In the short film “Once a Princess, Always a Princess,” two little girls become lifelong friends after spending their childhood pretending they are princesses together. The film, directed by Arts & Sciences’ Alex Prager, was created to celebrate World Princess Week and available to watch on Disney Plus and YouTube. 

"I grew up with the Disney Princesses and their colorful, weightless worlds, full of beauty and drama, adventure, friendship, and true love,” Prager said in a statement. “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 with Minneapolis-based Fallon and Publicis Production as a love letter to the Disney Princess franchise and the art of filmmaking itself, the short film blends storytelling with practical craftsmanship. The production employed handcrafted castles inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic animated tales Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and The Little Mermaid (1989). It also included 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 magic carpets floating through a sky of candy clouds to underwater mermaid adventures, were brought to life through practical techniques combined with physical artistry.

With the release of the film as its starting point, Disney is offering young princesses a concert to stream on Disney Plus, featuring such performers as Brandi, Paige O’Hara, Susan Egan, Jodi Benson, Halle Bailey, Auli’i Cravalho, Catering Laga’aia, Lea Salonga, Judi Kuhn and Anika Noni Rose, all of whom have voiced a famous Disney Princess. The concert took place live at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, Calif., last week.

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New content arriving on Disney Plus during World Princess Week includes new episodes of Sofia the First: Royal Magic and the Disney Plus 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. 

Throughout the week, Disney’s linear channels – including ABC, Disney Jr., Disney Channel and Freeform – will air Disney Princess films for fans to enjoy, including Tangled (2010), Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan and more.

As part of World Princess Week, Disney and Make-A-Wish will grant signature Disney Princess wishes around the world. Storytelling throughout the campaign—including an all-new miniseries—will highlight the connections families have with Disney Princess stories. Over the years, Disney has granted thousands of princess-themed wishes with Make-A-Wish, making it one of the most popular requests among children facing critical illnesses.

"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,” said Joanna Balikian, senior vice president, brand management, The Walt Disney Company, also in a statement.

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