Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hairstyles: Short and Long Hair

You are in full Walt Disney World vacation planning mode now. You’ve researched the parks. You know the best places to get a meal, the cleanest bathrooms in the place, and even which Genie+ attractions you must book as soon as they become available. You have even made the decision to take your little princess to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

The reservation was made as soon as you knew this was one of those experiences you just couldn’t ignore. Now, you are trying to figure out what to expect from the salon. Don’t worry, I have some tips and tricks that will hopefully help you better understand the process and even give you a sneak peek at the hairstyles that are available.

Welcome to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

There are three Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques currently operating seven days a week. As one of the top Disney World attractions, this fabulous salon, dressing room, and enchanting experience must be ready to accommodate as many guests as possible.

Each one opens at around 8 or 8:30 a.m. The first two locations at the Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs will remain open almost all day, with the doors closing between 7:30 and 8 p.m.

Over at the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa the day is a tad bit shorter as the first appointment may be booked at 8 a.m., but the last appointment will be around 3:10 p.m. as the salon will close promptly at 4 p.m. Helpful Fairy Godmothers in Training will be waiting in each reception area to welcome you and your loved ones to the salon and dressing room. Once you have entered the establishment, you will receive a series of “look books.”

The first book will allow you to see a brief overview of the packages that are available, as well as the gowns that may be purchased. Once you enter the salon area, you and your child will receive a second “look book.” Inside it, your little one will be able to view the hairstyles that can be done in the allotted time.

Meet Your Fairy Godmother in Training

All the ladies working at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are Fairy Godmothers-in-Training. They attend the Fairy Godmother School. Started almost a thousand years ago by the Fairy Godmother herself, you may remember her from her work with Cinderella, these ladies are taught courses that will help them make this transformative experience into a magical memory for you and your child.

The Fairy Godmothers in Training take courses taught by the Disney Princesses and the Sidekicks themselves. Favorite courses include Literature, which is taught by Belle and mathematics where the teacher is Olaf the Snowman. After many days of training, the Fairy Godmothers in Training enter the salon and prepare to be an integral part of this highlight of your vacation.

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Get the Look

Before evaluating the hairstyles, parents should note that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is free of styling appliances. Combs, brushes, and pixie dust are available in abundance, but electric appliances like blow dryers, curling irons, hot rollers, and straighteners are not in use. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique looks to maintain the safety of their guests and eliminating the usage of those devices helps keep the salon running smoothly.

There are five signature hairstyles available for all young ladies at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Remember: All packages include a hairstyle, so every single patron will need to pick one that best suits her style and costume.

The Royal Braid: This unique style features a bun with a braid wrapped around it. Using only brushes, combs, and a little bit of magic, the Fairy Godmother Stylists will mold and shape your child’s hair so that it is all on top of her head. Once they have it comfortably situated up top, they will fashion it into a bun. If your child has extra long hair, the stylist may be able to craft a braid and wrap it around the bun.

If not, the stylist will attach a full-sized braid made of synthetic hair. The braided hair that will wrap around the bun is generally a color which closely matches that of your child’s own. A bow will be attached to keep the entire style in place and to add a touch of whimsy.

The Enchanted Fairytale: This is by far the most popular look because it is extremely versatile. This look features a small, tight bun at the top of the princess’s head. All the hair is swept away from the face and using some pixie dust and a little hair spray the Fairy Godmother Stylist can create a look that will last all day long.

Most parents opt for this look when they bring their little princess to the beauty parlor for the first time because it is the easiest to achieve. Even if your small child is squirming (and if she is 3 or 4, a little fidgeting may be a possibility), the Enchanted Fairytale hairstyle can be done quickly, and it will still look classy and put together.

The Fantasy: This hairstyle is outstanding for those who have short hair. It is a traditional princess style, but it is also very accommodating. The Fairy Godmother Stylist will begin by taking all your child’s hair and combing it into a high ponytail or bun. (Usually, if the child has a bob or a pixie cut, the stylist will only be able to manage a ponytail, but that is no problem for this hairstyle.)

Using hairspray, pixie dust, and a few hair pins, the cosmetologist will mold the hair into a fine updo. From there, a curly hairpiece will be attached to the bun or ponytail. The bouncy curls will be in a natural color that will compliment your child’s true hair color.

