Nintendo and toy maker Build-A-Bear will launch a new collection of Animal Crossing: New Horizons– themed stuffed animals on Tuesday, April 6. Build-A-Bear announced the release date on Monday without prior notice and without disclosing what the new Animal Crossing line will consist of when it goes on sale.
Animal Crossing fans will have a preview of the new Build-A-Bear collection on Tuesday at 9:30 am CDT (10:30 am EDT / 7:30 am PDT), when the toy maker will announce the characters and release product images. Fans can then enter a “virtual waiting room” to purchase the collection on the Build-A-Bear website – that is, if they are selected. Build-A-Bear says that fans who queue before 10 am CDT (11 am EDT / 7 am PDT) will have the first rights. If selected, customers will have limited time to purchase the Animal Crossing collection.
Customers who are unable to secure a seat in line to purchase an Animal Crossing Build-A-Bear may have another chance this summer, when the collection will be available at the company’s Workshop retail stores.
Here are the Build-A-Bear FAQs on how to buy the Animal Crossing: New Horizons collection:
How does the virtual waiting room work?
You will randomly receive a seat in the virtual waiting room queue. When your turn approaches, you will have access to buy the Animal Crossing: New Horizons collection.
How is line placement determined in the virtual waiting room?
Guests who enter the pre-waiting room before 10:00 am, central time, will be randomly assigned to a place in the queue as soon as the Animal Crossing: New Horizons collection goes on sale. Guests who enter after 10am, central time, will enter the file at the end of the existing queue.
Do I need to wait on my computer while I’m in the waiting room?
You can subscribe to receive email notifications to be notified when it is your turn, or you can also do other things on your computer and you will be notified automatically (make sure the sound is on) when it is your turn. When your turn comes, you will have a limited time to enter the Build-A-Bear website and purchase the Animal Crossing: New Horizons collection.
What happens when I get to the front of the waiting room?
You will have access to our shopping website and will have a limited time to purchase the Animal Crossing: New Horizons collects and completes your transaction.
Will the Animal Crossing: New Horizons collection be available for purchase at the Workshop?
O Animal Crossing: New Horizons collection will arrive at the Workshop this summer. Be sure to subscribe to receive email notifications about online updates and store arrivals.
We contacted Build-A-Bear to find out how many stuffed animals will be in the collection and whether that will impose limits on the number of items customers can buy. We’ll update this story if the company provides more details. After the chaotic release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘Sanrio’s amiibo cards, we are preparing for similar levels of retail clutter, but we remain hopeful for the best.