Build-a-bear and ESPN Zone

[MPHARJ]

On average, what does it cost to make one of the critters and purchase an outfit. I am sure it is similar to Boyd's Bears, and the outfits cost depend on what you purchase, but what is the average you spend. Trying to budget it n for the kids to do. They ahve made them before, but not with me. Also what are your thoughts on the ESPN Zone? Would the kids enjoy it and do you recommend PS? Thanks much!

 

[Chickysmom]

www.buildabear.com

visit their web site and you'll see what everything runs....be aware that not everyhting on their site is at every store tho. the DTD store does carry the Disney outfits and they are cute!

 

[MPHARJ]

Great thanks!

 

[sasha]

I would say plan to spend about $30-$40 per animal with outfit.

 

[talie95]

I haven't been to the one in DTD yet but we have one in our mall that we've gone to. We spent about $56 for 2 bears with outfits (no shoes or accessories). The bears ranged in price from $12 for the basic bear to around $22 for the plusher bears. The outfits started at about $10 and went up from there. Then they also have shoes, purses, etc. to accessorize with.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We did it once and found it pretty pricey. Very cute stuff though. They are opening one here in our mall this week. I think we spent a good $50 on one bear. I've told my son this year if he wants we can get an outfit for his bear. I don't know about making another though! LOL

My DH and son love the ESPN zone. Lots of games to play!

 

[Chickysmom]

first visit was the most expensive as we purchased the bear....future visits we just set a certain amount out for outfits and accessories and used it on the bear we already had.....if they have bears already, maybe just outfits would keep the cost a little lower....and it's just as much fun to look for that stuff too!

 

[RMH]

Also what are your thoughts on the ESPN Zone? Would the kids enjoy it and do you recommend PS? Thanks much!

If your kids are young enough to be interested in Build-a-Bear, they are probably not old enough to be interested in the ESPN Zone. They have a lot of video games that are sports related, but not for smaller kids. I'm not a big video game fan, but we had $10 coupons with our Park-Hoppers so we used them. We didn't eat there, but in the other ones I have tried the food is pretty good, but not fantastic. My bet is that there are better places in DTD.

If you and your family are sports junkies it might be fun and worth it. If they are not, I would say it will only be mediocre.

 

[MPHARJ]

We did it once and found it pretty pricey. Very cute stuff though. They are opening one here in our mall this week. I think we spent a good $50 on one bear. I've told my son this year if he wants we can get an outfit for his bear. I don't know about making another though! LOL

My DH and son love the ESPN zone. Lots of games to play!

Where are you from? They are opening one at our mall too this week!

 

[MPHARJ]

If your kids are young enough to be interested in Build-a-Bear, they are probably not old enough to be interested in the ESPN Zone. They have a lot of video games that are sports related, but not for smaller kids. I'm not a big video game fan, but we had $10 coupons with our Park-Hoppers so we used them. We didn't eat there, but in the other ones I have tried the food is pretty good, but not fantastic. My bet is that there are better places in DTD.

If you and your family are sports junkies it might be fun and worth it. If they are not, I would say it will only be mediocre.

They are 12 and 6, they enjoy making the bears, but they love sports. We all do, so maybe we will check it out, I did see some other places that sounded good to eat at.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

A few of my kids stuffed animals from BAB were in the $50-$60 range. They normally get an animal, a sound, and an outfit. We haven't bought shoes for over 4 years since we often loose one shoe within a week. Sign up for their mailings and they'll send you coupons.

Regarding ESPN zone, definitely make a PS. We once had to wait over an hour on a Thursday during spring break. Food and service is mediocre and I thought not worth the money we paid (i know nothing at disney is cheap, but we've since opted not to do ESPN again). If you have never been to it definitely walk around and check out the videogames. A 6 to 12 year old would probably enjoy it, but be prepare to pay for their enjoyment. Our kids have only played there when they were giving out $10 gamecards with parkhoppers. The games are similar in price and design to GameWorks.

 

[mikayla73]

I haven't done BAB, but we are going to try it out when we are at DL next week. I am glad you posted this so I know what to expect. We just decided to try it the other day. The "boys" are going out and the "girls" are going to BAB

I have been to ESPN once. I agree with victorandbellasmom. It was barely just OK. I wouldn't go back. It's a sports bar with a lot of big tvs and it was an expensive, mediocre meal. I realize that lots of things in DLR are expensive, but you can get far better food in a better place for the same price. We didn't even stick around to play the games and we had been given a card with about $10 on it. If I want to go someplace to play arcade games and eat, I'd go to Dave & Busters at home. ESPN Zone just isn't all that to me and I like sports, baseball being the tops . The video games could be a fun time for the kids, but there are so many other things to do at DL that you couldn't do at home.

