Song of the Day: Kiss the Girl by Samuel E. Wright (Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid)
Gotta love the mouse
I’m heading off to Anaheim next week to take part in the 2012 RWA conference. And since the conference hotel is next to the Disneyland complex, you can bet I’m going to get a little Disney on. That got me thinking about how much Disney is beloved the world over. Even if you don’t love those Mickey ears, Herbie the Love Bug, or the early Silly Symphonies, chances are you have enjoyed a Disney film or two.
I thought I’d share my favorite top ten animated Disney (and Pixar) films.
I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that way. ~ Jessica Rabbit
10. The Lion King
9. The Fox and the Hound
8. Bambi
7. Monster, Inc.
6. Hercules
5. Beauty and the Beast
4. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (technically this one is primarily live-action, so sue me)
3. Finding Nemo
2. The Emperor’s New Groove
1. Tangled
You can’t say Disney without thinking of the Disney Princesses. Currently there are ten.
- Snow White, the innocent one (did you know her age is listed at 14? Hmm…the prince is rockin’ the cradle)
All three of my fav girls
- Cinderella, the hopeful romantic (ever notice how many wardrobe changes she makes for a French scullery maid?)
- Aurora, Briar Rose, Sleeping Beauty, the multiple-personality dreamer (haha, a little lame humor there)
- Ariel, the rebellious one (curiosity almost killed the mermaid)
- Belle, the stubborn, outspoken, book lover (falls for her captor)
- Jasmine, the independent (at 16, she’s a runaway, becoming a harem slave girl who seduces older men)
- Pocahontas, the wise free-spirit (incidentally, Pocahontas is her nickname which means ‘naughty one”)
- Mulan, the brave one (she’s the only Princess that is not, nor marries into, royalty)
- Tiana, the determined one (kissing frogs sure paid off)
- Rapunzel, the playful daredevil (kicks ass with a frying pan and has a thing for tying up men)
Then there’s that whole Princess debate. Debate, you say. What’s the debate? Who’s the best princess, of course. My favorite princesses are Rapunzel, Belle, and Ariel, in that order. Based on the characteristics I listed above, wonder what that says about me. . .
Now, I can’t leave out the Disney heroes. Those of you who know me, also know I have a thing for Alpha males. It’s no wonder why these fellows are my top pick.
- Flynn Rider (AKA Eugene Fitzherbert), the handsome bad boy
- Beast(AKA Prince Adam), the primal prince
- Hercules, the ripped demi-god
Surely you are not surprised by my choices.
Come to think of it, all these princesses and heroes make great inspirational templates for heroes and heroines in the books we write.
Your turn! What are your favorite animated Disney movies? Favorite Princesses? How about those heroes? Authors, have you ever used a Disney character for inspiration? Come on, I’d love to hear from you.
MUSETRACKS 
# 1 Disney movie for me is LADY AND THE TRAMP (a little obvious, I suppose). BAMBI and THE LION KING are long time favorites, too, but I seem to have gotten defective copies, both on VHS and DVD. Bambi’s mom and Simba’s dad… somehow, those scenes suddenly move into ‘Fast Forward’ and get skipped. Weird, huh?
THE FOX AND THE HOUND is another favorite, as is THE JUNGLE BOOK. I’ve also enjoyed the Direct to Video ‘sequels’ like THE LION KING 1 1/2, or LADY AND THE TRAMP II: SCAMPS’ ADVENTURE.
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LADY AND THE TRAMP is a great one, too. And I love THE LION KING 1 1/2.
And as for those Disney death scenes, they always happen when I suddenly need a bathroom break, or maybe a popcorn refill. Ha!
Great list, Will!
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Mulan all the way. Gotta love a fellow farm girl who can kick ass.
Though frankly, I don’t think Elastgirl (aka Mrs. Incredible) gets enough credit. She washes babies, cooks meals, flies jets, saves her idiot husband from the super-villain…
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MULAN is pretty awesome, Suzan.
And sometimes I feel like Elastigirl…
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Love me some Disney…I could never pick a fav, but I do remember going to see The Aristocats when I was young, then again when my kids were young! Which was just so fun. “Creme de la creme, de la Edgar.”
They are all so good…Mulan was tremendous! 101 Dalmations so very sweet! I could go on for days.
But, if you look back, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first one released and I think it still holds up today!
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Aristocats is a favorite in my household, too, Tess. I think my girls love it for the songs as much as for the movie. Lots of singing and dancing. And though the original Snow White CAN NOT be beat, I don’t mind looking at today’s version of the Huntsman, Chris Hemsworth. 😉 Just sayin’.
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Oh, wow, Suz! I’d forgotten THE INCREDIBLES is indeed a Disney movie. Not to mention THE best superhero movie *ever* made…:)
THE ARISTOCATS is classic, Tess! And you’re right about SNOW WHITE. 101 DALMATIONS (the original) was a childhood favorite.
It’s not a Disney, but does anyone else remember GAY PAREE? Sort of a feline “Lady and the Tramp”, as I remember it starred the voices of Robert Goulet, Judy Garland, and Red Buttons. Ran on TV every year round the holidays, then suddenly disappeared.
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Sorry, Will. That movie must be before my time. 😀
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Thank you for your post, Jenn.
I know this will date me, but I must say it: I saw Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” during its first theatrical release. (What year was it? Look it up; I’m not gonna help you here!) In fact, I saw it three times, one showing after another. I was so entranced by this movie that once just wasn’t enough. My grandmother took me to see it and I begged her to let me watch it again and again. She must have been in an indulgent mood that day.
