For daughters which would you choose...

[tporter4]

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or Princess Tea at Grand Floridian. I can't - obviously - afford to do both. I currently have reservations for both and would like whichever I choose to be a surprise but I'm wondering, now, if I should allow them to choose?

If you have experience - or even if you don't but you have an opinion - I'd love to know which you would pick. My girls are 6 and 8.

Thanks!

 

[happymommy]

I would honestly ask them what they want! It's a lot of money, so get their feedback. They may want something different or neither (my DD wouldn't want either honestly).

 

[tporter4]

Thank you for the response.

Do you mean they may want something different at WDW? I ask because I'm not sure everything that is available and if I'm missing something to think about I'd love to know.

How old is your daughter? Why do you say she wouldn't want to do either? I'm still thinking of surprising them so I'd love some insight.

Thanks!

 

[NC Disney Fan]

I agree with the PP. It is a lot of money so I would get their opinion. We started going their when my daughters were 5 & 7. Oddly, my girls never wanted to do the Bippity Bobbity Boutique. They actually hated the way the girls looked when done. And they, at that young age, commented on how uncomfortable it would be to be dressed in the costumes. But that is my girls. Yours may think that looking like a princess all day would be the most special thing ever. The primping, the glamour and the attention they would get from cast members might be special.

The tea could be lovely and that might be wonderful and more important to them--a special time with Mommy?! Again, i would ask.

But let me state this about BBB. It is huge amounts of money. I have always thought, 'I could spend another two nights at the resort for that amount' or this could go towards…". If the money is not an issue, I would just warn you to plan the makeover carefully. If you do it when you are going to MK, remember, they will get wet on Splash so you may want to avoid that. Also, do it early so they get a full day's use out of it. Bring a rain poncho just in case so again, the effort will not be ruined in one Florida downpour. Also, think about how much your girls want to swim. I always cringe at the idea that you pay 200+ for this princess make over only to have the kids want to swim when they return to the resort. If my kids had done it, I would have probably made a no swim rule that evening and made them shower without getting the hair wet so it could last at least another day. See, I just just be too cheap.

Here is a hint: The barbershop on Mainstreet (in the left corner as you walk into the Magic Kingdom), will put color and pixie dust/confetti in your girls hair for about $8. a piece. My girls did it for a few years and always got quite a bit of attention because it is a little known secret. Your girls may just enjoy that just as much and then you can save some money. Again, you could feel them out on the topic without even asking them directly with some choice comments or some convenient computer planning with them like, "oh look, they have a bibbity bobby boutique or wow, they have a tea…" Good luck! You will enjoy your visit regardless. They are great ages to go!

 

[tporter4]

This is such a great response NC Disney Fan. Thank you so much. (By the way I'm in NC, too! Apex)

And thank you for the Main Street tip. I think that's way more up their alley when I think about the "comfort" of being dressed up (especially with my older one who has major sensory issues).

Anyway, lots to think about! Thanks so much!

 

[NC Disney Fan]

This is such a great response NC Disney Fan. Thank you so much. (By the way I'm in NC, too! Apex)

And thank you for the Main Street tip. I think that's way more up their alley when I think about the "comfort" of being dressed up (especially with my older one who has major sensory issues).

Anyway, lots to think about! Thanks so much!

We NC disney lovers have to stick together! I am actually a transplant from FL so I was well versed before going their with my girls. However, having been every year now for the past 7 years, for a week +, I am almost a pro!

In term of the BBB, I think they can just do the hair and makeup treatment and they can wear their own comfortable clothes. Maybe that is the way to go. I know that my girls have always worn sundresses any ways (we used to go in September) so they already looked like a BBB makeover would be okay. With sensory issues, I would definitely think through it. They really pull that hair tight and put on little tiaras or tiara clips. Would she be okay with that? Would the boutique be such sensory overload that it could be a disaster? My best friend has two boys with sensory issues so I sort of know about it. Anyways, just things to think about. Let me know if you have any other questions,especially if you haven't been before with the girls. We have almost done everything and ate everywhere so I can give you insight. Have a wonderful day!

 

[NutcrackerPrincess]

Our daughters will be similar ages when we go to WDW. We have never been and I am still in the research stages myself.

I agree with PPs that at those ages, asking them for input/an opinion/preferences would be my plan in your position.

Personally, I am not planning to do either. I am making my daughters Cinderella dresses and bringing them with us as a surprise for a visit to dine in Cinderella's castle. The BBB is frankly too expensive for my sensibilities, despite the fact that we might or might not be able to afford it, IYKWIM. I get that it is an experience, but to me (and I do not presume to speak for others) I would rather that money go toward the meal in the castle. Dresses purchased outside the park (even from the Disney store online) are cheaper, but then, I clearly don't see enough in the experience to justify the price.

I love high tea, but the one at the GF has only mediocre reviews. I would rather make high tea at an upmarket venue with spectacular food something I do with them at another time and focus on the things that can't be done elsewhere outside WDW.

This, of course, is only my opinion and I am giving it to give you a perspective. You know your kids, your budget and priorities for WDW best, and I am sure you will come to a decision you are happy with. I may even end up changing my mind, depending on what my DDs really want to do. Time will tell!

Have a great time, no matter what you decide to do. It will be a precious experience.

 

[nugov2]

This is such a great response NC Disney Fan. Thank you so much. (By the way I'm in NC, too! Apex)

And thank you for the Main Street tip. I think that's way more up their alley when I think about the "comfort" of being dressed up (especially with my older one who has major sensory issues).

Anyway, lots to think about! Thanks so much!

