Disney movies, shows, and cartoons have been entertaining families for nearly a century. With classics like Snow White, Pinocchio, and Cinderella to modern hits like Frozen, Moana, and Encanto, Disney has something for viewers of all ages.
While Disney+ makes it easy to find and stream Disney content, diehard Disney fans know that not all Disney movies and shows are available on the streaming service. Fortunately, there is a treasure trove of Disney content on YouTube that can help build the ultimate Disney watch playlist.
This comprehensive guide will walk Disney enthusiasts through curating the best Disney watch playlist on YouTube, from tracking down hard-to-find Disney cartoons to compiling Disney music videos. With strategic searching, savvy filtering, and smart playlist building, you’ll be on your way to endless Disney entertainment.
Steps for Finding Disney Content on YouTube
Building a robust Disney YouTube playlist takes a bit of detective work. Here are the key steps for tracking down Disney movies, shows, cartoons, and music videos on YouTube:
Use Targeted Search Terms
The best place to start is by searching directly for the Disney content you want to watch. Use titles, characters names, or descriptive keywords like “Disney singalong” or “classic Mickey Mouse.”
Get specific with year ranges or full years like “Disney cartoons 1930s” or “Disney shows 2000s.” Searching this way surfaces more obscure and hard-to-find clips.
Filter By Exact Match, Features, Upload Date
Refine searches using filters like “exact match” for the title or “features” like HD, subtitles or 360°. Filter by upload date to find newly uploaded clips.
Search By Channel or Username
Search for channels like “DisneyShorts” or usernames like “DisneyMusicVEVO” to find official Disney content. “Mickey Mouse” and “Goofy” channels also host classics.
Search in Other Languages
Broaden your search to other languages like Spanish (“Dibujo animados de Disney”) or Portuguese (“Desenhos Disney”) for region-exclusive clips.
Browse Playlists and Suggested Videos
When you find a relevant video, browse the creator’s playlists or YouTube’s “Recommended” videos for similar Disney content. Playlists like “Disney Classics” often contain rare finds.
Read Video Descriptions
Video descriptions frequently list other related Disney videos from that channel. Descriptions on older clips provide context on a short’s initial release year or purpose.
Curating a Diverse Disney YouTube Playlist
The best Disney playlists include a wide mix of movies, shows, cartoons, and music videos. Here are the key Disney genres to include:
Classic Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony Shorts
From “Steamboat Willie” in 1928 to “The Simple Things” in 1953, Mickey Mouse and the Silly Symphony series spawned some of Disney’s most iconic cartoons. Search for beloved characters and eras to unearth rarely seen shorts.
1980s and 1990s Animated Series
Relive beloved animated series from Disney’s 80s/90s heyday like DuckTales, TaleSpin, Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck and many more. Search by show title and “full episodes” to find uploads.
Pixar, Disney Renaissance and Modern Animated Films
The Disney Renaissance of the 90s and Pixar partnership produced animated classics like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Toy Story. Include both old and new hits like Frozen, Moana and Encanto.
Live-Action Films and Series
Expand your playlist with live-action Disney hits new and old. Search for movies like Mary Poppins and Pete’s Dragon and shows like The Mickey Mouse Club and Hannah Montana.
Disney Singalongs and Concerts
Disney music is perfect for lively playlist breaks. Search for Disney singalongs, compilation albums, and concert performances from Disney Channel stars like Miley Cyrus.
Disney Trailers, Bonus Clips, Behind-the-Scenes
Supplement your playlist with bonus content like vintage trailers, deleted scenes, making-of features, cast interviews and more. Search “[Movie] bonus” or “[Movie] behind the scenes.”
International and Rare Disney Content
Round out your playlist with lesser known foreign Disney dubs, very old Walt-era shorts, vintage Disneyland specials and more. Obscure content can often be found with targeted searches.
Optimizing Your Disney YouTube Playlist
Building a brilliant Disney playlist goes beyond just compiling videos. Follow these tips to enhance the viewing experience:
Organize Your Playlist Thoughtfully
Group similar videos into sections like Disney movies, cartoons, singalongs etc. Arrange sections and videos chronologically or alphabetically. Add descriptive notes explaining video sections.
Cull Irrelevant Content
Remove any videos that are grainy, edited or don’t fit the Disney theme. Replace removed videos to maintain a robust playlist.
Set Playback Options
Enable the “Play next video automatically” feature so your playlist flows seamlessly. Disable endscreen elements and annotations for cleaner viewing.
Make Your Playlist Public
Enable the “Save as public playlist” option when creating your playlist. This exposes your playlist to a wide audience of Disney fans seeking new content.
Update Regularly
Check your playlist weekly for removed videos, and replace them with new uploads to keep it fresh. Search for new Disney content regularly to find additions.
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Use Companion Playlists
Create separate themed playlists like “Disney singalongs” or “90s Disney cartoons” to complement your main playlist. Cross-reference to expand your lineup.
Sample 50-Section Disney Watch Playlist Outline
Here is an outline sampling how you could organize a diverse 50-section Disney watch playlist on YouTube:
Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies Cartoons
- 1920s Black & White Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies Shorts
- 1930s Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies Shorts
- 1940s Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies Shorts
- 1950s Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies Shorts
Disney Animated Films
- 1937-1949 Early Disney Animated Films (Snow White, Dumbo, etc.)
- 1950s Disney Animated Films (Cinderella, Peter Pan, etc.)
- 1960s Disney Animated Films (101 Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, etc.)
- 1970s Disney Animated Films (The Aristocats, Robin Hood, etc.)
- 1980s Disney Animated Films (The Little Mermaid, The Great Mouse Detective, etc.)
