Let’s paint the scene. You’re 11 years old, the school bell rings and it’s time for you to run home and turn on the TV right away. Disney Channel (or Family Channel in some cases for us Canadian kids), has been airing promos all week. After months of anticipation, we’re finally going to get the answer we’ve been waiting for, will the two teenagers who made our young hearts believe in love finally share their first kiss and declare their undying love for each other?
This has been a frequent scenario for multiple generations of tweens who grew up watching Disney Channel, and to this day you can find 20-somethings debating which Disney Channel couple is the greatest of all-time. Like all teenage love, not all these couples were endgame, but they were adorable representations of what young love is all about. So let’s take this time to reflect and fawn over the most iconic Disney Channel love stories of our time.
11. Cody and Bailey – The Suite Life on Deck
While The Suite Life on Deck was by no means as good as The Suite Life of Zack and Cody in terms of quality, it did have one thing its predecessor did not—a great love story. Bringing Bailey into the lives of Zack and Cody was a great way to transition the Martin twins from kids to teenagers in this new series, and while Bailey was first introduced to cause a squabble between Zack and Cody – it was clear from the onset that she and Cody belonged together.
No one else on the S.S. Tipton could match their intelligence or thirst for knowledge like each other, and when Bailey finally kissed Cody for the first time, we couldn’t help but swoon for these adorkable nerds. Sure their relationship and its on-again, off-again nature could be somewhat grating at-times, but they still managed to make us root for them until the very end.
10. Raven and Devon – That’s So Raven
Raven and Devon were a classic early 2000s high school love story, but one of the very few that featured young Black love. It all started when the nerdy freshman boy had a glow-up over the summer, and after multiple attempts at trying to win his affection, Raven finally got the boy and cuteness overload ensued. Raven Baxter was often a very over-the-top character, but during the few moments she shared with Devon, we got to see her warm and vulnerable side. And when he had to move to Seattle with his dad, it was gut-wrenching to see Raven deal with her first major heartbreak.
At some point between That’s So Raven and Raven’s Home, the high school sweethearts got married, and while their marriage ended in divorce, the two remained great friends and parents, allowing us to still fondly remember this one-of-a-kind love story and wishing that they had more moments shared together on the show.
9. Riley and Lucas – Girl Meets World
While it was nearly impossible for Riley Matthews to have a love story as epic as her parents, Cory and Topanga, she did manage to find a boy that had her swooning since day one. It took a while for Lucas to be more than just a cute face to Riley, but once they decided to focus on building a friendship first, a real connection was formed. The slow-burn relationship trudged on until they were thrown into an unexpected love triangle with Riley’s best friend Maya, and they had to finally confront their feelings for each other.
Riley and Lucas were the ultimate example of tween crushes becoming something more sustainable as both parties matured and grew together. Girl Meets World did a wonderful job building upon this ship over the course of its three seasons, leaving us wishing they had more time to explore their relationship as they grew into young adults.
8. Miley and Jake – Hannah Montana
Full disclosure, this was my ultimate Disney Channel OTP when I was a tween and if this was written eight or nine years ago, they would be ranked number one. However, unlike other couples on this list, Miley and Jake weren’t endgame. Miley may have ended up with her guitar player Jessie, but it was acting sensation Jake Ryan that captured Miley’s heart for the first-time and boy, was it a whirlwind romance. The two did not get off on the best foot, and Miley despised Jake’s egotistical attitude ever since he arrived at Seaview. However, the tension grew into a mutual attraction, and when they finally kissed, it was simply magic.
They decided to break up after Jake learned Miley was Hannah Montana and his behavior changed. They remained friends and got back together a year or so later after another passionate kiss. Unfortunately, Jake cheated on Miley while filming a movie and she called it quits again. While it was disappointing to see these two end in the way they did, there was no denying Miley and Jake had something really special.
7. Lizzie and Gordo – Lizzie McGuire
Lizzie McGuire was one of Disney Channel’s first big success stories, launching the career of Hilary Duff as a tween icon and making Lizzie and Gordo the pioneers of Disney Channel ships. For most of the show, Lizzie and Gordo were simply friends. While Gordo’s crush on Lizzie was hinted throughout the series, he was content with remaining in the proverbial friend zone and even offered Lizzie advice on how to best handle her crushes on other boys from time to time. However, once Lizzie’s other best friend Miranda (randomly) disappeared and their middle school graduation neared, Lizzie finally started noticing Gordo’s feelings for her.
Yet it wasn’t until The Lizzie McGuire Movie that we finally saw Lizzie come to the realization after a trip to Italy and a brief romance with a double crossing pop-star, that she felt the same way about her best friend. Sure, it was a tad disappointing that we didn’t get to see this romance play out in high school, but getting to see these best friends finally confess their love and share their first kiss on the balcony was the perfect way for the series to wrap up and melt our hearts simultaneously.
6. Ricky and Nini – High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Technically, Ricky and Nini aren’t an actual Disney Channel couple due to High School Musical: The Musical: The Series being a Disney+ original. Nonetheless, this pairing embodies the spirit of the best Disney Channel couples and since their show is based on a Disney Channel Original Movie, they ultimately made the cut. What makes Ricky and Nini stand out from the rest is that we didn’t get to see their meet-cute moment, instead from the onset of the show, their relationship was already broken. Ricky had unintentionally broke Nini’s heart before the summer break and spent the majority of the new school year trying to make things right again.
