A few BBB questions for a newbie

[Jennygt]

While I am not a newbie to wdw, this is our first BBB expereince. Our dd will be 4. I am planning to do BBB in am them lunch at CRT.

What time is the first appointment of the day? After park opening?

About how long if she gets the whole package with photo shoot? about 1 hr?

DO i need to select her princess in advance or can she select when we arrive?

What time of day can I call for reservation? Can I make it when I am up like a crazy person at 6 am making my adrs?

Is there a current thread here on the dis? I am sure there is but I keep finding older ones.

Thank you

 

[mom2rtk]

First appointment of the day is 8:05. If the park opens at 9, you get early entry.

We have not done the full package before, only the hair, makeup and nails, and we were done in about half an hour. Add in a little time for choosing her dress and taking photos, and you're right at an hour. Barring anything unusual, you should be done by rope drop.

You choose your dress for the full package once you arrive.

Reservations open a 7 Eastern. You have to call though as these are not online. If you call for your dining reservations, the same staff can make this reservation for you. Or you can cal 407-WDW-STYLE directly.

Have fun. It's a great way to start the day!

 

[BellsFam]

Can I bump this and ask how do you pick a package? The little pamphlet online is really sparse...

I a combination of the Castle and the Courtyard? Don't you get a tutu and/or tshirt to take home?

Can you do the bun with shorter hair? (a little longer than chin length?)

 

[tzeitel]

While I am not a newbie to wdw, this is our first BBB expereince. Our dd will be 4. I am planning to do BBB in am them lunch at CRT.

What time is the first appointment of the day? After park opening?

About how long if she gets the whole package with photo shoot? about 1 hr?

DO i need to select her princess in advance or can she select when we arrive?

What time of day can I call for reservation? Can I make it when I am up like a crazy person at 6 am making my adrs?

Is there a current thread here on the dis? I am sure there is but I keep finding older ones.

Thank you

I booked by calling the dining line, not sure if it is because we are going in May, but it was pretty easy to book and had plenty of times to choose from. I was able to book BBB and CRT at the same time. The CM told me that you choose the package at the time of the appointment and that it usually takes 1/2 hour to an hour depending on the package but she also said to take into account appointments could go longer than usual. The appointment does not show up in the MDE, I had to write down the number and was told - clean hair, clean nails and bring your own brush

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

From the WDW website:

The Crown Package (starting at $59.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling
• Shimmering make-up, face gem
• Princess sash and tote
• Nail polish

The Courtyard Package (starting at $94.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling
• Shimmering make-up, face gem
• Princess sash and tote
• Nail polish
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt
• Trendy tutu

The Castle Package (starting at $194.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling
• Shimmering make-up, face gem
• Princess sash and tote
• Nail polish
• Complete costume of your choice plus accessories
• One 6" x 8" and four 4" x 6" photos in a princess-themed holder

DD has only been to BBB once so far (in the castle), but we have reservations for another visit in May. DD did the Crown Package, which took approximately half an hour (for styling only). We then went to Castle Couture and had her pictures taken (no extra charge, and they all showed up on Memory Maker). I think there were about 2 other girls ahead of us for pictures, but it went pretty quickly.

I personally don't think a t-shirt and tutu are worth the $35 up charge from the Crown to Courtyard packages (plus, it's not like they're worn immediately if the girl is wearing a princess costume). And the dress and accessories certainly aren't worth an extra $135 (especially when you can buy the costumes from the Disney Store for $50, not counting frequent discounts). The costume shoes are okay for short-term play, but I don't think they'd be very comfortable to wear all day in the parks. (DD usually wears Stride Rite sandals, some of which come in Disney styles and look nice with a costume.)

We took along DD's own princess costume (Cinderella), which was MUCH better quality than the ones they sell in the parks - we got a lot of compliments and questions about where to get her dress. Idk how often they sell them, but we've generally purchased costumes from Babies R Us (NOT the regular costumes, these are thicker weight fabric, made by DisneyBaby, go up to I think about size 5, and cost around $25-$35). I've also seen nice costumes on Etsy.

DD has long hair, so idk how they style shorter hair. For the bun, they started by pulling DD's hair into a high ponytail (while using a LOT of hair gel), then wrapped some hair around the hair band. They then rolled the ponytail into a bun and fixed it in place with bobbi pins. A small tiara, Mickey-shaped clip, and glitter finished her hair. I think the bun has a tendency to look rather severe, but DD's bangs helped mitigate that. I didn't pay much attention to the other hairstyles, but it seemed like several started off with the same high ponytail.

