Build A Bear B-day Party?

[brittsmum1998]

Has anyone been to a party here ? My daughter would like to have her 7th b-day here. It will be expensive (you can't do food or presents there) and we will have to supply meals also probably at Brighams. Any opinions? Thanks, Kim

 

[gallaj0]

My DD went to one, it according to the host, it was WAY more expensive then even she imagined. The nickle adn diming on all the "accessories" like clothes, sound, shoes, hats, etc. brought the price WAY up over what she estimated.

But if you expect it, adn are ready for the price, go ahead, she did have a great time, and loves the fact that the bear (actually a horse) is uniquely hers.

 

[JaysGoofyMom]

My Granddaughter had her Birthday Party there in October and it was terrific!! You can set a price limit per child and then the staff steers the kids to the appropriate things. They really do a nice job.

 

[Patty3]

My Goddaughter just went to a party there and absolutely loved it!

 

[cynsaun]

My daughter had her birthday party there, and we set a limit of $10 per child. After the party, we went to the Food Court and bought the kids pizza and had cake. It was much less expensive than having the party elsewhere!

 

[QueenTriton]

We did my daughter's party there. We set a budget per child and the employee running the party made sure everyone stayed within it. She limited them to certain bear choices and explained that the less expensive bears could have more accessories/clothes. My daughter received a bonus autograph bear. They also gave us "points" for the purchases for the party and we filled a card, so we were able to buy our daughter an extra something. We received a personally written thank you note from the employee in charge of the party. We returned back to our house after the party for cake and punch. All of the kids had a great time. It was very easy and low-stress for me, and actually cost less than having the kids to the house and spending money on decorations, food, games, goodie bags, etc. BAB gave each kid a house for their bear and a small goody bag, which contained a sticker, candy and bear trading-type cards. They also allowed each of the girls to choose free bows for their bear's ears.

 

[Disney_1derland]

We've seen several happening at our local BAB and I have to say I was VERY turned off to it. In one particular instance, it just seemed so unorganized and rushed and the kids were everywhere and the girl was not able to steer the kids in the price range she was supposed to and it wound up with the mother of the birthday child being upset that the children insisted on spending more than they were supposed to and it was out of control. Now, this may be an isolated incident but there were only 5 children in the 'party' and it was way out of control. I think I would like it better if they had a seperate party room where only what was in your price range was brought in and they chose and did it in that room.

 

[jel0511]

I've thrown two Build-A-Bear parties, and I'm going to have my third there in April. First and foremost, the Build-A-Bear parties are VERY popular, at least around here. They usually fill up abut 3 months in advance here, and sometimes 4 months. We've always set a spending limit, and make it clear to the party leader. I've never had a problem with the children going over it, though I've had problems with the parents allowing their kids to pick out other accessories (ones I'm not paying for) and then paying for it themselves. It makes some of the other kids feel bad, those who's parents won't spend the extra $30 or so for every other accessory. I've done a $15 limit party and a $25 limit party, I will say the $25 limit party was MUCH better than the $15 limit party. They were able to pick any bear up to $15 and then were able to get an outfit also. I'm doing DS's party there in April, and I think I'm going to go with the higher limit. Also, my parties have always been over 20 kids, and they have NEVER gotten out of control, and the party leaders always did a great job keeping them in control and within budget.

 

[Kimberle]

Yes, we've been to several. They are a lot of fun.

I'd recommend you don't do any accessaries. Spend your money on an animal. The kids can come back later & buy their own accessaries. Just set a price limit on the most expensive animal they can choose. Or, you can pre-select 3-4 animals, then the kids can choose which ones they want.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Thank you for all the opinions. I booked it. She is limited to 10 kids at $25.00 per kid. Its at 2PM the Friday of school vacation. Then we will go to Brighams for dinner at 3:30. They can open presents there and have dinner and ice cream. My DD is so excited. I offered to take her to Disney World for her school vacation and she picked BAB party. I wonder if I took the wrong kid home from the hospital

Edited to add: I did speak to BAB and stressed that I wanted them to stay within the limit. The woman said that is the party planners job and she would. I can only hope

 

[Mimi Q]

Let us know how the party turns out.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

My daughter had her 9th bday in November there. We set a limit for the kids... a $10 bear and $5 in clothes...needless to say...the kids begged n whined so I went over. You have to have a minimum of 6 kids, and $10 is the cheapest bear.. (naked)! We also had cookie cake and presents at the food court, but BuildABear was a little over $100,,, still, they do well and the kids loved it... overall, a good party!

 

[SC Minnie]

DD had her 10th party there last summer. It was expensive but all the girls had a great time. Even my mother made a bear! We set the kids a limit of $10 bear and $10 clothes. We had it on a Sunday afternoon and the store wasn't very crowded. I think this helped the employee keep the girls under control- plus they were all 10 yo+ and good kids so they understood the 'rules'. We then went to the food court and at cupcakes and juice boxes and DD opened presents there.