Disney Fairies was created to support merchandise centered on Tinker Bell and her fairy friends.
The franchise expanded Tinker Bell from her supporting role in Peter Pan into the lead of a broader consumer-products world. Disney developed named fairy characters, books, animated films, games, clothing, toys, and other merchandise around Pixie Hollow and its inhabitants.
Disney Fairies was launched in the mid-2000s as part of Disney Consumer Products’ effort to create a major girls’ franchise alongside Disney Princess. Tinker Bell remained the best-known character, while characters such as Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist, and Vidia gained identities of their own.
Disney Fairies is related to Disney Princess but is not simply another Princess category. Its stories focus on fairies, seasons, talents, and Pixie Hollow rather than royal characters. The merchandise program helped establish Tinker Bell as a standalone Disney brand.