Seems There are Princess Qualifications in Order to Get a Prince

Monday December 8, 2014
The Magic Kingdom
Disney World

 

** You are seeing this post thanks to Betty of Joe and Betty’s Adventures who I hope did not spend as much time as I did unsuccessfully, to find the solution to my 403 Failure problem.  Somehow the Great Google likes her better and replied that if I would completely clear my cache things would work better.  And they did.  So this post is brought to you by Betty who already has her prince. 
Many thanks Betty.
I LOVE MY COMMENTERS!!

 

If you didn’t see the previous post featuring the Grand Floridian Hotel you can see it here.  It’s seriously stunning.

After leaving the Grand Floridian , we take the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom and get on the Steam Train, another dry venue.   We take it back to Fantasyland where it’s still drizzling.  We’re going to visit one of my favorites, Winnie the Pooh.

 

 

 

We stop by Pooh’s House where it is raining but he’s not in.  He seems to be having an adventure. 

 

I even peek inside his house to make doubly sure he’s not home.  Nope.  So off we go to find him.

 

 

 

Not knowing what we wanted to do, we didn’t arrange any fast passes.  We don’t even check what the wait time is here.  Like most of the lines in Disney World this one is under cover.  Smart planning.

The wait line is fabulously done.  There are pages from the story to read all along your way as well as things to do.  Jump on the foot squares and gophers appear in the garden, there are drums and honey bees to move into the hive.  The time flies by and soon we are off to join Pooh and his friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We get to ride in a honey pot.  Now how cool is that?

 

My pictures of the adventure and the other friends  didn’t come out well since we were zigging and zagging around.  I get a rather poor one of us in a mirror but the one of Pooh at the happy ending seems to sum up the fun time.

 

 

 

 

 

Outside, the drizzle has backed off enough that would be sorcerers can try to remove the grail from the rock.

No luck for this early 20 year old mouse eared contender.

 

But HAZZAH for little Jonah who has to stand on a box to get a grip!  He’s a real sorcerer.  I’ll bet David could have done it too.

 

 

We make it around to the Castle just in time for the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.  All the princesses are here.    Yesterday Judy asked me to pick up a Prince for her and Gypsy was remarking that her prince never came along.  Take note Judy and Gypsy that apparently you have to pass the princess qualifications in order to get your prince.  You can check the requirements below.

 

 

Now I love a parade so be prepared for too many pictures even on this gray gloomy day. 

We begin with Belle and the Beast

 

 

Looks  like it pays off not to judge a book by its cover.  Take note #1.

 

 

 

As you would expect from Disney, the floats are gorgeous.  These appear to be the Frozen Sisters.

 

 

I also recognize Jasmine from Aladdin

 

The air is still wet but it’s not actually dripping so the streets are safe for  dancers.

 

Another princess I don’t recognize at first but I love her dragon.  Guess I’d better get myself up to date here with Disney Heroines.

 

Looking a little closer I see it is Rapunzel.  That’s some huge braid there.   I didn’t realize she’d been promoted. Or I guess she was always an imprisoned princess.   Note #2 – being at least slightly helpless and in need of rescuing seems to necessary in the Prince department. 

 

 

Checking out Disney Princesses on line I find there are now 13 princesses although I’m pretty sure I saw a longer list in the Princess store  but I can’t find it now.  Yes there is a store for purchasing gowns and other attire.  AND the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique inside Cinderella’s castle. 

 

All this princess business was started by consumer products chairman Andy Mooney in the late 1990’s when product sales were drooping.  According to Disney wiki (click here for all you could care to know about this)  these protagonists are “either royal by birth, royal by marriage, or considered a princess due to their significant portrayal of of heroism in their film.  Most ‘unofficial’ Disney Princesses don’t join the line up either because marketing is not successful, their film’s box office gross was not high enough, or they are too young.”

So for those who care, here is the list.  The original Princesses:  Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) , Belle (Beauty and the Beast),  Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Jasmine (Aladdin), Pocahantas, Mulan and Tinker Bell who was removed shortly as not fitting the “princess mythology”.  Not tame enough I guess.   Note #3.

Princesses added later were Tiana (The Princess and the Frog), Rapunzel, Merida (from Brave).  Most recently added are Anna and Elsa from Frozen.  I also read that there is quite a bit of complaining about the make over of the powerful Merida changing her from a take charge bow and arrow no nonsense gal to the pretty, skinny waist, no arrows compliant type.  Note #4 – non compliant girls with minds of their own, adventurous spirits and their own weapons will not qualify. 

 

I do recognize Ariel.  She waves.  I guess she remembers us from earlier today in the clam shell.

 

Next we have the Lost Boys, Peter Pan, Hook and the demoted Tinker Bell.   Guess Wendy didn’t make the cut either.  She’s just a Darling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tink looks pretty cold and not very inclined to sprinkle fairy dust.  I don’t blame her in that outfit in this weather.

 

 

More dancers.  They are part of Merida’s Scottish group.

 

And here she is with the red curls the objectors say were originally frizzy and uncontrolled.  Not any more.

 

No Bow and Arrow to be seen.   Parents apparently especially in Britain are complaining it’s blatant sexism by Disney.

 

 

 

Now here is a dragon to be reckoned with.
How about those eyes.
Scared??

How about now??

 

The Dragon is followed by the 7 Diamond Miners along with Snow White.

 

The parade ends with the big stars and their supporting cast.

 

 

 

 

Our rainy Monday is not quite over but this is enough for one post.  If you want to see Cinderella’s Castle turned to ice, check back tomorrow.