Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

[celina14]

Hi all! Just a few questions about creating the ultimate princess experience for my daughter. We are planning a surprise 5th bday trip for her for Nov 2016. The plan is we will be in Disney on her actual bday (probably arriving a few days before). So I thought what would be better than spending your 5th bday being treated likely royalty?! I'd love to try and get her a reservation at BBB in MK and then a late breakfast or lunch ADR at CRT. So looking for advice with a few questions.

1. With booking BBB, can you do that at 180 days from your arrival like with ADRs or is it just a flat 180 days from the reservation date?
2. If it does follow the 180 from arrival, I've read that the BBB booking line opens later than the ADR one right? So if I make the CRT reservation first, what if I can't get the desired BBB time and it runs into my ADR? I want to try and book CRT as early as I can because I know it can be hard to get.
3. Is the castle package (the $200+ one) really worth it? Or is it just as good to bring a dress from home and do the cheaper package? This may be the only time she gets to do this because I don't know when we will go back again after this so part of me says to just splurge. But is it really any more special than just bringing a dress we purchased cheaper at home? Are the dresses there that much better? I do like the idea that she'd get to pick whichever princess she wants because it will be a surprise so I'd have to pick which princess dress to buy ahead of time if I don't get one there. Just don't know if it justifies an extra $100+.
4. Any other tips for a special princess day??

Thanks so much!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I call at my 180 days and book BBB sometime during my trip with the +10.

BBB can't be done online. You can make your ADR's online at 6 am but you have to call in at 7 am to make your BBB appointment. Whenever I've called at my 180 day mark I've always gotten the time I wanted. Twice were 8 am ADR's and once was an afternoon ADR right before lunch at CRT.

We've never done the castle package. We always bring our own dress from home which we buy at the Disney store. When she was 5 that was a surprise trip and I picked the dress. She didn't know about the trip until the morning of and didn't know about BBB until we got there. She was just in awe and happy to be there. This past trip she was 9 and we told them about 3 months ahead so she did pick her dress. We have gone in August and we try to get a lighter dress. Twice she's been Ariel and the dresses were sleeveless and lighter for that hot August sun. We never found these dresses at WDW. After BBB we go to the studio next door for the photo shoot.

DD has been three times at ages 3, 5 and 9. She's loved it every single time.

 

[mkla2015]

1- 180 + 10

2- Call BBB at 180 day mark, I doubt you'll have problems getting the time you want. We got an 8am appt next March followed by 945am breakfast at CRT. Depending on the time of day, BBB can get a little backed up so allow ample time.

3- We book the crown package $60, includes hair, make up, and nails and then we let DD pick the dress of her choice- we don't need anymore princess accessories.

4- Bring a brush/comb from home. I'm sure your DD will love it!