*Just a heads up, this post is FULL of information, so it will be lengthy. However, if you are planning a visit to the boutique, it is definitely worth the time to read through it! If you aren't preparing a trip, read at your own risk!
As a special education major, I was often asked to pair up with princesses with special needs. This always created magical memories for myself and the princess, and it was always a joy working with them! During my time at the boutique, there were times that I wished I could jump back in time and give a parent advice about the experience before they arrived. While this post will help any princess prepare for the boutique, the focus will be on preparing a princess with special needs for the experience.
As all parents of children with special needs know, preparation is key, and hopefully these tools will create a more magical experience for your family! At the bottom of this post, I have included a written social story. Due to copyright reasons, I am unable to include pictures. However, I have included links next to each step of the story so you can find the pictures and put the story together using those photos.
First things first, coming in with a "game plan" about which hairstyle your child would like is important. There are four styles to choose from, though they are phasing out one of the selections.
1. Fairytale Princess: The fairytale princess bun is by far the most popular choice, mainly because it is the hairstyle that parents (usually) love most. It uses a lot of product. The child's hair is placed in a ponytail on the top of the child's head. The placement is very important because if it is too far back, it can cause "ouchies." If your child has impossibly knotty hair, getting the ponytail to the top is difficult and can be painful, so keep that in mind when making a selection. The hair is twirled into a fancy bun with a very classic look. The hairstyle comes with a tiara and a Mickey clip so "Mickey can follow the princess around all day long." It was rare for girls to come back and complain about the hairstyles hurting their heads, but when they did, it was almost always because of the fairytale. While you may love this style, your princess may not, so please keep that in mind.
2. Disney Diva: The Disney Diva is a hairstyle that makes dreams come true, and I will explain why! When I first saw this style years ago, I just didn't get it - but after working at the boutique, I see why it is a popular option for the girls! The Disney Diva is a long hairpiece with short pieces teased on the top to create what appears to be a bun, with long hair flowing down the back. It comes in natural colors like black, dark brown, light brown, blonde and red, and a fun color - pink (aka cotton candy hair)! It also includes two Mickey hair pins. So how does it make dreams come true? 1. It is long and curly, and if your child has short hair, those long locks can be very exciting. 2. It comes in every princess' hair color, so your child's hair can match that of the princess she is being transformed into. 3. If your child has super thin hair, it won't matter for this style. It won't frizz or come out with all the gel, and it will guarantee a princess-perfect hairdo for the rest of the day. 4. If your child has braids or cornrows that you would like to leave in throughout your vacation, the Disney Diva can be pinned in with no problems. Still not convinced? Just imagine the smile on your child's face when her hair is blonde like Elsa's.
3. Pop Princess: This is the hairstyle that is being phased out. If your child has difficulty adjusting to change, I would suggest avoiding this hairstyle altogether, as it may not be an option when you arrive. If you have a fidgety princess, keep in mind that this style takes the longest. While it is totally crazy, it is absolutely adorable, especially on the little princesses! Currently, it comes in three colors - pink, purple, and multicolored. It has four twists in the front, and a crazy spiky hairpiece with braids that come down in the back. If it is too crazy for mom, you can talk to the fairy godmother about possibly taming it down a bit. While she cannot change the hairstyle, she can definitely control how crazy the spikes are. The hairstyle comes with four Mickey clips. The princesses who chose this hairstyle were always the spunkiest! I always had a "princess gasp" when this hairstyle was chosen. If you don't know what a princess gasp is, it is that magical moment when a child sees her new hairstyle for the first time and loves it - her jaw drops, and she gasps. Hence, the princess gasp.
4. Color Star: The color star is absolutely gorgeous, and super natural, with only a little product in the back. The hairstyle is always changing, so it can include anything from color streaks to a hairpiece to clips. It is something you may want to let your princess know before she arrives so she is not surprised when her hair doesn't look identical to the picture. This hairstyle has seven twists that meet in a ponytail, and it is my favorite style. The child's hair isn't tucked into a bun or hidden by a hairpiece, and I like that you can still see her real hair. I also love that the child's head isn't drowning in gel. If your child has a lot of allergies or skin conditions, like eczema, this might be a good choice since little product is used. The hairstyle usually lasts a long while depending on the length and texture of the hair, and I highly suggest it.
