American Girl Store/Doll/Chicago/ect.

[becca011906]

Ok so we are done shopping for christmas... so i though we got done yesterday! LOL But then today the American Girl Magazine comes in hte mail... DS got a about the same amount of stuff as the girls but a lot more of pricey stuff (that always comes with age) wanting MP3 player, 360 games, ect. So dh says well we could take the girls up to Chicago and let them get a doll, we think picking it out would be 1/2 the fun of getting one vs ordering it. But we aren't sure if we should drive up, take a train, and so on. Should we eat at the resturant there??? Should we try to find somewhere for ds to go for the day (we hate to be we really like to do thinks as a 'whole' family) but will he be so board out of his mind???? My girls are 6.5 and 4.5 and we really wanted to get them the twins so it wouldn't be so much and they could each get one, ect. but they seem to want to 'big dolls' is that a good idea? With the doll hospital and all what can they fix??? I mean spending that kinda $$ they will be taken care of but we all know acidents happen with kids!

 

[maryjean]

We took my boyfriends 6 year old to the one NYC.She loved it.The
restaurants is something unforgettable.
They give the children a seat and table setting
for their dolls and the waiter acts as through the doll is real.We got Kit and
had her hair done.It was pretty cool. In NYC we stayed at hotel that gave
us a bed for the doll and snack for his daughter and doll.Not sure if which
one it is Chicago but in NYC it was Marriott Courtyard Manhattan Midtown
East.
I am not sure if your husband would like it much as it mainly for girls and I
never been to Chicago so I have no idea where their is to go their.I do
know the dolls cost about 105 with accessories but they do go up in value.
they are discontinuing the Samantha doll and they are saying the value will
go up over 1000 dollars once she is gone.So if they well taken care of they
will become a valuable keepsake.Your girls would have great time.

 

[becca011906]

thanks for the info dh will go with us if ds goes or not. My dh isn't the typical I'm staying home not going kind, heck he went shopping with me for 17 LONG hours yesterday and just gets into stuff for the girls and family, ect. He would kill me if i went to the BBB with out him, he just loves to see what the looks on the kids faces when they experiance things.

 

[ckrum]

AG Chicago is now in Water Tower Place (big indoor mall). So there would be plenty of things for your DH and DS to enjoy. There is also a Lego store a few blocks south on Michigan Ave.

Eating at the cafe is amazing. I think that it is DDs favorite. Even DH ate there, once. If you decide to eat there, make reservations ahead of time. We haven't been to the new location, yet. But, have visited the old location many times. We live about 100 miles south of Chicago, so I like to take DD once or twice a year. One thing I'll warn you about.... The store is so overwhelming. There is just so much to look at and so many decisions to make. You might want to look online at a catalog, before going, and let your girls choose which doll they want. Have a backup choice, just in case.
Have fun!

 

[becca011906]

oh thanks for the info we have been looking at the catalog about 10 times today and just got it yesterday they have changed thier minds about 20 times on which doll they might want! LOL So if they want one of the just like me dolls with say light skin, short blond hair, blue eyes and earings can they possible be out???

 

[K and K's Mommy]

We went to the Chicago one over Spring Break. We are also the "whole family goes" type, and my DS 9 was fine. I will say that he likes history so he enjoyed looking at the historical dolls and how they were set-up. BUT, they did offer me a video game for him. I can't remember which one though because I declined.

The cafe is fun so I would definitely do that. We also did the hair, but I wouldn't do that again. My DD has Felicity, but she picked a style that I could have done. I tried to talk my DD into a fancier style, but she didn't want that. It probably took all of 10 minutes for $20.

I'm not sure where you are in Indiana, but the drive from Indy isn't bad. I think we made it in three hours. We spent two nights in Chicago, but I know people who leave around 7:00, spend the day, and drive back the same night.

Have fun!

 

[ckrum]

oh thanks for the info we have been looking at the catalog about 10 times today and just got it yesterday they have changed thier minds about 20 times on which doll they might want! LOL So if they want one of the just like me dolls with say light skin, short blond hair, blue eyes and earings can they possible be out???

They usually have a lot of stock on hand. But, since it's Christmas shopping time they may get low on some things.

 

[becca011906]

thanks again for the info the drive would be about 3 1/2 hours and we aren't sure yet if we should stay over or not, kids ride well in the car (i mean we drive a 16 hour disney trip in one night/day) but i checked the prices for a train (we just though that would be something differant too, but it looks like it will cost a LOT to go that route so we'll probably just drive.

 

[mommytoone]

Just FYI, you might want to check to see if there are any reservations avail to you if you want to eat in the Cafe. We went in July to Chicago and got the last one for dinner. It was great, but would never do again. Have a good trip.

 

[mom2my2gr8kids]

We go at least once a year! We live in Michigan (about 5 hours) and do just a day trip. Take the first train in the morning and last one at night. LOVE it! We are considering staying overnight next time since it is a new store The cafe is a MUST DO! We do it every time and dd never tires of it! Have fun!

 

[tchrrx]

We are wanting to visit the Dallas store in March. I'm glad that the OP asked this question & got so many great answers. DD is getting her first AG for Christmas.

How far in advance should we call for hotel & dining reservations? I'm so used to Disney's 180 rule, that I tend to wait until the last minute for other things. Thanks!

 

[2cutekidz]

If your DH and DS don't want to hang out at the mall they can always go to Shedds aquarium or the museum in Chicago. I plan on taking DD6 next August for her birthday.

