Harmony Barber Shop at the Magic Kingdom

Fast forward three years to 2013 and a visit to the Harmony Barber Shop was something that I definitely wanted for my younger daughter, who on this particular trip celebrated her 2nd birthday.

Reservations can now be made here 180 days in advance, like the Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) by calling Disney on 407-WDW-PLAY or 407-939-7529. For this, I had my 180 date in my calendar and I was on the phone at 12 noon UK time (7am EST) to call and make this appointment, along with a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointment for my elder daughter. I was able to get both appointments quickly and was given 12-digit confirmation numbers. At the time, these were not linked to My Disney Experience and I was advised to give my name and confirmation number upon arrival, which should be 10 minutes prior to the appointment times.

Our appointment was for 11:00 am so we had a couple of hours in Magic Kingdom before making our way back to the front of the park to go to the Harmony Barber Shop. The Harmony Barber Shop is located right at the front of the park. You walk out under the Railroad and it is tucked away in the corner to the left, next to the Emporium and the garage where the parade either starts or ends.

We arrived 10 minutes early and there were quite a few people waiting outside. I went in and gave our details and was told that we would be called just after 11:00 am. We went back outside to wait and sure enough, at 11:02 am, our name was called so we went in. There are just three or four stations, which explains why this is such a busy and popular place. There was a pre-teen aged girl having her hair trimmed and then styled and an older gentleman having his hair cut, so this really is a place for all ages.

We were directed to Norma's station and she already had the booster seat set up. We put our daughter in the chair and then she had a lovely, bright apron with penguins fastened around her. Norma then covered her with Mickey head stickers to distract her.

She asked me if we were there for the First Haircut, which we were, and asked what we wanted doing with our daughters hair. I said that we just wanted her hair trimming and tidying up a bit. She sprayed some water in her hair and ran a comb through before making a start on trimming her hair. Our daughter sat very happily for a while, pulling the stickers off and then trying to stick them back down whilst Norma worked. After a little while, our daughter did start to get to get a little bit antsy, I think in part due to tiredness though. Norma was well prepared and had a stack of the light up, spinney toys that she got out for our daughter to choose and play with. This then kept her entertained for the rest of her haircut.

As part of the First Haircut package, you get a pair of Mickey Head Ears, embroidered on the back with My 1st Haircut. We took some photos and then Norma asked if we wanted some 'pixie dust' in her hair with a cute little up-do so we said yes. She then pulled the front and sides of her hair up into a hair band and then sprinkled some 'pixie dust' on her hair (gold Mickey head glitter flakes).

Harmony Barber Shop First Haircut

A photo of the Mickey ears included in the My First Haircut package at the Harmony Barber Shop

Now finished, we took more photos whilst Norma tidied and packaged up a small amount of our daughters hair in tissue paper and sealed it with a Mickey head sticker, so that we had another memento of her first haircut. She then took us to the register to pay. We also received a My First Haircut certificate, with our daughter’s name, the date and Norma's name. The cost for this package was $18 at the time, now $19 I believe, plus tax and tip.

For me, this experience is worth every cent and more. Norma was an amazing Cast Member and was brilliant with our daughter. She enjoyed the experience and we loved watching and were able to take so many photos and have so many memories of her first Disney haircut. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone with young children, particularly little girls who are not yet old enough for an appointment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, for a fun and inexpensive experience with your children. I am actually a little disappointed that this was probably our last visit here as both of our daughters are now old enough to experience Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique together.

Editor's Note: The Harmony Barber Shop is currently closed for refurbishment but is expected to re-open in late March 2015.

About the Author: Lisa Smith-Lester is a working Mum with two daughters who is visiting again this year, a year earlier than originally planned.