The Disney Princesses are fictional characters that feature in the Disney Princess franchise. The character list has varied since the creation of the franchise, but Princesses Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine have most consistently been included. The current character list includes Princess Pocahontas as well. Mulan is also included, despite having no familial ties to royalty. A new addition, Princess Maddy from The Frog Princess, is planned for 2009, making her the first princess of African decent.[1]
The Disney Princesses are featured in various sing-a-long video series released through The Walt Disney Company. In addition, the franchise includes dolls, miniature castles, and other toys. The princesses are also featured in the nightly “Fantasmic! Nighttime Show Spectacular” in Disneyland and Disney-MGM Studios.
History
In early 2000, when Andy Mooney was hired by the Disney consumer-products division to help combat dropping sales, the idea for the Disney Princess franchise was born. Soon after joining Disney, Mooney attended his first “Disney on Ice” show. While waiting in line, he found himself surrounded by young girls dressed as princesses. “They weren’t even Disney products. They were generic princess products,” he mused. Soon after realizing the demand, the Disney Princess line was formed.
Despite limited advertising and no focus groups, the various Disney Princess items released became a huge success. Sales at Disney Consumer Products rose from $300 million in 2001 to $3 billion in 2006. Today there are over 25,000 products based on the franchise.
The princesses to be featured in the line were chosen from classic Disney films. The characters were not chosen specifically for their royal titles, but rather for how well they fit into what Disney executives deemed “the Princess mythology”. Mulan is an example of this concept; she has no familial ties to royalty, but is still included in the character list. Tinker Bell was once included under the same principle before it was decided she was not suited for the "mythology". [2] Recently, Tinker Bell has starred in her own Disney franchise, Disney Fairies. Other fairies were created specifically for the franchise. The line began with a book series by Gail Carson Levine, and has since spawned toys and other products based on the characters.
Character List
The characters themselves, despite originally appearing in separate films, have distinct similarities. The princesses show good will towards all creatures, evidenced by the common ability to commune with animals. The princesses are known for their inner and outer beauty as well as having beautiful singing voices. Each princess has a romance that is resolved by the end of her film. (See: Disney Princes).
Snow White
The character of Snow White first originated in a Brothers Grimm fairytale about a beautiful princess with a jealous step-mother. In 1937, Walt Disney turned this classic fairytale into his very first animated feature film. Snow White is the daughter of a king, who re-married a manpiulative and cruel woman. This woman hated Snow White, because she wanted to be the fairest in the land. As long as Snow White was alive, this title went to the princess. After her step-mother tries to have her killed, Snow White runs away and lives in a cottage with seven little dwarfs. Her step-mother finds out that she is still alive, and using dark magic, poisons an apple and changes her own appearance. In disguise, she goes to the cottage and gives Snow White the poisoned apple. The apple, however, does not kill her; it merely puts her to sleep until the Prince wakes her with his kiss.
Cinderella
The best-known version of Cinderella is the fairytale by Charles Perrault in 1697, which was based on an earlier version by Giambattista Basile in 1634. In 1950, it was turned into an animated feature-length film by Walt Disney.
Aurora
Ariel
Daughter of King Triton, Ruler of the Seas, Ariel is a mermaid with long red hair. Making her debut in the Disney film, The Little Mermaid, she ends up marrying Prince Eric, who is human.
Belle
Jasmine
Pocahontas
The titlular character of the 1995 movie, she is considered as an Indian princess.
Mulan
Though not offically a Princess but a nobelwoman, she is considered part of the franchise.
Other Information
Though not an official princess, Alice in Wonderland is considered an honorary princess as she appears in Kingdom Hearts as a Princess of the Heart and has also appeared in othe Princess-related media.
Guest Characters
Other Disney characters have gueststarred alongside the eight above princesses in various Disney Princess products.
- Princess Collection 2: Songs by Maid Marion, Nala, and Megara are included.
- Disney Princess Sing Along Songs: Once Upon a Dream: Sing along segments by Princess Minnie, Megara, and Mei, Ting-Ting, and Su are included.
- Disney Princess Sing Along Songs: Enchanted Tea Party: Sing along segments by Alice, Maid Marion, and Melody are included.
- Disney Princess Sing Along Songs: Perfectly Princess: Sing along segments by Alice and Melody are included.
Pirate and Princess Party
From January 22, 2007 to March 8, 2007, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World ran the “Pirate and Princess Party”. The event is a mix of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and the Disney Princess line. Cosplaying as pirates and princesses is encouraged. Visitors can have meet and greets with characters from both franchises and take part in various activities. Other features include a new parade, the “Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade”, and a new light show, the “Magic, Music and Mayhem” fireworks spectacular. Because the event has become som popular, in August, another Pirate and Princess event was held. [3]
Cultural Impact
Kilala Princess
Drawn Together
Criticism
On December 24, 2006, Peggy Orenstein published, “What’s Wrong With Cinderella?” in the New York Times. In her article, Orenstein discussed her concerns about the affects of princess figures on young girls. Orenstein uses the Disney Princesses specifically to present many of her points.
Orenstein also notes the pervasive nature of Princess merchandise and that every facet of play has its princess equivalent. Orenstein references how “dirty kneed” Dora the Explorer became a princess in 2004, with merchandise released to commemorate the event. [4]
See Also
- Disney Princes
- Disney Fairies