princess dresses onboard?

[hnthomps]

My 2 year old has one princess dress (Sofia), which seems sufficient. I'm a little worried, however, that when we get on board (7 day Fantasy SWDAS) she's going to see all the other little girls wearing dresses all the time and want more.

a) Am I right that judging by photos, little girls are basically dressed like princesses all the time?

b) how much of a markup is there on princess dresses on board? There's an Elsa dress I can get for $20 today, worth it just to have two?

I kind of can't believe I'm even considering it.

 

[dreadpiraterose]

I think if you can get one for $20 today, that will be cheaper than anything on board. I definitely see kids dressed up pretty regularly, but not necessarily all the time.

 

[FeliciaL]

I think it depends on the cruise. However, you see lots of girls who have been Bibbity-Bobbity-Boutiqued daily. I'd do the extra dress for $20.

 

[lanejudy]

Lots of little girls will dress-up for the Princess Gatherings and also for dinner -- some nights, maybe not all. I'd say it depends on the family and the situation. I don't recall seeing a lot of kids dressed up just randomly during the day; most were in play clothes. The dresses available onboard were similar price as you'd pay in the parks and The Disney Store. If you can find a cheap one and your DD would like it, might as well have an extra since you'll have at least formal and semi-formal nights to dress-up.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[bcwife76]

My girls only wore their princesses dresses to ticketed meet and greets. They never wore them to dinner (though it was definitely an option we gave them, they just didn't want to). I would pick up the $20 dress now if you can, you won't find any on board that cheap.

 

[coloradocutie]

My girls wore them to the meet and greets, sometimes to dinner, always to the dance parties... for reference, when at home my girls wear them while riding on their bikes (with helmets), to school pick up, while climbing rocks, going to costco....

That being said, the dresses onboard are Disney Parks dresses... which are completely gorgeous and we love them but just be aware that the price tags can run upwards of $70. Any of the princess dresses pack easily in a gallon ziplock bag with the air squeezed out. If you can find a dress that you like and is a good price before you get on the ship, you could get it if you think she would enjoy it on the ship as well as when you get back home!

enjoy your cruise!

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

Check out AliExpress, I got my princess 5-6 dresses less than $10 each (free shipping). Just watch the sellers rating, read all descriptions, and expect to wait a month.
Here's a couple sellers I had good luck with:
http://s.aliexpress.com/bIN7BZfI
http://s.aliexpress.com/RnqiIZVF

 

[southerngirl528]

Totally agree that the prices of costumes onboard is going to be pretty much the same prices as in the theme parks which is pretty high.

I don't know if they carry them all year or not, but for most Christmas seasons Costco has had a cardboard "treasure chest" with 3 darling princess costumes in them for a very good price. The costumes are not exact Disney knockoffs but super close and they were pretty well made.

And lastly, maybe it's just me, but I really love the Disney Store costumes better than the ones WDW has. I live right here in the Orlando area and am on property pretty often. I've bought a LOT of Disney costumes for my little princesses over the years.

 

[CesD]

When my girls were younger they wore them on formal night. During the day they either wore character t-shirts or lightweight dresses with characters on them. Definitely get dresses before u board to save $

 

[fab1976]

My girl will be 3 in April. When we sailed a few weeks ago she wanted nothing to do with princess dresses so we didn't even pack one. So no, not every 2 yr old girl wears princess dresses all the time .

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

My diva loves wearing them, she'll likely want to wear one everyday just like when we're in the parks.