To BBB or not to BBB...?

[Sophie_2003]

Hello,

we have a three day trip comig up in two weeks (one day at AK, one at MK, and the third is still up in the air as we have Epcot ADR at Akershus (sp) for dinner.

I was able to get DD a BBB appt at 1h10 pm Sunday at MK; our only full day at MK. Now, she has no idea and she wouldn't know what she is missing. I think on one hand it will be a nice break from the heat and running around, however I am worried to lose too much time from seeing the park (it is a MNSSHP night so we'll be kicked out early).

Any advice, recommendation?

 

[tanyaandallie]

That's a tough one. We have not done BBB yet b/c all of our trips so far have been to short (and BBB was not open in MK). For a shorter trip, I might skip it. Unless you think your dd would just be thrilled with it!! I want to do it next time we go, but I also want our next trip to be a full week!

 

[disney_family_1247]

We just went two weeks ago and the MK location was open. After hearing all of the hype on these boards about BBB, I was anxious to see it for myself.

DH and I thought it looked like a huge waste of money. I guess if you go all out and do the costume and pictures, it may be worth it to someone. Those little girls had fancy hairstyles. The rest of the girls we saw had their hair pulled back into a bun and glitter sprayed into it. That is totally something that most moms can do themselves. I thought it would be something very princessy; instead I got the impression that it gave little girls an excuse to wear makeup while they walked around MK.

 

[Sophie_2003]

We just went two weeks ago and the MK location was open. After hearing all of the hype on these boards about BBB, I was anxious to see it for myself.

DH and I thought it looked like a huge waste of money. I guess if you go all out and do the costume and pictures, it may be worth it to someone. Those little girls had fancy hairstyles. The rest of the girls we saw had their hair pulled back into a bun and glitter sprayed into it. That is totally something that most moms can do themselves. I thought it would be something very princessy; instead I got the impression that it gave little girls an excuse to wear makeup while they walked around MK.

mmmm... I think I am beginning to agree with you. Perhaps the 50 bucks would be better spent on something we can bring home instead of nails and hairdo (which I know will be a pain in the butt to take outof my DD"s ultrasensitive hair!)

 

[elan]

I'd rather spend the money on mnsshp. I think it's $10 cheaper for a child's ticket. Lasts longer too.

It only takes 30 minutes for bbb so you won't loose too much time if you decide to do it.

 

[MousekeMommy]

I was not a fan of BBB when we went to DW this summer. I truly think that the time & $ spent could/would be better spent with mom/daughter time doing a bubble bath, her hair, maybe a little clear/sparkly nail polish and light lip gloss & a princess dress. Honestly, the make-up was a bit much (and I personally am a make-up person--just not for 4-10 year old girls). (I do want to point out, as a disclaimer, that I do not have little girls--I have 2 boys. Perhaps I just "don't get it"--but I am adoring aunt/godmother to 2 young girls that I had considered giving Disney dollars designated for BBB, but after my family trip, decided against it in favor of other gifts). I think that if your daughter has a special princess dress and spent some time doing her hair & perhaps a special occaision lip gloss/nail polish (things "my girls" and I love to do), she definitely wouldn't have any idea that she was any different than the girls who had gone to BBB (and you could do your own photo shoot, as well!). And you would have priceless mother/daughter time memories, as well. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

 

[sunlover13]

Go to the barbershop at MK instead. DD saw all the little girls with crowns & glitter in their hair and wanted it done to her hair too. I didn't want to spend the time or money at BBB. So, we waited about 10 minutes at the barbershop. Pixie dust is FREE there. Pixie dust is where they will spray your hair & then put a bunch of the Mickey confetti, etc. in your hair. DD was just as happy with this treatment. And it was FREE and took 30 seconds minus the 10 minute wait. Or, I heard they will do updo's with colored gel, etc. for $5. Seems like a lot less time & money than BBB with a very similar result........

