Take a deep dive into the history of Belle, the beloved Disney Princess from Beauty and the Beast.

With her iconic yellow ball gown, unique sidekicks, and beastly prince, Belle is one of Disney’s most iconic princesses. Since she first appeared onscreen in movie theaters worldwide back in 1991, she’s been a heroine for countless children – and a favorite of kids at hearts, too.

Belle has captivated movie-watchers, theme park guests, and Disney enthusiasts for over 30 years now. Whether you’re new to Beauty and the Beast or a longtime fan of Belle, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the esteemed bookish princess with fun facts, insight into her history, and more below.

Who is Belle?

Belle is the heroine of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (both the 1991 animated film and the 2017 live-action version). The daughter of Maurice, an eccentric inventor, she is courted by the arrogant Gaston. She dreams of escaping her “poor provincial town” in France, and when her father winds up detained inside the Beast’s castle, Belle embarks on the adventure of a lifetime – and falls in love along the way, of course.

Belle loves reading, and when viewers first meet her in Beauty and the Beast, she’s looked down upon by the townspeople for always having her nose in a book. Beautiful but somewhat unaware of her own good looks, she’s perceived as odd by her neighbors (and Gaston, despite his constant pursuit of her). Ultimately, when Belle embarks on her unexpected adventure, she winds up trading her own freedom for her father’s, learning from the castle’s residents and the Beast himself, and creating a new life for herself.

Disney’s Princess Belle: Fun Facts

• Belle was always meant to be a proactive heroine – in fact, her character was designed in response to criticism around The Little Mermaid‘s Ariel
• According to screenwriter Linda Woolverton, Belle is a feminist
• Belle is the first brunette Disney Princess
• Belle is the second official Disney Princess not born of royal descent (Cinderella was the first!)
• Belle is one of the oldest Disney Princesses at about 20 years old
• That famous yellow ball gown is meant to represent how Belle warms up over the course of her story (and its color was decided over pizza one night!)
• Belle was the only animated heroine nominated for the American Film Institute’s “greatest heroes in film” ranking

Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Though there have been many versions of the tale of Beauty and the Beast over the years, Disney’s animated film is perhaps the best-known and most universally loved. Beauty and the Beast premiered on November 22, 1991 in the U.S., and it introduced Belle both as an official Disney Princess and to the world at large.

Set in 18th-century France, it is a modern spin on the French fairytale “Beauty and the Beast” by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont from the 1700s. The Disney version makes some notable changes, but ultimately, the film still tells the tale of a father who takes shelter in the castle of a beast and a daughter who trades places with him, eventually falling in love with the beast (who is, underneath it all, a prince).

Disney’s animated version of Beauty and the Beast was a hit, thanks not only to its incredible animation but also its standout soundtrack (which was created by the storied Alan Menken). As the third film in the Disney Renaissance, audiences both commercial and critical loved it, and Beauty and the Beast became the first animated film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. It garnered multiple Academy Award nominations – and two wins – for its music, and its legacy has continued as the film’s story has been adapted for Broadway, IMAX, and other avenues.

Today, Beauty and the Beast is considered one of the greatest animated films of all time. So, it’s not too much of a surprise that its starring princess, Belle, has become one of Disney’s icons.

Beauty and the Beast: Fun Facts

• Walt Disney himself tried to create an animated version of Beauty and the Beast back in the 1930s, but he was particularly concerned with how Belle’s imprisonment would be depicted
• In the animated version of Beauty and the Beast, Belle’s appearance was modeled after Judy Garland
• Jodie Benson, voice of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, was originally considered for the role of Belle – but Paige O’Hara won the role thanks to her more unique tone
• Judy Garland may have been Belle’s visual inspiration, but O’Hara modeled her voice off of Katharine Hepburn in the 1933 film Little Women
• Belle’s blue dress was designed to stand out – the blue hue is meant to represent how she doesn’t fit in within her hometown
• The famous ballroom scene, in which Belle and the Beast dance together for the first time, marks the first time Disney used 3D rendering in an animated film
• The movie’s final dance between Belle and the Prince is actually copied from Sleeping Beauty – animators reused the final dance scene between Aurora and Prince Philip because they were short on time

Where to Find Belle in Disney Theme Parks

Belle appears during Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Photo by Danny Shuster

