2013 is a crowning year for Disney princesses at Disney World and Disneyland

Some might say that 2013 is the year of the Disney princesses. After all, gorgeous new locations are being designed for the royal ladies at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and they open this year.

On the West Coast, Disneyland Fantasy Faire is the new area where guests can meet, interact and learn the stories of the Disney princesses. (Laura Gilbreath recently previewed the new site and her blog has lots of details and photos.) Fantasy Faire, which has multiple buildings and even a food component, is set to open March 12.

Here in Florida, we await the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall, a single addition, rather than the multiplex like what is planned for California. No official date has been announced, but press materials have indicated it could be late this year before we see the redesigned space. Princess Fairytale Hall is taking over the spot where Snow White’s Scary Adventures was housed. Cinderella, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Tiana, Rapunzel and other royals are expected to relocate to this area in the Castle Courtyard.

And that leaves many Disney fans scratching their heads. If you’ve been in the Magic Kingdom during the last month, you no doubt have noticed the tower from “Tangled,” starring Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, that now clearly can be seen from the Haunted Mansion queue. It has been constructed near new village-type buildings. So far, though, word is that those buildings will house the restrooms that currently are near Peter Pan’s Flight and a D-Tech Me princess store. The move would allow Imagineers to use the old space to create an interactive queue for the Peter Pan attraction.

Wouldn’t it be logical for a Rapunzel meet-and-greet near the tower? And how could you beat that photo backdrop? Early plans for New Fantasyland did call for separate cottages and meet-and-greets for many of the Disney princesses, but some concepts were scrapped and others shifted to make room for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster, which was a latecomer and largely seen as an addition needed to appeal to boys.

As a mother who has stood in her share of lines to meet characters at Disney World, I certainly can appreciate the advantages of having one line to meet many princesses at Fairytale Hall. Still, I like the idea that meeting a favorite character can be an experience — and not just a photo-op. That’s the model for New Fantasyland with Enchanted Tales with Belle and Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and Ariel’s Grotto, and it works for our family.

Regardless of where we all end up visiting with the Disney princesses, there is news this week about some of their well-recognized dresses. Belle debuted a new look this week at Disneyland, with a complete makeover from head to toe. She wears her new elegant attire at Ariel’s Grotto Princess Celebration in Disney California Adventure and is expected to also appear in it at Disneyland Fantasy Faire. Walt Disney World Resort guests will see the new ball gown starting Feb. 10, when Belle visits Princess Storybook Dining at Epcot and during Enchanted Tales with Belle in New Fantasyland.

And for little girls who still love to dress up, there is a new Disney Princess costume accessory available at Castle Couture, located behind Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. It’s a winter white, furry wrap that closes with a piece of velcro covered by the Disney Princess logo. The stole is an elegant way for girls to stay warm on those chilly days or nights, and it goes well with most of the Disney Princess costumes. It comes in sizes small/medium and large/extra large. A cast member told me the wrap only is available seasonally and it actually hasn’t been sold for the past several years.