New Disney Princess, Brave, and Fairies

[fuzzlekins]

This is not a rumor but rather a question for those in-the-know as to whether there are any rumors. I know that around the time of Tangled's release, the Pixar prez said he wouldn't be making any more Disney princess films in the foreseeable future. He was looking to make movies that would attract both girls and boys (a la Toy Story and to some extent Cars I suppose). This seems odd to me b/c from what I can tell, princesses are big business. Tangled certainly didn't do badly. And ironically, then came Brave with a female heroine (not a "princess" but still...). Looking at the ethnicity of the Disney women, I can't help but to think there is one MAJOR hole. A Spanish princess. Am I wrong? Shouldn't they make at least one more to fill that obvious gap?

And speaking of Brave ... I've heard that Merida is signing autographs in MK these days. Anyone know if Brave will be represented in any way in MK? It doesn't seem like a big enough movie to me to even warrant the character appearance, but since they've added her, I'm wondering if there is more to it than just that.

And finally, the fairies. With three movies and a fourth coming and the iconic Tinkerbell ever-present in MK marketing, why is there no real Pixie Hollow area at MK? The only fairy experience is the meet 'n' greet. What's up with that? Does anyone know if there are plans to add any fairy fun in the foreseeable future?

 

[seethelight]

Curious about this as well. We love the fairies over here and princesses too of course!

 

[Gorechick]

This is not a rumor but rather a question for those in-the-know as to whether there are any rumors. I know that around the time of Tangled's release, the Pixar prez said he wouldn't be making any more Disney princess films in the foreseeable future. He was looking to make movies that would attract both girls and boys (a la Toy Story and to some extent Cars I suppose). This seems odd to me b/c from what I can tell, princesses are big business. Tangled certainly didn't do badly. And ironically, then came Brave with a female heroine (not a "princess" but still...). Looking at the ethnicity of the Disney women, I can't help but to think there is one MAJOR hole. A Spanish princess. Am I wrong? Shouldn't they make at least one more to fill that obvious gap?

And speaking of Brave ... I've heard that Merida is signing autographs in MK these days. Anyone know if Brave will be represented in any way in MK? It doesn't seem like a big enough movie to me to even warrant the character appearance, but since they've added her, I'm wondering if there is more to it than just that.

And finally, the fairies. With three movies and a fourth coming and the iconic Tinkerbell ever-present in MK marketing, why is there no real Pixie Hollow area at MK? The only fairy experience is the meet 'n' greet. What's up with that? Does anyone know if there are plans to add any fairy fun in the foreseeable future?

There was supposed to be a Pixie Hollow area in the original plans for the Fantasyland expansion. Too many people on the web complained that it was too girl-centric and we got Storybook Circus instead.

 

[Reddy]

There was supposed to be a Pixie Hollow area in the original plans for the Fantasyland expansion. Too many people on the web complained that it was too girl-centric and we got Storybook Circus instead.

it is the Snow White ride that we got instead of Fairies - at least that is what I thought since that wasn't in the first plans

 

[smitch425]

I am totally confused.

Tangled was not a Pixar movie. Brave is a Pixar movie and was beautifully done and appeals to both girls and boys (honestly, I was surprised DS loved it as much as he did). There is a great meet and greet area at MK for Merida and her bear cub brothers where kids can learn to shoot a bow. It is not your standard/boring meet and greet.

As for Pixie Hollow. As others have mentioned, that got scrapped.

 

[fuzzlekins]

I am totally confused.

Tangled was not a Pixar movie. Brave is a Pixar movie and was beautifully done and appeals to both girls and boys (honestly, I was surprised DS loved it as much as he did). There is a great meet and greet area at MK for Merida and her bear cub brothers where kids can learn to shoot a bow. It is not your standard/boring meet and greet.

As for Pixie Hollow. As others have mentioned, that got scrapped.

It's a bummer about Pixie Hollow. I think Tink and friends deserve their own attraction.

As for Tangled - I forgot that Pixar didn't do that one. But the Pixar prez must have been involved in some way (perhaps before taking on his new role?) b/c I remember him saying that Tangled spent considerable time getting reworked to be more action-oriented and to be more appealing to boys. That's when he indicated that people shouldn't be looking for another princess movie for awhile. Can't remember where I read the article now.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I know that around the time of Tangled's release, the Pixar prez said he wouldn't be making any more Disney princess films in the foreseeable future.

I am totally confused.

Tangled was not a Pixar movie. Brave is a Pixar movie and was beautifully done and appeals to both girls and boys (honestly, I was surprised DS loved it as much as he did).

Pixar Animation Studios chief Ed Catmull also oversees Walt Disney Animation, along with John Lasseter (Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studios).

It was Catmull who said "Tangled" would be the last fairy tale from Disney's animation group "for the foreseeable future." The Los Angeles Times quoted him saying, "They may come back later because someone has a fresh take on it … but we don't have any other musicals or fairy tales lined up."

For more, see: http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/11/23/tangled-may-close-the-book-on-disney-princess-films/

Catmull wasn't counting "Brave" because "Brave" is not from Walt Disney Animation; it's not a musical; and it's not a Disney retelling of a classic fairy tale.

 

[Figment1990]

Pixar Animation Studios chief Ed Catmull also oversees Walt Disney Animation, along with John Lasseter (Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studios).

It was Catmull who said "Tangled" would be the last fairy tale from Disney's animation group "for the foreseeable future." The Los Angeles Times quoted him saying, "They may come back later because someone has a fresh take on it … but we don't have any other musicals or fairy tales lined up."

For more, see: http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/11/23/tangled-may-close-the-book-on-disney-princess-films/

Catmull wasn't counting "Brave" because "Brave" is not from Walt Disney Animation; it's not a musical; and it's not a Disney retelling of a classic fairy tale.

I remember these articles vividly because of the no more "musicals" stuff. I remember I read one and the next day attended a performance by our Pops Orchestra of all Disney music. I went home and wrote a strongly worded letter about how ridiculous it was of them to stop making musical films. I never sent it. I wonder if I still have it.... I really should have sent it. I remember finding it so ironic that Lasseter and company were saying no more musicals when they were planning a huge park expansion centered around the very movie musicals and princesses and fairytales they wanted to move on from (B&TB, LM).

Here's an idea for disney movie makers: Make a good movie, with a heartfelt story, good characters, beautiful artwork and music that moves us - and market it properly. And stop worrying about princess this and pirate that and sequels out the wazoo.

 

[tamarabannon]

Try the Odd life of Timothy Green. Beautiful, great story, great characters, just lovely. Not themeparkish though.

 

[Princess on the Run]

There was supposed to be a Pixie Hollow area in the original plans for the Fantasyland expansion. Too many people on the web complained that it was too girl-centric and we got Storybook Circus instead.

Boo!!! As a mom of 3 boys, I would love to Pixie Hollow and my boys would totally indulge mommy's need to go.

 

[DrivnMeUpTheWall-E]

Looking at the ethnicity of the Disney women, I can't help but to think there is one MAJOR hole. A Spanish princess. Am I wrong? Shouldn't they make at least one more to fill that obvious gap?

Well, there is an upcoming Dia De Los Muertos Pixar movie coming up - might get some good Latina heroines, at least!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/05/pixars-día-de-los-muertos-movie.html