For Cinderella, there could be a dark side story in how her stepsisters and stepmother treated her so cruelly. However, from the stepsisters' perspective, they might have been pressured by their mother to be that way in order to secure a better future for themselves. And in the case of Belle from Beauty and the Beast, some might say that her being so willing to stay with the Beast, a creature who had kidnapped her father, has a bit of a dark undertone. But she was also trying to save her father.
One dark side is the lack of agency in some stories. For example, Snow White. She was mainly a passive character, waiting to be rescued by the prince. Another is the emphasis on beauty as the most important trait. Cinderella was only noticed by the prince because of her beauty at the ball. And in some princess stories, there is a kind of class divide that is not really challenged. The princesses often end up with princes, which might give the idea that marrying into royalty is the only way to a happy ending.
The dark side affects children in multiple ways. The lack of diverse personalities among princesses may limit their understanding of different human traits. The overemphasis on beauty and being rescued can influence their perception of gender roles. Boys may think they should be the rescuers and girls may feel they are only valuable if they are beautiful and passive. Moreover, the sometimes - sudden romances in the stories can give children an unrealistic view of love and relationships.
One of the dark Disney princess stories is 'Snow White'. The Queen's jealousy led her to try to kill Snow White multiple times. Another is 'Sleeping Beauty'. Maleficent curses Aurora to prick her finger and die. And in 'The Little Mermaid', Ariel gives up her voice and endures great pain to be with a human, which has some dark undertones of sacrifice and the unknown in a new world.
The Disney dark side stories can be quite fascinating. Consider the story of Cruella de Vil in '101 Dalmatians'. Her obsession with fur coats made her willing to kidnap and kill puppies, which is extremely dark. In 'Aladdin', Jafar's thirst for power and his willingness to use dark magic to achieve his goals is another example. He tries to trick Aladdin and take over the kingdom. And in 'The Lion King', Scar's plot to kill Mufasa and take over the pride is a dark and tragic part of the story. Scar's jealousy and his alliance with the hyenas led to many sad events in the movie.
One 'Dark Side Disney Story' is the theory about the hidden meanings in 'Pinocchio'. Some believe that the Island of Pleasure where naughty boys turn into donkeys represents the dark side of temptation and the consequences of giving in to vices. Another is the idea that in 'Snow White', the Queen's obsession with beauty and her downfall can be seen as a dark exploration of vanity.
For Snow White, the Queen's dark actions towards her led to Snow White's growth in her ability to be kind in the face of evil. It made her character more of a symbol of purity and perseverance. In Ariel's case, her hasty decision due to her dark side of impatience and longing for the human world led to her learning about responsibility and the true cost of her actions. She had to fight to make things right after realizing the danger she put herself and her family in.
One example is in 'Snow White'. The Evil Queen's jealousy is quite dark. She tries to kill Snow White out of envy for her beauty. Also, in 'The Little Mermaid', Ariel gives up her voice for a chance at love with a human, which can be seen as a rather dark aspect as she loses a crucial part of herself.
One example is in 'Snow White'. The Evil Queen's jealousy and her attempts to kill Snow White are quite dark. Also, in 'The Little Mermaid', Ariel gives up her voice which can be seen as a rather dark sacrifice in the pursuit of love.
There are stories about the overcrowding and long wait times which can be considered a 'dark side' in a way. People might spend hours in line for a ride, getting frustrated and tired. This can sometimes ruin the overall magical experience that Disney World is supposed to offer. Also, the high prices for food, souvenirs, and tickets can be a burden for some families, making it less accessible and enjoyable for them.
Some fanfictions play with the idea of the princesses being villains themselves. Belle could use her intelligence to manipulate those around her instead of being the kind - hearted book - lover. And Jasmine might be a power - hungry princess who will stop at nothing to gain more control over her kingdom, rather than just wanting to escape the arranged marriage.