Magical makeovers at Disney World’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique create princesses

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My daughter and her Fairy Godmother in training at the Downtown Disney location.

If your children love to play dress-up, you won’t want to miss Walt Disney World’s fantastic experiences for transforming guests into princesses and pirates. Both the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and The Pirate’s League have just introduced new makeovers and packages, too.

We surprised our 9-year-old son and 7-year-old-daughter with appointments last fall on the day we planned to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Both experiences were wonderful, and they got to wear their new looks until midnight. Today, in Part 1, I’ll offer some tips for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. On Thursday, I will take you inside The Pirate’s League.

Walt Disney World has two Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations — inside Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom and inside World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Most recently, our appointment was at World of Disney, though my daughter had a makeover at Cinderella Castle when she was younger. On party nights, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and The Pirate’s League can get busy, so book ahead of time, if possible. You can make reservations up to 180 days in advance at 407-WDW-STYLE (407-939-7895).

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Sitting in the royal chair after the FairyTale Princess makeover at Cinderella Castle.

For our family, planning a trip to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique starts with making sure my daughter has a Disney princess gown and accessories that fit. The Boutique offers a complete Castle package that includes a costume, but it runs about $200. For us, it’s a better value to have my daughter wear her own gown or change into it once she gets to there. She usually has at least a few princess dresses that she wears into the Disney World theme parks for the fun of it. (Because of this, I am always on the lookout for deals. I stop by the Disney Store at my local mall to get after-Halloween sales, and sometimes the same Walt Disney World dresses can be found at a fraction of the price on eBay.)

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Nothing says princess like blue eye shadow, right?

Honestly, my daughter has never complained about not picking out a dress at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique because she is so excited about the main event — getting her hair, nails and makeup done by a Fairy Godmother in training. That Crown package, which also includes the BBB sash, now runs $59.95. You can save $5 if you skip the nail polish (Coach package), but my daughter loves that part and the girls get to keep the bottles of polish afterward, so it’s not even a consideration for us to skimp on this feature. In addition to the polish, girls take home a pretty pink gift bag that includes the makeup, a pink comb and face gems that were used during their transformation. On the two occasions my daughter has visited the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, she has clutched that little pink bag like a purse for days afterward, and then it sits in a place of honor on her nightstand, where she can admire and reuse all her goodies.

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Getting her nails done and keeping 2 bottles of polish costs just $5 more.

Recently, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique introduced a new package, whose price point falls in between the Crown and Castle — the Courtyard for $89.95. It features an exclusive hairstyle, a princess cinch bag, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt and a tutu. (The BBB T-shirt is available in youth sizes from S to XL and adult sizes S to XL. The BBB tutu is available in two sizes, small and medium.) Plus, girls will receive the makeup, nail polish, sash and face gems that other packages include.

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This ‘do proved painful for my daughter, but she was happy during the preparations.

Girls can choose from three hairstyles at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: Disney Diva, Pop Princess and Fairytale Princess. When my daughter was 4, she chose the FairyTale Princess, which is where the hair is smoothed into a bun and topped with a tiara and jeweled Mickey hair clip. It’s very pretty, but it’s also very tight and my daughter complained within minutes of the hairstyle being finished. As soon as we snapped her finished portrait, she took it out. If your child has a tender head or gets frequent headaches, you may want to choose another style.

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One of the Disney Diva hairpieces.

On her most recent visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, my daughter selected the Disney Diva hairstyle. Her hair was pulled back again, but we asked her Fairy Godmother in training to keep it looser. This style adds a long hairpiece in the back that comes in various colors and has tiny braids and Mickey Mouse-shaped embellishments. The front of the hairpiece is teased, and jeweled Mickey hair pins finish the look. My daughter was much happier with this look. She — and her doll — have worn the hairpiece and clips numerous times since her special appointment, too.

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The studio at Disney’s PhotoPass Center at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Both locations do have multiple PhotoPass photographers to help you capture your child’s transformation, and you are welcome to use your own camera as well. Each time, I had planned to purchase Disney’s PhotoPass CD, and when I alerted the photographers, they were willing to take extra images. If you are at the World of Disney salon and would like formal finished portraits, head to the nearby PhotoPass center. That site has a gray backdrop and a chaise lounge for your child to pose like royalty. Be sure to bring any props you might like. For example, my daughter brought a rose to hold when she was wearing her Belle costume. (For tips on maximizing your PhotoPass CD purchase, see my previous article at /blogs/guestblog/2012/03/_the_price_of_a.html) At the Magic Kingdom, be sure to stop by the Town Square Theater to have your daughter’s photo taken with her favorite princess.

