snowbeltmom Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 My daughter is a huge American Doll Girl fan. She has many of the dolls and has read all of the books. We don't have any American Girl Doll stores in our state. My husband is taking my dd to a tennis tournament next weekend that is an hour away from the American Girl Doll store in Chicago. He is thinking of surprising her and taking her to the store before they head back home at the conclusion of the tournament. For those of you who have gone to the store, would it be a worthwhile thing to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yes. IF you plan on spending a LOT of money!!! :) It's an amazing store and it will make you want to turn your paycheck over to the store!!! My dd LOVED it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yes!! Have lots of money to spend, and eat there too! We took the girls last June and loved it. DH was a good sport. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yes!! Have lots of money to spend, and eat there too! We took the girls last June and loved it. DH was a good sport. ;) Should my husband make reservations to eat there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicagoshannon Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Absolutely. Make sure she brings ne of her dolls. She can take the doll to the salon and have its hair done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yes, make reservations, and the hair salon is good way to enjoy the store without spending a fortune. :). It's totally worth it if you're dd is into American girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yes, and if her birthday is anywhere near that time, I'd get the bday package. It was so much fun and she gets to try it all. We had lunch but wish we had tea. My daughter would have wanted to do their tea event. Also, check ahead of time to see if there are any events going on the day they are going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Should my husband make reservations to eat there? YES!!!! We didnt' and wish we had. Bring a doll with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Tell your husband to check his wallet at the door. They will return it once he's spent every last dime he has and maxed out all his CCs. Then they have accomplished their mission. It's a blast!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 My dd was 7 and so excited and overwhelmed she could hardly pick out anything to buy. We had afternoon tea, took pictures and went to the play. I love having the *magazine * front cover picture of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yes, definitely make reservations. The girls each brought a doll and had her hair done, plus we shopped. A LOT. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 We took our girls there when they were younger, and they loved it. The highlight was the lunch, not the store. That is, that's what we chose to make the highlight. They can bring their doll, and the doll sits at the table too. There's a show you can go to as well, such as a little historical musical (at least that's what it was when we went). We really didn't spend much money at the store, maybe one accessory each (like shoes, the hair curler, set, etc.). It's really fun to look at all the outfits, etc., but it can be a little overwhelming too. We told our girls ahead of time we weren't going there to spend a lot of money on doll clothes. If you eat there, definitely make a reservation ahead of time. It fills up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Ohhh. . . .we LOVED that store! Just to clarify; to the best of my knowledge, they no longer offer the musicals. Major disappointment! We loved it so much - buying one small thing, going to lunch or tea, and then going to see a show. Wonderful, wonderful memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I am very excited for my dd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bear23 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 We went in '08 and my girls LOVED it. First it was because my oldest who was 8 at the time was WAY into AG. Make reservastions, it's expensive for little amount of food. Make reservations. We went during the week and it was full of preschooler parties. Really the one day we go. For four (2 adults and 2 girls) it was like $100 to eat and then another $200 on items for the girls dolls. We are going again real soon and my younger daughter now 8 is already planning her trip. She got an AG for her Christmas and wants to shop for her, go eat there and take her Bitty Baby to the 'doctor' to be fixed. That baby has been loved for the past 5 years. Daddy said we'd get her fixed up. My oldest now 13 kinda rolled her eyes about making her go with but I know she will find something to buy for her AG dolls. She dosen't play with them anymore but she has stands and has them on display and plans to pass them on to her daughters one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_JWM Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 We just went this morning! My daughter liked it. I never buy stuff like that for her, but I had planned to spend $50, and, after a book and an outfit - both of which were total surprises for her! - she was very happy, and I was $46 poorer. ;) I liked being able to see everything up close. We had reservations for brunch, but we were feeling off and I canceled the reservations. I'm glad I did - she ate half a muffin from the bakery. Brunch would have been a total waste. Then we went to the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute, and she was over-the-moon excited. They were absolutely stunning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Be prepared: if you plan to park in Watertower Plaza's parking garage, expect to pay about $20 to do so. There is street parking, but it's COLD in Chicago, so I personally didn't want to try to find street parking and walk. Frankly, I found the dry, safe, covered parking worth the $$, but when we went in February two years ago, it was snowing. Have fun! Two stories of AG heaven! My dd had a blast and she was 13 when we went! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Then we went to the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute, and she was over-the-moon excited. They were absolutely stunning. Has she read "The sixty-eight rooms?" It's a mystery set in the Thorne rooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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