Why do Disney princesses never look at each other in group merchandise?

The answer

When Andy Mooney created the Disney Princess franchise in 2000, he established a rule that princesses must never make eye contact with each other in group marketing materials. Each character looks in a different direction, appearing unaware of the others' presence. Mooney implemented this to 'ensure the sanctity' of each princess's individual 'mythology' - since these characters come from entirely different films, time periods, and cultures, having them interact could undermine their distinct stories. The strategy proved extraordinarily successful: Disney Princess merchandise revenue grew from $300 million in 2001 to $3 billion by 2012, making it the top-selling consumer entertainment brand globally. The only notable exception came in Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), where the princesses finally interacted on screen for the first time.