“Is it worth it?” This is the question most people ask when they find out we did the full Castle Package for our then 4-year-old. Truth be told we’ve shelled out for a second trip to the boutique (just the crown Package), and a third at the Pirate’s League for a Pirate night on the DCL (Empress Package).
So is it worth it? Seems like the answer for our family has been a resounding yes. I can tell you that watching the video of our daughter’s ‘reveal’ still makes me tear up 7 years later. She was so incredibly excited and then blown away by what she saw when that Fairy Godmother-in-training spun her chair around.
So what do you get with each experience?
First you and your munchkin will decide on a hairstyle; Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva or Colour Star. Alyssa decided on the traditional Fairytale princess, which I was a little worried about as it’s a super tight bun. She was (is still) a child who screamed when knots had to be combed out of her hair, and I shuddered to think of the brushing she would be subjected to with this hairstyle. Imagine my surprise when she proved to be a perfect little angel without a tear in sight; such is the magic of the place. Next you select your package.
The Crown package includes:
-Hairstyling
-Shimmering makeup and face gem
-Princess sash and cinch bag
-Nail Polish
The Courtyard package includes:
-Hairstyling
-Shimmering makeup and face gem
-Princess sash and cinch bag
-Nail Polish
-Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt
-Trendy tutu
The Castle package includes:
-Hairstyling
-Shimmering makeup and face gem
-Princess necklace, sash and cinch bag
-Nail Polish
-Disney Princess gown of your choice (shoes not included)
-Wand
-Crown
For your little Knights they offer the Knight package, which gets you:
-Hairstyling with gel
-Mighty sword and shield
-Confetti
Disney has also added a few extra options over the past couple years;
The Disney Frozen package includes:
-Anna or Elsa hairstyle with braided hairpiece
-Sparkling snowflake hair accessory
-Anna or Elsa costume
-Shimmering makeup
-Face gem
-Princess sash and cinch bag
-Nail polish
-12-inch Olaf plush
The Disney Frozen Crown package includes:
-Anna or Elsa hairstyling with braided hairpiece
-Sparkling snowflake hair accessory
-Shimmering makeup
-Face gem
-Princess sash and cinch bag
-Nail polish
-12-inch Olaf plush
You can also add-on photo packages with the help of Disney PhotoPass. If you have purchased Memory Maker, any photos taken at the Boutique are included. Disney photographers are on hand at the Boutique, taking multiple photos of the transformation of your Prince or Princess. By adding the Imaging package will get you 1 6″ x 8″ photo and 4 4″ x 6″ photos in a special holder.
Pricing and offerings for all packages are as always subject to change. Click here to link to Disney’s BBB page.
Alyssa’s first experience began with check-in to the Boutique at the Magic Kingdom. We were asked to pick which princess she wanted to be, and if we would be adding shoes to the outfit. She decided on Cinderella with the matching shoes, and we were shown to a fitting room where she could change into her new dress. Once called into the Boutique she was addressed as Princess Alyssa from then on. We were introduced to her Fairy Godmother-in-Training, and the transformation began. 
The FGiT was fabulous. She was quick-witted and funny, expertly keeping the magic flowing as she worked to keep an excited 4-year-old in her seat. Every couple min she would have remind Alyssa not to peek, and turn her head away from the mirror.
Let me warn you; they use A LOT of gel for the Fairytale Princess hairstyle. Thankfully, the hair is combed completely free of knots and tangles before it’s applied. That said, it took me standing behind her in the shower scrubbing her hair for what seemed like forever to get it out. When they say your little princess can sleep with the bun in their hair and wake up without it looking different, they aren’t lying. They also (when your princess requests it) use A LOT of Pixie Dust. Her scalp was still green and sparkly after a couple of thorough showers.
When it came time for the reveal, a Disney photographer was called over to capture the moment. They sprinkled some pixie dust, and wishing that all her magical wishes would come true, spun her around for the reveal. I have never seen her look that stunned. She was in awe. I’m a typical mother who believes her child is beautiful, always; she looked stunning because she believed in her heart that she was now a princess. That look made it completely worth the money.
To try to answer the opening question “Is it worth it?”, I think it would depend on your kid. Alyssa believed in the magic with all her heart. That meant that the experience was completely magical from beginning to end for her. We finished our evening with a dinner at 1900 Park Fare where the experience continued. The food wasn’t the best, however the cast members were amazing. They really make the kids (and adults) feel like they’re part of the show. As I’ve said, in my opinion, it was worth every penny.
I think the question you should ask yourself before investing in this experience is: Will my child believe in the magic? That’s not to say your money is wasted on older kids. Some kids who no longer believe in the magic presented by Disney in their movies still enjoy the experience of feeling like the magic is real. I know I still do.
For those of you who have experienced The Boutique, what was your experience like? For those who haven’t, what’s stopped you? Please leave us comment, we’d love to hear from you!
