Princess Dresses in Parks vs. at The Disney Store

[DinahInWonderland]

I noticed through the Shop Disney Parks app that the princess dresses in the parks cost a significant amount more than the ones available on the Disney Store website. Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in quality to justify the higher price? I'm wondering if I should just buy my daughter a dress ahead of time or its worth it to wait and pay extra for the dresses at the park.

 

[kastoney]

The ones in the park are a bit higher quality, but not at all worth the massive price difference. I'd definitely get one and bring it with you. We did this for my daughter and I actually ended up getting her something off of etsy that was cheaper than both

 

[MadMadamMim1]

They are higher quality but I wouldn't say it justified the price hike. For instance I noticed the Belle dress there didn't shed massive amounts of gold glitter everywhere like the one from the Disney store. And there are subtle differences in some designs.

 

[DinahInWonderland]

They are higher quality but I wouldn't say it justified the price hike. For instance I noticed the Belle dress there didn't shed massive amounts of gold glitter everywhere like the one from the Disney store. And there are subtle differences in some designs.

Honestly I think I would pay the extra to avoid some of the glitter shed!!! Thanks for the info. Looks like I will be looking inyo Etsy and probably making a trip to the Disney Store before vacation!

 

[mom2rtk]

I would wait and see what the Halloween lineup at the Disney Store looks like. Sometimes I like the DS versions better, sometimes I like the parks versions better. But there are definitely better deals to be found at DS.

 

[disneymom0104]

When my girls were younger they got a new princess dress every trip. The parks dresses are definitely better quality than Disney Store, but the Disney store dresses aren't bad quality at all. Sometimes the parks have special dresses (it has been 6 years since we were at WDW) but one of my girls got Belle's red holiday dress one year. It all just depends on what you are looking for- neither option is a bad one!

 

[coloradocutie]

We find that the Disney Parks dresses are much higher quality, and given the amount that they are worn, definitely wear better and longer, and worth it for us. Plus they are really beautiful. I have had the Disney Store dresses rip after minimal wear.

 

[lubob]

We have bought the disney store dresses the last two times and we were happy we did. They may be a little more fancy in the parks but definitely not worth paying the extra cost for the dresses.

 

[WishingMom]

If you're a Costco member, their princess Halloween costumes are very nice. I would look at that option as well.

 

[blemon]

I got a snow white dress on clearance at JCPenney.com for $20. They are also always having sales. It is beautiful, great quality, and went on easily. We took it outside when it arrived and whacked the heck out of it to get rid of excess glitter. She wore it to breakfast at CRT and was out of it by 11 it was so hot. We brought a change of clothes because we knew it would be too hot to wear all day.

The other thing you should look into is the princess dresses that are made of knit cotton. We found Anna on Amazon. It's a t-shirt skater dress that is printed to look like Anna's dress. Everyone at the parks was raving about the dress. Because it was cotton, she was comfortable all day and still felt really special.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Well I must say just by looking at them I did not notice a difference. We have never bought one at the parks. If I was paying full price I would just wait, be in the moment and buy it there as there is what a $20 difference? We buy the dresses for dd on clearance from the store. The best is when you can get the ones that are normally $100-150 origanally marked down to $50-60 and I have yet to see one in the parks that are as nice as those, unless they were limited edition. She has had about 7-8 dresses through the years. They have all held up fine with half of them played with consistently.

 

[jennygirlmt]

The Disney store does have a fancy line of dresses that cost almost $100. These occasionally go on sale. Beautiful gowns were $20-50 a few months ago at their "twice upon a year sale." I didn't buy them bc our trip is in Feb and I wasn't sure on size and the desired princess. I plan to keep checking as we get closer. I can't imagine spending park prices!

Also, the higher quality ones tend to be heavier and hotter. We're going in Feb so I'm not terribly worried. But something to consider. I know there's a line of washable cotton ones online. I'll try to find it.

 

[jwmoss]

Myfancyprincess.com has super comfy princess dresses that are less expensive, and very durable. And you can toss them in the washer without issue, too.

 

[DAKL101]

Don't be worried. It will be comfortable enough to wear it and bring a change of clothes. The disney store versions are like the "last season" of the park dresses. They start at the park and by the time they hit the stores there is a new version. There are also many different version (i.e. ariel).