American Girl Store Orlando

[disney gym mom]

Our youngest dd loves American Girl and we were thinking of taking a trip to the new store in Orlando when we are down at Disney this summer. Have any of you been? She really wants to eat at The American Girl Bistro so she can have lunch with her doll. If you've been, how is it and is it worth the trip over one afternoon? Also, my dh and ds will be with us...do you see other men when you eat at the American Girl stores?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I haven't been to the Orlando American Girl Doll store but I've been to several others. The café books up fast, months in advance (at least the ones I've been to). You'll need a reservation. The café itself is not very large, food portions are small and it's on the expensive side. But, it is cute how they involve the dolls. You can also get your dolls hair done. I think prices range from about $14 to $40. Again, need a reservation. My husband always accompanies us to the AG store. He has also gone into some alone while traveling for business. He's a trooper and never complains. I think he enjoys it because our daughter loves it. But, it is mostly women/girls there. If we didn't have an AG girl store somewhat nearby, I would consider going to the one in Orlando while on vacation.

 

[Princess Melody]

The Orlando store is much smaller than others I've been to. If you go on a weekend I'd make ressies for the cafe but weekdays I rarely see it full (could change in the summer when school is out though). They have the bistro instead of the cafe so while it is cute, it is not as spectacular as the cafés. I've seen plenty of dad's dining there but they are definitely in the minority. The Florida Mall is a destination in itself so I'd maybe send dad and son elsewhere. Depending on when you go the Crayola Experience may be open so that could be an option for them or if he is older there are the apple & Microsoft stores that have lots of interactive displays & often run free programs/classes. Food is okay & my daughter likes the little doll chair they place at your table. Personally I think it's more of a mother/daughter experience. They have a daily tea if the family would rather eat together elsewhere. We haven't done the hair thing yet. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to visit it unless your daughter is a huge AG fan but you could combine it with a trip to the Crayola Experience or maybe go after a morning at Gatorland or Sea World.

 

[disney gym mom]

Thanks! Our dd is a big AG fan...we told our 3 kids that they could each pick ANY restaurant to eat at while at Disney this summer...our oldest dd picked Garden Grill (she has a fascination with the rotating aspect...and wants to look for hidden mickey's!), our ds picked T-Rex...he's our dinosaur enthusiast, and our youngest without hesitation picked American Girl! How could we tell her no?! All she talks about is wanting to eat at the restaurant with her doll!

 

[kteeter]

We have a AG store in Minneapolis, MN we take the kiddos for dessert only. We get lunch somewhere else in the mall and then go there for ice cream, cookies and cake! Great way to compromise. That way you can spend money on an outfit!