Bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Orlando, FL - www.runningonpixiedust.com
When families think of a Walt Disney World vacation, they typically think characters, theme parks, and rides. But a hidden gem located inside the gates of Walt Disney World Resort is Disney Springs - a shopping, dining, and entertainment mecca for families to enjoy outside of the parks. Recently, we had the chance to visit Splitsville Luxury Lanes located on the West Side of Disney Springs. Between the great food, fun atmosphere, and relaxed vibe, it was the perfect place to kick off our vacation!
Thank you to Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Disney Springs for hosting our family!
Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Orlando, FL - www.runningonpixiedust.com
We had an early flight out of Baltimore on our arrival day to Orlando and knew that we didn't want to head to the parks on our first day after being up at 4AM. Splitsville Luxury Lanes turned out to be a great choice to grab a bite to eat and have some fun in a much more "low key" atmosphere than heading to a park. We arrived around 11:30 and, despite having a later reservation at 12:30, they were able to accommodate us! From the outside it's easy to see that Splitsville is a huge location. Upon entering, guests can choose between bowling and eating or just dining. There are lanes both downstairs and up to easily accommodate A LOT of bowlers. . .and there's also some pool tables to enjoy as well. If you're bowling, you get a lane for a set period of time depending on the size of your party. Each lane also has a table and wait staff to bring food and drinks.
1 - 2 People - 1 Hour
3 - 4 People - 1 Hour 15 Min.
5 - 6 People - 1 Hour 30 Min.
7 - 8 People - 1 Hour 45 Min.
Bowling pricing includes unlimited bowling during your lane time and shoe rental. Current pricing as of March 2022 is $20 per person before 4PM on weekdays and $24 per person after 4PM and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Orlando, FL - www.runningonpixiedust.com
The bowling lanes are well maintained and have a retro feel to them. At this Disney Springs location, you even get a little "Disney magic" with some bowling balls featuring Mickey and Minnie! While all the bowling at this location is ten pin with larger bowling balls, they do have options to help little ones in your family. Bowling balls are available as light as 6 lbs. and you can see easily printed on the ball hand sizes XS - XL that will help size the ball appropriately. We ended up also making use of bumpers for our 7 and 10 year old and they had a ramp if you have someone young enough in your party that can't yet manage rolling the bowling ball on their own. Everything is computerized in the bowling alley - including the bumpers - which automatically popped up and down when it was my kids turn to bowl (although I probably needed them just as much!). The bowling screen also has a countdown of how much time is left on your reservation so it's easy to see and keep track of while enjoying your visit.
The food and drink at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Disney Springs is also a big draw - and not just your typical bowling alley food. We kicked off our visit with a round of drinks from the bar and a cone of fries. The chive dip was every bit as good as our server promised! For our main courses, my kids chose of the children's menu and had the pizza and chicken tenders. My husband had the Southern Goddess Salad which he said was the delicious. As a vegetarian, there were several options on the menu including pizzas and salads, but I chose to go the the veggie sushi roll. All of the ingredients were fresh and it was nice to visit the a bowling alley and have some healthier options to choose from! This trip to Disney was during my birthday week and Splitsville helped me celebrate with some birthday ice cream as an extra special treat.
Food at Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Orlando, FL - www.runningonpixiedust
I was worried that we may feel rushed to eat and bowl during our reservation time, but the timing was perfect. With kids, it was great to have them engaged in something active and fun while we were waiting for our food to arrive and after we finished eating. Our server was wonderful and we truly loved our visit! Splitsville Luxury Lanes is a great choice on a day off from the parks, family dinner at Disney Springs, or a fun adult night out. For all of my runDisney friends, you can also find Splitsville often participating in the runDisney discounts at Disney Springs during race weekends - check them out!
We'll definitely be back to Splitsville in the future and with so many options of fun things to do in Disney Springs, it's becoming more and more of a must-do for us on every Walt Disney World vacation!
And that day is here. Following the closure of Walt Disney World Resort due to the coronavirus pandemic, the resort has been in the process of re-opening for weeks beginning with Disney Springs, followed by select resorts, and now the parks. While things look different - masks, reservation systems, temperature checks, characters, dining - there can still be magic to be found. While I haven't been to Florida and won't be going any time soon, several of my local friends have been out and about covering the re-opening. Here's a quick round-up of their coverage!
Disney Springs Re-Opening
Disney Springs was the first destination on Walt Disney World Resort property to reopen. My friend Meg from www.megforit.com was at Disney Springs on opening day. Check out her report at what you can expect in this YouTube video.
