Which "Princess" activity is "worth" the $$ - Need help choosing ONE (thats all I can handle)

[Dionnemay]

well for the first time in 13 years Im going to DL with a preschooler. Took my son and daughter when they were 4 and 7 but they are 18 and 21 now so it's been a looong time since I've been to Disney with a child that young, and even then my daughter wasn't into "girly" stuff so I never had to do any princess things there.

But I have a 3 year old daughter now who is a Disney Princess FIEND (Don't even ask how many Princess dresses shes gone through).
I will be taking her for the first time in June. Personally, I'm not much of a girly girl either so even though I want her to have at least ONE major Princess experience there (just one because I'm also bring her 18 year old brother and his friend and we'll all die if we have to spend too much time doing that lol) I don't know whats available other than the bibitty bobbity boutique and Cinderella's royal table or whatever it's called.

Not sure what either of these things do other than the Bibbity I think is where they get made up as princesses? And Cinderella Table is where they I guess eat and meet Princesses or something.

Also I'm not sure how expensive either of these are but knowing Disney, they are pretty pricey which is another reason I want to limit it to ONE.


Anyone have any suggestions or can give me more info? Suggestions which one she might enjoy more (or more like, which one I'll hate less lol!) Maybe you know of something else she might like that I'm not aware of? Last 5 times to Disney I traveled with Boys and men so I'm clueless.

Also, please tell me if I need to reserve anything ahead of time... We are going June 13 -19.

 

[agamble]

Cinderella's table is only at WDW. You can dine with Ariel and friends in DCA though. I personally think that is more "worth" it because it is a character meal and she will get to meet 5 Disney princesses and you will all get to eat a good meal. The other is a makeover session. If you pay a ton extra you can get a photo package and other additions. There is also a Frozen makeover place in DTD.

Free princess experiences include the Princess Fantasy Faire where you can all go to the Royal Hall and meet three princesses and also see a comical rendition of either Tangled or Beauty and the Beast at the small theater. The shows are funny and your son and his friend may find themselves laughing. Or they could always go off and do something else while you and your little one watch a show.

 

[whoever]

We tend to do either BBB (boutique) or Ariel's Grotto (Princess M&G) on the longer trips. Neither are worth the price IMHO.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is where they do hair/makeup like the princesses.

Cinderella's Royal Table (if I am understanding you correctly) is actually in Disney World in Orlando. The character dining in Disneyland with princesses is called Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure (characters only at breakfast and lunch).

Otherwise, there are various meet and greets where you can meet some of the princesses, though they don't always have a precise schedule.

I would probably go with Ariel's Grotto. She would get to meet 4 princesses plus Ariel who takes a picture with everyone at the beginning. Again it's only breakfast or lunch.

edit: for Ariel's Grotto or the Boutique, you should reserve ahead of time (if you're going in June, you can reserve now).

 

[whoever]

she will get to meet 5 Disney princesses and you will all get to eat a good meal..

I'm not sure about the eat a good meal part. The two times I did it with them it was pretty meh food. I usually spend the time up at Cove bar eating good food while they are at the grotto.

 

[jamsmom-cal]

I thought Royal Hall was all about meeting princesses: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disneyland/fantasy-faire/

There is also the Anna and Elsa meet in DCA. My daughter loved this.

No cost for these - just a wait in line. And it's good to do these on a single day and buy a photopass day.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I'm not sure about the eat a good meal part. The two times I did it with them it was pretty meh food. I usually spend the time up at Cove bar eating good food while they are at the grotto.

Yeah, food is pretty mediocre, but I find all character meals tend to have mediocre food, with the possible exception of Storyteller's Cafe.

 

[Goose&mavie]

Well, depends on what you want but the 2 best experiences with the minimum of waiting in line are:
1. Breakfast at Ariels grotto to meet Ariel and other princesses- eat breakfast-- actually pretty decent food and wait for princesses to come to your table, to take pics, sign autograph book.

2. Bippidi boppidi boutique castle package- get made over into the princess of your choice (now has Elena of Avalor and moana outfits) but benefit of castle package is that photos are taken in a special room with props and you are led into the royal hall to meet princesses without having to stand in line.

Both are costly, but well worth it! With a 3 yr old, can they sit still for the makeover?

 

[BriannaRuth]

My girls always loved Ariel's Grotto. As others have said, 5 princesses. And of course your daughter will want to dress in her own princess gown for the occasion. Mine never did the hair and make up thing because I was afraid there would be meltdowns when it got messed up on the water rides, etc. later in the day. While the food at Ariel's isn't anything to write home about, personally I liked it more than the other character meals, especially the dessert, which was berries in an edible white chocolate seashell last time we were there. Or you could just do the free meet and greets.
​

 

[YukonMommy]

Honestly I would forget both money options and just do the Princess meet and greet at the royal hall found in the Fantasy Faire section of DL and the meet and greet in DCA for Anna and Elsa. Bring her favorite princess gowns from home to let her wear in the parks. Whatever you choose you will have a magical time!

