American Girl Doll...where do I start?!?

[DreamIsaWish]

I would suggest Kit as a good historical doll. Plus, the movie is really good.

Kit seems to be the recommended historical doll fit younger girls as her hair is very easy to style and take care of. The whole historical line is being revamped and unveiled as BeForever on August 28th.

I was leaning toward Kit so I'm glad to see a few others suggest her as well. I didn't think about the aspect of her hair being easy to take care of. I had figured her time is history seems to be relatable enough while still providing a good history lesson. And some of her outfits look so cute! Awesome colors. I also get the impression that part of her story is being a reporter which I like (studied Journalism in college).

So, what are the thoughts on BeForever? Try to grab a doll or now, or wait until the new ones are unveiled?

 

[FL-Belle]

Does anyone have experience with the mini-dolls? My DD loves smaller dolls. Looking at the AG website they have several on sale.

 

[Gorechick]

Getting a doll now or waiting for the launch is a personal preference. The meet outfits are changing and Kit's hair will be slightly different. There are quite a few videos that AG has put out online that tell about BeForever.

The mini-dolls are cute and getting them on sale is a good deal. Right now they mostly only have them for historicals though they did put out a Girl of the Year Saige one last year and they have an Isabelle one out now. You can find her at Barnes and Noble and Target.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

I was leaning toward Kit so I'm glad to see a few others suggest her as well. I didn't think about the aspect of her hair being easy to take care of. I had figured her time is history seems to be relatable enough while still providing a good history lesson. And some of her outfits look so cute! Awesome colors. I also get the impression that part of her story is being a reporter which I like (studied Journalism in college).

So, what are the thoughts on BeForever? Try to grab a doll or now, or wait until the new ones are unveiled?

The price of the historical dolls could possibly increase after BeForever, which would be the biggest reason to buy the doll now.

 

[keiraliz]

I was leaning toward Kit so I'm glad to see a few others suggest her as well. I didn't think about the aspect of her hair being easy to take care of. I had figured her time is history seems to be relatable enough while still providing a good history lesson. And some of her outfits look so cute! Awesome colors. I also get the impression that part of her story is being a reporter which I like (studied Journalism in college).

So, what are the thoughts on BeForever? Try to grab a doll or now, or wait until the new ones are unveiled?

Personally, as someone who grew up with American Girl and collects the dolls, I find that one girl's story is not more relatable than the others. I find that the most meaningful story depends on the story your daughter will connect with, which may or may not be Kit. (As a disclaimer, that doesn't mean Kit has a bad story. In fact, I adore Kit!) I've read all of the historical books, loved each and every one of them, and could relate to all of their stories in different ways. But my favorite ended up being Felicity. No one matter which doll you pick, all of the stories are worth reading!

In terms of buying a first doll, I agree that Kit has the easiest hair for play out of all the historical dolls. When you decide to get her is personal preference, but the "meet" outfits (the outfits the dolls come in) will be changing and the collections are being revamped. It's also believed the prices will go up once BeForever launches.

 

[Stigsmom]

I will echo the Ebay suggestions. I got one in great condition by carefully reading the descriptions of the conditions the doll was stored in. You may find several options that are collector's, rarely played with, or with very minor flaws that would not be deal breakers. I have also seen some deals on AG clothing "seconds" on Ebay. I paid about $70 which was worth it for a sturdy, attractive doll that my daughter loves.

Plus, there are tons of options for nice-looking historical doll clothing online. I prefer a lot of the off-brands (easily found with a search for 18" doll clothing) to the actual AG clothing, some of which looks flimsy to me for the price.

 

[abmitch01]

I didn't read this whole thread so forgive me if I repeat. The outfits sometimes go on clearance on the website. Also, you can pick up outfits at craft fairs for far cheaper than the store. i would make a big deal about how special this doll is so she won't be asking for one every year, unless you are ok with that. My ex's mother bought her granddaughters new ones every birthday and Christmas. It was crazy, they didn't appreciate them and by the time they were 10 or 11 were done with them. You can get doll trunks and furniture at AC Moore inexpensively.

