Disney's World Princess Week highlights the legacy and impact of its iconic princess stories

LOS ANGELES -- Disney's World Princess Week is more than a celebration of fairy tale figures, it's a tribute to the timeless values that have inspired generations. The Disney Princesses are symbols of courage, compassion, and hope, inspiring audiences of all ages to believe in themselves and create their own world.

From the earliest days of Snow White to the bold journeys of Moana, Disney princesses reflect qualities that continue to resonate across cultures and eras. Their stories aren't just told on screen, they're felt deeply by those who create, perform, and are influenced by them.

In an interview with ABC's On The Red Carpet Storytellers Spotlight, Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Moana in "Moana" and "Moana 2" reflected on evolving legacy of these iconic characters.

"Disney Princesses are always reflective of their times," Cravalho said. "And I am so grateful that Disney continues to allow us to see ourselves through these Disney Princesses. And so I hope that you find the princess that resonates the most with you."

That emotional connection is something Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television, knows well. For Davis, her experience of Disney's magical storytelling began in her childhood, growing up in Orange County, California, just steps from the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

"I was always moved by how stories made me feel," she said. "Whether it was joy, hope, or inspiration, those feelings stayed with me."

MORE: World Princess Week ends with a royal concert at Disneyland

Now, Davis leads the teams across Disney Branded Television, helping to shape stories that bring those same feelings to families around the world. Among the many projects she's helped bring to life is "Descendants," the hit franchise that reimagines the Disney Princess legacy through the lens of the next generation.

Kylie Cantrall, who plays Princess Red, daughter of the Queen of Hearts in "Descendants: The Rise of Red," recalled her childhood connection to Disney Princesses.

"I literally told people to call me Jasmine when I was younger," she said. "I wanted to legally change my name and my parents were like, 'Girl, no.' But in my heart, I'm Jasmine. She was just so confident and just so empowering to me as a young girl looking up to her."

Malia Baker, who portrays Chloe Charming, daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming, shared how the princesses serve as mirrors for the audience, helping them feel seen, understood, and empowered.

"I remember being a kid and being like, 'Okay, well, what are you as a princess? Like, which one are you?'" Baker said. "And I think placing yourself into those categories was your way of saying, 'I relate to this person. I relate to this princess.'"

MORE:Disney's 'Descendants' and 'Zombies': Go backstage with Malachi Barton and Kylie Cantrall!

Behind the scenes, more women are shaping the future of Disney storytelling, not just as princesses, but as producers, writers, and artists. Among them is Yvett Merino, an Oscar-winning producer of "Encanto," and a producer on "Moana 2" and the upcoming "Zootopia 2," which arrives in theaters Nov. 26. Her work is part of a broader effort at Disney to tell stories that reflect the world and the audiences who watch them.

The impact is visible at Walt Disney Animation Studios, where a wall of handwritten letters from fans serves as a daily reminder of how effective these stories are. Standing before the display, Merino read one out loud: "Dear Disney, thank you so, so much for making Disney 'Moana.' I am a Polynesian girl and have always wanted to see a Polynesian movie. And I love, love, LOVE all of your movies so much."

For Merino, the emotional depth of these characters is just as important as their cultural significance.

"When I think things are impossible, I think of Moana," she said. "She doubts herself, and wonders if she's doing the right thing. And I think we all have that within us."

Her words speak to the universal themes that make Disney Princesses such enduring stories of self-discovery, perseverance, and believing in something bigger than yourself.

The influence of Disney Princesses extends beyond animation, and into music and performance. Jonathan Tilkin and Anthony Gargiula, creators and music artists behind the kitchen singing series and the Counter-Melodies Podcast, recently featured Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid."

The duo shared how they were inspired by characters like Ariel and Mulan as they persevered through the challenges of the entertainment industry.

"You get a lot of rejection at a really young age," Tilkin said "You're told, 'You're not right for this role,' or whatever that might be, and you just have to keep going."

Gargiula, a former Cast Member at Walt Disney World and a lifelong Ariel fan, reflected on what it meant to perform "Part of Your World" with Benson.

"Getting to sing with Jodi Benson, the iconic original voice of Ariel, is just kind of beyond comprehension," he said. "I had that Ariel Barbie doll when I was like 2 years old."

The Disney Princess campaign, Create Your World, encourages audiences to take inspiration from Disney stories and build their own paths.

Joy Ofodu, a Disney "The Power of Joy" creator and actor, spoke about how these stories can empower people to express themselves and embrace their creativity.

"People see the stories of the Disney Princesses and they are inspired to make something that didn't exist in the world before," she said.

Jenny Lorenzo, a Cuban American creator and actor, shared, "Create Your World for me is like sky's the limit. I didn't see enough stories about my culture. [So] I'm just gonna roll up my sleeves and do it myself and carve out my own space."

For Lorenzo, the Disney Princesses represent more than fairy tale figures.

"It is not easy being a kid, or a teen, or an adult, being a human," she said. "And that's what these princesses remind me of, that we are human at our core. We're gonna make mistakes, we're gonna have our struggles, we're going to overcome a lot of obstacles, and that is something that really helped me growing up."

That spirit of resilience and celebration carried into the final moments of World Princess Week, which ended with a historical performance at Disneyland in honor of the park's 70th anniversary. Real-life Disney royalty -- Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O'Hara (Belle), Auli'i Cravalho (Moana), and Anika Noni Rose (Tiana) -- took the stage to share iconic songs from their films. Guests gathered under the stars to sing along, celebrate, and reflect on the stories that have shaped their lives.

As familiar melodies echoed across the park, the evening served as a reminder of how these stories continue to bring people together; connecting generations through music, memory, creativity and shared imagination.

Watch ABC's On The Red Carpet Storytellers Spotlight interview with the voices behind Disney princesses, along with the executives and digital creators who help share these stories with audiences around the world, in the video player above.

Andres Rovira and Dean Singleton contributed to this report.

Disney is the parent company of this station.