a 12 year old at BBB?

karatemomky · Mar 23, 2015

we are currently planning our second trip for 2-2016 (first one was 3-2014). My DD will turn 12 in august and was kind of thinking of doing BBB as she never got to do it when she was younger. I know the BBB info page says it's for ages 3-12 but would 12 "really" be too old? She's not interested in getting a dress, just mainly the hair and nails. Thoughts?

poohfriend77 · Mar 23, 2015

If she really wants to do it, I'd probably let her because it will be her last chance. I'm all for letting kids be kids. I do think my DD12 would have a hard time enjoying BBB surrounded by much younger kids. I think she would feel out of place, unless she was doing it with a friend. However, she has done it 3 times before, at ages 5, 6, and 8, so she is "over it" at this point.

I will say, she will likely NOT be impressed with the quality of nail polish and make-up (or the hairstyles, for that matter). I'd probably offer instead to take her for a "real" manicure before the trip, and get her some shimmer lotion, lip gloss, and maybe even hair chalk/colored gel to do her own makeover.

sullyfam · Mar 24, 2015

I'm all for letting kids be kids for as long as possible. Heck, I still act like a kid most of the time

BUT, I agree with PP that she may feel out of place without many girls around her own age. I remember when we brought my 5 year old for her birthday, there was one girl in there who was probably around 10 or so and I did feel bad for her because she looked a little uncomfortable. Other than her I would say everyone was 8 and under (on that particular day anyway).

Also, although BBB is super cute for little ones, the make up job and hair styles can be a little "much." You wouldn't want to spend the $ just to have her feel embarrassed walking around afterwards. Although maybe they can tone it down and have more conservative options for that age group?

As an alternative, I would offer her a "beauty" day either before you leave or as part of the vacation. You could take her to get a manicure/pedicure, maybe pick out some make up or an outfit? If you are staying at a resort, they also do those hair wrap things which I would think a preteen girl would get into. Have fun!

Lynne G · Mar 24, 2015

Nope, it took my DD until she was 11 and 12 to want to do the BBB. We did not feel out of place. Just a pretty dress from home and her sandals, as the kids shoes were too small for her anyway and we were out of princess dresses around 6 years old. Now that DD is 13 going on 14, she's actually sad no more BBB.

So if she wants to do it, let her. It will be the last year. Also, the nail polish is very kiddy, so I let my DD get a manicure at our local nail salon and only had the hair done. Both times, the fairy godmothers did a great job with her hair.

maxiesmom · Mar 24, 2015

I would take her to a regular spa and get her makeup and nails done. It will of a much higher quality, and she will be able to get her hair done how she wants it, she won't have to pick from the 3 styles offered at the BBB. Plus it is possible she will feel awkward getting the same service as little 4 and 5 year olds.

pooh4evr · Mar 24, 2015

If she wants to do it- let her! It is fun she will love it! I would not do a princess dress but a nice sundress instead. But if you are worried about it go to The Pirates League and get the Mermaid package.

HopperFan · Mar 24, 2015

I know at 9 or older there is no way my DD would have done it. Now as an adult she goes to the park with a crown on. It would depend on your DD and if she would be comfortable. I think most the kids I see done up are probably 8 and under. Every kid is different, I would leave it up to her.

Julylady · Mar 24, 2015

The last time my niece went to BBB was when she was 7. I watched what the Fairy godmother did very carefully. Before our next trip I told DN that I could do her hair as good as BBB. I then proved it by doing both the bun style with the tiara and the one with the curly hair extension. We also did makeup and nails. She was convinced! On that trip I did her hair every morning and she got lots of complements about going to BBB. She just smiled.

Jenna319 · Mar 24, 2015

I say, why not?? I'd do it if I could and I'm 33!!! LOL

DisneyFansInNYC · Mar 24, 2015

My DD did it last August when she was 12 and absolutely loved every minute of it. She got the t-shirt and the skirt. Her hair stayed in for days. I will also say that my daughter is tall for her age - but she didn't care. We had so much fun and everyone in BBB was lovely.

