American girl place

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
Just wanted to update that we did indeed take the daugther up to American Girl Place on Saturday, and to say it was a big hit with her would be an understatement. We spent probably two hours in the store, and it was exceedingly difficult to leave without a new doll. Tears were flowing, and explanation that "if you are good for 30 days then you may find one under the tree" was not holding much water. It really is a great place, and EVERYWHERE at The Grove were little girls carrying their dolls, many in matching outfits.



BTW --- beside the doll place, The Grove is a great day, if you can bear the Westside traffic for a day. Have not been there for a while, and forgot how much fun to just hang around there and the Farmers Market. Plus after dark they were doing rehearsals onstage for the big Sunday tree lighting show --- so we got to see literally the entire show without what I am sure was a ridiculous crowd the following day.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1259069758]Just wanted to update that we did indeed take the daugther up to American Girl Place on Saturday, and to say it was a big hit with her would be an understatement. We spent probably two hours in the store, and it was exceedingly difficult to leave without a new doll. Tears were flowing, and explanation that "if you are good for 30 days then you may find one under the tree" was not holding much water. It really is a great place, and EVERYWHERE at The Grove were little girls carrying their dolls, many in matching outfits.



BTW --- beside the doll place, The Grove is a great day, if you can bear the Westside traffic for a day. Have not been there for a while, and forgot how much fun to just hang around there and the Farmers Market. Plus after dark they were doing rehearsals onstage for the big Sunday tree lighting show --- so we got to see literally the entire show without what I am sure was a ridiculous crowd the following day.</blockquote>


Mrs BK and I have been there at least twice a month since it opened in 2003. I am glad you experienced it. We almost made it there but the Gallery lecture ran overtime with the lecturer from Oxford university.



Good thing that I did not buy anything from there.
 
They need some type of boy version of American Girl or Build-A-Bear.



I saw some car one (I don't remember where) but they need something like Build-A-Robot/Action Figure/Alien. The ToysRUs in New York had this area where you can mix and match robot parts but there should be some place where you can have parties. The only problem is they will probably have to have another area where the boys can destroy the stuff they just built... hehe.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259123216]They need some type of boy version of American Girl or Build-A-Bear.



I saw some car one (I don't remember where) but they need something like Build-A-Robot/Action Figure/Alien. The ToysRUs in New York had this area where you can mix and match robot parts but there should be some place where you can have parties. The only problem is they will probably have to have another area where the boys can destroy the stuff they just built... hehe.</blockquote>


They have something like this at LegoLand where they give you wheels and then your kids build the car out of Legos. Of course, you have to visit LegoLand to do this but other than this I agree this type of activity is not really available for boys.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259123216]They need some type of boy version of American Girl or Build-A-Bear.



I saw some car one (I don't remember where) but they need something like Build-A-Robot/Action Figure/Alien. The ToysRUs in New York had this area where you can mix and match robot parts but there should be some place where you can have parties. The only problem is they will probably have to have another area where the boys can destroy the stuff they just built... hehe.</blockquote>


Retails target girls more than boys because girls and women have product loyalty more than boys and men.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1259126694][quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259123216]They need some type of boy version of American Girl or Build-A-Bear.



I saw some car one (I don't remember where) but they need something like Build-A-Robot/Action Figure/Alien. The ToysRUs in New York had this area where you can mix and match robot parts but there should be some place where you can have parties. The only problem is they will probably have to have another area where the boys can destroy the stuff they just built... hehe.</blockquote>


Retails target girls more than boys because girls and women have product loyalty more than boys and men.</blockquote>


And most men really hate to shop.
 
[quote author="Irvine_Lurker" date=1259126189][quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259123216]They need some type of boy version of American Girl or Build-A-Bear.



I saw some car one (I don't remember where) but they need something like Build-A-Robot/Action Figure/Alien. The ToysRUs in New York had this area where you can mix and match robot parts but there should be some place where you can have parties. The only problem is they will probably have to have another area where the boys can destroy the stuff they just built... hehe.</blockquote>


They have something like this at LegoLand where they give you wheels and then your kids build the car out of Legos. Of course, you have to visit LegoLand to do this but other than this I agree this type of activity is not really available for boys.</blockquote>


There's plenty. Building a remote control car, customizing it and taking it to a track is one. As a kid I spent hours in baseball card shops & conventions, comic book stores, and if gamestop was around, I could've stayed there all day. In the early 2000's my nephew would go to magic card tournaments or whatever it's called. I don't remember seeing girls at any of those places.



Btw, thank you CK for salvaging this thread.
 
That's why you have to focus on "building"... so it's not shopping any more. I'm actually talking about the party experience... I've been to tons of girl-oriented parties (even that quaint tea party place in Balboa Island) and I think something like this would work for boys too. The only places you can take boys to is like a JumpItUp or LaserQuest (just went there recently). But in both of those, you don't bring anything home like BuildABear or AmericanGirl. Michael's actually had a party thing where you built a treasure/junk box and my kids enjoyed that since it appealed to both boys and girls... but us "manly" men need some toys for the boys.



And there aren't many baseball card/comic book shops/conventions left any more... and none that I know of hosted birthday parties. I wish the Lego store in Downtown Disney had Lego parties.