 

[Anniebrunt2]

You won't find AG dolls discounted in the American girl stores but if your going to the store save up because once you get there You will probably be spending more then $110 that is just for the doll with the accessories it's like $129 .Then there is cafe ,other outfits ,and more accessories . Our daughter collects them but she plays with them ever day so it is worth paying for them .You can try ebay or Craigslist but be carefully look at what your buying people will sell you a used doll missing clothing,bad hair ,or a poor conditioned doll and try get $75 bucks from you so be careful.

 

[100AcreWood]

You won't find AG dolls discounted in the American girl stores but if your going to the store save up because once you get there You will probably be spending more then $110 that is just for the doll with the accessories it's like $129 .Then there is cafe ,other outfits ,and more accessories . Our daughter collects them but she plays with them ever day so it is worth paying for them .You can try ebay or Craigslist but be carefully look at what your buying people will sell you a used doll missing clothing,bad hair ,or a poor conditioned doll and try get $75 bucks from you so be careful.

We're getting an AG store this Fall in NC. What is the deal with the cafe and doll salon? How much does that normally cost? Thanks!

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

We're getting an AG store this Fall in NC. What is the deal with the cafe and doll salon? How much does that normally cost? Thanks!

I didn't get the doll for my daughter's birthday in June but my friends did. (even when I begged them not to). We went to the NYC store to exchange the doll from Historical to My American Girl. I made a birthday celebration reservation at the cafe which cost almost $38 pp for kids and $29 pp for adults. The ear piecing for the doll at the salon is $11. The cost of hair styling varies, I think it was about $20-30 for ponytail or braids. Along with 2 outfits and a baby doll for my younger one, my wallet was much much lighter when I walked out of the store. Great experience, but it was $$$.

Some items are added to the sale on the website today. Also, there is a code for $10 off $100 purchase. "180749"

 

[travelgirl06]

Had to chime in here.

My "baby" is almost 21. She is graduating this May with a major in Theatre Arts and a minor in European studies. The beginning foundation in her love & interest of European history is due to her American Girl dolls. Her middle school history teacher told me "The best thing you could have done for her was have her read those AG books. She knows more than any of the kids in class!"

I think they were worth the expense.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

This!! The historical periods I know the most about are those from the AG books of my childhood. The historical books have lots if neat fact and the "peak into the past" section was very informative. My mom was sold when I started telling the family about bird bottles when we visited Colonial Williamsburg (I was about 9) The outfits and accessories with the historical dolls are fabulous and really tie into the stories. I'm hoping for good things when they relaunch as "beforever"

I also collected a lot of "American Girl of Today" (as it was back then) and held onto all of it. I can't wait to show DD the kind of clothes mommy wore back when she was a little girl. Speaking of which, we saved all my dolls, outfits, accessories, etc. and I'm excited to pass them on as soon as DD is a little older. (She currently has a bitty twin and begs for one of the big dolls, but she's not ready yet...)

I'm all for anything that lets young girls hang onto childhood a little longer. They have plenty of time to be tweens and beyond, and I think AG excels at this.

Thanks to the person who posted the $10 off $100 code. Just stocked up on matching outfits for DD and he "Nicki" and some accessories to hold back for Christmas presents. $10 off plus further reduced sale prices is great! Anybody who has some flexibility in what to get should check out the sale (lots of outfits, accessories,,books, etc.)

 

[cajaput]

I haven't read through this whole thread, so some of this may have been mentioned already.

My daughter is 10 and has 3 American Girl dolls. She's never been big into dolls, but really fell in love with the AG world. I've never seen the dolls themselves go on sale. But, I did order all 3 of ours when they had Free Shipping (which happens near the beginning of the Christmas Season). That saved me like $14.95 on each order, which made me happy.

