Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique...princessy fun or pageant-y creepy?

[pinkerbell]

like anything, fun that gone too far, can be creepy...

 

[pl'smama]

Fine. Take your child. Who cares? Some don't like it and won't take their child, that's their choice. If you do, then take her.

Thanks crzyred, I did take my DD and she loved it! I totally agree that some will and some won't like it. There is nothing more obvious than that. I think it is the nasty comments about how the little girls look that is, to put it mildly, not very nice. Just a shame adults or those who appear to be adults can be so mean.

As far as who cares, well I do. And so do the other supporters of the BBB expereince. You must on some level or you would not respond to this.

Suz

 

[PC MOM]

I have 3 girls and really considered doing this. They love the barbershop (as does my son) so I thought this might be a really special thing just for the girls. Well, we were having breakfast in the castle, and we wandered into the Boutique and saw three women working on this little 4 or 5-year-old while a Photopass photographer snapped pictures and I don't know how to describe the feelings I had. It just felt all wrong. My instincts just kicked in and I really felt that the whole senario wasn't right-or maybe appropriate?-at all.

I don't want to judge other parents whose child had a great experience-I'm happy for you, really.

I think we'll just stick with the barbershop. Fifteen bucks for a great haircut and all the pixie dust you need.

I'm not judging either but......

You really just can't wander in at the castle. You would have to get pass the lady at the front desk. So I would have to believe that you went in to see what was going on.

That being said......we all have our definition of wrong.

No bad vibes.....

 

[crathy21]

I am not a big fan of BBB, I don't like little girls looking like grown ups BUT I totally understand the little ones interest in being "a princess" SO.... I did take my 5-yr-old DD to BBB at the castle during our recent trip. She is not a fan of having her hair cut so I knew this would be a bit scary for her. We were able to get a walk in appt at the castle. They sat her in the chair and were being really sweet to her, it was obvious she was nervous, and she calls me over and whispers "I don't want to do this" -so we left. Fortunately this had been a spur of the moment appt, no waiting and they hadn't "done" anything yet so we didn't waste much time and no money was spent.

Later that day we went to the Harmony Barber shop and they put her hair in a "up do" and sprinkled her with pixie dust, it was beautiful! Cost only $7.50 so we tipped big!

However, DD has already asked that we go back to BBB on our next trip next January. This time we will try the Downtown Disney BBB since its more roomy, not as frantic environment. We'll see...

 

[pl'smama]

I'm not judging either but......

You really just can't wander in at the castle. You would have to get pass the lady at the front desk. So I would have to believe that you went in to see what was going on.

That being said......we all have our definition of wrong.

No bad vibes.....

, my version of cheers!! Good on ya!

Suz

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Thanks crzyred, I did take my DD and she loved it! I totally agree that some will and some won't like it. There is nothing more obvious than that. I think it is the nasty comments about how the little girls look that is, to put it mildly, not very nice. Just a shame adults or those who appear to be adults can be so mean.

As far as who cares, well I do. And so do the other supporters of the BBB expereince. You must on some level or you would not respond to this.

Suz

(Quote)I will tell you what I did find creepy during our September vacation. The first three days of our trip there was record breaking heat, the heat indexes were 108 degrees the day we were at MK. We saw little girls walking around in nylon full length dress in plasic high heels with make-up streaming down their little red faces who had obviously just been BBB'd. I had appointments for all three of our girls while we were there and I cancelled them, luckily it was a surprise and they didn't even know they didn't get to go. But on that same note, they saw all of the other little girls that had been made-up and not one of my girly girls said they wanted the make-over.

I found it very creepy and almost cruel to see these people dragging around their children in the sweltering heat dressed like that. Would any of you like to tour MK in 100 degree weather wearing a full-length nylon dress, plastic high heels with electic blue eye shadow dripping down your face? I don't think so! (Quote)

I am just wondering why not one of the pp who think that BBB is the most wonderful, magical, greatest thing that ever happed to their little girl, had no comment what I witnessed this past September with the extreme heat the the little girls sweltering their outfits, shoes and makeup? Or is that part of the magical experience too? Florida is very, very hot for a large part of the year, and as I said I don't think it really has anything to do with creepy or cute, it has to do with your child melting in the Florida heat. So, I guess I'm wondering why nobody else thinks that's a big deal.

 

[maxiesmom]

What is there to argue about? No one is forcing you to take your child to the BBB. Don't like it, don't go. I couldn't care less what you do. But some of you seem to be equating the BBB with a brothel. How some of you can take something that is sweet and fun and twist it into something creepy and dark is, quite frankly, distrubing.

 

[micmacmissy]

I don't think anyone has insulted anyone else's children...in fact, with pictures posted on this thread, most responses said the little girls look MORE beautiful in their "before" pictures, than the after pictures.

And I, for one, am not trying to take something innocent and make it dark and twisted. I simply think there are more important things to emphasize to little girls than hair and makeup. I would have no problem with BBB if their services were more age-appropriate. Dress up is fun and innocent! But piling hair spray, makeup, and body glitter on little girls? I find it wrong.

