It may have been Mickey Mouse who started it all, but Disneyland wouldn’t be what it is today without a little help from a princess. Originally known around the film industry as “Disney’s Folly,” upon its eventual release, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a rapturous success, grossing over $1.7 billion (when adjusted for inflation) and ultimately earning the title of the most profitable film of all time. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Snow White and her fellow Disney Princesses are some of the most popular characters at Disneyland, inspiring everything from fairytale makeovers, meet-and-greets and rides to stage shows, dining experiences and even themed hotel rooms.
So, if you’re hoping to say “hello” to your royal favorites on your next Disney vacation, slip into your best ballgown (and don’t forget your tiara!) as we go over the many Disneyland princess experiences that are available at The Happiest Place on Earth.
Where to Find the Disney Princesses at Disneyland
Disney Princesses call much of The Happiest Place on Earth home. Whether you want to meet Disney Princesses up close, channel your royal side with a fairytale makeover or simply immerse yourself in their stories, Disneyland Resort has it all. Keep reading for everything that’s available.
Sadly, due to COVID-19, some of the Disneyland princess experiences below may be temporarily unavailable. However, as things continue to return to normal, we are hopeful that everything will return soon. For current offerings, please refer to the Disneyland app.
Meet Princesses at Disneyland
Princess meet-and-greets, in our opinion, are among the most magical character experiences Disneyland has to offer. Unlike Mickey Mouse and many of his animated friends, these gorgeous gals love making chitchat with their biggest fans. As you can imagine, this often leads to some unforgettable interactions.
Although this popular Disneyland princess experience was put on hold due to COVID-19, since April 2022, regal meet-and-greets have returned to The Happiest Place on Earth in all their pre-pandemic glory. That’s right – hugs and autographs are back! Here’s everywhere you can meet Disney Princesses at Disneyland Resort:
Disneyland Park
If you’re hoping to fangirl over your favorite Disney Princesses, there’s no better place than Disneyland Park. From official meet-and-greets to random pop-up appearances, The Happiest Place on Earth has it all. Disneyland is also home to the most royal residents of the two theme parks. So, for those trying to see as many princesses as possible, this is the place to be.
What better way to start your day than with a Disneyland princess meet-and-greet with one of your favorites? Disney Princesses like Ariel and even Mulan have been known to hang out near the park entrance from time to time.
Fantasyland is where fairytales come alive. Needless to say, this enchanting corner of Disneyland is a must-visit for anyone in search of Disney Princesses. The majority of regal appearances take place just left of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Fantasy Faire at Royal Hall.
Inside, guests can meet up to three princesses at a time, with each holding court in her own resplendent surroundings. Disney Princesses that typically make an appearance at Royal Hall include Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White. If you’re lucky, you might even see rarer royals like Anna or Elsa.
You can also meet some of your favorite Disney Princess characters beneath an umbrella outside Royal Hall (appearances rotate through the day). Characters we’ve spotted before include Belle, Jasmine and Aladdin, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, and even Elena of Avalor.
Of course, you can’t visit Sleeping Beauty Castle without seeing Sleeping Beauty herself. Although she does make surprise appearances in the cast courtyard, Princess Aurora usually greets guests on the opposite side of her namesake pink palace near the Wishing Well. However, you can often meet Jasmine and Aladdin or Ariel here, too.
Another good place to look is by “it’s a small world” on a raised area nearby. Along with a variety of princesses, you might even have the pleasure of seeing Cinderella’s villainous family, such as her stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella, and evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine.
Hoping you’ll see some princesses outside of Fantasyland? Well, you’re in luck. New Orleans Square and Frontierland are also Disney Princess hot spots. While Dr. Facilier prowls New Orleans Square, you can find Princess Tiana greeting guests near Rivers of America close to the water or next to the Petrified Tree, cutting a rug at a live jazz performance or riding the Mark Twain Riverboat.
Or, walk just around the river bend to the Frontierland side of Rivers of America for a rare chance at seeing Pocahontas. And although she isn’t a Disney Princess quite yet, you can also meet Mirabel from Encanto at El Zocalo Park in front of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then, swing past Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland for a potential sighting of Moana.
But, that’s not all. One of the best parts of visiting Disneyland is the surprise character sightings that frequently take place throughout the park, from stationary meet-and-greets to on-the-move appearances. Most of these princess pop-ups have been known to happen in Fantasyland – you might spot Belle and the Beast riding the King Arthur Carrousel or have a rare conversation with Merida as she searches for her brothers.
