OT: American Girl Just Like Me doll or My Twinn doll?

[triplefigs]

DD wants one from Santa. She wants one that looks like her. AG now has one called "Just Like Me" that you can get to resemble your child, and she loves the AG movies. Do any of you have either of these dolls?

I'm looking for any pros/cons. The AG doll is around $50 cheaper than the My Twinn doll. I also want to get her a few matching outfits. Is it easier to find the matching girl/doll clothes for AG or MT or is it about the same?

Thanks!

[DRRluvsWDW]

Triplefigs,
I would love to help you out! Your live trip report was fun for our family! I have now discovered the wonderful tee shirt design threads, thanks!
We (DD7 & DD4) have American Girl Dolls. They play with them alot! DD7 is "Molly" for Halloween! The neighbor girls have them too. They all say the My Twinn dolls are scary looking! I have ordered accessories from My Twinn and they are good quality( the school desk & bday cake), but the clothes are too big for ag dolls. They have matching long sleeve tshirts, and they have to roll up the doll sleeves. I do look for short sleeve deals on their web site because they like to match too. AG has monthly sales, I usually buy ahead all year for bdays. AG clothes for girls do run small, be carefull. The mail orders from AG come very quickly!
"Molly" & "Kit" will be traveling with us in Dec to WDW, they are hoping for princess gowns. We have a Cinderella gown from WDW 6-2005, it is snug, but it fits.
Your DD will love her new doll! And if you are ever in Chicago, the cafe is really cute! Happy Shopping!

[luckey-lasvegas]

I asked the exact same question a few days ago and the AG was hands down the winner .

[Hannathy]

Read the other thread, many of us responded. The big difference is size. The AG doll is a nicer size to play with and is much easier to find clothes and accessories for. The off brand doll like Target's is the same size as AG. My DD preferred her AG dolls.

[tripplanner]

The AG's are good dolls and there are plenty of clothes and accessories that your DD can collect. The one thing I found good about getting an AG is that most of my DD's friends have AG's and when they are playing they can easily share clothes.

[DisneyMomx7]

Denise,

I would definitely go with AG dolls - I think they are much nicer. Beware though, my girls got into AG dolls about a year and a half ago. Now they're hooked and so am I. We went to the AG Place in NY City in May and had a ball - did the lunch, photo shoot, had the dolls hair done etc. I think I left that day having spent about $400! Its really a nice collection though that you can keep adding to. This year one dd wants Emily (Molly's new friend) and they both want so many accessories. Have fun!

[triplefigs]

Thanks, everyone! So should I get my DD the just like me doll (looks like her), or one of the character dolls? Which character doll would be best for her first AG doll? Thanks for all the help! And does anyone have the link for the other thread?

[DRRluvsWDW]

We have both a today doll and characters. The girls share the clothes with all the dolls. "Elizabeth" wears a leotard & "Molly" wears the soccer uniform, etc. If you choose a historical doll, I suggest reading the books first. My girls chose the dolls by their stories and "looks." And yes, I agree with disneymomx7, you will get easily hooked!
:wave:

[3littleHalls]

I was in your shoes last Christmas. DD wanted a AG doll(Marisol) and a My Twinn. I had a really hard time justifying the extra cost for the MT doll. So, DD ended up with the AG doll and a few outfits. She would have rather had the doll and outfits than just one doll.

[DisneyMomx7]

Has she seen the catalog? I let my girls look through the Christmas catalog last year and make a "wish list". You can also do that online. For their first AG dolls dd (6 at the time) chose Molly and dd (8 at the time) chose the Just like Me doll. Next they picked the Bitty babies, and this year one dd wants Emily and the other one wants Elizabeth. Of course they also want the bed, the desk, etc.

[whogirl'smom]

So, I'll be in the minority here. We ordered a My Twinn for DD5 and it is being shipped now as we speak. DD had seen the American Girl catalog and the My Twinn and she thought it was very cool that she could get a doll that looked like her (she is an only child and would have loved a real twin.) Also, my friend ordered a look-alike AG doll for her DD who is half-Hispanic, and the doll looks half-Asian, instead. So, I figured if DD really wants a doll that looks like her, I'll go with My Twinn.

