Hi Allyson!
Congratulations on your first trip to Walt Disney World! Your children at are such magical ages - keep your camera ready to capture all the joy and excitement on their faces every time you turn around! You may want someone to capture the happiness on YOUR face as well!
The answer is YES, it is very common for the children to dress in their favorite Disney character costume for these special experiences. Honestly, I believe it would be common for many adults, too, if we, er, um, I mean THEY thought they could get by with it!
You will see a little bit of everything - from homemade costumes to store-bought costumes. You may also see some children in their "normal" clothes, but with some added "accessories", such as tiaras, wands, and slippers! And, you will see some who have had a "total transformation" performed by real-live Fairy Godmothers at the
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!
They may also choose to be transformed into a Pirate, Pirate Empress, or Mermaid at the amazing
Pirates League! For these experiences, make sure you call ahead for reservations.
Of course, it is quite all right to just "go as yourself" - after all, we're all "princesses and pirates" and whatever we imagine ourselves to be, right?!
Don't forget your camera - and you may want to take a book and pen for autographs of their favorite characters. Something else we like to do is come up with questions for the Princesses. They love to answer your questions about their fairy tale lives! How often do you get to talk to someone who has birds and mice for their own personal seamstresses?
I wish you all a fabulous time in Walt Disney World!