History YMMV / DisneyPrincess

* CommonKnowledge: Elsa and Anna from ''Frozen'' are not Disney Princesses. They are not nor ever have been officially considered a part of the lineup. There are tons of heroines from Disney movies that people incorrectly assume are Disney Princesses, but they are ''by far'' the most common.

** Ever wonder why Japan only recognizes 7 out of 12 princesses in the franchise there unlike the rest of the world? Apparently, one Quora user found out the reason stated [[https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-Disney-Princess-brand-in-Japan-only-have-the-original-6-Snow-White-Cinderella-Aurora-Ariel-Belle-and-Jasmine-Rapunzel-as-official-members-Why-leave-out-Pocahontas-Mulan-Tiana-Merida-who-are-also-part-of-the-brand in this link]] that the Japanese have their own list of qualifications to have one recognized as part of their princess canon, as well as having an old school vision of what a princess is for them.

** The era that a Princess debuted in has quite the impact on who they are: many of the Princesses from UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation were white idealized WomenAreDelicate-types bordering on YamatoNadeshiko, whereas the ones from the UsefulNotes/TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation and UsefulNotes/TheMillenniumAgeOfAnimation are a FiveTokenBand of {{Rebellious Princess}}es. Notably, ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' came out only a few years before the second-wave feminism movement started to gain traction in the West. Naturally, this flies over the head of many modern fans who just peg Princesses created before this period as "weak" and "whiny".

** The era that a Princess debuted in has quite the impact on who they are: many of the Princesses from UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation were white idealized WomenAreDelicate-types bordering on YamatoNadeshiko, whereas the ones from the UsefulNotes/TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation and UsefulNotes/TheMillenniumAgeOfAnimation are a FiveTokenBand of {{Rebellious Princess}}es. Notably, ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' came out only a few years before second-wave feminism started to gain traction in the West. Naturally, this flies over the head of many modern fans who just peg Princesses created before this period as "weak" and "whiny".

** The era that a Princess debuted in has quite the impact on who they are: many of the Princesses from UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation were white idealized WomenAreDelicate-types bordering on YamatoNadeshiko, whereas the ones from the UsefulNotes/TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation and UsefulNotes/TheMillenniumAgeOfAnimation are a FiveTokenBand of {{Rebellious Princess}}es. Notably, ''[[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty]]'' came out only a few years before second-wave feminism started to gain traction in the West. Naturally, this flies over the head of many modern fans who just peg Princesses created before this period as "weak" and "whiny".

** The era that a Princess debuted in has quite the impact on who they are, many of the Princesses from UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation were white idealized WomenAreDelicate-types bordering on YamatoNadeshiko whereas the ones from the UsefulNotes/TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation and UsefulNotes/TheMillenniumAgeOfAnimation are a FiveTokenBand of {{Rebellious Princess}}es.
** One justification of the RealWomenDontWearDresses criticism. Not only was the source material for some of the movies written centuries ago, but the time periods in which the earlier Disney Princesses were made had the "demure-but-hard-working ingenue" type as the epitome of womanhood in mainstream America. Naturally, this flies over the head of many modern fans who just peg them as "weak" and "whiny".

** Belle doesn't suffer StockholmSyndrome and is a proud non-conformist who is brave enough to stand up to the popular town misogynistic hunk and a beastly Prince. Her actions show Gaston (at least to the audience), just how bad he is and encourages change in the Beast.

** The princesses in general, but in particular the classic three--Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora--are often criticized by fans, the media, celebrities, and even the actresses who have been cast to play their roles in [[Film/DisneyLiveActionRemakes Disney's live-action remakes of their movies]]. They see these princesses as terrible role models, shallow characters, and bad examples of feminism who just wait around needing to be rescued and are completely defined by wanting to be with a man. Alternatively, many others see them as having perhaps aged not quite well, but are still good characters that were simply limited by the time period they were in and made in, or even refreshingly different in their gentler personalities than the type of heroines usually made today. In fact, some have even gone as far as to argue that they ''are'' strong characters in their own way, and that their critics only see it differently because their idea of what makes a woman "strong" [[RealWomenDontWearDresses is one that sneers at even the slightest hint of romantic attraction towards men]] -- as well as citing some rather troubling UsefulNotes/VictimBlaming undertones to the oft-used criticisms against the princesses.

