In honor of Mother’ Day, we thought we’d take some time to reflect on some of our favorite Disney mothers that we’ve met…both in the parks and on screen. While it’s true that some Disney mothers/step mothers are, shall we say, a bit on the stern side (Lady Tremaine and Mother Gothel immediately come to mind), there are plenty of other Disney moms who deserve special recognition. And keep in mind that this is just OUR list; if you have your own favorite Disney mom please let us know in the comments below! Ready? Let’s get started!

Queen Elinor/Brave
Our first mom takes a somewhat rocky road through her onscreen journey…being transformed into a bear is no picnic! And early on she and Merida do get into an argument, seemingly unable to reconcile. Fortunately, through a series of adventures and epiphanies (you’ll have to watch the movie to see for yourself!), Merida and Elinor rediscover the love they have for one another in a scene that is sure to send a tear or two streaming down your cheek. Both characters go through a heartfelt journey, and even though Merida is the main character of the film, Elinor’s journey is no less emotional. Though she starts out stubborn and set in her traditional ways, over the course of the film her compassion and love for Merida (which she always had deep inside) comes through, and at the end we see the two working on a new tapestry together as mother and daughter, closer than ever before.

Helen Parr/The Incredibles
Parents are all superheroes of course, but what do you do if you mom really IS a superhero? If you’re Violet, Dashiell, and Jack-Jack, you know you’ve got one of the greatest moms of all! Sure, it’s cool that she can wrangle all three kids by stretching her arms here, there, and everywhere (a superpower every parent wishes they had occasionally!), but it’s her compassion that makes her extra special. Even when faced with mortal danger at the hands of the bad guys, her first concern is for the safety of her children (even though Violet and Dashiell did stow away on her jet without her knowledge!). But even after she saves their lives as their plane plunges into the ocean, the most poignant moment comes later when she talks to the both of them, encouraging them to be everything they can be…and also realizing that they need to embrace their powers at their own pace. (The talk she has with Violet in the cave is especially moving, as Helen gives Violet the power to realize that it’s OK to be who she is. By the end of the film Violet is brimming with new found confidence, instilled in her by the loving words of her mother. And yeah, dad had something to do with that too!)

Mrs. Jumbo/Dumbo
In what is surely one of the most emotional moments in any Disney film, the scene where Dumbo visits his mother in her cage is filled with poignancy and love. Mrs. Jumbo is only there because she tried to protect Dumbo from being tormented by a bunch of bullies. It’s a reaction every parent can relate to, and the pain felt both by Dumbo and his mother is enough to make your heart melt…which makes their brief reunion even more emotional. Fortunately, by the end of the film Mrs. Jumbo is released and mother and son now share their own special train car. Little known fact: Mrs. Jumbo’s original name was Ella! (Elephant, get it?)

Mrs. Potts/Beauty and the Beast
How would you feel if you were unwillingly transformed into a common household object? Well, for Mrs. Potts, she doesn’t let it affect her demeanor at all. Even though she’s just a tiny teapot now, she still plays a matriarchal role in the castle, not only for her son Chip, but for the Beast as well. Though normally kind, she can be stern when she needs to be, giving advice and guiding everyone big and small along the right path. And of course, she has a tremendous singing voice, thanks to the legendary Angela Lansbury. Curiously, at one point Julie Andrews was slated to perform the part, but today we can’t imagine Mrs. Potts being portrayed by anyone else. Even more curiously, Mrs. Potts was voiced by Emma Thompson in the 2017 live action remake. As you may recall, Emma Thompson also played the part of P. L. Travers in the film Saving Mr. Banks, a film that was about the making of…Mary Poppins (played by Julie Andrews of course!).

Sarah/Carousel of Progress
Father may take center stage in this classic Magic Kingdom attraction, but it’s the mother Sarah who frequently steals the show. For most of the show she is “hidden” by the theater scrims on either side of the stage, but that doesn’t stop her from tossing out such priceless lines as “Well ovens just don’t clean themselves, you know, dear,” “Now, you’re always kidding poor Patty! She’s certainly prettier than either of you,” and “Oh, you and your progress! That paint mixer of yours just sloshed paint across my rump—er, rumpus… room.” We finally get to see Sarah on stage in the final Christmas scene, where she successfully sets up a voice command system for the house (though that doesn’t stop her husband from once again burning the Christmas turkey). Sarah was voiced by actress B. J. Ward, well known for her voice-over work throughout the years. If you think she sounds a bit familiar, that’s because she also provided brief voice-overs for Splash Mountain, Spaceship Earth, the TTA, and “it’s a small world” among others.

Well, that’s our list of our favorite Disney moms! Our list is by no means exhaustive, but rather than leave you with a list of honorable mentions, we invite you to tell us who YOUR favorite Disney mom is in the comments below.

Happy Mother’s Day!