We associate many feelings with Walt Disney World and with Disney films; everything from anticipation and excitement to wonderment and, of course, happiness. But Disney can bring out the emotional side in all of us too, and in many ways that’s the most powerful feeling of all. Not of sadness per se, but something that touches you deeply in a personal way, and may even bring a tear to your eye. It may be the overwhelming sense of unity and togetherness that you get during IllumiNations, or the realization that your childhood dreams are coming true right before your eyes when you see fireworks blooming in the night sky behind Cinderella Castle.

For me, Disney-Pixar animated films are filled with these teary-eyed moments, and no matter how many times I see them, I have to make sure I have a box of tissues right by my side! There are far too many moments to list here, but here are five of my “Most Tearful Disney Moments.” (Tissues ready? OK, here we go!)

Up
I’m sure we can all agree with this one. While most of the film is colorful and filled with exciting adventures, the opening segment is one of the most emotionally powerful moments to be found in any animated film, or dare I say, in any film. As we live out Carl and Ellie’s childhood romance, wedding, and long life together, we are as heart broken as Carl is when he has to say goodbye to his lifelong love. (I’ll bet there’s a tear in your eye right now, I will openly admit there’s one in mine.) I also get (very) weepy at the end of the film, when Carl steps in and presents Russell with the grape soda cap badge that Ellie gave to him when they were children. It’s the culmination of a long emotional journey for Carl (who’s had to live on his own mourning over his lost-but-never-truly-gone love) and for Russell, who grew up without a father.

WALL-E
I’ve gone out on a limb many a time to declare that WALL-E is the greatest love story every committed to film…ever. Animated or otherwise. Though it’s an adventure story on the surface with a powerful ecological message, at its heart it’s a love story; a love story unlike anything we’ve seen before. Storytelling was and will always be at the heart of every Disney film, and the way in which this tale of loneliness, yearning, and love was crafted is pure genius; especially when you consider that the two characters are robots and that the bulk of their story is conveyed with very little or no dialog at all. It’s a beautiful story, but the moment that really makes my heart swell (and makes my tears cascade down my cheek) is when Eve is looking back through video files and realizes that WALL-E was protecting her and standing by her side the whole time she went into hibernation mode. It’s at that point that Eve understands everything that WALL-E had been going through; loneliness, a longing for a love he thought he could never have, and his unwavering devotion to Eve despite her initial (preprogrammed) indifference. It’s Eve’s revelation that really touches me; the moment when you learn what true love is, and that that love has been next to you the whole time. As I said, the greatest love story ever told.

Ratatouille
I confess this one is hard to explain; in that I’m not sure why it affects my so deeply. You’d think I’d be referring to the moment when Linguini and Colette fall in love, or when Remy’s father finally understands and accepts his son for who he truly is inside. These are emotional moments to be sure, but the scene that always gets me weeping is when Anton Ego takes that first bite of ratatouille and instantly becomes a child again. Why does this scene affect me so much? I think it’s because it’s that sudden realization that no matter how “grown up” we think we are, there’s always a part of us that’s a child at heart (whether we realize it or not). One who is vulnerable, sometimes scared, and wanting to be loved and accepted. As Anton remembers how he was comforted by his mother after his minor accident, has hardened exterior melts away and you can tell he reconnects with what is truly important again. It’s that reaffirmation of the powerful bond between parent and child that really tugs at my heart…that bond that can never truly be broken (and one we’ll revisit a little later in this list).

Toy Story 2
I’m sure this next one is on everyone’s list. There are plenty of emotional journeys that play out in this film, from Woody’s fear of being abandoned to his having to choose between his old friends and his new “family.” But it’s Jessie’s story that is the most heart-wrenching of all. Though Woody’s fears stemmed from a series of misunderstandings and accidents (after all, Andy never truly wanted to throw him away, much less have him sold in a yard sale), Jessie’s abandonment was very real. As we relive her story, told through visuals and the “you can’t help but cry when you hear it” song “When She Loved Me,” sung by Sarah McLachlan, I for one turn into a pitiful blob of blubbering jelly. So much so that when I see the film in the company of my daughter and the scene is forthcoming, she always asks “are you going to cry again?” “Yep” I whimper, covering myself with a blanket. And the waterworks flow. And I bet they do for you to.

Mulan
Speaking of daughters, this is far and away my top weepy moment, for this is one of the purest and most heartfelt daddy/daughter moments in the Disney film canon (and there are lots to choose from to be sure). It comes early in the film when Mulan is feeling depressed and unsure of herself and of her place in the world. Sitting in grove of cherry trees, her father sits by her side. He senses the pain in her daughters heart, but rather than trying to solve her problems (which he knows he can’t do through mere words), he simply comments “My, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But look, this one’s late. But I’ll bet that when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.” Mulan knows what he means, and we know what he means. It’s that reassurance from your father that he believes in you, that he loves you, and that to him you are the most treasured part of his heart and soul. For every child that’s felt out of place or unappreciated, and for every parent (father in my case) who has wanted nothing less than to give their whole world to their daughter or son, this parent/child moment is one that touches everyone.

Later in the film, the Emperor echoes this sentiment when he says “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” And yes, both moments make me unabashedly cry. Not tears of sadness, but of love…love for my daughter and the strongest love I know I will always have. One that will never be broken.

It’s such an emotional moment for me that my loving daughter, much in the spirit of Mulan’s father, made this piece of art for me, knowing how much it means to me, and to us. (And in a proud papa moment, I invite you to see more of her amazing artwork on Instagram, @nicebreakfast)

And that is where Disney’s true magic lies. Yes, they can (and do) bring dreams to life, and they can recreate worlds that transport us to faraway lands, but it’s the way they can bring out our deepest emotions that’s their true gift. No matter whether you’re at the parks or watching a classic film, these emotions of love, togetherness, pride, and heartfelt connection are the true pixie dust.

And yes, I cried as I wrote this. But now that I’m calm and have wiped the tears away, I ask you…what is your most emotional Disney film moment? Is there one that speaks to you in a personal way? If so, please share it with us in the comments below. In the meantime, I’ll be off to watch Endgame again. (No spoilers, promise, but I will tell you I cried no less that 17 times. And I’m proud of it.)