Minikane/Paola Reina Gordis vs Miniland Dolls

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(L to R) Minikane Joy, Miniland Brunette Girl, Paola Reina Gordis brown eyed Asian girl hand painted features, Miniland Brunette Boy, Minikane Jaro

I love the Miniland and Minikane doll line. The names are very similar, however they are two separate companies. When I started my doll shopping adventure, I was confused on the difference between Miniland and Minikane dolls. I hope that this blog will help you understand the differences between the two companies.

History

Miniland started in 1962 and is internationally known for their education SEL (social emotional learning) toys. The dolls are made in Spain. They were developed as a resource to help toddlers and children to learn different concepts of family, diversity, and kindness in schools. Miniland was awarded the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers 2020 Best Toy of the Year for their dolls with Down Syndrome features (source: Instagram).

Minikane started in 2012, it is an exclusive French distributor that sells anatomically correct baby dolls worldwide. Minikane dolls are made by the same factory that manufacturers Paola Reina Gordi dolls with a few exclusive designs made for them. The Minikane doll features (eyelashes, freckles, cheeks, lips) are handmade making the face look natural. Each doll may have a uniqueness to them because their features are hand painted.

(L to R) Jade, Zoe, Imany, Chloe, Gabrielle, Capucine, Jahia

Photo credit: Bella and Sia

Since 1870, Paola Reina dolls have been made in Alicante, Spain. Paola Reina Gordi commonly sold dolls are the bald little girl and little boy dolls from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Some of the newer Paola Reina Gordi dolls have hair and names; for example, Christopher. Paola Reina Gordi dolls have the same measurements as the Minikane.

Paola Reina Gordi dolls often get confused with the Minikane exclusive because of the face mold similarities. Because the Paola Reina Gordi doll line is sold with Minikane the doll measurements will be the similar as the Paola Reina Gordi.

Paola Reina also has dolls that use similar doll molds as the Minikanes (Marley, Holland, Daisy, Penelope). Be warned some dolls will have molded bangs under their hair (Daisy and Penelope).

Daisy with molded bangs

Material

Miniland and Minikane dolls are non-toxic and made of smooth, durable 100% phthalate-free vinyl. The dolls are made to EN71 toy safety standards. The European standards are higher than the United States. Miniland and Minikane have a hard, soft body, and newborn/peque doll line.

(L) Minikane Jaro (with hand painted features) (R) Minikane Joy *discontinued*

The dolls I am comparing are the Minikane/Paola Reina Gordi 13 1/4″ and Miniland 15″ hard body.

The dolls are flexible to touch and their limbs are able to move 360 degrees. The Miniland dolls have a firmer vinyl body than the Minikane dolls. The dolls have the ability to sit and stand. Minikane also offers dolls (Chloe) with open and close eyes. The dolls I am comparing do not close their eyes.

Doll Measurements

Below is a comparison chart of the Minikane 13 1/4″ and Miniland 15″ dolls. The Paola Reina Gordi will have the same measurements as Minikane.

Miniland and Minikane dolls also have different size dolls that are mentioned below:

Miniland bald babies measures 12 5/8″
Miniland Newborn and Minikane peque are 8 1/4″

Diversity and Inclusion

Miniland and Minikane promote diversity and inclusion. The dolls for both companies come in male and female and have ethnic features to represent a wide variety of races.

Miniland currently has African, African American, Asian, Caucasian (with a variety of hair colors including red hair), and Latin American. Miniland also has dolls with Down Syndrome features.

Minikane exclusive dolls currently represent Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Minikane Jaro (with hand painted features)

Both companies plan to expand more races in the future.

Doll Name

Minikane exclusive dolls have names. A few of the Minikane dolls are Chloe, Gabrielle, Imani, Jade, Joy (discontinued), Jude, Jaro, and Zoe.

**Top** (L to R) Jade, Chloe, Imany **Bottom** (L to R) Jahia, Gabrielle, Zoe, Capucine

Photo Credit: Bella and Sia

Paola Reina Gordi dolls are babies and toddler from Africa, Asia, and Europe. The older dolls do not have names and are differentiated by their appearance. However, there are a few newer dolls that have names.

A few of the little girl and boy Gordis are listed below.

