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What is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
This luxury experience for kids (aged 3-12) is available at various locations at Disney Resorts. Based around Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, children can be transformed into their favorite princesses or knight. Makeovers inside Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can include full costumes, accessories, hair style, and special makeup. This is one of the ultimate splurges for kids at Disneyland and Disney World!
Kids have their choice of packages that vary in cost and elegant details, including the Crown Package, Carriage Package, Courtyard Package, Castle Package and Knight Package. For children who love princesses at Disneyland and Disney World parks, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makes dreams come true!
*BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOUTIQUE REOPENING!*
When the Disney parks reopened, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique remained closed and will not be available for reservations. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will reopen on August 25th, 2022 as a salon experience.
Until this date, the shop is currently open only as a retail location. Guests may purchase dresses and accessories that can be worn in the parks. However the hair styling, makeup and pampering salon aspect is not available until August 25th. Check the Disneyland app or My Disney Experience app to book reservations in early August.
Locations of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Disneyland park
- Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World
- Disney Springs at Walt Disney World
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World
While there’s quite a bit of the experience that can’t be replicated at home, a good amount of the transformation can still be accomplished with these DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique tips. By dressing up in a favorite costume, duplicating the hairstyles and using your own personal touch of pixie dust, your child can experience a princess-themed transformation at home or in your hotel room!
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Why Consider a DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
Kid Age – Only children who fall within the 3-12 year old age category may experience Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the Disney Parks. If your child is younger or older than this range but still wants the transformation, consider doing your own DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Budget – Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a costly upscale Disney experience (packages range from around $50-200, or higher). While it might not be in your budget for the full BBB in-park pampering, many of these techniques can be done at a reasonable cost. In fact, many items you might already have on-hand.
Time – Depending upon the package chosen, expect to spend around an hour inside the Boutique (longer if appointments are running behind). The makeover experience can eat into park time, especially if you’re only on vacation for a few days.
Can’t Get a Reservation – Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique requires advance reservations. These coveted appointments are extremely popular (especially during busy seasons like the holidays). If you couldn’t snag the reservation during your trip dates, consider a DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the hotel room instead.
No Vacation Plans – If you don’t have any plans to visit the parks and still want some Disney magic at home, this DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience is just perfect!
Buying Disney Princess Dresses
Whatever costume your child wants to choose, chances are you’ll find it available online. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations offer dresses in a variety of characters and styles, in varying degrees of quality and cost. Disney Signature dresses can cost upwards of $350 each (PS: My wedding dress didn’t even cost that much!) If this luxury splurge isn’t in the budget, you’ll still be able to find adequate alternatives around $35+.
My daughter was lucky to have been handed down several Disney princess dresses from her cousin. The sizing on these costumes is generally forgiving, with stretch fabrics and Velcro closures. When shoulders or waist are too big, I use safety pins inside the dress for a more custom fit. With proper care (carefully taking dresses off, hand-washing, quick repair of any tulle tears and hanging up in the closet), these costumes can last several years.
Keep in mind that some Disney princess dresses are coated in glitter that sprinkles everywhere. While those dresses might be fine to wear at the parks, you might not want them for at-home wear!
Not sure where to shop? Check out this list of reviews for the best places to buy Disney princess dresses.
Choosing The Best Disney Princess Outfit
There’s more to picking the best Disney princess outfit than deciding between Frozen’s Anna and Elsa. If you’re planning a DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for a day spent on a Disney parks vacation, first and foremost consider the weather.
Dry and hot in California or wet and humid in Florida, keep the temperature and climate in mind when deciding upon clothes. Long polyester princess dresses might not be the most practical. Check out these tips for Comfortable But Cute Clothes to Wear at Disney.
Naturally ShopDisney is a one-stop shop for all princess gear. Dresses are available year-round in a variety of styles including popular characters like Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Jasmine from Aladdin. Less “sparkly” princesses like Pocahontas, Moana and Princess Leia from Star Wars are available too!
In the months leading up to Halloween, Disney costumes can be found in many stores including Target and Costco. This is a great time to stock up on princess dresses at a reasonable price (quality is usually not as high but prices are lower on these costumes).
Think Outside the Princess Box
Even the actual Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers Disney outfits that aren’t the traditional princess dress. Consider wearing a comfortable tee and tutu or shorts instead of the glittery dress. Kids can simply choose their own favorite character to step outside the “princess” genre. Here are a few ideas:
- Bo Peep from Toy Story 4
- Minnie Mouse
- Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Characters like Mal, Evie and Uma from The Descendants
- Jessie the Cowgirl from Toy Story
READ MORE for tips on choosing the Best Disney Outfits for Kids.
Fairy-Godmother-in-Training
When at Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, your child will be assigned a Fairy-Godmother-in-Training. This Cast Member is in charge of hair styling, makeup and nail polish. When conducting a DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at home or in the hotel room, YOU will be the Fairy-Godmother-in-Training!
Just like you wouldn’t just show up for your first Disney vacation without a plan, you’ll want to figure out these DIY ideas ahead of time. If you’re planning to do the transformation while on a Disney vacation, consider trying out the hairstyles first to practice at home. Make sure you have all the things you’ll need on hand.
- Wet Brush (the best de-tangling brush, they have a Wet Brush Disney Princess Collection
!)
