Realistic (Still Pretty) Princesses

Here are some fun pictures of many epic female characters in the Disney lineup. Some of these ladies don't get nearly enough recognition, so here's a chance for a little variety beyond the standard views of Cinderella and Snow White.

We have Ariel ("The Little Mermaid"), Belle ("Beauty and the Beast"), Cinderella, Jane from "Tarzan," Megara from "Hercules," Mulan and Rapunzel from "Tangled."

At the bottom is a group shot which includes all of the well-known Disney Princesses.

They're all stunning!

Shopgirl Becomes Princess at Night

Gemma Beard

A shopgirl is making a go at being a princess at night. No, she's not related to Prince Charles, but Gemma Beard actually does the transformation on a weekly basis.

Gemma is the proprietor of Enchanting Story Book Parties, based in Gloucestershire, England. She is an unassuming shopgirl at the city's Game store. However, she got the idea last fall to begin dressing up as Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel the Little Mermaid, Belle and the rest.

No, she does not do that for any illicit purposes, you naughty things!

She has found out that there is a great demand in Gloucestershire for princess hostesses of children's parties. On some weekends, she winds up hosting five events at little princesses' homes. A trained actress, Gemma was a wee too short to be hired as a princess at Disneyland Paris, so she made her own way.

Gemma is quoted:

"I believe the classic fairytales have a lesson to teach and there are many strong characters which make good role models for children."

That certainly sounds about right. With the popularity of "Frozen," Gemma is doing Anna and Elsa as well these days. Business is so good that she is looking to add on some little princess helpers.

Sounds like a princess dream come true!

Irish Kids Love Disney!

The Dublin Disney Store

You never know why some people and localities like different things, but it appears that Irish kids in particular love Disney!

The Dublin, Ireland Disney store is one of the top performers in Disney's entire European operation. According to marketing statistics, 88% of Irish parents have bought their children Disney merchandise - a staggering amount that places the Dublin store within the top five in all of Europe. That is phenomenal considering that Dublin is not nearly as large as, say, Paris or London, and people from other nations cannot just drop on by without a load of planning and expense.

Mickey welcomes visitors to his store

The best sellers overall at the Dublin Disney store are what are known in the business as "evergreen" products - ones that never go out of style and were as popular in the 1970s as they are now. These would be Cinderella and Snow White dolls and posters for girls and the like. Merchandise such as toy cars from the "Cars" films (and soon toy aircraft from the "Planes films) have been more successful with boys.

The Disney Store at 60 Grafton Street, Dublin

Other hot items come and go. Recently, "Frozen" Blu-ray dvds sold out within three days of release. The "Doc McStuffins" line related to the local tv show from Irish animators Brown Bag Films also is unusually popular in the country with little girls from ages 3-6 and could wind up being offered in stores abroad - an interesting example of reverse pollination into the Disney stream.

This is all just another indication that the Disney Brand is thriving around the world.

Irish professional dancers at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Downtown Disney in Florida