- 1990s Disney Renaissance Films (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, etc.)
- 2000s Post-Renaissance Disney Films (Dinosaur, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, etc.)
- Post-2009 Disney Animated Films (Princess and the Frog, Frozen, Moana, etc.)
- Pixar Animated Films
Live-Action Disney Films and Shows
- Classic Live-Action Disney Films (Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, etc.)
- 1980s-1990s Live-Action Disney Films (Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Mighty Ducks, etc.)
- 2000s-2010s Live-Action Disney Films (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Princess Diaries, etc.)
- Disney Channel Original Movies (Halloweentown, High School Musical, Descendants, etc.)
- The Mickey Mouse Club and Other Disney Channel Series
Disney Animated Shows and Spin-Offs
- Classic Disney Cartoon Shorts (Goofy, Donald Duck, Pluto, Chip & Dale, etc.)
- DuckTales and Related Animated Series (Darkwing Duck, TaleSpin, etc.)
- Disney Afternoon Series (Goof Troop, Bonkers, Gargoyles, etc.)
- One Saturday Morning Series (Recess, Pepper Ann, etc.)
- Modern Disney Channel Cartoons (Gravity Falls, Fish Hooks, etc.)
- Disney Junior Cartoons (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, etc.)
Disney Music Videos and Concerts
- Disney Singalongs and Compilation Albums
- Disney Channel Stars’ Music Videos (Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, etc.)
- Best of Disney on Broadway
- ‘DisneyMania’ Cover Albums
- Walt Disney World Parade and Fireworks Show Music
- Disney Live Concerts and Performances
Bonus Content
- Disney Movie Trailers and Teasers
- Deleted Scenes, Bonus Clips and Songs
- Disney Making-of and Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
- Disney Interviews and Promos
- Disney Guest Appearances (on talk shows, award shows, etc.)
- Disney Documentaries and History Videos
- Disney Theme Park Ride Videos
- Disney Commercials, Ads and PSAs
International Disney Media
- European Disney Song Dubs (German, Spanish, Italian, etc.)
- European Disney Movie Dubs (French, German, Spanish, etc.)
- Latin American Disney Dubs
- Asian Disney Dubs (Japanese, Korean, Hindi, etc.)
- Middle Eastern Disney Dubs (Arabic, Persian, etc.)
Rare, Vintage and Fan Uploads
- Very Early Walt-Era Disney Media (Laugh-O-Grams, Alice Comedies, etc.)
- Lost/Extremely Rare Disney Content
- Vintage Disneyland/Disney World TV Specials
- Amateur Disney Media (ride footage, vacation videos, etc.)
- Fan-Made Disney Media (music covers, animation tributes, etc.)
Misc. Disney Media
- Disney Video Games Cutscenes, Trailers, Music
- Disney Toys, Books, App and Website Videos
This outline provides a template showcasing the vast diversity of Disney videos that can be included in a well-rounded YouTube playlist. Use it as inspiration and a starting point for building your own perfect Disney watch playlist!
FAQ About Creating the Ultimate Disney YouTube Playlist
What are the best ways to find hard-to-find vintage Disney cartoons on YouTube?
- Use very specific search terms like “Disney 1932” or “Mickey Mouse 1918-1938”
- Filter search results by date range or exact upload date
- Browse channels like “DisneyShorts” that host rare classics
- Check playlists for hidden gems people have compiled
- Read descriptions of older videos for context clues on titles/years
- Search in other languages using foreign Disney terms
What are some great Disney animated movies to include beyond just the classics?
- 1970’s: Robin Hood, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- 1980’s/90’s: The Great Mouse Detective, Oliver and Company, A Goofy Movie, Hercules
- 2000’s: Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, Bolt
- 2010’s: Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6, Zootopia
- Live action hybrids like Mary Poppins, Pete’s Dragon, Who Framed Roger Rabbit
What are the best full Disney animated TV show episodes to find on YouTube?
- Classic shorts from Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto
- DuckTales, TaleSpin, Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck
- Recess, Pepper Ann, Lloyd in Space, Teacher’s Pet
- Recent hits like Gravity Falls, Star vs. The Forces of Evil and Amphibia
What Disney music is a must to liven up the playlist?
- Disney singalongs and compilation albums
- Disney Channel stars like Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato
- Rides and shows like It’s a Small World, Enchanted Tiki Room
- Cover albums like DisneyMania with pop stars singing Disney hits
- Movie soundtrack highlights and Broadway hits
What bonus content can provide fun viewing variety?
- Vintage trailers, teasers, TV spots
- Deleted scenes and cut songs
- Behind-the-scenes for movies, shows and parks
- Interviews with Disney stars, animators and imagineers
- Viral Disney video memes, mashups and edits
What are things to avoid when building a Disney playlist?
- Fuzzy, edited or grainy low-quality videos
- Non-Disney videos users have mislabeled
- Repetitive or similar content
- Inappropriate fan uploads
- Fake videos trying to mimic Disney
- Anything distracting from the Disney theme
Conclusion
Creating the perfect Disney watch playlist on YouTube provides endless nostalgic entertainment spanning the best of Disney movies, shows, and cartoons. Strategic searching, smart playlist building, and regularly adding new discoveries lets you enjoy both popular Disney hits and uncovered treasures.
Follow this guide’s steps for hunting down Disney content new and old on YouTube. Curate a diverse playlist of animated and live-action films, classic cartoons, TV series, music videos and hard-to-find rarities. Organize your playlist thoughtfully, enhance the viewing experience, and update it routinely.
Soon you’ll have an ever-expanding Disney playlist letting you relive childhood favorites and discover Disney magic you’ve never experienced before. So grab some Disney snacks, get cozy, and let the Disney marathons begin!
