Why I’m NOT Collecting the 2025 American Girl of the Year Summer McKinny 

I'm not impressed by Summer. Her collection looks very Walmart/five below

I actually think the doll herself (minus her outfit and her collection) is actually very cute. I usually dislike fantasy colour-haired dolls, but I think the pink is understated and I like the shade of blonde and her glasses, too. She'd look so cute in knits and jeans, and a concert tee 😊 and I can see her in Courtney's blazer paired with a midi floral dress or skirt. Having said that, I won't be getting her.

Separate thought. Are you a Grace fan? I think the dirtiest thing about this release is how excited they got everyone about Grace, who had one of the most comprehensive and beautiful GOTY collections, being connected to Summer, who has now been revealed to have one of the cheapest and most plastic looking sets ever released on a GOTY. I need someone to make a video about this. 😂

I agree with your thoughts on the collection. When photos were leaked a couple of months ago I wasn’t impressed at all, but my first thought was “kid’s will like it”… I like the ice cream cart, that’s it.. I’m planning on skipping this collection, but I hope it’s successful… Oh yeah her collection has a Walmart “My life as” vibe” .

I also think the writing is on the wall with these boxes. There’s no reason to get rid of the window unless they’re about to tighten up the returns and exchanges by a LOT. They have to be losing a lot of money from folks who are calling and getting new doll because of eyelashes.

Love your videos Blaine! Glad you started this channel. Agree with your thoughts on Summer. Her reveal was underwhelming and her collection makes me think of My Life As. I do like her pjs though

You make some good points. Something about Summer's eye color to consider is within the GOTY collection they have not had a doll with blue eyes for a decade. I agree that the sophistication of the collections has declined. I think the Nanea face mold was a great choice. Not so much the pink highlights. They are cute but AG got feedback about Corrine that collectors wanted them optional. Agreed that while the themes and colors are relevant in toy marketing they certainly could have expanded upon the concept to make a more well rounded product. I do like her PJs. LOL. I think those are unique compared to the usual top and bottoms they come up with. I am wondering if the change in age for the dolls is due to the fact that though there are many adult collectors the age of doll play in children has dropped. Where it was a rite of passage to get one's first Pleasant Company, American Girl doll at the ages of 8-10 in the 80s and 90s now kids get them by age six if not before. Most Tweens, though some may collect are no longer bringing dolls to slumber parties. They are watching Tictok and doing skincare challenges.

“These dolls are meant to be played with, even though they aren’t priced that way.” That is the biggest truth!! I was excited about Summer when I found out it was the Nanea mold. She was so bland in the reveal though…. I thought just like you did. since I have Nanea and TM119, she really wasn’t different enough from the two of them. My wallet is saved from another GoTY 🤣

I wasn’t excited for her anyway, so I’m not disappointed. AG has been headed this way for a few years now, appealing to a younger and younger market. They have to. Older kids are into electronics and RU-vid and Instagram. I felt that while Lila was a nice liking doll, her clothes gave off first or second grader vibes. The boxes are annoying. Hopefully, if you can get to a store, you can still take the lid off of the box and look. If they put those plastic sticky circle things on them to keep the box shut, then they’ve blown the whole fantasy of environmentally conscious.

The cheapening of the american girl brand needs to be studied

I really like Summer! I think she is cute! That is really cool that American girl is making more earth friendly packaging! Thanks for sharing! I love to hear your opinions on things!😃 Take care and stay safe! ❤️

I agree that American Girl is a toy company and the target audience is not adults. Adult collectors are totally unhinged, me included! Not as much about perfection of my dolls, though. I think Summer will sell incredibly well, she is perfect for the younger demographic. Which will give AG the data it needs to continue the trend. I actually really love her! The super bright colors and the Nanea Mold really appealed to me. I had no intentions of getting another blonde, blue eyed doll either but...When I saw her I instantly fell in love. I think she brings out the over the topness that I adore. I would have love it more that sliced bread if they have created a doll of color for this years GOTY. They also recycled so much of Summer's line that I wonder if GOTY may be discontinued.

I dont think they can go back from cable ties because it is a toy standard for them to sell outside of USA. Which they plan to resume doing next year.

I looked at Summer’s collection and immediately thought, “meh, I’ll pass.” It looks like the pet spa and new kitchen set were released to compliment Summer’s collection. So, yet another way AG is trying to save money.

