Misunderstood Disney Princesses

From very early on in my life, I was subjected to Disney princesses. I grew up with an abundance of translated books and movies from the franchise at my disposal. But now at the mention of Disney (God forbid the princesses), people raise their nose, only to look down at all of the franchise. But see, I don't agree with that kind of attitude, and I will explain to you why.

Pre-1980s' Princesses
 

Snow White: Although an orphan, Snow White continues to be cheery and over-the-top annoyingly happy. Take it any way you want, but she does have a way of making the best out of the situation. And when the woodsman lets her run away, she does escape and manages to survive on her own, through her own capabilities.
Cinderella:  Another cheery orphan making the best out of her awful situation. Except she does try to turn her situation around; getting out her mother's dress to go to the ball to meet the prince. Considering how conservative that period was (hence mentioning date) there was only so much a woman could do back then!
Sleeping Beauty: Aurora is often criticised for being submissive. But again, considering the time the character was created, she was a girl who chose the family who brought her up as opposed to a boy she just met. I see nothing wrong with that!

Post-1980s' Princesses
 

The Little Mermaid: Everyone criticises Ariel for leaving her home/the sea for the prince while forgetting that it didn't work that way. She always wanted to live on land; that was her dream. The prince just played the part of the catalyst. Also, she saves his life. Twice.
Beauty and the Beast: Belle is an educated and independent girl ahead of her time. Regardless of how you see Disney princesses, they were always challenging the norms in their stories. She even turned away from settling down to do something with her life. Plus, she likes books. And money. And castles.
Jasmine: Jasmine is portrayed as immensely fierce and independent, refusing to let her status or a marriage define her. She also helps Aladdin out, with one of the many abilities she possesses in her repertoire.
Pocahontas: Fearless, noble, independent, she protects her homeland and saves the man she loves. Pocahontas is the epitome of feminism among Disney princesses.
Mulan: Speaking of the epitome of feminism, Fa Mulan fits the bill in every way possible. Granted, she's not technically a princess in the movies, but still. She is not a damsel in distress, and is self-reliant. She goes to war in her father's place, “makes a man out of herself” before all the other men at the war camp do, and saves the whole of China and her apparent “prince”. In short, Mulan gives me hope -- for Disney and the young kids growing up watching it.  

The 2000s' Princesses
The Princess and the Frog: Tiana works hard to start her own business, and is portrayed as someone incredibly ambitious. She goes for what she wants and earns what she wants.
Rapunzel:  She wields an actual weapon; it may be a frying pan but doesn't that help the case? She saves herself and the prince with that frying pan, and brilliant use of her hair. Plus she's independent, chases her dreams, and stands up for them. Fragile? Not a lot.
Merida: There's enough ranting for her on the internet.

It's quite obvious that the earlier princesses were a lot more docile and meeker than the recent ones. The time when they were made plays a big part in how they were portrayed, but even at that time they were meant to diminish the norms and most importantly, tell stories. Disney might've turned these princesses into icons that are commercially viable but at the end of the day, they're still fairytale characters I grew up with and can be perceived in both as anti and pro-feminism. As long they're still given the chance to be perceived.
As for me, I can't wait as Anna and Elsa from Frozen get mixed into the themes of Disney princesses. I love Elsa, already!