Gracie has known about Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique since she was approximately 2 and a half, which is when she saw a photo of a little girl in full Cinderella transformation regalia and asked me in a very serious voice if that was something that could happen to her.
I told her yes, someday, and she filed it away the way she files things that matter and brought it back up at regular intervals for the next eight months.
We did it on our third Disney Fantasy sailing, the week she turned 3. Here is how it went and what it actually cost and what I think about it now.
What Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Is
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a salon on the Disney Fantasy where children are styled as Disney royalty. A “Fairy Godmother-in-Training,” which is the title they use for the staff, does hair, makeup, and gives the child a princess or knight package. For girls, the classic princess look includes a hair style, glitter makeup, nail polish, and depending on the package, a gown. For boys, the knight package includes hairstyle and armor accessories.
It is a full theatrical experience, not just a hairdo. The space is designed to feel like a fairy tale salon. The staff are excellent at what they do, which includes working with small children who have ideas about how they want to look and also the attention span of a 3-year-old.
How to Book It
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the Disney cruise fills up quickly. Book it the moment your online booking window opens, not once you are on the ship. The appointments are available through the Disney Cruise Line website in advance, and the popular time slots on sea days go first.
We booked Gracie’s appointment about six weeks before the sailing, which was later than I should have, and the only available time on a sea day was 9am, which is early but workable. Afternoons were gone. Evenings were gone. If you want a specific time slot, book early.
The Packages and Pricing
The packages vary and the prices change, but here is roughly what the tiers look like at the time of our sailing:
The Courtyard Experience (hair only): starting around $25 to $30. Just the hairstyle, no full transformation. Good if your kid wants the hair but not the full experience.
The Castle Package: mid-tier, around $95 to $150 depending on the specific option. Includes hairstyle, glitter makeup, nail polish, princess sash, and some accessories.
The Coronation Package (gown included): upper tier, around $250 to $450+. Includes everything in the Castle Package plus a full princess gown.
We did the Castle Package without the gown because I was not spending $300+ on a gown for a 3-year-old who would wear it for approximately four hours. Gracie had opinions about this but accepted the compromise when I explained she would be getting a gown from the gift shop later (which was significantly cheaper and is still being worn regularly at home).
We spent $130 total for the Castle Package with tip.
Gracie’s Experience
She was nervous when we walked in. This surprised me because she had been asking for this for months. Once she sat in the chair and the Fairy Godmother-in-Training started talking to her and showing her the different hairstyle options in a little book, the nerves settled into deep concentration. Gracie approached the style selection with the focus of someone making a very important decision.
She chose the Elsa crown braid. She held still for the entire styling, which is remarkable for a child who does not usually hold still for anything. She watched herself in the mirror the whole time with an expression I can only describe as regal.
The glitter makeup was very light, appropriate for a 3-year-old. The nail polish was pink. She got a sash, a wand, and a little tiara.
When it was done and the Fairy Godmother-in-Training turned the chair to the big mirror for the reveal, Gracie looked at herself for a long moment and then said, very quietly, “I look like a princess.”
Alan, who was standing next to me, was not fine. Neither was I. The Fairy Godmother-in-Training was also not fine, and she does this multiple times a day.
The Rest of the Day
This is the part that I think matters for thinking about whether it is worth it. The transformation is the event, but what happens after is also part of the value.
We walked out of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and went directly to the character meets, where Gracie met Cinderella in full princess regalia. She met her as a princess meeting a princess, and that dynamic was completely different from every other character meet she had done. Cinderella recognized her gown and her crown and spoke to her accordingly. I cannot tell you what those five minutes cost in my tear duct budget, but it was significant.
She wore the look to dinner at Royal Court that evening and sat at the table like royalty. Rory was oblivious and ate macaroni and cheese and that was fine too.
The hair held through a full day, including the pool deck afterward because Gracie made certain choices about her afternoon.
Is It Worth It for 3-Year-Olds?
This is the honest question and here is my honest answer: it depends on your kid.
Gracie was ready for it at 3. She understood what it was, she had wanted it, and she was old enough to sit still and engage with the experience. The result was meaningful to her in a way I could see.
Kids who are younger or who are not particularly into princess culture may not get the same return on the experience. At 2, Rory would have been miserable in that chair for any amount of time. At 3, a different child who is not engaged with the princess narrative might find it boring or uncomfortable.
The value of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is not really the hair or the makeup. It is the feeling of being the star of a small, beautiful story for an hour. If your child is at the age where they can inhabit that story, it is worth it. If they are not there yet, wait.
We will not do it again on the next sailing. Gracie does not need to repeat it. She has the memory and the photos and, still, the sash. That was enough. The one time was the right time, and I am glad we did it.