Maybe the doll will get here today and I can let you all know what she looks like!

[luckey-lasvegas]

Thanks, everyone! So should I get my DD the just like me doll (looks like her), or one of the character dolls? Which character doll would be best for her first AG doll? Thanks for all the help! And does anyone have the link for the other thread?

If you click on my screen name it will have a link to the thread.

[triplefigs]

If you click on my screen name it will have a link to the thread.

Thanks, everyone. I checked the link, and I'm definitely going with the AG. I think I'll let DD look through the catalog and pick which doll and clothes to ask Santa to bring her.

[triplefigs]

I see from an above post that the clothes run small for the girls. My DD is 48.5 inches tall and weighs 44 pounds. She needs a 6 or 6x for pants as she is all legs. Should I order up a size for matching outfits?

thanks again for helping Santa out this year!

[dismom301930]

My oldest DDs have My Twinn dolls and love them. They also have American Girl dolls (Molly and Kirsten - my original ones from 1986). They love these, too. I have no personal experience with the "look alike" ones from AG, but I really like My Twinn.

[triplefigs]

DD has decided she likes Emily the best as it looks just like her. I appreciate all the help. She likes Samantha the best (from the movie), but wanted one with blue eyes.

Thanks again!

[whogirl'smom]

My Twinn is here--she did come this afternoon! She is really beautiful with a soft body which suprises me. Yes, she is large, but we told DD that she could pick out an outfit for each birthday, Christmas, Easter. She doesn't look so much like DD that she is creepy; I think it depends on how distinct your daughter's features are or how different the face or eye shape. Anyway I am thrilled with it and I know DD will be too at Christmas.

You know I do find it odd that none of DD's friends have AG dolls, b/c I know they're very popular :confused3 . I was actually waiting a year or so more to see if DD wanted an AG doll when we got the My Twinn catalog in the mail. So, I may end up buying one of those by next year!

[DisneyMomx7]

My dd is getting Emily too! She already has Molly and with the movie coming out the timing is perfect. Her other "wish list items" are Molly's desk, Molly's bed, the "beauty parlor set" and tons of clothes. She's also getting the "movie theatre seats". Believe me you can really get addicted! Have fun.

[suffolkprincess]

My DD4 spent a LOT of time going through the catalog we got yesterday... and she takes great care of her toys and dolls, always keeping like things together, etc. So taking care of the doll is not my issue: something as pricey as an AG doll + accessories is something I want to get a LONG life out of, so I want to get it for her early on in her interest... but is 4 too young? She certainly didn't stay interested in the AG book I tried to read her...

We got a Madame Alexander doll that "looked like her" this spring when we were at FAO Scwartz in Vegas but she didn't really get into it...

[Silly Girl]

I was so excited to see this thread I just had to chime in. My DD's are complete AG addicts (I kinda am too). DD 10 (almost 11) has 2 AG dolls and a Bitty Baby. Of course, we started with bitty baby and worked our way up to AG. She has Kit and "Elizabeth" (this is the one that resembles her). DD 7 has Bitty Baby and Molly. We have so much AG items we could probably start our own store. We've been to AG Chicago as a family and had Tea with our dolls and this summer I happened to go to NY and I had to shop at that store as well.
triplefigs - I think you made a wise choice and your DD will love her new doll.

[DRRluvsWDW]

I see from an above post that the clothes run small for the girls. My DD is 48.5 inches tall and weighs 44 pounds. She needs a 6 or 6x for pants as she is all legs. Should I order up a size for matching outfits?

thanks again for helping Santa out this year!