***Make sure to put sunscreen on the exposed skin in-between each row. This skin is not usually exposed to the sun, and it will burn.
Most Comfortable Style: Diva
Most Natural Style: Color Star
Most Crazy Style: Pop Princess
Most Classic Style: Fairytale
It is important to agree to a hairstyle at home, as the boutique is very stimulating, and the selection process can feel a bit rushed, depending on the fairy godmother. Let your child pick without your input first and see what she chooses - if it is not a hairstyle you care for, as the child
why. When I asked the children, more often than not, they had a very well thought out answer to this question (ie. I've always wanted to have long hair, I want my hair to be red like Ariel, I love the colorful braids, I like that my own hair is showing in the back). These are all answers I received after asking the princesses why they wanted a specific hairstyle after their mothers forced them to get a style they didn't like. The saddest answer I received was "I really wanted the diva, but my mom wanted the fairytale, so I'm getting this one because she liked it."
At home, you may want to create your own "hair menu" using pictures from google. That way, your child can see the style on several other girls, and you won't have to worry about them picking a style "because she has blue eye shadow" or "she's wearing a cinderella dress." Sometimes, the girls would pick a hairstyle because they liked the model's makeup or dress instead of the style. When the girl sits in the chair, have her tell the fairy godmother her choice before the fairy godmother shows her the big menu to avoid last minute changes!
The hair selection process was by far the most stressful part of the process. Talking about the decision before the transformation begins will create a more positive experience for you and your princess.
There are other ways to prepare for your experience. Please keep these tips in mind!
6 Months Before Your Trip
- Make an appointment!
- You can make an appointment for the boutique 6 months in advance. Try to get an early appointment if possible, before the park opens. After your experience, you can (hopefully) be the first on line for Anna and Elsa. You can always meet the princesses, then go to your photo shoot. I do suggest getting your photos taken before heading on the Mine Train, or other roller coasters.
- Sometimes the waits can be long the day of your transformation, and your hairstyle could take 30-45 minutes to complete, so it is very important to book your dining and fast passes around that window. I suggest leaving at least 2 hours after your appointment time before booking the next part of your vacation (that includes checking in, getting changed, the transformation and getting your photos taken).
- If your child has special needs, I would personally try to book the castle. In the castle, the child can sit on your lap (in Downtown Disney - DTD for short - this is not allowed). DTD is also much smaller, so there is less room for families to sit, and the small room makes it really loud. If your child is sensitive to sound, this is important to keep in mind. The lighting is also brighter in DTD. While the castle is more difficult to book, keep calling and hopefully some availability will open up.
2-3 Weeks Before Your Trip
- Check for lice and nits
- It is actually against the law to work on hair that has lice or nits, so fairy godmothers in training are trained to quickly check for these conditions before they begin. It is a very brief process, but if something is found, then confirmed, the child will not be allowed to continue in the process. It is so sad to come in expecting a hairstyle, and to leave with just makeup and nail polish. But there is a solution - check your children before you arrive!
- Most of the time, parents are unaware of the condition. It is easy to catch lice when at camp, or when kids come back to school, and if you don't know what to look for, you could be blindsided. It has NOTHING to do with how clean your child is - in fact, they prefer clean hair. It just means that your child came in contact with it at some point. Nits are generally found behind the ears and at the bottom of the neck. The actual bugs are often found in the middle of the hair. If you see white or yellow specks in your child's hair, gently rub your finger over that strand of hair. If the specks move, then it is dandruff. If the specks do not move, it can be nits. This website gives more details on how to check: http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/head_lice.html#
- Do NOT worry about your child catching any friends while at the boutique - Disney is very specific on their cleaning policy if a case is suspected, and they clean the chairs and tools used very well between each child - better than your local beauty salon. You will get to take the brush home that your child uses, so you know your child is the only one to use it!
