Thoughts and Observations, June 21-25th

[petals]

D365 is in DTD, right outside the GCH entrance. It is also makeover place, but they do funkier hairstyles (bows, color strands, etc). They also do make up. I think it's starts at $19.95, so much more affordable. We've done them there twice and I loved it both times.

The lady did apologize, but it was weird to me that she just got into line. I mean, I guess there wasn't much more she could do, but....

Once I get the Photopass+ finished, I'll be sure to share that picture!

The D365 place sounds cool.

 

[momof4fans]

It may be worth doing one castle and one coach package, which is what we did. They allow up to 6 into the m& greet with the princesses and due to a little bit of pixie dust from the BBB manager, they allowed all 3 of my girls in the pictures even though only one bought the castle package, one did the coach package and one didn't do anything at all.

We were feeding 4 adults and 2 kids (one didn't eat) at BB and it was right around $200 I think.

So how did that work out with the dresses? Did you buy one of your kids a dress in the BBB and brought one from home? That could get ugly with my girls.

Do you have to buy a dress to do the castle package? Is it the same price either way? I can buy a pretty nice dress at the Disney Store online for less than $100. Are the ones in the BBB even nicer? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm curious...

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

So how did that work out with the dresses? Did you buy one of your kids a dress in the BBB and brought one from home? That could get ugly with my girls.

Do you have to buy a dress to do the castle package? Is it the same price either way? I can buy a pretty nice dress at the Disney Store online for less than $100. Are the ones in the BBB even nicer? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm curious...

I'm happy to answer questions Yes, you need to buy a dress as part of the castle package. The price for the castle package is a "starting at" I believe and depends on what dress you pick. I had actually bought dresses for all 3 girls online (so all had new dresses in the end), mostly because I wasn't sure what they had in stock in their sizes at BBB and didn't want to risk not having a dress, especially for my older girls. We're also going back for Halloween, so they will be their costumes for the party. My older two (10 & 8) have been able to do the whole thing before, so they knew this really was for their little sister (3). She has had to sit and watch their makeovers at D365 for two years as well, so it did balance out for us.

I actually prefer the quality, colors & fabric of the Disney Store dresses, but that's just me. For example the Merida dress my oldest wore was a nice teal chiffon style and the one at the BBB was a dark green velvet like style. The little one wanted an Elsa dress, which have been impossible to buy online, but were in stock at BBB, so it was also a special circumstance. The makeovers were a surprise to all the girls, although I did discuss the plan the day before with the older two. It worked out well in my family because one didn't want a makeover at all and didn't care where her dress came from, one wanted a makeover and was able to do it and therefore also didn't care about her dress and then the little one. And in all honesty, the special treatment (photo shoot & princess meet & greet) they all got to participate in. The store was so chaotic I think they were happy to skip that part.

 

[tatsmx]

We got there about 10 mins before the appt to check in, but after that it got a but chaotic. They told us to look around and a FGIT would help pick out a dress, but DD knew she wanted Elsa, so it was done before anybody came to help (ODD brought a dress with us). It was so crowded though, I felt like I was in the way no matter where I went. They allowed my two who brought dresses to change in the dressing room as well and once we were ready they sat them and gave us a bench to watch. I'd say the whole makeover was maybe 40 mins. They told us to the photo shoot after that and asked us to wait outside and they'd bring the photos to us - we probably only waited 5 mins. Then another FGIT came out and escorted us to the meet & greet where we walked by the line and entered through a side door. Meet & greet went smoothly and was totally worth it. I'd say in all it took us about 70 mins.

I think we'll go back to D365 next time, but it was fun especially for my little one.

thx for all the tips!!! just to confirm... there are no more photopass photographers while the makeover is done, right??

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

thx for all the tips!!! just to confirm... there are no more photopass photographers while the makeover is done, right??

Correct. Kind of a bummer too because they did some great pics.

 

[momof4fans]

So let me make sure I understand. You bought one Castle Package for your youngest daughter because she wanted an Elsa dress. Your other two daughters were able to be in the photo shoot and be escorted to the front of the line at PFF with your youngest? Is this standard procedure? or was it pixie dust? Pixie dust it awesome but you can't count on it. Thanks!

And, I can't believe they don't have photographers in during the makeover anymore! Things are constantly changing, that is for sure!

 

[Mouser172]

That's great that you and your daughter didn't have to wait in line that long for the Anna meet n' greet, but did you feel a little uncomfortable when you met your hubby in line? I couldn't cut in front of other people when they have been waiting the whole time. I would worry about everyone hating me

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

So let me make sure I understand. You bought one Castle Package for your youngest daughter because she wanted an Elsa dress. Your other two daughters were able to be in the photo shoot and be escorted to the front of the line at PFF with your youngest? Is this standard procedure? or was it pixie dust? Pixie dust it awesome but you can't count on it. Thanks!

