bbb do or don't?

[danielle916]

i was reading up on the BBB and i was debating if its worth it to try for my 6 yr old and my 3.5 yr old on our next trip. it seems very pricey.........if i do do it can i bring my own costume for them??
any info would be appreciated.

 

[bellazachmom]

If your girls are in to the princesses or love dressing up then this is a wonderful "girly" event that I would not pass up.

I took my 3 1/2 year old last October and she had a ball. We purchased the package that included the hair and nails, it is the mid-level one, and it was great! I had brought her Cinderella dress from home and had her wear it to the boutique. I also brought her silver glitter shoes that we had purchased at Target (they usually have red, black and pink, too) and she wore those with ruffle socks. We called them her "glass slippers" and all the CMs that saw them commented on what a great idea they were because they were certainly more practicle and comfortable then the "princess" shoes most little girls wear. Tennis shoes are also a good idea, but my daughter would have none of that with her dress!

After her appointment we had her pictures taken by a Disney photographer and put on our photopass instead of purchasing a portrait package. He took a ton of pictures at the studio and I love them all. My favorite is one where he had her take her shoe off and set it on the floor behind her and told her to look over her sholder at it ... just like Cinderella running down the steps! They were more than happy to do this and we didn't need an appointment or anything.

We decided to go to the boutique at DTD on one of our no-park days, that way we didn't use up half a day on one of our tickets. That being said, I have heard a lot of great things about the BBB in MK and the photo session there is done at the rose garden to the right of the castle so you get that as your back drop!

Hope this helps! I'll try and post some pictures so you can see the results.

 

[bellebud]

do it! you're running out of time w/ your 6yo. some 8 year olds would do it, some won't. my dd wouldn't. She did it at 6yo and loved, loved, loved it. At 7yo, she probably would have been a little embarassed, but maybe would have done it.

It's definitely worth it (even if you don't do the whole package).

 

[Minniemouse07]

My opinion isn't the popular one...but here it is...

During our December trip we just had dd (6.5yo) wear her dresses during our character meals (Minnie at Chef Mickey's, Snow White at Akershus and Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare) and didn't bother w/ BBB.

To be honest I think it is overpriced for what it is. I also don't think dd would be able to fully enjoy herself at the parks w/ her hair all done up.

As we walked around the parks and attended our princess character meals, we saw tons of girls with the same buns and way too much makeup (not all, but most). Many of them in pain from their shoes (one girl in the GF ladies room was crying over it) and being chastised by their parents to "not get messed up."

If the price was half of what it is w/o a makeup option...I would think about it.

FWIW, dd saw the girls done up and the four million commercials on the TV in the room and when I sucked it up and gave her a choice between another kid's pirate cruise and BBB for our trip in July for her birthday...she picked the pirate cruise!

Dh and I were very surprised because she is totally into princesses (even has a castle bed!)!!

I say let them wear their dresses and save the money for some other Disney magic elsewhere!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

My opinion isn't the popular one...but here it is...

To be honest I think it is overpriced for what it is. I also don't think dd would be able to fully enjoy herself at the parks w/ her hair all done up.

I say let them wear their dresses and save the money for some other Disney magic elsewhere!

I have a similar vote. I'm not a huge fan of "the look" to start with. My head hurts after a day in just a regular ponytail, let alone a high bun. I think there's plenty of "princess opportunties" in the park without paying the equivalent of another day's pass (plus! depending on the package.)

I brought DD a princess dress from home. (My niece, 11, wore a sparkly princess T shirt.) My SIL brought some glitter powder along to dust on the girls. They got plenty of comments/attention from CM and characters about their princessness. They had a good time and we got to enjoy them as little girls.

Plus, we had more time for rides and fun that we were already paying for.

 

[dementia412]

The buns look okay (not that great), but they are very tight, expensive and you can do just as good a job with ponytails, hair gel and glitter.
The one kid I saw with a more elaborate hairdo scared me. It was ugly and inapropriate for a little kid... maybe good for a preteen.
I love the idea of taking them to a boutique. Its fun and special, but personaly I think the price is too outragous for what you get.

 

[brymolmom]

A vacation, IMO, is all about what works best for your family. For mine, we prefer not to spend this kind of money on things like this...we're at WDW...seeing their favorite characters, riding great rides, having Mickey ice cream bars every day....we just don't 'need' this type of thing to put us over the top on magic, we've got it anyway.

That being said, even though we could afford a mod or deluxe, we opt for values because I like going MORE OFTEN instead of spending a bunch more than necessary on a single trip.

I agree with a pp on being uncomfortable 'all done up' in the parks - I KNOW dd would want to take her hair down fairly quickly - ESPECIALLY in the summer, it is SO HOT that I can't imagine her not running in any water spray around...and there goes the $$$ down the drain.

