Melissa & Doug Folding Medieval Castle

UPDATE: As of January 13, 2019 the castle is done- out for trash. I cannot even take this to our local salvation army. It is so horrible looking kids would get hurt on it. We bought it April 4th, 2018. A whole corner of the castle ripped right off recently. An entire turret just fell off while my son was putting his figures inside. The trap door also broke as it was held on by a 1/8 inch tiny piece of dowel that was not even long enough for this application, it needed to be another 1/2 inch long, so it broke right off and was glued into the actual trap door so theres no fixing it unless I drilled out the dowel and replaced it with a new one. Its just been so much actual work for me to keep up with the pieces breaking. I could have made a better castle. We have wood working tools. I think that is what I will do this year, because what do ya know, he needs another castle for this 7th birthday since this one is by the garbage can to go out for trash this week. 9 months, it lasted 9 months. He was not being rough with this. It was nothing but disappointment for our son. Constantly kept breaking, the balcony fell off, the drawbridge stopped working because the cord broke. And it came with all the sharp edges. If it is worth 9 months of occasional gentle play time then have at it. I will never again purchase this brand. I have spent hundreds, if not a couple thousand on the Melissa and Doug brand. Loved their baby puzzles and all the wooden shape sorters for our kids as babies and we never once had this problem. Bought tons of their items for my 4 nieces. My kids have so many items of this brand, we have the big giraffe and dinosaur plush toys they can 'ride' on. It is too bad the larger toys like this are being so cheaply made now. UPDATE: December 2018: It has been almost 8 months. Since, the drawbridge has broken and no longer works, just hangs open. The balcony fell right off about a month after purchase as it was only glued on poorly. My kids were not rough with this castle, they had their figures in there and acted out scenes from video games... I would have returned this immediately if my son had not been right here when I opened it ON his birthday. It is the worst toy purchase I have ever made in my life. It still amazes me every time another part falls off, how cheaply made their products are and I recommend nothing from Melissa and Doug. 8 Months. Came broken and continued to have pieces break off. I am so disappointed. We happen to have the smaller version of the M&D castle as well, that is not broken yet, seems to be better. If you really want a big castle look into KidKraft perhaps or Hape. April 2018: I tell you what Melissa and Doug, your products really went down hill! I used to think of M&D and think quality. Now I think M&D and I think geez kinda junky and overpriced. I bought this castle as my sons big birthday gift. He wanted a Mario castle so badly for all of the Amiibos and Jakks figures you know and I picked this junk for $70 and thought it looks great. It came on the morning of his party, which I expected. I placed my order late and thats fine, it got here in time but it was all broken when it arrived and there was no time to return it. The floor as shown in the photos was not connected at all, falling off right where the hinges attach and the wood on the floor of the castle was chipping badly and was very rough... I had to rip off that chip of wood off the floor. I am very displeased with this purchase and will not buy your brand again. You are not the only retailer of wooden toys and they certainly are not the best... I would try to improve my products before you go out of business like TOY stores all over the country are right now. By the way, this was not due to any third party company that handled the toy, it was fully wrapped and sealed in thick plastic when it arrived, this is how Melissa and Doug toys are shipping out now apparently. This is exactly how it looked straight out of the plastic! I highly recommend looking at handmade ones online or even playmobil or make your own, seriously. I feel like this was such a waste. I did go buy glue and small screws to glue it and screw it together after taking photos and I plan to paint it like Mario land, but it still gets one star for it looking like trash when it arrived for my son to see on his 6th birthday. Last item this loyal M&D customer ever buys from your company.