Through July 28, both Walt Disney World locations of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are offering a special makeover — The Merida Package — in honor of the star of Disney-Pixar’s “Brave.” This magical makeover includes a fiery and curly Merida wig, shimmering makeup, face gems, princess sash and princess tote bag for $54.95.
Essentially, this is the Coach package with the wig substituted for an up-do. (The wig sells for about $18 in the Magic Kingdom’s Emporium and the cart outside the Merida meet-and-greet if you want to purchase it separately.) One little girl we met had been to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and selected the Disney Diva hairstyle with a red hairpiece instead of the wig to pair with her Merida dress. This is a great option for when The Merida Package ends or for those who think a wig might be too hot in the Florida summer heat.
My daughter chose the Disney Diva hairstyle during her visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the fall and loved it. I have been impressed with the durability of the hairpiece, which my daughter and even her American Girl doll have worn several times since then. (You can read more about our experiences at the Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique in a previous blog post.)
Girls who select The Merida Package can have their nails painted for an additional $5, and they keep the two bottles of royal nail polish afterward. Princesses-to-be also can opt to purchase the Merida dress and crown at the Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique at an added cost. However, little girls also are welcome to wear or bring their own Merida gowns and accessories to the salon, which can save their Fairy Godmothers a bundle.
The Disney Store, with locations in malls across the country and an online presence, sells the same green Merida gown you will find in the Disney Parks for about $15 less ($65 versus $50), though the wig is comparable in price. In addition, Disney Store sells Merida’s blue formal games dress for the same price as the green version, her gladiator sandals for $16.50 and a light-up wand for $10.50; none of these are available in the theme parks. (One caveat is that the sandals only go up to size 2/3.)
If you’re looking for less expensive options, try Target or Toys R Us, which both sell complete Merida costumes. Toys R Us carries a blue dress and a green dress for $24.99 each; a set of glow Wisp earrings with a crown for $9.99; and an archery set for $24.99. The wig, which is priced at $14.99, is free with a $30 Brave purchase through July 21, 2012. At Target, the blue dress is $5 cheaper, and the store also sells the green version. The wig and jewelry-and-crown set are priced similarly, but there is no offer for the free wig with purchase.
If you choose to surprise your child with a dress you already have purchased, she still will be given the royal treatment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom and inside World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. In fact, she’ll be able to use the royal changing rooms at either salon, which is a fun way to start her transformation.
Reservations are recommended for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and can be made by calling 407-WDW-STYLE.
Cracker Barrel Restaurant has a “Marie Antoinette” costume that is remarkably similar to the blue Merida dress, for $29.99. Excellent quality, and they have it up to size 10
Do you know if the blue dress sold at Target & Toys r us comes in more than the 4-6x size?
KRISTIN: I have not seen any other sizes so far. Disney Store does carry a blue Merida dress, though, in addition to the green.
The parks sell costumes to size XL. The costumes have stretchy tops, which is quite a plus when dressing your older princess. We buy all our costumes there – they are a bit different than the ones sold in the Disney store, but well worth the price.
It’s too bad this is only going until 7/28. We’re going to be there in September and my daughter is a Merida fan and she’ll be wearing Merida’s blue gown at her BBB appointment.
Hi Kristin,
I have a question about the picture of your daughter with Princess Merida…is Merida’s hair real? It doesn’t look like the usual princess wig – if it isn’t real it’s the best wig I’ve ever seen especially the colour 🙂
Wendy
KRISTIN: I believe it was a wig!
Do you know if the dresses in the park go larger than the Disney Stores. My girl is larger than a size 10 and we are looking for a Mirida dress for Halloween. We will be a the park for the Holiday.
thanks….Lynn Nguyen
KRISTIN: I think the sizing for the Merida costumes in the Disney Parks is extra-small through large. I’m not sure if they carry an XL, but the WDW mail-order department at 877-560-6477 could tell you.