danybug Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Yesterday, we went to the American Girl store here in Colorado. My dd got Marie-Grace for Christmas, so we wanted to check it out. Oh my goodness, it was fabulous. My dd was mesmerized. And I would have to say I was too. I wanted to buy her everything there :glare: We ended up getting Cecile (who I think is just gorgeous). My dh obviously thought everything was overpriced, but was impressed with the craftsmanship of the the furniture and various pieces. As in it was expensive, but not total junk. I couldn't believe how much they charge for the hair salon for the dolls. I kind of felt like that should be a special treat for girls to bring their dolls in and not be so pricey. And maybe in turn by drawing the family in they would obviously buy something not being able to say no to all the beautiful stuff :glare: Anyway, just thought I would share. I am terrible now, I want to get her everything, but have to actually use self-control ;) I can't remember ever feeling like that about kids toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfatherslily Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 My MIL and I took DD in April. We had SOOOO much fun! We had as much fun look at all the little, adorable things as DD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 It's fun! I took the kids and my grand daughters to the Bistro right before Thanksgiving for a tea party. We allhad such a great time -- dh said he was glad we had a great time because it was rather $$$ -- and it was, but I told him that I am making memories for the kids, so it's okay. My three went right before Christmas for the Gingerbread House Event and it was adorable! Each child received a pre-assembled plain gingerbread house and a tray of the most amazing frostings, pipings, candies, etc to decorate said house -- and two people who circulated well in order to assist each child. When the kids were finished decorating, the houses were packaged to take home, and the kids were given fruit platters, pizza and drinks. The event lasted 2.5 hours, mothers were asked not to stay, and the houses the kids made were adorable. Oh, and they were given chef's toques and while they were there, they each had a chef's jacket to wear. My kids loved it. The kids are registered to attend a Valentine Cookie Decorating event in February. I LOVE the store -- when I went through with the kids and grand-kids, just watching them was amazing -- their eyes were wide as saucers. I love looking at everything there. The first time i took my three kids, we had time to kill before a movie (it was Halloween) - we walked to the other end of the mall and as we are getting closer (I hadn't told them where we were going) dd11 (E) guesses where we are headed - the AG store is right next to Bloomingdale's and Louis Vuitton. She shouts at the top of her lungs as we approached: 'OH MY GOSH!!!!!! BLOOMINGDALE'S!!!! AMERICAN GIRL!!!!! AND LOUIS VUITTON!!!!!! I can't believe it!' Can you tell I don't take them out much? :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMommy Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I'm so excited to read all of these posts! We're getting an AG store in our area this spring, and I can't wait to take my girls. Who am I kidding? I'd totally go by myself and look even if they didn't care at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Just hand over your wallet at the door. It's so much easier that way. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadianmumof5 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Obviously there are no AG stores here in Canada but I am thinking that DD and I should head to Chicago for a little mother/daughter getaway in the spring. So seriously, how much do I need to budget??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 My DH travels to Atlanta a couple of times a year for work, and DD and I get to go to the Bistro for Tea and to the AG store. We set a budget before we go in-which is hard for me, as well as DD. She's already longing for McKenna's gymnastics equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danybug Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Just hand over your wallet at the door. It's so much easier that way. :lol: Obviously there are no AG stores here in Canada but I am thinking that DD and I should head to Chicago for a little mother/daughter getaway in the spring. So seriously, how much do I need to budget??? Sad, but exactly :lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danybug Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 It's fun! My three went right before Christmas for the Gingerbread House Event and it was adorable! Each child received a pre-assembled plain gingerbread house and a tray of the most amazing frostings, pipings, candies, etc to decorate said house -- and two people who circulated well in order to assist each child. When the kids were finished decorating, the houses were packaged to take home, and the kids were given fruit platters, pizza and drinks. The event lasted 2.5 hours, mothers were asked not to stay, and the houses the