Top 10 Disney Moments That Shaped Our Childhood
#10: The Waterfall “The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)
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When Kuzco is attacked by jaguars, Pacha reluctantly saves his village’s would-be destroyer. However, this ultimately lands them in a river that leads to exactly what you’d expect. The joke here calls out a famous movie cliché, but kids found the scene hilarious for other reasons. Seeing these rivals casually converse is already pretty funny in itself. But what’s hysterical is the dry wit in their waterfall-themed exchange. And to perfectly cap it off, Kuzco meets his fate with a comical exclamation. The duo climbing out of a crocodile-filled ravine later in the film is also extremely memorable. But this moment beats it out for influencing an entire generation’s sense of humor.
#9: “This Is Halloween” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
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Not everyone is immediately drawn to the concept of All Hallows’ Eve. The idea of monsters and the undead roaming around the night is especially scary to kids. That’s why this moment is particularly noteworthy. The introductory sequence quickly gets our attention as viewers of all ages are invited to partake in the festivities. We’re then taken on a tour of Halloween Town, where the residents are both whimsical and frightening. Ghosts, witches, ghouls, a Pumpkin King, and more perfectly encapsulate just how wonderfully terrifying Halloween can be. By the time the catchy musical number ends, children watching are just as infatuated with the holiday as the inhabitants of Halloween Town.
#8: Stitch Says Goodbye “Lilo & Stitch” (2002)
It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll find moving scenes in any Disney film, no matter what era it’s from. But this moment especially demonstrates the value of family. When we first meet Experiment 626, he’s an unruly abomination who escapes his alien captors. By the end of the movie he’s captured once again, only this time, he goes willingly. Stitch’s earnestness is adorable, and what he believes to be his final goodbye proves that he’s truly changed for the better. The charming scene that is Lilo and Stitch’s first meeting is admittedly a great contender. However, when it comes to memorability and emotional effect, the power of “ohana” just can’t be beaten.
#7: Meg Won't Say She's in Love “Hercules” (1997)
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In an attempt to help Hades defeat Hercules, Meg inadvertently falls for the Wonderboy. Her emotions eventually come to a head and the only way she can express herself is through a catchy R&B tune. When it comes to love songs, Disney always delivers. Meg’s ballad is no exception, but the key difference here is that she sings about not wanting to be in love. Having been heartbroken by a man before, she refuses to fall for someone ever again. But thanks to the Muses’ backup vocals, Meg starts to see that her deep romantic desire doesn’t make her any less empowered. We’ve loved watching her growth as her story unfolds since we were young, and we don’t think that’ll change anytime soon.
#6: “Colors of the Wind” “Pocahontas” (1995)
When settlers arrive to conquer the New World, Pocahontas encourages one of the colonists to rethink his eurocentric stance. Like John Smith, many of us are guilty of getting caught up in our own bubbles. So we sometimes forget to appreciate the Earth as it is. But “Colors of the Wind” taught us an important lesson early on, reminding us of the connection that we have with nature. The sequence also conveys the important moral of acceptance and respect towards those of different cultures. The lyrics and visuals handle these heavy themes with surprising grace. And we’d be remiss not to mention Judy Kuhn’s performance, which has kept us listening for years.
#5: “Reflection” “Mulan” (1998)
Mulan’s adventurous and independent spirit is her strength, and means that she doesn’t conform to society’s expectations of women. This inner conflict burdens her, as she feels she can’t be her true self without dishonoring her family. She laments these struggles through “Reflection”, which is beautifully sung by Lea Salonga. This scene not only tackles the issues of gender norms, but also relates to people who feel they’re not free to be themselves. Fortunately, we’re later shown that Mulan is loved for who she truly is, not for the parts she plays throughout the film. This movie shaped our childhoods in a number of ways, but “Reflection” is the moment that made many of us feel seen.
#4: Ballroom Waltz “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
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This Oscar-winning film always takes us back to our childhood years, and this moment is a big part of why. During a romantic date night in the castle, Belle and the Beast decide to slow dance in the ballroom. Lyricist Howard Ashman wrote the scene’s titular song, which took numerous cues from the ballads heard on Broadway. He flawlessly captured the feeling that arises when two seemingly opposite people embrace one another, thus bringing out the best in each other. We can safely say that he and composer Alan Menken went above and beyond. From the intricately detailed setting to Angela Lansbury’s soothing voice, this scene uses cinema’s and theater’s greatest tools to give us something truly remarkable.
#3: “Part of Your World” “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
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Almost every Disney film has an “I Want” number, or a scene in which a character expresses their deepest desires through song. Out of all of them, Ariel’s definitely left the greatest impression. A mermaid fascinated by the human world, she takes refuge from her strict father among her hidden collection of gadgets and gizmos. But “thingamabobs” and “dinglehoppers” aren’t enough, as Ariel longs for the freedom to “be where the people are.” It’s hard to find a Disney fan who doesn’t know every word to the number, or who didn’t feel like Ariel at one point growing up. Themes of isolation and searching for where you belong are timeless, and “Part of Your World” has been a huge part of countless lives for decades.
#2: Mufasa's Death “The Lion King” (1994)
When we think of “The Lion King”, scenes that come to mind are the uplifting “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” segment and the breathtaking “Circle of Life” opening. But the murder of Simba’s father Mufasa was so devastating it scarred us. Such tragedies are common in Disney films, but this death scene is infamously heartbreaking. Maybe that’s because of Scar’s final words to his brother, Simba’s horrified reaction, or a mix of it all. The blow is slightly lessened by Mufasa’s later appearance as a spirit who reminds Simba of who he is. Still, the image of the young lion’s face as he realizes that his dad isn’t waking up has haunted us since the first time we saw it. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Son of Man”, “Tarzan” (1999) Tarzan Turns His Differences Into His Greatest Strength “The Bare Necessities”, “The Jungle Book” (1967) Baloo Tells Us to Forget About Our Worries & Our Strife Esmeralda Helps Quasimodo, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996) One Act of Kindness Inspires a Slew of People Off to Neverland, “Peter Pan” (1953) A Fantasy Comes True with Faith, Trust, & Pixie Dust Candlelit Spaghetti Dinner, “Lady and the Tramp” (1955) An Instantly Recognizable Scene That Filled Us with Love
#1: “A Whole New World” “Aladdin” (1992)
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Though his attempt to impress Princess Jasmine fails miserably, Aladdin gets a second chance. What follows is one of Disney’s most visually impressive and musically delightful numbers ever. Aladdin and Jasmine embark on a journey around the world, expressing their desire for adventure in a rare combination of an “I Want” number and a love song. Throughout the sequence, their affection for each other slowly builds before they ultimately commit to exploring what life has to offer together. “A Whole New World” perfectly captures what true love is. Much like the couple, our childhood selves were forever changed by the magical experience. We’re still waiting for the chance to ride on a magic carpet!