I guess I'm too practical, but your family might not enjoy your vacation without something like this - every family is different.

 

[livndisney]

My opinion isn't the popular one...but here it is...

During our December trip we just had dd (6.5yo) wear her dresses during our character meals (Minnie at Chef Mickey's, Snow White at Akershus and Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare) and didn't bother w/ BBB.

To be honest I think it is overpriced for what it is. I also don't think dd would be able to fully enjoy herself at the parks w/ her hair all done up.

As we walked around the parks and attended our princess character meals, we saw tons of girls with the same buns and way too much makeup (not all, but most). Many of them in pain from their shoes (one girl in the GF ladies room was crying over it) and being chastised by their parents to "not get messed up."

If the price was half of what it is w/o a makeup option...I would think about it.

FWIW, dd saw the girls done up and the four million commercials on the TV in the room and when I sucked it up and gave her a choice between another kid's pirate cruise and BBB for our trip in July for her birthday...she picked the pirate cruise!

Dh and I were very surprised because she is totally into princesses (even has a castle bed!)!!

I say let them wear their dresses and save the money for some other Disney magic elsewhere!

We share the same opinion. My DD went when she was 5. She HATED it!!!!!! (She love princesses and pretty things). The makeup in my opinon is way over the top. The hair .

 

[CampbellScot]

It really all depends on your daughter. If having her hair done up and being showered with attention and being called "princess" and generally having a major fuss made over her is something your DD would LOVE, then you should consider it. For every child that hated the experience, you will find another who loved it and wants to do it again. It really all depends on your little one and what sorts of things give her a thrill.

My little niece is in LOVE with dress up and make believe. She relished every single second of her BBB experience. She never had one problem with her hair being up all day (it would have been in a pony tail anyhow). She actually SLEPT in her bun and it stayed up the whole next day as well. She was able to romp around and be her normal active self and not worry a bit about her hair falling.

For us it was worth the price. It's the whole "experience" of being made into a princess. The Fairy Godmothers in Training are FANTASTIC at bringing the girls into the magic of it all.

If you want the FGIT's to go light on the make up, just let them know.

Also, there is a BBB FAQ thread on the Theme Parks and Activities board. It's a wonderful resource. It's got tons of pictures and advice.

Check it out before you decide!

 

[Kimmumum]

I have boys so my opinion probably isn't worth much however I'll offer another option....the barber shop. You can get glitter and paint in their hair and I think it is less than $10 (they may even do an updo for that price but I'm not sure). I know when we were in the barber shop there were quite a few girls and their parents were excited about the look and the price

 

[livndisney]

I have boys so my opinion probably isn't worth much however I'll offer another option....the barber shop. You can get glitter and paint in their hair and I think it is less than $10 (they may even do an updo for that price but I'm not sure). I know when we were in the barber shop there were quite a few girls and their parents were excited about the look and the price

I'll second this. The barber shop was a lot more fun. My DD LOVES to dress up, LOVES to be called princess and LOVES to wear her Princess dresses. But she does NOT like BBB.

 

[Tammysue5]

We went last year for our first WDW vacation and DDs wanted to try it! We decided that they are growing up fast and in a few years may not 'be into it'.... we had saved a long time to go on this vacation and so we decided to do it. Yes, it cost us $400 for both girls (we opted for the Castle package) It was worth every penny!!!! IMHO. The girls loved the ambiance of the Castle... the 'shopping', the whole experience was magical. When Daddy and Big brother 15) came to 'pick us up' for lunch at CRT,,,, the look on daddys and big brothers faces' was priceless. The girls were thrilled,, they felt like princesses!

With that being said... we are going back in August and have decided that we are going to try something else. We will save that $400... I will just do their hair myself. (take along tiaras and such) Truthfully I think that no matter what you decide... the trip is as magical as you make it! I fully intend that DDs will have a great time this year as well.

While we were waiting for CRT that day... DDs met up with another little girl... her mom had done her hair and makeup and brought a dress from a store at home.... Honestly I don't think that she had any less fun or felt less like a princess than my DDs who had just been to the BBB. It is what you make it. If you are about the experience... then definately do it!!!

You'll know what is right for your little one.

 

[Naisy68]

My DD (now 6) loves having her hair cut/styled and we did this in 2006. She smiled the entire time. We got the middle sized package; hair, nails and makeup. I bought a Snow White costume on e-bay that was nicer than they had there even and much less expensive.
We bought the smaller photo package after having her pictures taken. She thought she was truly a princess that day and I would not pass that up again for anything in the world. We then went to Epcot and ate with the princesses and it was a memory we will never, ever forget. She still talks about her "fairy godmother," who did a wonderful job with her and made our little princess feel incredibly special that day.
We are going back later this summer and that will definitely be part of our plans. However, I don't think we will let her get her nails done as they did not last very long that day as she felt they were uncomfortable.