 

[minnie2]

Do the cafe it is really cute!
We eat at the one in Chicago before they moved. Daddy went and so did PA! Ds brought a little Dino that they gave a seat too since he didn't have an ag doll LOL. DH and Pa where great sports about it. We end up going a lot since we live close but not always eating there. Now Pa usually ends up outside with DS while Mommy, Mema and DD look around. Then we are usually off to the lego store for DS because Mema spoils dd!

 

[becca011906]

thanks again for all the advice and suggestion! We are still nto sure when we are going to go yet, i wish dh would decide b/c if he tells me last min. that we are going and we can't get in to eat at the cafe i'll be mad... i'll keep you guys posted on that. he talked about going this wekeend but is now thinking that will be to busy, ect. we'll see.

 

[maryjean]

We did ours 4 months ahead of time .I know the one in
NYC gets booked up quickly and if you wait unit the last minute you
may not get in.Another fun place we did was the newborn nursery.

And that if you find one that dose the whole package it was just so
unforgettable.We found one in Moscow,pa. that was just the most
memoriable place we ever went to.Your child gets to come in and
picks a doll from the nursery,then they get on a hospital grown
and sit in a rocking chair and and the doll is brought to them and
they pick out a name and the nurse allows them to see there
babies weight ,how long etc.the doll goes go through a physical,and
the doll even has a real heart beat that they get to listen to,the
nurse then tells your child things there baby likes and doesn't,(ours
doesn't like loud noise but loves to be rocked to sleep)Then your
child gets to pick out a blanket and bottle.And there baby gets a
pacifier(pink for girls blue for boys)We got extra extra diaper and
a balloon that says it's a girl and button that says Proud newborn
nursery parent,Birth Certificate for doll,caring tips paper,and health
check up paper,plus the blanket,bottle,and pacifier.And as we were
leaving we were remided to bring our baby back for a check up next
we were around.I heard all the newborn nursery's don't do all of this
but they should it was so much fun not only for her but us to.

I forget what we paid exactly but I think it was just over 100 dollars
but worth every penny.

 

[mom2travel]

I took my DD (8 1/2) to Chicago for a "girls weekend" in late September (the last weekend for AGP in the original location). She has had her Samantha and Nellie dolls since she was 6, and walked around the entire store twice before starting to pick anything out for purchase; her head was spinning taking it all in, so I can't even imagine your girls for their first purchases - definitely a good idea that they are already studying the catalogues. I was able to book our lunch at American Girl Cafe' about 2 weeks ahead of time, but would think they'd be more crowded this close to the holidays. My DD, after touring the store and shopping, sat down to lunch in the Cafe', looked around and told me "this is one of the best days of my life!" - I imagine your girls will be equally excited and your DH will be glad to have seen them pick out their new best friends.

One more thing - if you go and have a meal at the Cafe', buy their dolls first so they can sit at the table with them in doll booster seats. It is so cute and the girls love it!
Have a great time whenever you decide to go!

 

[Steve's Girl]

thanks again for all the advice and suggestion! We are still nto sure when we are going to go yet, i wish dh would decide b/c if he tells me last min. that we are going and we can't get in to eat at the cafe i'll be mad... i'll keep you guys posted on that. he talked about going this wekeend but is now thinking that will be to busy, ect. we'll see.

We have taken last minute trips and not been able to get reservations ahead of time for the cafe. But, as soon as you get to the store, go to the hostess desk and they usually can get you in. You may have to be flexible with your eating times.

We take the South Shore train from IN. Kids ride free on the weekend. So, for us, the train is cheaper than parking in Chicago. DH and my son will go to the Museum of Science & Industry or the Lego Store or something like that. They usually like to have a boys lunch while I do the AG cafe with the girls. Then, we all meet up again for dinner. That is a good day trip for our family. My son doesn't mind the AG store for a little bit, but I don't expect him to spend 3-4 hours there like my girls do. He also looks forward to the trips because he knows he will get to do something fun too. (although his portion of the trip is a lot cheaper than the girls!)

 

[becca011906]

We take the South Shore train from IN. Kids ride free on the weekend. So, for us, the train is cheaper than parking in Chicago.

Well we are down around Lafayette, IN and it looks like we'd hav eto take Amtrak out of there and it'd be $80 to get there and then $120 to get home not cheap at all... way more then we'd spend in gas and parking. I do have family up north close to South shore train lines we might see if we can stay with them a night at go that route but i just can't believe it's that much for a train... how can that be...

 

[Steve's Girl]

Well we are down around Lafayette, IN and it looks like we'd hav eto take Amtrak out of there and it'd be $80 to get there and then $120 to get home not cheap at all... way more then we'd spend in gas and parking. I do have family up north close to South shore train lines we might see if we can stay with them a night at go that route but i just can't believe it's that much for a train... how can that be...

Yikes! That is expensive. We pay $6.50 per adult each way with kids free on the weekend. We can't park in Chicago for $26 for the day. And the parking at the train station is free.

 

[budbeerlady]

Isnt Amtrack Insane with their pricing!!!! I was following this post since DD and a friend are dying to go to AG.

We take the south Shore line all the time into the city now. Its free for DD and so cheap for me I dont mind driving the hour and a half from Michigan to Michigan City to catch the train!

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone, we are hoping to go this winter when we are sick of being stuck at home!