For your next Disney trip, before you reach for a set of felt Mickey
Mouse ears, consider the alternative of a jewelry-like keepsake, a
tiara. Every girl, no matter her age, deserves to be a Princess! And
every Princess needs a tiara! At Disney, not only is wearing a tiara
accepted, it is ENCOURAGED! Much like sporting a pair of classic mouse
ears, there are few better ways to embrace the magic of a Disney
vacation than to give the lady in your life a beautiful sparkling tiara
to wear during the trip. Bright smiles and laughter are guaranteed!
This column will provide tips for where to get a real (non-plastic)
tiara, what to look for when purchasing a tiara, and some basic tips to
prolong the life of a tiara.
My love of tiaras began almost three years ago at Disney when I was
there for a pre-Christmas trip. One evening upon returning to my resort
room, I walked in to discover a silver tray with a jeweled satin pillow
and roses all around it and a sparkling tiara perched on top. It was
stunning! It was a surprise Christmas gift from a friend. I decided to
wear it the rest of the trip. During that time of year, the castle was
covered in the holiday lights and all the parks were decorated. It
just felt appropriate for the holidays. I received many compliments on
that tiara and even more questions about where to find one just like
it. When I returned home from my trip, I placed the silver tray and
satin pillow on my vanity and the tiara on top.
I am fortunate that I travel to Disney World about every two weeks.
When the next trip time came, I decided to wear the tiara again. It
just felt lovely. In addition to compliments, you will find that Cast
Members and guests are more interactive with you when you wear a tiara.
Expect to be called “Princess” a lot! I enjoy the extra magic that the
tiara brings to my vacations to Disney. Some guests enjoy Mickey ears
or a Goofy hat. I love a tiara. So, for the past three years, I wear
one during my entire stay of every Disney trip. At least once a day
someone asks where I got my tiara. I highly encourage everyone to try a
Disney vacation with a tiara and embrace being a Princess.
The following is a list of recommendations for where to purchase a quality tiara in various price ranges:
1. Amazon.com
Amazon has a huge selection of tiaras in a wide price
range. I received a tiara from the site as a gift from a friend as a
thank you for helping him plan a Disney trip (thank you Joe). I have
also purchased several through this site to give as gifts to others.
For about $25 dollars, you can find a fairly ornamental quality tiara.
Silver plated and crystal tiaras can run closer to $50. There are
hundreds of styles to choose from. This is the best choice based on
price. For similar to what you might spend on a plastic toy tiara at
the Disney parks, you can have a lovely keepsake instead through
Amazon. However, you do run some risk with not seeing it in person or
trying it on. Overall, I have been satisfied with my tiaras from this
site.
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| Amazon.com tiara |
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| Amazon.com tiara |
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| Amazon.com tiara |
2. Arribas Bros.
Those of you who travel to Disney may be familiar
with this name. Arribas Bros. has several crystal shops on Disney
property. Locations include Downtown Disney and Main Street in the
Magic Kingdom. Their tiaras are also available in Epcot inside Mexico
as well as the outdoor shop and indoor crystal shops in Germany. These
tiaras start at about $20 for a very petite style and range to about
$200 for more elaborate designs. For a significantly noticeable style,
expect to spend about $100. I have purchased two of the smaller styles
for friends at these locations. I have also received an elaborate tiara
made by Arribas Bros. from a fellow Princess (thank you Carla).
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| Arribas Bros. tiara from Downtown Disney |
The prices are significant, but you do have the luxury of inspecting
the tiaras and trying them on before purchase to get what works best.
Plus, it’s a souvenir FROM DISNEY.
3. DisneyFlorist.com
DisneyFlorist.com is where to go for the tiara and
roses on a satin pillow and silver tray that can be delivered to your
room or most restaurants at Disney.
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| DisneyFlorist.com tiara delivered to resort |
There are options for both adult and child Princesses. There are
also a variety of choices for how the tiaras are displayed. The prices
range from about $100 to $500 depending on additions (such as crystal
glass slippers and jewelry). Delivery charges also apply. I have two
tiaras from DisneyFlorist.com (thank you Rob). The first one I wore out
after two years of wear during all of my Disney trips. There is only
one tiara design available. It is a floral pattern. It is very
beautiful but also very fragile. The extras that come with this design
along with having it presented in a special way at Disney are what make
this choice extra magical.
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| DisneyFlorist.com tiara |
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| DisneyFlorist.com tiara |
Some tips for purchasing a tiara:
1. Buy metal/silver plated not plastic. There are a lot of toy
tiaras available. They are fun and cute. But, if you really want to
make a statement, go with the real thing. Silver plated and crystals
are worth the splurge. It will be a lovely jewelry quality keepsake of
any Disney trip.
2. Get a tiara with hair combs built in. Many tiaras, including
some styles at Arribas Bros., have no hair combs. Combless tiaras are
designed to have a wedding veil attached. So, if you would like a tiara
to wear during your vacation that will stay on, make sure that you get
one with combs.
3. Lighter hair may require a larger tiara. On dark hair, even a
small tiara will stand out. However, for those with blonde hair, the
smaller designs may not be as noticeable.
4. Look for loose stones or off-center stones when purchasing in
person. At Arribas Bros., you pick from the display case, but you
receive a new boxed tiara for purchase. Remove it from the box and
double check the stone settings. If you see a display tiara that has
some stones missing or loose, just assume that that design will lose
stones if you wear it a lot during your trip.
5. Try the tiaras on if possible. I’ve found that the more
expensive tiaras have a better fit. Those sold as novelties are not
sized well and have more uncomfortable combs.
Tips for keeping your tiara as a keepsake:
1. Be careful getting in and out of cars. I bent and broke my first
tiara from bumping it on the car door frame. (It’s funny how you kinda
forget you are wearing it after awhile.)
2. If you wear it during your time at the parks, be very careful to
hold it on during thrill rides. If possible, remove the tiara and let
someone else hold it while on thrill rides. I have never used bobby
pins or clips with my tiaras, but you may find those helpful.
3. Have a sturdy box to prevent it from being crushed in luggage.
Arribas Bros. tiaras come in a perfect box to protect them. However,
DisneyFlorist tiaras have no container. Amazon tiaras vary. You can
always use the box in which they arrive when shipped. If you are giving
a tiara as a gift, keep in mind that you should take some form of
protective container. I wear mine while traveling (I only have a 2 hour
drive) mainly to protect it.
4. Don’t use any polishes or cleaners on your tiara. A tissue to
polish it up works fine. At most, a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol on a
cotton ball can be used to remove hair products and oils.
I highly encourage everyone to embrace their inner Princess and try
wearing a tiara during their next Disney vacation. You are guaranteed
to have some extra special magical moments and a sparkling keepsake of
memories.
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