Christie, from RaisingWhasians, and I squealed and high-fived in delight when Disney presented us with gift cards for our very own Disney Character Couture makeover. We had spent the day watching our daughters get pampered at Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique as part of the Dream Big Princess campaign, and now it would be our turn for pampering and a makeover.
We recently redeemed those gift cards and headed to the Ship Shape Salon at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for our Disney Character Couture makeover. Stay tuned for everything you need to know about the Disney Character Couture makeover including how to prepare, what to bring, the cost, special tips and more.
How To Prepare For A Disney Character Couture Makeover
There is no Disney Character Couture makeover look book to scout ideas, which means you can’t show up and look through previous styles to choose what you would like to do. This has its advantages and its disadvantages. On the plus side, you and your stylist are free to create any look you can dream up. On the other hand, it means you have to do a little homework before you arrive.
The stylists for Disney Character Couture are licensed cosmologists with years of experience creating magical looks. But they need your input to really make it a dream come true. Search Pinterest for hair styles, Disney Bounding looks, makeup ideas and more. While you don’t have to come with a concrete plan, for best results you should have a loose idea about what you would like to do.
What To Bring To A Disney Character Couture Makeover
While makeup and hair are fun, to truly turn into your favorite character, you should dress the part. You don’t have to go full Halloween costume, but the more thought you put into your outfit the more special your transformation will feel. Search Pinterest for Disney Bounding for your favorite character for ideas. Arrive at your appointment dressed in your character outfit.
If you want anything added to your hair style, bring that as well. You won’t need hair ties and bobby pins, but any extra flourishes that fit your character. Christie brought this pretty flower for her Mulan inspired hair and it was perfect. (See her final look at the end of this post.) Based on availability, the salon may have a tiara or Minnie ears for you to add to your look. But if you want something special, bring it.
At Christie’s urging, I brought various ribbon for my hair and we ended up weaving some into the braids.
Shop My Minnie Mouse Inspired Look
If you want to transform into Minnie Mouse, I highly recommend this dress from Amazon. It fits true to size, and the shape flatters/disguises the tummy area. (I am wearing a small.) The dress comes with a belt made from the same material, but I opted to use a white satin ribbon for my belt. Minnie isn’t complete without her signature yellow shoes. My yellow flats are older, but you can find similar yellow flats here, here and here.
Where To Get A Disney Character Couture Makeover
You can get a Disney Character Couture Makeover at four salons at Walt Disney World Resorts. You don’t have to stay at one of the resorts to book your appointment, so you can enjoy checking out a different resort before and after your appointment.
- Ship Shape Salon at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Ivy Trellis Salon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
- Salon by the Springs at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- La Vida Salon at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
My first choice would have been the salon at the Grand Floridian because that is my favorite resort, but since we booked only a week out we were happy to even get an appointment. The salon at the Yacht Club is very nice, but it is small. Still plenty big enough for our transformation.
What you Need To Know Before A Disney Character Couture Makeover
Disney Character Couture Makeover is a fun creative hair, makeup and nails application, but it is not a full day at a spa. Your stylist only has about an hour to make the Disney magic happen, so you will want to arrive prepared. Similar to getting an up do for a wedding, you should arrive with clean, dry hair. If you are getting your nails done, you should arrive with them filed and polish removed. This isn’t a manicure, just a polish application with a touch of whimsy.
I was surprised to learn that the makeup application is just eyes and lips. (Luckily, I read this online before I went or I would have been sad.) You can opt to have foundation, highlighter, blush, etc. done as well for an additional $25. But if you are comfortable doing your own, save the money and do your own before you arrive.
How Much Does A Disney Character Couture Makeover Cost?
There are three options for a Disney Character Couture Makeover depending on how many services you would like. We did the Timeless Transformation, which is the works — hair, makeup and nails. But you can just do hair or just hair and make up as well. And yes, kids can have their own Disney Character Couture Makeover. It’s a different experience than Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and perfect for tweens and teens.
The three Character Couture packages are:
Storybook Style
Child (age 4-12) $50 | Adult $80
The Storybook Style is a character-inspired hairstyle. From a classic updo to woven braids (like mine), your style can be anything you and your stylist dream. Like Disney Bounding, it is your chance to use a character’s classic look to inspire your own hair style. Your style includes a sprinkling of Pixie Dust and heat styling. A small hair piece like a tiara or Minnie ears may be available depending on your style preference.
Magical Makeover
Child (age 4-12) $75 | Adult $105
The Magical Makeover package includes character-inspired hair and makeup. This is your chance to get glam with eyes and lips in the colors and tone of your chosen character. As my stylist told me, you can go all out with glitter and color or you can choose a simpler look like I did. False lashes are included.
Timeless Transformation
Child (age 4-12) $90 | Adult $120
The Timeless Transformation package includes character-inspired hair, makeup and nail polish application with your choice of a Jamberry nail decal — one accent nail per hand. The salon was well-stocked with Disney Jamberry decals as well as a variety of solid colors. To customize my Minnie Mouse makeover, my stylist offered to create polka dots and a Mickey head with polish. I love the way my nails came out.
Disney Character Couture Makeover Discounts
Save on your Disney Character Couture Makeover with one of the following discounts. (Be sure to mention your discount eligibility at the time of booking.) Discounts cannot be combined and are subject to change.
- Florida Resident: 10% off
- Annual Passholder: 15% off
- Disney Vacation: 15% off
- Disney Visa Cardholders: 15% off
What I Would Do Differently?
If I were booking this appointment while on vacation, I would book it earlier in the day. We much waited until the last minute, during the busiest season of the year, so we took what was available. But by the time we finished our appointments, there wasn’t time to go anywhere for photos before dark.
Ideally, I would book it in the morning. Then if I purchased a Photopass, I would head to Disney’s PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs to take fun studio pictures. If I didn’t have a Photopass I would head to one of the parks or another pretty location, Disney Boardwalk or Disney Springs for example, to take pictures.
Another fun idea, book your appointment before Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to add to your Halloween look!
I would also come with a better idea about what I wanted for my hair. Short hair is hard, and I really had no idea what she would be able to do with it, so I gave her free rein. But I am very type A and would have liked to have more ideas to share.
All in all, the Disney Character Couture Makeover is a ton of fun. It was especially fun to do with a friend. (Would be fun to do as a mother-daughter team as well!) It is the closest thing to a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique transformation for adults, and who doesn’t like a little pampering every once in a while, especially on vacation.
To book your Character Couture Package, call 407-939-7727.
