LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 11, 2013) – In celebration of mothers and daughters everywhere, Disney today proudly welcomed Merida from Disney∙Pixar’s Academy Award winning film, “Brave,” into the Disney Princess royal court.  With her mother Queen Elinor proudly by her side, the ceremony took place at the Magic Kingdom in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in conjunction with Mother’s Day festivities. Gymnastics Gold Medalist and All-Around champion, Gabby Douglas, hosted the celebration accompanied by her mother, and shared her personal story of strength, perseverance and courage – the true meaning of being a Disney princess.

Watched by hundreds of park guests, Merida’s procession through the Magic Kingdom to Cinderella Castle was led by a troop of Scottish dancers and an authentic pipe and drum band. In true Merida fashion, she forged her own path, foregoing the traditional horse-and-carriage arrival and instead wowing the audience as she rode in on her trusty horse Angus. She was welcomed on stage by the entire Disney Princess court, and was crowned by her mother Queen Elinor in a touching moment of love and respect that highlighted the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Over the last few years, the Disney Princess royal court has expanded to welcome new princess characters whose stories, personalities and inner qualities serve as role models inspiring girls around the world.

“I admire Merida for being determined and courageous as these are qualities that have had a big impact on my own life and helped me achieve my goals as an athlete,” said Gabby Douglas, gymnastics gold medalist.  “And like Merida, I have a strong relationship with my mom, whose support and belief in me has helped me recognize my own inner princess qualities. It’s really special for us to be here and share in Merida’s celebration, especially on Mother’s Day weekend.”

“As a Disney Princess, Merida sets an admirable example for all, being brave, strong, passionate, determined and confident,” said Katherine Sarafian, “Brave’s” producer. “When Queen Elinor placed the crown on Merida’s head, it signified a moment of deep connection, as a mother recognized the spirit, heart and true personality of her daughter. It’s moments like these that encapsulate what is special about being a princess, but also resonate with mothers across the world.”

On hand to join in on the festivities were 10-year-old and six-year-old British singers and TV personalities of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland, who celebrated their inner princess by performing an original song on stage. Also in attendance were young girls and their families from Give Kids The World, a 70-acre nonprofit “storybook” resort where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong cost-free family vacations.

As part of Merida’s celebration, a group of 200 mom bloggers and their families attending the Walt Disney World Social Media Moms conference were treated to a first look at the latest video from the “I Am A Princess” campaign, which features Merida and a real-life young archer. The campaign’s message encourages girls to believe in themselves and their inner strength.

Highlights from Merida’s Royal Celebration ceremony will be available on May 15 at  DisneyPrincess.com.

###

The lovable Disney characters get up close for photos and autographs at special dining experiences in the theme parks and resorts. Meals generally are buffet style, and every character promises a stop at each table.

For reservations at any of the restaurants, call 407/WDW-DINE.

In the Theme Parks

Magic Kingdom

Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Cinderella Castle, with Cinderella and friends, includes a photo imaging package; breakfast: 8-10:20 a.m., lunch noon-3 p.m., dinner 4 p.m. (closing varies with park closing).

A Buffet With Character at The Crystal Palace, Winnie the Pooh and friends; breakfast 8-10:30 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner from 4 p.m.-closing.

Epcot

Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at The Garden Grill Restaurant in The Land, with Mickey and friends; dinner from 4:30 p.m.-closing.

Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion, with Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora, Mary Poppins, Pocahontas, Ariel, Alice and Mulan; includes a photo imaging package; breakfast from 8:30-10:10 a.m., lunch from 11:40 a.m.-2:50 p.m., dinner from 4:20-8:40 p.m. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Playhouse Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine featuring June from Disney’s Little Einsteins, Jake the Neverland Pirate, Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso; breakfast from 8-11:20 a.m., lunch from 11:40 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Donald’s Safari Breakfast and Lunch at Tusker House Restaurant in Harambe, buffet with Donald Duck and friends, breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

In the Resorts

Beach Club Buffet at Disney’s Beach Club Resort with Beach Club Goofy and friends, daily at Cape May Café, from 7:30-11 a.m.

Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet daily at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with Mickey and his gang; breakfast from 7-11:30 a.m., dinner from 5-9:30 p.m.

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, with Mary Poppins and friends, daily from 8-11:10 a.m.

Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, “tea party” for children with Alice and the Mad Hatter from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Includes lunch.

My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party at Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 10:30 a.m.-noon on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, dinner buffet with Cinderella and friends from 4:30-8:20 p.m. daily.

`Ohana’s Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, family-style breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto, 7-11 a.m.

###

D-CHARACTERS2/rev:3-15-12:lc

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Mickey Mouse now reigns at a new location in Magic Kingdom to meet and greet his friends at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can now go backstage at Town Square Theater for photos and autographs with Mickey — without waiting in a standby queue!

Mickey’s new location in the park also heralds the first-ever use of Disney’s FASTPASS Service for a character meet-and-greet experience. FASTPASS allows guests to reduce waiting by designating a window of time when they can return for a theme park experience.

The fun takes place at the Town Square Theater, located just inside the Magic Kingdom entrance. Previously known as Town Square Exposition Hall, the venue has been re-imagined as a turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century theater where posters proclaim Mickey Mouse as the star of a magic show.

A glistening marquee with gold-leaf trim and sparkling lights beckons guests to enter a lobby that serves as a hub for character meet-and-greet queues, the Box Office Gifts merchandise shop and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Lush curtains with gold rope tie-backs, polished-brass chandeliers and a huge tile floor mosaic of the Town Square Theater logo adorn the space.

Just beyond the lobby, guests pass through an ornate arch and enter a queue to meet Magician Mickey Mouse — or a queue to meet the Disney princesses, for whom Town Square Theater will be a meet-and-greet location during New Fantasyland construction.

The meet-and-greet experience begins when magical posters featuring Mickey’s various magic acts come to life, enhancing guests’ journey through queues into the backstage corridors of the theater. Mickey greets guests in a rehearsal-room environment amid posters, steamer trunks and stage props. It’s a classic backstage area with a wood floor and ceiling. One wall is brick, the others are papered in red and black — Mickey colors.

During the Princesses’ limited engagement at Town Square Theater, they will greet guests in an area fit for royalty — replete with plush carpeting, lush velvety-blue drapes with gold tiebacks, and a large mural backdrop of a chateau amid green, tree-covered hills and fields.

Exiting the meet-and-greet areas, guests pass through Curtain Call Collectibles, a shop with design elements suggesting a backstage area used for theater shipping and receiving — with large, barn-like doors through which props and set pieces could pass.

Guests wanting to meet Mickey or the Princesses can either obtain a Disney’s FASTPASS ticket or get in standby queues. FASTPASS tickets, which are available near Town Square Theater, designate an hour window of time during which the guest can return to the theater and have their “magic moment” with Mickey or the Princesses without joining the standby queues.

-30-

Mickey’s New Meet-and-Greet Location:4–1-11:dh