 

[tooh8ful]

Granted we haven't done BBB in a couple of years because my girls think they're too cool, but when we DID I brought the costumes with us. The girls changed there, just like all the other princesses. No problems from fairy god mothers in training, I saved a small FORTUNE and the dresses from the Disney Store were better quality!

 

[BellsFam]

From the WDW website:
DD has only been to BBB once so far (in the castle), but we have reservations for another visit in May. DD did the Crown Package, which took approximately half an hour (for styling only). We then went to Castle Couture and had her pictures taken (no extra charge, and they all showed up on Memory Maker). I think there were about 2 other girls ahead of us for pictures, but it went pretty quickly.

I personally don't think a t-shirt and tutu are worth the $35 up charge from the Crown to Courtyard packages (plus, it's not like they're worn immediately if the girl is wearing a princess costume). And the dress and accessories certainly aren't worth an extra $135 (especially when you can buy the costumes from the Disney Store for $50, not counting frequent discounts). The costume shoes are okay for short-term play, but I don't think they'd be very comfortable to wear all day in the parks. (DD usually wears Stride Rite sandals, some of which come in Disney styles and look nice with a costume.)

O.K., thanks! We found a costume at Chasing Fireflies, that I think is very beautiful!

Seems like it's just the same to bring your stuff, and get the cheaper package and there's really no difference?

I'm hoping works out...because I like that costume a lot!

 

[TVmom]

Piggy backing on the post here, For the hair styles will they leave the girls' bangs down? I read that they always pull them back and I'd much rather them be left down.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Piggy backing on the post here, For the hair styles will they leave the girls' bangs down? I read that they always pull them back and I'd much rather them be left down.

DD's bangs were left down (we didn't have to ask, but would have if the 'fairy godmother' had started to put them back). I think it made the hairstyle much less severe looking, and was prob more comfortable for DD.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

O.K., thanks! We found a costume at Chasing Fireflies, that I think is very beautiful!

Seems like it's just the same to bring your stuff, and get the cheaper package and there's really no difference?

I'm hoping works out...because I like that costume a lot!

We had no problem bringing DD's own costume, and none of the experience seemed to be any different because of it. The styling (hair, makeup, nails) were all done the same as if she'd picked out a dress at BBB.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Our 5 year old had her first BBB appointment last month. She brought her own Snow White costume with her and put it on there. She was happy with the crown package. We had a Photopass photographer on Main Street take really cute pictures of her. I wouldn't spend more than that because our DGD was thrilled with what she received.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Can I bump this and ask how do you pick a package? The little pamphlet online is really sparse...

I a combination of the Castle and the Courtyard? Don't you get a tutu and/or tshirt to take home?

Can you do the bun with shorter hair? (a little longer than chin length?)

I have an asymmetrical bob. One side of my hair is just past my chin and the other side is just above my shoulder and I can't really pull it back. I don't think it would be easy or possible to put your DD's hair into a bun. I would certainly give a try though. They might be able to work some magic!

 

[Alison Wonderland]

You should make the reservation as soon as possible. They book up fast

 

[buzzmom12]

We had the castle package and it took a little less then an hour. I did buy the dress there and had no problem with the quality. Expensive but it was her vacation treat. The thirst were available for separate purchase. No matter the package it is a great time.

 

[Jennygt]

Thanks everyone! I called yesterday and got a lot of good info from disney as well. I have been watching all,the you tube videos and think my dd will love this !

 

[luvmy2babies]

We have done it three times and always brought clothes with us. My daughter never wanted to dress like a particular princess. Two of our 3 experiences we had CRT after so I got her a formal gown (junior bridesmaid/flower girl) on ebay for around $20 and brought along accessories and comfortable sandals. A third time we did a more fun look with a denim vest, sparkly tank top and one of those poofy skirts and some accessories I got at a store where everything was $1 or $2. Accessories are easy to find at home. Even if you wait and buy the princess dress there, they are like $70 in the stores so you will still come in under the $194. Now that does come with prints of some of the photos; but if you have memory maker, they will put them all on your account anyway and you’ll have every photo they take during the makeover and during the photo session.

It should be noted that the courtyard package comes with a different hairstyle than the others.