To me, this falls into the same category as Bratz dolls...if others want to buy them, that is their right, but I think it's important to recognize how the trend is our society is glamming these little girls up too much, too soon. The LAST place you would expect to see that is a wholesome a place as Disney. I guess that is why I find it disappointing.

Laura Ingraham (radio host) has written a book with a chapter on what she calls the "pornification" of society...it is very interesting... www.lauraingraham.com if you want to read more!

Some interesting articles on these issues (and one about dressing kids for Halloween, which I think is a close comparison), if anyone is interested:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/29/AR2007102902095.html

and

http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/30/pornified-it-aint-just-on-halloween/

 

[Robin4]

(Quote)I will tell you what I did find creepy during our September vacation. The first three days of our trip there was record breaking heat, the heat indexes were 108 degrees the day we were at MK. We saw little girls walking around in nylon full length dress in plasic high heels with make-up streaming down their little red faces who had obviously just been BBB'd. I had appointments for all three of our girls while we were there and I cancelled them, luckily it was a surprise and they didn't even know they didn't get to go. But on that same note, they saw all of the other little girls that had been made-up and not one of my girly girls said they wanted the make-over.

I found it very creepy and almost cruel to see these people dragging around their children in the sweltering heat dressed like that. Would any of you like to tour MK in 100 degree weather wearing a full-length nylon dress, plastic high heels with electic blue eye shadow dripping down your face? I don't think so! (Quote)

I am just wondering why not one of the pp who think that BBB is the most wonderful, magical, greatest thing that ever happed to their little girl, had no comment what I witnessed this past September with the extreme heat the the little girls sweltering their outfits, shoes and makeup? Or is that part of the magical experience too? Florida is very, very hot for a large part of the year, and as I said I don't think it really has anything to do with creepy or cute, it has to do with your child melting in the Florida heat. So, I guess I'm wondering why nobody else thinks that's a big deal.

I understand that the outfits aren't always comfortable but BBB is a choice. And even if you do choose to go to BBB you don't have to get the dress if it's really going to be too hot. Plus it's not BBB fault that some moms etc. (if any) force their children to go there and wear the outfits on a hot day, that's an issue that the parents have. Those kind of parents could have ordered that same dress from Disney Online and it would have been the same issue. Personally, I love BBB, I'm not saying everyone else does but I like the idea of letting girls play dress up and be princesses in a place like WDW. If princesses are the issue then why would anybody go to WDW, buy princess movies or what have you? Seriously, I don't think one day in a bun and a dress is going to scar any child. If that's the case we might as well get rid of prom.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I understand that the outfits aren't always comfortable but BBB is a choice. And even if you do choose to go to BBB you don't have to get the dress if it's really going to be too hot. Plus it's not BBB fault that some moms etc. (if any) force their children to go there and wear the outfits on a hot day, that's an issue that the parents have. Those kind of parents could have ordered that same dress from Disney Online and it would have been the same issue. Personally, I love BBB, I'm not saying everyone else does but I like the idea of letting girls play dress up and be princesses in a place like WDW. If princesses are the issue then why would anybody go to WDW, buy princess movies or what have you? Seriously, I don't think one day in a bun and a dress is going to scar any child. If that's the case we might as well get rid of prom.

So, do you think that you personally could have "fun" touring Mk in a wig, full-length nylon dress, plastic shoes and full glitter make-up on a hot summer's day? Just wondering.

 

[Tykatmadismomma]

I love the idea of BBB, However I cant see spending all that money for it. Last year we bought the girls cute princess summer outfits, I did their hair and put alittle chapstick with sparkles in it on them and got a .99 shaker of irradecent glitter from Sallys and let dd6 at the time pick out a bottle of cheap polish and painted her nails the night before. They loved it and I didnt have to worry about their hair, make~up, princess dress, or shoes bothering them and I wasnt out all the money either. Plus lil dd was only 23mos at the time.

 

[Tykatmadismomma]

 

[PC MOM]

So, do you think that you personally could have "fun" touring Mk in a wig, full-length nylon dress, plastic shoes and full glitter make-up on a hot summer's day? Just wondering.

No.....but some think the Tower of Terror is fun. However, my DD 7 (who, BTW, loves the BBB) refuses to get on it and even stresses if we get on it.

So I would imagine everyone has different likes and dislikes.

I would not think someone is "very creepy and almost cruel" for putting a 5, 6 or even 7 year old on this ride just because my daughter does not like it......and would appreciate others not labelling me for allowing my child to take part in a very occasional trip to the BBB.

To each there own.....just think....we are one less family in line for the ToT.

 

[ElmerTinaRh]

Wow, some pretty nasty comments in this post. I took my 3yr old granddaughter last May and it was one of the highlights of my trip. She thought she was a princess for a day. How often in a little girls life will she have the chance for that feeling. After all, this is Disney, Where Dreams Come True. We are going again in May and reservations have already been made. Yes, we (myself and her) enjoyed the make up (they don't over do it) and the puffy hair. As soon as she said that the dress was itching her, it was changed. I'm sorry, but I think that anyone who thinks this is "creepy" has some real problems to even think of it in that way. Maybe I'm taking your comments the wrong way, and I do hope. Ok, now I know the comments are going to come, but like others have said if you don't like it, don't go, but don't put down those that do enjoy it.

