A princess transformation at Walt Disney World is one of the most popular things for little girls to do. If you've been wondering about visiting the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Kim gives a great in depth look at giving your little pumpkin the proper princess treatment.
The moment when Cinderella is transformed by her Fairy Godmother and heads to the ball is iconic. The magic of this moment is re-created with each visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique located at all Disney destinations, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and each of the Disney Cruise Line ships. The Boutique has provided royal makeovers for 10 years and is more popular than ever. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a truly special opportunity for young guests to re-create their own fairy tale and feel like royalty for the day.
What is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a salon experience for children ages 3 -12. The most popular age range seems to be within the 3 – 9 age group, with many parents opting for the window of ages 5 – 9 so they are more likely to remember the experience. At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, there are two locations, Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom (park admission required) and a newer location at the World of Disney store in Disney Springs (no admission fees necessary). The Boutique is run by the Fairy Godmother, who employs Fairy Godmothers in training to provide a royal makeovers for each guest.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a salon experience for children ages 3 -12. The most popular age range seems to be within the 3 – 9 age group, with many parents opting for the window of ages 5 – 9 so they are more likely to remember the experience. At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, there are two locations, Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom (park admission required) and a newer location at the World of Disney store in Disney Springs (no admission fees necessary). The Boutique is run by the Fairy Godmother, who employs Fairy Godmothers in training to provide a royal makeovers for each guest.
Our Experience
My 9 year old daughter was so excited about her appointment that each morning of our trip she would ask if today was the day! Our reservation was at Cinderella’s Castle for the first appointment of the day: 8:00 am sharp! We arrived at the Magic Kingdom via our resort bus by 7:30 am and followed the cast members directing guests to dining and special event reservations with signs along the way. A Bonus with early reservations is that Main Street U.S.A. was practically empty! There were still Photopass photographers on hand to capture a castle picture for guests with NO ONE in the background.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is located at the back side of the castle entrance, opposite of the check in desk for Cinderella’s Royal Table. When you enter, you’ll notice that the salon is decorated with colors and regal touches (pinks, grays, and blues) in the theme of Cinderella’s Castle. It is a small location with about 10 salon chairs and a small seating area for one or two family members of each participant to observe in the center. If the child is with a larger group, the rest of the group can explore Main Street U.S.A. or Fantasyland (to sneak in a ride or two if the park is open already) nearby. There is also quiet spa-like music playing (some Disney classics included) that helped to set the tone for the experience. We were there so early in the morning, that I think no one was quite awake yet so perhaps the experience is less tranquil during the middle of the day with a full salon of kids. But we enjoyed the mood.
My daughter was directed to her chair (which is facing out towards the room and away from the mirrors) and introduced to her Fairy Godmother in Training (F.I.T.). We arrived in a dress we had purchased ahead of time and brought with us on the trip knowing that would save some on costs but still make the overall experience complete. The dresses available for purchase at the Boutique are high quality, beautiful dresses, but since it will probably only be worn a handful of times if anymore past the BEST. DAY. EVER, it is an area to consider saving costs.
There were a variety of hairstyles to choose from with a picture for reference and then the Fairy Godmother in Training got to work. We had one F.I.T the whole time, but I have seen multiple F.I.T.’s working on the same guest (one doing hair, one doing nails etc.).
Hairstyling, a light application of make-up (gloss, eye shadow, and cream blush were applied from a new all in one set), and nails were completed quickly. A princess, of course, needs her crown and rhinestone mickey hair clip added in the back to finish the look.
Then came time for the pixie dust! As the Fairy God Mother in Training asked her to make a wish while holding a “magic mirror” (a clear face shield to protect her eyes), she used her royal wand to sprinkle my daughter with pixie dust. Finally, in a loud voice, she announced her by name to the rest of the Boutique and turned the chair to face the mirror so she could finally see herself. The Disney Photopass photographer snapped many action shots during the whole makeover and caught some really great moments of my daughter’s reveal. It was a very fun moment for both of us. And a totally worth it reason to purchase Memory Maker.
With some directions about washing hair and some last minute touches to my daughter’s cape (she was Elsa, of course) to help keep her styled throughout the rest of our park day, we were all paid up and directed to a complimentary photo session at Castle Couture. In the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique cinch sack that came with the package, we were able to keep all the make-up and nail polish used for my daughter’s makeover as well as the styling comb, shampoo and conditioner with instructions for washing later. The appointment took about 30 minutes. By the time we left, every chair was full and others were in the waiting area by the entrance.
Castle Couture is a merchandise location just outside of the Castle entrance on the left heading into Fantasyland. Another Photopass photographer was there with a backdrop and props to take official photos of the finished look. Note: this photopass opportunity is open to all guests, so even if you aren’t visiting Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique you can still bring stop by Castle Couture for a mini photo shoot (air conditioning included). Castle Couture is also where park guests of all ages can stop by and ask a Cast Member for a complimentary sprinkling of pixie dust!
Is it Worth the Cost?
As a family with six kids, we do not splurge on extravagant experiences. We judge things based on their value in relation to the costs involved. This first experience at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique passed with flying colors. I definitely recommend it. By the time we make it back again, she’s got two younger sisters waiting in the wings for their turn. When asked a few weeks later about her favorite memory from our one on one trip to Walt Disney World, her top memory was the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover. She loved all the attention she got from other Disney Princesses and Cast Members throughout the day too.
In breaking down the “real world” costs involved in getting similar services, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is on point with its value, in my opinion, and exceeds the return on investment for the delightful experience that is. For example: an up-do alone at a salon is at least $50. Coupled with keeping the make-up ($8) and nail polish ($4), crown ($15), mickey shaped rhinestone hair accessory ($10), along with the cinch sack and princess sash ($15) easily covers the starting package costs!
Reservations
Due to the Castle locations’ small size and the personalized attention involved in the experience, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has limited availability and books quickly. At locations in the Walt Disney World Resort, reservations open for booking 180 days in advance, similar to advanced dining reservations. Unlike dining, however, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique reservations cannot be made online and have to be called in to the Disney Reservations line instead. The morning appointments are preferable so you can enjoy the royal makeover the rest of the day and therefore fill more quickly, but if you’re flexible you can still get reservations up until 7:00 pm. It’s possible with a sleeping cap, the look can make it through another day as well. Consider also adding a reservation to dine with favorite Disney Princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table like we did later the same day for lunch, and a “Perfectly Princess Day “can become a reality for the little girl in your life too.
Contact your Marvelous Mouse travel agent to have them set up an appointment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique during your next visit today and come live the magic for yourself!
