BBB opinions

[SJMomof4]

Since I'm on a budget and trying to be frugal, I decided to post this here (if it should be somewhere else, I apologize!)

My DDs (6 & 10) have the bare minimum package booked at BBB. They aren't the dress-up types (although at WDW they make an exception lol), so I don't want to invest in princess gowns to bring along, since they'll only sit in their closet after the trip. Would it be really tacky if I brought those really pretty nightgowns (the elaborate kind) for them to wear instead, and they can get more use out of? They're pretty gowns, but I dont want looks about having my girls in their nightgowns at the parks lol.
Or another question, are gowns even necessary? What do you think about simply dressing them in blue (for Cindy) summer dresses. Is that defeating the purpose of the BBB appt?
Thanks in advance for any opinions and I apologize once more if this doesn't belong here or if this has been posted before.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

I don't think the gowns are necessary at all! If your dds aren't the dress up type I wouldn't even bother with dresses. They can wear their park clothes. My dd will wear a princess dress when we do BBB, but I am pretty sure she won't wear it all day since we will be there in September and I don't want her to be hot and uncomfortable. So we are just bringing a change of clothes, and when she's ready to chage, she'll just wear regular clothes with the sash. Have fun!

 

[Buckeye Princess]

I think the fancy nightgowns are great. As long as they are substantial enough to be descent. They are more comforetable than the dress up dresses. This has come up here before and many will disagree. I say that children are given a pass on dress rules like pj's and when it is ok to wear white, etc

 

[donnaf516]

We went in August so it was tooooo hot for the usual princess dress. My dd wore a cute little cotton princess sun dress. I would love to show you a pic but can't figure out how to post them.

 

[Diegosmom]

Someone on the Dis sewing thread posted something that she made for her older DD that was too "old" to wear a princess dress. It was a longish shirt/top that looked like snow whites dress but it was a top and the girl wore bike shorts under but it would look good with jeans or regular shorts too. This would be something comfy enough to wear all day. Possibly wear at other times. Not sure if you can sew but I know a lot of the ladies that sew have ebay and etsy account and I would "think" that these tops won't be too much. But again I am not sure. Just an idea

 

[ceecee]

DD wants to wear comfy clothes and wouldn't want to wear her gown. We did BBB and she had her hair and nails done and loved it!

 

[kahblue]

You could check second hand stores like Goodwill. You might be able to find a cheap fancy dress for under $5. another thought is there are so many sparkly Disney shirts out there in the stores that even those would be "fancy" enought for the girls. But again, it's not necessary - they will be treated the same as the dressed up girls and mhave just as much fun!

 

[SJMomof4]

I feel so much better about leaning towards the sun dresses or regular clothes now! I wasn't sure how common it was.

Thanks for the speedy input & suggestions, I'll keep them in mind!

 

[donnaf516]

We went in August so it was tooooo hot for the usual princess dress. My dd wore a cute little cotton princess sun dress. I would love to show you a pic but can't figure out how to post them.

I figured it out...this is what my dd wore it August. It was perfect!

 

[srferson]

I figured it out...this is what my dd wore it August. It was perfect!

That is super cute! Where did you find that?

 

[SJMomof4]

Very pretty dress! Looks nice & airy for a hot FL day.

 

[SandrA9810]

Seems like it was home-made, there's quite a few people that sell on Ebay their creations.

I've done it twice myself, and too old for princess dresses. I bought a Princess pink shirt in the store, it's long sleeve with a deep V neck and a white tank underneath. Along the V line is some embroidery. I did several pictures with my cousin who did dress up as Tinkerbell, and it turned out great. Of course this was in the winter time.

When I worked in Photopass, and did the studio session, I saw girls with several different "princess attire" that all worked out well, and looked great in the pictures. I also saw several girls who were ready to rip the dress off before even taking pictures.
Just remember, the portrait pictures come with the Deluxe Package, but any princess is welcome to have their portrait session done. I believe you can add the picture package when you pay at the Castle (even without the deluxe, it's added separately), which then puts your pictures into a pretty little princess folder (same cost as buying individually).

 

[donnaf516]

I bought a bunch of these dresses on etsy.com. Here's couple more:

Keep in mind that they were not super cheap, but wayyyy better than the traditional princess dress and wayyy more comfortable.

 

[sweetdana]

I have taken DD6 twice, both times the hair was the only part worth it.

The make up was gone withing an hour, with sweat, sunscreen ect.
The outfits are crappy quality. She got Jasmin and the pants were fully of strings from just walking after an hour and the cinderalla was glitter free and off her cause it was hot by 4 hours in. Both sets of shoes were garbage. The glass slippers gave her blisters and Jasmins were inside shoes AT BEST. she walked aroung for 15 mins and had to put them away cause they were turning wet like sponges.

We are going in May and Aug prolly do the 59$ hair package it lasts for days and stays out of her face, but prolly will not do the dresses every again.

 

[mollybug2]

We went in November of 2010. My 6 year old had hair, make-up and nails done at BBB. She wore her own Mulan-like dress and kept it on for our lunch in Norway. After lunch she changed into a skirt and Mulan shirt and was as happy as a clam. The next morning we recreated the hair and make-up and she wore an Aurora dress to breakfast at the castle, and again changed into a princess sundress and leggings immediately afterward.

 

[woodkins]

My 8 yr old has done the BBB over 10 times and has never worn the Disney princess costume dresses. She typically dresses in a disney themed outfit, but not the costume. I know my 8yr old wouldnt' wear a nightgown around the parks, but if yours are willing to I would let them. I have seen girls wearing the fancy nightgowns around the parks before, so it wouldn't be odd or out of place.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

We did this in Jan. We got the cheapest package. Dd wore a comfortable dress. Then, I brought her (homemade) Belle dress for lunch at Cindy's castle. She changed right afterward back into her comfy dress for the parks.

 

[pixiewings71]

When BBB opened in DL we went for my bday, I took the girls and it was our fun thing to do. None of us could wear the Princesses dresses except my youngest and she just wasn't into that. Instead we all chose themed shirts and wore those, mine was Tink and the girls each wore their favorite Princess. We were pretty cute. Also, I have been able to purchase really cute Princess sundresses at the Disney Store on sale, the girls wore those sundresses to the parks a lot! I'd just go with sundresses and save the extra money.

 

[4forWDW]

I didn't think twice about my DD (then 9) getting the basic package and not wearing a princess dress. She wore a tank top with skulls and a brown skort from Limited Too. We were going to the Pirate and Princess Party that evening. She didn't want to be all dressed up in a costume, so we went something that was still themed but yet comfortable.

 

[Evi]

It may depend on when and where you go. We were booked for bbb and then lunch in cinderellas castle and every little girl has some kind of princess dress on. Personally I think that if you discuss what she will be wearing before you go you should be fine. Honestly I didn't think the experience was worth it the girls loved it but I was frustrated with the photographer who took lousy shots and was more busy talking then taking pictures. The fairy godmothers are great and it really is all about the experience because you could take your daughter to a salon for a fabulous updo and a mani/pedi for the same price.