Experience Over Stuff: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Pirate’s League

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

By Jody Everson, Small World Big Fun Disney Authorized Travel Agent

If you are a parent like me, you feel overrun at home with toys, game pieces, stuffed animals, and so many little tiny objects that hurt so badly when stepped on! When I thought about our Disney World vacation, I had one concern: all the souvenirs that the kids would HAVE to have. Now I’m not saying I’m a “no fun” mom; I’m just saying I don’t want to come back from Disney World with lots of [possibly expensive] items that will just end up in a big toy bin to never be played with again.

But I’m SUPER into giving the children experiences. Now, before I get too far, let me just say, we still come back from Walt Disney World with the necessities: mouse ears, shirts, and the newest Pirates of the Caribbean sword (because to my young son, that is actually a necessary collectable and not a toy). But if I can AT ALL help it, I’d love to provide them with fun, unique, memorable experiences instead of buying the random stuffed animal “because I neeeeeeeed it.” This “experience over stuff” plan seems to work for us.

Stuff Gets Lost, Memories Last Forever

Two ways that we did this for our daughter was to treat her to both the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and The Pirates League. Throughout the vacation, it really helped that we could keep reminding her about her special experiences/makeovers/transformations every time she asked for a “thing.” I scheduled these special treats at the beginning of our last two vacations, and she knew about them ahead of time. We really talked about how special these experiences were and how lucky she was to get a reservation (That’s the truth, too. I’ll talk about how your SWBF agent can help with that!) Our daughter was almost five on these vacations, and these talks really resonated with her.

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We started her first Disney World trip at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney Springs the first day that we arrived. (There is also another Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location in Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom, but Disney Springs worked perfectly for us for this itinerary.) There are several packages at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and we chose the basic one and brought our own princess dress. I can barely put into words how magical and special this experience was. She was treated like pure royalty and sat there in awe (and pure relaxation!) and they pulled her head of ringlets into a tight, perfectly coiffed, princess bun.

My daughter was thrilled with the experience and declared immediately that she would not brush her hair all week. I actually had thought ahead about this – how in the world would her princess updo keep all week? – so I ordered $8.00 satin pillowcases from Amazon to be delivered to our Disney resort earlier that day. I even included this note:

“Dear ____,
Welcome to Disney World! I heard that you were having a royal princess appointment! I thought you might like this satin pillowcase to keep your hair all fixed up. Sweet dreams! See you at my castle soon!
Love, Cinderella”

Genius, right? I was so proud of this idea. And you might be thinking: that’s one more thing I had to bring home. Well, yes, technically it was another thing, but it’s useful and she sleeps on those pillowcases every single night still! And she still thinks those came directly from Cinderella herself.  SUCCESS! (And it actually did keep her hair intact all week!)

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At The Pirates League, we entered a dark, cavernous, amazingly themed lair to meet Pirate Bob. I know what you are thinking, “No way can Pirate Bob do a mermaid makeover,” but he was fantastic! He was so funny, completely in character and painted mermaid scales and blue fingernails like the best Fairy Godmother-in-Training you could find! He even told us that they plunder the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at night to get their makeup. And by the way, both the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and The Pirates League cater to the young gentlemen too.

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Now the hilarious thing about both of these experiences is, you guessed it, she still came home with stuff! But this was really meaningful and useful stuff. After both makeovers, they give you your nail polish, makeup palette, and hair clip or tiara. At The Pirates League, the young mermaid or pirate is invited into a pirate treasure room and can choose another gift (it was a necklace for her)! So, I guess the joke was on me after all. But she still uses/wears those items and reminisces back to her days of princess and mermaid pampering at Walt Disney World! It was all completely worth it.

Book with WDWNT’s Exclusive Travel Partner Small World Big Fun, and we’ll be happy to try to  nag reservations for you at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League! Reservations do fill up, so it would be great to help you plan this before the 180-day reservation mark. I know your little ones will have a magical time, and maybe just maybe, you won’t have to take home as much stuff either!

Jody Everson is an Agent with WDWNT’s Exclusive Disney Travel Partner – Small World Big Fun. You can learn more about Jody here.

Video Inside The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

WDWNT on April 17, 2009

Disneyland has released a short video looking at the boutique portion of the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique which opened today (the video is available in high definition by clicking the HD button on the bottom of the video window):

Magical Makeovers Reign As Young Princesses (and Knights) Get The Royal Treatment

WDWNT on April 17, 2009

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Beginning April 17, aspiring young princesses (and knights) will be treated to the full fairy-tale treatment at the Disneyland Resort as they celebrate a pixie-dusted makeover at the all-new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, located in the Sleeping Beauty Castle Courtyard.

WHAT: When young girls make their royal entrance at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, they will be greeted by their very own Fairy Godmother-in-training, who magically transforms them into the princesses of their dreams. All cares are left at the door as the Fairy Godmother-in-training takes care of everything — from hair and makeup to accessories fit for royalty. There’s a special experience for knights-in-training, too. After their transformation, princesses and knights will enjoy an enchanted day at the Disneyland Resort.