Since opening day, more has reopened in Disney Springs like my favorite restaurant, Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'!
Guests Return to Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Resort properties around Walt Disney World have been slowly reopening, beginning with some DVC fan favorites. While not all resorts are opening at this time, you can find availability and even book new reservations for a 2020 stay. My friend Brandon has his YouTube channel Expedition Neverland and shared this video of his stays at both Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian.
If you're interested in booking a Walt Disney World vacation package, visit my friends over at Get Away Today (Affiliate Link). There really has never been a better time to use a travel agent with so much uncertainty in the air. Take the guess work out of your vacation planning and leave it to the experts!
Walt Disney World Resort Park Previews
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Animal Kingdom are scheduled to reopen to the general pubic on July 11 with EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios following on July 15, but both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have had some special cast member and Annual Passholder preview days ahead of time. While there can be varying stories found on social media, the overall feedback seems to be pretty positive. More details about how Disney is asking everyone to do their part for health and safety can be found here on the Disney Parks Blog.
In the meantime, check out my friend Tina from Footprints in Pixie Dust and her visit to Magic Kingdom Park during the Annual Passholder Preview!
Update on the AP Preview! What did we ride? Where we eat? Whom did we see? What can you expect?
Walt Disney World will certainly be a different vacation destination for some time. However, I was happy to see characters and fun interactions around the parks, even if they weren't the same as in the past. If you're planning a trip soon, pay close attention to the latest phased re-opening news as announcements come frequently about updates to the systems in place! See ya real soon pals!
We all know that there are several things that are "don't miss" items on any Walt Disney World Resort vacation and the holiday season brings it's own list of must-see attractions, events, and entertainment. In fact, I talked about what makes the holidays a bit more magical during my Disney Parks Moms Panel Application video when I applied for the 2019 panel. Even though I didn't make the panel, I think my video sums up a bit of what makes the holiday season extra special when vacationing in Walt Disney World. Take a look at my video here:
Excited to learn more? Check out my top 5 things you won't want to miss to put a little extra jingle in your bells this holiday season!
2014 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - This is a special ticketed event on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park. Similar to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you'll find all the magic of the season at this party! From top notch decorations to put the jingle in any bells to free hot chocolate and cookies throughout the park, you'll feel holly jolly as soon as you enter the park. Don't miss the parade during this event which features a very special guest at the end! The holiday fireworks are also an amazing end to the evening. You will need to purchase a separate ticket for this, but that ticket gets you entrance at 4PM even though the party doesn't begin until 7PM.
Epcot's Candlelight Processional - Included with your ticket to Epcot is the chance to take part in this spiritually mesmerizing event. Join celebrity narrators, an orchestra, and a enormous choir to hear the Biblical tale of Christmas as never before. There are several performances each evening of this show and it is incredibly popular. If you want to guarantee your seat, you can book a dining package at one of Epcot's restaurants with a special reservation on My Disney Experience. For those of you choosing to attend without that dining reservation, plan to arrive early and wait in line in order to secure your spot!
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail - We all know Disney Springs is a premiere shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, but it gets even more spirited during the holidays. With themed Christmas trees from Star Wars to Pixar to Disney classics, you'll quickly find yourself lost in a maze of color and merriment. One extra perk of this particular holiday attraction? It's located outside of theme park so if you're in the Orlando area for work, fun, or as a resident - you don't have to pay park admission to enjoy with your family!
Hotel Decor and Experiences - The holiday festivities and decor aren't just limited to the parks around the Walt Disney World Resort, but can also be found in hotels on property as well. A great way to spend a low-key afternoon or evening is by taking some time to visit different resort properties and enjoy all they have to offer. For example, the giant gingerbread house display at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is not to be missed. Feeling a bit more rustic? Make a visit to Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground where you can find special horse-drawn holiday sleigh rides around the property.
2017 Dinner at Minnie's Holiday Dine
Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine - Looking for a festive dining experience with some of your favorite characters? Look no further than Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine in Disney's Hollywood Studios! This dining option is available for lunch and dinner and provides guests with a wide buffet selection and memorable character interactions. You can find something for everyone at this restaurant and can even grab a special dining package to get reserved seating for Fantasmic later on in the evening!
This is just a sampling of some of my favorite ways to celebrate the holidays at the Walt Disney World Resort! You'll find holiday magic around every corner and the decorations, costumes, and special events around the resort will help you create memories that will last much longer than those gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate on Main Street, U.S.A!
