Advice re: Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and CRT

[cuca_]

We are going to WDW for the first time in mid April. I think my older DDs would love Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, but I find the tight bun/makeup look slightly overdone. I'm not against makeup in a situation like that, but for some reason the whole look bugs me. WWYD, should I just skip it? Is it really that great? I would only do one of the two lower priced packages.

Also, I am planning on skipping CRT. Does not appeal to me. We have reservations for the princess lunch in Norway. Also have breakfast resservations at 1900 Park Fare.

One last question. How many character meals? I have reservations at Crystal Palace and Ohana. I'm feeling like 4 is a bit much. Am I right or not?

TIA

[egoldber]

We have never done the Boutique. No desire. I'm sure the kids would love it, but I don't want to spend the money and I think it eats up a lot of time that I would rather spend doing other things. We've done CRT a few times, but I think that the Epcot meal is better. More princesses and better interaction IMO.

We are only doing 3 table service meals (only one character meal) on our upcoming trip. My younger DD does not do well in sit downs, so that is all I think we can manage LOL!!!

[bubbaray]

We did it at DL and LOVED it. It was so much fun! The makeup was really really soft, mainly just glitter. It looked so cute. We did the $50 package, which included hair (with cute pink extension, though you could pick natural colors or rainbow too), makeup, nails, tiara, drawstring backpack with makeup and nailpolish to take home. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

FWIW, I wear virtually no makeup when I'm not in court and my girls don't get to wear or play with makeup. They know its only for BBB or their ballet performances and dress rehersals. The BBB makeup was far far less than their stage makeup for ballet.

[bubbaray]

Oh, and on the character meals, I can't speak to the the experience at WDW, but at DL they are cheaper than in-park non-character dining. We did 2 character dining experiences for 3-days in the park last April. Next time we will do at least 1 character dining per day (and we'll be in the park at least 7 days next time).

HTH

[egoldber]

In general, character dining is significantly more expensive than non character dining at WDW.

[clc053103]

We have all boys so we've never done BBB, but the funniest thing I ever heard was a dad on a disney bus referring to it as "Bibbidy Bobbidy Broke". If you think the girls will enjoy it, bring the princess costumes from home so they don't try to sell you on buying one and get whatever level you are comfortable with. I saw several cute girls and several that looked "severe" and some scary Hannah Montanas so I think it is at your discretion what look they go with!

We are not fans of character meals (or buffets) in general- 4 yo DS is actually terrified of most of them- and you're paying a premium for some pretty bad buffets. Ohana and CP seem to get better reviews foodwise, while Norway princess breakfast gets good reviews for princess one on one. I do agree that 4 would be overkill, IMO!

[fivi2]

Never done BBB.

We like character meals. We went to WDW right before my girls turned 3. We were only there two days and did two character meals - Crystal Palace dinner and Tusker House breakfast. We are actually doing both of those again on our upcoming trip in may. I am debating adding another, and we will be there 5 nights. For us it was a relaxing way to meet lots of characters - which my girls loved. I thought the food was fine both places (not spectacular, but not terrible). I am not sure how long you are going, though. I think one per day might be too much (for me and my kids) even though we did it on our shorter trip. I like the theme park meals, so would keep CP and Norway for sure. It seems like the resort ones can be a pain since it can be tricky going between resorts. But Ohana and PF are both on the monorail, so not too bad.

I don't think the ones you listed have no show penalties (definitely check that), so maybe keep them and decide on the fly if you are too tired to go.

eta: I am not sure if it is the cost of bbb that bothers you or just the look, but I think the barber shop does something for girls that is cheaper - just a sprinkling of pixie dust or something (someone else here or on the disboards will probably know what they do)

or I have read that some moms will do a little makeover for their dds in the hotel room - light nail polish, lip gloss, glitter gel, sparkles, hair color (the kind you brush in and wash out) etc. You can control the amount and the look, and it is much cheaper (and allows for mommy/dd bonding.) of course not as exciting as going to the boutique, though. I imagine that I will take glitter supplies this time as my girls are convinced that they are fairies, and I will not be doing bbb.

[cuca_]

Thanks for all the opinions. I guess the whole look bothers me more than the $. It looks a bit "pageanty" to me. I would probably take it off after one day b/c I would not want them looking like that in so many photos... I don't think we'll do it. Is the tight bun the only hairstyle they offer?

As far as the character dinners, we will be there 6 days. I made a bunch of reservations intending to cancel the ones I decide not to do. Good point about the time spent travelling between hotels. We will be at the Bay Lake Tower and I'm not sure how long a ride it will be to the Poly or GF --- I have not been there in years.

I also don't know how my 2 yr. old will do at sit downs, unlike my older dds the poor thing does not get out much. Maybe I will do some practice runs before our trip. Otherwise, like Beth, I will have to limit sit down dinners.

I'm sure I'm doing all this planning and that a lot of it will go out the window. I'm not even sure if my kids will be scared by the characters or not...

[diegosmom]

We just got back from WDW last weekend and the BBB look is quite scarey in my opinion. I have to agree with you in that it looks very pageantish.... I can think of a ton of things your money would be better spent on.

As for how your two year old does while dining. The great thing about Disney is everyone's kids have at least one melt down or difficult situtation and nobody cares. We are all in the same boat. So I would try the dining and take it as it comes.

[Corie]

My daughter LOVES Bippity Boppity Boutique!! We did the cheapest package
which is hair, makeup, nails, sash, and goody bag. I brought my daughter's
Cinderella dress and silver sequin shoes with us.
There are several different hairstyles to choose. You don't have to pick
the tight bun although my daughter has pick this one both times. I think
she likes the tiara that comes with it. :)

I made her appt. for 11:00am at the Bippity Boppity Boutique in the Magic Kingdom.
(I was told to allow 45 minutes for her appointment.) Then, we had lunch
reservations at noon at Cinderella's Royal Table.