 

[miksilver]

I second going to the barbershop. My DD had it done there with the gel and pixie dust and everyone in the park thought she had gone to BBB! It's cheaper and gets even more attention than the BBB hairdo's.

 

[KerriSue]

Go to the barbershop at MK instead. DD saw all the little girls with crowns & glitter in their hair and wanted it done to her hair too. I didn't want to spend the time or money at BBB. So, we waited about 10 minutes at the barbershop. Pixie dust is FREE there. Pixie dust is where they will spray your hair & then put a bunch of the Mickey confetti, etc. in your hair. DD was just as happy with this treatment. And it was FREE and took 30 seconds minus the 10 minute wait. Or, I heard they will do updo's with colored gel, etc. for $5. Seems like a lot less time & money than BBB with a very similar result........

This is a fantastic idea I think this is what I would do for my DD!!

 

[ShellyShell]

O geesh people the BBB is not for you it's for the kids. We know it cost but if you want to make your little girl feel special I think this is the perfect place to take them. You may not be all that happy about going there but the kids are and as far as i'm concerned it's totally about them when going to Disney.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

there are lots of pics and info on the thread link in my sig if you want to take a look.

 

[El&Asmom]

I was a total tomboy growing up, and thought if I ever had dds, that they would be too. Funny how they decide who they want to be. DD is a total princess girl. She thought getting made up at BBB was the best part of the trip. It wasn't cheap, but we dressed her up in her Alice halloween costume and took her to the place where the girls get their photopass picts taken. They will take the pictures even if you don't do the expensive plan.

I think it depends on the girl, and how much they would enjoy it.

 

[5 for WDW]

We were so looking forward to our DD (just shy of 4) going to BBB last month on our MNSSHP day. She was talking about it for weeks before we left. We had decided months ago that she would get the Castle package.
It did not turn out like we expected. We had originally made reservations at MK since it was going to be open but, ended up changing it to DTD for an earlier time.
When we got there at 1pm we saw that it was very busy. My DD is shy so, she was overwhelmed with the amount of kids, parents, etc there. We were not too thrilled with our Fairy Godmother in Training either. She did not have the best personality. I think someone a little more outgoing would have helped a little. There was a second FGIT that did DD's make up that she did love. She was very outgoing and got DD more into the whole experience.
We were so disapointed for our daughter. We really wanted it to be a wonderful experience for her.
I think if it was a slower time and we had a different FGIT, we would try it again. I don't think it is for all Princesses. It might be a little too much for little girls that are shy like my DD.

I will say that my DD did look adorable. I am glad we went with the Castle package. She decided on Snow White. The photos after are beautiful.
I think it depends on the child's personality, especially at a younger age.

 

[WooHoo2U]

Disney sure knows all about B$B$B$! DW and I were at DTD and they CM's were walking through the store RECRUITING customers for the BBB there. They tried to get DW to do in, and when she said no, they tried to get ME to do it. What a scam! (my hair DID look good with pixie dust in it!!)

 

[CastleCreations]

I usually go to Disney alone with my 2 girls, and honestly, I can't see spending the money. I guess if your budget is Wide open, it would be fun. But we do our own version at the hotel before our MK day. First I put them in their dresses. They each get sparkly nail polish, usually in pale pink or clear. Then I put up their hair in ponytails and clip on their princess hair that I bought for 10 dollars at Sally beauty supply. It makes it look like an updo. They I put on their tiaras, that I bought at Target for 3 dollars a piece. Then I spray their hair with glitter spray from the costume shop...at 1 dollar a can. Then I do their makeup, and since they are so little, 4 and 6, they don't need more than a little blush, lip gloss, and some eye shadow. I even spray their dresses with the glitter spray, to make them sparkly...all for the grand total of...about 15 dollars per girl. and the spray and hair we can use over and over again, and everyone always asks if we've been to BBB, and my girls proudly say....Mommy did it...LOL

 

[tooh8ful]

My daughter is 4 and totally into all princesses, all the time. We went to BBB our first day of vacation and it was her absolute most favorite thing about the whole 10 days. She felt like a real princess (and thought she was! ). She still talks about it so much she wanted me to make her a princess like BBB for Halloween. Of all the money I spent at WDW, and yes it was a LOT, BBB was the best expendature of all. I would gladly pay that $50 every time we go to WDW. It was SOOO worth it.

