Christmas specials are everywhere, but there is something specifically nostalgic about the 2005 Disney release Princess A Christmas of Enchantment. It isn't a single movie in the way we usually think of them. It’s a tapestry. It’s a collection of vignettes. Honestly, it's basically a holiday-themed anthology that pulls together some of the most iconic characters from the Disney vault to celebrate the season.
You’ve got Ariel. You’ve got Belle. Cinderella and Jasmine show up too. It was released during that specific era of the mid-2000s when "Direct-to-DVD" was the king of home entertainment. Parents were looking for something to keep the kids busy while they wrapped presents, and Disney delivered this shimmering, musical package. But looking back at it now, it’s more than just a stocking stuffer. It’s a weirdly effective time capsule of how Disney used to manage its "Princess" brand before the massive CGI shift of the 2010s.
The structure of Princess A Christmas of Enchantment
If you’re expecting a 90-minute linear plot where all the princesses meet up at a castle for a secret Santa exchange, you’re going to be disappointed. That isn't what this is. Princess A Christmas of Enchantment is built around short stories and musical segments. It’s a compilation.
It draws heavily from existing material, specifically Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas and various segments from Disney Princess Stories. For instance, the Belle segment is largely a retelling or a condensed version of the 1997 sequel. It’s all about her trying to bring Christmas to the Beast’s castle despite his deep-seated hatred for the holiday. It’s moody. It’s atmospheric. It actually has some of the best music of the era, thanks to the legendary Rachel Portman, who was the first female composer to win an Academy Award.
Then you have the Ariel segments. These are lighter. They feel like the Saturday morning cartoons we grew up with. The contrast is sharp. One minute you’re in a gothic castle dealing with the Beast’s trauma, and the next you’re under the sea watching a mermaid try to figure out what a Christmas tree is. It shouldn't work. Strangely, for a kid sitting on a living room rug in December, it works perfectly.
Why the animation styles feel so different
One thing most people notice immediately is the shift in animation quality. Since Princess A Christmas of Enchantment pulls from various sources produced years apart, the visual fidelity jumps around.
👉 See also: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
- The Belle footage is high-quality 2D animation from the late 90s. It has depth. The shadows are rich.
- The "frame" stories—the parts that connect the segments—often feel a bit flatter. This was the result of lower-budget television animation styles.
- Certain segments look like they were pulled straight from the Little Mermaid TV series, which has a very specific, slightly jittery aesthetic.
It’s a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster. But that’s the charm. It feels like a variety show. Remember those old holiday specials where stars would just pop in and out of frame? It’s exactly like that, but with animated royalty.
The music is the real anchor
Let’s be real. Nobody is watching this for a groundbreaking plot. You’re watching it for the vibes. And the vibes are mostly carried by the soundtrack. The songs in Princess A Christmas of Enchantment are a mix of classic carols and original Disney compositions.
There is a specific version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" included that is sung by the princesses, and it is an absolute earworm. It’s become a staple for certain fans who grew up with the DVD. They don't just sing about partridges; they sing about things that fit their specific movies. It's cheesy? Yes. Is it effective? Absolutely.
The vocals are usually handled by the official voice cast of the time. Jodi Benson (Ariel) and Paige O’Hara (Belle) are often the standouts because their voices are so inextricably linked to our childhood memories of these characters. When O’Hara sings "As Long As There’s Christmas," it doesn't matter that you're watching a budget-friendly compilation; it feels like a real Disney moment.
Exploring the "Enchanted" segments
The meat of the experience comes from the individual stories. In the Cinderella segment, it’s all about the simple joys of the season. It’s very traditional. It leans into the "kindness and grace" theme that defines her character. It isn't complex. It’s basically a lesson in being a good person, wrapped in a blue dress and some fake snow.
✨ Don't miss: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
Then you have Jasmine. Her inclusion is always interesting because, technically, Agrabah doesn't have a traditional Western Christmas. The writers usually frame her segments around "the season of giving" or general winter festivities. It’s a clever way to include her in the lineup without breaking the internal logic of her world too much. Though, let’s be honest, internal logic isn't exactly the priority here. The priority is seeing Jasmine in a winter outfit.
Why it didn't get a theatrical release
A lot of people ask why these weren't just put in theaters. The answer is simple: the "Disney Vault" strategy. Back in 2005, Disney was printing money by releasing these themed DVDs. They were cheaper to produce than a full feature film, and they sold millions of copies at places like Walmart and Target.
Princess A Christmas of Enchantment was never meant to be a cinematic masterpiece. It was a brand extension. It was a way to keep the Princess franchise alive in the minds of children between the major movie releases. This was years before Frozen or Moana changed the landscape. At the time, this was how you engaged with these characters.
The legacy of the 2005 release
Is it still worth watching? If you have kids who are obsessed with the classic 2D era of Disney, yes. If you’re a 20-something or 30-something looking for a hit of nostalgia, definitely. It’s a reminder of a time when Disney wasn't trying to subvert every trope. It was just pure, unadulterated holiday cheer.
The DVD also included some "bonus features" that were very big at the time. Games. Sing-alongs. Things that seem primitive now in the age of iPads but were revolutionary for a kid with a remote control in 2005. Those interactive elements are mostly lost now if you're watching a digital stream, which is a bit of a shame.
🔗 Read more: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
Common misconceptions about the title
Sometimes people confuse this with Disney Princess: A Christmas of Enchantment and other similar titles like A Disney Princess Christmas. They are different! Disney released several of these. This specific one is known for its purple-hued cover art and the inclusion of the "Enchanted Christmas" Belle footage.
It’s also not a "movie" in the traditional sense. Some reviewers at the time were grumpy because they felt it was a "clip show." And, well, it kind of is. But it’s a curated clip show. It’s like a Greatest Hits album for Christmas.
How to watch it today
Tracking down Princess A Christmas of Enchantment can be a bit of a treasure hunt. It pops up on Disney+ in certain regions during the holidays, but it isn't always a permanent fixture.
The best way to experience it is still the original physical media. You can usually find the DVD for a few dollars at thrift stores or on eBay. There is something about the grainy, standard-definition quality of the mid-2000s that actually makes the Christmas theme feel cozier. High definition is sometimes too sharp for these older, softer animation styles.
Practical steps for a Disney-themed holiday
If you want to recreate the magic of this special for your own family, you don't just have to watch the screen. Use the themes from the segments to build your own traditions.
- Host a "Belle" Cocoa Night: Belle’s segment is all about the "Enchanted" atmosphere. Set up a hot chocolate bar with "gray stuff" (cookies and cream) toppings.
- Themed Gift Wrapping: Take a cue from the Cinderella segment and focus on handmade touches. Use ribbons and simple brown paper to mimic the "peasant" aesthetic before she gets her ballgown.
- Create a Princess Playlist: Scour Spotify or YouTube for the specific tracks from the DVD, especially the "Twelve Days of Christmas" version. It’s great background music for decorating the tree.
- DIY Ornaments: Many of the segments feature the princesses making their own decorations. Get some clear plastic baubles and fill them with glitter, shells (for Ariel), or rose petals (for Belle).
The real takeaway from Princess A Christmas of Enchantment isn't the animation or the plot. It’s the idea that the holidays are what you make of them. Whether you're under the sea or in a cursed castle, the "enchantment" comes from the people (or talking clocks) you spend your time with.
Don't overthink the production value. Just lean into the nostalgia. It’s okay to enjoy something simple, colorful, and a little bit kitschy. That’s what the holidays are for anyway. Check your local library or digital retailers to see if it’s available for your next movie night. It’s a short, sweet trip down memory lane that reminds us why these characters have stayed popular for decades.