If you've visited Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort in recent years, you have noticed the addition of more great restaurants and stores making this a top destination for visitors to Orlando. The Edison is no exception to the reputation for delicious food and a fun atmosphere. My visit in October 2018 was a Saturday lunch reservation with one of my good friends who moved to Orlando a few years prior. The outside presents as an industrial throwback and welcomes guests with a patio and ample outdoor seating. It's located in The Landing of Disney Springs near some other favorites such as Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' and Morimoto Asia.
Upon entering the restaurant, the industrial theming from the outside continues. A large clock greets customers while you check in and wait for your table. We were seated promptly at our reservation time and found the restaurant only partially full on a Saturday afternoon at 1:00. With the expansion of dining options in Disney Springs, availability for many of them can be found, especially if you can be flexible with days or times. On our way to the table, we walked past several recreations of inventions from the past. There are also many casual seating options in the restaurant such as oversized chairs and couches. The vibe inside the restaurant reminds of The Great Gatsby and a throwback to the 1920s. It's a multi-level restaurant as well which adds to the visual interest. I have seen events advertised here featuring jazz music on select evenings - this looks like a fabulous place to enjoy an evening out at Disney Springs! While you probably wouldn't be bringing the kids out too late, it's worth noting that this does turn into an adult only (over 21) venue after 10PM.
Industry means comfort inside of The Edison
When we were seated at our table, we found ourselves faced with an impossible choice of what to eat. The lunch menu features a wide variety of favorites including burgers, sandwiches, seafood, and an assortment of soups and salads. I ended up opting for The Edison Burger while my friend decided to give the Fish Tacos a try. The presentation and taste were both great on the fish tacos. My friend shared that the Mahi-Mahi was cooked perfectly and the tastes were bold and flavorful. I'm really glad I chose The Edison Burger too. After a few days of trying to eat healthy while working, I went all out on my final meal in Disney. The burger was topped with cheddar cheese, crispy onions, bacon, special sauce and french fries on the side - this was close to heaven on a plate! I regret not giving the Clothesline Candied Bacon a try after seeing this served as an appetizer to the table next to us. It features an assortment of bacon literally hanging on a cute little table sized clothesline. There's always next time, right?!?
How great does this burger look?
So what were my overall thoughts on The Edison? I'd definitely recommend it to friends and family looking for good food and a casual, fun environment. It's certainly a family friendly spot for lunch or dinner. Guests can expect pricing in line with most non-signature table service restaurants in Disney with main dishes ranging between roughly $15 and $30. With so many great places to eat in Disney Springs and throughout the Walt Disney World Resort it's truly becoming harder and harder to make decisions when planning your advanced dining reservations. Featuring a menu that I would describe as classic American fare, this is one place where the whole family will be able to find choices to suit them. Bon appetite, friends!
Waiting at the DoubleTree for our bus to Disney's Hollywood Studios!
Staying on or off property on you Walt Disney World vacation can be a daunting decision and one that each family must weigh for themselves. The use of our Hilton Honors points allow us to travel to both Disney and non-Disney vacation destinations more regularly than we otherwise might be able to enjoy. Those of you who are regular readers know that I have previously written about stays at both the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. You also know that I'm someone who enjoys trying new experiences on each of my Disney trips, so our most recent trip found us at a new Hilton owned property - The DoubleTree Suites Disney Springs.
There were a few things that caught my attention about the property from the beginning. First and foremost, as Diamond Hilton Honors members, our family enjoys free breakfast each morning at the hotel which is another cost saving strategy for our Walt Disney World Resort vacations. Like many other properties in and around the Orlando area, the hotel provides free transportation to the Disney Parks. Busses run on a schedule roughly every 30 minutes and service 4 hotels in the Disney Springs area. Speaking of the Disney Springs area, while we didn't spend time there during our short trip, this location is perfect for exploring the shopping, dining, and entertainment mecca that has blossomed in Disney Springs.
As you may have guessed from the name of the hotel, each room here is a suite. We had a one bedroom suite that was generously sized for our family of four. While I neglected to take pictures of the room itself, I'll do my best to describe it. Upon entering the room, there was a kitchenette and a dining area as well as a sitting area including a sleep sofa, TV, and chair. The bedroom was separated by a pocket door. Behind the door stood another TV and a King bed as well as the bathroom. The separation is fantastic when traveling with little ones as we could stay up after putting them to bed - that's if we had the energy to stay up after a busy day in the parks!
