New Disney Restrictions Remove All Princesses From Park, Closure Begins

What would you do if you showed up to Disney World and you couldn’t meet your favorite character? Or, how would you feel if Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were out of commission during your vacation. With the characters at the Disney parks play such a large role in bringing the theme park and all of the stories within The Walt Disney Company to life, their presence is of the utmost importance for guests who are paying thousands to experience the magic.

Disney princesses Ralph Breaks the Internet — Credit: Disney

One of the most popular meet and greets are for the princesses.

If your goal is to meet Anna and Elsa from Frozen, you can say hi to them in EPCOT, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Tiana, often hang out in Magic Kingdom. Moana can be found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom alongside Pocahontas. EPCOT’s World Showcase is also home to Snow White, Aurora, Belle, and Ariel.

These characters, originating from various Disney animated films, share common traits such as resilience, kindness, and a strong sense of adventure. Each princess comes with a unique story, setting, and set of challenges that captivate audiences of all ages.

Snow White, the first Disney Princess, made her debut in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). She is known for her kindness and optimism, as well as her unforgettable encounter with the Evil Queen and friendship with the seven dwarfs.

Snow White performer at Disney by wishing well — Credit: Disney

Cinderella, introduced in 1950, is another timeless character. Her story revolves around transformation and the belief that kindness prevails. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella overcomes adversity to attend the royal ball and capture the heart of Prince Charming.

Ariel, the red-headed animated mermaid from The Little Mermaid (1989), longs to explore the human world.

Belle, from Beauty and the Beast (1991), is celebrated for her love of literature and her ability to see beyond appearances. The tale emphasizes the transformative power of love and acceptance.

Jasmine, from Aladdin (1992), brings a sense of adventure to the lineup. Her desire for freedom and authenticity resonates with many, and her friendship with Aladdin takes audiences on a magic carpet ride.

aladdin (left) and jasmine (right) with kids at disney world — Credit: Disney

Pocahontas, Mulan, and Tiana represent Disney’s commitment to diversity and strong, independent characters. Pocahontas connects with nature and challenges societal expectations, while Mulan disguises herself as a man to save her father and becomes a symbol of courage and strength. Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog (2009), is a hardworking and ambitious young woman with dreams of opening her own restaurant.

Rapunzel, from Tangled (2010), uses her long hair as a symbol of freedom and self-discovery. Merida, the adventurous heroine of Brave (2012), breaks tradition and proves her mettle in the archery field.

Elsa and Anna, from Frozen (2013), have become cultural phenomena. Elsa’s journey of self-discovery, along with Anna’s unwavering love and determination, redefines the typical fairy-tale narrative.

elsa and anna at world of frozen hong kong disneyland resized — Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Each princess is crucial to the stories told by Disney, and in turn, are highly popular in the theme parks.

In Magic Kingdom, Princess Fairytale Hall typically has one of the longest waits in the park each day, as guests line up to meet a few of their favorite princesses. This popularity of the princesses does not just stop at Disney World, however; it extends to Disneyland and all of the international parks as well, especially at Disneyland Paris.

At Disneyland Paris, guests are immersed in a world of enchantment and adventure, with a plethora of activities to cater to diverse interests. The heart of the magic lies in the theme parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, each offering a unique array of attractions, entertainment, and beloved characters.

This iconic park, with its Sleeping Beauty Castle as the park “weenie”, transporting guests into a fairy-tale realm. Visitors can embark on classic attractions like Space Mountain, take a whimsical journey through “it’s a small world,” or sail into the world of pirates on Pirates of the Caribbean.

Sleeping Beauty Castle in the end of Main Street, U.S.A, at Disneyland Paris — Credit: Disney

Fantasyland offers enchanting experiences for the younger ones, while Adventureland and Discoveryland beckon those seeking thrilling escapades. Parades, character meet-and-greets, and enchanting shows, such as the current Disney Dreams!, provide captivating entertainment throughout the day.

Dedicated to the world of cinema, Walt Disney Studios Park brings the magic of movie-making to life. Guests can experience the exhilarating Ratatouille: The Adventure, venture into the Twilight Zone on the Tower of Terror, slide back and forth on RC Racer, chase Slinky Dog’s tail, and swirl around on Crush’s Coaster. The park also hosts captivating shows, including the spectacular Mickey and the Magician and Pixar’s Together.

At the moment, there is quite a lot of construction going on at Walt Disney Studios Park. Not only is Studio One, the main entrance into the park (which holds a majority of the quick service meals and overall shopping locations) closing for an entire year, but the back half of the park is under a massive change, adding in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Kingdom of Arendelle, a Frozen-inspired land.

Crowds outside the theater at Walt Disney Studios Park — Credit: MyFrozenLife via Flickr

The amount of construction has even led the park to announce to guests visiting next year that they should leave the park if they are looking for meals on a budget, as many quick service spots will not be open, and the ones that are, will likely have heavy crowding. While an announcement like this may seem shocking, earlier this year, Disneyland Paris asked guests to leave by 3:00 p.m. if they had an issue with crowding, so the EuroDisney park is quite used to telling guests to leave.

Currently, Disneyland Park (or Parc Disneyland) is also undergoing construction work at its entrance and within the Disneyland Hotel. Various sections within the park are currently obscured by tarps or construction facades, and specific rides are intermittently closing for routine maintenance each month. For instance, both Hyperspace Mountain and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were temporarily unavailable during specific periods this November.

princess pavilion at Disneyland paris resized — Credit: Disneyland Paris

Now, more closures are slated. The Princess Pavilion has officially announced as closed, as of tomorrow.

Meet and greets with the princesses will be restricted from November 27 to December 1. While this is a short closure, it will certainly disrupt thousands of vacations. Normally, three Princesses are meet-able a day, with the selection always being randomized. Standard selections include Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora, Jasmine, Ariel, Tiana, and Elena — now that perk and offering will be gone.

Additionally, Pinocchio’s Journeys will be closed December 4 to 15 and Crush’s Coaster will be closed on November 28 and 29.