 

[VandVsmama]

If cost is a factor, do the BBB make over but don't get the most expensive package. Buy a princess dress from the Disney Store ahead of time and bring it with you to the BBB salon (other parents do it all the time).

However, you could end up with a situation like we ran into at BBB. ODD was 6, YDD was 4 at the time. ODD loved it. YDD hated it because she got the glitter hair spray stuff in her mouth on accident and it tasted bad AND on top of all that, all of the messing with her hair really hurt. Once we were done and left the salon, she started bawling and we went straight to the bathroom to try and get all of the hair goop out because she didn't want her hair up in a tight bun for one more second.

Had I to do it all over again, I'd just do the Ariel's Grotto character meal and skip BBB beforehand. I'd still dress the kids up in their princess dresses, but if they wanted their hair done, I'd do it in the hotel room ahead of time and save the $$.

Ariel's Grotto is pretty overpriced, but let's be honest...you're paying to see the characters while you're sitting down and relaxing and eating. The QUALITY of the character interaction was better at Princess Fantasy Faire (in DL) in my opinion because those princesses were able to take a couple of extra minutes to have more of a conversation with your child(ren). At Ariel's Grotto, they have time to say hello, take a photo with you, sign an autograph book, and then it's on to the next table because they have to get across the entire room before the next seating occurs.

My ODD wants to do it again when we go to DL next and she's going to be 11 in 3 weeks.

You should most definitely make a reservation for either BBB or Ariel's Grotto. There will be almost zero chance of being able to walk up and get a time slot. So decide what you want to do and then book the reservation.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Anything you're interested in that takes reservations you should reserve. Summer and it's crowds will be in full swing by mid-June.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

We have done them all!

We did Ariel's Gotto on our first trip, when my daughter was not quite 3. Because she was under 3, she was so in awe of the princesses, she really didn't eat. The food was just fine, but the interaction was quick.

When she turned 5, we did the castle package at the BBB. She absolutely loved it. I am sure she would have loved it just as much if we had done the basic package, though. The pictures are really cute, though.

When we went last year we did Anna and Elsa's. it's not as much of an "experience" as BBB, but the hairstyles are so much cuter, and it's less expensive. It's in Downtown Disney. It was a good experience.

Interactions at the Royal Hall have always been very good--and they're free!

And yes, the plays in the Royal Theater are great. So funny, and the little ines get to sit right up front.

 

[Geemo]

You can see three princesses in the Royal Hall. Many times there will also be additional princesses on the path/walkways around the castle.
I've posted a map of the area. Where you see the red stars, are places it's common for a princess to be greeting people.

The red arrow is pointing off to where Pixie Hollow is located. There you will get to meet Tinker Bell and one other fairy.

These are all free. While it may take a little time, your daughter will love it.

My girlie girl, DGD has enjoy each and every time we go and she's 19. She really enjoys the time they give her in their environment, as compared to Ariel's Grotto.
Ariel's Grotto they come by say "Hi" smile for a picture and then their off to the next table.

I too would skip the food options. Ariel's Grotto maybe worth it if you are on a time crunch.

 

[mom2rtk]

They outgrow this phase SO quickly. I say go for broke and do it all!

 

[Dionnemay]

Cinderella's table is only at WDW. You can dine with Ariel and friends in DCA though. I personally think that is more "worth" it because it is a character meal and she will get to meet 5 Disney princesses and you will all get to eat a good meal. The other is a makeover session. If you pay a ton extra you can get a photo package and other additions. There is also a Frozen makeover place in DTD.

Free princess experiences include the Princess Fantasy Faire where you can all go to the Royal Hall and meet three princesses and also see a comical rendition of either Tangled or Beauty and the Beast at the small theater. The shows are funny and your son and his friend may find themselves laughing. Or they could always go off and do something else while you and your little one watch a show.

Oh NOW it makes sense lol! I've been to both WDW and Dl but I never understood how they could fit a restaurant in that tiny Castle at DL, or why it wasn't called "Sleeping Beauty's Royal Table since it's Sleeping Beauty's castle hahahahahaa! Duh, I feel stupid

Which Park is the Fantasy Faire in?