The Pixie Magic: This hairstyle works nicely for any little princess, but it is especially nice for those who have short hair. As accomplished with “The Fantasy” look, the stylist will begin by piling all of the hair onto the top of the child’s head. Don’t worry if your child has extra close-cropped hair.

This style is good for everyone and the Fairy Godmothers in Training will do their best with whatever your child has on her head. Once the hair has been arranged into a sleek ponytail, the stylist will attach colorful hair pieces. This make be a fake bun your child has chosen. In the case of the fake buns, the colors are usually of a natural hue and texture.

But, if your child is feeling particularly creative, she may choose from an abundance of unicorn hair. These hair extensions can be found in vibrant colors like electric pink, soft blue, and brilliant purple. There are even a few colorful magical strands that are a combination of these colors.

The Frozen Looks: I am lumping the Frozen Looks together because they are very similar in design. Both involve braiding of the hair. Children will start by deciding which character they want to emulate: Anna or Elsa. If they want to look like Anna, their hair will be styled into two braids. If they would rather pretend to be Queen Elsa for the day then they will see their hair molded into one braid.

If a child has long hair, her own hair may be used to create this style. If she has short hair, that is no problem whatsoever. The Fairy Godmother in Training will simply attach a braid or two to your child’s own hair. These extensions are soft and easy to remove when your child wishes. Light red hair is used for the Anna braids, while Elsa lovers will be treated to an icy blond braid.

Making a Decision

Now that you know a little about each style, you must think of the merits of each. Use the following criteria to help you evaluate the hairstyles.

Age Appropriate: The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is available for lovelies ages 3-12. While any style can be created for any child who falls into these age categories, it should be noted that some of these styles will take a little more crafting and care. Some of the more complex looks will require your child to sit very still and exercise her patience.

For the youngest ones, ages 3-4, that might not be the easiest task in the world. Even if your child is usually very mild-mannered, this is an exciting experience, and little ones might squirm in the chair. If you are worried about that possibility, you may want to opt for the Enchanted Fairytale Hairstyle.

It can be done on any child, regardless of age or amount of hair they have. It captures the classic princess style, and it is just robust enough to last all day long. With the bun placed firmly on top of your child’s head, she will be able to sleep with this hairstyle in place, too.

Fairy Godmothers in Training report that the most popular time for a young lady to come to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the first time is when she is celebrating her fifth birthday. This may call for something very special. The Enchanted Fairytale will be the right choice for your five-year-old as it will allow her to feel elegant, but it won’t require her to sit in the chair for very long.

Many of the older girls, ages 10-12, enjoy the Pixie Magic hair-do. A popular trend in the world today is having colorful hair. Many young girls experiment with hair color that is only temporary.

So, if you have a young one who may have dyed her own hair sour apple green or cotton candy pink at some point in the last year, that might be an appealing option for you and her. The hair extensions applied by the Fairy Godmother in Training will in no way dye or damage the hair but will also give your little one the pizazz she seeks.

Length: You know this from fussing with your own hair day in and day out, but there will be some hairstyles that will work better with longer hair than with shorter hair. All the hairstyles on the list can be applied to long hair.

The most popular choice is the Royal Braid. To say it plainly, if my daughter had very long hair, this would be the style I would want her to choose. It is simply gorgeous. Not only does it look like something Rapunzel herself might do to her hair, but it also manages to be soft and appealing. The braid encircling the bun adds a touch of lightness to a style that could otherwise look severe.

For young ladies who have short hair, there are multiple options that will work nicely, but the Pixie Magic one is the most popular. This look is not polished like the others, but it is fun and fanciful. It delights little girls with short hair because they can pick from their favorite colors of unicorn hair and add them into their own look.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hairstyles for Short and Long Hair — “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Menu” by Sam Howzit licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Room for Two: While checking out the options available at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you may find yourself yearning for a style refresh. It can be just as fun for adults to play dress up as it can be for children. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Walt Disney Worlds is for kids, but there are also many experiences that can be just as pleasurable for adults, too.

Even if you can’t squeeze into the gown (and I know I can’t), you may be able to get the look, or at least the hairstyle. If you would like to schedule an appointment for yourself, many of the Walt Disney World Resorts have their own styling salons and spas. Over at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, the Senses Spa offers a variety of packages for adults who wish to indulge in a little salon-style treat.

But, if you are looking for Mommy and Me packages, those are available at the Saratoga Springs location, as well. Sweet Treat Pedicures and Manicures cost approximately $85 total, before tipping, and they can be given to children ages 4-12. Schedule your own pedicure or manicure simultaneously and pay anywhere from $75- $105 for this special treat.

