The main characters in Disney movies are very often children or young adults, with the supporting characters, oftentimes, their parents or parental figures. And just like in real life, some of these kids’ relationships with their mothers, fathers and guardians are stable and healthy, while others are not.
From the sweet bonds of sons and daughters who turned to their parents often and enjoyed hanging out with them to the less-than-ideal situations that involved families who did not get along, here are five Disney characters who really connected with their parents or guardians and five characters who did not.
Did: Dumbo
First up is Dumbo, a one-of-a-kind elephant who was the star of his story. He was delivered to his mother by a stork, and even though everyone else immediately ridiculed his big ears, his mother, Mrs. Jumbo, thought he was perfect.
She cared for him and stood up for him, which resulted in her being locked away. During that time, Dumbo was able to visit her, and they hugged with their trunks, which was both sweet and sad. But by the end of the movie, Dumbo and Mrs. Jumbo were praised and had their own private car on the circus train, allowing them to live happily ever after.
Didn’t: Cinderella
Many Disney characters are orphans, including Cinderella. After she lost both of her parents, she had to be raised by her evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine. This villain and her daughters, Anastasia and Drizella, bossed Cinderella around and used her as a housekeeper.
Lady Tremaine also did not want Cinderella to go to the ball, and after she found out that Cinderella had gone and had fallen in love, she locked her in her room. This certainly was not a pleasant relationship, but as a true Disney princess, Cinderella always remained calm, cool and collected, despite it all.
Did: Jane & Tarzan
Both the main characters’ parents and parental figures were featured in Tarzan, and they both had good relationships with them. After Tarzan’s mom and dad were killed by a leopard, he was taken in by Kala, a gorilla who loved him like her own.
Later on in the story, some explorers showed up, including the friendly Professor Porter and his bright daughter, Jane.
Didn’t: Sleeping Beauty
King Stefan and Queen Leah had always wanted a child, and they finally had the perfect baby girl, Aurora. However, she was cursed by Maleficent, causing her to go into hiding and be raised by three fairies named Flora, Fauna and Merryweather.
This may have helped in keeping her safer for longer, but it meant that the king and queen didn’t know their own kid at all. Luckily, there was a happy ending for Aurora, one that had her fall in love with Prince Phillip. But it meant that just when she returned home and defeated the villain, she was getting ready to run off again with the man of her dreams.
Did: 101 Dalmatians
In 101 Dalmatians, owners Roger and Anita had Pongo and Perdita, and they both had and took in tons and tons of puppies, making the familiar bonds in this film doubly good.
It was a warm and inviting home, full of music, laughter, while the family worked to save innocent lives from Cruella de Vil.
Didn’t: Pinocchio
Pinocchio was a puppet who came to life and had some strong parental figures in his life. He was young and wanted to see the world and he had the adorable Geppetto, who made him and wished he was real, in the first place. Pinocchio also had Jiminy Cricket, who was there to guide him and offer up advice.
Despite these strong and smart role models in his life, Pinocchio ignored them, got kidnapped, started turning into a donkey and ended up being swallowed by a whale, showing some selfishness and disrespect towards his parental figures.
Did: Belle
It is also common for Disney characters to only have one parent, and Belle had her father, Maurice. They lived in a quaint little village where she spent her time reading and he spent his time inventing.
Those around them thought they were a bit strange, but this daughter-dad duo was confident and close, sticking together through it all.
Didn’t: Rapunzel
While another king and queen technically had Rapunzel, this Disney princess was raised by Mother Gothel.
Mother Gothel kidnapped Rapunzel in order to have the power of her hair around her at all times. She also taught Rapunzel to fear the outside world, keeping the girl locked up in a tower.
Did: Simba
One of the most celebrated Disney parents is Mufasa, and he and his wife, Sarabi, were parents to Simba. When this main character was young, scenes showed him playing around with his friends and family, getting licked during bathtime by his mother, and having heart-to-heart talks with his father.
Mufasa’s death was heartbreaking, both for those in the story and those watching it, but as Simba got older, he knew he had to fight in order to protect his father’s legacy and step into his shoes.
Didn’t: Snow White
Cinderella may have featured the most infamous evil stepmother, but Snow White was the first-ever Disney princess, and she lived with her stepmother, the Evil Queen. This woman was so vain that she made Snow White work as a maid so that the princess would not be as pretty.
She took things even further by hiring the Huntsman to kill her step-daughter and taking on the disguise of an old woman in order to tempt her into eating a poison apple.