** As an extension of the [[BrokenBase massively polarized opinions]] surrounding [[MegaCorp The Walt Disney Company as a whole]], it's a popular take to say that the "Disney Princess" characters are bad role models because their motivations (supposedly) revolve solely around a desire for romantic involvement with a man, and also due to the fact that [[DamselInDistress they tend to find themselves in the "passive damsel" role]]. Fans will often point out that this take [[NotBadassEnoughForFans judges them rather unfairly]], especially considering that many of the Disney Princes have motivations that can be summed up as a desire to be with the woman they love [[note]] e.g., [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Phillip]], [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989 Eric]], [[WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast Beast]], WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}, [[WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog Naveen]], and [[WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}} Flynn Rider]], with the princes from ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}'' outright being [[SatelliteLoveInterest Satellite Love Interests]]. [[/note]] and also [[DistressedDude find themselves needing to be rescued]] on occasion [[note]] e.g., Phillip, Eric, Aladdin, [[WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}} John Smith]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}} Li Shang]], Naveen, and Flynn Rider. [[/note]] [[DoubleStandard but they aren't given nearly as much flack for it]]. Specific examples include:

** The princesses in general, but in particular the classic three --Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora--are often criticized by fans, the media, celebrities, and even the actresses who have been cast to play their roles in [[Film/DisneyLiveActionRemakes Disney's live-action remakes of their movies]]. They see these princesses as terrible role models, shallow characters, and bad examples of feminism who just wait around needing to be rescued and are completely defined by wanting to be with a man. Alternatively, many others see them as having perhaps aged not quite well, but are still good characters that were simply limited by the time period they were in and made in, or even refreshingly different in their gentler personalities than the type of heroines usually made today. In fact, some have even gone as far as to argue that they ''are'' strong characters in their own way, and that their critics only see it differently because their idea of what makes a woman "strong" [[RealWomenDontWearDresses is one that sneers at even the slightest hint of romantic attraction towards men]] -- as well as citing some rather troubling UsefulNotes/VictimBlaming undertones to the oft-used criticisms against the princesses.

** The classic princesses--Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora--who are often criticized by fans (and media) who see them as terrible role models, shallow characters, "passive" damsels and bad examples of feminism. Keira Knightley, [[Film/TheNutcrackerAndTheFourRealms who had a role in a "princess" movie]], [[DisproportionateRetribution outright bans her daughter from watching]] ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}'' or ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'', citing all the oft-used arguments about how "[[CommonKnowledge [Cinderella] waits around for a rich guy to rescue her.]] [[UsefulNotes/VictimBlaming Don't. Rescue yourself!]]" and how Ariel [[NeverLiveItDown "[gave her] voice up for a man"]]. Alternatively, many others see them as having perhaps aged not quite well, but are still good characters that were simply limited by the time period they were in and made in, or even refreshingly different in their gentler personalities than the type of heroines usually made today.

** As an extension of the [[BrokenBase massively polarized reception]] surrounding [[MegaCorp The Walt Disney Company as a whole]], it's a popular take to say that the "Disney Princess" characters are bad role models for having hopelessly romantic aspirations or for [[DamselInDistress being in need of rescuing]]. Fans will often point out that this perception [[NotBadassEnoughForFans interprets them rather unfairly]], especially considering that many of the Disney Princes [[DoubleStandard share these exact same traits but aren't given nearly as much flack]]. Specific examples include:

** The era that a Princess debuted in has quite the impact on who they are, many of the UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation Princesses were white idealized WomenAreDelicate-types bordering on YamatoNadeshiko whereas the ones from the UsefulNotes/TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation and UsefulNotes/TheMillenniumAgeOfAnimation are a FiveTokenBand of {{Rebellious Princess}}es. With how Disney has treated its other franchises, a StraightGay Princess is practically inevitable.

* NotBadassEnoughForFans:
** All of the Disney Princesses are treated as such. The older princesses receive the most disdain, as the time period their movies were made from put them in the passive role that would not be acceptable in a female role-model today. Even the modern princesses are often closely scrutinized and found unworthy, particularly Ariel. While there is some truth to the criticisms, the biggest criticisms lobbied at the girls tend to twist the actual events of the movie. For instance, the common criticism that Ariel gives up her life at home for a man isn't exactly true--Ariel clearly desired to live with humans long before she knew who Eric was (her famous musical number was even all about it!), he just was the catalyst to actively going out, as well as blaming Snow White and Aurora for "not saving themselves", despite the fact that both were under spells against their will and could do nothing about it.
** Disney draws a lot of ire from the older fans when Mulan is put in a feminine dress (particular the pink one with make-up that she felt uncomfortable in). However, as with the above case, even those criticisms are often twisted--Mulan is also clearly uncomfortable wearing armor and hiding herself ''that'' way, and ''did'' like looking cute in the pink dress even if she disliked the prospect of an ArrangedMarriage. The happy medium is usually the far more practical (and plain) dress she wears at the end of the film.

