Disney Princess
Disney Princess is a Walt Disney Company franchise, based on fictional characters who have been featured as part of the Disney character line-up. They are: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora , Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Tiana.[1] Disney has announced Rapunzel from the 2010 CGI film Tangled will complete the lineup.[2] The franchise has released dolls, sing-along videos, and a variety of other children's products, apparel, and even adhesive bandages featuring the Disney Princesses.
History
In early 2000, when Andy Mooney was hired by Disney's 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.
In 2009 the anticipated sales is $4 billion.[3]
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. However in Asian history, to run the army you must be a part of the royal family. Therefore when Mulan ends up with the general's son Shang, Mulan becomes a part of the royal family. Tinker Bell was once included under the same principle before it was decided she was not suited for the "mythology."[4] She now stars in her own Disney franchise, the Disney Fairies.
Character list
Disney Princesses
Announced
- Rapunzel - Tangled (Voiced by Mandy Moore)
Other characters
Other Disney characters have appeared in franchise merchandise, but aren't considered part of the Disney Princess franchise.
- Alice (from Alice in Wonderland) was included in the PlayStation 2 game Kingdom Hearts as one of the Princesses of Heart, all of whom were official Disney Princesses besides her (and the game's original princess, Kairi). Alice has appeared in official Disney Princess art, and is included in the Disney Princess music video It's Not Just Make Believe and The Perfect Princess Tea with the then eight official princesses, though she still remains excluded from the official lineup.
- Tinker Bell was once included under the principle that the princess need not be of royal heritage. However, it was decided she was not suited for the series "mythology".[4] She now stars in her own Disney franchise, the Disney Fairies.
- Esmeralda from Disney's film adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame was once featured in the franchise with a doll available for purchase at the Disney Store.
- Giselle from Disney's film Enchanted was originally going to be added to the line until the company realized it would have to pay the actress, Amy Adams, royalties for using her likeness.[6]
On the Princess Collection 2 CD, songs by Maid Marian (Robin Hood), Nala (The Lion King), and Megara (Hercules) are included.
On the Disney Princess Sing Along Songs: Once Upon a Dream DVD, sing-along segments with Megara (Hercules), Princess Minnie (Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers), and Princesses Mei, Ting-Ting, and Su (Mulan II) are included.
On the Disney Princess Sing Along Songs: Enchanted Tea Party DVD sing-along segments with Alice (Alice in Wonderland), Maid Marian (Robin Hood), and Princess Melody (The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea) are included. Sing-along segments with both Alice and Princess Melody are included in the Disney Princess Sing Along Songs: Perfectly Princess DVD as well.
Original songs
Aside from the pre-existing princess songs from the films, there have been original songs produced for the Disney Princess franchise. All of the songs are sung by the princesses, with the exception of "Where Dreams Begin," which is sung from the perspective of the eight princesses, (before Tiana came) but not by the princesses themselves, and is merely credited as being sung by "Disney Princess."
