Disney Princesses Got a Makeover

[Atlantica]

Some look a little better actually, but Pocahontas looks laughable !! If people complained over the glitterisation of Merida, surely people will complain over Pocahontas new look ?!

I think Ariel looks better actually in this new design. Can't really tell the difference in the Anna / Elsa redesign though.

[Mooky]

If Disney ever decides to make something worthy and useful of the princess characters at their disposal, something like this would be a good place to start:

How 7 Disney Princesses Could Change the World

[Atlantica]

Some I think are actually genuinely good ideas; in fact, Ariel already is an ambassador for keeping the oceans clean I think ?

[bruno_wbt]

Some I think are actually genuinely good ideas; in fact, Ariel already is an ambassador for keeping the oceans clean I think ?

Yes! And Aurora is an ambassador for keeping the forests clean.

[Disney's Divinity]

That's a really nice idea for these characters. Not that it'll solve the world's problems, but it definitely won't hurt.

[unprincess]

was at Target the other day and they had a new small Princess pb storybook with stickers that had the new designs for Mulan and Pocahontas. What was more interesting is that Poca and Mulan were featured on the book prominently in the pages and the sticker sheets which is surprising since they are usually left out!

[Atlantica]

You know, I've just been thinking about the different representations of the Princesses that we have; the two main juxtapositions of their original characters (brave, loyal, outcasts, smart, kind) and the verging on vapid Princess Line counterparts ('Oh, I just love getting dressed for tea!).

But then coming from that, their appearances in Sofia the First are extremely positive and are true, I feel, to their original counterparts. Case in point for me is Mulan; her ethos that she drums into the girls about overcoming doubt and only listening to the voice inside of you when all others might be doubtful. 'Stronger Than You Know' is such a powerful song in general, and I'm so happy they wrote it for the show. 'Risk It All' and 'The Love We Share', 'From The Heart' follow in the same vein.

This shows that at least the writers of Sofia are aware of how these beloved girls should be portrayed on screen, rather than just being pink and glitter-infused, and getting excited to plan a party.

I'm not taking a dig at the Princesses, I think they are positive role models over something like Bratz or anything like that, that seems to force early sexualisation on to children. But, Disney Consumer products need to rethink their products perhaps ? Like, it would be ok for Belle to appear in her blue every day dress rather than her gown. Ariel to appear in her 'Tour of the Kingdom' outfit. Sing empowering songs on the Princess complication albums rather than 'I Just Love Getting Dressed For Tea'. Little bits of balls, ball gowns, waiting for Princes, Princess duties are all good and well, but thats not the sum of all their parts; these characters are so much more, and I would like the chance for that to shine again, as it is in Sofia the First.

Those are the girls that I love, and the girls that I believe in.

[Prince Edward]

Well said Atlantica!

I'm sad that they only way (almost only way, at least) to get some merchandise from the fairy tale/classic Disney movies are to buy something from the "Disney Princess" brand. I would have loved it if Disney instead would have made a "Disney Classic" or "Disney fairytale" brand and featured more of their male characters, a brand that could be aimed at both genders and more towards adult fans as well. Aladdin, Eric, John Smith, prince Phillip etc are sadly nowhere to be seen in merchandise. Also, the pink Disney Princess brand seems aimed only at little girls.

I understand that it brings in tons of cash to Disney and that there obviously is a market for it, but that almost makes it more sad. There are so much popular demand for "Disney princesses" and fairytales nowadays, and still Disney can't be bothered to broaden their marketing effort for their fairytale movies. I remember the good olds days when The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hunchback, Hercules and Mulan was released, and there was merchandise about those movies, both male and female characters was featured and there was no "brand" only aimed at girls.

I would be so happy if Disney one day started to release merchandise again from movies like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Mulan that was not only featuring female characters. Beauty and the Beast is now only about Belle it seems. The movie Aladdin, the biggest box office success of 1992, seems almost forgotten by Disney and Jasmine is more prominently featured then Aladdin. And where are all the great Disney villains? They have been sidelined as well.

The Disney Princess franchise have kept characters like Pocahontas and Mulan in the public eye - although they seem to only be there as fillers. Just search for merchandise featuring Pocahontas and Mulan (and Tiana) on the Disney Store, and compare what can be bought against the amount of merchandise for Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel and Belle.

While the "princesses" from 9 (or rather 6) movies are getting marketed by Disney in order for their movies to stay popular and relevant, many other classic Disney movies are getting no love at all. Movies from Walt's days like Pinocchio, Bambi, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland are sadly neglected it seems. And the worst scandal of all is how Disney are treating more modern classics like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. Both movies was a success when released (although not as huge as Aladdin and The Lion King), and I remember how the yearly movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios was a big deal. We had nothing near the broad selection to pick among as todays kids, who are accustomed to iTunes, Netflix, Youtube, streaming, downloading, the internet and many, many animated movies in the theater each year.

If Disney had only continued to market characters from the movies Hunchback and Hercules (as well as Pocahontas and Mulan), Disney could have continued to earn money on those movies today and for years to come. Each year that goes without Disney supporting Hunchback and Hercules makes it more difficult for the public to remember those movies. Search for Hercules and Hunchback in the Disney Store, and your only result will be the option to buy the movies. It's a disgrace. I can't understand why Disney continues to put all their efforts into marketing a few selected fairy tale movies (in the parks as well as in general), when such a huge and super rich company as Disney easily could have found a way to still make merchandise and keep characters like Hercules, Pocahontas, Mulan and Quasimodo popular.