* HoYayShipping: The PeripheryDemographic of older fans includes a fair number that like pairing the princesses up with each other instead of with princes. Some of the most popular inter-princess pairs are:
** Snow White/Aurora
** Cinderella/Tiana
** Aurora/Pocahontas
** Ariel/Belle
** Ariel/Jasmine
** Ariel/Moana
** Belle/Elsa
** Rapunzel/Merida
** Rapunzel/Elsa
** Merida/Elsa
** [[IncestYayShipping Elsa/Anna]]

** As an extension of the [[BrokenBase massively polarized reception]] surrounding [[MegaCorp The Walt Disney Company as a whole]], it's a popular take to say that the "Disney Princess" characters are bad role models for having hopelessly romantic aspirations or for [[DamselInDistress being in need of rescuing]]. Fans will often point out that this perception [[WhatMeasureIsANonBadass interprets them rather unfairly]], especially considering that many of the Disney Princes [[DoubleStandard share these exact same traits but aren't given nearly as much flack]]. Specific examples include:

* WhatMeasureIsANonBadass:
** All of the Disney Princesses are treated as such. The older princesses receive the most disdain, as the time period their movies were made from put them in the passive role that would not be acceptable in a female role-model today. Even the modern princesses are often closely scrutinized and found unworthy, particularly Ariel. While there is some truth to the criticisms, the biggest criticisms lobbied at the girls tend to twist the actual events of the movie. For instance, the common criticism that Ariel gives up her life at home for a man isn't exactly true--Ariel clearly desired to live with humans long before she knew who Eric was (her famous musical number was even all about it!), he just was the catalyst to actively going out, as well as blaming Snow White and Aurora for "not saving themselves", despite the fact that both were under spells against their will and could do nothing about it.
** Disney draws a lot of ire from the older fans when Mulan is put in a feminine dress (particular the pink one with make-up that she felt uncomfortable in). However, as with the above case, even those criticisms are often twisted--Mulan is also clearly uncomfortable wearing armor and hiding herself ''that'' way, and ''did'' like looking cute in the pink dress even if she disliked the prospect of an ArrangedMarriage. The happy medium is usually the far more practical (and plain) dress she wears at the end of the film.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: A 2016 poll ranked the popularity of the Disney heroines. Out of the princesses, Cinderella and Aurora - the two most often attacked for being 'anti-feminist' - placed first and third respectively (Elsa from ''Frozen'' placed second).

** Assuming that any princess in a Disney movie is automatically a Disney Princess. There are only 13 official princesses, and every fan can tell you the "rules" as to what does and doesn't qualify for a Disney Princesses off the top of their head.

* FandomEnragingMisconception: As an extension of the [[BrokenBase massively polarized reception]] surrounding [[MegaCorp The Walt Disney Company as a whole]], it's a popular take to say that the "Disney Princess" characters are bad role models for having hopelessly romantic aspirations or for [[DamselInDistress being in need of rescuing]]. Fans will often point out that this perception [[WhatMeasureIsANonBadass interprets them rather unfairly]], especially considering that many of the Disney Princes [[DoubleStandard share these exact same traits but aren't given nearly as much flack]]. Specific examples include:

* UnfortunateImplications:
** Aurora and Tiana graced the wrappers of some dipping candy. Aurora got the packet of vanilla-flavored sticks. Tiana got the packet of watermelon-flavored powder. This was met with some amount of [[http://theweek.com/articles/477567/disneys-black-princess-selling-watermelon-candy-racist controversy]].
** The new designs attempted to homogenize the general look of the Disney Princess line and the different art-styles, which led to everyone either getting paler or darker, the brightness being turned up to max, and some of the efforts to make the art seem more detailed really failed to the point where dark-eyed characters seemed blue-eyed. The homogenization of art style, however, led to the faces looking more Caucasian than anything. [[http://www.businessinsider.com/parents-hated-that-disney-made-a-sexy-redesign-to-its-brave-princess-2013-5 This sparked]] a pretty big backlash even outside of regular fandom circles.
%%Needs a citation. Please see the UnfortunateImplications trope page for citation requirements.** At least in Japan, most of the merch only focus on the first six ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] Rapunzel), with the others getting little to none, which might reek of bias due to the others being princesses of color (Save for Merida, but why she gets that too is unknown).

