2015 Disney Character Rankings (90-81)

A few weeks back, I started an updated Disney character countdown. The preview was followed by the rankings for 102-91. Today we continue the countdown.....

Top Disney Characters 90-81

90. J. Thaddeus Toad

Previous Ranking: 64

J. Thaddeus Toad is a Disney legend and had this list been made 20 years ago, a top 50 ranking would have been easily justified. However, now many have no idea who Mr. Toad is. His ride has been replaced at Disney World and this photo is the only memory of it existing. Him handing over the deed of the ride to a character from the much more popular Winnie the Pooh franchise should tell you all you need to know about how he has faded from the parks. Still worthy of a spot on the countdown, that may not be true in a year or so.

89. Chip Potts

Previously Unranked

Chip Potts is one of the most memorable characters from one of Disney's best movies. If the movies were ranked by a large group of people, I think this would finish between 2nd and 5th for most popular movie. It happened to have some of the best and most memorable characters as well. One of those characters was the little chipped cup named Chip. He has virtually no presence in the parks, but his part in the mega-hit earns him a spot here at 89.

88. Scrooge McDuck

Previous Ranking: 56

Scrooge falls more than 30 spots and it is because he doesn't really have a presence for Disney anymore. Sure, kids can watch DuckTales reruns and they are still fantastic, but he hasn't been in anything new in over a decade. Other than Mickey's Christmas Carol he really isn't seen anymore ever. At the parks he can be seen at Christmas time and that is it. He still belongs on the the list though because people still love DuckTales and the line to see him at Mickey's Holiday Party are insane.

87. Flik

Previous Ranking: 58

I do not know anyone who has this movie rated as their number 1. It is more recent though and most kids do know it. Flik also is the main character in the Bug's Life show in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Because of that show and him being the main character in the movie he belongs on the list. However, if that show inside the tree of life were to be replaced or removed as some suggest, then he will no longer be on this list. Flik drops 29 spots, but will stay on this list so long as that show stays in a Disney Park.

86. Lots-o'-Huggin'Bear

Previous Ranking: 82

The main bad guy in Toy Story 3 is shown he strapped to the front of Sid's truck which happened at the end of the movie. He is quite popular among Toy Story fans, but he only was in the final movie of the series (so far). He cannot be ranked as high as most characters from the franchise and I have left him ranked in the 80s for a 2nd time. This is a good spot for him and I think he will always be somewhere from 80-100 unless he makes another appearance or other characters emerge.

85. Iago

Previous Ranking: 78

Iago had a slight drop to 85 on the countdown this year. He is an incredibly memorable character for an iconic movie franchise, but doesn't have the staying power of some others. Iago is one that won't really be booted from this countdown having appeared in all 3 movies and the TV Show, but he will never be as high as the genie or other characters from the movie. The biggest reason for this is that Iago has 0 presence at the parks unlike the characters from Aladdin that will finish higher than him.

84. Zazu

Previous Ranking: 76

Zazu is a character that everyone loves from Disney's most popular movie. It also happens to be my older son's favorite movie and he loves Zazu. Because he is such a major piece of Disney's top film, it would be hard for him to be removed from the countdown. However, similar to Iago with Aladdin, other characters from Lion King will always be higher than Zazu. He just will not be as popular as the others and has no presence at the parks still.

83. Mater

Previously Unranked

There is really no good reason for not having mater in the 1st countdown. The only reason he was not in that countdown is because I am not a fan of the Cars franchise. That franchise though has two movies and merchandise galore. People love Mater and he is the 2nd most popular character from the movie. You can also see him at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Mater absolutely belongs on this countdown and an argument could be made for him being higher than he is.

82. Cogsworth

Previously Unranked

Cogsworth is the clock that turns into a human in Beauty and the Beast. He was a major character in the film, but not as major as his best friend Lumiere. He was like Lumiere's side kick/rival of sorts. However, he is not as memorable which is why he is much lower on the countdown. That being said, he certainly belongs and fits nicely at #82.

