Unveiling The Reality of Disney Princesses' Lives Beyond "Happily Ever After"

Oh, do we really need to?

Damjan

• Published in Disney
• March 20, 2024

In the enchanting realm of fairy tales, every story traditionally culminates in a splendid ceremony and a broad assurance of perpetual joy. This conclusion, while heartwarming, conveniently glosses over the day-to-day realities that ensue once the grand festivities have concluded.

What about the morning routines, the shared responsibilities, or the inevitable squabbles over trivial matters? This untouched narrative landscape, devoid of the detailed exploration by storytellers like Disney, leaves a void in our collective psyche, a yearning to peek behind the curtain of "and they lived happily ever after."

However, fear not, dear readers, for this author has donned the cap of an intrepid explorer, venturing into the uncharted territories of marital bliss (and blisters) to uncover the truth behind the fairy tale façade. Embarking on this whimsical odyssey, we aim to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality, peering into the everyday lives of those royal couples who have been etched into our hearts through tales of valor and romance.

This journey is not just about quenching curiosity but also about humanizing these iconic figures, stripping away the layers of royal glamour to reveal the universal truths of partnership and domestic life. Through this exploration, we seek to connect the dots between the fairy tale endings and the subsequent chapters of life that unfold in the privacy of palace walls.

Join us as we navigate through this exploration, armed with humor and a keen eye for the extraordinary in the ordinary, ready to tell the tale of what happens after "ever after."

1. Alice swapped her elegant tea gatherings for chilled cups of coffee.

"No more chasing the white rabbits for Alice. Instead, she fills up on cold coffee so that she can keep up with her crazy toddlers, and their wild imaginations."

2. Snow White remains occupied with her floor-cleaning duties.

"Snow White is still washing floors when the kids go off to school, but now she no longer has the help of her enchanted forest animals to wash the dishes for her. At least she no longer has to worry about poisoned apples.

Every Thursday afternoon she heads down to her local grocer and makes sure she only fills her basket with organic whole foods…and of course a few bags of goldfish, and a bottle of Merlot".

3. Rapunzel is discovering innovative applications for her trusty frying pan.

"Frying Pans! Who knew right? Now Rapunzel spends her Sunday mornings trying out new pancake recipes and playing Sudoko."

4. Cinderella continues to misplace her footwear.

"We all thought that this princess would spend her days in fancy dresses and designer shoes. Turns out more shoes just equals more lost shoes. Cinderella still struggles to find a matching pair which often causes her to be the last mom at school drop off."

5. Ariel is letting those sea legs stretch.

"Ariel realized that she shouldn’t have to change who she is for someone to love her, but she also realized that she liked dry land, and fancy pedicures, so she never went back to the ocean. After she dumped Prince Eric she took up yoga as a way to unwind and stretch out her new legs."

6. This beauty will be getting no more sleep, as Aurora now has a newborn to tend to.

"Even Sleeping Beauty can’t get a full night’s sleep these days. From midnight feedings with her newborn to scary dreams and bedwetting with her toddlers. All this princess wants is her long stretches of uninterrupted sleep again."

7. Elsa is expecting!

"Elsa isn’t a mama yet, but those pregnancy cravings are out of control. Of course, her favorite would be big tubs of ice cream, that she generally washes down with a few dill pickles. Soon enough this Frozen princess will be bundling up her tiny humans for the blizzards that are sure to surround them."

8. Belle now worries about fine lines and grey hairs.

"It’s a tale as old as time. Girl meets beast, girl and beast fall in love, beast turns into a boy, then girl and boy grow up and have 3 kids, 4 dogs, and one angry cat that never lets anyone pet it.

With the stress of raising a family, and dealing with a castle full of enchanted furniture demanding better works compensation, it can be hard for mama Belle to find time for herself. But when she does, her favorite way to unwind is to soak in a hot bath with a nice moisturizing face mask, and a big glass of Merlot."

So, when fairy tales end with "happily ever after," that's not the end of the story. It's just the start of real life for these girls, filled with all the normal stuff like breakfast messes, arguing over who does the dishes, and raising kids.

So, remember, "happily ever after" is just a fairy tale ending.

Damjan