And, I can't believe they don't have photographers in during the makeover anymore! Things are constantly changing, that is for sure!

The photo shoot I am unclear on. They brought all 3 of them back and then asked who the pictures were for. I asked if it was possible to do one of the little one and one of all 3. She didn't know about having the one who didn't do anything in it (the one who brought her own dress and didn't have a makeover), so went to ask. She came back a minute later and said it was no problem. I'm guessing a bit of pixie dust here.

For the meet & greet, we were told a total of 6 people could go through with her, so her siblings could have gone whether they did anything at BBB or not.

We originally booked appts for my youngest and my son because it's all we could get. That day, my son didn't want any part of it, but one of my other daughters did, so they said she could take his appt. We had booked the castle package for my youngest, but my oldest was happy with the dress I had bought her from the Disney Store, so we kept it hair/make up for her. Having done this herself before, they were all completely on board about letting this be about their little sister and were just happy to get to do some too.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

That's great that you and your daughter didn't have to wait in line that long for the Anna meet n' greet, but did you feel a little uncomfortable when you met your hubby in line? I couldn't cut in front of other people when they have been waiting the whole time. I would worry about everyone hating me

In any other circumstance, I would never do it. In this situation though, the CMs are encouraging it. And we asked both times if that would be ok prior to getting in line. Had they said no, we would have all gotten in line together or skipped the meet & greet We waited until it was a good point to join him (when he was in the outer roped area) so we weren't pushing through and nobody seemed to mind. If they did, they didn't let on. It's unlike a ride in which you're taking space or a turn from somebody else, since we entered the meet & greet in one group.

Many people were doing the same thing, so I think most people were pretty understanding.

 

[momof4fans]

Thanks for the clarification! We will probably have to stick with two Castle packages because my girls will be 8 and 6 when we go. Neither would understand why one gets a dress there and one has to wear the one from home. They will both want to pick out a new dress. I just really want to do the PFF but I don't want to wait in line. And, you never know, by then my oldest might not want to do it. That will be her 3rd time at the BBB. She might be over it by then. Thanks for answering all my questions!

Steph

 

[TinkFlies]

Just booked D365 for an August trip. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Mouser172]

In any other circumstance, I would never do it. In this situation though, the CMs are encouraging it. And we asked both times if that would be ok prior to getting in line. Had they said no, we would have all gotten in line together or skipped the meet & greet We waited until it was a good point to join him (when he was in the outer roped area) so we weren't pushing through and nobody seemed to mind. If they did, they didn't let on. It's unlike a ride in which you're taking space or a turn from somebody else, since we entered the meet & greet in one group.

Many people were doing the same thing, so I think most people were pretty understanding.

Yeah for a meet n' greet I can see how it would be different. You're right about not taking anyone's spot like on a ride. Well played Disneying

 

[mummabear]

I am just curious that you met Cinderella, Ariel and Tina at PFF, rather than Anna and Elsa. Do you know why?

I am just thinking if I could get an Elsa dress and skip the huge queue to meet them I would upgrade our package to the Castle.
Can anyone confirm that they are holding Elsa dresses there?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I am just curious that you met Cinderella, Ariel and Tina at PFF, rather than Anna and Elsa. Do you know why? I am just thinking if I could get an Elsa dress and skip the huge queue to meet them I would upgrade our package to the Castle. Can anyone confirm that they are holding Elsa dresses there?

Because Elsa & Anna aren't at the PFF - they have their own meet & greet. And there is no way, regardless of what dress you buy or what package you get, that you'd skip the line to meet E&A. The escort is the PFF ONLY.

The Elsa dresses seem to come and go. Like I said, the Sat we arrived they had a ton in all sizes. By Tues, when we did the BBB, they were down to only XXS (2-3), although they did find one 6-6x in the back (exclusive stock of BBB).

 

[tiffjoy]

I am just curious that you met Cinderella, Ariel and Tina at PFF, rather than Anna and Elsa. Do you know why?

I am just thinking if I could get an Elsa dress and skip the huge queue to meet them I would upgrade our package to the Castle.
Can anyone confirm that they are holding Elsa dresses there?

I think you are thinking of the M&G for the BBB at WDW, not DL.

 

[mummabear]

I think you are thinking of the M&G for the BBB at WDW, not DL.

Ah yes I was