Glad to listen to this video of yours, Blaine. I sometimes wish there could be a video to get out all our frustrations withe the AG Company. The inconsistencies in quality and customer service and recent changes in Reward rules drive me crazy. With the GOTY dolls I’ve always always wished they’d produce several skin tones of the same doll. I hate for the kids of color who anticipate the “unveiling” to see a doll so unlike them. Watching GMA this morning and their audience of 10 girls, 3 white and 7 black each receive a doll, made me wonder if they all wanted a blonde doll. Could be same mold, same story line and outfits, but your choice of ethnicity. Anyway…thanks for your videos.

That actually makes a lot of sense (companies more blatantly setting their foot down to gear their stuff towards kids). I was wondering why the sudden change with RH since they were pretty hot with the doll community. In hindsight, even though they were well-loved, we always picked at their quality control issues and things like that.

I haven’t seen Summer yet have to look her up so I can give my opinion ❤thanks for sharing

As a new (4 AG dolls so far….. Transitioned from collectible Barbies) adult doll collector I was hoping for a doll of colour and curly hair. But I also don’t have any blonde and blue eyed AG dolls and was thinking of historical Kit. Maybe Kit is a better choice? Just started liking Summer, as she has glasses 🤔🤔 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ still undecided. But never say never 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️💕🙏🏼🩷

I agree with you 100%. I have Nanea, and I like her with her story, but she is my least favorite face mold. Will not be buying her. Summer looks like a collection from “Our Generation” dolls. I love “Our Generation “ dolls, but they are a fraction of the price. Not a fan at all of her, very disappointing.

Get the onesie with points, I think her collection is childish but necessary. They offer tons of adult inspired dolls a few looks and pieces that fit the older AG aesthetic so summer feels good for the younger collector to meet them where they are.

Let's just said that im not mad that i live so far away ag that i cant get anything... and not to be rude with Summer but Luciana had a spaceship and she has ... a foodtruck?

I agree with you. This doll has been done before, yes, the face is mold different, please stop with the blond hair for a while, enough with rainbow themes. They had an unique opportunity to put an Irish heritage twist to this doll collection. To appeal to kids, they could have made her Irish tap dancer, and a lover of the Viking history which is a big part of Irish culture. There is only one big accessory and its a cart, how do they expect any kid to get excited about this doll. I am adult collector, who collects their historical line. AG needs us collectors, one of the big reasons parents spend so much for this doll, the know if their child keeps it in good condition, it will be worth money someday. They look at it as an investment!!!

This doll is perfect for my toddler daughter thats in the pink and rainbow stage. As an adult collector not sure.

Will Mattel revamp the Barbie line omitting all of the plastic? I still think Mattel should make a goth GOTY in all black. lol. Also a indigenous character, lots of issues to enlighten young children, something that is not taught in schools or addressed in the media. I won't be buying Summer, she's cute but as I've said before my want list is soooo long.

The neck strings had to be removed because of legal reasons not cheapen out reason it has to do was manufacturing rules and safety laws

It's been so sad to see the whole product line thin out. There is nothing new and exciting. Why was there no new Halloween?

Summer is def a little girls toy. Hopefully the next GOTY is more sophisticated and more diverse, whether by ethnicity, color or gender.

All I've heard about this doll is negative but my daughter (a teen!) fell in love with her...she'll receive one for Christmas. She's not even a collector as she only has Molly and Julie so for her to want Summer is kind of a big deal to me. Oh well, to each their own.

You have some good points, I usually get my dolls delivered but display them in box via the window. So, I don’t know how that will work going forward. I notice actually the Winter Princess was “dolled down” to a younger simpler audience, hymmm…. Well AG does offer a variety to choose from, so we do have many options. I was a little disappointed seeing Summer for the first time, but maybe many little girls were elated! Well, moving on I wonder what the Halloween doll will look like. I hope they have collectors, wink, wink in mind with it.

The only thing she has over the cheaper 18in. dolls like Our Generation is hwr face. The outfits on theze cheaper dolls are not bad.

You are so right american girl doll is going down 😢😢😢 and is getting more expensive

I love Sumner and definitely want her along with her onesie and sleeping bag. The rest of the collection will be a pass for me unless I get a great deal in a few years. I like that this character wears glasses and I believe she supports animal shelter adoptions. As a whole the collection reads cheap in my eyes but my granddaughters love it all.