We truly loved our stay at the DoubleTree and there were some things we didn't even get to enjoy - like the pool as our stay was during a rare cold-snap in Orlando. I could see us enjoying another stay here in the future!
If you're looking for a fun, inspirational brunch with delicious Southern comfort food, be sure to plan a visit to House of Blues Orlando at Disney Springs for their Gospel Brunch. While there were families with children at the brunch, I don't think my little ones would have been engaged the whole time. I opted to visit the Gospel Brunch with a friend on a trip and we enjoyed our adult outing.
First things first, reservations for the Gospel Brunch are handled differently than other Disney dining locations. The Gospel Brunch is actually a ticketed event - not simply a dining reservation you can book on your My Disney Experience app. Each Sunday, there are two showtimes to choose from to meet your vacation schedule. Here's a tip - call the box office directly to book your tickets! Not only will you save money by not having to pay any of the absurd Ticketmaster fees, but you can also talk to a real person that can give you advice on picking your table. Since the event is ticketed, you actually reserve your specific table when you book. The gentleman on the phone was great and told me he would find the best table available for us. So not only did we save some money, but benefited from great advice.
We had tickets for the 1:00 show and arrived to Disney Springs around 12:00. We grabbed a table in front of House of Blues and enjoyed a drink before the show began. People started lining up around 12:30 to get in, which kind of surprised me because you have a reserved table so it didn't seem necessary to really line up before the doors opened. Once the doors opened, seating was fast. Each group presented their tickets to one of the wait staff and was led to the assigned table. Our table location was great! We were on the second tier with a perfect view of the stage and seated near the buffet, but far enough away from it that we didn't have too much foot traffic.
Speaking of the buffet, let's talk about the food. OMG - southern goodness at it's finest! Whether you like Chicken and Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Fried Catfish, or Jambalaya there is something for everyone to enjoy. If your palate is not that adventurous, you can also find traditional brunch items like omelets, carving stations, and salads. Everything is served buffet style so come hungry! My friend and I visited following the final race of our Glass Slipper Challenge weekend so we had room for lots of calories to fill up on!
Of course, the other highlight of the visit besides the food is the entertainment. Each weekend features a different Gospel band but you can count on good, quality entertainment all the time! The performance was nothing short of inspiring. The singers and musicians had everyone singing, clapping, and on their feet. Below is just one of the short videos I grabbed that day!
Overall, we had a great time and I would highly recommend this experience to others looking to enjoy a wonderfully entertaining show paired with quality Southern food!
With the recent revitalization of Disney Springs, Walt Disney World has it's very own food and shopping mecca within the borders of the massive resort. We don't regularly get a chance to visit Disney Springs on our family trips as we spend most of our time in the parks with the little ones, but when I visited with my friend for a runDisney weekend, we took the chance to enjoy a few of the restaurants Disney Springs has to offer. The first was Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'.
www.runningonpixiedust.com
The decor looks like something that Chip and Joanna Gaines would have designed on Fixer Upper. Inside and outside of the restaurant feature calming colors and a rustic country design. We had reservations and were seated quickly after arriving. The restaurant is not very big compared to some of the other spots in Walt Disney World, so reservations do tend to book up unlike at some of the other Disney Springs locations although you probably don't have to be on right at the 180 day mark to grab your table.
www.runningonpixiedust.com
While I'm not an expert on celebrity chefs, I did know that Art Smith is famous for his fried chicken. However, when we sat down with the menu, I wasn't sure that a big southern meal of fried chicken and heavy sides was what I needed in the middle of my Glass Slipper Challenge races. So instead, my friend and I decided to split and appetizer and then order salads. To give us a taste of the famous fried chicken, we opted for the Thigh High Chicken Biscuits for our appetizer. The plate included three biscuits that had both fried chicken and pickles then drizzled in honey. Everyone was right - the fried chicken was to die for! We thought this appetizer was the classic southern comfort food that you would expect to be delicious here. My dinner was a simple grilled chicken salad with balsamic dressing. Everything was fresh and wonderful. And even though we heard amazing things about the dessert options, we decided to pass on dessert to make sure we weren't to weighed down for the race the next day.
www.runningonpixiedust.com
Overall, Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' is a delicious delight located in Disney Springs. For anyone that likes traditional down-home southern comfort food, this should be a must-do on your dining wish list. The prices are reasonable too which always helps! Maybe next time, I won't be on race weekend and will be able to enjoy even more fried goodness from this delectable restaurant!
