Going to the American Girl Cafe - Some ?'s...

[Wendy31]

Hi, Dissers!!

We're taking our DD to the American Girl Store in Atlanta for her 10th b-day. Her b-day is 1/5, but I wasn't able to get reservations until 1/23.

Only the 5 of us are going - DH, DD, DS, baby DS, & me.

I made our reservations on-line & there wasn't any place to mention that we were celebrating a b-day. Last year, I had reservations for her b-day as well, but we ended up canceling because DS got pneumonia. However, when I called to make the reservation, the customer service rep asked if we were celebrating a b-day, & I was able to order a special b-day package for DD (a cake & treat bag) for additional $$.

Anyway, do they still offer this kind of thing? Should I call?

Also, I told DD that she would need to pick only 1 AG doll to attend w/ us, so she has chosen Julie since Julie celebrates her 10th b-day as well in the books. I was under the assumption that there was only 1 doll chair at the table?

However, 1 of her AG dolls (Felicity's friend, Elizabeth) needs some special hair attention. If we bring Elizabeth as well, do I need to make an appt for the doll spa or is it "walk-up"? Also, what are the costs for the doll spa?

Are the Atlanta's restaurant's tables really crowded/close together? I'm hoping there is room for our stroller for our baby DS since he's not quite sitting in high chairs yet. I could have requested a high chair on my on-line reservation, so I'm thinking that, if there is room for a high chair, there is room for our stroller at the table. We have a smaller travel-system stroller & have done this w/ no problems at other restaurants, but I do realize that some restaurants are simply too crowded.

Additionally, I only made our reservation for 4, do I need to call & change our reservation from 4 to 5 to ensure a big enough table?

I know! Lots of questions!!!

I've never been to any of the AG doll store locations. So what have been your experiences & what can we expect?

Oh, & I've ordered matching outfits for DD & Julie to wear! DD & I are very excited!! (DH & DS not so much, but they're being champs about it! And baby DS will have fun too, I'm sure! )

 

[Bowen9475]

I can answer a few questions. I took my daughter and a few of her friends to the AG cafe at the Boston store for her 10th birthday. Each girl brought a doll and they were all able to use a doll high chair at the table. The chairs clip onto the table. One girl chose to have her doll's ears pierced and this was done at the same counter as the hair salon. It was done on a walk up basis only. That's all I can tell you about but I'm sure you will get other answers

 

[leagirl12]

We will be doing the same thing in February to celebrate DD's 11th bday. This will be our first trip to the store. Not sure if you live close enough to drive their the same day but if you are staying overnight be sure and check the hotels listed on the AG site as most of them have AG Packages for not much more than a regular room.

DD will be staying in a room with a pink duvet, with pink towels. There will also be a bed in the room for her doll that she gets to keep. Along with a few other things like cookies and milk delivered to the room. Oh yeah and a pink robe for her and one for her doll to wear while we are there. I am keeping all of the AG hotel part a surprise for her.

I hope you get some answers to your questions as I am curious as well.

 

[KibbyCat]

Just in case you didn't know, each of the "historical" dolls celebrates her 10th birthday in the "birthday" book in her series. You can call the boutique ahead of time and make reservations for the "salon" for Elizabeth. Tell them that you have reservations at the cafe, and they should be able to get you an "appointment" time near the time of your celebration.

 

[C&OsMommy]

You can have more than one doll sit at the table with you too, so you can bring Julie and Elisabeth

I would let them know that you are 4+ HC so they know to put you at a big enough table. A lot of the 4 tops are a square and there are lots of plates and stuff, so you will need the extra room. They shouldn't charge you for the baby!

Have fun!!!!

 

[Mom loves Disney]

We just did this in Atlanta on our way back from WDW. There should be plenty of room for the stroller. You can fit more than 1 chair at the table. We walked in without reservations on a Sat. night and waited maybe 30 minutes (long enough to have the dolls earrings put in) for a table. There was a table beside us celebrating a birthday actually having a party so I would call and ask about a cake if you want one.

 

[newfie girl]

Hope this helps answer a few of your questions...

We went to the Atlanta American girl cafe/store last July and had a great (expensive!!) time

The doll chairs are available when you check in. You can get as many as you need, they just slide on the end of the table.

The restaurant is spaced out very well, so you shouldn't have to worry about fitting the stroller in. I would however change your reservation to 5 people just in case you are seated at a four top table.
The food was very good and pretty reasonably priced. We didn't order the birthday cake but we did inform the waitress it was our daughters birthday when we were seated. They sang for her and then we ordered our own dessert.