For a slightly scarier though no-less-regal encounter, keep an eye open for the Queen from Snow White near the Matterhorn or Wishing Well. Just be sure you know how to bow! You could even see Gaston strolling around Fantasy Faire in search of Belle. Finally, for a true fairytale ending, be on the lookout for Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother.
Disney California Adventure Park
Disneyland Park isn’t the only place to see Disney Princesses at The Happiest Place on Earth. Although you won’t find nearly as many, California Adventure also has its fair share of appearances, including a royally popular pair of sisters.
As two of Tinseltown’s biggest stars, Anna and Elsa usually mingle with their adoring fans in Hollywood Land at the Animation Building. Since the pandemic, however, you can now typically spot these queens in Carthay Circle, with each decked out in their Frozen II outfits.
Though Elsa and Anna are the only Disney royals you can normally meet all year long at California Adventure, visiting during the holidays means extra-special appearances from visiting royalty like Mulan, Elena of Avalor and Raya, Disney’s newest princess.
Around Christmastime during the Festival of Holidays, don’t be surprised if Elena of Avalor (or Encanto’s Mirabel) stops by Paradise Gardens to say “hello” for ¡Viva Navidad! Mulan and her pal Mushu, meanwhile, greet guests during Lunar New Year at California Adventure Park, as does the new Disney Princess, Raya, at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Dine Like Royalty at the Disneyland Princess Breakfast
One of our favorite ways to meet the Disney Princesses is during a character meal. Unfortunately, you don’t have as many opportunities to eat with the Disney Princesses at Disneyland as you do at Walt Disney World. That said, you won’t find a more enchanting way to start your day than with the Disneyland princess breakfast.
Held in Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures features a three-course feast and an array of regal activities for your little princess or prince to enjoy. Along with typical morning fare like scrambled eggs, sausage and princess waffles, diners also indulge in decadent desserts like princess cake pops and seashell macarons (Ariel’s favorite).
In between bites, aspiring royalty can take part in such hands-on activities as storytime with Belle or learning some of Mulan’s fiercest warrior moves. Royals-in-training even take home a special keepsake especially for the occasion. Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures costs $125 each for both adults and children (tax and gratuity not included).
Have a Royally Good Time with Regal Rides & Entertainment
A Disneyland princess meet-and-greet or character breakfast may be the best way to see your favorites face to face, but they aren’t the only regal experiences at The Happiest Place on Earth. Guests can also immerse themselves in their favorite fairytale stories with the help of some princess-inspired attractions and shows at Disneyland.
Disney Princess Rides
From opening day attractions to updated favorites, these Disney Princess rides at Disneyland and California Adventure will have you feeling downright royal. Best of all, with the exception of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, not one has a height restriction, making them perfect for even the littlest of princesses and princes.
Disneyland
- King Arthur Carrousel – Hop in the stirrups of a regal steed inspired by the Knights of the Round Table, then admire the story of Sleeping Beauty as it blooms to life in full, hand-painted color on the merry-go-round’s inner sounding board
- Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough – Step out of the hot sun and into the story of Sleeping Beauty in this fairytale tour of the Disneyland castle
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish – Experience the story of Snow White with the Fairest of Them All by your side in this lighthearted reimagining of Snow White’s Scary Adventure, one of Disneyland’s opening day rides
- Storybook Land Canal Boats – Float past miniature versions of storybook scenes from Aladdin, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Frozen, The Little Mermaid and more in this slow-moving boat ride
- (COMING LATE 2024!) Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – Splash down into the bayou for a Mardi Gras celebration alongside Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and Louis, the jazz-loving gator
California Adventure
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure – Dive under the sea and into colorful scenes from The Little Mermaid in this musical dark ride
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic – Hum along to a selection of beloved Disney tunes like “Be Our Guest” and “A Whole New World” during this delightful 4D film starring some of your favorite characters
Disney Princess Shows & Other Entertainment
Whether you’re looking for a quick sprinkle of princess-y pixie dust or a glittering display worthy of a fairytale ending, you’ll find it all at the Disneyland Resort. From parades to stage shows to nighttime spectaculars, these royal displays shouldn’t be missed.
