u/OptimalAfternoon7

I've had my cuddle buddy Henry the Hamburger for 5 years now. I'm too afraid to wash him but he's long overdue for a cleaning. Any tips? Anything I can do about the "fur" by the eye?

How/why is this $49??

Mods: Please help with the rude snotty people in the comments when it is a genuine question. This community has truly become toxic you can't even ask a question anymore

I planned on making this post today after I was there yesterday, the day before they closed for renovations. I hope some of the issues I bring up below will be addressed or improved during the renovations.

First thing I saw this morning is a post someone made about FAO Schwarz today with all the diner exclusives freely on the shelf and I wanted to cry...extra salty rant warning ahead

I got lucky enough to snag a reservation. It took me 3 tries to get one since I wasn't fast enough. I get to FAO Schwarz, check in 20 mins before my 2:30 reservation, and get escorted to the line. They do ask for your name btw, and check you in on a tablet.

The diner itself is very small and right next to Build a Bear and close to an entrance, which I think is a terrible location. Granted, this store is crowded upstairs and downstairs...but the diner line had to be split in half and there were just SO many people walking by browsing, at Build A Bear, or constantly asking the Jellycat workers if they needed a reservation, if there were any, etc.

It was a small space, a lot of people, and it made me feel very overstimulated.

The wait was absolutely atrocious. I get that there's a 6 item limit and each item has a set time limit, but the wait was absolutely insanely incredibly long. For half the time only one worker was doing the experience and the other was standing around checking people out or doing the VIP shopper orders. I know this as I watched people get to skip the line and that worker immediately gave them the experience. She eventually called me up to give me the experience after they kept switching staff around.

At one point 3 workers were in the diner and only one party was getting the experience. No one understood why. Then they kept switching the workers up?

When you FINALLY get to the front of the line...you're still not next. You go first to pay, then they queue you and one other party near the giant milkshake, and you're told to wait for the chef to call up your order.

The wait was agonizing for everyone around me as well, I could not believe it was that slow. They need a better system. All I have to say is...my reservation was at 2:30pm, and I left at exactly 3:35pm.

Why make 10 minute time slots? It was worse than waiting at the doctor's office!

I regretted going, unfortunately. It was way too many people and insane amount of waiting. Just to buy an overpriced plushie. I felt so stupid. But committed since I made the trip there already. I wanted to leave so many times. The AC in that store also isn't great

Also if you want more than one plushie they are $70 EACH. With the pin and all. You can't just buy a second plushie. I wanted a cheesecake and pancakes but didn't want to spend $140 for 2 plushies so I just got the cheesecake.

I also wasn't impressed with their Amuseables selection in general. Outside the diner the Jellycat section upstairs and downstairs were truly so overwhelmingly crowded I almost had a panic attack. I've never been to FAO Schwarz before and this was also on a Sunday but I just never thought I would get so overwhelmed in a toy store.

Then today I see the plushies just out on the shelf...free to grab...no insanely long wait...and probably cheaper. It hurt my soul to see. Sorry, I really had to rant about this.

I haven't even opened my cheesecake yet (out of pure exhaustion from the "experience") and now I'm kind of sad to. It was so much stress that could've been avoided if I had waited a day.

I saw so many people get turned back after asking to just buy the plushies...understandably so....and they looked so sad...little did we all know they would just be on the shelves the next day. I just don't think it was fair so I have a very sour taste in my mouth. Apologies if this offends anyone

Just know before you go when they reopen...

I ordered this item on the FOCO site days after the championship and they gave me an estimate ship date of 12/31/2026 as it's on preorder. I see the same item on the Shop app with no mention of a preorder and a crazy fast shipping time. I contacted FOCO about this and they told me the Shop app is inaccurate. What do you all think?

I am OBSESSED with this cake. I have been getting it for my birthday for over 15 years. More and more S&Ss are closing around me and it's getting hard to find which is devastating to me! Anyone know the recipe or a similar cake for when that day comes?