** One justification of the RealWomenDontWearDresses criticism. Not only were the original fairy tales written centuries ago, but the time periods in which the earlier Disney Princesses were made had the "demure-but-hard-working ingenue" type as the epitome of womanhood in mainstream America. Naturally, this flies up the head of many modern fans who just peg them as "weak" and "whiny".

** At least in Japan, most of the merch only focus on the first six ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] Rapunzel), with the others getting little to none, which might reek of bias due to the others being princesses of color (Save for Merida, but why she gets that too is unknown).

* BrokenBase:
** Over the inclusion of characters who do not seem to fit with the line as easily as characters like Aurora or Rapunzel; that is, Pocahontas, Moana and Mulan, because they are not actually princesses. Mulan is not royalty at all and Pocahontas and Moana are both [[InsistentTerminology daughters of a chief]], and their cultures lack the connotations of princesses. On the other, even Maui points out that Moana fulfills the qualifications, brave, strong, sings, has an animal sidekick, and her title is the closest to a princess anyway. Similarly, a lot of people feel that Elsa becoming a princess is insulting somehow to being her queenship, while others feel it doesn't matter, because she was a princess before she was queen. Lastly there are people who feel like Merida shouldn't be a princess, because she is from Pixar, while others think it doesn't matter, since Pixar is owned by Disney.
** Alternatively the ''exclusion'' of certain characters is this. For example, Esmeralda from ''WesternAnimation/{{The Hunchback of Notre Dame|Disney}}'' (who actually was a ''Princess'' character early in the franchise) or even Nala from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'' are fan-favorites but are not in for different reasons, however people often point at non-royalty like Mulan and question this.
** ''Disney Palace Pets'' is mocked by much of the older fanbase. The designs and premise itself is controversial, though people do tend to enjoy the various unused concept designs.
** On a more interesting point, there's the idea of whether [[WesternAnimation/SofiaTheFirst Sofia]] and [[WesternAnimation/ElenaOfAvalor Elena]] should be included in the lineup. This stems from how the latter is a spinoff of the former, which is connected to the franchise due to the cameos the princesses made in various episodes. Both Sofia and Elena fit the mold of brave, altruistic princesses who are independent and caring, and are generally well liked. However, there's also the issue of them being exclusive only to tv, and never starting out in theaters. One side thinks that a princess has to have a theatrical movie to be considered part of the lineup, especially since Sofia is much younger. The other side thinks that their cultural heritages and diverse backgrounds should qualify them for the lineup regardless of theatrical status.
** On trivial matters, there's the discourse on what colors the Disney Princesses ''should'' be associated with in merchandise -- Cinderella's color is blue... except it was originally meant to be silver until Disney color-corrected it in later editions of her movie to match with Disney Princess merch, and much like her godmothers, should Aurora's color be pink or blue?
** To add more to the discussion of 'Which princess should be in the line?'', Disney realized that it'd be for the larger benefit to add more nonwhite "princesses" to the line, even if their royalty status is dubious. A lot of youtube video essayists believed that Disney was widening the definition, since the concept of a princess as we know it is based on Western European conceptions, and if the company limited themselves to only follow the 'strict rules' as the fans often wanted for years, we'd only have [[UnfortunateImplications white princesses]] in the lineup.

** Belle. When her film debuted, she was lauded by feminists and film critics alike for her intellectual pursuits and showcasing more agency when compared to the previous princesses. Years later, her character received a re-examination, and more criticism was directed towards her. Some felt that her film "glorifies Stockholm syndrome" and that her relationship with the Beast could be read as abusive. Other classic princess lovers/princess fans in general also aren't terribly fond of Belle, since they see her as paving the way for "princess criticism" that's so common nowadays, which lead to their faves getting harped on nonstop. Others dislike the NotLikeOtherGirls vibe they feel her character gives off in the movie. Still, others still think she's a good character with a unique role in the lineup, find her reading hobby "relatable", and like her unconventional romance with the Beast. And there's others who still like that her film was the closest that Disney ever got to winning a Best Picture Oscar.