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American Girl Doll weekend in Chicago?

suesam

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My sister and I are planning to take her 6 year old daughter to Chicago in April to the American Girl Doll store and hopefully Mary Poppins. Whenever we go to Chicago we always stay at the Hyatt on Wacker but I am thinking that is too far away for my niece, not actually on Michigan Ave and further south. I am not sure she will be a great walking partner. So what hotel would you recommend that would be closer to the north end of Michigan Avenue that is reasonably priced? Any advice on how to DO the American Doll experience? I have sons so I have no experience with this fun girl stuff!! Can't wait!

Thanks!
Sue
 

lll1929

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I have been to the store with my daughter and its really awesome. Make reservations for the tea party/luncheon on the 3rd floor. Also plan to stop at the salon and let her get her doll's hair styled.

Bring money for the clothes, books, etc.
 
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S

Steamboat Bill

My daughter did the event at the NYC store and loved it. Get read to spend some big bucks in that store.
 

dwsupt

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The Hyatt is the best in the area. I know that doesnot help much, but I'd take a taxi and stay at the Hyatt. The others that are decent are in the same general area. Avoid the weekend before Thanksgiving at all cost. The School Board Convention is in town that weekend.
 

rvanfam

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Hotel help from a chicagoan

Try the Homewood Suites. On Grand, I think, just one block behind Michigan (as is American Girl) Nicer than a regular Homewood Suites plus a breakfast and you can walk right through the Michigan Ave Marriott to get there. Catty corner from Nordstroms.
Elaine
 

suesam

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Darn! I just checked Homewood Suites and they did not have any availability!
Any other hotels close to North Michigan Avenue that anyone can think of?

Sue
 

wackymother

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I've gotten the Hyatt for $70 on Priceline. In big cities, I've had very good luck getting four-star hotels for great prices, and then I figure I can pay for taxis with what I've saved. Do you want to give it a try? Or have you looked on Hotwire for your dates?
 

wauhob3

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We have stayed frequently on Michigan AV through Priceline. There are many hotels in the area and if you bid 3 or 4* it should be good. When my daughter was younger she had her picture taken and they put it on an American Girl doll magazine. You should also do the play they have there. Last time I was there they had a sign at Water Tower Pace the the store was moving there but wht they would do that I have no idea.
 

suesam

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I have never used Priceline for hotels so this will be new for me. I will see if my sister is up for it. I am usually sort of controlling ;) so the not knowing part is kind of scarey for me but I am willing to try if she is. Like you said if we could save the money and use it for taxis we would be fine. I can see this is going to be a pricey weekend. My other sister may go as well and my nieces birthday will be shortly after our trip so we can give her doll stuff for her birthday! Three of us will probably be going and two of us have boys only so this is big fun for us!
Thanks for all of the tips so far!

Sue
 

klisow

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Wydham Chicago

I have made several trip to the American Doll Store with my daughters. In fact, I have spent many many hours there.

We have stayed at several places too. I personally would recommend the Wydham Chicago, it's less than a 1/3 of a mile away and a very nice hotel. It is definitely within walking distance for your niece. We also have stayed at the Hyatt on Wacker and at the Marriott, which are both nice, but I like the location of the Wydham for my daughters when they were young. In addition, it has a small indoor pool for your niece if she would like to swim.

I hope you have a great time during your visit. I am thinking of taking my daughters next month for a long weekend. Unfortunately, I don't think too much of our time will be spent at the AD store, as they are teenagers now, and shopping is what they do best. We do have 6 of the dolls though, and the itty bitty twins, and I have to say, they were a great investment, as they were played with a ton.

One thing we did before we went, on two different occasions, was to have dresses made for our daughters with matching outfits for their dolls. We picked up patterns from Jo Anns and had them made. Everyone stopped our girls and complimented them on their outfits. They also wore them on the plane and received so much extra attention. Just a cute idea that they still talk about today. It was much cheaper than buying the matching outfits from the AD store.

Have a great time!
 

wauhob3

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I just looked and they move to Water Tower Place October 1st. Thats a shame and I wonder if they will have less services.
 

summervaca

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I have to agree with the other posters that you should definitely participate in the activities they offer. A friend of mine and I took our daughters and we made an entire day of it. When we first arrived, we browsed in the store until our scheduled brunch (make reservations). The brunch was alot of fun. They have little seats for the dolls and it is like a giant tea party for the girls. Of course, they dressed up to match their dolls for the event :)

After brunch, the girls AND the dolls got their hair done and their portraits taken. Soon after, we were on our way to the small theater to watch the American Girl play. It's a touchy, feely little thing that the kids will enjoy. Of course, by then the kids want to buy everything in sight (similar to Disney), so beware of that!! Also, everything else is also very expensive, but we were only planning on making the trip once so decided it would be worth it. Now, an American Girl place is opening in the Mall of America which is ten minutes from our house. I'm glad my daughter has outgrown it;)

By the time we left, it was time for dinner and it made for a very entertaining day.

For those of you thinking the entire thing sounds bizarre, it absolutely is. Throughout the entire day I was thinking "I can't believe I'm sitting at the same table as a doll dressed like my daughter" and "I can't believe I'm paying to have a doll's hair styled". So I'm not crazy. I was just an overly indulgent mother that day:hysterical:

Have a great time!!
 

MaryH

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susansam,

I think the Intercontinental is at the North end of Michigan Ave.

If Hyatt, taxi should not cost that much. Alternatively, this is FFN season and if you can find a standard award reservation, try to see if you can get a FFN before going and swap it over.
 

rvanfam

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No more plays

Both of my daughters 21 and 14 had friends that were actors in the American girl doll plays. Greta Hays (friend of the older girl) was a star for years. Now I heard that when the store moves- no more plays. Didn't make enough money. Too bad.
 

wackymother

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A couple of years ago I read that the American Girl store on 57th Street in Manhattan had the highest per-capita sales of any store on the whole street. (And 57th St. has some mighty fancy retailers.) It was staggering--something like an AVERAGE of $200 or $300 per person walking through the door. Not per customer.

Suesam, PM me if you want some help with Priceline in Chicago. I'll walk through it with you. I think there's actually a Priceline zone called Water Tower. What are the dates you will be going?
 

clsmit

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We've stayed at the Embassy Suites between Michigan Ave and the Navy Pier in early April with our kids. More space, free breakfast. And the Navy Pier is fun, even in early spring. The Park Hyatt would be closer and might have an American Girl deal.
 
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