Mickey Mouse and Princesses: Scary Disney World Characters?

A Magical Reunion at Disney World! I couldn't have been more excited. I hadn't been to the happiest place on earth since 1976. I remember the tea cups, "It's a Small World", and the thrill of seeing Snow White. While some things stay the same, a lot has changed. I did my homework, pouring over web sites and tour books to prepare for the adventures of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios, and Animal Kingdom. I was like a kid myself, impatient to share the experience with my own 22-month-old son. But I had one concern: how would my toddler react to the Disney characters? Would he run into their open arms, or would he cling to me in fear?

Meeting the Disney Characters
To my delight, my son approached these larger-than-life creatures with no hesitation. Seeing that he would not be traumatized, his Nana rushed to the gift shop to buy him the official autograph book. Now my little Disney groupie could join his older cousins in collecting signatures and hugs from Donald, Chip, Dale, Goofy, Minnie, a large ant whose name I can't recall, and all of the friends from Pooh Corner. My camera clicked with abandon as he kissed the big guy himself, Mickey Mouse, on the cheek. He even ran right up to Rafiki, that Lion King baboon who I myself find a little scary.

But then we encountered a character that froze my little guy with fear. It was none other than Sleeping Beauty! My son's eyes grew wide and he clutched my leg. With a great deal of coaching and encouragement, he cautiously approached for a photo. But he flatly refused to stand next to this strange creature, hiding behind a cousin instead. This is not what I had expected.

The Princesses
How on earth could this princess be scary? Is it the formal gown? The makeup? The long, flowing hair? I suppose these things are unfamiliar to my little boy. After all, to him real women--like Mommy--wear jeans and tee shirts and put their hair up in ponytails. Makeup? Rarely. Sleeping Beauty looked real, but not quite.

I was nine years old for that '76 trip to Disney. Back then, I liked Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. What little girl didn't? Did I dream that "one day my prince would come"? Maybe, but I really didn't give it much thought.

Nowadays, the princesses have grown into an organized force, a marketing powerhouse. Besides the old-timers, there's Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan, Belle, and Pocahontas. Interested in merchandise? You name it, you can buy it with a princess on it. At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney, little girls can even be transformed into princesses with a hair-do, tiara, shimmering make-up, nails, costumes, and accessories. All this pampering only costs $175.

What about the boys?
It's probably a good thing that I'm raising boys. Make-up and up-dos? The feminist (and cheapskate) in me is appalled, but I'm sure I'd be tempted to spoil a daughter if I had one. However, despite the impossibly thin waists, I must admit that Disney does a good job of making their new breed of heroines smart and adventurous. I love Jasmine's independence, Mulan's bravery, Ariel's curiosity, and Belle's love of books. But what of their male counterparts? Can you even name them? Take this quiz and give it a try:

1. Cinderella and ____________________
2. Sleeping Beauty and _______________
3. Snow White and __________________
4. Ariel and ________________________
5. Jasmine and _____________________
6. Belle and ________________________
7. Mulan and _______________________
8. Pocahontas and __________________

Here are the answers: 1.) Prince Charming, 2.) Prince Philip, 3.) The Prince, 4.) Prince Eric, 5.) Aladdin, 6.) the Beast, 7.) Captain Li, 8.) John Smith.

How did you do? If you're like me, there were quite a few blanks. And many of the guys don't even have a proper name. It's all about the girls, while the boys risk fading into the background as mere accessories.

Maybe there is something to my son's fear of princesses. They are a little scary.