When I look back on my childhood, there are so many things that I think of. I think of my summers spent at camp, I think of my first cat that looked like Garfield, but who's personality resembled Cujo, and I think of Disney Channel.
Disney Channel was a staple in my life growing up and I know that it was the same for so many others. I'll never forget getting off the bus after a long, exhausting day as a fourth grader and racing to my friends house to watch the latest episode of "That's So Raven," and I'll never forget the fury I felt towards my babysitter when she dared to turn off "Lizzie McGuire" for a reality show on MTV.
Despite my everlasting love for this magical channel, there are a few things that, up until a few days ago, I had grown to forget over the years. Here are some classic Disney Channel things that I had forgotten and that you may have forgotten too.
- "The High School Musical" dance along specials.
Remember getting all of your friends together for the "High School Musical" dance along specials? You all looked completely ridiculous trying to nail the moves but had so much fun anyways. You never felt more like a wildcat than you did during those moments.
2. The tragic last episode of "Phil of the Future."
I can almost guarantee you've been repressing this Disney memory because of how traumatic it was. Phil and Keely finally end up together and not even a day later Phil's dad fixes the time machine, and their family has to go back to the future. Just to add on to the heartbreak, the writers decide to let us know that Phil will literally never be able to see Keely again because time travel has now been banned in the future. Thanks, Disney.
3. The "Disney Channel Games."
The "Disney Channel Games" were the highlight of every Disney Channel fanatic's summer. It was so hard to pick which team was your favorite because at least one of your favorite Disney stars was on each team. If you were anything like me, you ended up just picking your favorite colored team to be your favorite. Blue team for life!
4. "That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana."
By far the best Disney show mash-up that you've ever seen. You waited in anticipation for weeks after the first commercial advertising this God-send was seen, and you were already on the couch with your popcorn and your best friend when it finally premiered.
5. Disney Channel music videos.
There are no words to describe just how happy you used to get when these awesome Disney Channel music videos came on. Pre-iPod and music streaming days, nothing quite beat when a Disney Channel music video would come on and you would get up and dance your little-innocent-child-heart off.
6. More Disney Channel music videos.
Words just can't even explain how amazing these videos were to you.
7. "I'm (insert Disney Channel celebrity name here) and you're watching Disney Channel."
Whenever these came on you knew they were about to play a great show. It wouldn't have been a complete Disney binge-watching session if you didn't see these at least 10 times.
8. Halloween specials.
Halloween was the best time of the year as a kid, and Disney Channel contributed to that. Not only was it the season for apple cider, pumpkin carving, and candy, but it was also the season for Disney Channel Halloween specials. It was impossible to pick which one was your favorite because they all were so good. (Except for "Return to Halloween Town." Did Disney really expect us to not notice that they cast a completely new person to play Marnie?)
9. Disney Channel Original Movies.
The amount of time you used to spend in front of the TV watching Disney Channel original movies were borderline ridiculous, but it was worth every minute. Every time you watched "Smart House," you asked your parents if they could buy a cool house like that and every time you watched "The Cheetah Girls," you wanted to be a cheetah, girl.
10. The Disney Channel Website.
Watching Disney Channel was great, but going on the Disney Channel website was even better (with your parents permission of course). From Zach and Cody's pizza party pick up, to Kim Possible's a stitch in time, you spent hours playing the Disney Games until your parents kicked you off.
11. Short Series like "As the Bell Rings."
"As the Bell Rings" aired the summer before I went into middle school and it was the Disney short that gave me unrealistic expectations as to what middle school would be like as well as the show that introduced everyone to the gorgeous and talented Demi Lovato.
Fun Fact: The main guy in this, Tony Oller, is now one of the lead singers in MKTO. I know, I was shocked, too.
And last, but not least...
12.The Boyz In Motion.
I bet you forgot about these "That's So Raven" heartthrobs.
How could you not love them with their amazing heart-pump dance moves and their deep and thought-provoking lyrics?
"BOYS. We are the boys in motion. We give you our de-vo-tion."
