Help me Maximize my DD3 princess experience

[ricardol]

So me and my DW are taking our DD3 to her first DL experience. I can't even describe how excited DD is just by hearing stories about the Princesses being in DL and the Cinderella Castle. She is really into the princess thing; everyday she gets home from Kindergarten she goes to her room and put on a princess dress. She owns about 5 Disney dresses.

So I really want to maximize her dream and experience while we are at DL. I already did some research and I'll post what I know bellow, but please I want to hear your suggestions and tips!

We will be in CA for plenty of days , but not sure what exact days we will be in DL but at least 3 days and up to 5. Arriving Oct 26, departing Nov 3rd. We are planning to attend one of the Halloween parties. Both DW and I haven't been to DL since we were kids, but we have visited the Orlando park more recently.

What I know:
+Make reservations at Ariel's Grotto , Princess Celebration. Any tips on when is the best day/time to make the reservation?
+On the back of Cinderella's Castle you make a line and you can take photos with 3 Princesses.
+Tinkerbell and Rapunzel have their own station.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I assume you'll be taking all the princess outfits so your DD can dress up at DLR during the day and not just at the halloween party.

Just so you'll know, Cinderella's Castle is in Florida. The castle at Disneyland is Sleeping Beauty's.

Have fun!

 

[skiingfast]

What I know:
+Make reservations at Ariel's Grotto , Princess Celebration. Any tips on when is the best day/time to make the reservation?
+On the back of Cinderella's Castle you make a line and you can take photos with 3 Princesses.
+Tinkerbell and Rapunzel have their own station.

For Ariel's Grotto it's possible to eat before DCA opens. Try making a reservation for 9:10am so you can eat without missing out on time in the park. As an alternative eat after noon when the park is busiest.

Not right behind the Castle, but near Small World is the Princess Fantasy Fair where you can meet multiple princesses.

Rapunzel and Flynn are found in a building about 50 meters behind the Castle. Look for her long hair.

Tinkerbell and some of her pixie friend are in a garden area between the path from the Hub to Tomorrowland and the Matterhorn.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_nextgen/SiteCatalog/PDF/DisneylandParkMap_2011060311.pdf

 

[ricardol]

I assume you'll be taking all the princess outfits so your DD can dress up at DLR during the day and not just at the halloween party.

Just so you'll know, Cinderella's Castle is in Florida. The castle at Disneyland is Sleeping Beauty's.

Have fun!

Yeah we will take all the outfits. Thanks for the clarification on the castle, after all hey I'm a DAD, lol.

 

[brettandlyndi]

Also, check out the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. My DW, DD4 and I are going in 2 weeks, and I've made an appointment for my DD4 and DW to have makeovers there. Its directly behind the Sleeping Beauty Castle, and they do full on princess makeovers (hairstyle, makeup, nails). They have 3 different packages - $44.95 gets you a hairstyle, makeup, body jewels, princess sash. $49.95 gets all of that, plus nails. And there is a $190 - $210 package that includes everything above, plus choice of princess dress, crown, and a full on photo package after the makeover. Hope this helps!

 

[ricardol]

Also, check out the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. My DW, DD4 and I are going in 2 weeks, and I've made an appointment for my DD4 and DW to have makeovers there. Its directly behind the Sleeping Beauty Castle, and they do full on princess makeovers (hairstyle, makeup, nails). They have 3 different packages - $44.95 gets you a hairstyle, makeup, body jewels, princess sash. $49.95 gets all of that, plus nails. And there is a $190 - $210 package that includes everything above, plus choice of princess dress, crown, and a full on photo package after the makeover. Hope this helps!

WOW tyvm for this wonderful tip. I will definitely use this. One Question, how do I make a reservation there?

 

[skiingfast]

WOW tyvm for this wonderful tip. I will definitely use this. One Question, how do I make a reservation there?

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

For reservations, please call (714) 781-STYLE or (714) 781-7895. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

 

[ArchOwl]

At the Princess Fantasy Faire, there are several activities. One is you can stand in line and meet three princesses. You do not know which three you will see and it is kind of the luck of the draw. The line here can get very long, so if you decide to do it, perhaps go early in the day rather than later. Same advice for Pixie Hollow, where Tinkerbell and her friends.

At the Princess Fantasy Faire there is also a Royal Coronation Ceremony. They invite all the kids to join in the ceremony and they teach them how to dance and bow/curtsey, etc. Then three princesses (when I have gone it has always been Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty) come out and dance with the kids. It is very sweet. This ceremony is offered at different times throughout the day, but again I would say go to the earliest one you can since it will be less crowded. After the ceremony, at least two of the princesses will come out and take pictures/sign autographs. You have to wait around, though. It can take 5-10 minutes after the show for them to come back out. I prefer doing this rather than waiting in the line, because I know I am going to get either Snow White, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty.

There is also a Story time at the Princess Fantasy Faire. I haven't sat through an entire one of these, but it looks super cute.

The times for the Royal Coronation, the Story time, and the hours of the Princess Fantasy Faire are located in the Times guide at the turnstiles when you get into the Park. And yes, the Princess Fantasy Faire is near It's A Small World, not behind the castle. Behind the castle is the Bibbidi Bobbity Boutique, which does the Princess makeovers.

Your daughter is going to be in Princess heaven!

 

[Disneyland 1951]

Look for Princesses out on the side paths to the castle. Nearly everyone uses the center drawbridge path...
Don't... use check both side paths. They are usually out about 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, or 2:30.

On slow days they can be there with no line and now one to talk to. Much better than waiting an hour at PFF.
Ask at City Hall or Information at the entrance to Adventure Land, they will tell you which Princess and when.

