Bbb: Wwyd?

[scarlet_ibis]

We're leaving for Disney in three more sleeps. This trip is Grammy and Papa's birthday present for my oldest DD, who will be turning 7 on our trip.

We were looking through pictures from our October '08 trip when my two DDs and their cousin (who is also coming on this trip) all did the BBB before MNSSHP. Suddenly, DD(6) was in tears because she wants to do BBB on this trip. She just has to be Jasmine. (This is all new to me. I've never heard a peep about liking Jasmine before...)

Now, she got to do BBB right after they opened, and Grammy sprang for the whole costume and portrait package that time. I wanna say she was 3 or 4 at the time. And then she and her sister (and cousin) did it in October '08, when she was 5, just hair, nails, and makeup along with gowns we brought from home. The only gown/costume that I currently have that fits her is the Cinderella one she wore the last time. I didn't find her suggestion that I just "make" her a Jasmine costume very amusing with less than a week's notice, even though I am a superwoman and closet DisBoutiquer. (primp)

Soooooo..... *I* have a personal stash of my own Christmas and birthday cash that I have been saving for this trip. I can't think of a single thing that I *need* (besides a bowl of mushroom soup at Artist Point) and I *could* book them into the BBB for a smaller package. But should I? Would you?

Pros:
** Two very happy girls.

Cons:
* It would have to be halfway through our trip to work around portraits on Tuesday morning and a breakfast ADR on Thursday.
* We do not have any princess dining booked for this trip.
* I don't know if my cousin wants to spring for that on this trip, so her DD might feel left out.
* Need to figure out the gown/costume situation. (My 4 year old will actually have ones she can wear.)
* I actually really hate the way BBB makes up little girls. I might rather spend that whole amount of money on costumes.
* My younger DD has an allergy and can't use the BBB makeup anyway.
* It's not like we're never going back. We already have a ressie for next March and are planning a trip for '12.

But it IS her birthday trip...

 

[RadioFanatic]

Does it have to be BBB? Could you buy her the jasmine outfit there and then have a spa and primp morning in your room with your own makeup before you go out?

I hate the way they make up the girls too - makes me glad I only have a boy so far!

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Well, since she's already been to BBB, it's sort of like she'd know what she's missing...

I'm on the fence but leaning against it. It would be a last minute addition to our agenda. It would take at least an hour away from park time.

 

[AprilFool]

We took our girls in 2007 and 2009. They really wanted to do BBB again for the second trip, but I didn't want to do it again. ($$ and time) I just told them that I checked and it was booked up. End of discussion. They never knew the truth and had a wonderful time anyway.

 

[MomRN]

IMO, no, you shouldn't spend your birthday/Christmas money on BBB. I'm a big believer that parents should spend their holiday money on themselves.

Now if you were to give give the option between no souvenirs and BBB, or make BBB part of her birthday present, or have her spend her birthday money on BBB...well, then that's okay. But I "no" every once and awhile never hurt a child that I know of (even though I know it's really, really hard to say at times).

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Since the trip is so close and you didn't plan BBB to begin with, I would say no. If it was my DD, I would tell her we're not going to do it this time and that we can't always do everything we want. She will see that she can still have a good time without doing everything, everytime. Perhaps you can plan it for a future trip if it fits into your plans and budget.

 

[VirataMama4]

What about the Harmony Barber shop? They will put their hair into ponytails with color and "pixie dust." No make up so you wouldn't have to worry about your DD with allergies. Best part is it is less then $8!

 

[Samar]

I too wouldn't spend all of *my* money on something frivolous like that, especially if it is not their first time. If it was something that my kids NEEDED, then I wouldn't mind it.

I like the Barber Shop idea! Paint their nails beforehand, carry your own makeup in your suitcase and sparkle up their hair

 

[3girlsfun]

I would spring for it if you have the money, other wise, I would go ahead and book it for the March trip, and explain that will give you time to make the perfect Jasmine outfit! Might give her something to look forward to since it will no longer be her "birthday" trip. Although, if it is really going to be a cloud over the trip, I would do it!

 

[chrisw127]

My first thought was no, mainly because I don't really care for how BBB makes the girls look, but then I re-read your post and realized she's turning 7 and really, this might be the last time she wants to do something like this. For that reason alone, I say go for it.

Let us know what you decide to do!

 

[belle&beast]

My opinion is to go for it. My DD will be 9 this summer and she would have nothing to do with BBB after age 7. I would love one more chance to dress her up as a princess, but she is beyond the princess years. And I never thought I would be saying that!

 

[surfergirl602]

would you even be able to get a reversation in three days?

 

[courtneylauren]

If you can get a reservation at BBB, do it, because she won't be interested for too much longer.
Or, do the Harmony Barber Shop. Very cute and affordable, so the cousin may be able to do it as well.

Have fun!

 

[scarlet_ibis]

We ended up not doing it. I didn't want to spend the money OR take the time out of this trip. For that reason, too, we didn't do the barber shop. Nobody in my family wanted to get out of bed in the morning ( ) so anything without FPs that built up a big line because we weren't there first thing got skipped.