- Depending on your child's needs, discuss the experience, and start reviewing the social story, or watching youtube videos.
- Depending on your child's sensory needs, order her own dress, shoes and accessories
- Disney does provide beautiful gowns available for purchase - some kids find them to be very comfortable, and others find them very itchy.
- There are dresses specifically made for this purpose - less stiff, doesn't make noise when the child walks. Check around online to see what costume fits YOUR princess' needs!
- The dresses they sell in Disney end mid-calf for safety reasons. When kids are going on rides, it is easy to trip on a long dress, so when you make your purchase please keep that in mind. It may be fun to have a long, frilly dress, but imagine your child walking through the park or onto rides and picture how uncomfortable that can be. At the same time, if your child is expecting a gown to reach her ankles, prepare her that this will not be the case.
- If you order a dress, try it on at home! Some parents don't do this, and if it is too small or itchy, there is nothing the fairy godmothers can do to help. I've also seen ripped dresses from home, or manufacturers defects. The common thread- none of these kids tried the dresses on at home.
- **Just a quick tip - some parents think they can save money by purchasing a dress in Downtown Disney or another store on property - but all products are the SAME PRICE on property! If you would like to save money, try purchasing at the Disney store before you go, or through another retailer.
- While the boutique has a great dress selection, it does NOT have every princess! Pocahontas and Mulan dresses are NOT sold in the boutique - though the fairy godmothers can sometimes make a Pocahontas dress magically appear. If your child has her heart set on a specific princess and won't be happy without it, purchase your dress in advance. Sometimes Cinderella's mice don't make enough dresses in a certain size - or something else crazy can happen - and by bringing your own dress, you can take away any uncertainty.
1 Week Before Your Trip
- Select a hairstyle with your child
- Continue to check for any lice or nits, because your fairy godmother cannot complete the transformation (dandruff, eczema, cradle cap and similar conditions are fine - the fairy godmother CAN do hair with any of these conditions!)
- Keep in mind that fairy godmothers cannot work with hair that has open wounds - so if your child has stitches, she will not be able to have her hair done. So - take extra caution the week leading up to your transformation!
- Pack a brush to bring to the boutique
- While your fairy godmother will provide you with a fine-toothed comb, and possibly a larger comb depending on your child's hair, a comb from home is almost always welcomed, especially if your child has a sensitive scalp. Usually the moms that bring combs brush their child's head before coming in, and they don't need it, but for those kids that have impossibly tangly hair, the amount of brushing the mother does before coming in doesn't even matter- the child can still have knots! Fairy godmothers totally understand that. But for princesses who are miserable when having their hair combed, please do it in advance. Your child (and fairy godmother) will thank you later. While any comb is welcome, I've found (along with other fairy godmothers) that wet combs cause the least amounts of "ouchies."
- Continue reading the social story or watching youtube videos with your child
- Pack your princess dress, shoes and accessories
- I highly suggest purchasing Memory Maker
- Not only do you keep all of your Photopass photos from your trip with magical shots, but you also get all of the photos from your photo shoot. These are professional studio shots, and totally worth the money in my opinion. I have purchased Memory Maker several times and I LOVE it!
The Day Of Your Experience
- Arrive at the boutique 5-10 minutes before your appointment time
- The children are seated based on appointment time, NOT arrival time, so the earlier you get there, the longer you will wait.
- Brush your child's hair
- When you check in...
- If you have your own dress, and you would like the fairy godmother in training to place it in the dressing room, let her know here!
- If your child has special needs, especially sensory difficulties, let them know up front and ask if they can make a note for her fairy godmother. They will usually try to pair up your child with someone with a background in this area.
- If your child speaks a language other than English, or uses ASL to communicate, ask them if there are any fairy godmothers available who can speak to the child in the language she is most comfortable in.
