With the help of the three fairies in charge of the Royal Training Academy — Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and on occasion, classic Disney Princess characters including Cinderella and Jasmine — Sofia learns that looking like a princess isn't all that hard, but behaving like one must come from the heart. Sofia will wear plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes, but the stories will focus on the idea that what makes a real princess is what's on the inside. The series will highlight character qualities such as kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty, and grace. She has the Magic Amulet of Avalor that allows her to talk to animals, but is coveted by the evil sorcerer Cedric who wants to steal it so he can use it to take over the kingdom.

Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess is an animated special that premiered on November 18, 2012 on Disney Junior. It is set to act as the pilot for the upcoming animated series to premiere early 2013 starring the titular protagonist Sofia, and Flora, Fauna and Merryweather from Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

Set in the storybook world of Enchancia, the music-filled movie follows Sofia, an average girl whose life suddenly changes when her mother marries the king and she is whisked off to live in a castle with her mom, new step-father, King Roland II, and step-siblings, Amber and James. Along the way this ordinary girl learns to navigate the extraordinary life of royalty, and in the process makes everyone around her feel special.

Helping Sofia along the way are the three headmistresses of Royal Prep Academy - Flora, Fauna and Merryweather (the beloved fairies seen in Disney's classic "Sleeping Beauty"); the royal steward, Baileywick; and a group of cute woodland creatures led by the wise-talking rabbit Clover; as well as Cinderella, a classic Disney Princess, who makes a special visit to offer Sofia words of wisdom. However, not everyone is looking out for Sofia's best interests, including the bumbling royal sorcerer, Cedric, who takes an interest in Sofia only when he recognizes that her welcome gift from the King is the magical Amulet of Avalor. To no avail, Cedric is always looking for ways to trick Sofia into handing the special amulet over to him so that he can utilize the powers locked inside it to achieve his lifelong dream of taking over the kingdom of Enchancia.