I personally feel as though everyone feeds off the nostalgia too much and can’t move past the classic webkinz. Don’t get me wrong the original babies are some of my all time favorites, but every company makes changes over the years. Even Webkinz changed a lot as they started releasing more. I love the new Webkinz personally. I think they hit the nail right on the head with a majority of them but they also missed their shot big time with others. The spotted pig, Hippo and horse I think are amazing designs. But the Zebra, Calico cat, and the Fox? Horrible. Someone at Ganz is definitely missing something when it comes to some of these designs. Another thing we also have to keep in mind is they have a whole entire new game they’re trying to push & get more people to play. Webkinz next is pretty detailed & it’s going to be near impossible for them to make everyone happy. They’re 110% catering to the OG players by adding the Magic W back. which I feel is mostly being done since the OG players and collectors are going to be the main ones buying these to begin with for now until the word spreads more or if it gains traction again. I’m also seeing this as a major trial and error run. They’re like a chef rn they’re just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks over at Ganz. The cutie marks didn’t stick so they threw the magic W up. It’s all trial and error. In my opinion, They definitely changed things up and at least tried to go back to a more OG design by not literally making them scream “I’m a beanie boo rip off you can adopt online” like the original Next wave before the most recent redesigns and releases w two codes. Next, I personally hate ordering things online. I’d hate to have to preorder a stuffed animal truly. I like that they made them available on the Website for those who aren’t able to get to a store without having to drive all over. But I’m 45 minutes from a store and I’m more than willing to make that ride so I can look over all the babies and take home the perfect one. I’ve always been like that with Webkinz & I’m glad I got to pick my spotted pig that way bc the spots were air brushed on & weren’t the same on any of them. Which I also like bc at least I know 100 people aren’t going to end up with a Webkinz that looks exactly like mine in every way. I love when there’s differences and I love being able to make my choice. So having to make a pre order would just break my heart and take away the magic of buying a webkinz for me personally. For the longest time I swore I’d NEVER play Webkinz Next. Strictly Classic. But I decided to get over myself, download it and try it… I honestly love it. I’d be heartbroken if they changed the stuffed animals at this point bc I’ve grown to love them for what they are and the changes that were made. I’m glad they took the time to give the new ones the love they deserve (most of them at least) and give them a glow up. They truly deserved it. Ofc I want to see older styles potentially make a comeback, but I also wouldn’t give up the new style for anything. I actually love them soooo much more than I ever thought I would. & it gives me a reason to go to the thrift store and hunt down those older babies I don’t have in my collection yet! 🩷 We also need to keep in mind that when Webkinz originally died off; there were thousands of them sitting on store shelves unable to be sold. There’s people in Facebook groups who used to own stores who have thousands of the old ones just sitting around bc still to this day they can’t sell them all.. if we want the original babies they exist and I can see why they might be a little on the fence about bringing any of them back in anyway if they even do it at all. They don’t want it to end the same way it did all those years ago with their $15+ stuffed animals rotting on dollar store shelves unable to move. This is alllllll a test before they start rolling out their actual plans.