Disney Misconceptions I'm Tired of Hearing

I'm someone that's been an avid Disney fan for as long as I can remember. As such, I've seen the movies more times than I can count and have been to Disney World as many times. My house is flooded with Disney clothing, Disney memorabilia and Disney video games. So, as someone that loves Disney more than most things in life, it bothers me when people talk negatively about it. Or better yet, when I constantly hear misconceptions about the movies that couldn't be further from the truth. So, in an effort to fix that problem, I've decided to finally put it out there and hopefully educate people a little more about what gives me an endless amount of joy: Disney movies.

Misconception #1: Ariel only wanted to become a human because she met Prince Eric.

That is so incorrect that I can't even handle it. In the beginning of the movie, Ariel is swimming around with Flounder in a sunken ship looking for human things that she eventually brings to Scuttle. Scuttle helps "teach" her about human things and after that, she has an argument with her father about her fascination with humans. She even sings "Part of Your World", her "I want" song, before she even lays eyes on Eric for the first time. Eric didn't make her want to be a human. It was only after meeting Eric that she obtained the means to become human. If she'd had the opportunity before meeting him, she would've taken it.

Misconception #2: Cinderella's only dream was to find a man.

When we first meet Cinderella, she is asleep and eventually she gets woken up to start her work day. She tells the mice and birds that she had a wonderful dream that she can't share with them because it wouldn't come true. She then sings "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes". Even as she's singing, she never divulges her dream. Therefore, she NEVER states that her dream was to get married or find a man. In actuality, her dream was probably to escape her horrific lifestyle. And when she does go to the ball, she only wanted a night out. And heck, she deserved one. Her intention was to have fun, not settle down. That night just ended up giving her more than she ever could've anticipated.

Misconception #3: Snow White was a weak princess. 

Sure, Snow White isn't what is considered a "modern princess" but that doesn't make her weak. There are so many different kinds of strength in the world and they all should be appreciated. Snow White's strength was her positivity and optimism. Think about it. After the huntsman tried to kill her but then decided to let her go, she gets lost in the forest and is extremely scared. She'd just learned that her stepmom was so jealous of her that she was willing to kill her for it. She could never go back home and she'd never be safe if the queen knew she was out there. And yet, instead of dwelling on the negativity, she starts singing a song to the animals to cheer herself up. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she chooses to pick herself up and move on, eventually finding the 7 dwarves' cottage. It is extremely easy to only see the negatives in life. It takes real strength to push past it and still see the world as a positive and beautiful place. So although Snow White isn't traditionally strong, that doesn't mean that she isn't strong. She is strong, just in her own way.

People love to give Disney princesses a lot of flack and I don't understand why. Their stories are about love, kindness and bravery and they're meant to bring people joy. So I hope that reading this has helped people realize that Disney princesses should be cut a little slack. They're so much more than women that just want to get married even though that's what people constantly try to portray them as.

-Chelsea