So my inner 6 year old is doing backflips but…I’m 46 😂 Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy those colors, and I agree that AG is definitely targeting a younger audience, and I think kids will love it. I’m also kinda surprised by how limited her collection is. Her official big ticket item isn’t really big ticket. And judging from the stock photos on the website and photos of actual store displays, I am kinda like hmm 🤔 are y’all trying to move the big ticket Truly Me items? She’s been displayed with a TM kitchen, TM bed, and the TM dining set. I don’t recall AG doing this for a GOTY before but I’m a newer collector. I’m sure more experienced collectors will have some good insights. I am all for sustainability. I think you are raise an excellent point: is this packaging change for sustainability or to hide defects in dolls? I’m no longer near an AG store so all of my purchases have been online. But I know a lot of collectors go specifically to the store to pick out the dolls themselves. That’s going to be very frustrating to those shoppers. I’m with you…if they are committed to sustainability then they should go back to the neck strings.

I think it's possible they may keep the window on LE or like the Disney collectors doll, they know many of those stay in the box. And have a closed box for more of the kids focused dolls/play dolls.

You’re right, her collection it’s small and AG silently encourages you to buy existing “truly me” pet structures to grow her collection. Yes another Caucasian doll with an ethnic face mold, disappointing. AG has always been historically a child’s toy, regardless that adults collect them. Mattel resolved this issues with Barbie by creating an adult collection line. Closing stores to route online sales is common practice in all business since the mid 2000s. Unfortunately you loose quality control, the experience/memory you creat by in person shopping and you loose the awww factor of stepping into a giant toy store. FYI my Mary Ellen diner arrived busted and broken. If I still had my store in Northern California, Palo Alto location I could have bought it and got it home in one piece plus have the memory of shopping there. Summer is cute. I’m not her target audience.

I really liked hearing your thoughts! I think you bring up really great points about all of it, especially us being picky! My Nellie probably has the worst aligned eyes, and she’s from 2004! 😂❤ I think after seeing everything, I’ll pass on Summer herself, but I do like the onesie too! I’ve recently been wanting something like that for my dolls!! ❤❤

Hey! Your presence is being requested over on Dolly Domain American Girl Adult Collectors Group. Are you on that page yet? If not go join and look at all the nice things people are saying about your channel! 😊

I’m not excited about her. I feel like AG has been rushing the GOTY dolls these past few years. I loved Grace and I feel like Summer is a repeat. I want GOTY dolls of color.

I hope you wont mind my little rant here, but they are appealing to younger ages than 8+ now so they can get away with the horrible quality control? Im sorry but these dolls are 125 now plus ship if you buy from their website, YOU SHOULD get a perfect doll that will last for years even for a child! But thats mattel i suppose, cheap, cheap cheap while charging ridiculous prices for defected dolls!

I love Summer! I’ll have to fight my 8 year old for her when she comes in😂

her meet outfit is giving recycled truly me meet outfit 🙄

I'm not crazy about Summer and her collection. Bit of a dud for me.

I ordered summer today and im so excited for her to come my Mom was on hold for like an hour and it waa worth the wait because I've been a fan of girl of the year and a collector in having all the girl of the year dolls. I look forward to getting doll of The year for my birthday in February or waiting for Christmas to get her. So she's means Alot to me. i Saved my birthday money to get her

It’s unfortunate she’s so bland because I was a little animal lover baker kid who did crafts. This is a little me (not in looks).

Liked hearing your thoughts this morning, Prof Blaine. 🤪 I just think it's so sad how some adults are wildly complaining about this doll. AG has been doing a TON for collectors in the past year with LE Disneys, holiday, brand new Julie collection, bringing back historicals, etc. GOTY and TRULY ME has always been meant for kids and who they are and what they look like, and it should stay that way. Seems you have to ask yourself....who's the actual child here? Is it the child or is it the adult collector who's plastering insults about this doll all over social media. That being said, I do think it's wrong that we haven't had an AA GOTY in so long, so yes diversity is needed, but in the meantime how about not name-calling kids that actually resemble this doll in real life? After my Frozen purchases, I've resolved that my next dolls will be the secondhand historicals forever on my wishlist that I've yet to get. I need a good break from purchasing directly from AG site haha. But then those damned rewards bring me back everytime. 💩

Oh I don’t like the neck strings as an adult collector 🥲.