My dd7 is 49 inches & 50 lbs. For Christmas, I bought her the today outfit with the black shirt, pink camoflage headband and kahki capri pants. The shirt is a med and the pants are a 7. Hard to tell about the pants lenghth because they are capris. The shirt looks good, a med is listed as 10-12. The customer service ladies have always been helpful to me, maybe they can tell you actual garment measurements, not just what size is recommeded for your dd's measurements.

[#1 Pocahontas]

I didn't read all the replies so I apologize if I am repeating anything.

I prefer the AG dolls. They are 18 inch and it's very easy to find clothing for 18 inch dolls, and patterns if you sew. There are also a lot more accessories that you can buy for them. My daughter has one and enjoys her.

My SIL had a MT doll when she was little. I remember my MIL saying how disappointed she was with it. It didn't look like her daughter much at all. The face was very generic looking. She was also an odd size. I remember my MIL complaining that she couldn't find any clothes to fit the doll. She ended up getting the AG Samantha after that. She loved it and played with it more.

[taximomfor4]

I am adding a question for OP,to aid in decision making. My dd got a hand-me-down AG doll for Christmas last year. I have been trying to find doll clothes for her, but am striking out. I cannot justify paying the cost of a true kids' outfit for a doll dress. Does anyone have vendors they buy from, to get cute doll clothes for AG or MT dolls? The cost of outfits IS a factor in this decision for many people. Even on EBAY, I am getting waaaaaay outbid. It's tempting to get BuildaBear dresses/shirts!! MUCH less pricey.

OP, if clothing/accessory cost wasn't an option, sorry to hijack! Just thought, since it is my current frustration, it might be important to you.

Beth

[#1 Pocahontas]

I am adding a question for OP,to aid in decision making. My dd got a hand-me-down AG doll for Christmas last year. I have been trying to find doll clothes for her, but am striking out. I cannot justify paying the cost of a true kids' outfit for a doll dress. Does anyone have vendors they buy from, to get cute doll clothes for AG or MT dolls? The cost of outfits IS a factor in this decision for many people. Even on EBAY, I am getting waaaaaay outbid. It's tempting to get BuildaBear dresses/shirts!! MUCH less pricey.
OP, if clothing/accessory cost wasn't an option, sorry to hijack! Just thought, since it is my current frustration, it might be important to you.

Beth


Target sells a Doll that is 18 inch. They carry outfits and accessories for the dolls. These fit the AG dolls. They are much less $$ than AG. Walmart also from time to time carries 18 inch doll clothes. There are also a lot of patterns for 18 inch clothes, if you sew or know someone who does.

I also see a lot of clothes 18 inch sized and bitty baby sized at craft fairs. I seem to find at least one booth with clothes at each one.

I hope that helps :)

[triplefigs]

My dd7 is 49 inches & 50 lbs. For Christmas, I bought her the today outfit with the black shirt, pink camoflage headband and kahki capri pants. The shirt is a med and the pants are a 7. Hard to tell about the pants lenghth because they are capris. The shirt looks good, a med is listed as 10-12. The customer service ladies have always been helpful to me, maybe they can tell you actual garment measurements, not just what size is recommeded for your dd's measurements.

Thanks for the help with sizes!

[triplefigs]

I am adding a question for OP,to aid in decision making. My dd got a hand-me-down AG doll for Christmas last year. I have been trying to find doll clothes for her, but am striking out. I cannot justify paying the cost of a true kids' outfit for a doll dress. Does anyone have vendors they buy from, to get cute doll clothes for AG or MT dolls? The cost of outfits IS a factor in this decision for many people. Even on EBAY, I am getting waaaaaay outbid. It's tempting to get BuildaBear dresses/shirts!! MUCH less pricey.

OP, if clothing/accessory cost wasn't an option, sorry to hijack! Just thought, since it is my current frustration, it might be important to you.

Beth

Thanks, Beth. Clothes are VERY important and they can get quite expensive. I like that with AG I can get Target and WalMart stuff.

[triplefigs]

Guess what came in the mail today? The new AG catalog! Now DD is torn between the Just Like Me doll and Molly. Which one do you think would be better and why? I love all the new clothes and accessories they have. I'm going to love this too!

