Disney Princess is one of the most popular and profitable franchises in the world. It features a lineup of female protagonists who have appeared in various Disney animated films, from Snow White in 1937 to Raya in 2021. But how did this phenomenon start, and where is it heading? In this article, we will explore the history, current state and future prospects of Disney Princess, as well as some of its most iconic entertainment moments and business stories.

The History of Disney Princess

The idea of creating a Disney Princess brand was born in the early 2000s, when Andy Mooney, a former Nike executive, became the president of Disney Consumer Products. He noticed that many young girls attending a Disney on Ice show were dressed in princess attire, but not authentic Disney merchandise. He realized that there was a huge demand for products featuring the female characters from the classic Disney animated films.

He decided to launch a line of Disney Princess products, such as dolls, clothing, home decor, and toys, that would appeal to girls aged three to six. He also established standards and a color palette for the brand, and chose a group of characters that would represent the Disney Princess lineup. The original eight princesses were Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan.

The Disney Princess brand was an instant success, generating billions of dollars in revenue and becoming the second-most-profitable franchise for Disney, after Mickey Mouse. The brand also expanded to include other media, such as books, comics, video games, and live shows. In 2005, Disney released the first Disney Princess film, Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, a direct-to-video anthology of stories featuring Aurora and Jasmine.

In 2009, Disney added a new princess to the lineup: Tiana, the protagonist of The Princess and the Frog. Tiana was the first African American Disney Princess, and the first one to have a career as a chef. She was also the first princess to be introduced in a hand-drawn animated film since Mulan in 1998.

In 2010, Disney introduced another princess: Rapunzel, the heroine of Tangled. Rapunzel was the first princess to star in a computer-animated film, and the first one to have magical powers, namely her long, glowing hair. She was also the first princess to have a pet chameleon, Pascal.

In 2012, Disney welcomed its first Pixar princess: Merida, the main character of Brave. Merida was the first Scottish Disney Princess, and the first one to have curly red hair. She was also the first princess to have no love interest, and to focus on her relationship with her mother instead.

In 2016, Disney introduced its first Polynesian princess: Moana, the protagonist of Moana. Moana was the first princess to have a tattoo, and the first one to sail across the ocean. She was also the first princess to have a demigod as a companion, Maui.

In 2021, Disney added its first Southeast Asian princess: Raya, the hero of Raya and the Last Dragon. Raya was the first princess to be a warrior, and the first one to have a dragon as a friend, Sisu. She was also the first princess to be part of a team of diverse characters, each representing a different land in the fictional world of Kumandra.

The Current State of Disney Princess

Today, Disney Princess is still a thriving and influential brand, with a loyal fan base and a global reach. The brand has also evolved to reflect the changing times and values of society, as well as the diversity and empowerment of women. The princesses are no longer passive damsels in distress, but active and adventurous heroines who pursue their dreams and overcome their challenges. They also have more realistic and relatable personalities, flaws, and relationships, making them more appealing and inspiring to modern audiences.

The brand has also embraced new technologies and platforms, such as streaming services, social media, and podcasts. For example, Disney+ offers a collection of Disney Princess films and shows, as well as original content, such as the documentary series Inside the Disney Vault, which explores the history and secrets of the Disney animation archives. The Disney Princess website and YouTube channel provide interactive and educational content, such as games, videos, activities, and quizzes. The Disney Princess Podcast, hosted by Faith D’Isa, features interviews with celebrities, experts, and fans who share their stories and insights about the Disney Princesses.

The brand has also collaborated with other companies and organizations to create new products and experiences for the Disney Princess fans. For example, Glidden offers a range of pink and purple wall paint inspired by the Disney Princesses. Stride Rite sells sparkly shoes that match the princesses’ outfits. Fisher-Price produces plastic figurines of the princesses and their friends. Lego creates Lego sets that allow kids to build and play with the princesses’ castles and adventures. Hasbro and Mattel manufacture games and dolls that feature the princesses and their stories. Disney Fairy Tale Weddings collection offers wedding dresses and accessories inspired by the princesses’ styles.

