My 40+ year old Grandma made “Little People” doll.
My first Cabbage Patch doll was named Luciana. I was so excited to adopt her and celebrate her birthday. I was not yet 10 years old. Now, all these years later (30 plus years) my daughter plays with this doll. Luciana withstood my childhood (and you bet she was with me often) and now has survived my daughter’s “doll years”. Talk about a well-made product.
In 1996, the Olympic Games came to Atlanta. I bought an Olympic doll…. she was kept in her box and never played with, but I was certain she would be worth something someday. In 1999, I had to buy the Millennium New Year baby… because how cool is that! Both of these babies stayed in their boxes until my daughter asked me the burning question, “Can we rescue those babies from the boxes?” She was sure Olympic baby needed some love, so we tossed that box (that still had the Walmart price sticker attached) and cuddled the new baby… whose head still smelled like baby powder after all those years! You know the smell!!!!
Cabbage Patch Dolls are pretty nostalgic for those of us who grew up in the 80s & 90s! And getting to share my love of these babies with my daughter has been so fun.
Back in the early 2000s, my mom and I took my nieces to visit Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, GA. It was a small place then, but the magic was huge. As we walked from room to room admiring all the babies we found ourselves wishing we could have them all… or just live there with them.
Near BabyLand General
In 2021, our family had just come off the Appalachian Trail. We made a detour to Helen, GA, where we knew we could get a hotel (hot shower) and a real meal (Hello Delicious German food). We have been to Helen several times! We have stayed in hotels, VRBOS, and camped in our van at the state park near there. It’s such a fun town, so if you are nearby you have to visit. October is the best time to visit… check out the beautiful leaf colors and enjoy Oktoberfest! You can check out one of our Helen vacations, with video, on an older post.
In 2018, our family camped at the Unicoi State Park (only 20 minutes from BabyLand General) and had an interesting encounter with a black bear!
History of Cabbage Patch Kids
Xavier Roberts began selling his Little People Originals in 1978. He was able to charge a $40 adoption fee on these babies. He began earning ribbons in contests and being featured on magazine covers. The idea to purchase an old medical office and renovate it into BabyLand General to open for the public was born.
BabyLand General
In November 2009, a 70,000 square foot facility was opened featuring a Magic Crystal Tree. This is where Mother Cabbage lives and where several babies are born each day. Getting to be a part of the magic moment when a baby is born is SO FUN! Whether you are here with your own children or here for the nostalgia. The Licensed Patch Nurse will tell you about the baby that is born, and the crowd that is there will be able to help name this baby. After the baby is named, he/she will be taken back and weighed and have a health screening done. They were thoughtful and put in windows so the crowds are able to watch it all. Once baby is given a clean bill of health and properly dressed, this baby can be adopted.
My daughter watching Mother Cabbage birth a Cabbage Patch Kid.
There are adoption officers there waiting to assist with the adoption process of the babies. You don’t have to adopt a baby that is born from Mother Cabbage in order to adopt. (At least that wasn’t the case when we visited in 2001.) There are plenty of babies there waiting for their chance. My parents were there during our visit, and it was dangerously close to my daughter’s birthday… so of course, she walked away with two babies. She was seven at the time, so the adoption process was a huge deal to her.
Taking the adoption oath.
Adopting a baby will come at a price. The price for adoption is “free” with the purchase of an eligible baby. If I remember correctly, not all of the babies will get you the adoption experience. I am pretty sure any of the Cutie or Mini lines of babies are not included… but will have to be the full-size Cabbage Patch Kids. So get your wallet ready if this is what you want to do for your visit.
Visiting BabyLand General
By far the most fun “toy store” I have ever been in.
This amazing place is FREE!! You aren’t required to make a purchase, but if you did want a baby or accessories there is so much to choose from. The place isn’t just a store… so a visit is so fun. The Older dolls in the front offer a museum vibe, and it’s amazing to see the various phases the dolls have gone through.
Visiting Hours for BabyLand General (as of Sept 2025)
Monday-Saturday 9AM-6PM
Sunday 10AM-6PM
Closed major holidays
Address for BabyLand General
300 N.O.K. Drive Cleveland, GA 30528
Phone 706-865-2171
