Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or 'Ho'tique

[Elliott]

I know this might upset a few, but I was extremely disappointed last week at the BBB. DD(5) was going to the MNSSHP as Snow White and we took her to the Downtown Disney BBB in preparation for it. We then found out that they only have 3 hairstyles available---

1) a super slicked back with glitter gel bun that has a mickey pin
2) ponytail with long hair extensions, and a spikey scrunchy
3) ponytail with long hair extensions and no spikey scrunchy

---none of which look like any Disney princess I have encountered and not even like the little girl in their brochure.

Our daughter has an above the shoulder bob of dark hair, very Snow White already. When I asked if they could just curl it under and put in a headband, the woman suggested option #3 and actually said "that looks like Snow White" (Walt Disney rolled over). When I informed her that we wanted our DD to look like Snow White, not Ho' White (not in those exact words) she got offended and suggested I buy the wig!

We had seen a bunch of little girls wearing their BBB sashes with the make-up and glitter and hair extensions in the parks, but there is no accounting for taste and we assumed the parents of these girls felt their daughters looked appropriate. Perhaps it is only my conservative streak busting through but aren't our daughters being forced to grow up quickly enough without Disney reinforcing the idea that they need makeup and glitter to be beautiful? Perhaps the BBB treats girls as princesses but they look like anything but a princess when they are finished with them.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

 

[RMulieri]

heads up...prepare to be flamed.

 

[lmillercrew]

I'm not going to flame you because I believe as you, that our girls are growing up too fast. I've never been to BBB so I can't speak from experience, but I have however read posts of others not exactly happy with the $$$ spent. I read that others have skipped the BBB and done their own style with glitter hairspray and a small crown that can be bought at any Claire's. I think that the FGIT are probably trained on those three hair styles just for the purpose of time and convenience. Can you imagine how many girls go through there on a daily bases and how many different styles and hair types? I think that the bun thing is the easiest to do. It saves on choices that can be made.
Sorry that your experience wasn't what you hoped it would be. Next time, do as others do and have a BBB of your own. Spend your $$$ somewhere else.

 

[Elliott]

Thanks for holding the flames lmillercrew, and we did skip the BBB. I am just surprised that after seeing the end result, EVERYONE doesn't skip the BBB and that has nothing to do with the $$$! It's because IMHO the BBB make-up, etc. borders on sexualizing young girls, much like the baby beauty pageants do and that is not what I expect from Disney, although with the "Hanna Montana" and "High School Musical" crap that is gaining an ever increasing percentage of Disney merchandising space I shouldn't be surprised.

 

[swald91]

No, I'm not going to flame you either... In Aug we took our son (7) & daughter then (11) I didn't like either of the hair extension styles & I really didn't like the bun (her hair was in a bob-longer at the chin) well, they did an ok job but they couldn't pull it all up-only the sides & top -left the back down with a bun???! And yes, our kids grow up too fast & clothing stores just make them grow up all the faster!!!

 

[traci]

It's not really our taste either. But, I can see how little girls would find the BBB fun. My princess is still into bows and such, so I do her hair and she thinks that's cool (atleast for now LOL!) To each their own

 

[DVCsince02]

You get a choice of 3 styles when you go in, there is no other option. You don't like the choices, don't pay for it.

The girls that do the hairstyles only take a hairbraiding class for this job. That's it. No curling irons are used so someone isn't accidentally burned or hair singed.

While I agree some of the styles are a bit "different", our DD has had all three hairstyles and loves the attention she gets from it.

 

[natnelliesmom]

I absolutely 100% agree with the OP. I have made these same observations here on the boards and have been flamed for it. Now I just keep my mouth shut- and my DH and I just silently cringe at the little princess prostitutes we see walking around MK.
How anyone can think that a little girl with greased back hair and long plastic hair extensions looks like a Disney princess- is beyond me.
They just look like pedophile bait.
I have seen some beautifully dressed little princesses in Disney World. Gorgeous hair bows, tastefully styled and sprinkled with glitter. But none of these walked out of the BBB.
It's just too bad that Disney has to sexualize these little girls. They just want to look like their favorite princess. I have never seen glitter gel in Ariel's hair?
-Sarah

 

[traci]

I posted earlier that BBB is not our thing, but to refer to these little girls as ho's, or princess prostitues is so harsh to me And although I wont take my little one to BBB, I can see how comments like that can be hurtful to the mommies that do take their daughters there.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I agree with almost all of the pervious posts. My daughter is more of the "tomboy" type and hasn't expressed an interest in the BBB. I love the idea of a boutique for little princesses, but the product dosn't seem all that "princessy" to me either. I would just do the hair yourself and spend your hard-earned money elsewhere at the World.

 

[ajh88]

I dunno - I'll agree to disagree. My DD doesn't wear make up and hair extensions every day (well, EVER!) - except at her "makeover" at BBB. I don't go get my nails done everyday either - but when I do, it makes me feel nicer, a little special I suppose. When hers was done, she still looked like a little kid - in a fancy dress and sparkles in her hair.