You are so right about so many things! While I do think Summer is cute it’s amazing how her collection is so colorful yet couldn’t be more boring. 🥱 I have to really love a doll in order to add it to my (small) collection. When I saw her leaked photos I wasn’t excited but I had hope in what her other items would be. Then when I saw them yesterday…shoot. But these are made for kids, and if the products they make don’t sell to their target demographic then we would have no more AG, right? I personally don’t care about the different packaging - the store in Minnesota closed and the closest store is now in Chicago so we never buy anything in person. Personally, when I see people post in different AG groups asking if others see defects I roll my eyes. Yes, these dolls are expensive and I understand why people expect high quality. But I can also see why AG would get frustrated at collectors returning at the slightest irregularity. Maybe it’s because I don’t buy nearly as much as some others so I have only positive experiences to go by. I really hope the company starts designing new molds for the dolls’ accessories and stop recycling the same items in different colors. One thing that I always loved about AG is all of the little “things” that came in the play sets - I often get more excited about those items than I do the actual dolls. 🥸 I miss the realism and depth behind these things. But I’m still hopeful!

Summer's base doll is really cute! I really want American Girl to make a girl of the year who is Indigenous. Kaya is beautiful and such a special doll so it'd be nice to see a more modern take on their culture and perhaps an activism story.

I haven’t seen Summer yet have to look her up so I can give my opinion ❤thanks for sharing

I’m not a Nanea mold fan and her collection is not my style. I will happily pass on Summer. I agree with your comments!

Yeah, I’m not really vibing with her either. It’s true we are not the target demographic, but from the prior GOTY, it feels lackluster. Feels like they placed more resources on the Disney release, but I really hope the next year’s will have bit of a personality. Or more boy dolls! I want more boy dolls.

You are spot on your opinion. Definitely this doll is for the younger demographic. She will sell well for the kids for sure.

I was so excited for the new girl of the year but i didn’t like anything 😭

I completely agree that a lot of people are way too picky and negative. I mean, I get that these are expensive dolls and they shouldn’t be flawed, but some of these “flaws” are completely unnoticeable unless you’re really looking for it.

I’m not the biggest fan of the Nanea mold so I will be passing on her as well ❤

I really don’t like white dolls having the neanah mold it’s like giving a white doll who’s not mixed an addy mold The neanah mold is made to showcase Polynesian and Pacific Islander features so doing a basic white girl with that mold feels wrong

Hi Blaine just finished your video. IMO this doll seems targeted to a younger audience. I'm sure there will be adult collectors wo will get her but I will pass on her.

I went to the Orlando event and I did not come home with her. She is very cute but like you I have enough blond blue eyed dolls that are cute. I did come home with her outfit with the hearts pockets, her accessories, and her dog (he was cute in person). I came home with the Rapunzel doll and she is escaping from the tower! Thank you!

she is too overstimulating

I dont collect GOTY dolls right now, but I will admit she is a beautiful doll. I am a sucker for the Nanea mold tho 😂 i feel similarly to you- i think it is very clear she was geared towards an even younger audience than what has been typical for AG, and Im personally okay with that. Not everything has to appeal to me personally! The small size of the collection is curious though. Im thinking that either (1) they are reading the room of the economy tanking and know most people cant afford proper big ticket items right now or (2) they wanted to save warehouse space for more releases to come this year (more historical items PLEASE).

Hi Blaine 👋 I can't say Ill never get Summer, but it wont be anytime soon. Perhaps when she goes on clearance or when I have some rewards I can't figure out how to spend. White doll, white dog, white cat.... I guess that's what sells?? Sad. There are a few of her individual pieces, like the jacket and heart pocket skirt from the Waggy Pup outfit and the baseball cap from the treat cart. Oh, and the onesie is cute af! LOL Again, sales and extra point offers will come along that might tempt me. There's nothing here that will drive me to buy her. Our Generation has a cute treat cart that's cheaper and dare I say cuter? It doesnt have the rainbow canopy, but some paint or fabric would remedy that. Hopefully 2026 GOTY will bring us a more diverse doll and a fitting collection. 🤞

I do like the Nanea mold but sure don't need another blonde. I just got Kirsten for my birthday in may and I have Tenney and my 115, Luna. Her dress would be cute for pride month.

I think the doll is really cute, but I'm not impressed with the storyline they created for her.

The customer base for these dolls as play toys for children is not the low income but it’s is for the middle class and up. Yes, only the wealthy or a family who decide that several members will help with the gift so the cost for the doll, clothings and maybe some of the other items is spread out among parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles. . . I think Summer, her outfits and the other items are very appealing. I do understand the change in the boxes, the new design of box is more durable for those of us who collect and store dolls in the box. and the less plastic is a plus for me.

