10 Oldest Disney Characters

The Disney Corporation has been creating beloved characters for audiences of all ages for nearly a century. While some classic characters remain timeless, others have been replaced by newer characters.

From Mickey Mouse to Donald Duck, Disney’s characters are iconic and timeless. Among them are ten of the oldest characters, who have been around since the early days of Disney.

These characters represent some of the earliest successes of the Disney Corporation and have withstood the test of time. From a mischievous duck to a kindhearted princess, these characters have impacted the world of animation. Even after decades, these ten characters remain some of the most beloved figures in Disney’s library and bring a sense of nostalgia to viewers of all ages.

10. Cinderella

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Cinderella, the beloved Disney character, is known for her grace, beauty, and courage in facing adversity. She is the epitome of a classic fairy tale princess who, despite being oppressed by her evil stepmother and stepsisters, never gives up hope and maintains her optimistic outlook.

At the outset of her story, Cinderella is depicted as a kind and gentle young girl who works hard to care for her stepfamily, despite their cruel treatment.

But with the help of her Fairy Godmother and her animal friends, she can attend the royal ball and find true love with the prince. Cinderella’s story of fighting for her dreams has resonated with generations of children and adults alike. She has become an icon of hope and resilience, teaching us that, no matter how difficult life can be, it is still possible to overcome obstacles and find happiness.

Did You Know?

Cinderella’s original story was written in France in 1697 by Charles Perrault.

9. Johnny

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Johnny is a young African American boy who is one of the main characters in Disney’s 1946 film “Song of the South.” He is an eager and mischievous child who lives on a plantation in the American South and is known for his good nature and love of storytelling.

He befriends the wise and elderly Uncle Remus, who tells folklore stories featuring Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Fox.

The tales teach Johnny valuable lessons about bravery, cleverness, and the importance of friendship.

Did You Know?

While those who have seen the movie might remember Johnny fondly, Song of the South has remained controversial for its harmful depiction of African Americans. The film remains in Disney’s vault and has never been released in any home video format in the U.S. or on any streaming services. 

8. Dumbo

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Dumbo is a classic Disney character and the titular protagonist of the 1941 animated film “Dumbo.” He is a young elephant with oversized ears, which initially causes him to be mocked and rejected by the other elephants.

However, Dumbo learns that his large ears allow him to fly, and he soon becomes a star attraction in a traveling circus. The film is widely considered a classic of the animation genre and is remembered for its touching story, beautiful animation, and memorable musical numbers.

Dumbo is a symbol of perseverance and the importance of self-belief, and his story continues to captivate audiences of all ages. Despite its relatively short running time, “Dumbo” has had a lasting impact on popular culture and remains one of Disney’s most beloved and enduring characters.

Did You Know?

Throughout the film, Dumbo learns to believe in himself and to overcome adversity with the help of his mouse friend Timothy.

7. Pinocchio

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Pinocchio is a classic Disney character and the titular protagonist of the 1940 animated film “Pinocchio.” He is a wooden puppet brought to life by the Blue Fairy, who grants his wish to become a real boy. Throughout the film, Pinocchio embarks on a series of adventures as he learns important lessons about honesty, bravery, and the importance of making good choices.

He is aided by Jiminy Cricket, who serves as his conscience and helps guide him on his journey. The film is widely considered a classic of the animation genre and is remembered for its beautiful animation, memorable musical numbers, and touching story. Despite its challenging themes, “Pinocchio” continues to be a beloved film for audiences of all ages and remains one of Disney’s most iconic characters.

Did You Know?

Pinocchio’s transformation from a wooden puppet to a real boy symbolizes the power of determination and the importance of following one’s dreams.

6. Snow White

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Snow White is a character created by Walt Disney Productions in 1937. She is the titular character and protagonist of the first Disney animated feature film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The Disney version of Snow White is based on the fairy tale of the same name, but with some changes and additions.

