"A Princess Paradise" ~ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

In honor of "This Week in Disney History: The First Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Debuted at Walt Disney World" I thought I'd resurrect one of my old posts from 2011. Young guests began receiving transformations in 2006 from their very own Fairy Godmothers-in-Training and today you can enjoy these services at four locations including Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort, Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom Park, Sleeping Beauty Courtyard at the Disneyland Resort and one onboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a little slice of heaven for any little princess-in-training. The most common question I hear regarding this experience is “Is it really worth the cost?” Well that depends, I suppose. For me, it was absolutely hands-down worth the $55-$60 price tag for the Coach or Crown Packages. The packages have changed a bit since my last visit where the Crown package has slightly increased in price and formally included the face gems. In addition, a new Courtyard Package ($89.95) has been added to offer a little more than the Crown Package ($59.95) but less than the Castle Package ($239.95).

Here is a breakdown of what is included in each package:

Coach Package: includes hair style, shimmering makeup, and princess sash ($54.95)

Crown Package: includes hair style, shimmering makeup, nails, and princess sash ($59.95)

Getting the Royal Treatment

Courtyard Package: includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, nails, princess sash, and face gems as well as a princess cinch bag, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt and tutu. ($89.95)

Castle Package: includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, nails, princess sash, princess costume and shoes, complete with a crown, wand, and imaging package, which includes 1 - 6x8 and 4 - 4x6 photos in a beautifully themed photo holder: Price range is $189.95 - $239.95 + tax.  NOTE: Price range is determined by the choice of princess costume and shoes.

Knight Package: includes hair styling, sword and shield ($15.95)

Today, I will be discussing the Crown Package. It is my personal favorite and also the best value. If you are like most parents with a young daughter, you have a princess dress lying around the house, correct? And who wants the shoes anyway? The little princess will surely kick those babies off within 15 feet of the salon's front door! Aside from a few extras, you can save a significant amount of money by bringing your own dress from home and will still be getting the same royal treatment.

My advice? Arrive at the boutique with clean hair and wearing the princess dress (with clothing underneath in case they get tired of the dress) and comfortable flip flops or sandals.

No shortage of pixie dust here!

The Coach and Crown packages are very similar, the only difference being $5 extra for nails. Even though I don’t think that getting the nails done is all that important, it’s only $5 and it includes two bottles of nail polish (pink and blue) to take home as a souvenir. The shimmering makeup palette (eye shadow and lip gloss) also goes home with the new princess for later use.

Once you choose your package, you will then need to choose your hairstyle. There is a choice of three hairstyles for the girls which are:

Fairytale Princess: Hair is swept up in a tight “bun” on the top of the head and crowned with a tiara

Disney Diva: Hair pulled back with an added ponytail hairpiece which is teased on the top and decorated with hair accessories

Pop Princess: More of a funky style with braids, a colorful hairpiece and Mickey hair clips

Here's my "Home" version...not bad!

For both of my daughter’s visits to her very own Fairy Godmother in-training (that’s what the hair stylists are called) she chose to get the Fairytale Princess hairstyle and honestly I couldn’t have been happier. This is the best hairstyle ever! If taken care of properly it can last well over a week. I liked it so much, that I videotaped how to do it so I could recreate it at home and have done so on many occasions!

Making that Fairytale Princess Bun

Another bonus to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is that Photopass Photographers are on hand to capture all of the memorable moments. (Another reason why I don’t think the Castle Package is necessary.) I usually pre-order the Photopass CD so I get the photo rights for all pictures taken throughout the entire vacation. A formal photo shoot was just not worth the extra cost to me as my favorite photos are those taken during “the reveal” anyway. The Fairy Godmother does not allow the new princess to see her hairstyle until the entire transformation is complete and the reaction is always priceless! This happens right in her chair and has nothing to do with the Castle Package photo shoot.

I definitely feel that getting a more basic package (at least once) is worth the cost. You will have great memories and photos of this experience that you and your little princess will surely cherish for a lifetime.

 Some general rules for all little girls and boys:

   ~children must be at least 3 years old

   ~ hair must be freshly clean and brushed out (no tangles)

   ~ hair must be free of all styling aids/products like gels, mousse, hair spray, barrettes

   ~fingernails must be clean and free of all nail polish/decals

   ~ child must bring their own brush/comb with them for the Fairy Godmother to use

   ~scalp must be free and clear of any "conditions" or irritations for the last 30 days

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique currently has two locations at the Walt Disney World Resort in FL. The Downtown Disney location does not require park admission location and is open from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily (last appointment will be at 5:30 p.m.), seven days a week. The Magic Kingdom salon is open every day 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted; however, appointments are strongly encouraged by calling 407-WDW-DINE or WDW-STYLE (939-7895) as far as 180 days in advance. A credit card guarantee is required at time of booking and a $10 penalty fee will be applied for no-shows or cancellations under 24 hours in advance. 

So....Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo

Put 'em together and what have you got?

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo