What makes a Disney Princess “official”? From Snow White to Raya, here’s the complete list of Disney’s royal lineup, plus the beloved characters who didn’t make the cut.

At the mention of “Disney Princess,” most of us paint a mental picture of our favorite animated heroines and damsels as featured on lunchboxes, binders, and water bottles. But are all of them actually Disney princesses – or do the technicalities of royal status exclude our most beloved princesses from being considered “official”?

What Makes a Disney Princess “Official”?

Not every heroine in a Disney movie automatically becomes part of the official Disney Princess lineup. The Walt Disney Company maintains a curated franchise of characters that meet specific storytelling and branding criteria.

Belle, the Beast, and other Disney Princesses open the Festival of Fantasy Parade. Photo by Cliff Wang

Generally, an official Disney Princess must:

• Be human (or mostly human)
• Play a central role in the film’s story
• Have royal lineage, marry into royalty, or hold a leadership role
• Come from a theatrically released Disney animated movie

That’s why characters like Mulan and Moana qualify, while fan favorites like Elsa, Mirabel, and Megara don’t technically make the list.

Now, let’s dive into every official Disney Princess and the surprising characters who were left out.

The Most Surprising Disney Princess Rule

One of the biggest misconceptions about Disney Princesses is that you simply have to be born royal, but Disney’s official lineup is actually much more selective than that.

First, queens are automatically excluded.

That’s why Elsa no longer qualifies after becoming Queen of Arendelle, and why characters like Anna (now queen as well) technically fall outside the official Disney Princess franchise. Once a character ascends the throne, Disney shifts them out of the princess category entirely.

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Animals are also out, no matter how iconic they are.

Even though Nala becomes queen of the Pride Lands and plays a central role in The Lion King, she isn’t considered an official Disney Princess simply because she’s not human (or humanoid). The same rule is why characters like Lady Marian from Robin Hood never made the list.

And finally, not every heroic leading lady qualifies.

Disney carefully curates the Princess lineup as a branded franchise, meaning some beloved characters like Megara, Mirabel, Esmeralda, and Giselle (despite being strong, central heroines) are excluded because they don’t meet the royal or leadership criteria Disney uses for official inclusion.

In other words, being brave, kind, and iconic isn’t always enough. Royal status (or Disney-approved leadership) is what seals the crown.

Official Disney Princesses

The following ladies have been lucky enough to be currently considered official Disney Princesses, whether it be by lineage, marriage, or other means. Some are obvious, but others may surprise you!

The Current Official Disney Princess Lineup

• Snow White
• Cinderella
• Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
• Ariel
• Belle
• Jasmine
• Pocahontas
• Mulan
• Tiana
• Rapunzel
• Merida
• Moana
• Raya

Learn more about each of the official princesses below.

Snow White

Given that she is the daughter of a king (with pretty much the worst step-mom ever) and the O.G. princess, it’s only fitting that Snow White reserves the right to official princess status. Snow White is the princess featured in 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was based upon the 1812 tale from the Brothers Grimm. 

Courtesy of Disney

In the film, Snow is a princess who lives with her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen. When the Magic Mirror tells the Evil Queen that Snow is the fairest of them all, the Queen orders her Huntsman to kill her and bring back her heart. The Huntsman can’t bring himself to kill Snow, sending her into the forest and telling her to never return. There, she finds a cottage with the seven dwarfs: Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey.

As of 2023, there is one Snow White ride you can find in the Disney Parks, featured in the original Disneyland Park. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is a dark ride that takes guests through the story of the film, revisiting memorable scenes. At Wilderness Lodge in Disney World, you can dine with the characters of the film at Story Book Dining at Artist Point.

Cinderella

If the shoe (or glass slipper) were to fit anyone, it would be Cinderella! Despite her humble beginnings, Cinderella found her Prince Charming, and the rest is history. The movie Cinderella was originally released in 1950, a musical that has become a beloved classic over time.

Courtesy of Disney

You can find two different Cinderella Castles in the world. The icon is the centerpiece of the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, along with Tokyo Disneyland at Tokyo Disney Resort. You can even dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the castle at Magic Kingdom, where you can meet the princess herself.

Sleeping Beauty

Disney doesn’t snooze on this iconic princess! True love’s kiss with Prince Phillip sealed her fate as a royal. Sleeping Beauty, Aurora, Briar Rose– whatever you want to call her, is as official as it gets. 

Courtesy of Disney

Sleeping Beauty was a 1959 Disney film, following the story of Aurora, daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leah. Aurora is cursed by Maleficent, a curse forcing her to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel before her sixteenth birthday, causing her death. Three good fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, are able to weaken the curse, putting Aurora into a deep sleep instead of dying, and allowing her to awaken with true love’s kiss.

In the Disney Parks, you’ll find the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort. You can also meet Aurora in the France Pavilion of EPCOT at Disney World.

Ariel

Not only is she the daughter of King Triton, but she is also married to handsome landlubber Prince Eric. Is there such a thing as a double princess? While she had to share the title of a princess with her six older sisters under the sea (more on them later!), she is a princess nonetheless!

Courtesy of Disney

At both Disneyland and Disney World, you can ride Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, a dark ride that will guide you through the story of the film. In 2023, the film was given a live-action reimagining where the title character was played by singer and actress Halle Bailey.

Belle

While Belle may have started as the village bookworm, her life completely changed when she fell in love with a prince-turned-sasquatch and, in turn, became the princess of an enchanted castle. While her taste in men may be questionable, she is undoubtedly a Disney princess!

Courtesy of Disney

At Disney World, you can watch the story of how Belle and the Beast meet over at Enchanted Tales with Belle in Magic Kingdom. You can meet characters like Belle, Lumière, and the Enchanted Wardrobe as well.

Jasmine

Unlike some of the other ladies on the official Disney princess list, Jasmine was born a princess and made her love interest transform from a peasant to a prince. Being the daughter of a sultan, Jasmine was born into a life of royalty– whether she liked it or not.

Courtesy of Disney

Over at Disney World, you can meet Jasmine at the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT. She’s also one of the featured princesses you can meet at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion of the same park. In Magic Kingdom, you won’t see Jasmine, but you can ride the Aladdin-inspired ride Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas’ peaceful and harmonic spirit, combined with her diplomatic personality, gives her the royal qualities that make for a great princess, not to mention that she is the daughter of the chief, making her a noble figure of her community!

Courtesy of Disney

Mulan

While Mulan was neither born nor married into royalty, her extraordinary accomplishments in the Chinese military earned her high honor and accolades in her country. Talk about a girlboss, right? Despite not being monarchical, she is recognized as an official Disney princess.

Courtesy of Disney

You can meet Mulan in EPCOT in Disney World, where you’ll spot her at select times at the China Pavilion. Over at Disney California Adventure in Disneyland, you’ll also be able to see her at Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, part of the New Year festivities that take place in January of each year.

Tiana

Tiana may have received the biggest promotion ever when she went from a humble waitress to the princess of Maldonia all in one week! Her marriage to Prince Naveen made it official, even if it was a frog wedding.

Courtesy of Disney

The past few years have been pretty big for Tiana’s representation at the Disney Parks! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now open at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park, transforming the former Splash Mountain into a Princess and the Frog–inspired journey through the bayou.

In Disneyland, the restaurant Tiana’s Palace opened in the fall of 2023, and Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets opened in 2022 in the same section.

Rapunzel

Rapunzel, a.k.a. “The Lost Princess,” was royalty in the kingdom of Corona her whole life, although she didn’t know it until she turned 18. Trading in her frying pan for a crown and her hidden tower for a castle, she finally took her rightful place in the kingdom as their princess!

Photo Courtesy of Disney

At Magic Kingdom, you’ll find a Tangled-themed area of bathrooms (filled with some hidden Pascals!). Fantasy Springs officially opened at Tokyo Disney Resort in 2024, featuring immersive Tangled, Frozen, and Peter Pan lands.

Merida

Her flaming locks match her fiery personality; she may be an official princess, but her status is certainly not defined by marriage. Merida was born into a monarchy, but the royal rules couldn’t confine her. Either way, Merida is very much an official princess!

Courtesy of Disney

Moana

She is Moana of Motunui, and being next in line to lead her village makes her an official Disney princess! Despite her differences with her father, the chief, she proved to be a fit leader when she risked her life to save her island and her people.

Courtesy of Disney

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Disney World, you can meet Moana at Character Landing. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort also features Moana-themed rooms with special touches to represent the Disney Princess.

Raya

The newest addition to the official Disney princess list is Raya, who has joined the ranks of Mulan, Moana, and Merida after being confirmed as an official Disney princess during World Princess Week in 2022. Being the daughter of a chief, she is a warrior princess that can win any fight!

Courtesy of Disney

While we saw a Raya meet and greet at Disneyland around the time the film came out, we haven’t seen too much of this Disney Princess in the parks since then!

Former Disney Princesses

Although they are still beloved characters, these ladies are not considered “certified” royalty as part of the list of official Disney princesses.

