I have always loved Disney animation. Even as an infant, Disney was part of my world—my crib featured Mickey Mouse, and my pajamas had Winnie the Pooh on them. Those characters and stories were woven into my childhood, and as I grew older, my appreciation for animation only deepened. It wasn’t just entertainment anymore; I came to love the artistry, music, storytelling, and emotion behind these films. So, after a lifetime of watching Disney animation, I decided to rank my personal Top 10.

1. The Emperor’s New Groove is my all-time favorite. It’s also a movie Castor loves, and over the years it has become one of “our” films. We watch it every year, especially when we travel. On long drives, we’ll even play the audio from the movie and listen to the entire thing as we make our way down the highway. It never gets old and still makes us laugh every time.

2. Beauty and the Beast holds some incredible memories for me. It was released during my first year working at Disney, and as Cast Members, we were given the opportunity to see an unfinished version before the film was completed and released to the public. Watching it come to life during such an important time in my own life makes it especially meaningful.

3. 101 Dalmatians goes all the way back to the beginning for me. It was the first movie I saw, when my dad took me to the theater while my sister was being born. I may not remember that day, but knowing that it was part of such an important family moment has always connected me to the film. I have watched it countless times since, and I still love it today.

4. A Bug’s Life is simply one of those movies that makes me smile. I love the characters, the humor, the music, and the message of discovering that you are capable of much more than you realize.

5. Aladdin was another film released while I was working at Disneyland, so it is tied to some wonderful memories from that chapter of my life. “A Whole New World” became a song my coworkers and I would sing together while bowling at two o’clock in the morning after work. Years later, when Cas and I got married, it became our song, giving it an entirely new and much deeper meaning.

6. Coco completely surprised me. It was visually beautiful, but it was the story that really stayed with me. It made me cry, made me think about family and the people who came before us, and helped me better understand traditions and life in Mexico. Few animated films have affected me emotionally the way Coco did.

7. Toy Story was simply amazing when it was released. Seeing a completely computer-animated feature film for the first time blew my mind. It felt like we were watching the future of animation unfold right in front of us, while still getting a story filled with unforgettable characters and tremendous heart.

8. Meet the Robinsons became special partly because it was another favorite of Castor’s. Beyond that connection, I love its message about family, perseverance, and continuing to move forward even when life doesn’t go exactly as planned.

9. Monsters, Inc. has everything I love about a great animated film. It is funny, imaginative, creative, and filled with heart. Sulley and Boo’s relationship gives the movie an emotional center that makes it much more than just a comedy.

And finally, 10. The Jungle Book has always held a special place for me. It was the final animated feature Walt Disney personally worked on before his death, and it was released the year I was born. That connection between Walt’s era and the beginning of my own life has always made the film feel meaningful to me.

Looking at this list, I realize these aren’t necessarily the ten films I would call the “greatest” Disney animated movies ever made. They are something much more personal than that. Each one is connected to a memory—a childhood moment, my years working at Disneyland, friendships, family, travel, Castor, or a particular time in my life.

That is what I love most about Disney animation. The movies stay the same, but as we grow older, the memories we attach to them continue to grow.