If you like the idea of having some mother-daughter time, or you have a child in your party who is older than age 12 and is no longer able to participate in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, then you may want to check out the Disney Character Couture Packages which are available at select salons throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, including the Ivy Trellis Salon which is situated inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

Longevity: Certainly, before making this kind of purchase, you are thinking about how long your child will be able to hold onto this look. Is it something they will have done and then it will be falling out an hour later after you ride Space Mountain? That’s a valid question, and one that has a unique answer. All of the hairstyles at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are designed to last for at least a day.

The Fairy Godmothers in Training do their very best to make sure your little princess is pleased with her style but is also comfortable. The style that is most likely to stick in place is the Enchanted Fairytale. Due to its simplistic nature, there are no extensions that are likely to slip or slide out of place. The wind or rain will not wreck this look, either. Extensions can sometimes look limp when they get wet. Whether that water comes from riding Splash Mountain or it drenches your child when the afternoon rain shower hits, the Enchanted Fairytale bun is the most likely hairstyle creation that will be able to ride out the storm.

If you decide to schedule your child’s visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the first day of your seven-day vacation, you should not count on the hairstyle staying strong throughout the entire trip. There are too many shimmering pools and spectacular water slides around that will tempt your children to take a dip or a ride once the temperatures become elevated.

As with most trips to the salon, a hairstyle may be able to last a day or two, but it should not be expected to stand up to an afternoon in the pool. If you are looking for something that your child will be able to enjoy for more than a day or two, the Pixie Magic and the Frozen- inspired hairstyles may fit the bill. Since these styles largely rely upon the usage of hair extensions it would stand to reason that the extensions could be applied at a later date and reused as often as your child would desire.

My Favorite Looks

While I was concentrating on the intricacies of each hairstyle, I found myself thinking about which my personal favorites were. For a child who has long hair, I don’t think they can do much better than the Royal Braid. The look is adorable. It looks charming and like something straight out of a fairy tale book.

I also like the idea of using all one’s own hair and when that is not possible being able to match an extension that closely mimics a person’s natural hair color. I’m a bit of a traditionalist, and so I like to stick with the natural hair colors while also slipping into a princess’s dress.

For little ladies who have short hair, I like the Enchanted Fairytale bun or the Frozen-Inspired Anna and Elsa looks. The Enchanted Fairytale falls into my list of favorites because it is good for children of all ages and it is likely to stay put throughout the day, regardless of the weather conditions.

This look will pair nicely with all of the costumes and will look elegant, regardless of the natural hair length. The braids used to recreate Anna and Elsa’s hairstyles are quite attractive. I place them on my favorites list because these extensions will sensibly help a child, no matter how long or short her hair may be, to be one step closer to looking like her favorite character.

For All the King’s Men

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique caters mostly to females, but there are costumes and accessories available for the little knight in your life, too. There are no special hairstyles or extensions available for boys, but each makeover does allow for your young man to have a unique hairstyle creation. Working with the hair your child has, the Fairy Godmothers in Training will massage the scalp and create a unique hairstyle for a young man.

They will apply liberal amounts of hair gel to sculpt the locks into a fun and fresh style. Once the gel has been applied, the Fairy Godmother Stylists will sprinkle confetti onto the young man’s hair, giving his look a sparkle and shine.

The Missing Hairstyles

While I adore the Disney Princesses and worship all things associated with them, I can’t help but notice that some popular Disney female characters are missing from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Princess Vanellope von Schweetz from the Wreck-it Ralph franchise has an extra fun costume and hairstyle. I am certain that some little girls would delight in dressing like her. Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl, a mainstay in the Toy Story pictures is also without a place at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

But, the characters I would most like to see at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are the ones from the Star Wars franchise. Princess Leia and Rey could easily be considered Disney royalty and many young ladies already wear their costumes around the parks on a regular basis. While Leia and Rey are not currently represented at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques, it may be that with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that possibility may turn into a reality soon.

Perhaps a stellar Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will open soon and out-of-this world makeovers will become all the rage. A girl can dream. Until then, the traditional Disney Princess styles are available, and they are lovely.

*Please note that prices are always subject to change, and as a result, the current price of certain items or accessories or packages may be different than what’s listed in this article at the time of publication.

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Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hairstyles: Short and Long Hair