- Rat-tail and/or Fine-Toothed Comb
- Gel
- Ouchless Clear Elastic Bands
- Hairspray
- Spray bottle of “Wishing Well Water” (aka: regular water to mist hair!)
- Bobby pins
Choose a Special Hairstyle
Just like in the real Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where kids can choose their own hairstyle, give your child a choice. I’ll outline a few of the hairstyles that are done at the Boutique with tools and instructions on how to replicate at home.
Hair should be clean, dry and brushed smooth of all tangles (sorry, Rapunzel!). The above list of tools should be at hand during your hair styling. Even regular hair styles, like these French braids can be made more special. Connect them together and attach a coordinated bow, like this image.
Disney Princess Up-Do
Fairytale Princess Bun – To create the perfect and easy bun, the Fast Hair Bun Donut Ring
DIY Easy Princess Bun – To recreate the top-knot bun that I made for my daughter, scrape damp hair into a high ponytail, secure with clear elastic and mist with hairspray. Divide hair into two sections and twist each individually to the right). Then wrap the twisted sections around each other, winding to the left (see image below). Secure at the end with a clear elastic band. Wrap the bun around until tight and secure with bobby pins at the base, pushing them in so they’re hidden. The result is a romantic bun that looks a bit like a flower and is perfect for Tinker Bell or any princess wanting to wear a tiara!
Colorful Disney Princess Hairstyles
Disney Diva – This is a wild and sassy look that’s for an edgy princess look (tweens love this one!) Scrape hair into a high ponytail and secure with clear elastic band. Clip one or more Colored Hair Extensions
DIY Color Star – This romantic look includes colored braids with a half-up/half-down hair-do. You can choose to use colored hair extensions or ribbons, as I did. For our Princess Aurora look, I used 1/4″ blue ribbon and 1/8″ pink ribbons.
Pull back top section of hair across the forehead, between the ears. Divide in half, parting in the center and place each section into a hair elastic. Cut ribbons to your preferred length (best to cut them longer than you think, you can always trim them later if they’re too long). I used one long blue and one long pink ribbon in each braid. Loop around the elastic and tie in a knot (as shown in the image above).
Section into three, including one blue ribbon and one pink into each hair section, then braid. I braided until at the middle of my daughter’s head, then secured at the end with a clear elastic. Repeat on opposite side. Band the two sections together.
Make it pink! Make it blue! Add extra bits of ribbon for added flair, knotting around the clear elastic. This style stayed put all day in my daughter’s hair, even through a nap!
Practically Perfect Hair Accessories
To polish off the princess look, seek out beautiful accessories that put on the finishing touch. A floral crown paired with the princess bun is a softly romantic look. Add on hair accessories like a tiara or Mickey hair clip.
Kid-Friendly Make-Up Tips
When choosing makeup for kids aim for simple products that won’t irritate eyes or skin. To create a DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you’ll want eye shadow, blush, and lip gloss. Skip using foundation, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner or mascara (this is more of a soft and cute look, not the over-the-top glam of Toddlers and Tiaras!)
You could go for a complete makeup kit that’s geared to children. If your child is older and is interested in doing their own makeup during pretend play, this is a decent option. Otherwise using your own eye shadow palette, blush and lip gloss is sufficient.
Kid’s Manicure Tips
Before starting to paint, make sure kid’s hands are clean, nails are trimmed and any jagged edges are gently filed. Set down an old towel or a wipe-off place mat on a flat surface. Kids can lay their hands flat. Or roll an old towel for children to curve their hands over.
Piggy Paint is the kid’s standard for nail polish. It’s non-toxic, odor-free and perfectly kid-friendly. Tons of fun colors to choose from too! My daughter picks pink 100% of the time. Although painting each finger a different color is another of her favorite choices, as you can see!
Finishing Off the Look
To complete the transformation, consider adding these magical accessories with your DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
- Add Rhinestone Sticker Gems
to the cheek for a little sparkle and shine.
- Kid-friendly spray glitter for the hair, like Rock The Locks Shake & Shimmer Glitter Spray
. This brand is made in the USA without parabens or phthalates and is infused with essential oils.
- Skip the uncomfortable plastic shoes! Choose comfortable princess-worthy shoes (we love pediped
) that will have your child dancing till midnight.
Capturing the Moments
One of the best parts of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is when the “Fairy-Godmother-in-Training” turns the child towards the mirror to see the final transformation. Capture the magical reveal in the mirror by having your camera ready!
As you can see we took photos in the yard of my daughter’s DIY transformations and she really got into the spirit.
At Home Disney Magic
If your DIY Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is taking place at home, these ideas will help you add to the Disney magic:
- Plan this Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for a princess birthday party. Have each party guest bring their own princess dress, hair brush and come to the party with clean, dry hair that’s ready for styling. Goody bags could include the makeover accessories that each child can take home.
- Watch the Disney movie based on the princess makeover. Use the free printable in this post about which Disney movies to watch before a trip!
Create Disney themed foods to eat based on the transformation!
- Beignets – Princess and the Frog’s Tiana
- Apple pie – Snow White
- The Grey Stuff – Beauty and the Beast’s Belle
- Chinese food – Mulan
- Tea and cakes – Alice in Wonderland
When the Clock Strikes Midnight
Removing makeup is necessary at the end of the day. I prefer these easy to use Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Face Wipes