[Zoemakes5]

I like the AG girls, but none of them look like my daughter! :( She has light brown/dark blond mid length hair, with a bit of a wave with freckles and green (actually hazel) eyes. There are some "close" but if I'm paying to have a doll look like my daughter, I want her to look like her. If I were going to do one, I'd probably do the my twinn just for that reason. I can choose hair and eye and skin color and they will make it look like her.

[taximomfor4]

Target sells a Doll that is 18 inch. They carry outfits and accessories for the dolls. These fit the AG dolls. They are much less $$ than AG. Walmart also from time to time carries 18 inch doll clothes. There are also a lot of patterns for 18 inch clothes, if you sew or know someone who does.

I also see a lot of clothes 18 inch sized and bitty baby sized at craft fairs. I seem to find at least one booth with clothes at each one.

I hope that helps :)


ack.....got all excited, ran out to Target, got 2 outfits for their Our Generation 18 inch doll. Got home, put them on dd's AG doll...very snug getting arms into sleeves (but I did it!) and the buckle-shoes won't close. But she is in the clothes, lol.

I found a seller on Ebay who handmakes AG clothes -- her feedback looked wonderful, so bought a few outfits. If they are really nice, I'll add her as a favorite seller and let you all know.

[taximomfor4]

I like the AG girls, but none of them look like my daughter! :( She has light brown/dark blond mid length hair, with a bit of a wave with freckles and green (actually hazel) eyes. There are some "close" but if I'm paying to have a doll look like my daughter, I want her to look like her. If I were going to do one, I'd probably do the my twinn just for that reason. I can choose hair and eye and skin color and they will make it look like her.

My dd is only 4, and she loves AG dolls (not the Bitty Baby ones, she likes the Big-Girl ones, lol). But she adamantly does NOT want a doll that looks like her...all the ones she wants most have different hair and eye colors than her. Darn, I wanted her to want a brown haired, green eyed one.....hmmpf.

[DisneyMomx7]

Guess what came in the mail today? The new AG catalog! Now DD is torn between the Just Like Me doll and Molly. Which one do you think would be better and why? I love all the new clothes and accessories they have. I'm going to love this too!

DD (7) got Molly last Christmas and DD (9) got the Just Like Me doll for her birthday this year. I would go with the Molly doll. I like the books that go with Molly and of course she has a best friend now, Emily. With the new Molly movie coming out that might be the deciding factor. Just a personal preference but I like Molly and her accessories better.

[triplefigs]

DD (7) got Molly last Christmas and DD (9) got the Just Like Me doll for her birthday this year. I would go with the Molly doll. I like the books that go with Molly and of course she has a best friend now, Emily. With the new Molly movie coming out that might be the deciding factor. Just a personal preference but I like Molly and her accessories better.

Thanks! I'm ordering today.

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Denise,

BK will love her AG doll. Emma asked Santa for Felicity last year, about 10 days before Christmas. We watched the movie and she was hooked. She loves her and takes her just about everywhere. We love reading the books as our bedtime story. This year she has asked Santa for Jess, so she will be getting Jess and her whole world collection. My neice, Alyssa, is also getting an AG doll but she wants a Just like Me one however the one she picked is no where like her! She is biracial and has her heart set on the blond, blue eyed doll!

When Molly is a little older I am sure that she will end up with the Molly doll.

We are planning a summer trip to the AGP in NY with Emma's cousins. They each have a doll and when we visit in the summer that is all they do. Dress the dolls, do their hair. It's great!

[kowalchicky]

My oldest DDs have My Twinn dolls and love them. They also have American Girl dolls (Molly and Kirsten - my original ones from 1986). They love these, too. I have no personal experience with the "look alike" ones from AG, but I really like My Twinn.


Glad to hear you like your daughters My twinn doll. We have one being made right now for our daughter. She has several AG dolls and loves all of them...but thanks to the mailman we got the my twinn doll catalog last week...and it topped her christmas list.