Tinker Bell

While Tinker Bell could be found on merch sprinkling her pixie dust over a lineup of official princesses, she is not considered an official Disney princess. Poor Tink!

Courtesy of Disney

Luckily you can still meet her at Pixie Hollow at Disneyland Resort. She also plays a special part during Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom, flying from Cinderella Castle at the start of the show.

Esmerelda

Esmerelda possesses many qualities of a princess, such as beauty, grace, fierceness, kindness, and empathy, but she is not of royal descent or relation.

Courtesy of Disney

Jane Porter

Jane Porter is the daughter of a professor, not a king, and the love interest of an ape-man, not a prince. No royalty here, but we still love her!

Courtesy of Disney

Unofficial Disney Princesses

You may think some of these iconic characters are princesses, but you’d be mistaken!

Anna

If you haven’t seen Frozen 2, you may be wondering, wait – why isn’t Anna a princess? Well, after Elsa was crowned as queen of Arendelle, she then resigned to become the fifth spirit, and Anna took her place. This made Anna the queen, and you simply can’t be a queen and a princess all at once!

Courtesy of Disney

Anna plays a pretty big part at the Disney Parks! She is featured in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT in Disney World, where you can meet her and her sister, Elsa, at Royal Summerhus. She’s also featured on the Norway Pavilion ride Frozen Ever After, a boat ride telling the story of Frozen. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. At Hong Kong Disneyland, a new World of Frozen-themed land is opening in November 2023. And in spring 2024, a Frozen-themed land will be coming to Tokyo Disney Resort with Fantasy Springs.

Elsa

Elsa was once a princess before her coronation as queen but has since become the fifth spirit. I know all this royal technicality may be confusing, but I suggest you just let it go. 

Courtesy of Disney

Just like Anna, you can find Elsa in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT in Disney World, where you can meet her and her sister at Royal Summerhus. She’s also featured on the Norway Pavilion ride Frozen Ever After, a boat ride telling the story of Frozen. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. At Hong Kong Disneyland, a new World of Frozen-themed land is opening in November 2023. And in spring 2024, a Frozen-themed land will be coming to Tokyo Disney Resort with Fantasy Springs.

Giselle

Giselle was never a princess, although she was engaged to be married to Prince Edward of Andalasia before being sent to our live-action universe in 2007’s Enchanted. She ends up marrying a divorce attorney. So, while she gets to live out her happily ever after, she never becomes an official Disney princess in her journey (even in the sequel).

Courtesy of Disney

Giselle returned in 2022 in the sequel to the Disney film, Disenchanted. In the sequel, Amy Adams reprised her role as Giselle, with the story following her and her husband Robert as they settle into suburban life. Of course, this is a Disney tale, so not all went to plan!

Megara

Megara is the love of Hercules, a demi-god whose parents have much more power than human royalty in 1997’s Hercules. That’s arguably much cooler than being an official princess, so who’s complaining?

Courtesy of Disney

While Megara does not currently meet anywhere in the Disney Parks, she has appeared in the past as part of after-hours events such as Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom.

Nala

No, Nala isn’t excluded from the official Disney princess list just because she’s a lion in 1994’s The Lion King. It’s actually because she didn’t marry Simba until after he became king of the savanna, immediately making her queen!

Courtesy of Disney

While Nala is not an easy find in the Disney Parks (outside of stuffed animals of her), she is a main character in the long-running Lion King show on Broadway in New York City and touring worldwide.

Ariel’s Sisters

Ariel’s siblings could form a troop of Disney Princesses on their own! But alas, her siblings aren’t as official as Ariel. How many sisters does Ariel have, anyway?

Attina and Ariel. Courtesy of Disney

Vanellope Von Schweetz

Vanellope is transformed into a princess during Ralph Breaks The Internet, but she is not considered to be an official Disney Princess. This may be because Vanellope says herself: Her code may say she is a princess, but she is actually a racer. I’d take her word for it.

Courtesy of Disney

Mirabel Madrigal

Mirabel is brave, kind, and cares deeply for her family. While not an official Disney Princess, she certainly fits a lot of the qualifications of being one!

Photo courtesy of Disney

In 2023, Mirabel also opened up her own meet and greet in Magic Kingdom! You can now meet Mirabel at Fairytale Gardens, located to the right of Cinderella Castle.

In 2027, Mirabel will also be featured in the first-ever Encanto ride! A new Tropical Americas land is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where a new Encanto-inspired ride will bring the Madrigal Casita to life.

