BBB Age Limit Question...

disneymamajess · Apr 25, 2015

Hi all. My daughter is turning 16 and she really wants to do the BBB. She's a huge princess fan, and really loves doing this experience. I know the age limit is 12, but she has Aspergers Syndrome. Do you think they'd make an exception for her? TIA.

Alesia · Apr 26, 2015

No exceptions.

You could take her to the barber shop or one of the salons at the resorts.

disneymamajess · Apr 26, 2015

@Alesia , it's not the same.

if I fib about her age, will they ask for proof of age? I don't see how they can turn her away even if she clearly doesn't look 12.

I M Fearless · Apr 26, 2015

Unfortunately they would be likely to turn her away in this situation, which may indeed be really upsetting for all involved.

I can understand her wanting to do this, and I can understand you therefore wanting to facilitate her to do something to make her happy.

I think the difficulty would be that if Disney is seen to make exceptions for one or two guests, many more people would too want to be included. I think Disney is very careful to try and keep the nature of BBB as innocent as possible. I think if they began allowing a teen market that could slowly change over time.

Perhaps look into a more adult option, there are several good salons on property, I'm sure they could do a fantastic up do which would still remain "princessy" without the difficulty of trying to force the issue. I think that although the age limit is 12 for BBB, the large number of girls seem to be in the 5-9 age range.

As I am unsure as to what degree her Asperger's affects her understanding, I'm not sure if you could explain to her that as princesses grow up they go to more grown up places to have their hair done, which is why there are none of the Disney princesses having their own hair done at BBB. They are grown up and have to go somewhere else too.

The salon at Corondo Springs Resort is lovely, the staff there are really professional and friendly, I'm sure if you phoned and explained what you wanted they would go out of their way to try and make it special for your daughter.

disneymamajess · Apr 26, 2015

@I M Fearless , she has Aspergers, yes, but fully understands what is going on and is quite high functioning. I can tell her that, but as soon as she sees another little girl with the pixie dust and pink sash, she'll go bananas. This has happened before with other things.

I'll try to call Coronado Springs, if all else fails. I'm gonna try calling the actual BBB line, Disney customer service, and just the general information line before I make a decision on what to do.

I M Fearless · Apr 26, 2015

I hope that whatever happens it works out for you both. From what you have said it seems that she is going to continue wanting to go to BBB regardless of her age, so at some point it is going to become a problem whether they made an exception this time or not. From what has been reported previously, Disney do appear to be fairly strict about enforcing these regulations, whether it be in this case or with other attractions such as with older children being too tall for certain play areas or slides at the water parks for example. I would hate for her to arrive expecting to be able to go to the BBB and then to be disappointed. My experience of those who have ASD, of Asperger's or any other type, are that the unexpected changes cause more distress than changes that the person knows about in advance. I hope you are able to find a solution that you are both happy with. Maybe once her hair is done you could do a few princess meet and greets or try for Akerhaus or CRT. You could still plan for a princess themed day, even if it didn't include BBB.

Gorechick · Apr 26, 2015

I know this is not the answer you're looking for but I don't think it's a good idea to try and get an exception made to BBB's rules. As an ASD mom, I think it's more important for the child to know that rules are in place for a reason and that they may not get to do everything they want to do just because they want to. I would suggest making the alternative appointment at one of the salons, look together on Pinterest for dress up ideas, make a custom sash together, etc... The experience you create together will have more benefits than giving in and trying to circumvent the rules.

I M Fearless · Apr 26, 2015

I agree, that as difficult as it can be having a young person with any additional needs, there comes a point where trying to change the world to fit in with the individual becomes problematic, if not in the short run, certainly in the long run. Sadly in life, there are some things that cannot be changed to accommodate an individual, however much it may upset people, and I think in those situations parents can really support their child best in trying to find their own way to work around the situation with their child, even if they are unable to get the world to make the accommodation to bypass the issue. The problem with bypassing the issue is that it makes it harder to accept the outcome the next time an issue cannot be bypassed. I really hope the OP can find a work around that will still make her daughter's day special.

Allison · Apr 26, 2015

Sorry,, but this will not be allowed.

powellrj · Apr 26, 2015

Also remember that when you call you will be speaking to someone from a call center who may not have ever been to WDW and their information isn't always accurate. In the beginning there was no age limit for BBB, but after a few years they added the age limits.

aaarcher86 · Apr 26, 2015

Gorechick said:
I know this is not the answer you're looking for but I don't think it's a good idea to try and get an exception made to BBB's rules. As an ASD mom, I think it's more important for the child to know that rules are in place for a reason and that they may not get to do everything they want to do just because they want to. I would suggest making the alternative appointment at one of the salons, look together on Pinterest for dress up ideas, make a custom sash together, etc... The experience you create together will have more benefits than giving in and trying to circumvent the rules.

Couldn't agree more.

