Former theme park princess and performer sit down with a diverse group of guests to discuss the dark side of being a theme park princess, challenges of the job, memories of Disney princesses, statistics and criticisms of Disney princesses, and reflections on being a theme park princess.
Working as a theme park princess involves making children's dreams come true while dealing with challenges like inappropriate behavior from guests and pressure to maintain appearance.
The theme park industry still has a long way to go in terms of diversity and accurate representation of princesses of color, highlighting the need for better training and fair treatment for all princesses.
Deep dives
Working as a Theme Park Princess
Working as a theme park princess is a fun and exciting experience, despite some downsides. The job involves interacting with children and making their dreams come true. Princesses often have to deal with inappropriate behavior from guests, such as unwanted advances or inappropriate touching, but they are trained to handle these situations professionally. Princesses also face pressure to maintain a certain appearance and body size. Despite these challenges, being a theme park princess allows for meaningful interactions with children and the chance to make a positive impact on their lives.
The Audition Process and Training
The audition process for becoming a princess involves a large number of candidates and is focused heavily on appearance. Many aspiring princesses are cut during the auditions based solely on their looks. Once hired, princesses undergo a rigorous training process that includes learning about their characters and how to interact with guests. Training also covers how to handle difficult situations, such as dealing with inappropriate behavior from guests. Princesses often work in sets, where they interact with guests for a certain period of time before taking a break.
Behind the Scenes of Being a Princess
Being a theme park princess is not always glamorous. Princesses sometimes face challenges like being covered in bodily fluids, such as bird droppings, and dealing with uncomfortable costumes or environments. They also have to navigate the pressure to maintain a princess-like demeanor even in difficult situations. However, there are also heartwarming moments, such as creating special memories for children and having a positive impact on their lives. Overall, being a princess is physically and emotionally demanding, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
Representation and Challenges for Princesses of Color
The representation of princesses of color in the theme park industry has improved, but it still has a long way to go. There is a lack of diversity among princesses, and some princesses of color are not accurately represented or given the same level of recognition. For instance, Mulan, who is not even a princess in the movie, faces challenges in terms of cultural authenticity and language barriers. There is a need for better training and representation to ensure that all princesses, regardless of their ethnicity, receive fair treatment and recognition.
What is it like to don the silken glove, sparkling tiara, and massive cultural burden of the world's most beloved princesses? Former theme park princess Amanda Lund and former theme park performer Matt Gourley sit down to speak with a diverse collection of past and present princesses, culture experts, and one very sad prince. Guests include Deep Skirt, Ruby Rose, Kristen Meinzer, Jessica Lesaca, and Epaulette Babe.