The Disney Dream

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

“If you can dream it, you can do it” Walt Disney

When you think of Disney a recurring theme comes into my head; the idea of having a dream and following it. It all started in 1940 with Pinocchio, “a dream is a wish your heart makes” Pinocchio was always a favourite of mine, the film is about Pinocchio longing to be a real boy, having a dream to be a real boy and doing everything he possibly can to achieve that dream. After that, the theme of “dreams” is Walt Disney’s personal choice of themes for his films.

I was watching Hercules the other day and a quote popped out to me “ Haven't you ever had a dream... something you wanted so bad you'd do anything?” This basically sums up the whole of Disney for me. Just like Tangled, “I have a dream; I just want to see the floating lanterns gleam”. So from 1997 to 2010 dreams continue to dominate Disney films.

Maybe Walt Disney did this purposely? Was his main objective to inspire kids to have a dream and follow it? It’s inspiring if you think about it. Disney teaches children from a young age to always have a dream and to not give up, even to go out of your way to achieve your dream.

I’m 16 and I find it crazy when people don’t know what they want to do when they are older, and they don’t know where they want to be. As what is getting them up every day? What makes them continue on through the day, motivating them through life? I believe everyone has a purpose, a dream that is the reason they get up every morning and work hard in pursuing what they want to do.

Some may call it cheesy but I feel Disney’s emphasis on dreams is incredibly inspiring and teaches children, adult and teenagers that no matter what they want to do, they can do.

Disney Princess Role Models

Manypeople aren't into Disney Princesses and many are against them due to theirperfect façade  However, as a little girl, and now a sixteen year old girl,there are many reasons why each Disney Princess is a role model and althoughsome may have their faults; you should ask yourself- doesn't everyone?

Firstly,most girls compare themselves to their favourite Disney princess because oftheir looks. For example a Chinese girl may prefer Mulan or a pale dark hairedgirl may love Snow White, due to their ability to relate to them. However girlsshould see beneath the princesses looks and relate to the princess for theircharacteristics and attributes. Which leads me onto my favourite Disney Princesses and my reasons?

Rapunzelis a particular favourite of mine, not only because of the songs in the film Tangled (which do play a huge part in it) but Rapunzel is a strong independentwoman whom has had to struggle with the confinements of a tower for 18 years.However she has a dream (to see the lights) and doesn't give up on that dreamuntil she achieves it. What I like about her is that she is not conformist, hermother tells her not to leave the tower yet she still does, I like that about a Princess- an ability to stand up for what you believe in. Not only does sheleave the tower and see the lights she longs to see but she overcomes manyobstacles in her way and never gives up despite the upset caused. She doesn't realise at the start how independent she is as she worries about how much shehas disobeyed her mother. However Flynn manages to encourage her, thereforebuilding her confidence to do as she wants and not to live her life by hermother.

SecondlyMerida, I mean come on THIS GIRL DOESN’T RELY ON A MAN. Seriously this film couldn't be any better for a Princess role model. Merida is the strongestPrincess of all, she lives her life to the full, makes mistakes, fixes hermistakes and does what she feels is right. Whilst doing this without any maleinfluence or relying on a man to make her happy. Which I believe is what everysingle girl in the world should live by. I admire Merida for that and she manages to do it whilst stillappreciating her family and being a good person, which is very important.

FinallyI do love other Disney Princess’ for different reasons however their faults dolet them down. Belle for example I can relate to because she loves books whichI love also, however she lets me down as she is too nice and not a strongenough woman. She needs to learn to stand up for herself against the beast, Imean come on it’s encouraging guys to act like complete selfish controllingidiots and girls will fall in love with them. She needs to be a little bit moreindependent and have the ability to stand up to the beast- not to do as she istold. I mean he captured her father for god’s sake. Also Ariel is a Princess Iadore however as someone who sings I am completely against the fact that shegives up singing to live on land (basically to get with Prince Eric) and I would never give up singing for a guy, therefore I do notagree with her priorities.