Visiting the Orlando American Girl Place!

We just came home from spending ten days down in Florida with our Gramma! We didn't take any dolls with us this time, as most of our vacation outings centered around pin trading at Disney Springs (six of ten days doing that!), but we did get to check out the Orlando American Girl Place! This was something we've wanted to do before and never seem to get the chance while down there. Well, our Aunt was with us this time, and she knew how to get there -- so we went!

This was a GREAT experience! Let's just say that the grumpy, messy atmosphere of the Columbus store can't even be compared. The Orlando store is a third again as large, being about 15,000 square feet, and the layout is much prettier and easier to walk through than the Ohio store. What is so noticeable from the first moment you walk in is the feeling of being in a real doll store. The displays are all very neat and full of dolls! Instead of just inserting one doll into a closed in display or area, there would be two or more (often four or five) dolls in any case and posed to appear as if they were interacting with their accessories. Display cases for the historical pajamas, pets and play dresses featured all the historical dolls together, which really made you realize that you liked (and probably "needed") more than one character. The same applied to the Truly Me section, where lots of dolls were shown interacting together in scenes and displays. You got the feeling that this was a doll store, that you needed a doll, and that there would be a lot of cool accessories to go with your choice.

Another thing that I didn't put my finger on while there (rather, it dawned on my later) was the fact that they did not waste half their store (as is displayed in Columbus) with displays meant to be seen from outside the window. There were still LOTS of cool set-ups to be seen from outside, but it was definitely geared to be seen at its best from inside. You walked in and felt like there was TONS to look at and that you were definitely going to need something! :)

They did a great job with the boy dolls and had them incorporated in all sorts of displays. Very fun, and it made them appealing to see scenes of the boy and girl dolls in all the new camp clothes and accessories. It was all so cute. They also had the small stand-up displays of each kind of doll or collection spread throughout, so you really got the idea that you have a LOT of options as far as clothes and accessories.

The staff was super friendly and very kind. And the bathroom was spotless and everything worked! (Not the experience at Columbus, as we've never been there that one of the two stalls isn't out of order.) Even the Wellie Wishers and Bitty Baby sections were neat as a pin and appealing. The majority of displays were closed in, though even the open and playable displays were neat and not missing pieces. The display dolls had lovely hair and weren't all dirty and scratched up.

We went on a weekday in the middle of the afternoon, so the Bistro was getting cleaned and no one was actually eating. It looked very nice, though. There weren't many people there when we arrived, but it was definitely picking up later on. The manager was fabulous and very friendly with everyone coming in. All in all, this is a fabulous store and well worth visiting if you're in the area!

We took an absolute TON of photos. I'm posting them here as thumbnails, just click on any photo to see it at full size, and once it is open you should have the option to scroll through all in this entry. They're not really sorted, so if you don't see the area you're looking for --- just keep going. It will be there!