Company: Mattel
Release date: ~1990s
Size: +/- 6.5cm
Main distribution: Europe / America
Once Upon a Time Locket series are a bunch of Disney-themed, small playsets existing out of lockets/compacts on necklaces with small dolls, similar to Polly Pocket or the Disney Tiny Collection, but slightly larger. Large versions were also made, called Once Upon a Time Playset.
It’s a fun playset and pretty necklace too!
8 lockets were made of various Disney films;
– Aladdin
– Beauty and the Beast
– Cinderella
– Hercules
– 101 Dalmations
– Pocahontas
– Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
– The Hunchback of the Notre Dame
I got 3/8; Aladdin, 101 Dalmations and The Hunchback of the Notre Dame. I used to have Pocahontas too, but I’m not sure where it ended up…
Aladdin
Barcode: 026676663011
The exterior is golden coloured and has a relief of the palace of Agrabah on both sides. The rope is glittery purple with a golden lock. On the back along the bottom it reads in raised font: ©DISNEY CHINA. On the bottom is a sticker that reads MADE IN CHINA/CHINE.
The inside displays Jasmine’s room; with a vanity and stool on the left and a chaise longue on the right. The chaise longue can be pulled towards you using the hinge on its left.
The set comes with 2 figures; Aladdin as Prince Ali and Jasmine. They have a hinge in their waist similar to Polly Pocket figures so they can sit.
101 Dalmations
Barcode: 026676664148
The exterior is blue coloured and has a relief of a basket with a puppy in it. The puppy is fully coloured on the front, showing his face and paws, but is blue like the basket on the back, showing his bum and tail. The rope is glittery purple with a red lock. On the back along the edge of the basket on the right it reads in raised font: ©DISNEY. On the divider inside along the hinge it reads: CHINA.
The inside displays 2 areas. On the left side is where the puppies were held captive, whereas on the right side is their home. There’s an extendable divider in the middle. The left has a panel of sitting puppies that can be moved upwards to show the puppies escaping, and the divider shows the puppies watching TV. On the right there’s a sofa with puppies that can be pulled down to turn into a rug, and the divider shows puppies on a cabinet.
The set comes with 3 figures; Lucky, Pongo and Perditia.
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame
Barcode: 026676694312
The exterior is golden coloured and shaped like a bell, with decorative relief and a sticker of Esmeralda and Djali on the front, and the Hunchback of the Notre Dame film logo on the back. The rope is glittery purple with a golden lock. On the front along the hinge is in raised font: © DISNEY and on the back it reads CHINA.
The inside displays 2 areas. On the left side is the Festival of Fools and on the right side is Quasimodo’s home. There’s a divider in the middle. The left has a panel that can be pulled down, which creates a dancing stage for Esmeralda. Placing her on the slot and spinning the wheel will make her twirl around. The divider shows the Festival of Fools. On the right there’s a relief of a statue, and the divider shows the Notre Dame.
The set comes with 2 figures; Esmeralda and Quasimodo. Unfortunately I only have Esmeralda.
When I was a kid I loved Disney, especially the animal films. My aunt had bought me the Lion King playset from the Disney Tiny Collection, and it wasn’t long before she also gifted me the 101 Dalmatians here from Once Upon a Time Lockets. I took it with me around my neck whenever I was staying over at my aunt or grandparents, where there were no other cousins to play with, and spent hours playing with myself having adventures with the tiny dogs. I got Pocahontas later too, but the animals were my favourites, so I played less with that one.
I seem to have lost Pocahontas though. It may have been sold when I needed money for uni, but it might also still be in my parents house.
I casually started looking out for the other Disney lockets. I managed to find Aladdin and the Hunchback of the Notre Dame cheap, and even managed to complete them almost by finding loose figures. I’m still missing Quasimodo though. I wouldn’t mind getting all the lockets, but I need to confirm if Pocahontas is still at my parents or not first.
Much like Polly Pocket, it’s fun to keep an eye out for these. If anyone has Quasimodo for me, let me know.
If you like Disney, small things, little scenes and cute playsets, these are great for you.
They can be a bit expensive though, especially complete.
If you like bigger toys, these won’t be for you.
Got any more details / information you think I should add? Or did I get something wrong? Do you own any of these lockets? Which one is your fav? Do you agree or disagree with my findings? Let me know in the comments below!