Seems I might be too late..

[BubblesNH]

We brought DD Minnie Mouse costume which she wore to MK and had her face painted in the park and the pictures are some of the best. Especially when she met Minnie in one the the character meeting spots.

Norway is hard to get into for breakfast right now because of Anna and Elsa.

Good Luck and have fun!

 

[nadiat]

To make a bibbidy bobbidy boo reservation and to see if there is any availability, do i have to keep calling?

 

[princessekrus]

For BBB you have to keep calling.

I did this for a Columbus Day Trip - trying to get an appointment ON COLUMBUS DAY, which also happened to be my DD4's birthday. I too had gotten busy with life and missed my window for calling (even though I knew better! )

I called 3-4 times a day in the two weeks leading up to the trip. I was able to get an appointment at Downtown Disney for BOTH of my daughters. I had to be flexible as to time, but since this was the ONE must do for for my DD4, I made it a priority.

I have also had luck in the week before going managing to snag a dining reservation for something like Akershus Princess Dining (which I do like as well, if not better than the Castle). It will depend how many people you are trying to get it for (6 will be tougher than 4), but is totally doable. Just keep checking the website.

Also - know what your priorities for - are any of these things a MUST do - so much that you would re-arrange your whole day for them (like BBB). Just figuring this out ahead of time, will help you when the person on the phone says "I have two downtown disney BBB appointments at 4 o'clock in the afternoon". On deciding whether it's worth it to you to take that, or skip it.

1900 Park fare is a great alternative "princess" dinner as well (especially if you end up with a BBB afternoon appointment at DD). We actually did this (on purpose) for DD4's birthday and it was beyond fabulous. Cinderella and the prince were their lovely selves, but Anastasia spent about 15 minutes with my two girls, and had us all laughing so hard we were crying. Best interaction I have had with any character EVER.

Don't stress, it will be fabulous, and there are lots of opportunities to see characters and princesses without having to see them at a meal.

 

[nadiat]

I can get a reservation at the downtown disney bibbity boutique. I heard the castle is better…. what is your opinion?

 

[3happydancers]

I can get a reservation at the downtown disney bibbity boutique. I heard the castle is better…. what is your opinion?

I would book it for DTD and then check in once in awhile to see if you could get an appointment at the castle. If a slot opens up in the castle, book it and then cancel the one at DTD. At least this way, you little one still gets her make-over!

 

[glvsav37]

I can get a reservation at the downtown disney bibbity boutique. I heard the castle is better…. what is your opinion?

IMO the DTD one is better simply because its bigger. They both do the same thing. You'll want to be able to take pictures of the process and the MK could get a little cramped if you have a large party in there. The DTD one is more of a 'salon' setting.

However, the drawback is that you have to go to DTD which could be out of the way and takes a decent amount of park time away.

as the other poster said, if it is a MUST HAVE, then snatch it up but keep on checking for the MK one.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I am going to disney world with my kids (boy aged 7, girl aged 4, and a baby girl that will be 5 months old). We are going to disney world between the 18th of April until the 24th and then going on a three day disney cruise on the 25th 26th and 27th.
I didn't realize that I am too late but today when I tried to book bibbity bobby boutique (in the castle), disney royal princess dining, and chef mickey they told me it is all sold out for my dates.
I'm thinking those are probably the only things I would have needed to do and book for but I didn't realize I needed to book it in advance…

now what should i do? is it hopeless?

What about the cruise? Would they have the same thing?

Really appreciate the help! I haven't had time to sit down and plan my trip and now I seem to be missing out on those important features. (busy with 3 kids, studying for my university classes… things are crazy right now)

All is not lost! I just saw a Chef Mickey's ADR for April 21st at 8:25 PM. If that is too late for your family, there is plenty of availability for a party of 6 at Akershus (a great substitution for Cinderella's Royal Table) and Tusker House (a great sub for Chef Mickey's - just as PPs have said). I would make ADRs at these places and then keep checking for the others. If CM and CRT never come available, you still will have some super cool places for your kids to eat and meet the characters. On our Mother/Daughter trip I was able to finally get Cinderella's Royal Table about a month before we left. So it does happen!

Just an FYI, some of the restaurants only have characters at certain meals.
Chef Mickey's, Akershus, Crystal Palace & Cinderella's Royal Table have them all day.
Cape May - only at breakfast
Tusker House - at breakfast and lunch
1900 Park Fare - Alice, Mary Poppins, Mad hatter at breakfast. Cinderella & Family at Dinner.

 

[princessekrus]

The BBB at DTD is bigger, and has a better "shopping" experience than the castle. They also have a magic mirror in the shopping area just to the right of the actual BBB salon, which my girls had fun with.

The castle location has wonderful ambiance - but it definitely a little cramped, and is clearly kind of "stuffed" in that location.

My preference is usually for the castle - mostly because I like being in the MK after they are done - but when we did it at DTD I was very happy. I would book the DTD location and see if you can find one for the castle.

They are both wonderful - and my girls did not seemed phased when we went to the DTD location in October, despite always having done the castle previously. The cast members (Fairy Godmothers in Training) are super wonderful at both locations and really make the girls feel special. I don't think you will be disappointed with either location.

 

[wendybeth75]

Don't give up. Check online/call as often as you can. Last October when we decided to go I looked online every night until I got everything I wanted.

 

[Tasmen]

An alternative to BBB is to look into making an appointment at the salon in the Grand Floridian. I believe you request a flower girl appointment and they will give your DD the princess treatment with hair, etc. You will need to bring your own extensions if you want those put in and a princess dress.

 

[Runnergal]

would we have had any character dining experiences on the 4 day cruise? We just cancelled our 4 day cruise and booked a 3 day cruise since it fit into our schedule better.

No character dining on the 4 day cruise, either. But don't worry. There were plenty of opportunities on the ship to meet the princesses. Make sure to check the daily navigator you receive in your room for where/when.

 

[aaturner]

Don't give up on check for the reservations! Things definitely open up at the last minute. A few years ago when we wanted to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table, we were told they were sold out for our entire trip, but to stop by the reservation area at the castle. On one of our days they told us they could get us in. So just keep trying! We enjoy the character meal over at the Garden Grill in Epcot, I know it is not all of the Fab 5, but you do get Chip and Dale!

 

[MouseMomx2]

would we have had any character dining experiences on the 4 day cruise? We just cancelled our 4 day cruise and booked a 3 day cruise since it fit into our schedule better.

No. There are no character meals on the 4-day sailings. They only occur on 7-day sailings on the Magic-class (Magic, Wonder) ships. There are, however, lots of meet & greets on all sailings which are, IMO, just as good as character meal interactions.

 

[crostorfer]

I tend to have the best luck with reservations one week out from my trip date. Good luck! I hope you find what you are looking for. The Chef Mickey's is probably more likely than the CRT. People who book CRT mean business, because you have to pre-pay for the meal.