I like a good story – any good story will do.  The Fam pretty much all feel the same way ’cause we LOVE movies.  In the theater, on pay-per-view, TV, DVD, it doesn’t matter.  If it’s a good story, we want to see it.  Of course our favorite stories are of the Disney variety.  One of the things that makes Disney movies so wonderful is the ever-present side-kick for Disney heros and heroines.  Our favorite toy, prince, princess, clown fish, lost boy or super hero wouldn’t make it to the happily-ever-after part without a steadfast companion by their side.

Today I’ve put together a list of ten excellent Disney supporting characters and why we love ’em.

In no particular order:

1.  Jessie – Little bit tom-boy and part girly-girl – Happy by nature, Jessie’s learned from the school of hard knocks how painful loving people can be.  Jessie is a major worrier at times, but finds happiness in the little moments – like dancing with “Spanish Buzz”.  She’s at her best when overcoming her fears to prove herself a brave, loyal and trust-worthy friend.

2.  Edna Mode – Edna’s rough exterior hides a marshmallow center.  Forced to design for the fashion industry after the Supers go into hiding (“Super models, HA!  Nothing “super” about them.  Spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves – FEH, I used to design for GODS!”).  Edna’s bark is much worse than her bite – clearly she loves the Parr family and is ecstatic to be included as an integral part of their return to the spotlight in the fight against evil – NO CAPES!

3. Lumiere – a little more fun-loving than his buddy and co-worker Cogsworth, Lumiere not only gets to sing the best (to us) big musical number of Beauty and the Beast, he remains calm under pressure and lights the way to victory in battle.

4. Abu – a monkey of few words, he stands by his BFF even when he doesn’t like Aladdin’s decisions.  Abu puts up with a lot:  hunger, poverty, homelessness, freezing, mushy lovey-dovey parts, and even being turned into an elephant – but stays the course admirably and loves our hero selflessly to the end.

5. Jiminy Cricket – like many of our picks, Jiminy is given an assignment – to be Pinocchio’s conscience.  Appointed by the Blue Fairy, Jiminy is cheerfully up to the task – remaining by Pinocchio through thick and through thin, proving himself to be a steadfast, “got-your-back” kind of guy.  And now he gets to host Wishes – and it just wouldn’t be the same without him!

6. Sebastian – a crab with a very tough job – Keep the god of the seas happy while “managing”  King Triton’s wayward, strong-willed yet lovable teenaged daughter.  Luckily, Sebastian is Aerial’s biggest fan and believes in her happily ever after.  Bonus points for the smoothly awesome Jamaican accent.

7. Mushu – like Sebastian, Mushu has a tough job and his own agenda – sent by the ancestors to keep up with another wayward daughter, Mushu thinks it’ll be the easiest and quickest way to reclaim is Guardian status.  Little does he know he’ll have to put his own ambitions on the back burner to help our heroine save China – which he does with aplomb.  Honorable mention to “Cricky” who is the luckiest bug we know.

8. Dory – she may be forgetful, but she’s got no shortage of patience, love and understanding – plus, she speaks a mean whale – and you never know when that’s going to be a critically important skill.  We are anxiously awaiting Finding Dory in 2016.

9. Sven – another character of few words, this reindeer-that-acts-like-a-dog is Frozen’s version of a conscience for Kristoff.  Like so many of our favorite supporting characters, Sven is loving and loyal, even when Kristoff makes horrible decisions.  Believing in a hero’s ability to be a hero – even when they don’t believe in themselves – is a great side-kick’s most important task.

10. Baloo – he’s the good cop to Bagheera’s bad – fun-loving and care-free, Baloo knows in the end that he’ll have to go along with whatever is best for Mowgli, even if it means being separated – He gets to croon “Bare Necessities” while teaching Mowgli to survive in the jungle – one of the best Disney tunes EVER!

Piglet, Pascal, Tinkerbell, LeFou, GusGus and Jacques – there are SO many more!  Who are your favorite Disney supporting characters?