FWIW, our appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique didn't take 45 minutes.
It was quick and painless! :) And my total cost was about $55-60.

[Corie]

FWIW, I wear virtually no makeup when I'm not in court and my girls don't get to wear or play with makeup. They know its only for BBB or their ballet performances and dress rehersals. The BBB makeup was far far less than their stage makeup for ballet.


Yes, I agree with Melissa.

[mommyapb]

We were at WDW for a week in November. DH (who normally doesn't notice much) asked me why all this little girls were so "slutty" looking...he was pretty upset about it. Our DD wore her princess dresses the whole time & I put neutral eye shadow, lip gloss & her hair "up" everyday...she was thrilled. It wasn't an issue of the money but rather I wasn't a fan of the product. I personally would let her pick out a new princess dress instead..she would probably get a bigger thrill & have something to take home with her.

JMO

Amelia
DD 3/06
DS 3/09

[Corie]

We were at WDW for a week in November. DH (who normally doesn't notice much) asked me why all this little girls were so "slutty" looking...he was pretty upset about it.



You know, that's pretty harsh. "Slutty" looking? Really? Does my
8 year old daughter look like a slut in this picture?


Edited to remove picture.

[egoldber]

Personally, I think it's more that people tend to notice the girls who are very heavily made up. I certainly recall seeing many of those, but I probably wouldn't even have noticed a kid who had on light make-up, KWIM?

[fivi2]

Your daughter looks adorable, Corie!

I am not a fan of the bbb for a lot of reasons, but I don't really think it is appropriate to call them "slutty" looking, especially on a message board where others have already stated that their daughters have gone. I am sure the parent, child, and stylist control the degree to which a child is done up. I will admit that I have seen some that I am personally not comfortable with for my own dds (again, not ones like Corie's dd), but that is up to the parents and their dd to decide, not me.

[clc053103]

Corie I think your daughter looks beautiful - I would call that a touch of makeup- age appropriate for "dress up"!

I don't think PP meant to offend-maybe a better word choose would be "Pageanty" (yes, a made up word). But clearly all levels of "done up" were there, and surely the parents could influence that and prevent pageant face if they aren't comfortable with it.

[bubbaray]

I stepped away from this thread b/c some of the posts were quite upsetting to me. I'm not sure I understand how a grown man can look at a CHILD and think she looks like a slut. Sorry, I just do NOT get that. My 5yo should not trigger a sexual response in any male, regardless of her attire or makeup or whatever -- she is a freakin' CHILD.

FWIW, my DD#1's BBB makeup was even lighter than Corie's beautiful daughter's. She had just turned 5 (we were there to celebrate) and the lady who did it went really light. Basically, glitter. She sparkled. It was CUTE, NOT slutty and NOT pagenty.

My DD had the high bun with the pink & blonde hairpiece and tiara. There are different hair/tiara options. She was in a Sleeping Beauty costume (we brought from home) and looked beyond cute.

I was going to post a picture, but have now reconsidered b/c I really think its odd that a guy who is a dad would refer to a 5yo as a slut. So, unfortunately for the OP who was probably looking for feedback, I can't give a picture of exactly what we got (I have photos of the whole process).

I would do BBB again in a heartbeat. Heck, I'd do it for ME. It was CUTE.

[bubbaray]

PS, just ran this buy DH to get a guy perspective. He was there for the whole makeover too and saw lots of little girls. He says none of them (nor any others we saw around the parks) looked anything other than like CUTE LITTLE GIRLS. Direct quote from him on the slut comment: "that's twisted and wrong".

[billysmommy]

I think most of the girls look really cute after the BBB. I haven't seen any that I thought were even remotely slutty. I have seen a few with more severe looks (super spiky hair and heavy make-up) that I don't prefer but if the girl is happy and loves it than who cares what I think.

[infomama]

I stepped away from this thread b/c some of the posts were quite upsetting to me. I'm not sure I understand how a grown man can look at a CHILD and think she looks like a slut. Sorry, I just do NOT get that. My 5yo should not trigger a sexual response in any male, regardless of her attire or makeup or whatever -- she is a freakin' CHILD.


:yeahthat:. I had the exact same thoughts this morning about this thread. I had not responded yet because IMO 'disturbing' and 'scary' are two words that just make me shake my head when attributed to the BBB experience.

Dd1 loved it, did the high bun and looked like a princess/ballerina. Totally adorable. To the pp who said the girls looked 'slutty'...I suggest you choose your words a little more wisely..they were very offensive.

[cuca_]

I'm sorry that this thread has become upsetting. That was not my intention. FTR, Corie, I think you DD looks adorable. The pictures I had seen before posting here were of girls with heavier makeup, hence my hesitation. I never meant to insult anyone, and if I did, I apologize. My DN did it and my SIL said it was the highlight of her trip (I have not seen pictures). I think my DDs would absolutely love it, but I am worried that I might not be comfortable with the final product. I am happy to hear that the parent can control how much makeup they use. FWIW, I have not made a final decision yet. I really appreciate everyone's input!

[emily_gracesmama]

For others w/ littler girls, we had our 2 yo get her first haircut at the barber shop in MK in Oct. I specifically waited for her 1st cut for this! For $14 plus tip, they do a first haircut, give you a pair of mickey ears that say my first haircut on the back and pixie dust their hair and a certificate too. This was awesome and such a must-do in my opinion for all little ones! They do close early around 4 I think.

There was an even a older man in their w/ his wife getting a cut, they dusted him too and his wife joked she was hoping it would help him grow some hair back. I really recommend this if you have a little one with shorter hair as an option to make them look festive, they also dusted Emily too so she didn't feel left out.