Disney Princesses in Real Life

Cinderella talks weird too…

It’s interesting to see how Disney translates its most famed characters into real life. My most recent Disney vacation was the first time I got to meet all of Disney’s Princesses, and I will admit that I was a bit star-struck at times. I was so excited for this, that for most of my photo ops, I dressed the part so that I didn’t look like a daggy brown paper bag next to a princess Prada purse. There were a few interesting things I discovered about meeting Disney Princesses in person…

Princesses Talk Weird
This was one of the first things to catch me off guard. I lined up with anticipation to meet Snow White and when she greeted me with a squeaky “Why, hello there!” I was speechless. I didn’t know what to do or say because she sounded like the actual Snow White in the film, but I now realise that people just don’t sound like that in real life! It was super exaggerated, and she battered her eyes at me while she linked arms with mine and smiled for the photographer. There was a bit of conversation about my “Prince Charming” (JJ of course!) and other chit-chatter before we were waved goodbye and out the door.

Walk, Talk & Act Like a Princess

Pocahontas & her Furry Friends!

So Disney makes sure that all of their cast members (what they’re referred to) are in character ALL THE TIME! That means anywhere they would be visible to park guests, they need to talk, walk and act like their characters. Even when they run away to do something trivial, they scuttle away like their characters would! It can seem a little ridiculous from and an adult stand point, but Disney makes no joke about making their characters a reality. They will never talk to you as if they are not who they dress to be. So if you ask Pocahontas how her work day has been, she’s going to tell you that she doesn’t know what having a job is like and instead that she lives off the land, and then will go on about jumping off waterfalls, canoeing with John Smith down the river, and catching up with her furry forest friends.

Princess Cake Face
Nobody looks like an animation in real life, but you look more like one with a TON of make up. The princesses all have really exaggerated make up and wigs. I think that was another thing that I caught me off guard, because I’m not used to seeing anyone wear that much make up, topped off with an outlandish wig. The child in me wanted to think that they were the most beautiful and admired beings I’ve ever watched on film, and then in-person it felt a bit odd to stand next to someone with hair as stiff as the bricks on the castle walls. Its a fine line between being considered beautiful and then strange.  I think that line is a kid about 10 years old…

Mulan will Kung-fu you if you step out of line!

Princesses Have A Tough Life!
I think I learned more of the extremity of being a Disney cast member from reading articles online and watching Youtube videos of park guest interactions with characters. Having been there in person, I can definitely see the opportunities for it to happen. The Princesses have to act professional all the time, no matter how out of hand the guests may get. They may get made fun of by groups of rowdy teenagers or pranked, and everything must be handled with a smile (and in character!). I have a great level of respect for the professionalism that the cast members at Disney uphold, even if we as park guests are not always grateful.

Who’s Who in Princess Land
– The Sexy Princess – That would be Jasmine. She was the only Princess the dads would get up from their tables to take photos with. Haha!
– The Fun Princess – Mulan! She was all kung-fu fighting and boisterous. Lots of fun in person and not afraid to karate chop you if you step out of line. OK I know karate is technically not a Chinese martial art that Mulan would know…
– The Prettiest Princess – I thought Pocahontas was the prettiest Princess I met in person. She didn’t seem to have to wear as much make up, and her wig was less outlandish. She also didn’t talk like a squeaky mouse and was just so nice to interact with in person.

Which Disney Princess Are You?
I thought I’d end this post with a fun online quiz I did named “Which Disney Princess Are You?”. It was actually a fairly detailed and impressive quiz, and I thought the analysis was pretty accurate (at least for me). I answered “Cleaning My Room” for what I do on Friday nights, and apparently I’m Cinderella! Coincidence that JJ proposed to me in front of Cinderella’s Castle? I think not!

Which Disney Princess Are You?