The Magic of a Disney Haircut

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One of the things we love about Walt Disney World is that the most commonplace, everyday things can become magical… even a haircut.

Most of us put getting a haircut on our list of things to do before we leave on vacation.  (You want to look good in all those vacation pics, or you think a little less hair will help keep you cool in that hot weather.)  But perhaps it’s worth putting off the haircut until after you arrive.

The Harmony Barber Shop

On Main Street, USA in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park is a real, live, working barber shop.  The Harmony Barber Shop is open every day, offering haircuts to both children and adults.  A child’s haircut will run you $15, compared to $19 for an adult.  Colored hair gel is offered for $5, and a special “First Haircut” package is offered for $18, which includes a certificate and “My First Haircut” ear hat.  (prices do not include gratuity)

In the summer of 2012, we paid our first visit to the Harmony Barber Shop to get Jackson’s haircut.  It just so happens that this was his actual first haircut.  We had been meaning to get his hair cut at home prior to the vacation, but things kept getting in the way.  Just over a week before we left, we decided he could wait a little longer, and we called Disney to make the reservation for the first haircut package.

We arrived bright and early to the park, catching the Welcome Show for the first time ever.  The barber shop did not open until 9am, (normal operating hours are 9am-5pm, 7 days per week) and our reservation was for shortly after, so we had time to kill beforehand.  We did so by getting a few pics, which I’ll share here as evidence of the pre-haircut Jackson.

When it was time for Jackson’s big moment, we made our way over to the barber shop, nestled in the corner of the town square next to the Emporium and across from the firehouse.  (I can remember when the barbershop was located further up Main Street before the expanded the Emporium)

I won’t say that the interior transports you back in time when you enter, because the whole of Main Street USA already does that.  The Harmony Barber Shop simply continues that theming. It’s very cozy, with a podium for checking in and only a few barber stations.  It’s for this reason you should probably make a reservation as opposed to simply walking in.

I’ll admit I was a little thrown to find that on our visit all the stylists were women. (there are male stylists too, but it just happened that at the time of our reservation, it was all women)  Part of me expected the Dapper Dans to be in here cutting hair in between performances out on the street.  
*All Harmony Barber Shop stylists are state-licensed cosmetologists.

Jackson’s Cast Member was Norma, and I’m happy to say she was extremely pleasant and very patient with our first-timer.  That certainly made up for her lack of mustache and her reluctance to sing.

Jackson was seated right away.  We first attempted to have him sit by himself.

But that did not go over so well…

That seemed to calm him down enough to get his mop trimmed down.  We didn’t want it cut too short.  We wanted to keep his curls for a while longer.

Having some light up toys to play with didn’t hurt either.  The staff has plenty of items to keep the little ones entertained (or distracted).  We tried several different toys before Jackson settled on R2D2.

When it was all done, Jackson was presented with his ear hat, his certificate, and a little bag containing a lock of his hair to keep.

“… For Bravely and Cheerfully submitting to our Clippers and Shears…”

And the haircut?  Here’s some shots afterwards.

Despite the fact that Jackson cried most of the time and I ended up with his hair all over me, I’m glad we procrastinated at home and ended up getting his first haircut at Walt Disney World.  It’s a memory that I’ll never forget, and though Jackson will not remember, he’ll always have his little mementos, and our pictures to remind him.

Since that first haircut, I’ve taken Jackson for a few more at a place near home that specializes in kids’ haircuts.  I have to say that while an $15 haircut for a kid is slightly more than I pay for myself at a local barber, it’s much cheaper than this kids’ place near us that charges $25.  On top of that the quality of the haircut itself wasn’t much different.  Add the extra $3 for the certificate, and ear hat and I’d say that’s not a bad deal at all.

It’s also an interesting alternative to the more expensive makeover experiences of Pirates League and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  You don’t even need to get your hair cut to add some colored hair gel and “pixie dust” for a more magical look on your day in the park! 

I definitely recommend getting your child’s first haircut at Walt Disney World.  And don’t let it stop you just because it may not be their actual first haircut… it can always be their first Disney haircut!  

Now, as for adults, I have no personal experience to go by… yet.  But I’m thinking of giving it a try one of these trips.  If I time it right, maybe I can be entertained by the Dapper Dans while getting trimmed.  I hear they do that sometimes!

From Disney’s official site, some things to know before you go:

• Water may be sprayed on hair if needed during styling, but no shampooing will be provided. With that in mind, please arrive with clean, dry hair.

• Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age or older).

• A $10 charge will apply for no-shows or cancellations within one day of your reservation. Though reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529, walk-ins are welcome.

Have you ever gotten a haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop?  If so, let us know what your experience was like!

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