Top 10 Best Disney Wishes

It’s not every year Disney turns 100, so it seems appropriate they would give us the original story of the wishing star we’ve seen in so many of their properties. 17-year-old Asha comes to learn that King Magnifico, albeit praised for his ability to grant wishes, is actually kind of a bad guy. He seems to pick and choose which wishes are granted and is generally presented as the villain of the movie. Soon after learning this, Asha makes a wish upon a star…and is rewarded with the star itself. While we don’t want to spoil what’s in store, we just couldn’t leave out a film literally all about wishes.

You’re probably not surprised to learn that Disney’s whole wishing motif started with its very first princess. At the beginning of the movie, Snow White explains that the well she’s standing in front of is actually a wishing well and tells the birds that, if they wish into the well and hear it echo back, their wish will come true. What the birds could want besides maybe some seeds or worms, we’re not really sure. Either way, it’s Snow White’s wish for love to find her that we’re meant to focus on. And, to her credit, it finds her astonishingly quickly. Later on, the Evil Queen passes off the poisonous apple as “a magic wishing apple”.

The word “wish” is swapped out for “dream” here but po-tay-to, po-tah-to. If Rapunzel asking Mother Gothel to see the lights wasn’t enough, the “I’ve Got a Dream” number certainly spells it out. Rapunzel isn’t the only one with a dream and we’d like to take this time to give a special shout out to the guy with the hook for a hand who just wants to play the piano. And, you know, Flynn’s dream isn’t so bad either. It’s sweet watching Rapunzel chase what she wants, which she’s probably never had the opportunity to do before. It’s such a simple want but we get why it means so much to her – and Flynn definitely does too.

If this kid is going to teach himself to play guitar in secret on an instrument he made himself…again, in secret, then yeah, he deserves to play! His love of music is obvious from the beginning but, À la “Footloose”, Miguel’s family has banned music. Still, nothing is going to stop him from living out his dreams…not even breaking and entering. It ends up being for a bunch of dead people, sure, but Miguel does get to play in front of a crowd – and beggars can’t be choosers! By the end of the movie, his true wish of having people wanting to hear him play is fulfilled. And, don’t worry, we didn’t forget Héctor’s wish. How could we?!

For anyone who had to grow up without a parent, this movie hits hard. Ian’s wish to have met his dad, especially on a day as significant as his 16th birthday, is enough to get the waterworks going. He’s clearly in need of the kind of advice only fathers can give and, after running to a friend of his dad’s, he seems more desperate than ever to know what he was like. Well, Ian and his family come by the opportunity every grieving person has ever wanted: the chance for one more day with their passed on loved one. While things don’t exactly go as planned, it turns out that Ian does sort of get his wish in the end. Not only did he always have his older brother looking out for him, he also becomes as bold and brave as his dad was.

She wants to be where the people are! While we always wanted to be mermaids as kids, here’s a mermaid who’s coveting to be human. “Part of Your World” is the movie’s “I Want” song and we get the wish pretty plainly stated in its lyrics. Even though Ariel’s wish is only fulfilled conditionally at first – you guys remember the whole ‘give up your voice to the evil sea witch’ thing, right? – she does end up with her happily ever after by the movie’s close. Plus, not only does she get legs, she repairs her relationship with her father too.

Listen, if we were in Cindy’s shoes, we’d be doing a whole lot of wishing ourselves. Although no one really knows why we have dreams, Cinderella has a pretty charming answer to the question. Upon waking in the morning, she mentions that she had a pleasant dream but doesn’t tell any of her animal companions what it was because: “if you tell a wish, it won’t come true”. Still we have a pretty good idea what it might have been. Her message to keep faith that your dreams will come true is exactly the kind of inspiration we seek out when we’re feeling down. It’s what kept her persevering through her own tribulations after all.

Tiana is probably the most diligent, hardworking princess of them all. Still, hard work means nothing without a little faith and Tiana seems to embody this when she wishes upon the evening star. That, or she just saw how quickly it worked for Lottie. Although Lottie’s wish doesn’t come to pass, Tiana’s certainly does and with a handsome bonus too, if you know what we mean. Wishing upon a star is one of the most classic ways to do the thing, but “Princess and the Frog” steps up the layered meaning with the whole Evangeline subplot. It really does feel all the more magical that way.

We can’t make a list about wishes without including the king of wishes himself, Aladdin. And, yes, we dubbed him that on sheer volume alone. Although Genie is clear about not being able to wish for more wishes, Aladdin’s first ask feels like a pretty great bargain. Not only does he get the outfit and the transportation, he gets the whole show-stopping entrance. Of course, his second wish sort of goes to waste but the third… Aw, the third. After finding out Genie is a prisoner to his lamp, Aladdin promises to use his third wish to set him free. Even though it was going to cost him his love, Aladdin stays true to his word. Getting to see Genie that happy is a reward all its own.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Lilo’s Prayer, “Lilo & Stitch” (2002)
So She Didn’t Get an Angel Per Say, But Certainly a Friend for Life!

Jack’s Desire for Something New, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
We’ve All Wished for Change at Some Point

Moana’s Calling, “Moana” (2016)
You Just Can’t Fight That Inner Voice

While we would normally not consider marionettes coming to life “cute” or “sweet” or anything of the sort, we’ve got to make the exception for Pinocchio. He’s pretty adorable to begin with and Geppetto just looks so happy to have him. In the live action, it’s shown that Geppetto has a deceased son, which adds a whole other layer of heartbreak to the story. The night after he finishes carving Pinocchio, Geppetto recites those famous words, wishing for the wooden puppet to become a real boy. Because he’s given so much joy to others throughout his life as a toy maker, the Blue Fairy grants this wish – but only so long as Pinocchio proves himself worthy of life. And, in the happiest of endings, he does!

Alright, you get one wish. What is it? Let us know in the comments.