Sorry... this went slightly off-topic... back to girls, dolls and racial profiling.
 
Hi IHO,



There's a brand new store in Downtown Disney (next to Build-A-Bear if I remember it right) where you and your boy can build your own vehicles. I think they have parties available too. Check it out!
 
Yeah... that's where I saw it... those were cool. Unfortunately... my kid is not into the cars as much as the action figures / Legos.



I don't know how well they will do... if those were R/Cs... maybe... but I think they are the friction push kind.



Maybe I'll make my own Lego party... I can host it in BK's huge backyard/lot... and the parents can have their own "Build A Guacamole" activity.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259136032]Yeah... that's where I saw it... those were cool. Unfortunately... my kid is not into the cars as much as the action figures / Legos.



I don't know how well they will do... if those were R/Cs... maybe... but I think they are the friction push kind.



Maybe I'll make my own Lego party... I can host it in BK's huge backyard/lot... and the parents can have their own "Build A Guacamole" activity.</blockquote>


Come on by. Plenty of curbside parking, no waiting tow trucks, but you have to be brave to drive west of 55.



Wait a minute I don't think this is a good idea because I don't have a California Room.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259136032]parents can have their own "Build A Guacamole" activity.</blockquote>


Sorry Avocado season is over but both parents and kids can join in "Trap A GyanaMole" activity in my backyard.



<img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:4snWUSvXMeQvqM:http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/others/european-mole-22725.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="Meatball" date=1259132284]Hi IHO,



There's a brand new store in Downtown Disney (next to Build-A-Bear if I remember it right) where you and your boy can build your own vehicles. I think they have parties available too. Check it out!</blockquote>


<strong>RIDEMAKERZ?</strong>



This new store in the Downtown Disney? District is a supercharged interactive experience that lets kids build, customize and trick out their very own radio-controlled vehicles! RIDEMAKERZ? is now open through January 2010.



<img src="http://adisneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_v0200/en_US/moreMagic/downtownDisney/shopping/DTD_Ridemakerz.jpg" alt="" />



* Satisfy your need for speed with over 649 million ways to create a mean machine.

* Vehicle models include dozens of real world and concept cars: Ford Mustangs, Dodge Vipers, Chevy Corvettes, hot-rods, pick-up trucks, sport coupes and more!

* Choose from hundreds of accessories like Decalz, Side Pipez, Blown-Out Enginez, Spoilerz and Tail Pipez to unleash a one-of-a-kind ride.



<a href="http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/moreMagic/downtownDisney/shopping/detail?name=RidemakerzShoppingPage">http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/moreMagic/downtownDisney/shopping/detail?name=RidemakerzShoppingPage</a>
 
Ridemakerz actually does allow you to add RC capability to the cars. The only thing is it's pretty expensive... the cheapest is a Wedge for $10 per person but to get the really cool stuff, you need to go to $25+. That's not that much more than the "girlie" places but with one difference, they don't have a dedicated party area, so no food and no cake... boo.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259281666]Ridemakerz actually does allow you to add RC capability to the cars. The only thing is it's pretty expensive... the cheapest is a Wedge for $10 per person but to get the really cool stuff, you need to go to $25+. That's not that much more than the "girlie" places but with one difference, they don't have a dedicated party area, so no food and no cake... boo.</blockquote>
We are unfamiliar with RC stuff. Do you have to already have your own controller? How much for a car and the controller? Please forgive if my terminology is inaccurate. $25 does not seem like much for a car with a motor and receiver.
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1259292643][quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1259281666]Ridemakerz actually does allow you to add RC capability to the cars. The only thing is it's pretty expensive... the cheapest is a Wedge for $10 per person but to get the really cool stuff, you need to go to $25+. That's not that much more than the "girlie" places but with one difference, they don't have a dedicated party area, so no food and no cake... boo.</blockquote>
We are unfamiliar with RC stuff. Do you have to already have your own controller? How much for a car and the controller? Please forgive if my terminology is inaccurate. $25 does not seem like much for a car with a motor and receiver.</blockquote>


Car and controller go from anywhere from $35 to $55 at the store.



On a related note: Disney is still offering their $62.50 credit on your birthday... to be spent as you wish at their resorts. Just saying.



Happy Thanksgiving,

-IR2
 
Sorry awg... to be clear, that was for their party "Bash" package, $10 per person gets each one a Wedge, $25 is more variety. The RC add-on and controller is extra.
 
[quote author="Nude" date=1258566541]Every time I think this country can't possibly get any worse...



[Seriously, this is the kind of thing that turns normal people into raving lunatics... a salon day... not for your daughter, but for her f&^*ing DOLL!?!?!? People are losing their damn homes across the country, parents are signing up for foodstamps, yet these asshats are selling spa days for some kid's plastic playmate? What is this teaching girls... that trophy wife is an acceptable goal? That getting your hair done is after a hard day of shopping is the way life should be?

</blockquote>


We had this chance stopping by The Grove on holiday weekend and visited American Girl Store. After seeing that salon service for the dolls, my husband had the same comments like Nude have. Fortunately my own 7-year-old girl is not into dolls; otherwise we would have had a family drama on that spot. My husband was like ?I?d rather give her a real dog or kitty!? But I did see tons of girls carrying American Girl shopping bag. They are having a good business.
 
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