kids made were adorable. Oh, and they were given chef's toques and while they were there, they each had a chef's jacket to wear. My kids loved it. The kids are registered to attend a Valentine Cookie Decorating event in February. I was looking at all the events for our store. They look like such fun and ones that my dd would love. But they all say 8 yo. I wonder how closely they stick to this. My dd is beyond her years and I am sure would do great at the craft ones. Madison might get a kick out of the fact that when we were walking in Jackson said "you know mom I am kind of in to American Girl too". He likes all the movies and likes listening when I read the historical girl stories to dd. He even snuck off and bought something to surprise her with extra accessories when we were there. He is such a sweetie!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We live 20 minutes away from the Minneapolis store and bistro. So dangerous! My daughter got Marie-Claire for Christmas too! One of our favorite mother daughter destinations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We went to the store in Los Angeles when we were there in the fall. WOW!!! What fun! I agree with Dianne - just leave your credit card at the door. Fun times. We just got Meg McKenna for her birthday! She's our little gymnast and it looks exactly like her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Where all are they opening new stores? We went to the Chicago store a few years ago and I think it was one of three stores at that time. My oldest 2 dd's went with grandparents so they could each pick out a doll for Christmas. We did go again the next year and only spent $20 or so. My oldest 2 don't play with their dolls as much as I would like. My 4yo is the doll freak. I can't wait to take her. But she will literally cry when we walk out of the store without all of the things she wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadianmumof5 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Seriously ladies!!! How much do I need to budget to do an AG store visit?? Obviously if we are coming in from Canada for this, I've got to do it right. So aside from the flight/hotel, what should we budget??? And no, I won't be buying a suitcase full of clothing/trinkets - AG ships to us up here so that isn't an issue. More about the other "stuff", like tea with your dolls, the hair salon, all the rest of the "AG experience". How much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Seriously ladies!!! How much do I need to budget to do an AG store visit?? Obviously if we are coming in from Canada for this, I've got to do it right. So aside from the flight/hotel, what should we budget??? And no, I won't be buying a suitcase full of clothing/trinkets - AG ships to us up here so that isn't an issue. More about the other "stuff", like tea with your dolls, the hair salon, all the rest of the "AG experience". How much? Go on line and see what you want. Then double it. We walked in knowing we were buying Kanani. We walked out with a bunch of outfits and accessories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayseeliz Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We went to the one in Atlanta right after Christmas. My mom and dad gave the girls gift cards to get a doll and I bought them one outfit each. We also had tea in the bistro. It was so cute!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Go on line and see what you want. Then double it. We walked in knowing we were buying Kanani. We walked out with a bunch of outfits and accessories. :iagree: That sounds about right. There's a price list for everything online. I think you could do it on the cheap if you plan not to buy any dolls or outfits. Accessories and books are not too horribly expensive, the bistro is priced like Disney World food, the hair salon is unnecessary, IMO. There's usually a line even in the middle of the day and they don't do anything I can't do at home. My girls haven't wanted to do it after seeing it. If you must get something done, my friends' little girls have loved the (doll) ear piercing and it is not too expensive. We always spend too much because we went to buy dolls in the first place and we're buying for 3 girls. Then, at the bistro we are feeding 6 people at Disney sit down restaurant prices so by the time we get out, we've spent......I don't even want to think about adding it up. :blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomandlorih Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 My dd wants McKenna SSOOO bad! Along with every other girl on her team:D We went to the store in Los Angeles when we were there in the fall. WOW!!! What fun! I agree with Dianne - just leave your credit card at the door. Fun times. We just got Meg McKenna for her birthday! She's our little gymnast and it looks exactly like her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 My dd wants McKenna SSOOO bad! Along with every other girl on her team:D LOL! When Meg walked into practice yesterday a bunch of her teammates ran up to her and asked if she'd seen McKenna yet. They all want her too!!! We also got her the bar and the beam. Unfortunately, my dd also wants the bed. NO WAY!