Belle at Walt Disney World

You can find Belle at the following locations within Disney World:

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (EPCOT): Dine amongst princesses at this storybook-inspired character dining experience in the Norway Pavilion
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Film (EPCOT): Catch a 15-minute animated film featuring your favorite songs from Beauty and the Beast in the France Pavilion
• Meet Belle in France (EPCOT): Head to the France Pavilion for a character encounter with the princess herself
• Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage (Hollywood Studios): A 30-minute Broadway-style stage show retelling Belle’s story on Sunset Boulevard
• Fantasmic! (Hollywood Studios): Both Belle and the Beast make an appearance during this nighttime spectacular on Sunset Boulevard
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom): A princess-themed character dining experience in Fantasyland
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade (Magic Kingdom): A parade that features an appearance by Belle and the Beast
• Enchanted Tales with Belle (Magic Kingdom): A storytelling and character encounter experience in Fantasyland

During certain special events throughout the year, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Jollywood Nights, Belle may also make additional appearances.

Additionally, if you’re interested in checking out some spaces inspired by Beauty and the Beast (even if Belle herself doesn’t make an appearance!), you can head to:

• Be Our Guest Restaurant in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom
• Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, which is home to Belle’s village and Beast’s castle as well as stops like Bonjour! Village Gifts and Gaston’s Tavern
• Enchanted Rose Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Belle at Disneyland

You can find Belle at the following locations within Disneyland Resort:

• Meet Disney Princesses at Royal Hall (Disneyland Park): At this Fantasyland character encounter, you can meet a rotating cast of princesses, which often includes Belle
• Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures (Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa): This Napa Rose character dining experience offers one-on-one meet and greets with Belle herself

Additionally, if you’re interested in checking out some spaces inspired by Beauty and the Beast (even if Belle herself doesn’t make an appearance!), you can head to:

• Red Rose Taverne (Disneyland Park): A quick-service restaurant in Fantasyland with Beauty and the Beast inspired theming
• Royal Theatre (Disneyland Park): Visit to this outdoor theater in Fantasyland for a retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Belle at Disneyland Paris

You can find Belle at the following locations within Disneyland Paris:

• Auberge de Cendrillon (Disneyland Park): A fairytale-inspired character dining experience featuring the Disney Princesses
• Disney Stars on Parade (Disneyland Park): Belle makes an appearance during this beloved daytime parade
• Princess Pavilion (Disneyland Park): While there’s no guarantee Belle will be greeting guests, she is one of the princesses who rotates through this Fantasyland meet and greet
• Mickey and the Magician (Walt Disney Studios Park): This Broadway-style musical show features Belle (and Cinderella, too)

Belle at Tokyo Disney Resort

You can find Belle at the following locations within Tokyo Disney Resort:

• Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (Tokyo Disneyland): A Fantasyland ride inspired by Beauty and the Beast that takes guests through Beast’s castle

Additionally, if you’re interested in checking out some spaces inspired by Beauty and the Beast (even if Belle herself doesn’t make an appearance!), you can head to:

• Village Shoppes (Tokyo Disneyland): A trio of shops inspired by Beauty and the Beast, including La Belle Librarie, the bookshop Belle visits in the film
• Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Room (Tokyo Disneyland Hotel): A character hotel room themed after Beauty and the Beast

Belle at Shanghai Disneyland

You can find Belle at the following locations within Shanghai Disneyland:

• Enchanted Storybook Castle, Storybook Court: This Fantasyland landmark offer character encounters with Disney Princesses like Belle
• Voyage to the Crystal Grotto: Located beneath Enchanted Storybook Castle in Fantasyland, here Belle’s story comes to life

Belle at Hong Kong Disneyland

Belle doesn’t have any dedicated meet and greets or attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland, so it’s a bit trickier to find her here. However, when she’s around, she’s usually in Fantasyland.

Belle at Sea: Disney Cruise Line

You can find Belle at the following locations onboard most Disney Cruise Line ships and sailings:

• Beauty and the Beast: This live, Broadway-style stage show is offered on the Disney Dream and Disney Treasure
• Fairytale Hall: Inside this kids’ club onboard the Disney Treasure, young guests may have the chance to meet Belle
• Royal Gathering Meet & Greet: Belle is often one of the princesses who meets with guests during this onboard character encounter