Top 10 Classic Disney TV Shows of the 80s and 90s: Animated Edition

I don’t know about you, but my childhood ROCKED.  I am a child of the 80s and 90s.  I was a kid in the age of slap bracelets, side pony tails, and Glamour Shots.  In short, it was awesome.  A huge part of the awesomeness were the amazingly brilliant animated series that so many hold dear.  Whether on Saturday morning cartoons or after school, Disney provided a host of lovable characters.  Today, I’m reliving those days!  Adulthood is full of deadlines and timetables.  I’m going back to a simpler time!  Take the journey with me!

1.  Ducktales (1987-1990)

If you loved this show as a child, then you are probably singing the theme song right now!  Ducktales aired for 4 seasons from 1987-1990.If you’ve never had the luxury of watching this great Disney animated television show, you are in luck!  You can now purchase seasons on DVD.  Join Scrooge McDuck and his grandnephews Huey, Louie, and Dewey as they face action and adventure in Duckburg.  Will the bad guys (remember the Beagle Boys?  Those were my favorite villains) win or will Huey, Louie, and Dewey find a way to save Uncle Scrooge’s wealth?   There’s always a twist in Duckburg. Ducktales…ah-wee-oooh…sorry, I couldn’t resist!

2.  TaleSpin (1990-1991)

Oh my gracious I LOVED this show!  I remember watching it with my brothers and sister.  Those were the days!  TaleSpin airedfor one season, from 1990-1991.  Featuring characters from Disney’s Jungle Book, this animated afternoon favorite was sure to quench your need for some action and adventure after a long week at school.  Join Baloo, Kit (“Little Britches” ring a bell?) , and the gang as they fly through Cape Suzette to save the day!

3.  Darkwing Duck (1991-1992)

Crime, Adventure, Mystery, a masked duck…what more could you really ask for?  Darkwing Duck was Disney’s answer to that question.  Darkwing Duck aired for 3 seasons, from 1991-1992.  Protecting St. Canard, Darkwing Duck  is typically a bit over confident in his abilities.  Darkwing Duck isn’t afraid to fight crime and fill us with lots of laughs.

4.  Muppet Babies  (1984-1991)

Confession time.  I am a grown woman who still wonders what in the heck Nanny’s face looked like.  It used to kill me that you could only see those stripped socks!  This show features your favorite Muppets Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Rowlf in animated baby fashion.  I swear that kids had better imaginations when shows like this existed!  The combination of animation and actual videos blew me away.  Looking back now, I can see the charm!  I love that show!  This show aired for an impressive 8 seasons, from 1984-1991).  Now, what in the world did Nanny look like?

5.  Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers (1989-1990)

Following trend in the 80s and 90s, Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers featured established cartoon characters, Chip and Dale.  This show aired from 1989-1990 running for 3 seasons.  Chip and Dale are detectives, catching crimes that slipped through the radar.  No mystery is too small for these lovable characters and their crew! Join Chip, Dale, Monterey Jack (I still crack up over his obsession with cheese!), Gadget, and Zipper.  Again, classic theme song that takes me back!

6.  The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988-1991)

My brother used to LOVE this Saturday morning staple!  Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Gopher, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Eeyore, and Christopher Robin are always after another great adventure in the 100 Acre Wood.  Silly old Pooh, always after that honey!   Airing for 4 seasons, the show ended in 1991– Oh Bother!

7.  Goof Troop (1992-1993)

I was one of the lucky ones.  The ones who knew the awesomeness that was…scratch that…IS A Goofy Movie!  “It’s the leaning tower of cheez-ah!”  probably strikes a chord with you if you are near my age.  This awesome animated series inspired the1995 classic movie.  In the show and movie, Goofy is father to Max.  With Goofy being so…well…goofy, Max’s life was certainly interesting! Goofy, Max, Pete, and PJ were sure to bring you laughs!  Goof Troop aired for 2 seasons from 1992-93.

8.  Doug (Disney’s Doug on the One Saturday Morning block)  (1997-1999)

Originally a Nickelodeon series, Doug was retooled for ABC’s Saturday morning line up.  The move was a bit controversial, mostly because Disney made many changes to the original characters, including reworking character’s appearances, character plots, and probably the most controversial move, the beloved theme song turned to a whistling tune.  Either way you slice it, Doug was a staple of my childhood.  Doug is easy to relate to, Patti Mayonnaise is lovable, and there are a lot of life lessons learned from their school days.

9.  Aladdin (1994-1996)

Aladdin is one of my childhood favorites.  This spinoff cartoon series Aladdin, Jasmine, Geni, and Abu…and newly reformed Iago go up against all kinds of bad guys on the streets of Agrabah.  Aladdin aired for 3 seasons from 1994-1996.  I loved to see this tale extended into a series and while it was on in the last few years of my cartoon days, I highly enjoyed this with a short stack on Saturday mornings!

10. Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985-1991)

My memories of this show are stellar.  My sister and I used to watch it together.  The Gummi Bears are the last of a humanlike race of bears.  They are cute, magical, and gummi!  I loved their adventures and pursuit of all things good and gummiberry and against all things ogre and evil!  I loved all those Gummi Bears–Grammi , Sunni, Tummi, Gruffi, Cubbi Gummi.   This show aired for 6 seasons from 1985-1991.

I’m thinking we should have renamed this post to characters voiced by Jim Cummings.  Did you know he provided vocal talent for 8 of the above 10 shows!  That is one talented man!  So, maybe this little list will inspire you to do a little time traveling via Youtube!  Who knows, maybe you’ll add a Ducktales box set to your Christmas list!  I can safely say we will probably all be singing these favorite show tunes for at least the next few hours (sorry)!  I know there are so many other great shows from this era and we want  to know what you think should be added in!  Here’s your chance to be heard!  Help us add to the list of the animated Disney TV shows that shape your Saturdays, added to your afternoons, and inspired your imagination.

As always, thank for reading and commenting!

See ya real soon,

Ashley

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