I had a dd I was on the fence about b/c I knew my dd 8 had no desire to be dressed up all day, but when I asked her she still wanted to do BBB. I tried to talk her into it for one day, but she wasn't on board. We just bought her a really cute, but also comfy outfit. She picked a skirt and a blingy tank top before we went on the trip. She loved BBB, being fussed over by the fairy Godmother and then the private photo shoot afterward and she isn't a really girly girl. It really is a great experience. I don't remember what it cost (I think it was $80 because we did an add on of a tiara, but without it more like $60) we already had PP+ now MM so the photo shoot was free. I will add all day long with her makeover every cast member and princess/ character at M&Gs made a big deal about it. Went we met characters without it the days that followed they weren't quite as over the top. She thought that was really fun. Just something else to keep in mind as an option. Not all kids want to do that big package. To be honest I didn't give rain or swimming a thought. I knew we'd be at the park most of the day and it did rain on us, but it didn't mess it up because she had a poncho. Plus I didn't care if it got ruined. We had the memories and the pictures...and it really was a fun experience. My kids would rather do experiences than spend it on souvenirs they will outgrow or lose interest in, so maybe cut back on that in your budget. Nothing replaces fun memories!!!

 

[poohfriend77]

This is such a great response NC Disney Fan. Thank you so much. (By the way I'm in NC, too! Apex)

And thank you for the Main Street tip. I think that's way more up their alley when I think about the "comfort" of being dressed up (especially with my older one who has major sensory issues).

Anyway, lots to think about! Thanks so much!

I don't think the barber shop does the color/confetti hairdo anymore, unless they just resumed it very recently. I was so disappointed when it went away. It was one of the best "secrets" at WDW!

 

[MandiC]

My girls were 7 and 9 when we went and for us, I definitely didn't want to do BBB. I wasn't a huge fan of how the final look was. We had princess dresses and I do a great ballet bun myself and we got the tiaras for them.
The princess tea sounds nice but I thought my oldest might be *too* old for it, I had seen on these boards that people say it is really geared towards the younger (4-6 year old) set. I've never done it so I can't give my experience but maybe someone who has will comment on that.

We did the pick a pearl for our girls at Japan in Epcot and they loved that. They do a little ceremony for the opening and then we picked a setting for them and now they each have a necklace, that they won't outgrow (they can always buy a longer chain) to remember their first trip to Disney World by

 

[robinb]

My DD loved BBB when she was little, but she hated the bun and princess look. She did the 'pop star' look instead. I don't know if they still do that style or not.

 

[NC Disney Fan]

I don't think the barber shop does the color/confetti hairdo anymore, unless they just resumed it very recently. I was so disappointed when it went away. It was one of the best "secrets" at WDW!

Say it isn't so? When did you go and what did they say? Maybe I should post the question on the Disboards…Oh, I am so sad about this!

 

[Tinkerdreams]

If given the choice, I would do the tea. Each girl will receive an American Girl doll dressed like Aurora. This may be more memorable as they will have a souvenier of the tea.

 

[happymommy]

Thank you for the response.

Do you mean they may want something different at WDW? I ask because I'm not sure everything that is available and if I'm missing something to think about I'd love to know.

How old is your daughter? Why do you say she wouldn't want to do either? I'm still thinking of surprising them so I'd love some insight.

Thanks!

I meant at Disney. Like, if they like the idea of a certain special meal somewhere or something I guess!

My daughter is 15, and has been a kind of tomboy pretty much all her life. At Disney, she always gravitated to the stuff at Innoventions at Epcot and stuff at DAK like seeing the animals. So to her BBB would be torture (LOL)! I used to struggle to get her to let me do her hair!

It is a good point to see what is available before mentioning it though. I'd hate to offer something like the pirate thing and then find out it's not available.

 

[buzznina]

Say it isn't so? When did you go and what did they say? Maybe I should post the question on the Disboards…Oh, I am so sad about this!

We were there last year and they still did the glitter but they stopped the color a couple years back. The glitter has also changed, it use to have mickey heads in it and now it is just colored glitter. We take our DD's there and then we would have them just sprinkle glitter into our hair(DW/DH) as well.

OP - Remember if you are going during summer wearing a gown all day will get VERY hot, so that is something to think of as well. Each of our DD's have Princess dresses that they still like to wear, so we would do the tea party.

 

[jacknsally19]

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or Princess Tea at Grand Floridian. I can't - obviously - afford to do both. I currently have reservations for both and would like whichever I choose to be a surprise but I'm wondering, now, if I should allow them to choose?

If you have experience - or even if you don't but you have an opinion - I'd love to know which you would pick. My girls are 6 and 8.

Thanks!

My daughter is too young to do either so I do not have first hand experience. But I have read so many wonderful reviews of the princess tea that my inclination would be to choose that... I am planning to do that for our 2015 trip!

 

[NC Disney Fan]

We were there last year and they still did the glitter but they stopped the color a couple years back. The glitter has also changed, it use to have mickey heads in it and now it is just colored glitter. We take our DD's there and then we would have them just sprinkle glitter into our hair(DW/DH) as well.

Thanks for the update. I bet my now pre and teen will still want a little Disney glam via the barbershop. We will plan accordingly! Did they still charge about $7.50 to do the "pixie dust"?

 

[amandajune]

I agree with most of these PP, in regards to feeling out how your DDs feel about it. When we went last year I thought my DD4(at the time) would love it as she loves all things girly and she was MISERABLE! Later she let us know it was because she had to miss out on rides and then sit and wait for her hair to be done... Lol. This year- no BBB and she has made sure we know that! Lol

 

[bushdianee]

I have taken my niece now 8yo 4 times and she has done BBB 3 of those times at ages 4,6 &7. We are talking about going again in June 2015 and she feels she is "too old for all of the princess stuff" and says she doesn't want to do BBB. Another niece who will be 5 by then might go and is still completely into princesses so who knows what the older one might decide. The last time she got the courtyard package instead of the princess bun.