The Disney Channel I Know

I pity kids today for a lot of reasons. This makes me sound old, but it's true. I really do pity kids today for a lot of reasons, but let me start with the fact that they were all too little – probably, still non-existent – when Disney Channel was still Disney Channel.

Sure, I may not have been around yet during the height of Sister, Sister and the Zenon movies, but believe me, I still made it to watch a lot of Disney Channel's feel-good shows and TV movies. I was also there when Disney Channel had its last hurrah. 

When was it, you ask? Well, if you want the answer to your question, you better ask your older sisters or brothers. I'm pretty certain that everyone from my generation will have their own say about that. 

The thing is, I hate to admit it, but the Disney Channel kids know today is not as good as the Disney Channel I once knew.

I do understand that time flies, and the demand of the audiences changes just as well, but it wouldn't hurt to air at least one old Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) per week, or have a re-run of Disney Channel's old TV shows.

Since people today are so fond of throwbacks, why not make good use of the idea by applying it to something that does not just involve old photographs?

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Here are the 11 things that define Disney Channel for me (in no particular order at all, because I love them all so much!):

Lizzie and Miranda's fashion statements

Tie-dyed shirts, awfully-colourful printed pants, and crazy 'dos among others... These BFFs gave a whole new meaning to mixing 'n' matching in the early 2000s.

The feathers!

The rows and the fringes!

Ren and Louis

Oh, the true epitome of every love-and-hate relationship of brothers and sisters.

The old Disney Channel Stars' intros before the start of every show

Y'know, the part when they draw the sparkly Disney Channel logo with a wand? They just seemed to be doing it much better back then.

EXTRA: I could also remember those short videos (interstitials) they play before the start of each show, where kids imagine being mermaids (I loved the music that came with that one) or bike racers or dinosaur diggers.

The Disney Channel Games 2006

Ah, the first Disney Channel Games... I could still picture myself watching this eight years ago with some friends at a playmate's house. It was summer, and we were taking a break after playing a game of tag, dodge ball, and, I think, some pretend, too (lutu-lutuan or we were pretending to be spies again. I'm not so sure anymore). Oh, how I rooted for the Red Team! Shin Koyamada and Zac Efron in one team. 'Nuff said.

Fresh from HSM :))

Lucas is better off singing than competing against Shin :D

"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" Music Video

This music video of the Disney Channel Circle of stars will remain on top of my favourite music videos list. Everyone just looks like they're having so much fun, and they all look so young! This is the way I want to picture the stars in the video forever.

Kim and Ron's "It's Complicated" relationship status

Best friends since childhood + strong inexplicable feelings for each other... You get the picture, right? And, you've probably felt like that, too, before, right? Right. 

The songs from Hannah Montana 

I did not spend a single cent from my measly grade school allowance for a couple of weeks just to buy the Hannah Montana album, and belt out to "The Best of Both Worlds", "If We Were A Movie", and "Just Like You". Man, Hannah Montana was my idol!

EXTRA: Remember THIS Miley?

Yeah, I miss her, too...

Raven's visions

Now, who would forget Raven's visions? Nope, not me. Raven's psychic abilities and all the trouble that came with it made me realise that not knowing the future is better after all.

EXTRA: Aww, look at the adorable David Henrie as Cory Baxter's friend, Larry, waaaay before he was Justin Russo...

Zack and Cody's shenanigans ... at the Tipton Hotel 

Yup, they lived in a hotel before they lived on a cruise ship, and Mr. Moseby had more reasons to worry about the shenanigans (which were way crazier) the twins got themselves into. My favourite? When Cody joined a beauty pageant as "Tyreesha Jones" (notice that Cody's got a striking resemblance with Taylor Swift when he's dressed as a girl? Yeah, I did, too.).

Raviv "Ricky" Ullman. 

Sorry, Zac Efron, but Ricky Ullman is my first true and ultimate Disney Channel crush ever since. His geeky charm, his messy hair, the goofy faces he makes, his breath-taking smile! Gosh, I could go on forever about how much I love this guy. How I wish he still takes on-screen projects, so I can see more of him today. I love you, Ricky!

He says: "Aww, that's my girl! Love you too, Andy!" :")

The Disney Channel Original Movies (until 2006)

Because after 2006, no movie just came close as good as the old ones.

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I'm honestly coming up with more stuff to put in here as I write, but I know that I should end this list one way or another. Writing this made me feel a bit better. Proud, even, because I got to say that I was able to experience all of these great stuff that Disney Channel used to offer their kid and teen audiences.

I'd really love to go back in time and re-watch everything on the list, knowing that I wouldn't be seeing them again soon (or ever) in the future. *SOB*

How about you? What defines Disney Channel for you?


♥Andz