Should I dress up young DD for trip?

[ExcitedMama]

DD was only 1 last year for our first family trip and will be 2 for our next visit in December. She is just starting to love twirling in dresses. Should I dress her up for the visit? Will it be more fun for her or impractical in a princess dress? All the girls we saw last year looked so cute so I'm torn.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I made the mistake of not bringing any of my DGD's princess dresses the first time I took her to DL when she was 2 1/2. I ended up buying her one in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and she wore it every day. I had to keep washing it out in the hotel sink at night! She didn't like itchy dresses at that age, so I got her the "nightgown" versions of the dresses. She still prefers those!

I'd say you should bring her some dresses and if she wants to wear them, at least you'll have them and won't have to pay in-park prices.

 

[3monkeys4me]

My oldest always got irritated by the dresses in while in the parks. I would either just put the dress on over clothes or bring it with to put on during a character meal or during a meet and greet.

Another option I have seen is to use the deluxe nightgowns, instead of the costume, they are less itchy.

My youngest loves to dress up and does wear princess dresses around town a lot. She, like her big sister, gets tired of wearing the dresses in the parks. We usually get a cute princess tshirt, pair it with a matching tutu skirt and add a tiara (that usually ends up in my purse at some point)

Have fun on your trip!

 

[YukonMommy]

My thought is to pack whatever princess/fairy dresses you have for her. This way you can either let her wear it to the park or let her wear her normal clothes and pack the opposite. I am assuming you are bringing a stroller so the extra outfit in a Ziploc bag is not going to take up that much room. This way you are ready for whatever the day brings.

My girls were 11 and 9 on our last trip and although they did not have Disney princess dresses they brought their sparkly Christmas type dresses to wear and of course their tiara's (I brought my tiara to!!)

Other than that my kids like to wear Disney themed tshirts and of course their ears hats!

Have a magical time!

 

[lalasmama]

My DD preferred a tutu and matching tshirt, with leggings underneath. Comfy, nothing scratchy, just a smidge different than most costumes, and matching shoes can be much more comfortable! And everyone still called her princess

 

[rms123]

We always have an extra suitcase with princess dresses. Even at 100 degrees in the summer she wanted to wear them. She always wears them with comfy shoes though.

 

[ehrawn]

DD was only 1 last year for our first family trip and will be 2 for our next visit in December. She is just starting to love twirling in dresses. Should I dress her up for the visit? Will it be more fun for her or impractical in a princess dress? All the girls we saw last year looked so cute so I'm torn.

Elsa and Darth Vader think a home-made alternative to a full princess dress is much more comfortable. Seriously, lots of sweaty, cranky kids in the park that day.

 

[Chelsea524]

I'm a big fan of cotton Princess dresses in the parks. There are so many available places like etsy, or there are patterns out there that are pretty easy to sew.

 

[ktlm]

When my DD was 2, she loved wearing her full blown princess dress at WDW- and it would have been the same at DL. She wore it all day every day. I only really planned on her wearing it Princess meal day- but she had other plans, so dirty or not, that's what she wore. She is pretty senstive to itchy too, but she didn't care-she wasn't taking that dress off. Some kids won't wear it all day, so I would have a change of clothes handy. Also- I would not do any type of Princess shoes. Stick to "sensible" comfortable shoes. There is no reason she can't wear sneakers with a princess dress, or whatever else she would normally wear.

DD also loved to twirl- still does at 8 - and is a total girly girl who prefers dresses. Even at age 4, when she did not want to wear the Princess dress every day of our trip, she still wanted to wear dresses every day. Actually it works out well, because it makes for some cute pictures with the characters.

 

[elaine amj]

I did the nightgown version - even when my DD was a little older. She loved it

 

[mom2rtk]

This time passes way too quickly. Go with it.

 

[cmpeter]

I always planned for both options when dd was little. Wear her dress but have a regular clothes back up.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I'm pretty crafty, so I have always made my DD outfits to wear to the park. They're mostly cotton jumpers, dresses, or skirts with matching shirts. Typically, she has one for each day we're there.

If I didn't sew, I'd order one one of the many peasant-style dresses off of Etsy.

Lots of advantages--washable, more comfortable, breathable fabric, unique, less expensive. It's also nice to be able to make her an outfit for a character or film (or ride, for that matter) that isn't available in a standard costume.

That said, we did the full-blown BBB makeover last year, and she LOVED that experience, but wanted to change out of the dress during our afternoon break.

 

[TheChapman6]

I think it's super fun to dress them up even if only Minnie shirts and such. You can find them at wal mart, Target, kohls, etc. I also buy new pjs so when we get back to the hotel they are excited to put them on before they fall asleep!