Why Rapunzel Will Always Be My Favorite Disney Princess
Every woman has her favorite Disney princess along with her own reasons she believes her choice in Disney royalty is the best! Here are the ultimate reasons why Rapunzel actually is THE BEST Disney princess.
Rapunzel: The Princess of all Disney Princesses
*WARNING* This article contains spoilers from the movie Tangled. If you have not seen this film, do yourself a favor and watch it right now!
I'll never forget the day I first saw Disney's Tangled in theaters. As the film's lovable heroine would put it, it was the BEST. DAY. EVER!
I grew up on the Disney movies, and like most young girls my age, idolized the princesses I saw on the screen. Their gorgeous hair, beautiful smiles, and the way they were so desired by their princes were the reasons I refused to leave the house without my hair braided like Princess Jasmine's or pink Aurora high heels until the age of eight.
Of course, I grew up and realized my thin blonde hair could never even begin to resemble Jasmine's and my feet became too big to fit into the heels. Despite the blister scars my princess shoes left behind and shattered dreams of voluptuous hair, I still admired the Disney princesses for their kindness and big dreams.
It wasn't until I watched Tangled for the first time that I actually felt as if I could really relate to a Disney princess. Not only was Rapunzel quirky and clumsy (traits that were nonexistent in other princesses before her), but she waved goodbye to the stereotypical "damsel in distress" role and actually took her fate into her own hands. Instead of waiting for the male hero, Flynn Rider, to sweep her away from her tower, she actually knocked him out when he showed up in her home uninvited (never underestimate the importance of self-defense) and made a deal with him to guide her to the lantern festival. She also took everyone by surprise when she stood up to a gang of bloody ruffians and helped Flynn escape the kingdom's soldiers and their sword savvy steed.
Some could argue that in the end, she was actually the one to save Flynn from his life of thieving and emptiness, who in turn saved her from her psychotic "mother" (what's a Disney movie without a malicious psycho trying to kill the good guy), who is once again rescued by the heroine when her unexplained magical tears heal him back to health.
As much as I wish I had long golden hair and magical tears that brought the dead back to life, that is not where other young girls and myself can find themselves in Rapunzel. It's actually in her proactive attitude, passionate spirit, yet still kind heart where we find one of Disney's greatest, if not the greatest, role models.
Rapunzel not only ushered in Disney's new 3-D animation, but this new era of "girl power" that audiences are beginning to see in the studio's female leads such as Merida, Anna, and Elsa (though all these girls can only wish they could be as awesome as Rapunzel). She shows girls that waiting for a prince to come rescue you from your tower is a waste of time, and if we really want our dreams to come true, we have to make them happen for ourselves!
Audiences were not only exposed to this fresh and tasteful new breed of Disney heroine, but they also fell in love with her fun personality! She's funny, smart, witty, and so adorable at times you just want to rip her off the screen and squeeze her! Her modern personality reveals that she is far from perfect, but it is exactly her imperfections that make her so lovable and relateable.
Not to mention she also has the best prince out of any other Disney princess! Step aside Aladdin and Eric! Eugene Fitzherbert (aka Flynn Rider) is coming through!
Disney and all of its princesses have held a special place in my heart as long as I can remember, but it is Rapunzel who reigns as the princess of them all with her passion to follow her dreams and modern day woman character.
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