Disney will more than likely ask her age multiple times throughout the process. At check in, while doing her hair in conversation, especially if she's 16 years old - a far cry from 12 years old. My ASD child would pipe right in with the truth, and as a result feel guilty and upset that they 'ruined' it - even though the rules were being broken without their knowledge.

ASD kids react to the parents. If OP can just explain that BBB is for younger girls and X is for older princesses I bet it'll sit better with her daughter.

Julylady · Apr 26, 2015

I also have a family member with Aspergers. I understand you are trying to make your daughter happy, but your daughter is FOUR years too old. And at her age, Aspergers or not, she can understand and accept rules. In my experience it's also important to get your child to walk the path, rather than try to change the path for your child. I would also try a different, more adult experience. Maybe Aloha dinner show with a fancy new Hawaiian dress? Or, dinner at BOG?

P.S. My Aspergers child is currently is graduate school in Scotland all by himself. I am so proud of him!

brymolmom · Apr 26, 2015

My AS kid is a TOTAL rule follower...As in, freaks out if anyone is NOT following the rules. Guess your dd isn't like that? If she is - just show her online the rules for going there and maybe that would help.

disneymamajess · Apr 26, 2015

If this were any other trip, then I'd inform dd that there are rules in place. But there are two reasons that I really want to avoid doing that...
1- that rule is absurd. Why is it even in place? I got made over at the BBB multiple times before the age limit was imposed.
2- It's her Sweet 16 present. Of course, she's having her party, but this is her gift and I would hate for it to be ruined by technicalities.
So there's no way around it?

aaarcher86 · Apr 26, 2015

disneymamajess said:
If this were any other trip, then I'd inform dd that there are rules in place. But there are two reasons that I really want to avoid doing that...
1- that rule is absurd. Why is it even in place? I got made over at the BBB multiple times before the age limit was imposed.
2- It's her Sweet 16 present. Of course, she's having her party, but this is her gift and I would hate for it to be ruined by technicalities.
So there's no way around it?

No. There's no way around it. It's not a technicality. It's a RULE. If they do it for you they need to do it for the 20 year old girl with Down syndrome, or the 35 year old with the mentality of a 10 year old. It's just not possible, or feasible, and there are tons of people that are disappointed they can't do the BBB.

If the limit were 16 there'd be 18 year olds complaining. I don't see the rule being absurd at all. They cut it off at teenagers. The rule is in place because there were so many older girls and adults that they felt the targeted audience, younger girls, was not being catered to. I've seen parents of 2 year olds complain the youngest allowed is 3. That's just life.

You could do the pirates league and get a mermaid makeover. Go to a spa and perhaps they could do something similar. Eat at the castle and do a big birthday package with chocolate slipper. Buy her an adult tiara from Davids Bridal.

I honestly can't believe a child's 16th birthday being spent in Disney will be ruined because they are too old for a particular attraction. If you present it as a not so big deal, your daughter will feed off of you. There is no way in heck you'll get by pawning a 16 year old off as a 12 year old.

They don't let children go to kids clubs that are too old, special needs or not. The rule is the rule.

Gorechick · Apr 26, 2015

The rule and age limit is in place because adults were taking up all the appointments and children weren't getting in. The rule is there now so there is no getting around it. Additionally, it is against DISboards terms of service to discuss or advise on how to break or circumvent Disney Parks rules.

mom2AidanAndEli · Apr 26, 2015

Do you really want to be teaching your daughter that even though there are rules, they don't really apply to her? If you think a rule is absurd, you don't have to follow it. If we lie about something like our age, we can get away with doing whatever we want.

And if this one thing is going to ruin the whole trip, you may want to rethink your plans altogether. There's always a chance of something going wrong, things being out of your control, etc. The trip may not be absolutely perfect. But it is what you make of it. If you can't roll with it and just figure out something else to do, what's going to happen when you get there and things don't go 100% as planned? At least this is something you have control over in advance. And you're already letting these "technicalities" put a damper on your trip.

Do the right thing. Tell her there are rules. Tell her she's too old. Make other fun plans and realize this isn't the end of the world.

Gracie09 · Apr 27, 2015

Op I get we want to do all the little things that make our kids happy. But sometimes we just can't. Is it better for your dd to hear it from you at home where she can react and process in private or at the park when they question her age and she is denied (and she will be there have been no reports of them making exceptions) and will react in public.

Allison · Apr 27, 2015

No, there is no way around it. There has to be an age limit so that the children it is designed for can get appointments. The age is 12.

Consider some of the options people have suggested in this thread.

Goofy'slady · Apr 27, 2015

Wow, it's a little disconcerting to see the lengths you're willing to make even though you now have been informed by several people that Disney has this rule in place and they will not make any exceptions. Think about the example you are setting for your daughter. There are rules in place for a reason even if we don't like them they must be followed. This will not be the last time you come up against rules like this. Are you going to always try to find your way around them? It's our job as parents to not only teach by words but by our actions to let our children know that the world doesn't conform to our wants all the time but it's the other way around.

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