Disneyland
- Fantasmic! – Join Mickey Mouse in an epic battle of good versus evil, featuring everyone from dastardly Disney Villains to dreamy Disney couples like Beauty and the Beast, Jasmine and Aladdin, Ariel and Prince Eric and Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
- Mickey and Friends Cavalcade or Other Disneyland Parades– See princesses roll or stroll past as they join Mickey Mouse and the gang for the Mickey and Friends Cavalcade; this pint-sized parade takes place twice per day
- Storytelling at Royal Theatre – Sit back and enjoy an amusing, live retelling of Beauty and the Beast or Tangled, featuring appearances by the princesses themselves, then stick around after the show for a chance at meeting your favorites
California Adventure
Disney Princesses don’t star in any year-round entertainment offerings at California Adventure. However, you can see Mulan parade from the Pixar Pier Gate to Paradise Gardens when she hosts Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, a thrilling display of artistry featuring traditional dances by Asian performing troupes, including Chinese dragon dancers, beautiful music and stunning costumes.
Get a Disneyland Princess Makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Disneyland offers a ton of princess-inspired experiences. However, to really give your aspiring princess or prince the royal treatment, sign them up for an enchanting makeover from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
With the help of one of the Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices and the wave of a magic wand, wannabe royals enjoy a magical makeover with everything they need to become the belle of the ball or a dashing knight, such as hairstyling, costume pieces, makeup and more.
This Disneyland princess makeover experience is incredibly popular, so reservations are highly recommended. To participate, guests must be between the ages of 3 and 12. Princess makeover prices range from $100 to $450 or more, plus tax, depending on the child’s desired look, while knightly transformations are decidedly more budget-friendly, costing between $20 to $80.
Sleep Like a Princess in a Storybook-Inspired Suite at the Disneyland Hotel
Your royally good time doesn’t have to end once you’ve left the theme parks. Keep the Disney Princess-inspired magic going with a stay in the Fairytale Suite at the Disneyland Hotel. Resplendent in fine fabrics, elegant décor and whimsical touches like princess-themed artwork and an appearance by Tinker Bell, the Fairytale Suite is a regal place to rest your head after a busy day of theme park adventures.
When you aren’t taking in the sweeping views of the resort through the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, take some time to soak your cares away in the luxurious bathroom. From the rich marble to the stunning mosaic of Sleeping Beauty Castle over the tub, a bath here makes for the perfect storybook ending to a fun-filled day.
Tips & Tricks for a Royally Good Disneyland Princess Experience
Want to take your Disney Princess-inspired day to the next level? These trips and tricks are sure to take your experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Do Any Disneyland Princess Meet-and-Greets Early – Lines for Disney Princess meet-and-greets at Disneyland can get dauntingly long, especially as the day wears on. For the shortest wait times, plan to meet your favorites in the morning before the lines get too long. If you’re headed to Disneyland, the princesses have even been known to start greeting guests at Royal Hall up to 30 to 60 minutes before their scheduled start time.
- Find Your Favorites with the Disneyland App – While you could just wander around the parks aimlessly looking for your favorites, the Disneyland app is a great resource for regular character appearance locations and meet-and-greet times. Just keep in mind that pop-up character sightings don’t appear on the app.
- Strike Up Story-Inspired Conversation – Disney Princesses love talking about their stories with adoring fans. For example, ask Belle for a good book recommendation, talk to Tiana about her gumbo recipe or get tips from Ariel on how to create the perfect mermaid hairstyle.
- Have a Prop Handy and Dress Accordingly – Too shy to start chatting it up with Disney royalty? Let your look do all the talking instead. A creative DisneyBounding outfit, simple tiara or unique t-shirt is sure to get the conversation started. Alternatively, consider bringing a special prop that’s sure to get your favorite talking, such as a frying pan for Rapunzel or a dinglehopper (better known as a fork) for Ariel.
- Don’t Forget Your Autograph Book – For many, no character meet-and-greet is complete getting a signature. While an autograph book makes for a simple way to collect them, other fun things to have the princesses sign include children’s books, picture frames, t-shirts, Christmas ornaments and more. It’s all about being creative!
Well, that concludes our comprehensive guide to all things Disney Princesses at Disneyland. Which Disney Princess do you love to meet? Let us know in the comments! Then, learn how to cut costs on your next vacation with our discounted Disneyland tickets.
