rabbits that I’ve seen online (and are very different from each other) so their true identities remain mysterious. They’re bigger than critters and slightly lower quality but I think they’re great and look fine next to the real deal. I mean, it’s not as though the lions (I have the one who plays piano) aren’t a bit confusing alongside the rest and they’re legit critters... I absolutely loathe the Li’l Woodzeez figures though, I think they’re so ugly. I hate when I see lots of critters for sale and they’re mixed up with Woodzeez!
Oh yes I know what you mean about seeing "NOT" Calico Critters being sold as the real thing, usually in a mixed lot, ugh! Maybe some parents don't know the difference but we do LOL! And yes I've seen "Forest Families", a CC knockoff by Santomile, a Chinese company, they look fairly similar, I'm sure they'd do fine up against Sylvanians - and yes that lion is QUITE different huh?? 😆Yeah I see what you mean about the unicorn, definitely has a My Little Pony vibe but in critter form, I totally get that! Thanks for watching!
😅 lol I’ve gotten a few Li’l Woodzies mixed in with CC lots and I totally agree, they’re like the fat & ugly cousins.
I have a Vintage calico Mouse, that Looks Like Sherlock Holmes, and the Lil woodzee s Mouse is a perfect Dr Watson. The Li l Woodzee s Rabbit with the Lemonade stand, and the little sheep with a small Garden are very sweet!!! I Like them! Mixed with my Sylvanians, they give diversity!
I have the farmhouse. My impression is about like yours, “it isn’t Calico Critters”. I even had to chisel and sand manufacturing flaws in order to put the house together! But it’s super cute and at that price point, meant to be played with (& possibly destroyed).
Great insight! I do really like the style and appreciate that they don't totally copy Calico Critters despite being a competitor. The value is great for the price, but it ain't Calico Critters LOL!! But perfect for kids (or adults!) who like the look and want a bunch of critter stuff (you can get like double the toys for the same budget compared to CC). Always good to have options!! ❤️
@@AdventuresinCritterland yes! Also adults who like to customize. 👍 I can tell you it’s a lot easier to put paint or glue on a cheap toy. So far I haven’t had the guts to paint any of my CC pieces.
Oh, I had seen these new ones before, honestly I like the Sylvanian or "Calico critter" better, although I would like to have the house of those new
I think Honey Bee Acres did a good job, the sets are creative/unique (they do not try to copy Sylvanians), and they are a great price compared to Sylvanian. The "Farmhouse" looks gorgeous, I love that it includes curtain rods, and then they provide curtains with each room set!
@@AdventuresinCritterland
Oh yeah, it's just my opinion, I would buy the sets 😅
Thanks for this video. And your honesty! I picked up the unicorn/cart as I've always loved those pull carts. I see American children have them a lot. They are not really a thing here so I thought my critters could have one.
HAPPY 400 SUBS!
Thank you! I plan to do a special video in gratitude, like a subscriber special, something on a more personal level, I am very excited about it! I really can’t believe how many people have tuned in, I thought it would be just a handful of people watching, it’s amazing! ❤️👏💃
The unicorn critter is so cute tho...
Yes I admit it is cute, if I saw it with an unbiased eyes, not comparing every bit of it to Critters, I would see it as objectively adorable!! I do think it's adorable regardless, just not up to the same standard as CC babies... and oh my gosh, a unicorn!! I would be mind-blown if a Sylvanian unicorn family came out!