This wasn’t the first movie I remember watching, but it was the first one in which I could make sense of what was going on. And it was the first one to make a profound impression on me.
To this day, I still write and enjoy reading about themes that I first encountered during that triple feature I sat through with my very patient grandma. Quite a few of my fictional heroines share various attributes with Princess Aurora. That includes the curse and the “life in suspension” experience.
And Prince Phillip must be the original model for my kind of hero. Not an embittered cynic, not an Alpha male who needs to be redeemed. Rather, he’s a hero who’s truly heroic. His relationship with the heroine isn’t about fighting her in her attempts to save him. It’s about fighting FOR her in HIS attempts to save her.
Of course, I’ve watched Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” since then, and become acquainted with many written and film versions of the story. But the one that had such a powerful impact on me when I was little holds a special place in my heart—and my imagination.
Keep up the good work!
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Mary Anne! What a wonderful story. I’m certain that is what Disney had in mind, children’s imaginations blooming and shaping them even in adulthood. The Sleeping Beauty is truly a wonderful classic.
Thanks for sharing.
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My favorite Pixar movie is definitely “The Incredibles,” followed by the Toy Story trilogy. Among the Princesses, Mulan is awesome, but my favorite, hand-down, is Belle. I mean, she gets excited when someone gives her a library for a present! That’ s my kind of girl.
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Right there with you, Carla. I love Belle, too. And I’d get pretty excited by that library, too. 🙂
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Will, I don’t remember Gay Peree. And I think I need to see The Incredibles!!!
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I don’t really have a favorite movie, but I like the ones with the animals better than the people.
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Disney does have a way making animals so darn cute and lovable. Not to mention there is always a lesson to be learned from them.
Thanks for popping in Ella!
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Did some digging, the proper title is GAY PURR-EE. And it’s on DVD! Got to hit Amazon….:)
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Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. I still enjoy it to this day, but as far as princesses I relate to… Well, she isn’t a princess but definitely won a hero’s heart–Megara. I love her sass, appreciate her disenchantment with men, and was rescued from an endless torment by a great man who taught me how to love again.
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I love, love, love Megara, Rosa. And to be rescued by a man who taught you how to love again, that’s says a lot about him. That’s something special.
I hate to admit it, well, no not really, but like Megara, I’m a bit on the snarky side with a whole heaping lot of attitude, some self-deprecating. (I can almost see the eye rolls)
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I am a huge Disney fan!!!!Ariel has always been my fav, but I really love Tiana and Rapunzel!!! Live those sexy hero photos!
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All great choices, Stephanie!
I have a confession to make. I actually cropped those hero pictures. They showed a lot more than just buff chests. 😉 But because they are Disney hero, (and I can’t believe I’m saying this), I didn’t want to offend anyone. *snort*
(Note: Hero photos have been removed)
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“I didn’t want to offend anyone. *snort*”
Very funny, girls. Now, give your mother her computer back, okay?
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Hahahaha!
I know…very uncharacteristic of me.
But it IS Disney. So…
At any rate, I have the full pics on my computer for my enjoyment. 😉
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Been busy.
I’m a huge fan of the Disney products, whether movies, TV shows, comics, or theme parks. Surprisingly, I have not seen some of the films in your two lists. Of the Disney films, though, I really like Lady & Tramp, Bambi, Snow White, Cinderella, & others I can’t think of.
Possibly more than the cartoons, however, I’ve loved Disney live action movies, like Thomasina, Parent Trap (original version), Davy Crockett, Apple Dumpling Gang, and too many others to mention.
I actually saw Walt D. in person, in a parade, in Downtown Atlanta, for the premiere of The Great Train Chase … middle 1950s.
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LOL. Wondering where you were, Jeff. 😉
Disney rarely goes wrong with their films. I also love all things Disney. While my favorites are the animated movies, I do love the live action, too. Wow…I hadn’t seen the Apple Dumpling Gang in FOR-ever! Old Yeller….don’t get me started! Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Escape from Witch Mountain.
And oh gosh, the more recent ones:
George of the Jungle, Snow Dogs, The Haunted Mansion, National Treasure, Enchanted, Bedtime Stories, Prince of Persia.
Oh, and let us not forget the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. 😀
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Definitely Old Yeller & Darby O’Gill. I was luke-warm on Witch Mtn.
Nat’l Treasure was a cool film, but I did not realize it was even associated with the Disney enterprise.
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Yeah, Disney is huge! Witch Mtn spoke to my imagination, but I was also pretty young. I did enjoy the remake. “course that might have something to do with Dwayne Johnson. 😉 National Treasure spoke to my adult imagination. I really love those conspiracy woven tales embedded in out history. So much fun!
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In Nat’l Treasure … that blonde was VERY cute!
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LOL! A little eye candy for the men. You know…just in case you get bored with the plot. We ladies do that all the time – watch a movie just for the sexy hunks. No. really. It’s true.
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I can well imagine!
Like that Johnny Depp guy …
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*wipes drool* Um, yeah, like him. LMAO!
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Lady and the Tramp was the first Disney film I saw in theaters. My aunt took me (my first movie) and years later I took my niece to see Princess and the Frog. Favorite princess? That’s a toss up. I saw The Little Mermaid 4 times in the theater. Mulan is good and I love the fact that Tiana was a little more realistic and worked for her goals. Though in the end she did have some help. Really, anything with songs I can get into is a good Disney movie. 🙂
p.s. I nominated you and Stacey for the Illuminating Blogger Award. You don’t have to play along, just wanted to let you know I appreciate the work you two put into the posts and that I enjoy them, though I may not comment often. Here are the ‘rules’ http://featherpenstartandreams.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/illuminating-blogger-award/
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