- The waiting area can get packed. If there are two adults available, have one adult wait for your child's name to be called in the lobby, and another wait outside with the child. While it is best that the child is present, as long as a parent can respond when the name is called and you are just outside, there shouldn't be any problems. To be safe, just let the fairy godmother at the front desk know your plan so they don't think your child left and is not getting a transformation.
- Let them know if your child is celebrating a birthday!
- When you meet your fairy godmother
- Let her know about your child's needs. You don't need to give your child's diagnoses, but letting her know that she is sensitive to sound, touch or smell is important. If your child feels more comfortable with her glasses on, address that (I wear glasses, so I know how important that is to me, but for fairy godmothers who don't wear glasses, they may not be as quick to realize this), if your child wears hearing aids or has a cochlear implant, ask that the fairy godmother leaves them on for as much as the process as possible. If you know your child will have a hard time sitting, let her know, and she can try to get a buddy to make things easier for your child. Whatever your child's needs are, let your fairy godmother know.
- If your child is a cancer survivor, or has dealt with severe medical issues, your fairy godmother may be able to create some extra magic. Understandably, some families would rather not talk about these difficulties while on vacation. However, I can say that when families told me their personal struggles, I was able to create some personalized magic for those children that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise, so it is worth mentioning if you feel comfortable.
- If your child has allergies, ask to read the bottles of hair product. I've seen some parents be concerned about the detangler because it smells fruity, so it is worth reading if your child could have a reaction.
- During the transformation
- Look for "ouchie" faces. The fairy godmothers are behind the children, so unless the child is vocal about her hair being pulled too hard, the fairy godmother will not know. However, children will often make "ouchie" faces without making sounds - if your child is uncomfortable (and you know if your child is really in pain or just being dramatic), let your fairy godmother know. Chances are, she had no idea, and will adjust immediately!
- If your child is in hysterics and does not want to sit in the beauty chair, ask the fairy godmother if the child can sit on your lap. Downtown Disney does not allow this, but the castle does, so keep that in mind when booking.
- Watch how many rubber bands your fairy godmother is putting in the hair. The thick black rubber bands shrink in the heat, and if more than 1 is put in, it can cause ouches later. The thin black rubber bands don't change in size. If the fairy godmother uses more than 2 black rubber bands (or more than 1 if your child is extremely sensitive), ask her to use one thick black and one thin black. It will save your child from being in pain the rest of the day.
- Sometimes with really thick hair, 2 thick black bands are needed- however, these often aren't wrapped more than twice, so you shouldn't have a problem, and the fairy godmother might need it to secure the hair. However, if your child has thin hair, and more than one thick black band is being used, don't hesitate to something to the fairy godmother.
- The children will be faced away from the mirror throughout the transformation. If this anticipation will cause anxiety for your child, ask to allow the child to feel her hair with the fairy godmother's hand guiding her hand. Personally, I found that to be very effective. However, if your child is really itching to see the mirror, ask her fairy godmother to show her the hairstyle early, and maybe save the grand reveal for the makeup. While every mother wants that picture perfect grand reveal, if your child is full of anxiety and stress, a picture just isn't worth a meltdown.
- Take lots of pictures! You will want to remember every moment! While the photo pass photographer will get certain shots, it is worth taking your own pictures on your camera, especially if you don't have memory maker.
- Enjoy - watch your child be transformed into a princess, and enjoy it! This will be one of the happiest memories of her childhood, so take in every second!
This is guide should help you prepare for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience - assuming you get an appointment. But what if you can't get an appointment to the boutique? Hopefully these tips will help:
If you CAN'T get an appointment....
- If your child is under 3 years old, you will not be allowed to make an appointment. Some parents lie about their child's age, but honestly, 2 years old is too young to appreciate the experience. Most children this age find it difficult to sit still for the amount of time it takes to do their hair, and the products have not been tested on children under 3.
- Arrive at the park as soon as it opens, and head straight to the boutique. Sometimes - not always- there are cancellations. If you arrive first thing in the morning, there is a better chance they can accommodate you. Check every day you are in Magic Kingdom.
