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[statelady01]

DMIL just bought DD Emily her first American Girl doll. DMIL asked me what I thought about taking Emmers to an American Girl store- and since I didn't know much about it other than what I see online, I thought I would post here.

Dallas is the closest location, then Chicago. DMIL would like to make a girls weekend of it- and we'd like to lunch or have dinner in the cafe. If you've been to either store or had an "American Girl" experience - I would really love your input.

TIA!

[lauren-roxy]

We went to the one in Chicago and if you love American Girl dolls it's the store for you!! You can have lunch and there was a movie. There were 3 floors I believe. If you do want to eat at the cafe make sure to make reservations ahead of time. We saw many upset girls that were not able to get in. I'm sure the Dallas store is similar to the one in Chicago.

[taymaesmom]

We have visited the American Girl Place in Chicago many times and love it. If you plan on eating in the cafe make reservations as early as possible, you can now make them online through the website. They have recently moved the store to the watertower place mall and its supposedly much bigger and nicer, we havent yet made it to the new store. Besides the cafe, they have several exhibits of what the girls rooms looks like, you can have your picture taken with your doll and put on a magazine cover, they have a doll hair salon. It is really neat and if your dd likes her doll she will love the store. My youngest is begging to go back soon and wants another doll too!

[statelady01]

Thank you for those responses- I appreciate it!

[jagmom08]

The Mall of America in Minneapolis has one now. My dd isn't quite ready for that yet, though, so I have only walked through.

[scottjs]

My wife and I love The American Girl movies! I think there are about 4 out now. Unfortunately San Francisco does not have an American Girl Store. Very nice dolls.

[HeatherD]

I took DD(9) to the one in LA in June and she got a Julie doll (to go along with Samantha and Nellie) and we went to lunch. It was a great experience! Make sure she either takes her doll with her or she gets her new doll prior to lunch. They bring a chair and dishes for all dolls seated with you.

We did not do the whole experience, but the photo session seemed like fun and the hair station, if it's a Just Like Me doll (I don't think I'd want to mess with the historical dolls' hair, but I may be alone in that).

I just visited the Chicago American Girl this weekend in Water Tower Place (it's right next door to Hancock Tower, in the corner, not the rest of the mall). It's set up very similarly to the one in LA, but the historical dolls are on the first level. The displays are great because they have a "window" set up filled with things from that time period and a "movie" playing outside the window showing what one might see out a window in that time period. The displays vary from store to store, since the Julie display in LA had shelves with littler things (tape recorder, pet rock, etc) and the Chicago store had a big bean bag and the Little House book collection (remember the one boxed together? My sis had it, so we got a kick out of it).

Also, I can't recommend enough the American Girls books. Not the ones about the characters (though they are good) but the ones that help girls grow up. I got DD a book about Feelings, Hair Care and one called The Care and Feeding of You which talks about everything from needing a bra to BO to periods to taking care of yourself (hygeine and food). I recently had to buy DD deodorant and the book helped. I also had several FB friends comment that they loved the book for their daughters when I mentioned it.

Did you know they have a magazine? Yeah, we get that, too....

[statelady01]

We're trying to find a way to go to Chicago but may just have to start with the Dallas store. Heather- my DD got Julie as well- what a lovely one she is.

Thanks again, for the input- I think the cafe will be a must do!

[lukeandbrookesmom]

Brooke and I have gone to the stores in NYC and here in MA and love them! Definitely make ressies for the cafe

[loly75ddl]

Must agree with everyone else LOL Mom took me as a belated 23rd birthday when it first opened up in 1998 We had such a blast LOL here we are 2 grown women having dinner with my doll. It is such a wonderful place and there is soo much to see, I would definitely try to make it out to the cafe. Your daughter will have such a wonderful time. Also since they moved to Water Tower there are have little craft "stores" more like stations where you pay any where from $ 5-10 and you can make a t-shirt for your doll or a sleeping bag etc. so the price range is good because you get to do something and bring something home with out spending a whole lot of money. I Collect American Girl Dolls along with all sort of Disneyana. If you have any further questions in regards to American Girl please feel free to PM me. Have fun on you future trip!!

[HeatherD]

Originally Posted by statelady01

We're trying to find a way to go to Chicago but may just have to start with the Dallas store. Heather- my DD got Julie as well- what a lovely one she is.

Thanks again, for the input- I think the cafe will be a must do!

I love Julie! I have no shame in admitting that I deliberately talked her up when DD was deciding between Julie, Kit, Rebecca (the new girl) and a Just Like Me doll. I joke that all the girls have Julie because most moms of girls this age grew up in the 70s and had stuff like Julie does!

[Desurae]

My DD loved her trip to the one in NYC!! It was a lot of fun. As everyone has said, you have to try the cafe, it was a blast! We even stood in line and got the dolls hair done and took the pictures. DD has Felicity and Samantha (she "had" to have Samantha the moment she heard she was retiring ) You'll have fun! Enjoy!

[Courtney892]

We just had a fabulous girls weekend in Atlanta back in May. My best suggestion is to call the store when you know which one you'll go to and ask about the nearby hotels that have an American Girl Package--I know in Atlanta there were 3 or 4 choices and at least two of them were with Marriot hotels (not sure if all of them were or not). I called them all (and some of the packages were a little different) and went with the closest one (right across the street) that also had the AG coordinator who was the most excited about the dolls and my niece having a fabulous time at her first AG store.

All the hotels offered a basic package and for $30 more a deluxe package. They both have a keepsake bed for the doll to sleep in that you can take home & milk and cookies each night. We got the deluxe which also included a $30 gift certificate, DN's room decorated with AG colored linens, a letter from the hotel GM with other goodies for niece, and a AG Atlanta t-shirt for the doll. The T shirt may have come in both packages--I don't have my notes in front of me, but it was definitely worth it for the extra magic & the trip was a definite blast for all of us!

My best tip: Plan ahead for overwhelm! The stores are pretty intense on first visit, & my DN(9) starts shutting down when faced with too many options. We'd told her that the first day was to check the store and what she liked, but that she couldn't spend her gift certificate until the next day.

She lasted about an hour and then she just kept seeing more things she wanted and was afraid her gift certificate wasn't enough. We left as soon as she started getting panicky (and the rest of us bought a few things) Later we casually discussed with her some of the items she liked best, and by the next day she walked in knowing exactly what she wanted to buy.

Also, being at such a close hotel allowed her to shop at the store in a casual outfit matching her doll, and then after we had a nice lunch, we were able to change into dressier clothes for dinner. We made sure to get a late seating, so she was able to first enjoy the atmosphere with all the little girls and their dolls, but by the end of our meal the place had mostly cleared out and she was able to walk around and take pictures. Made it more relaxing. Those places can be the epitome of crazy esp around the weekends if you aren't careful!

[HeatherD]

The Drake in Chicago offers an AG package. It's where Sis and I stayed (not on the AG package) this weekend and I saw info on their website. The Drake is a block south of AG on Michigan Ave (OK, 2 blocks, if you count having to pass the Hancock). The Westin is right there as well, and it wouldn't surprise me if they offered something, too.

[whoSEZ]

I vote for a visit to the Mall of America store!!