This is her at night after being in the heat all day - Her hair looks perfect.

luvmy2babies · Mar 25, 2015

My daughter did it at ages 9, 10 and 11. After the first two, she had said she wanted to do it until she aged out; so I booked the 3rd one as a surprise as the whole trip was a surprise. When I revealed it, I told her this was the last one and I had Cinderella’s Royal Table for lunch and she had a formal gown (like a junior bridesmaid would wear) and some custom made jewelry from etsy. Somewhere she had changed and wasn’t excited about it at first. That is until we got there and she got changed. That was when the compliments started. She didn’t get the princess bun again, she got the diva hair style, and after lunch when I offered her the chance to change, she looked at me like I was nuts. See, the compliments were still pouring in. I guess she had forgotten all the ones from the previous makeovers. I always dressed her a little different. We didn’t do the actual Disney Princess dresses since she was older and I think it made her stand out a bit. At least that is what people were telling me.

She will be 12 next month. She says she wants to do it again; but I took her brother to Pirate’s League during that same trip (love, love, love) and she wants to do that too. So I think it may be be two for Pirate’s League going forward.

Here we go: Age 9

Age 10 (we did a little more of a fun look since we didn't book CRT)

Age 11 (at the end of the day getting a few last photopass shots)

EmilyS90 · Mar 25, 2015

If she wants to, I say go for it. You only get to be a kid once.

But I also really like the spa day idea others have suggested. I would have definitely loved that at 12.

scrapquitler · Mar 25, 2015

Let her decide. My daughter would have thought I was torturing her if I had suggested BBB to her, but I know a lot of other girls who would have loved it.

scrapquitler · Mar 25, 2015

luvmy2babies said:
My daughter did it at ages 9, 10 and 11. After the first two, she had said she wanted to do it until she aged out; so I booked the 3rd one as a surprise as the whole trip was a surprise. When I revealed it, I told her this was the last one and I had Cinderella’s Royal Table for lunch and she had a formal gown (like a junior bridesmaid would wear) and some custom made jewelry from etsy. Somewhere she had changed and wasn’t excited about it at first. That is until we got there and she got changed. That was when the compliments started. She didn’t get the princess bun again, she got the diva hair style, and after lunch when I offered her the chance to change, she looked at me like I was nuts. See, the compliments were still pouring in. I guess she had forgotten all the ones from the previous makeovers. I always dressed her a little different. We didn’t do the actual Disney Princess dresses since she was older and I think it made her stand out a bit. At least that is what people were telling me.

She will be 12 next month. She says she wants to do it again; but I took her brother to Pirate’s League during that same trip (love, love, love) and she wants to do that too. So I think it may be be two for Pirate’s League going forward.

Here we go: Age 9

Age 10 (we did a little more of a fun look since we didn't book CRT)

Age 11 (at the end of the day getting a few last photopass shots)

She looks very beautiful and happy in these pictures. I love the idea of the 'dressy dress' vs. the 'princess dress'.

ZeroMyHero · Mar 26, 2015

If your daughter is comfortable with it and wants to do it, let her. My oldest DD will be 11 on our next trip and absolutely insisted she do BBB again. It will be the last time she gets to do it, too, so I am happy she wants to do it. She may feel more comfortable because she will be there with her little sister, but the FGITs are just as nice and chatty with the older girls as they are with the little ones, and will do all they can to make your DD feel comfortable and enjoy her experience.

mygirlsmm32 · Mar 27, 2015

My daughter was twelve when we were on a disney cruise a few years back. We surprised her with the pirate empress package on the day when the BBB turned into the Pirates League. She loved it. We just purchased the basic package with a bandana, makeup, nails, sword, etc. it was perfect for her to dress up, but not dress like a princess. She was a beautiful pirate empress instead

My2litteprincesses · Apr 23, 2015

Yes yes and yes! Disney is so magical! Let her go all in! Hell- I wouldn't be caught dead in Target with a Minnie Mouse shirt on, but in Disney, all bets are off!

a 12 year old at BBB?

karatemomky

Earning My Ears

poohfriend77

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sullyfam

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Lynne G

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maxiesmom

The Mean Squinty Eye Works

pooh4evr

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HopperFan

"It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, princess."

Julylady

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Jenna319

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DisneyFansInNYC

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luvmy2babies

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EmilyS90

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scrapquitler

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scrapquitler

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ZeroMyHero

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mygirlsmm32

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