Even though Nini started the show off dating EJ, it was clear from the onset that Ricky was still the boy who had her heart but before she was willing to give it back to him, she needed to mend it first. Despite only having one season so far, the growth of each of these characters as individuals by the end of the season made the longing for them to get back together again so much more palpable. By the time they performed Breaking Free together and confessed their feelings, we were already all in this together.
5. Logan and Jasmine – I Didn’t Do It
I Didn’t Do It is probably one of Disney Channel’s most underrated shows and it’s a shame more people don’t know about it, mainly because the core group of friends had such undeniable chemistry. Of course, Logan and Jasmine’s chemistry was the most sizzling of the bunch and watching these friends become partners was such a treat. The two didn’t really spark a romantic connection until the second season, when they decided to fake date to amp up Logan’s reputation with the other girls in school.
Like so many romantic comedies before them, their fake dating opened their eyes to the feelings they each had for each other, but other people kept getting in the way and neither felt like it was the right time to confess these feelings. It wasn’t until the rest of their friend group found out about Jasmine’s feelings that their relationship kicked into high gear and thanks to a little meddling from Lindy, Garrett and Della, they became boyfriend and girlfriend in the series finale. The will they/won’t they dynamic of Logan and Jasmine was perfectly executed until the very end and the moment they shared their first kiss was wonderfully satisfying.
4. Alex and Mason – Wizards of Waverly Place
The true definition of star-crossed lovers, Alex and Mason were the Disney Channel version of Romeo and Juliet, albeit not nearly as tragic. While their romance started off sweet and simple enough, bonding over their mutual love of art, things got complicated once Alex found out Mason was a werewolf. From that moment on, this pairing was faced with countless obstacles from ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriend jealousy to magical being relationship rules enforced by the wizard council.
Despite every hurdle put in their way, Alex and Mason always found their way back to each other and helped each other grow as people. Alex, who was once very selfish, vain and unmotivated, became a much kinder and more giving person thanks to Mason’s generosity and loyalty to her. It was the epitome of an epic love story and when Alex won the wizard competition and became a full-wizard, it was heartwarming to see that Mason was right by her side, literally cheering her on and so happy to know that the two of them could spend the rest of their lives together. From the first time they met, Alex and Mason’s love for each other was simply magical and we were all enchanted by them until the very end.
3. Sonny and Chad – Sonny With A Chance
It’s the tale as old as time. Two people who can’t stand each other, slowly start to see the good in the other, form a slightly strange friendship that quickly becomes romantic. Similar to Jake and Miley, Sonny and Chad’s romance did not start off on the right foot. Sonny may have fangirled for a brief minute after meeting the star of the tween sensation, MacKenzie Falls, but after she learned from her fellow So Random castmates that Chad and his cast were their rivals, their relationship quickly spiraled into frenemies territory. The two only stopped being frenemies after Chad finally asked Sonny out and admitted his true feelings.
Despite facing disapproval from their fellow castmates, Sonny and Chad couldn’t resist their love for each other and actually made each other better people while they were together. Even though their chemistry was off the charts, like most celebrity couples, “Channy” couldn’t handle the pressure put on them by the media and decided to take a break. While the show ended before we found out if Sonny and Chad would get back together due to Demi Lovato’s sudden departure, it was clear that these two were meant for each other since the moment they met and no one else would be able to top their chemistry.
2. Kim and Ron – Kim Possible
The best friend crime fighting duo turned boyfriend and girlfriend were as cool as it gets. The theme song said it best, she’s your basic average girl and she’s here to save the world. But every cheerleader superhero needs someone loyal by their side at all-times, whether it be while trying to stop the evil plans of Dr. Drakken or narcissistic cheerleader Bonnie. He may not have been nearly as physically capable as Kim, but what he lacked in crime fighting skills, he made up for in heart and creative thinking. What made Kim and Ron as a pairing so special was how much their friendship grew since the day they first met in preschool. Despite being deemed a loser, Ron was so comfortable in his own skin and was perfectly okay with letting his female best friend lead the way (the world needs more men like Ron).
Romance between the two friends was hinted throughout the course of the series, most often when Kim would get jealous when Ron was receiving the affection and attention of another girl; but it wasn’t until the Disney Channel Original Movie, Kim Possible So The Drama, when Kim and Ron finally came to terms with their romantic feelings for each other and made it official after sharing a kiss at Prom. The best part was that we got to see these two navigate their new romantic relationship in the final season and commit to be together forever after their graduation. While the best friends turned partners has been done to death in a number of rom-coms, none felt as organic and natural as Kim and Ron. A true OTP!
1. Austin and Ally – Austin & Ally
And the title of best Disney Channel couple of all-time has to be given to the two musicians we all knew were meant to be the moment they laid eyes on each other —Austin and Ally. Perhaps, it was the chemistry of Ross Lynch and Laura Marano that made these two feel so special and meant for each other from the start, but when you talk about epic Disney Channel love stories, you can’t not talk about Austin and Ally. What makes these two so special is that they were brought together because of their love of music.
By being his songwriting partner, Ally helped Austin become a star and thanks to Austin’s confidence in her abilities, Ally was able to get over her stage fright and perform in front of crowds like she always dreamed. At first it was just a match made in musical heaven, but like most musicians before them, their musical chemistry quickly turned into romantic chemistry. Sure, the two faced obstacles and at times thought it would just be easier to stay friends, but neither could deny their feelings and before the final season they became boyfriend and girlfriend, and eventually got married and had kids years down the road, and became the incredible pop duo we all wished and hoped they would be. All this to say, Austin and Ally delivered both music to our ears and stole our hearts along the way.
Which Disney Channel ship is your absolute favourite? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. And make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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