It's not your thing - that's OK. I think it might be a TAD harsh to call it a "Ho-tique" and I didn't see any Ho-like makeovers done when I was there. If putting make-up on makes a child like a "Ho", then my DD did it a LOT when she was little because she LOVED playing dress-up with my make-up.

I guess I can see a difference between playing make-believe dress up and saying you have to do these things to be beautiful, or saying since I took you to this place, I condone you wearing make up all the time at 6 years old.

My DD had a great time there, I did think she looked like a beautiful princess (Ariel on her wedding day) when she was done and if she really wanted to do it again, we would. "Normal" photo is last!

But just to play devil's advocate, isn't the very idea of dressing up your child as a princess (with or without BBB) having them act older than their age? The princesses are all old enough to fall in love and get married after all.

ETA: I decided to figure out if I could add photos - I'm not trying to change anyone's minds here - I understand it's not for everyone and that's A-OK by me! But I also don't think my DD looked anything like a "Ho" when she left there. She didn't care for the lip gloss too much so it got wiped off pretty fast, but the Burt's Bees I put on her for chapped lips now gives her more of a lipstick look than this did!

 

[genius118899]

uh-oh. I was hoping to splurge on my 5 year old sister in February- since I'm in college I don't see her much and love to spoil her rotten! My parents are conservative and think today's society encourages girls to grow up too fast- should I just buy her a princess dress and do her hair pretty instead?

 

[Sorahana]

I don't know, I think the BBB is kind of silly, but hey the kids enjoy it so its cool.

My mom shared a story with me when she came to visit me on my CP. She said a girl who had just gone to BBB was with her mom, dad, and brother. Well the brother says he wants to go in the pool when they get back to the hotel and then the sister says "so do I" and the mom was like "NO WAY! You just went to the BBB, it was expensive!".

It's great if you'd like to do something for that for your kid though. I definitely wouldn't call it a "ho" tique though.

I'm just a bit sad that in DTD you can get made over like Hannah Montana now *sigh*.

 

[np4gp]

I don't know if they would have curled her hair or not, but Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street does do a great $14 kids hair cut and your little boy or girl can opt for some fun colors and confetti sprinkles. It would be worth calling and asking if they might be able to do your daughter's hair up like Snow White - albeit you will probably have to provide your own head band.

PS. If you are using a credit/debit card, have cash for a tip. Unlike most other hair stylists, you cannot add a tip to your debit/credit card transaction there.

 

[Schmeck]

"Ho"tique - From the photos I've seen posted on this board, I'd have to agree, actually. I haven't seen one photo that looked nice, they all look so severe and nasty and overdone.

Edited to add - the bun looks a lot less trashy than the frizzy hair thing, but is still looks too severe, not nice at all.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I won't flame you either.

My DD (5) has no desire to go to BBB, even though she truely believes she is a princess.

She has no desire to sit for an hour to be made -up and she has also told me she doesn't think those girls look like princesses.

Fine with me, saves me $100.00 because I agree with her.

 

[RMulieri]

I have stayed out if it , because the last thread like this over on the theme parks board got nasty and ugly..I guess moms tend to get upset when the Op calls the little girls hookers and prostitutes It is not my cup of tea, and DD really didn't want to do it so we didn't. Does it sexualize little girls? maybe.But unfortuantely most things these days seem to.I still can not believe some of the clothing for my 4 yr old and some of the tween Halloween costume choices for sale.But I would never call another little girl a prostitute or a 'Ho. If it is not your thing then don't go there plain and simple.But don't put down others that do, or call the grils ho's or prostitutes.Lots of little girls love it, and I have seen some very tasteful pretty princess makeovers.The Hannah Montana look is geared for the tweens that have pretty much outgrown the traditional princesses.While I was there (dd had an appt but decided not to do it when she saw what it was all about)I saw a little girl with pretty obvious facial deformities get made up, and she was thrilled, because for once to her and her family, she looked like a princess, and everyone said how pretty she was.her mom was all teary eyed and said to me she would have paid anything just to see her little girl smile .Anyway, like I said different strokes for different folks...

 

[traci]

I saw a little girl with pretty obvious facial deformities get made up, and she was thrilled, because for once to her and her family, she looked like a princess, and everyone said how pretty she was.her mom was all teary eyed and said to me she would have paid anything just to see her little girl smile .Anyway, like I said different strokes for different folks...

What a good point and well said.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I have not taken my daughter there yet however ,I will be in April and and she is thrilled. I have seen the girls walking around that have gone and they look exactly like they should - sweet little girls pretending and dressing up like a princess . Have you ever checked out one of the real disney princesses - they are very done up.

To call a child a HO or any other name is WRONG. Everyone is entitles to their opinion - but learn some manners and keep you mean and hurtful comments to yourself. What if one of these "ho's" heard you say that in passing - they would be crushed. Even worse what if someone called you child a HO.

Shame on you

PS - ajh88 - your daughter looks SO cute - just like a little princess and she looks thrilled in the picture.