@@AdventuresinCritterland when it comes to quality, definitely, sylvanian/cc ftw!! Haha. i unboxed a hairdresser set on my channel before, i think its a horse but it will remind u also of unicorn coz of the hair and the design on the box. the critter is cute but im not feelin the styling hair haha. I honestly bought it coz of the accesories 😅😁
@@mitchiestoycorner439 Oh cool, the new hairdresser sets are awesome and yes it's pretty close to a Unicorn LOL! I will check out your video, I haven't seen them up close yet! The little cart, scissors, apron, oh my gosh I love it! And I kinda feel the same on the hair, it's very different to see barbie-like hair coming out of a Sylvanian critter, IDK how I feel about that yet LOL!! 😆
@@AdventuresinCritterland yeah its weird. Maybe their targeting younger customers with that set, coz there's also a salon with that line and it comes with a lot of hair and clips to design the critters 😂
There’s a definite difference between Honey Bee Acres and Honey Bee Acres Rainbow Ridge, Rainbow Ridge is harder to take a part where Honey bee acres can easily be taken apart
I had noticed that, when I shop "in-store" (online) for Walmart and search "Calico critters," I get only Honey Bee Acres results. It appears to be "modern" version, which is a bit more cartoony and doesn't seem to represent the same era as Calico Critters. I'm disappointed that I haven't been able to find any Calico Critters actually in stores lately. I admit that my initial appeal to CC is because I collect rabbit (and cat) stuff. However, I'm a bit picky about which rabbits. It's not like I have pictures of Bugs Bunny hanging around. I have been decorating with the French Country Cottage look for at least a couple of decades now, so HBA doesn't really fit the aesthetic. It might appeal more to kids.
Like a lot of these non Sylvanians; they're great toys in their own right, but just not quite the same.
I haven't seen Honeybee Acres here in the UK so not sure if they've made their way over here yet. I'd be really interested to see them in person to form a full opinion but from what I've seen online the furniture and accessories look nice in design but much cheaper in quality, it's also a shame the pieces aren't quite to the same scale. It's the figures themselves I really can't get on board with, to me they're nowhere near as cute as the Sylvanians are and have a very stylized look which I feel is probably a love them or hate them situation. With the price point though I think they've done a good job and you get plenty in the sets, just not something I'd personally look to start collecting alongside SF.
I agree 100%, that is exactly my assessment! I think it's also true of Li'l Woodzeez (the only other Sylvanian competitor that is unique, rather than just knocking off Sylvanians), tho IMO Woodzeez critters are FAR better than Honey Bee Acres, whereas it seems Honeybee furniture/accessories are a step above Woodzeez at least stylistically. Honeybee heads are comically disproportionate and the flocking is VERY thin. But I also agree, it's a great value for what you get, super cute overall, just not up to the high standard of Sylvanians.
@@AdventuresinCritterland That's so true, the Woodzeez figures look much better in quality and style, though their furniture and accessories are lacking when compared. I agree about the comical heads on the Honeybee figures, they look like they'll forever be toppling over!
Leave it to wal-mart to use cheaper materials and be so close to the great products we know, but just not up to standards.
I’ve seen them around
The animals are cute, the detail is pretty good, but I’m kind of feeling like this could be a Calico Critters rip-off?.. I’m not trying to be rude or offensive to anyone who likes Honeybee Acres, but I can see the quality is definitely a lot lower compared to critter quality, I feel like the creators got the idea from Calico Critters. Okay, maybe they just got inspiration from critters, but for me, personally I’m not a fan of Honeybee Acres.
Yeah I concur, this is definitely an attempt to copy calico critters. But I do appreciate that they went in a new direction with the style, so for people who like the look, they could get both and use them together. But I am with you on preferring the calico critter brand, the quality is just better, and the scale is a little different too. But it’s also more expensive, the honeybee stuff is a great price and good value for what you get IMO. Thanks for watching and commenting! ❤️👍
honey bee dolls are so stiff and the bunny tail fell off of the boy bunny within a few minutes of using it. definitely not competition in my mind
Yeah, they need to step up the quality of the dolls big time; they are too fragile and wobbly, and the flocking is very thin, like sandpaper. There's no comparison there with Calico Critters, I agree, but I think they do a good job on the sets/houses/etc for the pricepoint. Thanks for watching! ❤️
A very cheap alternative, regarding quality and details. I hope the price is much lower than the original. Better to buy second hand calicos.