Disney Movies=Raging Romance

I realized recently that I've been primed since I was a small girl to become a romance writer. Every Disney movie I ever watched as a child has led me to where I am today—an aspiring published author of romantic fiction.

So how is it that Disney movies contributed to my knowledge of the romance genre?

It's simple. All of my favorite animated Disney movies have the elements of a great romance novel.

1) The meet cute

See the grin on her face? She knows she's working it. And talk about a
split up the side on that shower curtain skirt. WooWee!

Even though Ariel sees Prince Eric dancing around on his ship and rescues him when the ship goes down, they don't actually meet until she trades in her sea legs for land legs. When Ariel, wearing nothing more than a bedsheet (was this movie rated G?) looks up at Eric with those doey eyes and then collapses into his arms, he's smitten. He just doesn't know it yet.

2) The romance

Sure, this looks pretty romantic with the flower petals and twinkling stars, but what
about his hand on her bare midriff that's resting a little too close to, you know, "the girls."
 Didn't they just meet? Dang, Aladdin moves fast.

Who doesn't love the romance between Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. I mean, come on, flying around on a tassled carpet? That's a pretty sweet ride.

3) The conflict

Why does this look like she's his breakfast and not his date?

In Beauty and the Beast, there's a pretty clear conflict that's keeping them apart. Alas, he's a freakin' beastly creature and she's, well, a beauty.

4) The climax

I think I would give up, Prince Eric. This isn't looking good for you. Not good at all.

Every good story has to have a climax or else it would just fall flat. Sleeping Beauty has one of the most outstanding climaxes, and I know because when my oldest son was three, he wanted to watch this scene almost every day (I think it had something to do with a sword and a dragon? You know how boys are...)

5) The resolution

And of course, every young girls' fairytale...

What can compare to the love story between Cinderella and Prince Charming. I think this movie had every young girl wishing they had a glass slipper and a fairy godmother. And the resolution is divine—Cinderella gets the guy and her nasty stepmother and stepsisters get what they deserve. What could be better than sweet justice?

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So, after years of Disney movie watching in which my tender girlie heart learned about the essence of falling in love, it's no wonder I now write romance. Because when you look at my role models (see above) I can only hope to live up to the bar they've created. Go Disney movies! Rock that romance!

What was your favorite Disney movie as a kid? Or adult? Or both...