Asha

Asha, the heroine of Disney’s 2023 animated film Wish, is not currently considered an official Disney Princess.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

While she plays the central role in the movie and displays many classic Disney Princess qualities, bravery, compassion, leadership, and a powerful emotional journey, she does not hold royal status or become a ruling leader within the story, which are key factors Disney uses when curating the official Princess franchise.

Where to Meet the Disney Princesses at Walt Disney World

Meeting Disney Princesses in person is one of the most magical experiences at Walt Disney World, and there are several reliable spots where you’ll find multiple royals throughout the parks and resorts.

Here are the best places to meet Disney Princesses in Disney World.

Princess Fairytale Hall (Magic Kingdom)

Tiana meets inside Princess Fairytale Hall. Photo by Cliff Wang

This is the go-to location for princess meet-and-greets, featuring rotating appearances from favorites like:

• Cinderella
• Elena of Avalor
• Rapunzel
• Tiana

The indoor setting makes it a great option year-round, especially during Florida’s hot afternoons.

Royal Sommerhus (EPCOT – Norway Pavilion)

Meet Anna and Elsa at the Royal Sommerhus. Then do some shopping! Photo by Cliff Wang

Here you can meet:

• Anna
• Elsa

This charming cabin-style meet-and-greet is one of EPCOT’s most popular character experiences and pairs perfectly with a ride on Frozen Ever After just steps away.

World Showcase (EPCOT)

Photo by Aly Sferlazza

Several princesses greet guests in their home countries throughout EPCOT, including:

• Belle in France
• Jasmine in Morocco
• Mulan in China
• Aurora in France
• Snow White in Germany

These are some of the most scenic character spots in all of Disney World, and usually have shorter waits than at Magic Kingdom.

Princess Character Dining (Best Way to Meet Many at Once)

Photo by Judd Helms

The easiest way to meet multiple Disney Princesses at once is through princess character dining, especially at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom): Meet Cinderella and rotating princesses inside the castle
• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (EPCOT): Features Belle, Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine, and more

Disney Princesses in Parades at Walt Disney World

Many Disney Princesses appear in daily parades at Magic Kingdom, making parades one of the easiest ways to see multiple royals at once, often without waiting in line.

Princess appearances rotate seasonally, but several fan favorites regularly ride themed floats or wave to guests from royal carriages. This includes daily at Magic Kingdom, with the daytime Festival of Fantasy parade and nighttime Disney Starlight parade.

Photo by Cliff Wang

You’ll also find them during holiday parades such as Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Mickey’s Boot-To-You Halloween Parade.

Princesses Commonly Seen in Magic Kingdom Parades

Depending on the season and parade lineup, you may spot:

• Cinderella and Prince Charming
• Belle and the Beast
• Aurora and Prince Phillip
• Tiana and Prince Naveen
• Jasmine and Aladdin
• Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
• Snow White and Prince Florian

Holiday parades often feature special winter costumes for several princesses, making Christmas one of the best times to spot unique royal looks.

Disney Princesses in Their Winter Outfits

During the holiday season at Walt Disney World, many Disney Princesses swap their classic gowns for festive winter looks, complete with capes, velvet fabrics, faux fur trim, and holiday-inspired colors.

Photo by Laurie Sapp

These special seasonal costumes typically appear from early November through early January, especially during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and holiday celebrations across the parks.

Princesses Known for Winter Outfit Appearances

• Cinderella: Often wears a light blue winter gown with a sparkling white cape
• Belle: Appears in a red holiday dress inspired by her Christmas look from Beauty and the Beast
• Tiana: Frequently dons a green winter gown with elegant holiday accents
• Aurora: Wears a pink winter cloak layered over her classic gown
• Snow White: Sometimes appears with a festive cape and seasonal trim
• Anna and Elsa: Feature winter-inspired looks year-round, with special holiday details during Christmas events

Where You’re Most Likely to See Winter Princess Outfits

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom)

• Princess Fairytale Hall during the holidays

• EPCOT World Showcase seasonal appearances

• Special holiday character dining events

Disney Princess FAQ

Photo Courtesy of Disney

How many official Disney Princesses are there?

There are currently 13 official Disney Princesses in Disney’s franchise lineup.

Why isn’t Elsa an official Disney Princess?

Although Elsa was once a princess, she became Queen of Arendelle and later the Fifth Spirit, technically removing her from the princess category.

Is Moana an official Disney Princess?

Yes! Moana is considered official because she becomes the future leader of Motunui and is part of Disney’s curated Princess franchise.

Was Tinker Bell ever an official Disney Princess?

Tinker Bell briefly appeared in early Disney Princess branding but was later moved into the Disney Fairies franchise.