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 So lucky!!! I wish I lived near enough to an AG store to take the girls. Rebecca has Rebecca and Sylvia just got Marie-Grace. Rebecca is dying to get McKenna because she's a gymnast. The price on that McKenna bed! :svengo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 So lucky!!! I wish I lived near enough to an AG store to take the girls. Rebecca has Rebecca and Sylvia just got Marie-Grace. Rebecca is dying to get McKenna because she's a gymnast. The price on that McKenna bed! :svengo: I know! We didn't spend that on my ds15's loft bed! My dad made his really cheaply! Maybe he can make McKenna a bed too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 So lucky!!! I wish I lived near enough to an AG store to take the girls. Rebecca has Rebecca and Sylvia just got Marie-Grace. Rebecca is dying to get McKenna because she's a gymnast. The price on that McKenna bed! :svengo: Have you seen this yet? http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4082098 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 ROFL - I cannot tell you how many discussions we've had on McKenna and her fabulous loft bed in the past several days! :tongue_smilie::lol: My daughter is not a true gymnast but she does take acrobatics and dance, so that's close enough for her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Have you seen this yet? http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4082098 Wow, that is amazingly cute!! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayseeliz Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 :iagree: That sounds about right. There's a price list for everything online. I think you could do it on the cheap if you plan not to buy any dolls or outfits. Accessories and books are not too horribly expensive, the bistro is priced like Disney World food, the hair salon is unnecessary, IMO. There's usually a line even in the middle of the day and they don't do anything I can't do at home. My girls haven't wanted to do it after seeing it. If you must get something done, my friends' little girls have loved the (doll) ear piercing and it is not too expensive. We always spend too much because we went to buy dolls in the first place and we're buying for 3 girls. Then, at the bistro we are feeding 6 people at Disney sit down restaurant prices so by the time we get out, we've spent......I don't even want to think about adding it up. :blushing: I was veeeery careful about what we bought. My girls had giftcards with enough for a doll and their accessories. I bought them an outfit and shoes each and let my 7yo get Julie's hair done. It was worth every penny not to have to deal with that ratty mess. :) And it was a fun experience! We did tea at the bistro. It was very reasonable. $10 per person and it was too cute. All told my portion was $130 but I didn't go out of pocket for the dolls. And it was super fun for them to pick a doll and get to take it home. That was fun. :) DD1 has been asking every day to start gymnastics since she saw all Mckenna's stuff. I'd been thinking about putting her in the homeschool gymnastics class anyway so I'm going to let her try it this week. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHowell Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Obviously there are no AG stores here in Canada but I am thinking that DD and I should head to Chicago for a little mother/daughter getaway in the spring. So seriously, how much do I need to budget??? I usually take $400 and dd brings $200-$300 from saved Christmas/birthday money. This covers lunch, hair studio and STUFF. Seriously ladies!!! How much do I need to budget to do an AG store visit?? Obviously if we are coming in from Canada for this, I've got to do it right. So aside from the flight/hotel, what should we budget??? And no, I won't be buying a suitcase full of clothing/trinkets - AG ships to us up here so that isn't an issue. More about the other "stuff", like tea with your dolls, the hair salon, all the rest of the "AG experience". How much? If you are going for a special occasion book a party lunch. It is around $10 more but you get party favors. There is usually a necklace or bracelet, book, and then other goodies that change every time. As far as how much, see above. We go once a year for dd's birthday... the last couple years we've gone twice. I have a personal shopper and the managers contact info in my phone if anyone wants their info. The shopper makes everything SO much easier!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaNYC Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 My 15y/o was crazy about AG dolls! The store here in NYC is unbelievable and dd asked to go every year on her birthday. We visited several times a year as well - to just look and hang out in the reading area. She has about 8 AG dolls - including Samantha (who is still in the box). She's not into them anymore, but still loves when the catalog comes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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