 

[danielle916]

I have a similar vote. I'm not a huge fan of "the look" to start with. My head hurts after a day in just a regular ponytail, let alone a high bun. I think there's plenty of "princess opportunties" in the park without paying the equivalent of another day's pass (plus! depending on the package.)

I brought DD a princess dress from home. (My niece, 11, wore a sparkly princess T shirt.) My SIL brought some glitter powder along to dust on the girls. They got plenty of comments/attention from CM and characters about their princessness. They had a good time and we got to enjoy them as little girls.

Plus, we had more time for rides and fun that we were already paying for.

i am starting to re think this also, i am not a huge fan of the look either, as a matter of fact i can get my girls done up like that here for half the price, i am pretty sure i will not be partaking in this....plus my kids rather be riding the rides, thank you all for you input!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[bellebud]

I already answered to do it before they get too old... but I want to agree w/ a few pp's that yes, it's definitely over-priced for what you get.

But I also want to add that it's the 'experience' of getting done up in a 'beauty shop' by someone other than mom that some girls will love, and some won't care about. My dd definitely loved the beauty shop thing. If I had brought everything from home and got her ready myself in the hotel room and took my own pics, she would have certainly looked adorable and enjoyed herself when we were walking around, but she really loved being fussed over at the BBB. So that's what you have to decide if your girls will love or not really care about. To us, it was worth doing it one time. I wouldn't pay again for it, but i'm so glad we did it for a once in a lifetime experience for dd.

hth's you decide.

 

[Magic2000]

My DD did the basic package last year and LOVED it!!!! She had the tiara and the "hair extensions". It looked really cute on her. She just wore her regular clothes. We went to the MVMCP after, and she loved all the extra attention she received from the CMs.

We're doing the basic package again in a few weeks, and we're going to LaNouba after.

We've scheduled our BBB on our "down" day (same as last year). My DD liked being pampered for a little bit!

Enjoy your stay, whichever you decide!

 

[RobinFabulous]

JMHO but I really think it's just a personal choice. I'm doing it for my girls in Decemebr, but only doing the basic package, buying dresses from Ebay and all that. We're doing it, then eating and going to MVMCP. I think it'll be cute to have them look nice in pics. Plus, we're going in Dec so heat shouldn't be such a factor.

 

[jennifer293]

My daughter and I were involved in an accident and the party responsible sent us to Disney as a gift to our family after we got well. They also paid for our girls to have the full castle makeover on our second day there. While it was a very magical experience and the girls loved being called princess every 2 seconds it was not worth the money spent ($383.00 and some change to be exact), within 15 minutes they were both complaining about the costumes itching and the crowns poking in their heads. They both got the "diva" hair do so then they had this fake hair getting all in their face. They were miserable. The bad thing was that BBB and our ADR for dinner in the castle were too close together so we couldn't go get their photo package down right away. We had to wait after dinner to do them, then while taking pictures of DD4 the camera quit transmitting the photos to the computer. After that got fixed and they took pics of DD7 we had to wait an additional hour for the pictures to all come through so I could pick the ones I wanted. By that time the Spectromagic parade was coming through so we were pretty much stuck. We had stripped them of their crowns..already..(sounds so official) and took out the "HAIR", but as far as the costume and the 10 tons of glitter they had on them they had to wait. We finally got to our room about 10pm and I immediately stripped them down, brushed all the goo (the gel they use to slick the hair back) and glitter out and put them in the shower. I got a lot of the glitter out, but they still sparkled for a good 4 days after that it just kinda cements itself to the scalp.

Needless to say we won't do it again and I am glad it was free this go around....but the pictures are really beautiful!!

 

[Stinkerbell317]

I would just let your DD choose. Tell her the options (BBB or something else) and let her decide. My DD4 did BBB in Feb and loved every second of it. The makeup was very light, IMO, and not garish. She wore one of our own princess gowns and just got the hairdo (she chose PINK, long extensions!), nails and makeup done. I thought it was a wonderful mommy/daughter activity. ANd the look on her face when she saw her makeover for the first time really WAS priceless! And she's not one to be easily impressed! On the down side, it was a small issue being in that gown for the rest of the day, and the tight hairdo did bother her a bit. But I warned her of these things before we even got there bc I had read the BBB thread on the DIS, so I knew what to expect.

 

[tina_la]

My daughter is a pre teen and we didn't get to take her to Disney when she was younger. I was surprised she wanted to do the BBB but we let her. She picked the Pop Princess and LOVED it. HAir stayed up for three days and we finally took it out. I think it would have stayed that way for months . No headaches or complaints and believe me she would have let me know. The FGMIT were soooo wonderful. I cannot say enough about how sweet they were. She felt very special. IMO well worth the money. BTW it was under $50 last year for the basic package.