Fangirling Over Disney

One thing that never fails to make me cry is Mufasa's death scene in 'The Lion King' and Simba's reaction to it. I don't know what it is about that scene that floods my tear ducts.
Simba going, "Dad.. Dad, wake up!" and tugging at his ears and when he finally accepts his father isn't going to open his eyes, snuggles up to him with tears in his eyes, trying to find a way to say goodbye. It just tugs at my heartstrings like no other. I'm a gigantic Disney fan. I've watched all the movies, I've sung all the songs, I've pretended to be all the princesses - especially Mulan. Somehow, the idea of being able to fight like that, save one's country from peril and at the same time, find true love seems like a dream come true. I recall watching 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Cinderella', 'Snow White'; the Disney movies then showed girls as nothing more than pretty faces who sang along with birds and any other animal at their disposal and waited for their Prince Charming to come and sweep them off their feet.
Then it moved on to characters like Belle, who dreamt of a different life; Jasmine, who was feisty; Mulan, who was gutsy; Pocahontas, who listened to and with her heart; Tiana, who dreamt of attaining success on her own two feet; Rapunzel, who dared to take a chance despite fear of retribution; and finally Elsa and Anna whose love for each other was stronger and truer than any other romantic relationship. How much the ideal woman has changed, hasn't she? From just being a damsel in constant need of saving, she's transformed into an independent girl who has more to her than a sweet smile and a weird ability to make friends with the strangest of creatures.
But 'The Lion King' is my utmost favourite of all. I've watched it too many times to count, but each time I find myself singing along to 'Hakuna Matata', bawling at Mufasa's death, and revelling in the majesty of the wild. Disney is beautiful. Disney is fun. Disney is for everyone.