Merida Becomes 11th Disney Princess In Coronation Ceremony With First-ever Queen Elinore Appearance At Walt Disney World

in Disney, Entertainment

Princess Merida

Walt Disney World this morning officially crowned Merida from Disney/Pixar’s “Brave” as the 11th Disney Princess. Her coronation ceremony, fittingly in front of Cinderella Castle, steps away from her own Magic Kingdom meet-and-greet spot.

Just after the theme park opened, Princess Merida was joined for the first time by all ten of her fellow royals, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana, and Rapunzel, welcoming her to the group. And for the first time, Merida’s mother, Queen Elinor, made a theme park appearance, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

The group was also joined on stage by the U.S.A. Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Gabby Douglas and her mother introducing the event.


Video: Full Merida coronation ceremony as 11th Disney Princess
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPE5lVHucG4


Before the ceremony began, child stars Sophie Grace and Rosie (of “The Ellen Show” fame) performed a rap song on stage, charming the crowd with their cuteness.

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World


Video: Sophia Grace and Rosie rap in front of Cinderella Castle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt1tMlcTGZ4


UPDATE (5/16/13)
Here’s the segment Sophia Grace and Rosie were taping at Walt Disney World for “The Ellen Show”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjitenoqpgk


Then Gabby Douglas and her mom said a few words about the important relationship between mothers and daughters before the attention was turned to the Disney Princess Royal Court.

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Each Disney Princess was introduced individually, taking a moment to pose for pictures before the start of today’s coronation showed up.

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Then Merida arrived in style on horseback, leading a Scottish procession of drummers, bagpipers, and dancers.

Merida from "Brave" coronation as 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World
(Photo by Jeff Curtis)


Video: Merida processional for the coronation at Walt Disney World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEuouQHSrb4


Once on stage, Queen Elinor came out from Cinderella Castle, placed the crown atop Merida’s head, and gave her a warm motherly embrace.

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

After that, Merida showed off her outspoken personality, exclaiming, “I am Merida, and I am a princess!”

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Following the coronation ceremony, Elinor brought Merida her bow. All 11 Disney Princesses gathered for the first time together on stage for a once-in-a-lifetime photo moment – or at least until the 12th princess comes along.


Video: All 11 Disney Princesses gather together for the first time


Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Disney Consumer Products put on the event as Merida joins the Disney Princess merchandise line. At the Disney Social Media Moms conference, also taking place this weekend, DCP showed off various “Brave” related toys and other kids’ products.

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Merida from "Brave" becomes 11th Disney Princess at Walt Disney World

Much controversy has surrounded Merida’s crowning since we first revealed the plans, along with her new Disney Princess look. Many people have become outraged at Merida’s new 2D look that Disney Consumer Products has developed to use on packaging and advertising for select merchandise in the Disney Princess line.

Some have cited the new look’s seemingly higher cheekbones, heavier makeup, better-groomed hair, thinner waistline, and exposed shoulders as an unnecessary makeover for Merida, making her conform to society’s view on beauty.

And Merida’s own creator “Brave” co-director Brenda Chapman has taken issue, calling the makeover “atrocious,” saying Disney “should be ashamed of themselves.”


UPDATE (5/15/13): Disney has reached out to officially comment on the Merida controversy, stating the 2D new look was intended for “limited” use only.


But Merida is Pixar’s first princess. As such, others defended the new look, simply noting that it’s designed to match the look of the other Disney Princess characters – to make them all appear as if they stepped out of the same world instead of differing across decades of artistic styles. Snow White, animated in the ’30s, certainly has a very different look than the computer-generated Merida and Rapunzel of today’s films.

Regardless of her new Princess packaging look, Merida remains a feisty Scottish tomboy in Disney’s theme parks. Her appearance at today’s coronation is no different from when she first debuted in the parks more than a year ago.

Guests visiting Walt Disney World can now look forward to meeting Princess Merida, officially part of the small – but growing – group of Disney royalty.

Related : Merida Surprises Cast Members at Magic Kingdom Preview

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