 

[Robin4]

Honestly, I would have fun just because of where I was heels or no heels but I'm not the little kid wearing it so I see your point. However, it's a choice- a matter of opinion. If a person doesn't think it's fun then by all means why would you pay to go. I don't think Disney's intentions were to turn little girls into anything other than princesses for a day or for a few hours. At the end of the day it was meant to be all fun and games not heat exhaustion and swollen feet.

 

[Ilovefozzie]

Just wondering what the moms of little girls out there think of this...on the one hand, I think the BBB is a stroke of marketing genius for Disney....but the mother in me is a little disheartened, seeing all those little girls with their faces covered in makeup and glitter.

Is this harmless fun, or sending little girls the wrong message? Don't flame, just wondering if anyone felt the same way?

I have to agree with you. The DH and I are very protective of our DD7 and to us, it's a little, maybe not quite creepy, but darn close. Besides the fact that the cost of BBB is terrifing!

Of course, we as a family all stop at the Barber Shop and get all of our heads pixie dusted and colored. Very fun!

 

[marivaid]

So, do you think that you personally could have "fun" touring Mk in a wig, full-length nylon dress, plastic shoes and full glitter make-up on a hot summer's day? Just wondering.

I've had a lot of fun in WDW last July when I was wearing jeans, a long sleeved shirt, full make up and my butt-length hair down. So, anything's possible.

More seriously, dresses CAN come off. Most parents will think of packing an extra "play" outfit for the child to change into once she gets sick of the dress.
And if they don't.... well, that's why Disney sells children's outfits and shoes in every store.

The makeup is not any worse than the face painting that is very popular at AK and I don't see anyone saying it's disturbing or "cruel".

Sometimes, fun and comfortable don't really go together.Try riding Splash Mountain in the front row around 11pm and you'll see what I mean.

 

[ninaeve]

I usually stay out of posts like this, but I had to post on this one. I do not like when people lump others all into one group of cruel parents trying to make their child grow up too quick. My now 7 yr old daughter is not allowed to buy Bratz, wear tummy revealing shirts, low rise pants, makeup(other than once a yr at dance recital), and is not even allowed to purchase Hannah Montana stuff yet.

BBB being classified as tacky and pageanty makes me ill. No one is parading these girls in front of a crowd to be judged on their appearance. They are ALL made to feel special throughout the whole experience.

We took my daughter last year as a surprise. We met her good friend there as they were on vacation too. She was tearful she was so happy. This year's trip BBB is the #1 thing on her list. Our cousin had gotten her the dress for Christmas, and my aunt the tiara and shoes. The shoes were the real shoes with complete real rubber bottoms not the Walmart/Target plastic ones.

I looked back at the pictures to see if I remembered wrong, but no I remembered right. She had VERY light makeup, so light I could not even see the color in the pictures. She had clear lip gloss. The only bright thing was her pink nail polish.

It was 70 degrees that day, and she was completely comfortablle, but we had a change of clothes with us in case she wanted to change. By afternoon, she was in a shawl bc it was chilly. Her hairdo was not too tight, and believe me, she would have the first to let the room know if it was.

I think we should be celebrating letting these girls all have a chance to be waited on and made the center of attention. They are all made to feel beautiful not bc of the makeup or the dress, but bc they are all special "princesses". They are being paid attention to by a whole group of people. The hairdressers were lovely and complemented our daughters on more than just their outer appearance. They kept up a dialogue with them, and it was a very enjoyable time making sweet memories.

 

[Blaze12]

We love BBB! I can see the point of the hot days and the heavy dresses. Personally, we get a shorter, and less heavy dress for our trips. It can get hot during the summer months in Disney. We live in South Florida, so the heat does not bother us that much, then again, we do not visit during the summer months, it is too crowded for us. But, you can still go to BBB and just as easily get dressed in other clothes if you like. Or bring a change of clothes for afterwards. From my experience, it appears that most people follow this experience with a princess breakfast/lunch. So you are going from AC to AC really.

Now when we went, they did not use body glitter at all. They put glitter in her hair, that was all. She had on a salon cape, and a cover shield over her face when they applied it. So I am not sure if the body glitter is something new, or if people are assuming it is body glitter.

I am a live and let live person. In all honestly, if the girls are happy, and not hurting anyone, does it really matter????? There are plenty of things other people do with their children that I would never do, but at the same time, I dont pass judgement on other people. What they do is there choice. If I dont agree, so be it, but if it is not putting my family in danger, I dont really care. If you dont like it, dont go. If you dont think it is worth the money, dont go. If you dont like how the girls look, then dont look. I think the name calling is not neccessary though!! They are CHILDREN!!!!!!!

 

[Blaze12]

So, do you think that you personally could have "fun" touring Mk in a wig, full-length nylon dress, plastic shoes and full glitter make-up on a hot summer's day? Just wondering.

It is fun on the MNSSHP nights!! And I can say, there have been some hot ones when we went in the past.