Figure Princess

Figure Princess
Princess Belle, Princess Aurora, Princess Cinderella

Disney Princess the Magic Kingdom

Arriving at the New York Toy Faire with pomp and pageantry is Princess Tiana, Disney’s latest royal princess from the upcoming “The Princess and the Frog.”

Voiced by Tony Award-winning actress/singer Anika Noni Rose, Princess Tiana is the first Disney princess in over a decade and is a timely addition to the ever popular Disney Princess line that has girls dressing in costume as they walk the Magic Kingdom and get in touch with their inner royal.


These Mattel toys, ranging from cute baby dolls to hour glass collectibles in Barbie-esque glory, also include play sets and role-play dresses which will help young girls pretend to be Princess Tiana, who is also the first African American Disney princess to enter the pantheon.

A distinction that’s long overdue.

The first wave of “The Princess and the Frog” merchandise, which will include apparel, home décor, consumer electronics, school supplies and personal care products will flood the Kingdom starting in late October / early November, while the Disney movie – the first hand drawn animated feature since Home on the Range – will arrive in theaters Christmas Day – perfect for little girls who get their Princesss Tiana toys from Santa!

Disney Star Wars Training Academy

Lately my interest in the Lucas attitude of “if you build it, they will come” towards Star Wars/Disney merchandising has been rather waneing.

I mean, when Disney slaps Minnie Mouse in a slave Leia costume, how can not every red blooded American male not lose any interest in the a woman in a bikini.

The image is seared into my mind! Well, thankfully, Disney has redeemed itself by releasing through Hasbro a fun set commemorating the Disney Parks Jedi Training Academy.


But what is a little sad is that Disney doesn’t appreciate that the average Star Wars/Disney fan would know the name of the generic “Jedi Master” who chooses the youngling padawans from the crowd. Then again, I can’t seem to, so maybe it’s a non starter.

But I digress. The cool thing is that any of the 25 youngsters who are chosen to learn the way of the Force and battle Darth Vader and Darth Maul can take home this 5 figure set and actually believe that one of them is him! And then relive the memory over and over again. Impressive, most impressive.

And what’s really cool is that the Jedi Training Academy is now a permanent fixture at both Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios (where it’s in the shadow of a 35 foot tall ATAT).

The toys will be sold exclusively during Star Wars Weekends for an obscene $40.