Knight's package at BBB for girls?

[AussieDisneyMum]

Hi there! This might be a bit of a strange question, but does anyone know if there are any rules against girls doing the Knight's package at BBB or have any experience with it at all? My girls will probably do the princess BBB at some stage, but I think the Knight's package might be just as much fun for them (they already have knight costumes - but no shields or swords!). If anyone has any insight, I would really appreciate it.

 

[agamble]

Try calling (714) 781-7895 and ask directly.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

Hi agamble, I might try and do that, but between the time difference and the international call (I am in Australia), I was hoping someone would know from experience.

Not a problem -I will try guest relations by email and report back in case anyone else wants to know.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

To update, I have sent the email, and have had the auto-generated reply that they will respond within 5 days. I will let you know what they say when I get the email. Cheers!

 

[mummabear]

To update, I have sent the email, and have had the auto-generated reply that they will respond within 5 days. I will let you know what they say when I get the email. Cheers!

Good luck getting an actual response!
When I ask questions like this in the past I just get a copy and paste or link of what is already on the website (that doesn't answer you question)

 

[Niltiac]

I don't have personal experience, but I would think they would allow it. It seems kind of un-Disney to not allow a kid to pick the role they want to play. But if I were you I would try to get an answer either via email (as you are already attempting), or in-park without the kids noticing, so that if there is a problem they don't get their hopes up only to get turned down at the last minute.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

Niltiac, that is exactly what I was thinking. I doubt it comes up very often, but I also doubt they would have a problem with it. I am not, however, willing to risk the girls being disappointed on the day. I am hoping to get an email confirming that it is okay, and I would bring that email to the appointment and triple check a half hour before the appointment. My youngest is only 2, so she would not be allowed to do a princess BBB, but since the knight package needn't involve hair, I was hoping it would be something they could do together. Fingers crossed!

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

Really,it's just about having a cool sword and shield. I can probably purchase those separately even if they aren't able to do the 'makeover', per se.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Good luck with the response from Disney. I would be beyond dissapointed with them if they said no. I can't think why. It would be cool for your DD's. I personally think it is time for them to remove gender language and just say we offer this and that. Then you select based on what your child would like.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

Good luck getting an actual response!
When I ask questions like this in the past I just get a copy and paste or link of what is already on the website (that doesn't answer you question)

It wouldn't surprise me if they didn't want to commit publicly to a position in case it were interpreted as a gender politics position. I am not aiming for any political statement, just a fun Disney experience. If they could join 'Peter's pirate crew' with Jake and Izzy, they would be just as happy. Coincidentally, that also involves swords. My 4 year old plays ALL the roles from Jake and the Neverland Pirates - simultaneously. Her younger sister is just always deputised for whichever game it is, whether princesses, pirates or knights.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

Good luck with the response from Disney. I would be beyond dissapointed with them if they said no. I can't think why. It would be cool for your DD's. I personally think it is time for them to remove gender language and just say we offer this and that. Then you select based on what your child would like.

That would be the ideal scenario, I agree. Correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure girls are welcome to become pirates as well as mermaids. I can't see why it would be a problem. I can't be the first parent to ask, surely?

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

That would be the ideal scenario, I agree. Correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure girls are welcome to become pirates as well as mermaids. I can't see why it would be a problem. I can't be the first parent to ask, surely?

Exactly re Pirates! Also why the age limit BBB also. I have heard that kids with mental ages younger than their actual age have been denied access. Ridiculous. A friend of ours has a DD who is 15 but she has a mental age of 8. She would love to do BBB.

I don't think you will be the laat to ask and for boys who want to be a Princess.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

I doubt I am the first to ask on either count. It sure will be interesting to see what, if anything, they say in the email. If I don't get a straight answer by email, I will ask when we get to DLR. I can bring along their knight costumes regardless, and if they allow the 'makeover', great. If not, oh well, they will still get to be knights at DLR.

Wouldn't it be great if the new Star Wars Land had makeovers, too?

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm sure it will be fine.

The hair is slicked back or spiked up. With gel and big Mickey confetti tossed in. Do not expect any different hair.

Really,it's just about having a cool sword and shield. I can probably purchase those separately even if they aren't able to do the 'makeover', per se.

