Princesses of all ages rejoice, it’s World Princess Week! Of course, this is one celebration that Disney is all about joining in on. Today, Disney kicked off World Princess Week with the release of the all-new Once A Princess, Always A Princess: A Disney Short Film from acclaimed filmmaker Alex Prager on Disney+,bringing together remarkable storytelling and craftsmanship as the heartfelt centerpiece of the week-long celebration.
Rooted in the spirit of “Once a Princess, Always a Princess,” World Princess Week celebrates the lasting magic of Disney Princesses and the special place they hold in our lives. From revisiting a favorite childhood story and sharing beloved characters with a new generation to finding inspiration for new adventures, their stories continue to create meaningful connections that go far beyond the screen.
As part of the “Create Your World” campaign, World Princess Week celebrates the many ways fans bring their imagination to life, inspiring girls and families to dream big, embrace their creativity and create stories of their very own.
“The enduring strength of Disney Princesses lies in its ability to evolve with each new generation while remaining rooted in stories that inspire courage, compassion, and possibility. That’s what makes these characters so meaningful to fans around the world. This year’s World Princess Week celebrates this legacy,” said Joanna Balikian, Senior Vice President, Brand Management, The Walt Disney Company.
Original Content and Entertainment for Fans of All Ages
The emotional centerpiece of this year’s World Princess Week celebration is the all-new Once A Princess, Always A Princess: A Disney Short Film, available today onDisney+ and YouTube. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Alex Prager, the short film follows two young girls living in neighboring apartment buildings whose shared love of Disney Princess stories sparks an instant friendship. As their imaginations transform everyday moments into magical adventures inspired by the spectacular worlds of some beloved Disney Princesses, the short film celebrates a universal truth: Disney Princess stories bring people together and creates connections that can last a lifetime. Years later, the friends are shown passing those same stories and traditions on to their own daughters, illustrating how the magic of Disney Princesses endures across generations.
“I grew up with the Disney Princesses and their colorful, weightless worlds, full of beauty and drama, adventure, friendship, and true love,” said director Alex Prager. “One of the things that drew me to making the Disney Princess film is at its heart, it’s about relationships and human connection. The film highlights that Disney stories give kids a shared language through which they can connect and play and imagine together.”
Created as a love letter to the Disney Princess franchise and the art of filmmaking itself, the short film blends timeless storytelling with extraordinary practical craftsmanship. The production employed handcrafted “bigature” castles inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and The Little Mermaid (1989); custom puppets representing some cherished Disney characters; hand-painted matte backdrops; and a custom score performed by a 56-piece live orchestra. Many effects, from floating magic carpets to underwater adventures, were brought to life through practical techniques and physical artistry, reinforcing the short film’s celebration of imagination and creativity.
As the official kickoff to World Princess Week, fans were able to experience Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration live at Disney California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. last week. Bringing together the largest collection of Disney Princess talent ever assembled, the unforgettable event honored the beloved stories and music across Disney animation, live-action films, and the stage. The concert featured performances by (in order of appearance) Brandy, the titular character in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997); Disney Legend Paige O’Hara, the original voice of Belle in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Beauty and the Beast; Disney Legend Susan Egan, the original Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway; Disney Legend Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Little Mermaid; Halle Bailey, the live-action Ariel in Walt Disney Studios’ The Little Mermaid (2023); Auli’i Cravalho, the original voice of the character in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024); Catherine Laga’aia, the live-action character in Walt Disney Studios’ Moana (2026); Disney Legend Lea Salonga, the original singing voices of Jasmine in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Aladdin as well as the character in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Mulan (1998); Judy Kuhn, the original singing voice of the titular character in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Pocahontas (1995); and Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose, the original voice of Tiana in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Princess and the Frog (2009). Through breathtaking projections, dazzling lighting effects, and soaring fountains, the concert immersed guests, including Make-A-Wish kids and alumni in a spectacular celebration of the music, magic, and enduring legacy of Disney Princesses like never before. The concert is now streaming on Disney+ and YouTube.
Additional new content arriving on Disney+ during World Princess Week includes new episodes of Sofia the First: Royal Magic and the Disney+ debut of LEGO Disney Princess: Magical Mayhem on August 21. The animated special brings together some iconic Disney Princess characters including Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan, Moana, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Tiana, along with some favorite sidekicks, in an all-new adventure. During a heavy rainstorm, the Princesses decide to help take care of animals that need it. However, things get a bit out of hand when the animals begin to run amok inside their beloved castle, and something even stranger begins to happen.
Throughout the week, Disney’s linear channels including ABC, Disney Jr., Disney Channel, and Freeform will air Disney Princess films for fans to enjoy, includingTangled (2010), Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan, and more.
Princess Stories Streaming on Disney+
Disney+ is celebrating World Princess Week by spotlighting the Disney Princess stories that have sparked imagination for generations. Offering a story for every Princess to enjoy, Disney+ subscribers can stream curated programming including a refreshed Princesses Collection on service, a dedicated and always on Princesses Stream, and anniversary spotlights for classics like Beauty and the Beast and Moana.
Stay tuned for more Princess updates all week long!
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