About Face: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Face Painting at Disney World

Mickey ears, special tee-shirts, and customized buttons are just a few of the wearable souvenirs that you may encounter during your visit to Disney World. While those are all fantastic options for showing your “Disney Side” while enjoying your day at the Disney Parks, there’s another more temporary, but totally fun way to enhance your appearance: face paint!

With options ranging from your favorite wild creature at the Animal Kingdom, sparkling princesses at Magic Kingdom, or a dose of Hollywood glamour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, stopping by a face painting kiosk during your Walt Disney World vacation could be just the ticket to elicit extra smiles and laughs.

Excited, but not sure where to start? Here are a few pointers to get you started on your new look:

1. You can get your face painted at all four of the theme parks, and even Downtown Disney!

There are several locations to get your face painted (locations current as of January 2014, subject to change):

• Magic Kingdom: Tomorrowland, near Space Mountain restrooms.
• Epcot: Near the Outpost (between China and Germany in the World Showcase portion of the park)
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: On Mickey Avenue, across from the FASTPASS distribution area for Toy Story Midway Mania.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: In Harambe (Africa)
• Downtown Disney: Kiosk located near Guest Relations

All face painting kiosks accept cash and credit cards; however, there is a bit of a catch when it comes to credit cards. Credit card payments are processed through a nearby merchandise location, which will be explained to you by the artist. A voucher will be written for you, which you take to the merchandise cashier, and once that receipt is produced, you present that to your artist.

2. The cost includes free touch-ups!

Prices for face painting range from $12 – $18, and as long as you retain your receipt of purchase, you may have your design “touched up” at any face painting location the remainder of the day, as long as a majority of the design is still intact. Bonus tip: while artists are happy to do this for you, as available, you will still need to queue with other guests, so don’t jump the line.

Additional note: In addition to the standard face painting kiosks in the Magic Kingdom; there are opportunities for a different kind of makeover, as part of Pirate’s League packages, which involve face paint. Call 407-939-2739 for reservations and more information on this special offering.

3. There are special seasonal options. 

Throughout the year, special designs are available, in addition to regular face painting options. Usually, these are prominently displayed, but if not, just ask your artist!

4. Designs posted may be customized.

While there are a large variety of options (posted, and in special artists’ flip books), you may also request a customized design. For example, if you fell in love with a special flower design that features blue blossoms, but you would prefer pink, just ask your artist! Bonus tip: love a design, but are not keen on having your whole face painted? Ask for a smaller or half version – your artist will also advise you of your adjusted price.

5. It’s not just for kids!

Just as Walt Disney once said, “Adults are only kids grown up anyway,” and with face painting, the sky’s the limit! While kids are the primary customers when it comes to the face painting business, if you’re a little older but want to get in the spirit, don’t hesitate! Unlike the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which has a 3-12 year old age limitation, anyone can have his or her face painted. Plus, the artists are very fast, which helps for kids (and big kids) with short attention spans.

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Have you ever had your face (or a family member’s face) painted at Disney World? Did we miss any tips?

ETA: Thank you, readers Chloe and Erica for posting comments regarding the Magic Kingdom location, and Scott of Taking the Florida Plunge for confirmation, as of January 13, 2014.