81. Figaro

Previous Ranking: 95

Figaro has been re-branded from the cat of Gepetto to the cat of Minnie Mouse. While I didn't think so the last time I did rankings, that actually makes Figaro even more popular than he was before. This character is known to multiple generations of Disney fans. This ranking at 81 might even still be too low. He is a strong personality in the Disney Universe when you think about it.

Stay tuned for our next ranking of characters 80-71 in a few weeks. Next week, we will do a zoo review of Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

- Noland 

The Top 101 Disney Characters of All-Time (90-81)

Yesterday, I started a countdown of Disney's best 101 characters. That installment can be found here. Today, we continue with #'s 90-81.

90. Sven

Sven is the adorable reindeer from Frozen that adds so much to the movie. The reindeer is Kristoff's best friend and loyal pet. He does not talk, but Kristoff talks for him quite a few times in the movie. Sven may be higher on the list in the future, but for now less than a year after the movie was released, he was a perfect fit at #90.

89. Magic Carpet

The Magic Carpet is an underrated character in the Aladdin movies that many people would leave off the countdown, but I cannot. The only reason the carpet is not higher for me is that he does not talk. It has it's own ride at the Magic Kingdom and is an iconic symbol from the movie. This carpet belongs on the countdown.

88. Tod

Tod made the countdown for me with Copper being just outside. I love the Fox and the Hound, but it is not one of Disney's most popular movies and doesn't have the staying power of some of the other movies. When you watch it over and over you realize a few things and it isn't quite as good. Despite being natural enemies the pair are best friends, but the story more focuses on Tod and it is Tod and not Copper who wants to keep the friendship going. Copper chases Tod several times in the movie. Sure, Copper sticks up for the friend a few times and doesn't kill him in the end, but its Tod who is the better friend and character.

87. Tantor

Above you can see my second favorite scene from Tarzan (behind trashin' the camp) from my favorite character in the movie. Tantor is one of my favorite Disney characters period, but I kept him at 87 because he's not one of those characters most people think of when they think of the movie. He is not as popular as his buddy Turk either. However, there is no denying his greatness or the fact that he belongs on this list. As a frequent Disneyworld visitor, I would like to see more Tantor at the theme park.

86. Owl

Owl from Winnie the Pooh is a character that many know. He is the official philospher of the 100 acre wood and considers himself to be the smartest. His friends agree with Owl eventhough he makes many mistakes. The Backson is one of those mistakes in the most recent movie, leading the other characters into a frenzy worried about the Backson. Owl is a solid complement character for the Winnie the Pooh series, but he was always my least favorite.

85. Thomas O’Malley

Thomas O'Malley is one of the most popular characters from the movie Aristocats. The only character that compares to him is coming a little later in the countdown. I had that other character higher because she is more prominently featured at Disney Parks, but I personally like Thomas better. He is basically the male version of Tramp, but a bit cooler. The only reason he isn't higher than Tramp is that Tramp's movie is more popular and iconic.

84. Jose Caroica

Jose Caroica first appeared in the film Saludos Amigos alongside Donald Duck. He then reappeared with Donald and Panchito in the Three Caballeros. That movie (The Three Caballeros) is what Caroica is best known for. Often appearing with the other two birds. They make occasional appearances at Disney World (although I have yet to see them there) and are featured on a ride. This guy adds a lot to the Disney Universe.

83. Panchito Pistoles

Panchito Pistoles is the bird who is singing on the Three Caballeros ride in the Mexican Pavilion at Epcot. He is ranked ahead of Jose because he is the one singing on the ride and my son and I both love it. While he often appears with Jose Carioca and Jose is an older character, Panchito is more entertaining and earns the higher spot. We would love to see more Panchito around the World of Disney.

82. Lots-o'-Huggin'Bear

The villain from Toy Story 3 has already become one of the iconic Disney characters and greatest villains of all-time. He fit right in with the other characters and added a great deal to one of Disney's best movies. This guy made the whole movie for several people and they would have him higher.

81. Lightning McQueen

Lightning McQueen is the lead character from Cars and one of the most popular Disney characters there is. I believe he is one of the most overrated Disney characters and I am not a huge fan, but I realize that he belongs on this list. Some would have this guy in their top 10, but I don't think he is more iconic than what is coming.

-Noland