Disney will introduce a little-girl princess to its celebrated legacy of princess fairy tales in an animated television movie and series, “Sofia
the First,” premiering by spring 2013 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior channels around the world. While Disney princess fairy tales
have been enchanting audiences for more than 70 years, this is the first time a series has centered on a princess as a little girl. The stories are
designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons that are applicable to preschool-aged children. The series and movie are productions
of Disney Television Animation.“Sofia the First” stories are set in the storybook world of young Sofia, who starts out life as a regular girl.
But when her mom marries the king, she is whisked off to a glamorous, but sometimes confusing, castle world of royalty, pomp and new
step-siblings, Amber and James.“Sofia the First” will include appearances by Fauna, Flora and Merryweather (fairies seen in “Sleeping
Beauty”) as the headmistresses of Royal Prep, the academy that Sofia, along with other princes and princesses, attends. Classic characters, including
Cinderella and other Disney princesses, will make special-event appearances.“In Sofia, we have a ‘peer-to-peer princess,’ a relatable girl experiencing
the same social issues as our young viewers – learning how to fit in, making new friends, conquering new skills and building sibling
relationships,” said Nancy Kanter, senior vice president, Original Programming, and general manager,
Disney Junior Worldwide.