Still no Princess Leia?

[halfmonkey]

So it's been about 1.5 years since Disney bought the Star Wars franchise and Princess Leia still doesn't appear to be integrated into the Disney Princess crowd. Of course Princess Leia isn't the typical Disney Princess that they've created but she is none the less a Princess. Quite frankly, I think she's what the Disney Princess crowd needs since Disney has been getting a little bit of flack about creating these Princesses that need "rescuing." Princess Leia is no damsel in distress and she can hold her own.

The Disney Stores in the malls just recently created a Star Wars section but no Princess Leia stuff. Also, DLR doesn't sell any Princess Leia stuff, that I was able to find.

 

[sherilaine]

Have you seen Carrie Fisher lately?

I believe Disney is not interested in adding in Princesses to the mix where the character was not animated - as was the case with Enchanted.

 

[halfmonkey]

Have you seen Carrie Fisher lately?

I believe Disney is not interested in adding in Princesses to the mix where the character was not animated - as was the case with Enchanted.

I have seen her and yes it also has been many years since she was in Star Wars. Quite frankly, nobody ever looks the same.

Interesting thought on the animated part as yes Princess Leia is not animated but neither is Darth Vader and he's all over the Disney Store in the malls and the stores in the park.

I'd like to start seeing some Star Wars ornaments this year especially since they're working up to a new episode next year.

 

[figment_jii]

I think sherilaine is correct; the "Official" Disney princesses are limited to the animated characters. That doesn't mean non-animated characters aren't seen around the parks as walk around/meet and greet characters, but don't expect to see Disney add her to their official princess grouping anytime soon.

In terms of having her be a walk around character, my guess is that villains are rather popular so that's why Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers are out an about in the parks. I've not seen Leia at DLR, but by the same token, Luke, Han, Lando, etc. haven't been walk around/meet and greet characters either. So perhaps it has something to do with being a "face" versus a "head" character. Maybe you'll see them if anything comes of all of those Star Wars rumors that have been circulating.

 

[Alicatt]

I agree with the OP. She's my daughter's favorite princess. Since the cartoon princesses are represented by face CMs in the park , I can't see why they wouldn't be able to do it. I'm not saying that there isn't a rule, I'm just questioning if there needs to be. They let Mulan in (not that I disagree with the decision) and she's not technically royalty. Disney could do it, if they wanted to.

 

[figment_jii]

I personally think these are two different issues: 1) having Princess Leia be available as a meet and greet character and 2) integrating her into the "official" line up of Disney princesses. A female character doesn't have to be an "official" Disney Princess to be a meet and greet character (e.g., Alice, Tinkerbell, etc.) or have merchandise available. Besides, despite having purchased the Star Wars franchise, Disney didn't create her (or create a version of her), so I think that also works against seeing her become an "official" Disney princess. Honestly, I think you'd have better luck hoping for a meet and greet in Tomorrowland than you would of seeing her integrated into Fantasy Faire.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I wonder if its almost the "Jack Sparrow" issue that has kept Princess Leia from having meet and greets. It's no secret that many men have a Princess Leia fantasy. Jack Sparrow was reportedly pulled from the Park due to the way adult women interacted with him. I could see some men going a bit too far at a Princess Leia photo op.

Just a theory,
Dreams

 

[bakerudall]

Maybe they can't get her gold bikini approved as park costume.

Seriously, though, I agree with the OP. They do a great job with all the SW characters at WDW, especially for SW Weekends. I would love to see more characters hanging out around ST and JTA.

And merchandise--how hard would it be to offer a mouse hat with Leia buns under the ears or Leia's sporting blaster?

 

[sherilaine]

From what I had read - it was the fact Disney would have to pay the actress to use her likeness - for example with Enchanted - if they wanted to have Giselle in the parks then they'd have to pay Amy Adams for these rights, and that is what sent that whole deal south.

I am therefore assuming the same would be true for Leia or any other such princess.

 

[pinksand]

From what I had read - it was the fact Disney would have to pay the actress to use her likeness - for example with Enchanted - if they wanted to have Giselle in the parks then they'd have to pay Amy Adams for these rights, and that is what sent that whole deal south.

I am therefore assuming the same would be true for Leia or any other such princess.

Excellent point. I had never thought it through that likeness rights wouldn't be an issue with the other princesses since they are animated.

 

[sherilaine]

Also, DLR doesn't sell any Princess Leia stuff, that I was able to find.

I don't think they sell any Han Solo or Luke Skywalker stuff either - only the characters that face characters such as Darth, Storm Troopers, C-3PO and R2D2, and of course Yoda!

 

[Rubygoose]

I don't think they sell any Han Solo or Luke Skywalker stuff either - only the characters that face characters such as Darth, Storm Troopers, C-3PO and R2D2, and of course Yoda!

The only star wars toys that we were able to find with Luke, Leia and Han were the Mickey and Friends ones, where Minnie is Leia, Mickey is Luke and I can't remember who's Han, maybe Donald. Pete is Boba Fett - a very big, round Boba Fett!

I think it would be awesome if BBB did a Princess Leia make over! If they can make those super tight buns on the top of the girls' heads, they could easily do one on each side.

 

[figment_jii]

I thought they also had some t-shirts with either Han or Lando (can't remember which) at Star Traders for a while.

In terms of the toys...don't forget the new Cars themed Star Wars figures...McQueen as Luke, Mater as Vader, Guido and Luigi as C3PO and R2D2, etc.!

 

[got2travel]

I thought they also had some t-shirts with either Han or Lando (can't remember which) at Star Traders for a while. In terms of the toys...don't forget the new Cars themed Star Wars figures...McQueen as Luke, Mater as Vader, Guido and Luigi as C3PO and R2D2, etc.!

They have a Galactic Swag shirt with Lando. My son begged for it, well as much as a teenage would beg, lol.

I do remember Luke and Han Solo shirts being available at different times also.