The Magic (and the Reality) of Toddler’s First Haircut
It’s Magic Kingdom day and it’s time for Skippy’s very first haircut! Right on the corner of Main Street USA, with the classic barber pole out front, the timing of getting their hair trimmed at Harmony Barber Shop seemed too cute to pass up. At just over 13 months old, we really weren’t sure how things were going to go down. Going to Disney with toddlers is full of wild card experiences. Would this turn into a core memory or a rough pre-nap time meltdown? Our conclusion; the experience was 100% worth it, but we benefited from some strategic planning.
What is the Disney “My First Haircut” Package?
Did you know that there’s a barber shop in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World? We didn’t until just a couple of years ago. Harmony Barber Shop offers several different services including kids’ and adults’ haircuts, beard trims, and the “My First Haircut” package. Tucked into a little unassuming nook right as you enter Magic Kingdom; you can find it by hanging a left instead of walking up Main Street USA until you spot the iconic red-and-white striped pole.
Our go-to was the “My First Haircut” package. We went in November 2025, and the cost was $28 plus tip (important here; tips are cash only!). This package included 1) the haircut, 2) souvenir, “My First Haircut” Mickey ears, 3) a “My First Haircut” certificate, and 4) a pouch of Skippy’s hair clippings. All in, we felt this was a great deal! Sure, we could spend less getting him a haircut somewhere local outside of the parks, but the souvenir ears really elevated the experience. The price is especially a bargain when you compare it to some of the packages over at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Our biggest tip if you’re interested in getting this package is that appointments go fast! The booking window for Harmony Barber Shop open 60 days before the first day of your vacation, and unlike the dining reservations that open early in the morning, the appointment slots go up at midnight! My wife set an alarm for 11:55PM that night to pop awake for 5 minutes and snag our reservation.
Worth the Hype Factors
The thought of saving Skippy’s hair has never thrilled us (or their teeth when they loses their baby teeth?!), but the keepsake ears could not be cuter. These served double duty as they were also Skippy’s first Mickey ears! If you’re going to Disney with toddlers, you can’t NOT get the ears, right? They refused to keep them on, but that’s beside the point.
The Cast Members at Harmony were also amazing. Not only are these folks fully licensed barbers/stylists, but they were absolutely amazing with Skippy. Given that the “My First Haircut” package exists, I’m sure they’re used to toddlers of all kinds of temperaments. The moment we sat Skippy down in the super cool, old-fashioned chair, our barber set to work with distractions galore! While I won’t say the experience was exciting for Skippy, I will say they didn’t really notice what was happening. Gladys snipped snipped away and before we knew it, his awkward “I used to be bald, and this is how my hair decided to grow in” look transformed into quite the dapper do. We were sure to leave a Cast Member compliment in the My Disney Experience app. Always be sure to do that whenever folks go above and beyond for you.
Disney with Toddlers – Meltdown Reality Check
Skippy did well! We credit some (not all) of that with some strategic planning. We prioritized getting a reservation that didn’t conflict with 1) food or 2) sleep. Breakfast is around 8:30 and then they usually nap sometime between 12 and 1. Our favorite sit-down breakfast is at the Crystal Palace. We got a 10:20AM reservation; right in the middle of the two. Skippy isn’t too terrible with stranger danger, though they do have a couple of triggers. Either my wife or I was always in eye-line during the haircut. Our barber was also a soft-spoken woman, and women tend be a little less scary for Skippy.
While this didn’t apply to Skippy, we’d suggest being mindful of other sensory concerns that could pose issues for other toddlers. Going to Disney with toddlers, you want to always be mindful of their unique triggers. The barber’s do spritz their hair with water from a spray bottle, and the cape (to catch the little hairs) could be over-stimulating for some littles. Also, while the weather was mild at best when we were in the Magic Kingdom that day, we endorse the suggestion to bring a change of clothes. Stray hairs could get stick to sweaty skin and get itchy in the hot Florida sun.
Alternatives (If You Can’t Get a Reservation)
While we were successful in getting our ideal reservation time, we also did our research. If we couldn’t get a reservation, our plan was to try for a walk-up appointment. We had read that if you rope-drop Harmony Barber Shop they actually reserve a number of spots specifically for walk-ups. We think this would definitely be worth doing if you’re unable to get the reservation ahead of time.
Also, while Bibbidi Bobbodi Boutique is an option if your budget allows and you have a princess-loving little, we’ve read that you can often pop by Harmony for the “Pixie Dusting” option (woot, glitter!) with no reservation.
The Final Verdict for Toddler’s First Haircut
Was the “My First Haircut” package worth it? Yep. 100%. Having this option when traveling to Disney with toddlers is so unique. We love that Skippy got their first set of souvenir ears, and it also makes for the cutest story down the road. Honestly, we feel that this would still be true if they did have a meltdown. “Hey, remember when you absolutely lost your mind when you were getting your haircut at Disney? We do.”