Little Girl Gordi

African little girl light eyes
African little girl honey eyes
Asian little girl clear eyes
Asian little girl dark eyes
Little Girl from Europe

(L to R) Asian little girl dark eyes, Little girl from Europe, Nordic girl

Photo credit: Bella and Sia

Little Boy Gordi

African baby boy caramel eyes
Asian baby boy clear eyes
Asian little boy dark eyes
Little boy from Europe
Nordic boy

(L to R) green romper African baby boy caramel eyes, pink turban little girl from Europe, pink bonnet Asian girl with dark eyes, pink flower romper Nordic girl, porcupine outfit Anik

The smaller dolls are the Minikane peque 8 1/4″

Photo credit: Bella and Sia

Miniland dolls first came out for educational settings and do not have names but are differentiated by their appearance “brunette girl” or “brunette boy.”

Vanilla Scent

Both Miniland and Minikane dolls are vanilla scented to resemble a new born baby smell. Minikane vanilla smell is a little stronger than the Miniland vanilla smell. I personally do not care for the scent, but if you let the doll air out for a few days, the scent will dissipate.

Hair

Minikane/Paola Reina Gordis and Miniland have hair and hairless dolls. The Miniland dolls have coarser hair then the Minikane dolls. In addition, some of the Minikane dolls will have eyelashes. From my observation, all the Minikane dolls with hair have eyelashes except for the asian and boy dolls.

Some families bathe their hairless dolls and pop their heads and limbs off to dry. I have not and do not recommend to bathe these dolls due to potential of mold.

Hair Care

If the doll hair is tangled from play, combing the hair with your fingers or brush will help tame the mane. If you need a little more help, spritzing with water will help detangle. Please make sure you do not spray at the roots (where the hair attaches to the head) because it could cause potential mold.

Skin Color

The caucasian skin color on the Miniland dolls have a tint of orange. I do not mind the color, however you may notice the difference when you compare them to the Minikane caucasian dolls.

Clothing

Minikane dolls are usually sold naked without clothes.

Miniland dolls will usually come with an underwear. There are a few options where the Miniland is dressed.

Dye Transfer

Fabric dye can transfer to the doll if the doll clothes are not washed. This is most commonly seen with dark fabric (black, navy, red). Wash with a color catcher to decrease the chance of having staining. If your doll has a stain clean immediately because the stains can spread if not treated because of the vinyl material.

Can preemie or newborn clothes fit Minikane and Miniland?

No. Minikane and Miniland will not fit newborn or preemie clothes.

Can American Girl doll clothes and shoes fit Minikane and Miniland?

American Girl dolls are 18 inches long while the Minikane is 13 1/4″ and Miniland is 15″. They will fit, but will be loose. I have bought a few American Girl doll clothes second hand and the underwear tends to be loose on the Miniland and Minikane dolls. You may also need to roll up the pants and sleeves.

American Girl shoes sneakers may fit with extra tissue.

(L) Miniland underwear (R) American Girl Underwear

(L) Minikane in American Girl underwear (R) Miniland in American Girl underwear

Anatomically Correct Dolls

Minikane and Miniland are both anatomically correct. The Minikane dolls are chubbier in general will have more breast tissue. In addition, the Minikane dolls show the vaginal opening and the anus.

(L) Minikane Jade (R) Brunette Brown Eyed Girl

(L) Minikane Jaro (with added eyebrows) (R) Brunette Brown Eyed Boy

Price

Miniland is more economical. Depending on the doll, Minilands can be found in the mid $22 to $35 range. Minikane are spendier ($45-$60) depending on the doll.

Where can I buy them?

Miniland is more accessible because it is a US distributor. Miniland dolls can be found on Amazon, Staples, Target, and Walmart. Staples is known to be the most affordable location.

Minikane is harder to find in the US and can be found in small shops. One of my favorite small shops is Bella and Sia. This small shop is based in Homestead, Florida ran by two sisters. The owners are very friendly and was happy to answer all my questions on Minikane. Bella and Sia currently ships in the United States and looking to expand to Canada.

Final Thoughts

I love my Miniland and Minikane dolls. The stock photos do not do the dolls justice. The quality of the doll hair is really high and easy to fix.

I love how the Miniland dolls have a wider variety of doll ethnicity. The Miniland dolls were our first purchase, but my kids gravitate towards our Minikane and Paola Reina Gordi dolls. I believe it is because the Minikane dolls look like their baby sister.