It’s every little girl’s dream: being a princess for a day. In 2006, Disney introduced a service to help guests achieve this. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, described by the company as “a magical beauty salon where any little girl can make her dream of becoming a princess come true.”

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The service is not cheap, however. The least-expensive package at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will run you about $55.  The castle package, which includes a full costume, costs about $190.

Aurora

Not only is a full costume expensive, but the dresses, made of synthetic material, are not exactly the most comfortable thing for girls to be wearing around the theme parks all day.With average temperatures in Orlando sitting at 90 degrees or above in the summer months, having an outfit that will breathe is the best way to keep cool.

There are a few options to give your princess a beautiful dress, but still keep her comfortable. Not only will they save you money, but they will also make the day a lot easier.

1. Make it yourself

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Not everyone will have the sewing skills to do this, but it is a cheap option and will allow you to customize the dress. Get your daughter involved. Let her pick out some jeweled buttons or ribbons to include on the dress.

A u-createcrafts.com blogger makes dresses for her daughter and nieces, to great success.

2. Shop sites like Etsy

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One affordable, and cute option that I’ve found on Etsy is LittlePrincesses. This woman makes cotton dresses for many of the princesses. Some of the dresses include tulle as well, making them look more like a dress you might buy from Disney.

3. Just go for a skirt

tutu
This tutu was found at the Disney Outlet store in the Orlando Premium Outlets for $16.99.

Tutus have become very popular for little girls in the last few years, so they are easy to find. Have your daughter wear cotton shorts and a t-shirt and put the tutu on over. Then if they get tired of the tutu, they will be able to take it off and you can put it back on for any pictures you might want to take.

4. Bedazzle your shoes:

Princess shoes are great for playing dress-up, but not too practical for walking around. My suggestions: find some sparkly flats, or even better use an old pair of sneakers to spray paint with metallic paint and glitter. These options will provide more comfort, while also showing some sparkles.

While dressing your daughter as a princess from head to toe can be adorable, you might just find that princess-esque is close enough and won’t break the bank. I’d love to hear your tips for princess practicality in the comments below.

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mallory k miller
The moment Mallory Miller found a chance to move to Orlando, she took it. A childhood love of all things Disney has grown into a respect for the great reach of the company today. She currently spends most her time exploring the Walt Disney World property, discovering the best ways to explore the resort. She hopes to make visiting the parks easier and more pleasant for the people who can only visit for a limited time.