New BBB pricing structure/hairstyles

[frosty714]

I just heard from a friend that they have removed the $65 option at BBB and the cheapest option is now $99 and you get a t-shirt with it. I called to confirm and they said they would work on updating the app to reflect the price change (as I just was able to book activities for our Feb cruise and the app still says starting at $64.99). I also heard the hairstyle options are now different and include a couple of colored pony tails, a flower crown, hair extensions, or bun. The website does reflect the new pricing...just thought people with upcoming appointments may want to know!

 

[yowcruiser]

Yes, this has been making the rounds on social medial in the last 24 hours or so...

 

[KashasMom]

Absolutely ridiculous price increase!! It makes me laugh when people talk about all the "nickel and diming" on other lines. And to not grandfather in
people already booked is really cheap.

 

[lklgoodman]

Absolutely ridiculous price increase!! It makes me laugh when people talk about all the "nickel and diming" on other lines. And to not grandfather in
people already booked is really cheap.

So people who booked before the increase was announced have to pay the increased price??!! Wow, that's bad of DCL! I'm so glad my dd has outgrown the princess stage. She did the princess tea many years ago when it was FREE (didn't include all the swag, but she already had most of it)

 

[frosty714]

So people who booked before the increase was announced have to pay the increased price??!! Wow, that's bad of DCL! I'm so glad my dd has outgrown the princess stage. She did the princess tea many years ago when it was FREE (didn't include all the swag, but she already had most of it)

Yeah exactly...people are being surprised when shown the package price list on board. They really should have made an announcement about it...

 

[otten]

Yeah exactly...people are being surprised when shown the package price list on board. They really should have made an announcement about it...

Yes particularly because not doing so is really unfair to the crewmembers who have to explain to unhappy guests.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yeah exactly...people are being surprised when shown the package price list on board. They really should have made an announcement about it...

If they had read on the DCL website the specifics about BBB, they would have read this:

*All package components and related information, including costume sizes, experience duration and prices, are subject to change without notice.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique/

 

[lklgoodman]

If they had read on the DCL website the specifics about BBB, they would have read this:

*All package components and related information, including costume sizes, experience duration and prices, are subject to change without notice.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique/

Regardless if they had it listed at the lower price when it was booked by someone then that's the price that person should pay. Do you check every single thing for your cruise multiple times a day to see if anything has changed since you booked it. I check mine if there's something I need to change, but I'm not going to stalk the website constantly for changes. When they increased the price for Remy, Palo, and tastings I thought it was grandfathered for those who booked before the increase was announced. Maybe it wasn't, we didn't have an upcoming cruise then. My dd isn't interested in doing BBB, but I still feel bad for those affected by this.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Regardless if they had it listed at the lower price when it was booked by someone then that's the price that person should pay. Do you check every single thing for your cruise multiple times a day to see if anything has changed since you booked it. I check mine if there's something I need to change, but I'm not going to stalk the website constantly for changes. When they increased the price for Remy, Palo, and tastings I thought it was grandfathered for those who booked before the increase was announced. Maybe it wasn't, we didn't have an upcoming cruise then. My dd isn't interested in doing BBB, but I still feel bad for those affected by this.

Yes, they grandfathered those people who had already booked for the Palo/Remy/tastings price changes. As well as those people who'd booked cabanas prior to the big price increase a few years ago.

I don't know whether the "subject to change" wordage was included on those things before the prices changed. I do know the wordage was on the website for BBB prior to the price change.

Whenever I book things, I do look for such "fine print" just so I'm not surprised when/if things change.

 

[yowcruiser]

So, here's the catch on this one. Since May 2019, one does not book a specific package when booking online, but an actual appointment time. So technically speaking, there is nothing to grandfather as no one would have booked the $65 package - but an appointment time to pick and choose. DCL waited to implement now...so that they do not have to grandfather anyone, as the new booking system has been in place for close to 6 months...

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Yes, they grandfathered those people who had already booked for the Palo/Remy/tastings price changes. As well as those people who'd booked cabanas prior to the big price increase a few years ago.