- "Where Dreams Begin"
- "The Way To Bake (A Delicious Cake)" (sung by Snow White)
- "A Holly Jolly Christmas Snow" (sung by Snow White, Grumpy, Bashful and Doc)
- "The Night Before Christmas" (sung by Snow White, Grumpy, Bashful and Doc)
- "Every Girl Can Be a Princess" (sung by Cinderella)
- "I’m Giving Love for Christmas" (sung by Cinderella)
- "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (sung by Cinderella)
- "Waiting For My Prince" (sung by Princess Aurora)
- "Christmas With My Prince" (sung by Princess Aurora)
- "My Birthday Wish" (sung by Princess Aurora)
- "Keys To The Kingdom" (sung by Princess Aurora)
- "Happy Birthday, Princess!" (sung by Princess Ariel)
- "Manners And Etiquette" (sung by Princess Ariel)
- "I Just Love Getting Dressed For Tea" (sung by Princess Ariel)
- "Christmas in the Ocean" (sung by Princess Ariel and Sebastian)
- "Ariel's Christmas Island" (sung by Princess Ariel and Sebastian)
- "The Perfect Princess Tea" (sung by Belle)
- "The Princess Dance" (sung by Belle)
- "So Very Glad You're Here" (sung by Belle)
- "Holidays at Home" (sung by Belle)
- "The Christmas Waltz" (sung by Belle)
- "Musical Chairs" (sung by Princess Jasmine)
- "I've Got My Eyes On You" (sung by Princess Jasmine)
- "Peacock Princess" (sung by Princess Jasmine and Iago)
- "Colors Of The Wind" (sung by Pocahontas)
- "These Moments We Share" (sung by Pocahontas)
- "Silver and Gold" (sung by Pocahontas)
- "Cups and Saucers" (sung by Mulan)
- "The Holly and the Ivy" (sung by Mulan)
- "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (sung by Snow White, Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Princess Ariel, Belle and Princess Jasmine)
- "The Beauty of the Season" (sung by Snow White, Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Princess Ariel, Belle and Princess Jasmine)
- "Christmas Is Coming!" (sung by Snow White, Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Princess Ariel, Belle, Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas)
- "If You Can Dream" (sung by Snow White, Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Princess Ariel, Belle, Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas and Mulan)
- "Pretty As A Princess" (sung by Snow White, Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Princess Ariel, Belle, Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan and Tiana)
Live events
Disneyland Resort
All the princesses are available for meet-n-greets in the Disneyland Resort in CA. Additionally, Snow White has her own ride known as Snow White's Scary Adventures. In 2006, as part of the Year of Million Dreams celebration, the Fantasyland Theater began hosting the Disneyland Princess Fantasy Faire. The show has Lords and Ladies teaching young girls the proper ettiquete for a princess and features appearances by the Disney Princesses themselves. Princesses that have appeared include Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Hannah Montana, Alex Russo, Tiana, Princess Minnie, and Ariel.
Young girls will have the opportunity to meet their favorite Disney Princess as they dine in at Ariel's Grotto Character Dining in Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.
The princesses are also featured in parades and shows throughout the resort, including Fantasmic!, A Christmas Fantasy Parade and Disney's Electrical Parade.
Walt Disney World Resort
The princesses are also available for meet-n-greets in Florida, but in more specific locations. Cinderella and her friends appear at Cinderella's Royal Table in her Magic Kingdom castle, as well as "Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner, formerly known as the Cinderella's Gala Feast Dinner, at 1900 Park Fare in the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The other princesses are showcased at the Princess Storybook meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - at Akershus Castle in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. This particular meal is known to feature many guest Disney Princesses, including Alice, Megara, Esmeralda, Princess Minnie, Wendy Darling, and Jane.
Many shows and parades across the property feature the princesses, including Fantasmic, SpectroMagic, Dream Along with Mickey, the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
This store opened April 5, 2006 at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World. The salon allows little girls 3 and up to be transformed into Disney princesses with hairstyling, make-up, and manicures, dresses, wands, crowns, etc. A second salon opened in Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom on September 10, 2007. Prices range from $45 to $280.
Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party
On January 22, 2007, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort began its first Pirate and Princess Party. This hard ticketed event features “Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade" and a specially themed fireworks spectacular called "Magic, Music and Mayhem." The parade features the six main Princesses attended by knights and dancers.
Each land is themed accordingly to a pirate or princess. Among the themed areas are Jasmine's Court in Adventureland, Ariel's Court in Fantasyland and the Princess Pavilion in Mickey's Toontown Fair. The princesses available for meet-n-greets include Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Snow White, and Belle.
Disneyland Resort Paris
Disneyland Paris features the special nighttime show Disney's Fantillusion which involves the princesses as the finale. The four princesses that appear are Snow White, Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine.
Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Cruise Line ships feature musical stage shows which feature the Princesses. Pocahontas, Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan, Tiana, Belle, Cinderella, Aurora and Snow White also appear for meet-and-greets on the ship. Other popular Disney girls appear for meet and greet sessions as well such as Meg, Alice, Jane, Wendy, Esmeralda, and Nala.
Television and video
Disney Princess Collection
DVD
Belle's Sing Me A Story
- Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth and Tarzan
- Enchanted And Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Disney Princess Party Palace
Princess Party Palace (formerly known as The Princess Power Hour) was a television series on Toon Disney from 2000 until 2007. It aired episodes of Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.
Disney Princess Enchanted Tales
In early 2007, Disney announced Disney Princess Enchanted Tales, a new series of direct-to-video features that feature new stories for the Disney Princesses. The first movie in the series, entitled Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, was released on September 4, 2007. It is a musical film featuring new tales about Princess Jasmine, and the first new tale about Princess Aurora since the original Sleeping Beauty.
Originally, Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: A Kingdom of Kindness was announced as the first film in the series, which contained a different Princess Aurora story, and had a Belle story rather than a Princess Jasmine story. Disney made this change without any sort of notice.
Currently, the series was cancelled and only "Follow Your Dreams" exists.
Other media
Kingdom Hearts
In the Kingdom Hearts game series, the Disney Princesses are labeled as the seven "Princesses of Heart", a term for young ladies with entirely pure hearts which would open the way to Kingdom Hearts if gathered together. Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Snow White, and Jasmine are featured in the game as five of the seven Princesses. The other two Princesses of Heart are Alice from Alice in Wonderland and game series heroine Kairi. Though featured, aiding him while Sora is in their worlds, Ariel and Mulan are not among the Princesses of Heart.
While all seven princesses of heart appear in the first game, only Belle and Jasmine reappeared in Kingdom Hearts II with Kairi, though the others are mentioned. The two, along with Alice appear in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories as figments of Sora's memory with their roles as Princesses of Heart are not brought up, and Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days when they each meet Roxas.
In Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora feature along with their homeworlds Dwarf Woodlands, Castle of Dreams, Enchanted Dominion. Digital versions of Alice and Jasmine appear in Kingdom Hearts coded.
As of now, the only two Disney Princesses who have not yet appeared in the series are Pocahontas and Tiana.
Kilala Princess
Kilala Princess is a Japanese fantasy/romance manga produced by Kōdansha that debuted in Nakayoshi in April 2010, which revolves around a girl named Kilala and her adventures to find her kidnapped friend with the help of the first six Disney Princesses, who are Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine.
Disney Princess video games
- 2003 Disney Princess (Game Boy Advance)
- 2007 Disney Princess: Magical Jewels (Nintendo DS)
- 2007 Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey (Playstation 2/Nintendo Wii/PC)
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 effects of princess figures on young girls. Orenstein used the Disney Princesses specifically to present many of her points. Orenstein also noted the pervasive nature of Princess merchandise and that every facet of play has its princess equivalent.[4]
Other sources have also voiced concern that the franchise could give young girls the wrong message. However, other parents say that young girls would eventually grow out of this phase.[7]
Notes
- ^ "Official Disney Princesses website". disney.go.com. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
- ^ "Rapunzel completes Princess Lineup".
- ^ "Princess pedestal: How many girls are on one?" Martha Irvine - The Associated Press. Posted: Saturday, May 23, 2009
- ^ a b c Orenstein, Peggy (2006-12-24). "What's Wrong With Cinderella?". www.nytimes.com. The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
- ^ Some Disney Princess products refer to her as "Sleeping Beauty", but her proper name is Aurora.
- ^ Marr, Merissa (2007-11-19). "Disney Reaches to the Crib To Extend Princess Magic". Retrieved 2007-11-25].
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "What's Wrong With Being a Princess?". abcnews.go.com. April 22, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
External links
| Disney Publishing Worldwide |
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| Games and interactive experiences |
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