BBB or Pirates League for DD?

[jacknsally19]

All,

My daughter will be turning 4 during our next Disney trip. I'd like to do either BBB or Pirates League as a fun activity. Last year, we did the pirate and pals cruise and she LOVED it. So I think the Pirates would be a fun option - she loves Peter Pan and Jake. However, she also loves dressing up like a princess and loves princesses. So I'm torn. Anyone have experience with both and a preference? I could ask her but we are talking 6 months out and I am not sure me explaining either would make a lot of sense.

Thanks!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I have experience with both; but because I’ve done BBB with my daughter and Pirate’s League with my son. Really really love both of them. Biggest thing about BBB is getting the hair styled. So that could be the biggest thing to consider. How is she about getting her hair done? Pirate’s League would be a lot less “invasive” in that aspect. Unless you get the Mermaid package, there’s no styling for Pirate’s League. The atmosphere during the Pirate makeover is different. BBB is really bright inside, pretty quiet and of course really girly while Pirate’s League area is like a Pirate ship inside, a bit darker and can get pretty noisy. Each new pirate gets a pirate name before the makeover. At the end of the makeover the new pirate is announced and everyone in the room yells in response . In BBB the princess is kept turned away from the mirror until the makeover is complete and then turned to the mirror for a “big reveal”. Photo pass photographers are present all through the makeover at BBB and then you can go over and have pictures taken in the shop. For Pirate’s League, the photographer is waiting at the end in another room to take a few photos.

 

[jacknsally19]

First of all, your children are adorable!

Thanks for the insight. I do think the hair could be an issue... I mean we argue all the time about just combing her hair! (seriously, you'd think I was suggesting medieval torture) But I know that if it was someone else doing it, it would be a whole new story.

It sounds like pirates league is a bit more playful / interactive ? Is that accurate? If so, I think that might be more fun.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Thank you.

Pirate’s League was more “lively” for sure. They spin a wheel and get a pirate name, and all of the workers I noticed were pretty good pirates. My son is pretty quiet and a bit sensitive to noise (was wearing headphones) and the person he had adjusted to him.

BBB is more about getting pampered I would say. It's not loud; but the fairy Godmother (in training) talks to just the princess in the chair. We have done it 3 times and had varying levels of interaction and sometimes while one does her hair, another would come and work on the nails at the same time if they weren't busy. Fed right into my daughter's diva personality.

At 4 a little of the humor at Pirate's League was over my son’s head; but he had a great time.

For a girl I think they still do their nails at Pirate’s League. The mermaid look has more makeup and like I mentioned before some hair styling; but not like at BBB.
These are from Google.

 

[jacknsally19]

I am going to go for Pirates League and plan BBB for when she is a bit older. We go at least once a year so I never feel bad skipping something but I always have a tough time deciding right before the reservation window opens up! Thanks again for your help !

 

[Tangled_in_Texas]

Thanks for this info. I have a little one who doesn't like to be messed with either and I think the scales just tipped in favor of PL!

 

[Zarapipe]

We are doing PL. I think if I remember correctly it is also substantially cheaper.

 

[mandis77]

ha ha I have two daughters with long hair who HATE having their hair combed but loved BBB! They must have been in awe because they didn't complain a peep.

 

[luvmy2babies]

We are doing PL. I think if I remember correctly it is also substantially cheaper.

For the most part. The Deluxe Mermaid package is $74.95; and that is more than the basics of the BBB packages; but BBB also has a couple of packages that are significantly higher at $89 and $190.

But other than the Deluxe Mermaid package, unless you buy extra clothes when you get there, Pirate's League ranges from $30 to $45. I bought my son's t-shirt on Etsy and brought it with us. The sword, sash, bandana, necklace, eye patch, and little treasure bag are included. They have lots of other stuff they'll sell you at PL if you want to buy it, including a full Hook costume.

 

[djp0630]

We are going both for my 4 year old and 9 year old girls. At 4, I would choose BBB because it's super magical at that age. As they get older, Pirate's league is cooler. My 4 year old boy and 6 year old girl had a blast at Pirates league on our last trip. So you can't go wrong!

 

[GeraldineW]

You know your child best. At 4 my DD was thrilled with BBB, as was I. It was just magical for both of us when she saw her transformation. My DD is not a girly girl, quite the opposite but even at age 10 she has asked to go to BBB just for the hair, no dress up anymore. But 4 was definitely the most fun age for BBB because they believe in the magic.

My DS did PL when he was around 5. It just so happened that day that DD was dressed up in a blue dress for BBB so DS wore his old halloween costume....Peter Pan. Well, PL was a hoot because those pirates don’t really want Peter Pan in their house. The CM’s stayed in character so the interaction was great. We bought DS the Jake package. Everything went into a bag in his lap, he would not let the CM’s do anything to him. He basically sat in the chair as they handed him everything to take home. DS still had a great time. At the end he did sword fighting with the CM’s while a photopass photographer took photos. We had Peter Pan fighting the pirates. It really was priceless, but not what we planned. My DS also loved the pirates and pals cruise, and enjoyed PL but didn’t want anyone touching him or putting stuff on him.

For PL make sure you child will be okay getting make up put on them since all the packages involve face makeup. Also, if you are going in warm weather consider the melt factor.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either. Go with your gut about your child.

 

[dprincessmom]

I am going to go for Pirates League and plan BBB for when she is a bit older. We go at least once a year so I never feel bad skipping something but I always have a tough time deciding right before the reservation window opens up! Thanks again for your help !

Funny I was about to suggest the opposite - We did BBB for DDs first trip and she loved it (@ 5 1/2). She wanted no part of it the next time I suggested it at 7. I brushed her hair out to make certain there were no tangles and then she had no problems with the Fairy Godmothers doing it.

 

[jacknsally19]

Funny I was about to suggest the opposite - We did BBB for DDs first trip and she loved it (@ 5 1/2). She wanted no part of it the next time I suggested it at 7. I brushed her hair out to make certain there were no tangles and then she had no problems with the Fairy Godmothers doing it.

I'll be honest, my window is just about to open and I have been going back and forth. I know she would love either option so I should just get over my indecision!

 

[Funfire240]

We've done both. DD7 likes each one and has fun with each. We do PL on the day we do Pirates and Pals with her and DS and then she has her separate princess day. PL is less expensive if you don't do the deluxe package but both are fun. These pics DD was 6. She will be 7 1/2 next trip and has requested to do both again. She hates her hair brushed and I fight her (which is why she recently got it cut shoulder length!) but she never complaints when someone else does it

 

[jacknsally19]

Oh the pirate princess look is so cute! Thanks for sharing - I think that just put me firmly in the PL category! Did you buy that pirate outfit at WDW?

 

[Funfire240]

Oh the pirate princess look is so cute! Thanks for sharing - I think that just put me firmly in the PL category! Did you buy that pirate outfit at WDW?

Thanks! That dress is Zarina the pirate fairy from tinker bell. I had bought it from the Disney Store. She just didn't wear the wings with it

 

[luvmy2babies]

Thanks! That dress is Zarina the pirate fairy from tinker bell. I had bought it from the Disney Store. She just didn't wear the wings with it

We recently saw that movie on Disney Channel. Dd and I both love Zarina's outfit.

 

[disneywithbaby]

I can't find the Zarina outfit on Disney store website? Anyone able to find it or do they sell it in WDW at PL?

 

[Funfire240]

I can't find the Zarina outfit on Disney store website? Anyone able to find it or do they sell it in WDW at PL?

I bought DDs in early 2014 so not sure where to find them now. Sorry!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our girls have done both and they preferred Pirate's League. Our wallets preferred PL as well.