 

[DisSarahK]

If she is three, I would make a reservation at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the hair/makeup package (the $49.99 one)--not the super expensive ones. Have her wear one of her costumes from home and they'll put her hair up and make it look beautiful--if she chooses the princess hairstyle, she'll even get to choose a little tiara and a ring to wear (all included in the cost). Make this reservation for the morning (leave PLENTY of time) and then have lunch at Ariel's Grotto--there will be lots of little girls there who are all done up too.

There are Photo Pass photographers inside BBB taking pictures of the whole process (no fee) so those pictures will be on your Photo Pass along with the rest of your DL pictures. A DL Photo Pass is WAY less expensive that a WDW Photo Pass.

 

[ricardol]

To all the posters, thank you very much for your tips. This is indeed a great community site for all things DLR. I got very good tips and I'm planning to use them all!

 

[smiles33]

My DD5 is just like yours and we just got back from doing EVERY possible princess thing (Princess Storytime and Royal Coronation Ceremony didn't happen at all the weekend we were there). I haven't finished my TR yet, but you can visit my TR later (link in my signature) to read about our Bibbidi Boppidi Boutique experience, Ariel's Grotto, doing all 3 of the girly M&G (Tangled, Pixie Hollow and PFF), and watching the Aladdin musical at DCA (Jasmine is not as popular a princess with my DD5 but she still enjoyed the show).

 

[sojocomo]

My daughter is 5 as well and is very excited for our upcoming trip to DL. We have made reservations for a princess lunch at Ariel's grotto. One tip I have gleaned from these boards is to have your daughter come up with a special question to ask each particular princess. That way their interaction may become more memorable (especially if the princess answers creatively!). For instance, asking Tiana what her favorite meal to cook is...or asking Belle her favorite book...asking Cinderella if she stills wears her glass slippers? You get the idea.

Another idea is to get or make an autograph book. Then you can put the picture of her and each princess next to the signature. It will make a great keepsake of her princess time!

 

[All American]

Something I read on the DisneyWorld forum--Have some good questions for your daughter to ask if she's not too shy. (It was a thread about starting a character interaction beyond the picture and autograph.)

Lots of people had really good suggestions about things to ask/talk about the princesses with. Some ideas:

Ask Belle what her favorite book is.

Ask Cinderella how she learned to sew. Was it hard to learn to sew for mice?

Tell Jasmine that she must have been very brave to fly so high on a magic carpet and ask what her favorite part of the the ride was.

Ask Rapunzel how she met Pascal or ask where Maximus is.

Ask (walking) Ariel if she ever goes swimming with Flounder, or ask (Mermaid) Ariel where Scuttle is.

Ask Snow White how she learned to whistle.

Stuff like that. Hope it helps make your little one's trip magical.

(P.S. Love the picture of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella walking away together!)

 

[mom4princesses]

Something I read on the DisneyWorld forum--Have some good questions for your daughter to ask if she's not too shy. (It was a thread about starting a character interaction beyond the picture and autograph.)

Lots of people had really good suggestions about things to ask/talk about the princesses with. Some ideas:

Ask Belle what her favorite book is.

Ask Cinderella how she learned to sew. Was it hard to learn to sew for mice?

Tell Jasmine that she must have been very brave to fly so high on a magic carpet and ask what her favorite part of the the ride was.

Ask Rapunzel how she met Pascal or ask where Maximus is.

Ask (walking) Ariel if she ever goes swimming with Flounder, or ask (Mermaid) Ariel where Scuttle is.

Ask Snow White how she learned to whistle.

Stuff like that. Hope it helps make your little one's trip magical.

(P.S. Love the picture of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella walking away together!)

Great Idea Never thought about asking questions, we are so going to try this. Only 11 more days!

 

[evandmp]

I agree with taking the side bridge. On Saturday we happened to glance in that direction and saw Aurora, no one else seemed to notice her. DD was able to take a pic with her and had more relaxed face time with her than the Aurora that was at Ariel's Grotto. I also agree with the Bippity Boppity Boutique. It is a very special experience. Have fun!

 

[Disneyland 1951]

I agree with taking the side bridge. On Saturday we happened to glance in that direction and saw Aurora, no one else seemed to notice her. DD was able to take a pic with her and had more relaxed face time with her than the Aurora that was at Ariel's Grotto. I also agree with the Bippity Boppity Boutique. It is a very special experience. Have fun!

Today, Aurora on the left side of the Castle, nearly all alone and un-noticed. Only one little girl visiting with her for several minutes.

 

[evandmp]

Today, Aurora on the left side of the Castle, nearly all alone and un-noticed. Only one little girl visiting with her for several minutes.

I love how they do that. I know it made our day. Aurora was a lot easier to talk to and seemed more "real".

 

[DlandAmanda]

We have had good luck with some of the princesses at Plaza Inn, when it has been slow. My is 4, she was 3 last time we went in April. The PFF line was the worst thing I have experienced while at Disneyland. Asking a toddler to stand in a barely moving line for an hour, and there is nothing to look at (you can't see the princesses while you wait, you stand along a blank wall). Once we got in to meet the princesses it was all worth it, and you understood why it took so long (the interaction and the attention they give is amazing!)

My strategy for our upcoming trip is to have either my DH or me wait in the line, while the other takes her on some rides. We will have our cell phones so when it gets close we will arrange for her to come back. Last time we waited until the last day to go, which could be a good idea considering the mentioned advice. This way if you meet princesses elsewhere in the park then you could just do the Princess Coronation and not do the m&g line.

My DD loved the Aladdin show at DCAP, she sat at full attention the whole time (of course it is one of her favorite movies and LOVES Jasmine.)

Good luck