Journey Girls dolls by Geoffrey (sold exclusively at Toys R Us) are a group of best friends who journey all over the world and have great adventures that they share with one another. Each year they travel to a new country and a new country-specific edition of the dolls is released.

Journey Girls are one of the most popular and successful American Girl alternatives, offering six individual girl dolls, each with her own talents, hobbies, and interests. Blonde athletic Meredith, Asian fashionista Callie, Hispanic artist Kyla (formally Alana), Auburn outdoorsy Kelsey, Bespectacled animal friend Dana, and African American songstress Chavonne (formerly Taryn) are the standard Journey Girls.

CHAVONNE, KYLA, MEREDITH, DANA, KELSEY, and CALLIE
 

In 2013 Journey Girls debuted special holiday edition doll Jordanna. Jordanna was released with the 2013 Journey Girls Paris theme and was dressed in an elaborate blue gown, pendant, and gloves. She was special from the other J-Girls in that she had realistic two-toned hair and more formal "make up." She was followed in 2014 with holiday edition Mikaella (London) and holiday Giovanna in 2015 (Italy).

 

SPECIAL EDITION HOLIDAY JOURNEY GIRLS
 

In 2016, Journey Girls released their holiday doll with a New York theme and in two versions, blonde and brunette. Unlike the other holiday girls, she wasn't named.

HOLIDAY J-GIRL 2016 (NEW YORK)

 

Journey Girls have beautiful, sensitive faces and large, sparkling inset eyes that really add depth and realism to their expressions. Most of the girls share the same face mold with the exception of Callie, Chavonne, and Dana, who seem to have unique face molds.

DANA, CHAVONNE, AND CALLIE HAVE UNIQUE FACE MOLDS FROM THE OTHER J-GIRLS

All have thick, rooted hair, usually long, though the coverage isn't as good as it could be, and the top of their head can show thin spots if their special Journey Girl "comb over" isn't properly addressed.

 
KYLA'S HAZEL/GREEN EYES ARE STRIKING, THOUGH HER ROOTS ARE UNFORTUNATELY SHOWING

Their hair is not nearly the quality of American Girl dolls' kanekalon wigs, but it can be easily combed, brushed, and styled without losing much of its original shine or curl. Some of the dolls' heads do not turn directly side-to-side, but are set on their angled neck joint so that they tilt slightly up or down when moving side-to-side. 

In 2014 Journey Girls underwent a makeover and got brand new face sculpts and bodies.  The new faces are simpler, broader, and somewhat less expressive, though they retain elements of the original Journey Girls' unique aesthetic. The wider fuller, bodies may be an attempt to bring Journey Girls more in like with the standard American Girl sized body, and while not as full,  Journey Girls can now more easily fit American Girl doll clothing.

THE OLD (L) AND NEW (R) KYLA SIDE-BY-SIDE

Journey Girls' upper bodies are made entirely of vinyl, much like Madame Alexander dolls, while their lower bodies are cloth. They stand (when you can get them to stand) taller than American Girl dolls at about 18 1/2" (47cm) though their arms and legs are much thinner than American Girl dolls. The pre-2014 dolls are almost spindly, making sharing clothing with AG dolls difficult (and also making them much less stable on their feet). Older Journey Girls may do better sharing with some of the Gotz slim-bodied vinyl dolls like Hannah's World dolls, or Tonner's Magic Attic dolls, though fair warning--not everything there will be an ace fit either.

That being what it is, Journey Girls have their own line of clothing, and even a number of cool accessories you can get at Toys R Us right along with the dolls.

JOURNEY GIRLS OUTFIT FROM TOYS ARE US

For those on a budget who would like a lovely and decent quality doll for a small fraction of the cost of an American Girl doll, Journey Girls dolls are the answer. For under forty dollars, anyone can take away a brand new Journey Girl and all her adventures (Holiday versions cost about $50); likewise Journey Girls can easily be found on the secondary market for as low as $10 - $15.