DD6 had her last b-day party at BAB in Jan 2007. It was very nice and, from what I can tell, all of the kids had a terrific time.
We chose a budget of $25 per child and let each child pick their own items. That was a bit more complicated than pre-set selections but so many kids already have the standard bears from other parties and DD wanted the new dog. I couldn't let her choose a dog but make the other kids take the less-expensive bears and feel right about it afterward so that's why we just picked a limit and let them decide for themselves.
The party organizer was great with the kids and told each one as they picked out their animals what other items they'd still have $$ left to buy. A couple did get the cheaper bears and complete outfits, others bought a more expensive animal with a sound chip and just a t-shirt. One of the girls picked a pooh bear - her mom remembered last week when I ran into her at school and thanked me again telling me it went with them on vacation.
It was a longer party than expected because the machines in the store had broken so the animals all had to be stuffed by hand with the kids gathered in a circle on the floor. When I walked into the store and was told their compressor was down so a group of kindergarteners would have to stuff their own animals I just groaned. I feared the worst, but that was actually the best part of the day I think and the kids got to take their time stuffing, talking and playing games on the floor that I haven't seen at other BAB parties.
DD had wanted the holiday dress for her newly made dog which would have put her drastically over the party budget so the party planner had put those items aside concealed in a seperate bag that we received at checkout. All the kids received bear condo boxes and a party favor packet from BABW which included coupons, a door hanger sign, magnets, stationary sets, coloring books and a few other little things so we didn't do individual party favor bags.
After the bears were completed we went to the Rainforest cafe in the same mall and had kids meals and cake to end the day. It was a bit pricey - we probably could have done nearly a week of
free dining at POP for the same price but she's my last & will only be 6 once so it was a justifiable expense that we split with my parents who had originally planned to give her a party at their house.
The bear bucks we earned from the party will last her for our BABW thru the summer with a little budgeting so that's a terrific side benefit we didn't expect and will save us quite a bit too.
Should be fun!
aw:
She picked a little white bear and a pink t-shirt and was happy with that. She still calls it her "naked" bear. 
Some of the other girls at the party were pretty bratty about what they wanted (everything!) and there were a few "THAT's NOT FAIR's" when the birthday girl got to pick out two bears and a cartload of outfits. Lots of Gimme monsters. 