Good luck deciding and have a great trip!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Where are you from? They are opening one at our mall too this week!

Oh I'm in Nevada. Sounds like they are starting to open them everywhere!

Also I'm sure your 6 and 12 year old will love the games in the ESPN zone. Especially if they like sports. My son enjoyed a lot of the games they have there starting around 4 years old! But he's always been a huge sports and video games fan anyway!

 

[disneycruise_obessed]

Also what are your thoughts on the ESPN Zone? Would the kids enjoy it and do you recommend PS?

i don't know what ps is but i do recommend espn zone. me (14), and my sisters (11 and 7) all looove it there, and we aren't even all that into sports. they have so many fun and different arcade like games. i think they have a game for pretty much every sport i can think of. if your boys like sports then i think they'll have a great time.

if you're all big sports fans, then you may enjoy sitting in the room with the sports bar, as they have a huge High Definition tv, always playing one of the more major games on tv. however if you choose to sit in that area, be expecting A LOT of noise, as the people are always cheering and yelling. they tend to get prettty riled up

however if you're looking for a somewhat quieter family dinner, then you can request to sit in the other room. its on the left side, however i dont remember the neame

now for food. the food is good. not amazing. but my whole family can eat there, which is saying a lot because my two sisters and i are extreemely picky. its basic american food (burgers, salads, buffalo wings, etc.) also, if you save room for dessert, i HIGHLY recommend the cchoccolate cookie sundae. its a must for our family

i would say espn is overall our favorite place to eat in DTD, because it has a fun atmosphere, and the food is pretty good.

hope i helped
: )

 

[ShawnaF]

ESPN Zone will be a huge hit with your kids at that age and into sports! Highly recommend that place for you!

BAB - we usually are around $35 when we do it. However, they are doing dogs with roller skates and marketing them in front of the store. Not sure on the price, but they're pretty cool and a lot of families were walking out with them - a harness to hold your animal to help them skate. I'm sure that will drive your price up just a bit. BAB in DTD is the only one that sells the official licensed Disney apparel, so, consider that since you won't find the same elsewhere.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

BAB in DTD is the only one that sells the official licensed Disney apparel, so, consider that since you won't find the same elsewhere.

Although that was true about a year or so ago, that's not the case now. We have 2 BAB's within a 20 mile radius of us and both sell Disney costumes for their stuffed animals. I believe they are also available on their website http://www.buildabear.com/shop/browsecategory.aspx?CallingPage=BrowseCategory&Category=Disney .
There are certain disney items that were only available at the downtown disney store. We got Mickey ears, t-shirts, and white gloves during the 50th celebration. We didn't see anything unique to the store on our last trip in Feb though besides the build your own doll thing.

If you think you'll spend more than $100 you should join their stuff for stuff club. If you spend $100, you'll get a $10 gift card. It'll also put you on their mailing list. Both my kids received $5 coupons for any purchase over $5 for their birthdays.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

ESPN Zone will be a huge hit with your kids at that age and into sports! Highly recommend that place for you!

BAB - we usually are around $35 when we do it. However, they are doing dogs with roller skates and marketing them in front of the store. Not sure on the price, but they're pretty cool and a lot of families were walking out with them - a harness to hold your animal to help them skate. I'm sure that will drive your price up just a bit. BAB in DTD is the only one that sells the official licensed Disney apparel, so, consider that since you won't find the same elsewhere.

Dogs on skates! Thanks for the warning, I know my son is gonna want that!

 

[godalejunior]

We just did BAB because Mickey, Minnie and Pooh were there. DS made a Mickey on our first trip. He is not into the clothes so we got off pretty easy on our visit.

 

[CruznLexi]

Last year for my Birthday hubby ordered the minnie mouse build a bear. You can't t get all the disney characters at the stores, Ours carries Elmo, Pooh, Big Bird I think. When he gott Minnie he got her a xmas outfit and she came dressed in her regualr outfit. We are hoping to get her a DL T shirt at BAB and prior to our trip I will get Minnie a Hawaiin outfit since we aregoing on a cruise there.
Lexi