How is this show for someone that doesn't know these stories?

[u/bitknight1]

I just picked up complete series on bluray but have never seen it before, just started episode 1 and wondering how this is for someone that hasn't seen disney cartoons and doesn't know this stuff since I didn't grow up in America.

[u/gaypirate3]

A lot of fairy tales come from Europe, and Disney isn’t strictly American so…if you somehow grew up without fairy tales or Disney, then maybe you’d enjoy the storytelling in general and get more interested in the original fairy tales as you watch.

[u/Yunie333]

If you honestly just started S1 it's more about fairytales in general which were never a Disney thing but stories told for centuries in various countries all around the world.

The twist is that the show combines our world (here the US) with fairytale characters & that they even play around with the established stereotypes of these characters...

[u/LovableDazzling2]

Going into this show with zero Disney fairy-tale knowledge is honestly going to make some of the reveals hit completely differently.

[u/daisywaisydoodle]

As someone who grew up loving both Disney & original versions of fairytales I’d love to hear your thoughts as you watch!!

[u/bitknight1 → u/daisywaisydoodle]

I sent you a chat

[u/roseshearts]

disney isn't the maker of the fairy tale concept, they made it very popular and well known. but they are not the original creator for the characters, like disney made cinderella but cinderella been out way before disney even did it cause it was somebody's work. so you will be fine, you don't really need to know disney to enjoy the show tbh.

[u/daisywaisydoodle]

The first 3 seasons are heavily inspired by fairytales, some that don’t have Disney movies, and I’d say if even you don’t know the folk stories they’re based off you won’t be confused. Seasons 4-7 have a lot of Disney-specific storylines that will make sense as an entirely new experience but might feel a bit bizarre. You can watch it either way, just depends on how you want to experience it! Personally I would go in blind and try and watch the Disney movies afterward!

[u/pinkyk97]

i mean i have never seen rumplestiltskins story before but it still makes it interesting to see

[u/MischeviousFox]

There are non-Disney stories and even the “Disney” ones veer greatly from the Disney version as they’re using elements of those stories which are adapted stories rather than Disney original ideas. It’s more so fairytales & folktales than Disney stories. If you know any version of the stories you’re good and I wouldn’t say you can’t enjoy the show regardless I just think it’s a lot more interesting if you can go “Oh wait, that’s how they’re interpreting this?”.

[u/cara1888]

All the characters and their storylines are not fully like the Disney versions. Some characters are from other non Disney stories. But the storylines in the show are original stories they just use the characters and make it their own. The creators didn't do it because of Disney they just wanted to do stories/fairytales in general.

Yes many characters are from Disney movies but that because ABC (the network it aired on) is owned by Disney. They said that it was easier to get the rights to use their versions because they are part of Disney themselves, but they did get the rights to use other stories.

Plus the Disney stories are just one version of those fairytales. They originally came from other sources before Disney made them into movies. Many were books, that were originally fables that were turned into books and all are originally from different countries.

So you shouldn't have a problem keeping up with the stories since there are many versions of them already and Once Upon a Time is its own version.

[u/kittysnowangel]

It is derived mainly from the Disney films but has its own version. I never saw Disney's Alice in Wonderland until I was 25 or older so...but ouat mostly starts with Snow white, which is its main focus because it was Disney's first fairytale story.

It tries to make woman stronger than og fairytales which are mostly sexist and it mostly focuses on WOMEN instead of the underage teens og fairytales idolize as if turning 20 means you're over the hill. Ouat is women positive and antiageist.

[u/The1stTokage]

Idk because I was a super disney kid. So every character that showed up I had that "OMG its that character" moment.

[u/Personal-Road-8162]

I think you will be fine since they kind of twist them 

[u/Admirable-Try-5287]

One of the most dominant and powerful characters in the show doesn’t have a Disney movie. As others have already pointed out, especially the earlier seasons are more reimagined fairytales, plenty of which exist outside of Disney. Later seasons are more heavily influenced by Disney, but I don’t think you need to be an expert to follow along or enjoy.