While they did grandfather people in who had these experiences booked prior to the price increase, my experience was I had to remind them I was supposed to be charged the lower price. At Palo, I was presented with a check with the higher price. I told my server I was supposed to be charged the pre-increase price. The server said he'd check on it and came back and said they couldn't confirm that. Then a manager got involved. They still said they didn't have confirmation. I'd been sitting there, done with my meal and waiting for them to work out the check for over 15 minutes and had to go meet my daughter for an activity. They finally suggested I pay the higher amount and they would credit me the difference if they were able to verify I was supposed to pay the lower amount. I did just so I could get out of there and had plans to go to guest services later in the day. But to their credit, about an hour after the meal, they left a voicemail for me applogizing for the confusion and telling me they'd credited my onboard account with the difference. But if I hadn't been aware that I was supposed to be grandfathered and insisted on the lower amount, I would have definitely been paying the higher cost.

Back to the topic of BBB, I think they should either grandfather in those people who booked it prior to the increase, or at a minimum, email people with it booked to inform them of the price increase.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Back to the topic of BBB, I think they should either grandfather in those people who booked it prior to the increase, or at a minimum, email people with it booked to inform them of the price increase.

But, as pointed out, they didn't book a specific cost event, only an appointment time. What do they grandfather them with? The lowest cost at the time of the change? The highest cost? A middle of the road cost of what's available now?

 

[otten]

But, as pointed out, they didn't book a specific cost event, only an appointment time. What do they grandfather them with? The lowest cost at the time of the change? The highest cost? A middle of the road cost of what's available now?

It’s not complicated. If they wanted to they could grandfather in those who already booked by allowing them to still select what was previously the lowest cost option when they arrive at the appointment.

Personally I think in the scheme of a Disney cruise 35 dollars or even 70 if like me you have two kids going is too small an amount to wring my hands over but I do feel bad for there crew who will bear the brunt of the guest drama over it.

 

[gotomu212]

If they had read on the DCL website the specifics about BBB, they would have read this:

*All package components and related information, including costume sizes, experience duration and prices, are subject to change without notice.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique/

With all due respect that’s boiling plate language which is on just about everything you book to cover them, and is VERY different than standing in the boutique with an excited 5 year old and being told that your experience has increased in price $30- $100 over what you were told when making an appointment. It leaves a very poor taste in people’s mouths.

 

[otten]

With all due respect that’s boiling plate language which is on just about everything you book to cover them, and is VERY different than standing in the boutique with an excited 5 year old and being told that your experience has increased in price $30- $100 over what you were told when making an appointment. It leaves a very poor taste in people’s mouths.

And if you book right now it still shows 64.95 and up as the price.

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

Wow, that price is just too high for what you get. I've heard of people bringing their own princess dresses and doing their daughter's hair and nails in the room. That sounds like a better plan than BBB at these prices.

 

[KashasMom]

So people who booked before the increase was announced have to pay the increased price??!! Wow, that's bad of DCL! I'm so glad my dd has outgrown the princess stage. She did the princess tea many years ago when it was FREE (didn't include all the swag, but she already had most of it)

We did the tea (maybe 7 years ago?) and it was so sweet! I don't think I'd have paid what it costs now - swag or not.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

The Swim Package now is WAY more expensive than it should be. DD did that package in 2017 when it was $65 and I though it was a little steep for what you got, but still a good BBB bargain for what my kid valued (a two piece swimsuit! fun sunscreen!) The new price is absolutely bonkers.

 

[MAmama78]

Count me among those who has an upcoming appointment booked for February. It was actually very difficult to figure out the current menu. I think I had to use Google and I wasn't sure if I had found up-to-date information. I may have some sticker shock, but I won't feel duped because the pricing was not transparent in the first place!

 

[DisneyPups]

I agree. I booked for both my kids for Jan, with the understanding that they were only getting the basic package. We are bringing a dress for my 4yo, and I even snagged the BBB shirt and tutu at the outlet for my 7yo who has aged out of dresses, but wanted to try to BBB experience. Now I am paying an extra $70, for 2 kids with extremely curly hair (I mention this only bc the hairstyles are not going to be the same for them), b/c it's booked and it's been the Christmas present for months. You're right, they can't grandfather in the price b/c no one has paid yet. But how about switching over to eliminate the lower priced option at a certain time beyond what has been already reserved? Because how many people are going to tell their kids "sorry kids, I know I promised you BBB once in your life, but it just so happens that this already ridiculously priced experience has become even more ridiculously priced?"