It's been quiet for a few weeks on the blog as I've prepared for and traveled to Walt Disney World for my very first Princess Half Marathon Weekend. I'll be posting more details on each of these experiences in the weeks ahead, but I wanted to take a minute and give you a quick weekend recap from my trip.
Where We Stayed - For this trip, I was back on Disney property and stayed at Coronado Springs Resort. The moderate level hotel is also a Convention Center and as such boasts several dining options, a spa, and beautiful grounds. We were only here for two nights, but enjoyed our stay. It's definitely one I will recommend to friends and family in the future.
Where We Ate - We had two new dining experiences on this trip. We visited Chef Art Smith's Homecoming in Disney Springs for dinner one evening where we were delighted by some down home southern cooking. And on Sunday, we enjoyed the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues - also in Disney Springs. The Gospel Brunch, which features a buffet of New Orleans favorites and a gospel concert, had been on my "must-do" list for a while now and it didn't disappoint! I also had the pleasure of introducing my friend Christine to California Grill. If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know that dinner while watching the fireworks from California Grill is one of my favorites and I was excited to do it again.
What We Did - We ran the Glass Slipper Challenge! When you spend less than 50 hours in Walt Disney World and run both a 10K and Half Marathon, there's not much time to do anything else. Both races were a lot of fun. In typical runDisney fashion, characters and entertainment were everywhere you looked. And the bling. . .oh, the bling! It was a fabulous weekend of race medals - my new favorites in my ever growing collection. Princess Half Marathon weekend had a very different vibe then my previous experiences at Wine and Dine. It felt "crazier," but I guess that's what happens when you have 20,000+ women running in tutus!
As you can see, it was a short trip, but I was able to pack in many new experiences. I can't wait to share them with you in the weeks ahead and I'm already counting down to our next trip in November - a return for runDisney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend events!!
Special
thanks to my friend Jon Hill for the guest post below!He and his wife have traveled to Walt Disney
World and Disney Cruise Line both by themselves and with their two beautiful
children.His wife, Christine, is
traveling with me in just a few weeks for the Princess Half Marathon weekend
and their family is planning another magical trip for this coming summer!
From our earliest trips together to Disney nearly 15
years ago, my wife and I always enjoyed stopping to watch the reactions of the
young girls undergoing the magical transformations that take place at the
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (BBB) with the help of Fairy God-Mothers-in-Training.
I’m certain that the very first time we witnessed it, we agreed that if we ever
had a girl, she would experience this enchanted, fairy-tale makeover. While
planning our Disney trip for the summer of 2016, we decided that our daughter
Lily, was old enough that she could appreciate and understand the experience.
Additionally, on the first night of our trip we were to have dinner with
Cinderella and her friends at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian resort. Since
we were not going to a park on our first day, we made reservations to go to the
BBB at Disney Springs. While searching the web for information and tips on BBB,
we were pleasantly surprised to find that they also have Knight makeover
offerings for the boys. These are very inexpensive, so we signed our 4 year-old
son Luke up for a Knight makeover to match his sister and be properly prepared
for the Royal Ball as well.
Upon arrival, we were surprised to find out that the
BBB had recently undergone renovation and that it now had its own dedicated
building instead of sharing space with the World of Disney. The bluish building,
with large windows blends into the surrounding spaces, with the exception of
the large BBB sign over the entrance. Once inside, the bright boutique reflects
the royal setting of a fairy-tale salon with dark wood paneling and trim and fairy-tale
murals all around. Having its own space lends to the experience, removing the
noise, bustle, and distraction that the hundreds of shoppers in World of Disney
brought. The waiting area was appointed with displays of available Disney
princess dresses and accessories and the staff was cheerful and delightful as
we have come to expect with the Disney experience. We checked in at the desk
and after a brief wait, our children were whisked through the large wooden
doors to meet their fairy godmother-in-training.
Our first stop was in a large, private changing room.
In an effort to save money, we bought our own costumes at home before the trip
and brought them with us (which Disney graciously allows). While the ones
Disney has available at the boutique are very nice, they come with a steep price
tag. We scored a Cinderella dress and accessories for our daughter at JC Penny
for just over $30. For our son, we had ordered a Prince Charming outfit from
Amazon for under $20. These both doubled as Halloween costumes later in the
fall. By bringing our own outfits, we were able to opt for the lowest priced
“Crown Package” for our daughter ($59.95). The “Castle Package”, which includes
a dress, is a paltry $199.95. The “Knight Package” for our son was only $19.95.