Snow White is depicted as a kind and gentle princess beloved by all who know her, and her story has become a classic animated film. In the Disney film, Snow White is the daughter of a king who has died, leaving her in the care of her cruel stepmother. Fearing that Snow White is more beautiful than she is, the stepmother orders a huntsman to take Snow White into the forest and kill her.

Did You Know?

Snow White befriends the dwarves, and they offer to let her stay with them, hiding her from the stepmother’s wrath.

5. Donald Duck

photo source: Fictional Characters Wiki

Donald Duck is a character created by Walt Disney Productions in 1934. He is a white, anthropomorphic duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He usually wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie. Donald is among the most popular and recognizable Disney characters and is widely considered one of the studio’s “big three” alongside Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

Donald is known for his distinctive, semi-intelligible speech and mischievous and temperamental personality. He is one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world and has appeared in hundreds of short films, feature films, comic books, and theme park attractions. Donald is generally depicted as a lovable character loyal to his friends and family despite his flaws.

Did You Know?

He has also been portrayed as a hero in several Disney films, including “The Three Caballeros” (1944) and “Saludos Amigos” (1942).

4. Pluto

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Pluto is a character created by Walt Disney Productions in 1930. He is a yellow-orange colored anthropomorphic dog with black ears and a long, thin tail. He is often depicted as a loyal and lovable pet to Mickey Mouse, although he has also been portrayed as a more independent character in some of his own films and comics.

Pluto first appeared in the 1930 short film “The Chain Gang” and quickly became a regular character member of the Disney cast. He is known for his innocent and playful personality, as well as his sometimes comical misadventures. Despite being a dog, Pluto is often depicted as being able to speak and engage in human-like behavior.

Did You Know?

He has also been featured in several Disney merchandise, including toys, clothing, and collectibles.

3. Minnie and Mickey Mouse

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The characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were created by Walt Disney Productions in 1928 and 1929, respectively. They are two of the Disney franchise’s most popular and recognizable symbols and are often depicted as a couple in love.

Mickey Mouse has round ears, large black pupils, and a triangular nose. He is usually depicted as cheerful, optimistic, and adventurous and is often portrayed as the leader of his friends.

On the one hand, Minnie Mouse is a mouse with similar physical characteristics as Mickey but with a bow on her head. On the other hand, she is usually depicted as sweet, demure, and feminine and is often portrayed as Mickey’s love interest and girlfriend.

Mickey and Minnie are two of the Disney franchise’s most popular and recognizable characters. They have inspired various merchandise, including toys, clothing, and collectibles. They remain beloved characters for fans of all ages and remain a staple of Disney’s multimedia franchises.

Did You Know?

Mickey Mouse has been the official mascot of The Walt Disney Company since its inception.

2. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

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Oswald, the Lucky Rabbit, was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927. He is an anthropomorphic rabbit with long ears and a distinctive bowtie. Oswald was one of the first characters created by Disney and was an important part of the studio’s early success.

Oswald first appeared in a series of short films produced by Universal Studios, and he quickly became a popular character with audiences.

However, when Disney and Universal had a dispute over the rights to the character, Disney lost the rights to Oswald, which forced him to create a new character, Mickey Mouse. Despite this setback, Oswald continued to appear in a series of short films produced by Universal and remained a popular character throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

Did You Know?

In 2006, The Walt Disney Company regained the rights to Oswald, and he has since been incorporated into the Disney universe as a character.

1. Pete

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Pete was created by Walt Disney Productions in 1925, making it the oldest Disney character ever. He is a large and burly anthropomorphic cat or dog (depending on the source material) with a distinctive scowl and a gruff voice. He is often portrayed as a villain and one of the Disney universe’s oldest characters.

Pete first appeared in the Alice Comedies series in 1925 and later appeared in various other Disney shorts, including the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series. Over the years, Pete has appeared in hundreds of Disney comic books and television shows, including the popular Disney Afternoon block of animated shows in the 1990s. Despite his rough exterior, Pete is often portrayed as a bumbling villain who is more bluster than bite.

Did You Know?

He has been featured as a foil for several Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Bonkers D. Bobcat.