Disney Debuts Their New Pre-School Princess, Sofia The First

Besides Disney being the House of Mouse, they’re also the Palace of Princess. Today, they’ve added a new, younger royal to their ranks. Her name is Sofia and she’s part of their all-new fairytale line beginning next year. Here’s our first look at the tiny-Princess… 

Deadline writes, “Sofia The First, which will premiere as an animated TV movie in fall 2012 and continue as a series set to bow in spring 2013 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior channels worldwide.” It will be aimed at the pre-school demographic.

“In Sofia, we have a ‘peer to peer princess,’ a relatable girl experiencing the same social issues as our young viewers – learning how to fit in, making new friends, conquering new skills and building sibling relationships,” said Nancy Kanter, SVP Original Programming and General Manager of Disney Junior Worldwide.

Sofia “is whisked off to a glamorous but often confusing castle world of royalty, pomp and new step-siblings after her mom marries the king.” A cool tidbit about the project? Aurora’s fairy godmothers from Sleeping Beauty Fauna, Flora and Merryweather will be the headmistresses at Sofia’s school. Cinderella and other princesses are also expected to make cameo appearances.

Sofia the First also has a fantastic cast attached. “Ariel Winter (ABC’s Modern Family) will provide the voice of Sofia; the voice cast also includes Sara Ramirez (Grey’s Anatomy) as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) as Clover, a wise-talking rabbit; and Tim Gunn (Project Runway) as Baileywick, the family’s Royal Steward.”

Tim. Gunn.

Sadly, because of the photo, my first reaction to this was Toddlers in Tiaras. I’m sure that’s not at all what Disney had in mind but well, there you go. I’m not sure if that’s what they were referring to but I found this in a story about the show on the NY Times website:

But Disney is also keenly aware of the potential for criticism and emphasizes that “Sofia the First” will focus on learning and what it says are age-appropriate themes. Lessons will include the importance of getting along with siblings and how to be a kind and generous person.

Sofia will have “plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes,” said Nancy Kanter, general manager for Disney Junior Worldwide, but episodes will teach viewers that “what makes a real princess is what’s inside, not what’s outside.

Sounds like it could be interesting. What are your thoughts on a younger princess?

(via Deadline)