American Girl store in New York

[rella's fan]

I'm taking DD(8) to New York in December and wanted to surprise her with a trip to the American Girl store. I know how expensive it can be so I'm looking for any pointers to save a little. I wanted to eat at the cafe and let her pick out a doll, is breakfast or lunch better? are there any packages that work out to be a better deal than paying separately? Their web site looks overwhelming so I can only imagine what the actual store is like, lol. Thanks for any tips

 

[kristinw3girls]

I'm going in December too. We are having lunch there. I think it's around $25 each. In that area of NY is is about what we would spend for that anyway and the experience is fun. There isn't much chance of saving too much there. It is very pricey!

 

[czycropper]

We go there quite often since we live in Central NJ and I will tell you that the AG Cafe is one of the most reasonably priced nice lunch you will get in NYC

As far as shopping...I only have the girls get one outfit and do a wishlist since taxes in NYC are pretty high. I try and get their doll clothes when AG has free shipping.

Even though my DDs are getting older they still love AG dolls. My almost 13 year old still wants clothes for her dolls (she has 5).

Have a great time!!!

 

[Brer Shay]

I agree on the reasonableness of the meal at AG cafe (by NYC standards anyway). You'll spend $25 for a nice lunch pretty much anywhere you go in the city. The store is amazing and you can spend several hours just looking around. I don't buy much there because of the high sales tax, but I could see letting DD pick out a doll there if I was planning to get one anyway, just for the experience. I haven't seen anything in terms of discounts for the cafe.

 

[jvorhis]

Were were just there for lunch in August and for $25 you get a very nice meal. We did end up spending $150 on a doll and accessories though.

 

[chabs]

I'm not sure where you're from, but sometimes the bus companies (Yankee Trails, Wade Tours) have specials where you can get the bus ticket and the lunch included for a reasonable price. Also, look around for the store specials. They usually have an outfit packaged in a plastic bag that you can buy for a discount when you spend so much money.

 

[ntink]

I try (notice I said try) to limit purchases to items that are only available in the store - clothes, doll clothes & accessories that have the AG Place NY logo. My girls do understand that you can save $$ by buying online with codes.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

We were there in July, and found the lunch to be quite reasonable and very nice. It was a really lovely day out for us (we took both grandmas too). We have some great photos and it was worth every penny.

And, of course, Lanie ended up coming home with us (this was a bday trip) - but we split the cost 3 ways, so it wasn't bad at all.

There are some nice items that are only available at the stores, so if you are going to buy something, maybe focus on those? We bought a tote bag that was in the red AG store print so it's a great reminder of DD's trip.

HAVE FUN!

 

[happydisneyfamily]

We are flying up in January to do our Disney trip and adding a day to stop at the American Girl store. We are excited too as it is our first time. My daughter will have money from Christmas and saved so she will set aside enough for a doll and dress and then she can spend the rest at Disney if she wants. I am also going to let her get an extra doll accessory from us like maybe the cute baking table set or a bed since it will be our only trip to an AG store that year. We are both so excited.

 

[QVCshopper]

I just took my DD5 up to the AG store in NYC about 10 days ago. We had a WONDERFUL time. We ate lunch there, but I think breakfast and tea are slightly cheaper. But, I was very happy with lunch; it was tons of food and I felt like we got a lot for the money. We also got the keep the napkin holder (it's a hairband) and the flowers in the chocolate mouse flower pot.

We picked up a girl shirt and matching doll shirt for $27 together with the NYC logo. That was $2 cheaper than Lanie's sets. Also, we go a pet. That's it. I already had bought Lanie via QVC's sale, so DD got her just before the trip.

Have fun; it was a wonderful experience.

 

[bsusanmb]

I was there on Sat and it was amazing. So much to see, and just don't know what to buy and what to say no to! It is just fun to look at all of the displays. Lunch is great, and you know it is clean and a nice place to eat.
My AG doll is from QVC, Julie with her bike, and giving it to granddaughter for Christmas. And then we are going to go to AG store for her birthday in Jan.
I loved watching all of these little girls with their dolls..how cute!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Your post inspired to try and see if we could take DD13 & DD9 in December as part of their Christmas present DD13 was waiting patiently for me to buy those foam rollers so she could curl Samantha's hair, it came out so cute & DD9 did Elizabeth's hair! They have wanted to go eat at the cafe forever and I kept saying no, but we live so close and they're not going to young forever. I made reservations for dinner, it was like only $2 more than lunch. OP and others going have a great time! I hope you'll post about it.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

We've not been to the NYC store, but if you are spending the night, check to see if any of the hotels have an AG package. We got a deal on one in Chicago (just happened somehow it was cheaper at this hotel to GET the AG package vs booking the room? It was a super deal for downtown Chicago as well....

The packages vary- ours included a flip foam doll bed (to keep) and cookies and milk. DD didn't even know there was a store in Chicago- the look on her face walking in and seeing the bed was priceless. (She found out later that night about the store. )