I'm with you on this new girl - she's cute, but the collection does not "speak" to me like other's I've collected. The change in the packaging is not good either. I saw a FB post with a number to call to express your opinion about the box. I'll try to find it. I'm holding out for the next Disney release - thanks for sharing your opinions with us. Take care! 🏰

Agreed with every point in this video! Also, this is petty and random but 1. Why are the pet cookies only dogs when Summer loves cats and dogs and 2. Why did we get a white fluffy westie-looking dog when we already have Coconut who looks almost identical? I could say so much more but I'll leave it at that for now LOL

So has your opinion changed at all since the doll has been released? Just curious. I didn’t think you sounded too negative. It was your honest thoughts and I agree with a lot of them. I think Summer is a pretty doll mainly because I adore the Nanea face mold. Right now my Nanea is the only one in my collection with that mold and if I were to add another I would get Ariel💕 I think this doll will be very popular for kids. I can see why they are trying to appeal to their main target market and throwing expensive collector dolls in the mix for us collectors. I actually think they have given us a lot of choices so I am not mad about it. I am not sure about the box change yet. 🫣 Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.😃

I don't think the reason that american girl is appealing to a younger audience has anything to do with adult collectors. There is no more pre-teen era. just look at the whole thing about kids in Sephora thing. AG was made for the preteen era (maybe a little younger too) of girl and now that era of girls don't want dolls anymore sadly... american girl and rainbow high are just trying to cater towards the audience that actually still plays with dolls.

Thumbs down on Summer. I have every girl of the year doll, but now I am going to sell this series. I just can't keep up with it when the dolls look like this.

I will likely not be purchasing her either. I do think however that she is a pretty doll. The mold is one of my favorites. I am such an old head however, I just love the historical dolls.

I’ll probably get Summer because I think the doll herself is pretty. I only own 2 Nanea mold dolls and two blondes so far. And, I like that she comes with glasses. I don’t like her meet outfit or any of her collection (maybe the onesie). So, yes but I’ll wait for a sale or extra points.

Too much rainbow 🤮🤮

Oh I am so excited for her. I said I wouldn't want her...BUT then I read her description and saw the colors! I am a baking, crafter, and pet lover and pastels are my favorite!🤣 my husband read them and said it's you! I am trying to not buy her right now but i do love her collection! I thought it was interesting they transitioned some of the older items to her aesthetics like the bed, kitchen set etc.

What? I got her!! She is super kid like but she is part of GOTY line! I just want the doll most of all! Also, the box is not that bad!! But I get it!

Everything you say is understandable but I honestly feel again like you were insinuating, it just seems a bit generic and went away from the adult collectors and more towards little girls, which obviously it is made for little girls but aside from Lila I feel Lila felt less cheap and more also going towards what us collectors really go for. (Not trying to complain, honestly being genuine cause ik every single collector is different)

When I saw her for the first time (which was this morning) I immediately thought that something is off, out of balance in her appearance … I personally think Nanea mold looks better, more natural as a brunette, even if her eyes are blue. Maybe, if Summer had green eyes, a new shade of green perhaps, a light forest green, she would look more balanced. Perhaps the stock picture doesn’t do her justice?? 🤷🏼‍♀️ I truly hope they would come up with GOY with Addy mold, I’m pretty sure it’s not going to happen, but I still hope.

I only have one Nanea mold in my collection, I don’t collect any Disney dolls so for this reason I really like the doll and will most likely get her for my collection. I won’t get much else because I don’t like the pieces for a variety of reasons but it feels like they just recycled Graces collection but just a different color scheme. Hate the box top for several reasons and I also collected MA dolls and always opened the boxes when I bought them at the stores in the past. However, for the most part they did not have quality issues you would need to worry about! I really don’t like ordering online in that you can’t see what you are getting upfront but they closed the Seattle store so I have no store nearby to hand pick my dolls. Also feel it is a way to stop people from picking certain ones so they can pass on their defective dolls :( Overall I am not a fan but I think their target audience will love it all!

I agree with you. Hopefully they release a big ticket item. I can see buying her and her clothes but I'm not excited so I have time to think it over. Maybe ride it out until clearance.

It's funny you say you might get the onesie bc when I looked at Summer's collection, that was the only thing that jumped out at me 😅 I would consider getting it for my Anna, but I think I'd rather get Courtney's Strawberry Shortcake onesie instead. I wish they would do something a little more interesting with GOTY, although I know kids will probably like her a lot with the rainbows and animal theme.

i’m just so bored. half of the gotys are blonde