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What could be more magical than making over your little ones as a favorite Disney character? For Disney Cruise Line Guests, this is actually a bookable experience with Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique currently operating on all four Disney ships with an all-new version of the salon coming to the Disney Wish when it launches this summer. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique had been a popular experience at Walt Disney World prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, two years after the resort’s closure, the salons have yet to reopen. Could the newly reimagined Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience coming to the Disney Wish signal a return for this experience on land?
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Closures & Reopening
Credit: Disney
has three locations at the , at the inside , in , and at Disney’s & Spa . All three locations offer young Guests (ages 3-12) the chance to dress up as their favorite (or opt for the ). Unfortunately, these locations closed with the rest of the resort at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and while most other areas of have since reopened, the salons have not.
Earlier in the pandemic, most salons (at Walt Disney World and across the country) remained closed or had very strict safety protocols in place per CDC guidance with the close contact that is involved with these services. However, most spas and salons at Walt Disney World have now reopened, and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience has been back at sea with Disney Cruise Line for some time and it will continue with the launch of the Disney Wish.
With the majority of health and safety regulations lifted, and other areas of Walt Disney World now able to operate as usual, what is going on with Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
Staffing: Land vs. Sea
Credit: Disney
Staffing challenges have been a major part of the reopening process for nearly every industry, hospitality and travel, and Disney included. Staffing a cruise ship is much different than staffing a theme park, however. Contracts for Disney Cast Members on board the cruise ships vary from the way positions are run on land, and as a result, it is possible that staffing positions like a fairy godmother ‘in training’ for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique would actually be easier at sea.
On land, a number of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique roles have traditionally been filled by Disney College Program participants, but the role was not offered on the last round of applications. If the role still isn’t being offered to CPs, one consideration is that there might be a greater staffing challenge where the position cannot even be opened up to interns yet.
There might be some perception of safety issues at play here, too, in that we are still coming out of a pandemic and enough Cast Members (and Guests) might not feel ready for such an experience yet. This perception could be different on Disney Cruise Line due to a ship having increased safety protocols in the first place.
Will Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Return Soon?
Credit: Disney
Hopefully! It seems to reason that even if there are some additional challenges in the parks and resorts, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique opening on Disney Cruise Line would be a good sign that we’ll see the experience return to Walt Disney World soon.
The pandemic closures of attractions and all kinds of experiences have given Disney plenty of time to work on reimagining things, the same way new additions will be coming to on the . (These additions come with new costumes and the opportunity for little ones live their and dress like or .) With adult-oriented salons and spa experiences nearly all back in action at and lots of other signs of normalcy as of late (with the return of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, Minnie Vans , and more), it would not be too surprising if this experience was one of the next to come back!
We will keep you updated here on Disney Fanatic as we learn more about Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and other updates from around Walt Disney World.
