NYC with little girls - American Girl Place or FAO Schartz
Jul 26th, 2012, 03:53 PM
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NYC with little girls - American Girl Place or FAO Schartz
Hi all,
Will be in NYC for one day with a 5 year old and 7 year old girl. Was thinking of *one* toy store. Is AGP really worth it?
I am inclined to do FAO Schwartz as I can get away with one toy (and not a $100 doll!!). Unless AGP is such an amazing experience that they would miss out?
Any advice appreciated.
Lisa
Will be in NYC for one day with a 5 year old and 7 year old girl. Was thinking of *one* toy store. Is AGP really worth it?
I am inclined to do FAO Schwartz as I can get away with one toy (and not a $100 doll!!). Unless AGP is such an amazing experience that they would miss out?
Any advice appreciated.
Lisa
Jul 26th, 2012, 04:24 PM
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My vote is for FAO Schwartz-it really is a magical toy store, at least from a child's perspective, and is more of an experience overall that AGP, in my opinion. And you won't be too far from two other great spots for kids-Dylan's Candy Bar (on 60th and 3rd Ave) and Serendipity, which is right down the block on 60th St.
Jul 27th, 2012, 08:09 AM
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If your little girls love their American Girl dolls, take them there. They'll talk about the visit for years. If they don't have dolls already, prepare yourself for a purchase or disappointed children. If they do have AG dolls, you can bring them with you for a salon 'freshening' (call in advance to see if an appointment is necessary). You can reserve a space for lunch (very fun for AG fans) or just grab a quick snack at the little cafe'. There are enough accessories to buy that are under $100.00 and the bookstore offers great AG books and videos (and other 'girl lit'). It's a fun, wholesome place that's been brilliantly marketed but you don't have to drop a bundle while you're there.
Jul 27th, 2012, 08:37 AM
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To reinforce the above: If your girls already have AG dolls, go to AGP. If they don't, I'd favor FAO any day! It's got soooo many different toys and experiences (including some of the most expensive, delicious ice cream sundaes!) and it's so iconic.
AGP is certainly an experience-focused store, and for girls who already have the dolls, there's a lot to do as Bowsprit explained.
As far as "look and feel", AGP is classy, continually branded throughout, even to the bathrooms, but the space itself has a traditional store layout, so to speak. FAO feels very airy and open inside, with a distinctive architecture specific to the building it's in, and reinforced by the all-glass Apple cube outside...
You could do what my mom did with my sister and me at that age: let us look as much as we wanted in FAO, then purchase one tiny toy each. I ended up with a collection of 3-inch ponies and frogs and such!
AGP is certainly an experience-focused store, and for girls who already have the dolls, there's a lot to do as Bowsprit explained.
As far as "look and feel", AGP is classy, continually branded throughout, even to the bathrooms, but the space itself has a traditional store layout, so to speak. FAO feels very airy and open inside, with a distinctive architecture specific to the building it's in, and reinforced by the all-glass Apple cube outside...
You could do what my mom did with my sister and me at that age: let us look as much as we wanted in FAO, then purchase one tiny toy each. I ended up with a collection of 3-inch ponies and frogs and such!
