Yes, I know I'll probably get hate from the Elsa and Ariel fans, because most Elsa fans don't like Ariel and most Ariel fans don't like Elsa, but I'm stating my opinion here.

I find both very similar in a lot of things.

-Both run away from a lot of their problems.
-Both want to be free from their lives.
-Both are selfish. (In my opinion).
-Both make bad decisions that put others they're close to in danger.
-Both, in the end, restore bonds with a member of their family.
-Both are shown to be happy with "starting new lives" away from the people they know.

And more similarities I'm too lazy to name.

I know that they have differences, but that's mostly because Ariel has more personality than Elsa does, in my opinion, and there's less known about Elsa within the movie. For example, Ariel longs for love, but it's not shown what Elsa's views are on it. (That whole, "You can't marry a man you just met" thing was just to keep Hans and his family away from the castle, I think.)

Hmm, I never found a similarity between the two, but I can see it now that you're suggesting it.

@avatar_tla_fan Hmm I agree with you on almost all those points except for the one that Ariel runs away from her problems. I don't think she runs away per say, as much as looks for alternative solutions. In fact I would say she actively runs towards those solutions, so much so that she ends up creating new problems, such as when she goes to Ursula to become human. In that she shows a lot more initiative than Elsa ever does, something that in my mind puts them distinctly apart when it comes to similarity.

^ I see your point.

I don't think so. Every Disney Princess is similar to another for one reason or other, but these two don't have a special or particularly striking connection/similarity.

Let's see why...

Ariel is electric, irresponsible, overly confident, rebellious, daring, obstinate, individualistic, an idealist, naive, inquisitive, open-minded, careless, impulsive. She is willing to go to any lengths to achieve her goals/see her dream come to life.

Elsa is sophisticated, educated, artistic, warm, loving, protective, narrow-minded, blunt, grounded yet unrealistic (she believed no one would look for her and that her insecurities would magically disappear, after all), pessimistic, fear-consumed, avoidant, anti-social, illogical. She is at first completely controlled by her fears and doesn't think of anything else, so she doesn't have any real dreams.

They both are playful and, despite all the flak both get, they protect and care deeply about her families. But besides that, they're two of the most opposite characters in the lineup. I like both and think they have great qualities, which might explain why they are next to each other in my list currently.

Mary, I understand where you're coming from with this, and the thoughts behind it. I appreciate your analysis, even if I feel that what Silverrose said might be true. The reason we kind of have a brew-haha stemming in this club, is yes, there are some similar story trajectory patterns in TLM and Frozen. But how each character handles their problems is quite different. Ariel is completely social and warm, reckless and determined, and throws herself at her problems ( which probably is unique to just her and why some people dislike her), while Elsa is very antisocial, aloof/cold, and is conflict-adverse. Elsa avoids her problems until she can no longer back away from them, and has to face the music ( which is why she is unique, and why other people dislike her).

But you're right. The story trajectory patterns you see are Disney trotting over similar ground again. Another trope that irks people (or why people like the practical Tiana who defies this trend?) Once again, you've got me thinking....

Hell no

Only in their design.

Glen Keane designed Ariel after how his wife looked at the time. Years later, he designed Rapunzel to look like his now-grown up daughter (who looks like her mother). Then Anna was clearly modeled after Rapunzel, and Elsa is clearly just Anna with a lighter color palate (pale, blue-eyed, platinum blonde, etc).

Apart from that? Nooooo...

^i never knew Ariel is inspired by the looks of Glen Keane's wife...i knew that he take some traits like the lip biting from her wife but not the looks...i hear somewhere that the design of Jasmine is inspired by the looks of Mark Henn's wife

Now that you mention those points, I can see some similarities, but I wouldn't say that they're similar.

I agree with avatar_tla_fan. Those are also my points.