Once the cast member gave us some brief instructions to the princess-to-be and
prince-to-be, she stepped out of the changing room so we could get them
changed. In a wisp of magic, the large mirror on the wall came to life with
Cinderella’s own animated fairy god mother who interacted with the kids and
gave them some additional instructions. As soon as they were changed, we exited
the changing room and proceeded into the styling boutique
The boutique is set up in the round with a several
styling stations similar to those found at a typical salon. The large room is
beautifully appointed with gold accents, chandeliers, royal draperies, and
murals reminiscent of your favorite Disney princess stories. Each of the
styling stations is staffed by a fairy god mother-in-training who is
responsible for your child’s royal transformation. In the middle of the room is
a large, oval, cushioned bench so that parents may sit and watch the enchanted
work of the fairy god mothers-in-training.
After a brief introduction, the two fairy god mothers-in-training (Kayla
and Mary) assigned to our children went to work. Both quickly developed a great rapport with
the kids and demonstrated a love for their work. But then again, who wouldn’t
love to delight children all day long by magically transforming them into
royalty? As part of Lily’s package she received hair, makeup, and nail
treatments, as well as a sash. She even received a pink BBB nylon bag with
extra styling products to take home with her. Lily’s hair (Fairytale Princess Style)
was done so well, that we were able to leave it in overnight and it lasted
through the whole next day as we enjoyed rides and had fun at the Magic
Kingdom. Having it up and off of her neck was also an added advantage as it
helped her stay cool in the late June heat.
Luke received a hair treatment and was presented with a mighty sword and
shield in a knighting ceremony complete with official certificate. All
throughout the makeovers, Disney Photopass photographers assigned to the BBB
were snapping a ton of photographs of the kids. These pictures can be purchased
after the experience, but if you already have the Memory Maker package, it is
awesome. All together we received another 40-50 photos just from this
experience alone. As part of the transformation, the children are not permitted
to see themselves in the mirror until the makeover is complete. The
photographer captured an awesome picture of Lily’s reaction as her chair spun
around and she saw herself in the mirror for the first time as a beautiful
princess.
Following some pictures, we bid farewell to our fairy
godmothers-in-training and wished them luck in their quests to become
full-fledged fairy godmothers. We then were escorted into a room adjacent to
the styling boutique for a photo session. This royal-looking room was outfitted
with a kid-sized replica of Cinderella’s magic coach. Photographers took
several more posed photos of the kids with the coach. Again, having Photopass
is a great option if you are considering BBB. We were permitted to take our own
photos with our iPhone, but having the Photopass photographers capturing shots
with their digital SLRs produced professional photos to preserve the memories.
We bid adieux to the BBB and its friendly staff, but
not before being directed to go to the nearby Disney Photopass Station to view
our photos. Once there, we were again surprised to receive yet another photo
session with both of the kids with a Photopass Photographer. As I said before,
if you are going on a multi-day Disney trip and considering BBB, purchasing the
Photopass package ahead of time will pay for itself. We got another 20 posed
photos here. We had only been at Disney for 6 hours, hadn’t even gone to a
park, and already had about 60 Photopass photos in our gallery.
1.)Make reservations
early- this is a popular experience, so the earlier the better. The reservation
number can be found on the BBB website under “Know Before You Go”
2.)Consider the weather
and you activities for that day- If it is the middle of July/August and the
humidity will be 90%+, is your child going to enjoy their visit to one of the
parks in a full princess dress, with hair and makeup? If it is the summer, opt
for an afternoon appointment so you can relax and enjoy the A/C in the BBB
during the heat of the day, and make early dinner reservations for character
dining at one of the Disney Dining options where you can meet the Princesses.
Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner is at the Grand Floridian, so you don’t
even have to go to one of the parks if you have a free day.
3.)Leave ample time- I
would say to budget 3-4 hours for the whole experience door-to-door. From
catching the bus or driving to Disney Springs, visiting BBB, getting pictures,
and then making your way to a park, a restaurant, or your hotel.
4.)Save some money- If
you want to do the princess dress, bring your own. While the ones offered at
BBB are nice, I’m not sure they are worth the extra $140 you will pay.
5.)Check out the BBB
website’s “Know Before You Go” information for additional details and more.
