How much time did you spend your first time at AGPNY?

[AGMommy]

Our NYC trip (DH, DD and I) is soon approaching (last 4 days in July) and I'm wondering how much time to set aside for age 10 DD and I. Hoping the crowds will be lighter on Thursday than on the weekend. How much time should we allow? DH and my brother are going to take in some sights around the city, while DD, sister-in-law and I are looking forward to our time spent at AGP! We're not going to the revue, but do have lunch reservations at AG cafe. We plan on spending most of our time there just shopping. Did any of you spend a LONG time there? Or less time than you thought you would? Yes, we do plan on buying a few things. We don't want to feel rushed. Sorry for asking all of the questions, but I'm trying to semi-plan an itinerary for the rest of our trip. We probably want to arrive at 10:00 a.m. and would like to leave there fully satisfied that we'd seen and done everything (without the show) while there. Thanks!

[dianasmama]

Your very first trip will be mind-boggling, there is so much to see and touch and feel for the first time. Last year, I went to Chicago for the first time, with my dd who was 4-1/2 at the time and my SIL. We were in there for 4 hours and it seemed like we only blinked our eyes. We went out and had dinner and went back in for another 2 hours almost! And then went back the next day too.

Later that year, I also had the chance to go to NYC. My DH made some other plans and I still killed 2 hours by myself in NY, even though I had seen things once before.

On my 3rd trip this spring to Chicago, I finally felt as if I knew where things were, especially the historicals, but for the Today dolls there are always new things released so more to see.

Have fun and make sure the guys have lots of plans and aren't waiting on you to be done with AG!

Laurie

[AGMommy]

Thanks!

Unfortunately, I wasn't hoping for your kind of answer Laurie! LOL! You sound just like me! I could spend hours and still go back for a few more. Oh no!

Thank goodness our hotel will be close by. I might have to sneak out (before they close) to shop by myself!

Your answer just affirmed for me that I'm probably going to visit there more than once while there. Thanks for the warning! (I'm REALLY excited now!)

[dianasmama]

Actually I giggle to myself all the time about that NYC trip. It was supposed to be our "grown up getaway" 4-day weekend trip to celebrate DH's 50th birthday. I had alterior motives when I suggested NYC to celebrate. I was in that store 3 out of the 4 days, and we didn't even have our daughter with us on that trip!

Have fun, I love NYC! We are thinking of going back next summer and taking Diana with us. She'll be 6 by then. She loves the Statue of Liberty and would get such a kick out of taking the ferry over. Also, seeing Central Park Zoo after seeing it in the new Madagascar movie.

Laurie

[vew-tori]

I can't speak for NY but in Chicago we spent a good 4 hours too. We arrived at 10:00, shopped around, then while we enjoyed lunch in the cafe our PS got our purchases situated. We took some stuff but also had some things shipped. DH and I had already spent maybe 30 minutes looking around and my MIL and I spent about an hour the day before we took Tori. Before we left for the airport we made one last stop.

We are going again next week with my nieces. I can't decide if we should take them the day we arrive or wait until the next day when we have reservations for lunch and the theater. I know you will have a great time!

[schallerwoods]

I spent about 3 hours. Two on the first day and one the next.

Nann

[ponydreamer]

We spent 3.5 hours in the store, including eating lunch in the cafe. I felt like it wasn't nearly enough time. I really didn't get to do much of what I wanted to do, or see much of what I wanted to see. I would really love to go by myself, and take my time.

[Molly-Felicity]

I would definitely plan on spending the entire day - that's on your first day of course!!! My daughter and I stayed from 10 - 6 p.m. on the very first day of our first trip to AGPNY. That did include the show. We also popped out for a quick bite (very quick, as she couldn't wait to get back) to eat. If you're not having lunch there, there is a great (and inexpensive) deli right on the same street. When you walk out of the front door, turn right and just a short was down is the Liberty Deli. It's very good and very reasonable. You will need sustenance.

Anyway, both times we went we spent the entire day there and then went back the next day for another 2-3 hours and this did not include having lunch in the Cafe which we did. Take your time and enjoy every minute of it. Make sure you look at each and every item, even if it's not something you want. I remember regretting not carefully checking out each AGOT the first time I went. I made sure I did it this year.

Also, my daughter and I went in April both last year and this year. We also went earlier in the week. Chances are that it will be more crowded for you - so you'll need all of that time.

Have fun!!!!

[Sakurako]

I spent the whole day both times I went to NY, but I also saw the Revue and had afternoon tea in the Cafe. If I were to go back again by myself, I would probably want at least three to four hours to poke around, including having a meal. In company with my mother (who was goggling at the prices), I actually did ALL my and Lindy's shopping in just about one hour flat. But it wasn't much fun that way.

Definitely go early in the morning. By noon, the store is crowded and by teatime, it's packed. The first time, I went on a Friday in August and there was still a big crowd coming in for dinner and evening shopping when I left at 5 pm.

You'll need to expect lines for the restrooms by lunchtime, too. No one ever mentions that in the posts but from a practical point of view, you should be aware of it, especially with a child who may wait until the last minute to make an urgent request!

Another commonsense suggestion: you will probably want to eat one meal during the day somewhere other than the AG Cafe. There's a TGIF Friday's right across the street on the 5th Avenue side that is efficient, clean, relatively inexpensive (for NYC) and used to customers from AGPNY. I ate lunch there both times around noon and got out in under an hour.

[PrincessRuthie]

I spent from 10 to around closing time at AGPNY, but I got the 'Day at AGP' special with the show and dinner. It was totally worth it...and I didn't want to leave!!