It's actually cheaper to get the knight package than to buy the same sword and shield separately.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Niltiac, that is exactly what I was thinking. I doubt it comes up very often, but I also doubt they would have a problem with it. I am not, however, willing to risk the girls being disappointed on the day. I am hoping to get an email confirming that it is okay, and I would bring that email to the appointment and triple check a half hour before the appointment. My youngest is only 2, so she would not be allowed to do a princess BBB, but since the knight package needn't involve hair, I was hoping it would be something they could do together. Fingers crossed!

Gender aside, she can't do any of it if she's two. They are very strict on that since the products they use are all rated for 3+. You certainly can buy the sword and shield, though (although as a PP noted, it's actually more $ to buy separately).

 

[agamble]

Good luck with the response from Disney. I would be beyond dissapointed with them if they said no. I can't think why. It would be cool for your DD's. I personally think it is time for them to remove gender language and just say we offer this and that. Then you select based on what your child would like.

The main reason I could see for them not allowing it is financial. The Knight package is much cheaper than the princess packages. So they may not want to encourage girls to go this route. The other would be the potential that a boy might want the princess package and if you allow one you have to allow the other. So it is possible they could say no, just as a blanket policy. IE they must be three and they must be a boy.

 

[SMD]

They do let boys get the princess makeover. Or at least I know of one who did it. I could also see it being financial because of the price difference, but until this becomes something that is requested often, I would push back if it's what the girl really wants. If Disney begins to consider it a problem they can raise the price. However, doing the knight's package is not a way around the minimum age. If the child isn't 3, they shouldn't be allowed to participate at all.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

If boys are allowed to get the princess package (thanks for the firsthand knowledge on that one, SMD!), then I can't see why girls wouldn't be allowed to do the knights one. SO long as I can buy the shield and sword for DD2, she will be happy - and her sister will be thrilled. It's all about the props!

I think my girls are a bit young for the princess packages. DD2, certainly, and the no under-threes has been explained to me as a liability issue. They don't allow it because at that age, the child might fall from the chair they sit in for the hairstyling and the make up application. That said, while under-threes can't do BBB, parents can buy them merchandise and (like in other locations), the FGITs can sprinkle 'fairy dust' in their hair - and for most under-threes (including mine), that is going to be magical enough.

But my girls have never worn make up or nail polish; they resist the idea of both, though DD4 loves wearing 'doughnut hair', whether for ballet class or princess dress ups, so I foresee a future trip with a princess makeover. However, at the moment, a sword, a shield and some pixie dust would be a perfect DLR 'knightly' experience for them. Even DD4, who is old enough, wouldn't be a fan of any hair styling from a stranger, but the pixie dusted hair - she would be all over that - it is something they do in her fairy ballet class every week when they are transformed into fairies for their class, so it is a familiar 'transformation' for both of them. And to meet a FGIT? Magic!

 

[Aladora]

The main reason I could see for them not allowing it is financial. The Knight package is much cheaper than the princess packages. So they may not want to encourage girls to go this route. The other would be the potential that a boy might want the princess package and if you allow one you have to allow the other. So it is possible they could say no, just as a blanket policy. IE they must be three and they must be a boy.

I would be absolutely shocked if Disney took this stance and I would feel as though they would open the company up to some pretty serious legal issues.

The age restriction is there because of a safety issue, the products they use are not rated for use on anyone under the age of 3. To refuse someone service because they do not fit the gender norm of a person who would normally use the service is just wrong.

My son is not interested in in getting a makeover, either princess or knight, but if he did ever want a princess makeover and was refused I would be furious.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

It is interesting that it is cheaper to get the sword and the shield cheaper inside the package than separately. I don't expect anything but being able to purchase the sword and shield for DD2 and maybe some pixie dust - that's all I meant about her being able to participate - I am sorry I wasn't clear. Like a lot of little sisters, she just wants to be like her big sister. Since her sister won't be getting gelled or styled either (her hair is waist-length, so I don't go anywhere without putting it up before we go), it will be a very similar experience just to get the props. DD4 will get to talk to a FGIT, which is part of the draw of attempting the knight's package over just buying props for both girls, but DD2 is too shy for talking to strangers anyway, so I think it will work out.

Thanks for all the input, folks. It will sure be interesting! I will be quite sad if DD4 is prevented on gender grounds, but she will not be exposed to the possibility. A discreet double-check before the appointment time should eliminate doubt - and if they cancel at the last minute, another child will get a shot at the BBB - which might make their day a bit more magical.