There is something very special about Disney for me...let me tell you about it!
Yes — I love the beautiful animation, the songs, the characters, and of course the collectibles (that part is probably fairly obvious by now!). But the real magic of Disney has never just been about the films themselves.
For me, Disney unlocks memories. Warm, comforting memories of a very happy childhood.
Now, as an adult — and as a mother myself — I look back on certain Disney films with so much fondness. Some remind me of childhood comfort, some remind me of growing up, and others remind me of sharing that magic with my own daughter years later.
So here they are — my top three Disney films and the memories attached to them.
3. The Little Mermaid 🧜♀️
This one always reminds me of staying with my Aunt during the summer holidays.
I used to go and stay for a week at a time and we would do all sorts of lovely things together — arts and crafts, little trips into town, treats, snacks… all those little childhood moments that stay with you forever.
The problem?
I was absolutely a Mummy’s girl.
My Mum was only about 30 minutes away, but to little me, it felt like another continent. After a few days, I would start feeling homesick. And somehow, my Aunt always knew exactly what would fix it.
Disney.
More specifically — The Little Mermaid.
I didn’t own the VHS at home, so it felt extra special when I watched it there. My Aunt would tuck me up on the sofa with blankets and snacks, and suddenly the world felt okay again. Looking back now, she probably realised she had discovered a magical little reset button for a sad child missing her Mum!
And honestly… what wasn’t there to love?
The songs. Ariel dreaming of another world. The excitement of growing up and finding Prince Charming. (Let’s not spend too much time discussing my childhood crush on Prince Eric…)
When the DVD eventually came out years later, I bought it immediately. My adult self still sang every song at the top of my lungs — usually out of tune and with at least 40% incorrect lyrics.
“Part of your wooooooorld…” 🎶
And I still do.
Recently, my husband watched it with me for the very first time. For context, he is 6’4”, an ex-marine, tough as nails… you know the type.
Guess what?
He loved it.
Which just proves my long-standing theory that Disney really is for everyone — even when it is slightly forced upon them!
But while he was discovering the film for the first time, I was sat there with a blanket over me, quietly remembering a little girl whose lovely Aunt knew exactly how to make her feel safe and happy again.
2. Tangled ✨
Now this one is incredibly special to me for a completely different reason.
When Tangled first came out, I was sceptical.
I had grown up absolutely devoted to the classic Disney princesses — Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel. To me, those were Disney princesses. They were my girls.
So this new princess arriving on the scene?
Hmm. She was going to have to work quite hard to join the crew.
I watched it rather begrudgingly.
And, of course… I was completely wrong.
Rapunzel was COOL.
She still had that classic Disney magic — the difficult childhood, the dreams, the songs — but she also felt modern, funny, awkward, adventurous and brave all at once. She more than earned her place alongside my childhood favourites.
And then there was Flynn Rider.
The bad boy turned good.
The smoulder.
The sarcasm.
Move over Prince Eric. Apparently I have a lifelong issue with animated men.
The songs quickly got stuck in my head and before long I had the soundtrack blasting in the car while I sang dramatically at traffic lights like I was preparing for a West End audition.
But the real reason this film means so much to me is because of my daughter.
She was about two years old at the time and she absolutely adored Tangled. I still remember days where we watched it four or five times in a row because the second it ended, her tiny little voice would immediately say:
“Again!”
And honestly?
I usually agreed.
I can still picture her now in her little Rapunzel dress, carrying around a Pascal plushie, singing along to the songs in toddler-language nonsense. Those moments stay with you forever.
That’s the thing about Disney.
One day you’re the child sat on the sofa with snacks and blankets… and before you know it, you become the parent creating those memories for someone else.
1. Beauty and the Beast 🌹
This one has to be number one. Always.
I still remember my Dad coming home with a borrowed VHS copy of Beauty and the Beast and being unbelievably excited about it.
I loved it instantly.
Belle, the misunderstood “funny girl”, bookish and different.
The Beast, lonely and angry underneath it all.
The enchanted castle.
The songs.
Lumiere and Cogsworth bickering like an old married couple.
I was completely enchanted.
Again, I was tucked up on the sofa while watching it — honestly, I’m starting to suspect my parents realised Disney films were an excellent way to get a bit of peace and quiet!
But then came that scene.
The tower.
The storm.
Gaston being the ultimate villain.
I still remember the awful feeling in my stomach as a child. I was genuinely devastated. Even though the film ends happily, I cried so much afterwards that I dramatically announced I would never watch it again.
I was quite a delicate little flower growing up.
Of course… eventually I watched it again.
By then I was older and slightly tougher. This time there were no surprises — I knew everything would be okay in the end. Phew.
And after that, I watched it over and over again.
Belle became my absolute favourite Disney princess.
Why?
Because she is kind. Truly kind. She sees beyond appearances. She’s quick-witted, intelligent, caring and quietly strong — everything I aspire to be.
And let’s be honest — her glow-up moment in the yellow dress is ICONIC.
Not looking quite so much like a “funny girl” now, are we, people from the marketplace?!
Do I actually think I’m like Belle?
Absolutely not.
I’m far more likely to be the woman in the marketplace complaining that “these eggs are far too expensive.”
But it’s always good to have role models.
Why Disney Collectibles Mean So Much to Me ✨
So when I collect Disney figurines now, they are never just ornaments to me.
When I look at them, they spark memories. Comfort. Nostalgia. Hope.
A figurine can remind me of my Aunt comforting a homesick little girl.
Or my daughter twirling around in a Rapunzel dress.
Or sitting beside my Dad watching a borrowed VHS tape that would become part of my childhood forever.
Yes — they look beautiful displayed around the home.
But for me, Disney collectibles are so much more than decorations.
They are little pieces of memory and magic. 🌹
