I think there is a vast difference between updating a character over many generations versus one that came out a year ago.
For what it's worth, I was curious about my DAUGHTER'S opinion on this, since she is the "target" audience for this character all around. I did not preface it with ANY conversation - just a "Hey, c'mere... lemme show you something. Here is Merida's new look..." and when I turned the monitor around her jaw dropped & so did her attitude.
"WHY?", she wants to know, "WHY did they CHANGE her? What was WRONG with her & WHY OH WHY is she wearing THAT dress that she fought so hard to get out of?? She CAN'T wear THAT in the woods, shooting arrows!"
She really, truly identified with Merida as a strong female character. She is completely disappointed.