How busy is Build-A-Bear in DTD?

[Ross3half]

It looks like the park closes at 8:00 most nights we'll be there and Build-A-Bear doesn't close until 10:00, but I'm curious how busy Build-A-Bear gets at park closing time mid-week (in May)? We'd rather go in the evening instead of during park hours unless the store gets swamped when the park empties out. TIA!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

This Build-a-Bear is two stories, so it has at least double the "stuffing" capacity of a regular store. It's good to take note that there is a separate line and register upstairs - most people just stay on the first floor. If it is not busy, then they might close the upstairs queue.

It depends on the day of the week. On the weekends, it can be extremely busy - especially on a Friday and Saturday night. I would say Monday - Thursday are your best bets. Just walk along DTD and take a peek. You can tell how bad it is by simply looking in the window. The first floor "building" line - where you pick out which animal you want to stuff - runs along the length of their windows.

 

[julw]

I took my daughter there for her birthday on 3/14 in the evening about 7:30 and we were there just about 2 hours! I so wanted to say the heck with it, but I just couldn't do that to her. We were in the "pick your bear/stuffing line" for 45 minutes! We went upstairs because the lower line was so long, but no luck, just as long upstairs. I agree with not going on the weekends to try and help avoid the long wait.

 

[Disney_Villain]

We found the best time to go (although it never worked for us) was right when BAB opened in the mornings. If you want the smallest lineups possible, that's the time to go.

Mornings never worked for us. so we bit the bullet and did this in an evening, (with the usual insane lineups).

 

[mastersd]

Hi,
We were there last week. It was very busy. It was our first time in Disneyland. It was much busier than I had expected. We went to the build a bear at around 11:00. We were in the park for our magic morning, when the crowds got to be too much we headed to build a bear. We had no wait. Be warned....they are kind of sneaky there. I felt they really tried to up how much we spent. My kids were getting their bears stuffed the girl asked them, "Would you like a beating heart in your bear?". She slipped it in--5.00 each. The kids were in the dressing station dressing their bears, "Oh no, you forgot to get underwear for your bear! you wear underwear don't you?" 3.00 each. The kids were looking for their outfits for their bears when they found one the girl came up and said, "Oh look these shoes are perfect for your bear--it matches the outfit perfectly." 7.50 a pair! By the time we left, we had bears with shoes, underwear, hats and beating hearts and one with a very, very annoying voice. My purse was $90.00 lighter. I wish I would have encouraged my kids to only pick limited disney outfits for their bears.
Have fun!
I don't know where you are staying, but the Disneyland hotel lobby has 5.00 off coupons.
Deanna

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Be warned....they are kind of sneaky there. I felt they really tried to up how much we spent. My kids were getting their bears stuffed the girl asked them, "Would you like a beating heart in your bear?". She slipped it in--5.00 each. The kids were in the dressing station dressing their bears, "Oh no, you forgot to get underwear for your bear! you wear underwear don't you?" 3.00 each. The kids were looking for their outfits for their bears when they found one the girl came up and said, "Oh look these shoes are perfect for your bear--it matches the outfit perfectly." 7.50 a pair! By the time we left, we had bears with shoes, underwear, hats and beating hearts and one with a very, very annoying voice. My purse was $90.00 lighter. I wish I would have encouraged my kids to only pick limited disney outfits for their bears.

WOW! I have never had that happen there. I would NOT be too happy with that girl, that's for sure! I think I would have told her to take a hike!

 

[Ross3half]

Thanks everyone, it sounds like we'll fit it in to one of our mornings!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

You know, if you are staying at one of the Disney hotels, they have a special Build-A-Bear session for hotel guests - before the store opens to the public. This means no lines and time for bonding without the crowds. Worth it if you are a DLR hotel guest!