I guess what I am trying to say is: Disney should release more merchandise from each of their great classic movies, unrelated to the Disney Princess franchise. And if need be, establish another brand like "Disney Classics" and market it towards adults and grown up fans. It's such a shame that boys and adults can't fully enjoy Disney's fairytale movies and their characters, that nowadays are marketed as "princess movies". Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin was never marketed like "princess movies" upon their release years.

As a young boy I loved the characters and merchandise from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hunchback, Hercules and Mulan - but if I had been a young boy today, my interest for the Disney fairytales might have been diminished by Disney's effort to market them and their characters like "pink princess movies for girls that would like to be princesses". Look at the merchandise from Frozen - Anna and Elsa are heavily promoted, but there are hardly any merchandise featuring Kristoff and Hans is nowhere to be found. It's sad, really. So much wasted potential (to include both boys and girls in their love for Disney fairytales.)

I guess the huge amount of money the Disney Princess merchandise brings in each year makes making changes to their marketing efforts not necessary in the eyes of the dollar counting guys at Disney. But they should also understand that this could have brought them even more money and that it would have pleased fans and meant a great deal for their legacy. The Disney legacy should be maintained and nurished not only based on the yearly income, but based on how the public view Disney and how the fans that support the company are catered to.

[DisneyEra]

Anyone remember these? I've seen some on Ebay before going for over $100.

http://disneypixarfanatics.blogspot.com ... gures.html

[DC Fan]

What the hell happened to Aladdin´s face?

That the only one wrong. The rest are great.

[unprincess]

yep those were really cool, there were also some more realistic ones of Prince Phillip, Peter Pan and Hercules that was made by artists who worked on high end action figures. I wish theyd do more stuff like this again but unfortunately they've decided to replace all these great male Disney characters with Marvel and Star Wars heroes.

as for the Princess I wish we'd get more merch and promotion that was true to the movies, as well as true to the culture each character represents...

[DisneyEra]

yep those were really cool, there were also some more realistic ones of Prince Phillip, Peter Pan and Hercules that was made by artists who worked on high end action figures. I wish theyd do more stuff like this again but unfortunately they've decided to replace all these great male Disney characters with Marvel and Star Wars heroes.

as for the Princess I wish we'd get more merch and promotion that was true to the movies, as well as true to the culture each character represents...

You mean these:
http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_111405b.htm

Like the last pic were the Disney Heroes tower over the Batman figure.

[unprincess]

yes! I have the dragon(b/c I like dragons,) oddly enough its design isnt as realistic as the heroes, its more flat and cartoony. Really wish I had gotten that Peter Pan...

Dont really like the hook on Hook...he's a pirate not a friggin' cyborg.

[bruno_wbt]

The princesses are ready for the Masquerade ball!

[unprincess]

why dont the Princes ever get new outfits? Geez Disney!

[bruno_wbt]

Even Merida is enjoying the ball on her own.

[Jay]

I remember those Disney Heroes action figures. I had Aladdin, Hercules and Tarzan. I'll have to dig them up they're probably in a box somewhere at my parents.

[MeerkatKombat]

I've just seen the makeover picture.

Thank god they sorted Auroras hair. That last hair style was just awful.
Belle also looks better. Was hoping for them to return Snow Whites hair bow to the center of her head but can't have everything.

I hated the last Pocahontas makeover, I think the new one is an improvement. She always looked so stiff and awkward compared to the other princesses. They also managed to make her look really ugly.
She could still do with facial improvement to look more on-model but at least she looks less static and more fun and easy going than before. She's actually smiling for once! You get a sense of her personality as portrayed in the film.

Rapunzel looks worse and that's something as the 3d to 2d never worked.

I am pleased they finally decided to tone down the glitter. It was rather headache inducing before. I prefer the slightly more simplistic designs.

The masquerade pictures are pretty funny. Poor old Merida is still the same old bad clip art with seen before with just a mask drawn on to her face.

[Miss Manday]

yep those were really cool, there were also some more realistic ones of Prince Phillip, Peter Pan and Hercules that was made by artists who worked on high end action figures. I wish theyd do more stuff like this again but unfortunately they've decided to replace all these great male Disney characters with Marvel and Star Wars heroes.

as for the Princess I wish we'd get more merch and promotion that was true to the movies, as well as true to the culture each character represents...

You mean these:
http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_111405b.htm

Like the last pic were the Disney Heroes tower over the Batman figure.

....huh. That Peter Pan looks surprisingly like Robbie Kay, who played Pan in Once Upon A Time.

[Atlantica]

My goodness, I've just come across this song by Cinderella 'I'm Happy' .... I think this is my ultimate case in point for a different sort of message the Princesses could get across if they cared to do so, a la Mulan / Rapunzel /Tiana from Sofia the First .... Not this monstrosity

http://youtu.be/3xFdFnw_xlg

Also on another note, I've seen 3 different Princess books / games in the last few weeks that feature a hand drawn Rapunzel with her short brown hair ! Was pleasantly surprised to say the least, and she also looked lovely as well. I wonder if this could be a new thing for her character now ? Or is that just wishful thinking on my part ?