PACKAGES FOR PRINCESSES: Girls can choose from three different hair styles – Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva or Pop Princess – in three magical makeover packages:

  • Coach Package: includes hairstyle, shimmering make-up, princess sash, princess bag and body jewels ($44.95, plus tax).
  • Crown Package: includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess bag, body jewels and nail polish ($49.95, plus tax).
  • Castle Package: includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess bag, body jewels, nail polish, choice of princess costume complete with wand and shoes, as well as portrait package courtesy of Disney’s PhotoPass Service. Girls receiving the Castle Package can choose to be dressed as Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Tinkerbell or Ariel as a bride (starting at $195.85 plus tax).

FOR YOUNG KNIGHTS: Also available at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a magical experience for boys that transforms them into gallant young knights. The “Knight” look includes a hairstyle fit for daring adventure, a Prince Philip shield and a sword for fun and heroism ($12.95 plus tax).

AGE REQUIREMENT: Three years and older; must be accompanied by an adult age 18 years or older.

LOCATION AND HOURS: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is located next to Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park. Operating hours vary with Park hours and theme park admission is required.

RESERVE A ROYAL TIME: Advance reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 714-781-STYLE. For details, go to www.ArtofDisneyParks.com or www.Disneyland.com/style.

FOR TWEENS: Coming this summer, Studio Disney 365 in Downtown Disney will bring out the inner rock star in tweens and transform them into glamourous celebrities — just like some of their favorite Disnsey Channel stars. The star treatment may also include a photo session with the “paparazzi” or a freestyle dance moment with the other new “stars.”

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WDWNT on April 9, 2009

The various packages you can treat your daughter to in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique have been revealed:

The Coach Package includes hairstyle, shimmering make-up, princess sash, princess cinch sac and body jewels – $44.95, plus tax

The Crown Package includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess cinch sac, body jewels and nail polish – $49.95, plus tax

The Castle Package includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess cinch sac, body jewels, nail polish, princess gown of choice, wand, shoes and portrait package courtesy of Disney’s PhotoPass® Service (assorted prints in themed folder) (Price range determined by the choice of princess gown and shoes.) – Ranges from $195.85 to $205.85

D23 News Round-up

WDWNT on March 18, 2009

D23’s website has so far proven to be a great source for news and information for the Disneyland Resort, posting some tidbits we haven’t even heard mentioned elsewhere. Here’s a round-up news from the last 2 days:

  • 03.18.09 — Golden Farewell
    Golden Dreams, one of the original attractions at Disney’s California Adventure, is closing to make way for a brand-new attraction themed after The Little Mermaid. The final showing will take place at a special event for Cast Members on March 22.
  • 03.18.09 — It’s a Round-up!
    Celebration Round-up & BBQ is set to open April 2! Guests can book priority seating now.
  • 03.17.09 — Easter Bunny Arrives Early At Fantasyland!
    In addition to happy passengers, the Storybook Land Canal Boats are carrying Easter/Spring flowers and, if you look closely, you can see baskets of pastel eggs in front of some of the homes along the canal.
  • 03.17.09 — Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Accepting Reservations
    Beginning yesterday, Guests can book reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland. The boutique, which transforms little girls into princesses and boys into knights, will be nestled inside Fantasyland next to Sleeping Beauty Castle and is set to open April 17.

New & Upcoming Attractions Transfer Into Awesome Pins!

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

There are a lot of very interesting upcoming pin releases at the Disneyland Resort, showcasing attractions opened in the past year, and attractions yet to open. Let’s take a look at some of these pins:

This pin commemorating the grand opening of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will be released on March 29th and will retail for $12.95.

April’s Piece of Disney History pin looks to be the best Disneyland one yet, commemorating the still around Rainforest scene in It’s a Small World. It will be released on April 5th and will retail for $14.95.

Another It’s a Small World character pin (with an odd facade) will be released on April 10th and will retail for $10.95.

I believe this is the first Pixie Hollow pin (based on the meet ‘n greet itself, not the movie). It will be released on April 24th and will retail for $10.95.

The first pin featuring Mickey’s Fun Wheel, coming out on April 24th. It will retail for $10.95.

Also comes the first pins featuring the new Games of the Boardwalk (Goofy About Fishin’, Casey at the Bat, Bullseye Stallion Stampede, and Dumbo Bucket Brigade). This pin set will be release also on April 24th, and will retail for $22.95.

“Just a Dream Away”, the motto of the Blue Sky Cellar, also featuring a possible new logo for Disney’s California Adventure. It will be released on April 24th and will retail for $8.95.

The final pin I wanted to mention here is the 1 year anniversary pin for Toy Story Midway Mania, being released almost 3 months before the actual anniversary (June 17th) on April 24th. It will retail for $10.95.

To keep up with all the latest Disneyland Resort pin releases, check out the only podcast dedicated to Disney Pin Trading, WDWNT’s The Disney Pincast.