There’s a fascinating new article by the Associated Press that examines the significance of Princess Tiana, Disney’s first black Princess in The Princess and the Frog, and how parents and children tend to view said character differently.

To parents, Princess Tiana represents an important cultural and historical milestone: an African American Disney princess from New Orleans, surrounded by black culture and celebrated as someone who will forever join the revered ranks of Snow White and Cinderella in Disney princess lore. Children too are excited about the new princess, but they may not see the same level of cultural significance.

“[My daughter] understands that this is a princess who is African American,” said Holly Price Halford, an African American mother living in Virginia, to the Associated Press. “But do I think it’s a big deal to her? No.”

Another African American mother, Erica Branch-Ridley of New Jersey, told the AP that her 7- and 11-year-old daughters are excited about a new Disney princess, but that the younger one doesn’t really understand the importance. “She sees Obama, the first girls, she’s like, ‘that’s nice.’”

So what does this mean? One could make the argument that African American children are failing to learn the true significance of their history, and thus taking milestones for granted, but an argument could also be made that children are seeing less importance because America is finally starting  to become a more accepting and colorblind society. Perhaps some combination of the two.

What do you think?

It has officially happened…Princess Tiana has arrived at the Magic Kingdom. Escorted by a jazz band and many of her friends from Disney’s upcoming film The Princess and the Frog, Princess Tiana is bringing a bit of creole hospitality to Disney World.

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee, an elaborate song-and-dance extravaganza featuring the new Disney princess, is set to run for the next ten weeks, in honor of the new film. Featuring jazz music, pyrotechnics and a revamped Riverboat ride, this is sure to wow Disney lovers young and old. The show runs three times daily, and features characters like Prince Naveen, Dr. Facilier and Louis the jazz-singing alligator, in addition to the princess of honor, of course.

But if you can’t make to Disney World in the next ten weeks, you can still see a glimpse of the action. Orlando Attractions Magazine has released this video of the show, which looks to be quite the spectacle. Check it out:

Beginning today, you can purchase HINT Essence water bottles that feature a promotional image from Disney’s ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ BevNet reports. HINT, which is known for their all-natural flavored waters, is offering the nifty new bottle in fine stores everywhere, exclusively in the popular blackberry flavor. If your local retailer doesn’t carry them, you can also purchase them at the HINT website.

“The collaboration between HINT and Disney is a perfect match,” said HINT founder and CEO Kara Goldin. “HINT Water is constantly growing and appeals to parents and children. We are always looking for new opportunities and going down new and exciting paths to expand our brand to health conscience families nationwide. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Disney again, as their positive messaging and focus on family and children are extremely important to the HINT brand.”

Visit the HINT website and you can also enter to win free tickets to see ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ which opens in theaters nationwide on December 11th.

First you heard Ne-Yo’s ‘Never Knew I Needed.’ Now several more songs from the ‘Princess and the Frog’ soundtrack are being introduced in a new short video from Walt Disney Records. In the clip, Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Princess Tiana) discusses her experiences making the film and shares some of her favorite music from the soundtrack.

Included are songs like ‘Ma Belle Evangeline,’ ‘Friends on the Other Side,’ ‘Dig a Little Deeper’ and ‘Almost There.’ I was especially impressed by the range of influences in this music, which includes African, French and gospel stylings, among others. Randy Newman–perhaps best known to the young people for his work on ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Cars’–composed the songs.

‘The Princess and the Frog’ hits theaters everywhere on December 11th. The soundtrack goes on sale November 23rd, and includes all of the above-mentioned tracks as well as titles such as ‘Down in New Orleans’ and ‘Gonna Take You There.’

Happy Halloween (almost!)!

Does your daughter, sister or husband (we’re not here to judge) dream of being Princess Tiana for Halloween? According to AJC, the newest Disney Princess is a very popular item on this devilish Halloween season. For those of you saying “Who’s Princess Tiana?” please do me a favor and bite me. She is, of course, the principal character and principal princess in Disney’s new animated feature “The Princess and the Frog” (in theaters December). She’s also the first African American princess to join the Disney Princess Sorority, which is pretty awesome (and no, Nala from the Lion King doesn’t count, genius).

So apparently, Princess Tiana Halloween costumes are selling out like crazy. Parents are scouring stores searching for the costumes, often to no avail. Disney admits that they didn’t expect the rush, especially since the film hasn’t even been released yet, but don’t be surprised if you’re trick-or-treating tomorrow night and you see a thousand little Tiana’s skipping from house to house.

And here’s a thought: perhaps black is the new Batman. For the first time ever, you may see over a hundred thousand white people dressed as Barack Obama, Princess Tiana and Michael Jackson. We have truly come a long way as a society.

According to eTravel Blackboard, Disney’s newest slim-figured creation, Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” (coming to theaters in December, just saying), will debut at the Magic Kingdom in November, in anticipation of the movie which is itself highly anticipated. But anticipations aside, I found the eTravel Blackboard article very fascinating. Why? Well, mainly it’s just this particular quote:

“The good times will roll as festively dressed, bead-tossing revelers lead Magic Kingdom guests to the Liberty Belle Riverboat dock,” said the amusement park in a statement.

Can amusement parks make statements? I understand that representatives can make statements, but parks? I sometimes hear voices when I’m at Disneyland, but the doctor gave me a prescription for that.

But I apologize. That has nothing to do with anything: The POINT is, starting in November, you can visit Disney World and have your picture taken with Princess Tiana, along with Belle, Ariel, the creepy fox from Pinocchio, or anyone else who strikes your fancy.

And it looks like there shouldn’t be a problem with jealousy among the other princesses. Said Aurora in a statement, “We’re really excited to meet our new sorority sister. As long as that bitch doesn’t get in my face, I think we’ll get along just fine.”

Lyrics:

For the way you changed my plans
For being the perfect distraction
For the way you took the idea that i have
Of everything that i wanted to have
And made me see there was something missing (oh yeah)
For the ending of my first begin
(ooh yeah yeah)(ooh yeah yeah)
And for the rare and unexpected friend
(ooh yeah yeah)(ooh yeah yeah)
For the way you’re something that i never choose
But at the same time something i don’t wanna lose
And never wanna be without ever again (oh oh)

You’re the best thing i never knew i needed
So when you were here i had no idea
You’re the best thing i never knew i needed
So now it’s so clear i need you here always

My accidental happily (ever after) (oh oh oh)
The way you slime and how you comfort me (with your laughter)
I must admit you were not a part of my book
But now if you open it up and take a look
You’re the beginning and the end of every chapter (oh oh)

You’re the best thing i never knew i needed (oh)
So when you were here i had no idea
You’re the best thing i never knew i needed (that i needed)
So now it’s so clear i need you here always

Who’d knew that i’d be here (who’d knew that i’d be here oh oh)
So unexpectedly (so unexpectedly oh oh)
Undeniably happy (hey)
Said with you right here, right here next to me (oh)

Girl you’re the..
You’re the best thing i never knew i needed (said i needed oh oh)
So when you were here i had no idea
You’re the best thing i never knew i needed (needed oh)
So now it’s so clear i need you here always
Baby baby
Now it’s so clear i need you here always