Last year, we took the boys to Pirates League at Disneyland and this year, it’s back and we took our middle kiddo Brandon for a full makeover for Mickey’s Halloween Party. Open daily throughout Halloween Time, Pirates League is the boys’ equivalent of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. (For information on packages, click here.)
As with last year, each child gets a new pirate name and complete makeover given by a real pirate. Brandon is very shy and I felt so bad that he was barely responding to the pirate making him over as she worked. This year, Brandon opted for the ghost pirate makeover. This isn’t just a makeover–it’s a full (face) transformation, with A LOT of makeup.
In my last post about Pirates League, I recommended reading my tips from last year about Pirates League. Great idea, right? Guess what I didn’t do before I took Brandon? Read my own tips! Which in turn means I forgot to bring makeup remover or makeup remover wipes. Did you see how much of that makeup was on Brandon’s face?! And do you know what happened to that makeup as the hours wore on? It ended up on his clothes and when he and his brothers shared a hot chocolate, they all ended up with black “joker” smiles. By the end of the night, Brandon was tired of his makeup and I had no makeup remover…which meant he was in tears…with all of that makeup on his face. I’m sure you can imagine the mess we had on our hands. Luckily I happened to have some cold cream in the hotel room and that got most of the makeup off, but in the end it took a good two days for Brandon to be makeup free.
All that being said, Brandon looks back on his Pirates League experience with fondness and thinks he looked “totally awesome.”
Now for the Pirates League 2013 Facts:
- Different from last year, Pirates League is not as secluded, as it is being held out in the open at Big Thunder Ranch, not tucked away in the Court of Angels in New Orleans Square.
- If your child will be undergoing a Pirates League transformation, be sure to make sure he wears his favorite pirate gear. Some costumes and accessories are available and each child does receive a bandana, eye patch, earring and medallion.
- Make your appointment early in the day so your kiddo can enjoy a full day of pirate role playing, but if you will be staying in the parks for a long time, consider one of the other pirate makeovers that isn’t quite as elaborate and/or request that they not put the makeup (for any of the makeover) right up to the lower lash line because it is a devil to get off and your son might not want to be rockin’ the black eyeliner for school.