(I will also tell you that I brought a gold Aurora dress I had sneaked to FL in my carry on bag. DD had never seen it before and it wasn't one they sold at the parks. Everyone, including FGIT loved her dress and it saved me additional money.)

 

[weloveprincesses]

Yes, I think it depends on your dd. Mine are totally all about the princesses and loved the day at bbb last year. We did the full package for the younger one, the older one just did hair, makeup and nails. The expression on my older dd's face when she saw herself in the mirror was the most priceless thing I've seen in years. She just glowed from the inside out. I have a picture of that moment and I just love to look at it.

We'll go back to bbb this year, but we all agreed we don't need the full costume treatment (it was itchy and hot and we ended up taking it off about an hour later....although she's loved wearing it for dress-up since then!). I have two princess loving girls. And yes, we do this kind of thing at home on a monthly basis. For a while last year my dd5 was wearing glitter spray to school every day. She is just a sparkly kind of kid!

Good luck and have fun, whatever you decide to do!!

Maggi

 

[Dusted]

My lucky DD4 has been there the last two trips. Last September, and again this past May. The first time we did the big package with the photos, and after all that money her teary eyed father couldn't even talk he was so moved by the whole experience. She loved the fussing, and really enjoyed the photo shoot. They might be the most beautiful photos we have of her.

Last trip my DH surprised us both with a last minute appointment, and she only did the hair/makeup/nails, since we had so many dresses. She loved that too.

It's always going to depend on your family, and what type of experience you want. We will be there 10 nights, so we have some time to fuss and enjoy all the little fairy dust there is!!!

The quality of the dresses is wonderful, and by far surpasses the ones you can get elsewhere, even the local Disney Stores.

I would recommend it anytime. We are going back in 2 weeks, and will have our first appointment in the new castle boutique.

We have our tissues and cameras ready.

 

[Tammysue5]

I think this thread has given some wonderful alternatives ... and it really comes down to you deciding what you feel your daughter will like and what your budget will allow. Having said that I can share that we did the BBB 9/12 and like many here we thought about the cost and alternatives. We decided that we wanted to do it as much as the girls wanted to do it. My husband said let them...

Both girls had awesome Fairy Godmothers... they had the castle package and loved every minute of it. There is nothing more special then watching your daughters being turned around in the chair to see their reflection. (They do catch it on film for you) My 5 yr old had the look and her expression had everyone in the place smiling. Now, I can do makeup and hair (girls have been in sance recitals for 5 yrs ) but this was something special. Let me tell you that when Daddy and big brother (16) came to "pick us up" the girls were so proud! Now daddy always thinks his girls are princesses but he was so proud! Of course when your 16 yr old brother tells you how beautiful you are that is the ultimate.

As for the makeup... my girls hardly had any on. As a matter of fact when we showed the pics back home, everyone commented on beautiful they looked and you can not tell they have makeup on.

Will we do it again? Well, I would not give up that experience for anything.. glad we did it.... next time I will let them do the hair/etc but will take a cute sundress or something similar. We actually did this they rest of the week... I did their hair and they wore cooler clothes. (Unless we had ADRs for a special dinner)

 

[Diamondintheruff]

My daughter loved it. We had a 1pm appointment at the DTD BBB and thought I could make it to a 4:30 dinner at the magic kingdom before our P&PP. Well, it took FOREVER for the BBB to call us (and we were early) and after the wait, the treatment, and the photo session we were at the magic kingdom by 6pm.

My point is the BBB is an experience all by itself. Maybe wait until you more time to devote to it.