Bibbidi bobbidi boohoo

Some of the little princesses at the 'fairytale breakfast' weren't too happy to be all dolled up.

By Stefanie Wass

from the April 30, 2008 edition

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"There's the castle!" shrieked my awe-struck 5-year-old, peering out the monorail window as we made our way into Disney's Magic Kingdom. Laughter and grins from fellow passengers confirmed that we had made the right vacation choice. Despite protests from my husband, whose idea of a vacation involves reclining poolside with a good book, we had decided to brave a day with Mickey Mouse before heading to our favorite beach town. "The girls love the princesses, and I think we can even have breakfast right in the castle," I explained.

"Please, Daddy?" begged my kindergartner, who had learned how to effectively bat her blue eyes.

"Well, we can go, but just for one day," my husband relented. "Then we are off to the beach!"

A quick phone call later, reservations were secured for a "fairytale breakfast" inside Cinderella's castle Although I winced at the price tag, I rationalized that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"The princesses will all be there to meet and greet your family," the perky Disney receptionist reassured me. With promises of stuffed French toast, muffins, and fresh fruit, even my reluctant husband turned sweet on the idea. What could be better than starting our Disney adventure from high atop the castle walls?

Clad in jeans shorts, sneakers, and princess T-shirts, our girls scampered into the castle, anxiously awaiting the arrival of royalty. "Line up please, single file," we were instructed. "Cinderella will come down for photos before breakfast is served." Flipping through their autograph books in search of a blank page, the girls were blissfully unaware of the scene unfolding around them.

"Go stand in front of the spiral staircase," a camera-ready mother commanded her daughter. "Now give me a smile!" The girl, not more than 4 years old, looked as if she had been born right inside the castle walls. Her floor-length, pink taffeta gown glittered in the early morning sunlight. Her shoes were covered in ruby rhinestones. Maybe these were purchased to match her silver tiara or glittery hair spray. As she turned to protest yet another photo-op, the little princess's iridescent eye shadow flashed my way. Shocked, I elbowed my husband.

"Did you see that girl?" I whispered.

Raising his eyebrows, he nudged me a little, pointing out a few other children in similar attire. "I didn't know we needed to dress for breakfast," I mused.

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