The Future Prospects of Disney Princess

The future of Disney Princess looks bright and promising, as the brand continues to innovate and expand its offerings and reach. The brand is expected to introduce new princesses and stories that will appeal to new and existing fans, as well as new media and formats that will enhance the engagement and enjoyment of the fans. Some of the possible future developments are:

• A live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel, the first black actress to play the role. The film will feature new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken, as well as the classic songs from the original animated film. The film is scheduled to be released in 2023.
• A live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White, the first Latina actress to play the role. The film will be directed by Marc Webb, and will feature new music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo behind La La Land and The Greatest Showman. The film is expected to be released in 2024.
• A live-action remake of Moana, starring Auli’i Cravalho as Moana, reprising her role from the animated film. The film will be directed by Jon M. Chu, and will feature the original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina. The film is planned to be released in 2025.
• A new animated film titled Encanto, set in Colombia, and featuring the first Colombian Disney Princess, Mirabel. The film will follow Mirabel’s journey to save her magical family and home from a mysterious threat. The film will feature original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and will be released in 2021.
• A new animated series titled Iwájú, set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Nigeria, and featuring the first African Disney Princess, Adanna. The series will explore themes of class, innocence, and challenging the status quo. The series will be produced in collaboration with Kugali Media, an African comic book and animation company. The series will debut on Disney+ in 2022.
• A new podcast series titled Tales of Courage and Kindness, featuring stories of the Disney Princesses and their friends, narrated by the original voice actors. The series will celebrate the values and virtues of the princesses, such as bravery, compassion, and friendship. The series will be available on Spotify and other platforms in 2021.

The Most Iconic Entertainment Moments of Disney Princess

The Disney Princess films and shows have given us many memorable and iconic moments that have entertained and moved us over the years. Here are some of the most iconic entertainment moments of Disney Princess, in no particular order:

• Snow White singing “Someday My Prince Will Come” in the forest, while dreaming of her true love
• Cinderella transforming into a beautiful princess with the help of her Fairy Godmother, and dancing with Prince Charming at the ball
• Aurora pricking her finger on the spinning wheel, and falling into a deep sleep, as Maleficent’s curse comes true
• Ariel singing “Part of Your World” in her grotto, while longing to be human and explore the world above the sea
• Belle and the Beast dancing in the ballroom, while Mrs. Potts sings “Beauty and the Beast”
• Jasmine and Aladdin flying on the magic carpet, while singing “A Whole New World”
• Pocahontas and John Smith meeting for the first time, and learning about each other’s cultures, while singing “Colors of the Wind”.
• Mulan cutting her hair, and disguising herself as a man, to join the army and save her father.
• Tiana and Naveen turning into frogs, and embarking on an adventure in the bayou
• Mulan cutting her hair, and disguising herself as a man, to join the army and save her father.
• Tiana and Naveen turning into frogs, and embarking on an adventure in the bayou, while singing “Almost There”.
• Rapunzel and Flynn seeing the floating lanterns, while singing “I See the Light”.
• Merida shooting an arrow, and splitting her opponent’s arrow, to win her own hand in marriage.
• Moana restoring the heart of Te Fiti, and saving her island and people from the darkness.
• Raya trusting Namaari, and giving her the last piece of the dragon gem, to stop the Druun and revive the dragons.

The Business Story of Disney Princess

The Disney Princess brand is not only a cultural phenomenon, but also a business success story. The brand has generated billions of dollars in revenue for Disney, and has become one of the most valuable and recognizable brands in the world. The brand has also created a loyal and passionate fan base, who are willing to spend money on the products and experiences related to the Disney Princesses.

According to Forbes, the Disney Princess brand was worth $5.5 billion in 2019, making it the 11th most valuable brand in the world, ahead of brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks. The brand also ranked as the 4th most powerful brand in the world, based on factors such as customer loyalty, social media presence, and brand awareness.

The brand’s revenue comes from various sources, such as merchandise, films, shows, theme parks, and licensing. The brand’s merchandise sales alone reached $3 billion in 2012, and have grown steadily since then. The brand’s films and shows have also been very profitable, with the highest-grossing film being Frozen, which earned $1.3 billion worldwide, and the highest-rated show being Sofia the First, which averaged 2.2 million viewers per episode.

The brand’s theme park attractions, such as the Princess Fairytale Hall, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and the Frozen Ever After ride, have also been very popular, attracting millions of visitors every year. The brand’s licensing deals, such as the ones with Glidden, Stride Rite, Fisher-Price, Lego, Hasbro, Mattel, and Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, have also been very lucrative, generating millions of dollars in royalties and fees.

The brand’s success can be attributed to several factors, such as the quality and appeal of the stories and characters, the innovation and creativity of the products and experiences, the marketing and promotion of the brand, and the social and cultural impact of the brand. The brand has also been able to adapt and evolve with the changing times and tastes of the consumers, as well as the diversity and empowerment of the women.

The brand’s future outlook is also very positive, as the brand continues to introduce new princesses and stories, as well as new media and formats, that will attract new and existing fans, as well as new markets and opportunities. The brand is also expected to benefit from the growth and expansion of the Disney+ streaming service, which will offer more content and access to the Disney Princess fans.

The Disney Princess brand is a remarkable example of how a simple idea can become a global phenomenon, and how a group of fictional characters can become a source of inspiration and joy for millions of people. The brand is a testament to the power and magic of storytelling, and the enduring and universal appeal of the Disney Princesses.