- Sometimes, the fairy godmothers have no-shows, or their fingers are faster than usual and there is open availability midday. Throughout the day, every time you pass by the castle, check and see if there are any spots available. I wouldn't suggest going out of your way to check - this happens infrequently.
- If your child is over 12 years old, but has cognitive special needs, they may allow her to participate if there are cancellations the day of. It is not a guarantee. I did have one woman in her 40's. She did have a tour guide, so I do not know if that made a difference. She is the only princess I saw well over 12 that participated. I have seen girls older than 12, but younger than her, get turned away. It honestly depends on a lot of factors, but it is worth a try. The worst they can say is no.
- Pixie dusting is FREE and you do not need an appointment! Just ask a fairy godmother for pixie dust, and she will be happy to put pixie dust in your hair. Pixie dust is for everyone! If the boutique is closed, just head to castle couture and they can give it to you there. They will still say the magic words and make your child feel like the princess she is!
- Pirates League is a great experience open to pirates and mermaids ages 3 and up - and all the way to adults! If you have a princess who is too old for the boutique, or you cannot make an appointment to the boutique, consider giving Pirates League a try - it is a lot of fun!
Now, I have talked an awful lot about the princesses, but WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS? Some boys don't want face makeup, so Pirates League, though an amazing experience, may not be an option. However the boutique has a fun option for boys, and it is very affordable! The knights package has spiked hair with gel, with hidden Mickey's throughout and pixie dust. If your knight does not want his hair touched - that is okay too. He will still receive a sword and shield! It is actually cheaper to purchase the knight's package than the sword and shield individually (they lower the prince since its in a bundle).
I'm sure I missed some details or forgot a tip or two, but hopefully this guide will help you prepare for the experience! Whether you have a princess or a knight, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience is absolutely incredible. It is worth every penny to be treated like royalty. Nothing makes your child feels as special as his or her grand reveal, and it is an experience you will never forget!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at noelleeichenlaub@yahoo.com or leave a comment here. I am more than happy to help!
As promised, I have included a social story. Youtube has a ton of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique videos from check in to when you leave, and it may be more effective for your child. Definitely give it a try! However, if you know that having a social story in a booklet form will work best for your child, I have included every step of the experience here.
SOCIAL STORY (Based on the Cinderella Castle experience in Disney World)
*I apologize for not including pictures. Due to copyright infringement, I cannot post photos with the story. However, I have included a link to a corresponding picture. I tried to pick shots without people in them, but there a few pictures available for some of the shots that I needed. This is written assuming the child is selecting a dress from the boutique for purchase.
- First, we will walk up to the castle and go to the check-in desk. The might be a line. We might have to wait. Click Here for Picture
- After we check in, we will wait in the lobby. I will pick out a dress. It will be too small for me to wear, so the fairy godmother will get a dress in my size. Click Here for Picture
- When someone calls my name, we will go to the dressing room. There is a mirror in the dressing room. Click Here For Picture
- When I am done getting dressed, we will wait for my fairy godmother in the lobby. Click Here for Picture 1 Click Here for Picture 2
- When someone calls my name, we will walk to the chair. I will meet my fairy godmother. Click Here For Picture (Left Half)
- The fairy godmother will give me an apron. If it itches my neck, I can put it on my lap. I will not see myself in the mirror until she is done. Click Here For Picture (Right Half)
- The fairy godmother will do my hair, makeup and nails. Sometimes, another fairy godmother will help. That is okay! Click Here for Picture
- When she is done, I will get pixie dust! Click Here for Picture
- The fairy godmother will turn me around in the chair. I will see myself in the mirror. People will take pictures! Click Here for Picture
- We will all walk to the counter to pay. I will say goodbye to my fairy godmother. I will take home my makeup and nail polish. Click Here for Picture
- We will walk to the photo studio. They will take pictures of me. The light may be bright. The photographer will tell me where to stand and sit. Click Here for Photo
- We will go on rides. I had fun at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! Click Here for Photo