A Disney Princess Media Guide
By combining all of the princesses under the single umbrella brand of Disney Princess, Disney has created another media empire for itself. We've gathered the most popular requests in this section. For a full media guide, download the PDF here.Home Videos
By far the most popular home-video releases starring the Disney princesses are their original feature films, from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" to "Mulan." The Disney Princess line united all the previously unrelated princesses under one banner that could be used to market all sorts of new media titles and products.
Most Disney Princess home-video titles are produced in-house by the Walt Disney Home Entertainment division, or by independent contractors who, whenever possible, work with existing film footage to create new compilations and montages. As available "in the can" materials have been recycled, producers have had to imaginatively create fresh, novel projects by using simple live action and narration, inexpensively produced animated footage, and bonus multimedia features that include interactive games and printable elements.
All are highly commercial mass-market products designed for a relatively short shelf life to satisfy very young viewers who are hungry for new princess products. Older titles are no longer available, but content from some have been reused to create newer releases. The most popular Disney Princess home video titles -- some available in both DVD and VHS formats -- include:
Disney Princess Stories
Volume 1: "A Gift From The Heart" (September 2004). This was designed to provide little princesses with all they need to create, imagine, and transform themselves into their favorite princess and take part in fairy tale adventures. It combines storytelling with interactive prompts that allow viewers to play along with the characters as their stories are retold. Includes: classic stories about Ariel and Jasmine; two stories featuring Belle and Cinderella; "How to be a Princess" beauty and etiquette tips; "Create Your Own Charm Bracelet"; and "If You Can Dream" a music video with Jasmine/Mulan (Lea Salonga), Ariel (Jodi Benson), Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, and Cinderella. A September 2006 edition was repackaged to include a collectible princess bracelet. Running time: approximately 60 minutes.
Volume 2: "Tales of Friendship" (February 2005). Three new, non-film-based tales from Ariel, Jasmine, and Snow White show the importance of cherishing true friends. Includes: Jasmine's above-the-clouds adventure; an under-the-sea adventure featuring Ariel; and Snow White's comical in-the-kitchen misadventure as she tries her best to fix dinner for her beloved Dwarves. Bonus features: "Princess Academy Set-Top Game,"; "Friendship Wreath Craft Activity," and a "Where Dreams Begin" music video. Running time: approximately 64 minutes.
Volume 3: "Beauty Shines From Within" (September 2005). This features a new animated story starring Cinderella, and welcomes young viewers to an enchanted kingdom that combines storytelling and make-believe. Includes: three tales about believing in yourself, in which Jasmine and Ariel discover that what really matters is the love in your heart and Cinderella tells how she became a princess. Bonus features: "Princess Story Builder" and "Your Princess Storybook" DVD-ROM. Running time: approximately 60 minutes.
 © Disney. All rights reserved. Disney Princess extends into all forms of media. This is from an interactive video. |
Volume 1: "Once Upon A Dream" (September 2004). Cinderella, Belle, and Ariel sing solo performances of their most cherished songs from Disney's classics. All of the princesses assemble to sing a new song, "If You Can Dream," which is also included in the two other September 2004 home-video titles. Includes: "Put it Together" ("Cinderella 2"), "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)" ("Hercules"), "Like Other Girls" ("Mulan 2"), "Sweet Wings of Love" ("Three Musketeers"), a pop version of Cinderella's "Bibbidi- Bobbidi- Boo"; new versions of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Once Upon a Dream" for two dance-along segments; karaoke; three multilevel learning-based activities; random-play options; printable DVD-ROM games; and the new song "If You Can Dream," with Jasmine/Mulan (Lea Salonga), Ariel (Jodi Benson), Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, and Cinderella. A September 2006 edition has been repackaged with a collectible princess necklace. Running time: approximately 45 minutes.
Volume 2: "Enchanted Tea Party" (September 2005). Disney's Princesses join non-royal characters such as James from "James & The Giant Peach" at a tea party where they perform some of their songs from Disney films. In this interactive title, the viewer is encouraged to fine-tune her dance moves and sing karaoke-style, too. Includes: Twelve songs and film clips: "So This is Love" ("Cinderella"), "Kiss the Girl" ("The Little Mermaid"), "Forget About Love" ("The Return Of Jafar"); "Something There" ("Beauty & The Beast"), "Just Around the Riverbend" ("Pocahontas"), "Someday My Prince Will Come" ("Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs"), "I Wonder" ("Sleeping Beauty"), "Honor to Us All" ("Mulan"), "Love" ("James & The Giant Peach"), "In a World of My Own" ("Alice In Wonderland), "For a Moment" ("The Little Mermaid II: Return To The Sea"); "Princess Tea Time Game"; dance-along tracks; karaoke; and a random play feature. Running time: approximately 34 minutes.
Disney Princess Party
Volume 1 (September 2004). Designed for toddlers as an easy way to make a special playdate with the click of "play" on a remote control, this DVD features eight play-along games, creative activities, and animated stories, plus a party-planning section with recipes and tips. Includes: "Ariel's Scavenger Hunt," "Sleeping Beauty's Spell," "Princess Personality Quiz," coloring pages, "Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho," "Dance Fast & Slow," "Princess Dress Up, Make Your Own Tiara," and a music video, "If You Can Dream," which is a new song featuring Jasmine/Mulan (Lea Salonga), Ariel (Jodi Benson), Sleeping Beauty, Pocahontas, and Cinderella. For parents, there's a party-planning checklist, recipes, a custom invitation, and thank-you card software designs. This is available in DVD only. Running time: approximately 60 minutes.
Volume 2 (February 2005). Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Mulan, Snow White, and Pocahontas invite girls age 3-7 to join them for a pajama party with this DVD of interactive games and activities. Includes: play-along games, including "Mulan's Fortune-Teller," "Make Your Own Fortune-Teller," "Ariel's Treasure," "The Perfect Prince," and "Pocahontas' Drawing Game"; "Where Dreams Begin" music video; "Princess Pajama Jam"; two animated stories; and "Belle's Mixed-Up Stories." For parents, the DVD offers recipes, customized any-occasion invitations and thank-you cards, printable coloring pages, a party planning checklist, and an animated screensaver. Running time: approximately 102 minutes.
"Disney Princess: A Christmas of Enchantment" (November 2005). This holiday DVD gathers the Disney Princesses together for their first holiday video. Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Jasmine, and Snow White share holiday stories and songs. Includes: Aurora waltzing to "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"; the story of how Belle brought holiday cheer to the Beast; a read-along-with-Ariel about her very first Christmas; and a holiday song. Bonus features: a virtual snowglobe maker and a snowglobe screensaver. Running time: approximately 60 minutes.
Not surprisingly, the future of Disney Princess is bright. We'll examine that future in the final section.