To see other details about Walt Disney World’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, visit the AllEars.net resource page at /btp/bibbidi.htm

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12 Replies to “Magical makeovers at Disney World’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique create princesses”

  1. I just booked the “courtyard” package this morning for august 1st and it was officially available just so everyone knows! We go to disney way too often (probably 3 or 4 times a year) and this time is the first time that we are taking a whole week! I have always wanted to Book the BBB but I typically procrastinate until it is too late 🙁 This time however I booked it! I hadnt seen the courtyard package until this morning and had planned to just bring a dress from home to save the money but it was such a good deal for the added tutu/tshirt/purse that I couldnt resisit! Now I am just looking for pictures of this outfit but they are nowhwere to be found! Can’t wait!

  2. Hi, great piece on the BBB :)& love your pics. We have saved all of our little pink bags and displayed them too! And my 8yr old daughter agrees about the cute, but painful tight hairstyle, but we were able to fix it for maximum comfort. And just to add, sadly the “Courtyard” package is not offered yet. Just tried to book it today for October 2012. The operator wasn’t sure when it will be available. It certainly sounds like a great package, and we are hopeful it will be available for all of our little princesses soon.

  3. Thanks! You daughter looks beautiful, I am just nervous because although my daughter loves to be fancy, she is also really active and adventurous. She has a Ramona Quimby vibe going!

  4. Thanks for the info! I’ve heard conflicting information as to when you can book this or the lunch with the princesses. This is our first time. We plan on going June 2012. Is it different for those staying on the resort than those whom are not? Any advice is appreciated! My daughters will be almost 5 and 7.

  5. We surprised my daughter with a trip to the BBB for her birthday. She loved it! We booked it at the Downtown Disney location bright and early in the morning (9 am). Since the World of Disney doesn’t open until 9:30, they pick a princess to “open” the store. My daughter was picked and the cast members sang “Happy Birthday” as we walked through the store. They also made a special Princess birthday button for her.

  6. Hi, Erin: I can only speak for my family’s experience, but I would have to say that it has enhanced my daughter’s day at the Magic Kingdom both times she visited the BBB. Her only complaint about being uncomfortable was when she had the tight hairstyle at age 4. Once we remedied that situation, she happily wore her gown, sash and accessories for the day. If anything, she didn’t want to take them off at bedtime. She’s already asking to go back again, too.

  7. Kristen, my daughter has visited the Boutique on 3 occasions and it is well worth the expense. My suggestion just as our blogger has stated, is do not purchase the costume. We also worried it wouldn’t be practical and also found it overpriced. We opt to instead, pack our own special outfit to wear that day. We’ve never done a princess dress, we usually pick out a cute sparkely, shimmery dress that makes her feel fancy, but is above all comphy. Yes the hair and makeup may not be perfect by the end of the day, but it’s not meant forever. She’s only a princess for a day!

  8. I just wanted to respond to tell you how positive the boutique has been for my daughter. She has had two “makeovers” – one during her first trip when she was five and another when she was 7. The fairy-godmothers in training are so sweet and she has felt truly pampered each time. We brought her dress as to save on the added cost when purchasing costumes within the park. And we usually do the crown package which includes hair, makeup, and nails.

    There are three hairstyles, as far as I recall, and to my relief my daughter has always chosen the “princess” hairdo that slicks her hair back and clips it up in a princessly bun. I love that in the heat her hair is up off her neck. Some girls choose the rock-star type hairdos and I agree those girls tend to look uncomfortable and disheveled. My daughter wears clothes under that make it easy to slip her princess dress on and off as she wants and we just stash it in our bookbag when she is not wearing it.

    The makeup hasn’t been a problem at all (its just some blue eyeshadow) and has worn off by the end of the day. And the toughest part with hair is that it takes some extra conditioning to get all the hairspray out, but it wasn’t anything I would say was a problem.

    She loves it because #1 we have done it on her birthday for both trips #2 she always gets the extra attention from the princesses (especially the one whose costume she is wearing) and #3 what little girl wouldn’t want to be a princess in the Magic Kingdom?! I think it’s all about being flexible and I know we try to do that – comfortable shoes instead of the plastic costume shoes, scheduling at a good time of day, etc, and letting her take her dress off if its hot/itchy/heavy and take a break while still feeling “princessy” with a special hairdo.

    The Bibbidi Boppity Boutique is one of my favorite parts of the park because my daughter really loves it…and it makes for great pictures!

  9. It says that they’re now offering adult sized shirts. Does this mean they are accepting adult clients again? I don’t see the need for the adult shirts otherwise…

  10. We have always shied away from this experience because it seemed like it restricted the freedom of movement for the little girls who participated to be wearing princess dresses while riding rides. The little girls I saw in the park just did not seem comfortable and I was put off by how disheveled they seemed to look in the evenings with make-up rubbing off and hair-do looking a little worse for wear. How does the dress, make-up and hair affect the enjoyment of the rest of the day and the rides?

  11. Hi, Melissa: There is no sitting fee for PhotoPass center. You just pay for prints, downloads or the CD.