I'll pass on Frozen lol. To me, that's one of Disney's most over rated movies - I saw it once and was like "meh" and never needed to see it again. And don't get me started on how annoying that song is lol! Tangled and BATB I like though - I've watched both of those countless times with my daughter and thankfully, Frozen is one of the few Princess movies she's not into (That and 'Brave")- she's probably the only 3 year old girl in America who doesn't have/want an Elsa dress.

 

[Dionnemay]

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is where they do hair/makeup like the princesses.

Cinderella's Royal Table (if I am understanding you correctly) is actually in Disney World in Orlando. The character dining in Disneyland with princesses is called Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure (characters only at breakfast and lunch).

Otherwise, there are various meet and greets where you can meet some of the princesses, though they don't always have a precise schedule.

I would probably go with Ariel's Grotto. She would get to meet 4 princesses plus Ariel who takes a picture with everyone at the beginning. Again it's only breakfast or lunch.

edit: for Ariel's Grotto or the Boutique, you should reserve ahead of time (if you're going in June, you can reserve now).

Thanks for the tip on reserving!

 

[Dionnemay]

Well, depends on what you want but the 2 best experiences with the minimum of waiting in line are:
1. Breakfast at Ariels grotto to meet Ariel and other princesses- eat breakfast-- actually pretty decent food and wait for princesses to come to your table, to take pics, sign autograph book.

2. Bippidi boppidi boutique castle package- get made over into the princess of your choice (now has Elena of Avalor and moana outfits) but benefit of castle package is that photos are taken in a special room with props and you are led into the royal hall to meet princesses without having to stand in line.

Both are costly, but well worth it! With a 3 yr old, can they sit still for the makeover?

Oh you better believe my DD will sit as long as she has to be turned into a Princess! How long do the makeovers usually take?

 

[Dionnemay]

You can see three princesses in the Royal Hall. Many times there will also be additional princesses on the path/walkways around the castle.
I've posted a map of the area. Where you see the red stars, are places it's common for a princess to be greeting people.

The red arrow is pointing off to where Pixie Hollow is located. There you will get to meet Tinker Bell and one other fairy.

These are all free. While it may take a little time, your daughter will love it.

My girlie girl, DGD has enjoy each and every time we go and she's 19. She really enjoys the time they give her in their environment, as compared to Ariel's Grotto.
Ariel's Grotto they come by say "Hi" smile for a picture and then their off to the next table.

I too would skip the food options. Ariel's Grotto maybe worth it if you are on a time crunch.

View attachment 239797

Oh thanks for the map ! I forgot about Tinkerbell!

A couple years ago I was at Dl with my teenage son and his friend and I remember we DID stop into the "Royal Hall" although I didn't know that's what it was called - it wasn't a planned stop, the boys just saw a "short" line and asked the guy outside what it was for and jumped in.
But they just wanted to meet the princesses - for reasons a teenage boy would want to get pictures with "hot" girls lol. That was pretty funny - one trying to look tough, the other getting all tongue tied and crushing on Cinderella hahaha!


But, yes I do remember that place. I think I'll take my DD there. The boys probably wont mind doing it with her too since it's not super long plus they can check out the "hot" princesses again and pretend they are only there because of the 3 year old, lol!

 

[Dionnemay]

Okay I've decided the best option for me is to take her to the BBB for a makeover, and then to some of these free meet & greets a lot of you have suggested, so she can meet the princesses dressed as a princess. I'll take her to the Grotto and Fantasy Faire on our next trip because it will be to expensive, time consuming, and nerve wracking to do them all in one trip, lol.



Okay so I DO have a few questions for those of you who have done the BBB...

1. Someone mentioned they have different "packages" at various prices and that there's a place where they take the girls afterwards to get photos.
- Can we take the photos ourselves with our phones or do we have to buy the "Disney" ones?

2. DO they have dresses (crowns, and other accessories) right there in the boutique to purchase and a place for the girls to change into them? Or do those come with a certain "Package"?

3. Speaking of dresses, is it cheaper/better to bring your own (like buy one online and have her wear it to the park) or are the dresses at BBB (if they have them there) "special" (better looking/quality than what you would buy online) and worth the price difference, if there is much of one?

4. Speaking of WEARING dresses to the park...
- I see a lot of little girls at the parks in there princess dresses. If you have a DD who does that, does she wear it all day or should I bring a change of clothes? It doesn't look like it would be comfortable all day also what about getting on rides? Does having all that fancy princess gear on interfere with any rides? Should she wear anything under her dress?

5. My daughter is mixed race black/white so she has very long curly hair down he back - I usually have to dose it with dangler spray before I brush it. I know she'll want one of those Princess "buns" I see the girls from BBB running around with... I'm sure its easy to do with straight hair but how are the ladies at BBB at dealing with more ethnic hair?