As for clothes........I've NEVER paid the high price for the AG clothes and accessories. I just think it's too expensive. So, my solution was the 18in doll lines at Target, Walmart, and Toys-R-Us. Any clothing for an 18in doll with fit your AG doll perfectly. Toys-r-Us is great because I frequently receive discount coupons for that store. The clothes are adorable and my daughter has never ever complained that the tag doesn't say American Girl. I'm not sure where you live, but we have a fabric store called Joann's and they too have a line of 18in doll clothes at very reasonable prices. Also, they always have 40% or 50% coupons for their store. I LOVE coupons!!!

In all honesty, I didn't mind paying the price for the doll itself because it is wonderfully made. I know my daughter will have those dolls forever and I think it would be so special if she gave them to her child one day. They really are built to last a lifetime.

 

[pineappletreat]

We're getting an AG store this Fall in NC. What is the deal with the cafe and doll salon? How much does that normally cost? Thanks!

Sorry to mess up the thread, but I just moved to Raleigh. Where is the store going to be? We came from Atlanta and did DD's birthday at the cafe last year. Thanks!

 

[Mom2KandK]

Sorry to mess up the thread, but I just moved to Raleigh. Where is the store going to be? We came from Atlanta and did DD's birthday at the cafe last year. Thanks!

I believe the store is going to be in the SouthPark Mall in Charlotte.

 

[100AcreWood]

Sorry to mess up the thread, but I just moved to Raleigh. Where is the store going to be? We came from Atlanta and did DD's birthday at the cafe last year. Thanks!

Yes, the SouthPark mall in Charlotte. Should be a 2.5 hour drive from Raleigh.

Did you invite girls to the birthday in the cafe or was it just your family? We're taking dd there for her 8th birthday in November. I'm hoping it will be open by then. I'm wondering if they can do something special since it's her birthday (maybe I can order a small cake from them or something). The only options I see at the other stores seem to indicate that it's a birthday party for a group of girls).

 

[ashleyasiegel]

Yes, the SouthPark mall in Charlotte. Should be a 2.5 hour drive from Raleigh.

Did you invite girls to the birthday in the cafe or was it just your family? We're taking dd there for her 8th birthday in November. I'm hoping it will be open by then. I'm wondering if they can do something special since it's her birthday (maybe I can order a small cake from them or something). The only options I see at the other stores seem to indicate that it's a birthday party for a group of girls).

My Mom just took my daughter to the Chicago Café in July to celebrate her birthday. It was just the two of them and they did some sort of birthday package when she made reservations. My daughter got a HUGE cake and the staff sang to her. She got a birthday crown for her and her doll. Lastly she also got a t-shirt and a hard plastic balloon accessory for her doll. My mom said it wasn't that much more than the usual lunch cost. She thinks it was around $5/person extra.

 

[100AcreWood]

My Mom just took my daughter to the Chicago Café in July to celebrate her birthday. It was just the two of them and they did some sort of birthday package when she made reservations. My daughter got a HUGE cake and the staff sang to her. She got a birthday crown for her and her doll. Lastly she also got a t-shirt and a hard plastic balloon accessory for her doll. My mom said it wasn't that much more than the usual lunch cost. She thinks it was around $5/person extra.

Thank you! That would make my daughter sooo happy. I keep waiting for the official opening date of the store.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

Just wanted to share that American Girl has free shipping through August 18 with the code SUMMER. It's free shipping with any $50 purchase. Hope this helps someone out.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Just wanted to share that American Girl has free shipping through August 18 with the code SUMMER. It's free shipping with any $50 purchase. Hope this helps someone out.

Looks like VACATION is an alternate code for the same promo, in case SUMMER doesn't work.

 

[Arkum]

Looks like VACATION is an alternate code for the same promo, in case SUMMER doesn't work.

I just ordered my daughter the Isabelle doll for her birthday in 3 weeks! Thank you!