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 (60-51)

On this countdown, we have now reached the end of the first 50 characters after today. Before we finish these first 50 characters, let's recap...

101-91

90-81

80-71
70-61

 60. Bullseye

Bullseye is my 3rd favorite character in Toy Story. I only like Buzz and Rex more than Bullseye. I even prefer Bullseye to Woody. This character is so loyal and friendly and awesome. In Toy Story 3, he even tries to accompany Woody when nobody else would knowing it would mean he went to the attic. He is probably the most loyal and friendly of the whole group. He's a great character and worthy of the top 60.

59. Maximus

This may be high for a newer character who can't talk, but I don't think so. Tangled was an absolutely brilliant movie and it wouldn't have been as good without Maximus. His interaction with Rapunzel is priceless. The fights with Flynn Rider are legendary. He eventually is put in charge of the entire army during the movie. Maximus is a great character and one of Disney's finest.

58. Flik

Flik is the hero in A Bug's Life. Eventually, Flik thinks of a way to topple one of the greatest Disney Villains ever, Hopper. This guy absolutely belongs in the top 60. He even hosts his own show at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

57. LaunchPad McQuack

LanchPad McQuack is the pilot in DuckTales and Darkwing Duck's sidekick. These are two of Disney's most popular cartoons and LanchPad played a huge role in both. I struggled a lot with where to put him because he was not a lead character. However, he plays a big role in two shows that were huge successes for Disney. He obviously had to be behind the two main characters of the shows, but I believe he fits in nicely here at #57.

56. Scrooge McDuck

Uncle Scrooge is perhaps from the greatest Disney TV Show of all-time. I have it at #3 behind Darkwing Duck and Talespin, but many would have it #1. Everyone knows the theme song from Ducktales and the Scrooge is the boys Uncle. He also happens to play Mr.Scrooge in Disney's A Christmas Carol (the animated version).

55. Zurg

Zurg is a top 10 Disney Villain. He is also the Disney Villain whose section is the closest to the Transportation and Ticket Center at Magic Kingdom. Bonus points for being the closest character to the theme park. Zurg is Buzz's arch-rival and the target in Space Ranger Spin where you try to help Buzz and the Space Rangers defeat Zurg. Being the bad guy on the second best ride in the Magic Kingdom and in the greatest Pixar franchise are definitely worth inclusion on this list. The only question is, should he be higher?

54. Rabbit

This may seem low for Rabbit, especially from a Pooh lover like myself, but it fits. Rabbit unlike the 4 main characters (Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore) is not so friendly and likable. He often yells at Tigger for bouncing on his property or Pooh for eating to much. He is like that old guy yelling "get off my lawn." I realize you need characters like that, but I've never been a fan. I wouldn't go so far as to suggest he is a villain like some, but I don't think he adds that much to the Winnie the Pooh franchise.

53. Perry the Platypus

Perry the Platypus is another character that could be way higher or a little lower depending on who you are. Many young people would have Perry in their top 20. While older people without kids wouldn't have him as high. Let me tell you, if you have kids or teach kids, this guy is one of their favorite characters. It was my nephew's favorite show until very recently and he loved the Platypus. My students of all ages have Platypus backpacks. If more older people knew who he was, he would be a top 30 character. This guy is featured across Disney Parks and very prominent in the Disney Universe.

52. Pete

Pete maybe should be higher on this list. Many would have him as a Top 10 character. He is one of two official Disney Villain characters to be featured in the classic cartoons (the other is Big Bad Wolf). This guy was the arch-nemesis of Mickey Mouse and has played a rival throughout the years. In Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he is the most frequent of the non-main characters to appear. He isn't really a bad guy, but offers an interesting twist in that show. In a Goofy Movie, Pete is Goofy's best friend and he is well known for that as well. Pete is a huge Disney character.

51. Rex

Rex is the 4th highest Toy Story character on this countdown and is my second favorite character. Outside of Woody and Buzz, I don't know that there is a more beloved character from the franchise than Rex. Based on Toy Story Toons on Disney Jr.,Rex may be Bonnie's favorite toy of all. He may be the lead character in Toy Story 4 if that is the case. Rex is a great additional character in the Toy Story franchise and a vital part of the story.

-Noland