I think the doll salon price was about $20.00 and you can drop your doll off while you shop. I don't believe you can make reservations. The store is very cute..a little on the small side. Everything that they have in the catalog is available in the store. They have displays set up all over the store so you can see everything up close (unfortunately this is very hard on your wallet!!)
Hope this helps! Have a great time.

 

[Wendy31]

Thanks, everyone, for the quick replies!

I will definitely be calling to explain about our baby & to let them know we're celebrating our DD's birthday!

The hotel package looks so adorable! We are in TN, about 2 1/2 hours from Atlanta, so we had planned to drive back home after our meal. However, I checked, & the Alpharetta Marriott has an AG Doll pckg vacancy for 1/23, so it's very, very tempting!

I did NOT know that each historical doll celebrates her 10th b-day in the books! Good to know! DD has Felicity, Elizabeth, Kirsten, Julie, & Mia (the 2008 "doll of the year"), so I just asked her, if she could take any of her dolls, which one would she take (because earlier I was the one who suggested Julie), & she said Julie, her doll from Santa this Christmas. But then she mentioned Elizabeth since Elizabeth was the 1st one she got & also has her name. So, I think Julie & Elizabeth will be attending with us.

I still haven't decided about a salon visit for Elizabeth though.

My new silly little worry - I have ordered matching outfits for DD & 1 doll, so, if 2 dolls attend, 1 doll will not "match". So, maybe Elizabeth can visit the salon while we lunch... at $20, a salon visit is cheaper than another outfit!

And, yes, I'm aware of how expensive this little b-day jaunt is going to be! I'm just not sure DH is as aware! But, when I consider how much we normally spend on a b-day party w/ decorations, goodie bags, food, presents, cake, etc., I still think we're not spending as much $$... at least, that's what I'll tell DH! (The only thing we'll do here is cake on her b-day w/ her grandparents.)

Besides the matching outfits which she'll get before we go, her other present will be her choice of a doll while we are there. My current dilemma is that we were supposed to go LAST YEAR for her b-day, but we never made it - we did a girls' salon package for her & her 2 girl cousins at a local beauty salon instead but she never received a "big" present from us. So, technically, we owe her a doll for last year's b-day as well. We haven't decided if we are going to let her purchase 2 dolls, just 1 doll, or give her a choice of 2 dolls or 1 doll + some clothes/accessories.

I really like the new doll of the year, Lanie! So cute!! But I also think Rebecca is beautiful! DD likes Kaya, but my mom already has Kaya for DD for next Christmas... she ordered it for DD just in case Kirsten didn't make it for Christmas, but Kirsten made it. (For the past 2 Christmases, DD has received a doll from my mom & a doll from Santa.) I'm also trying to decide which doll will retire at the end of the year like Kirsten did in 2009 & Samantha did in 2008. We missed out on Samantha, but we got Kirsten! We started w/ AG dolls w/ Christmas 2007 (DD was 7, almost 8) but I wish we had started 1 year earlier! In 2007, she got Elizabeth from Santa. In 2008, she got Mia from my mom & Felicity from Santa. (When we realized Samantha was retiring, she was already sold out.) And, this year, she got Kirsten from my mom & Julie from Santa.

So, which doll do ya'll think is next to retire? Molly?

Sorry! I started rambling!! Thanks for all the replies! We can't wait!!

 

[leagirl12]

If you are unsure about getting 2 dolls then maybe do 1 doll and the hotel stay to make it really big this year. I know my DD is going to LOVE the hotel and what is involved. They have an indoor pool so swimming in winter will be a big hit. Plus at this age they just think it is so cool to stay in a hotel....at least mine does.

We are in Birmingham so we could really make it a day trip but figure with what we would spend on a bday party would be about the same to what we will spend by going away for the weekend. We will be doing like you mentioned....have cake and ice cream with family here on her actual bday but nothing big.

Not sure what doll might retire soon. DD got Chrissa for Christmas and it was her first doll. This was the first year she asked for one....and to think I almost thought she might be too old to get it. Boy was I wrong...it has been such a hit in this house! She originally wanted Molly but when QVC had a good deal on Chrissa I convinced DD she should ask Santa for her since she was a doll of the year and she kind of looks like DD. I told her if Santa brought her Chrissa then we would take her to pick out Molly for her bday.

I hope you and your DD have a wonderful trip and Happy Birthday to her!!!!!!

I want Rebecca....she is GORGEOUS. Hmmm....wonder if I am too old to ask DH for a doll????