The Walt Disney Company claimed a number of momentous milestones and achievements in 2012, such as boasting the highest-grossing film of the year (Marvel’s The Avengers). But as Disney reached some considerable points, they also faced and developed a handful of issues. This special edition of Disney In Depth looks back at the world of Disney in 2012, with my top 10 best in this edition, and “bottom” 10 worst (with some suggestions on how to remedy those problems) in next week’s edition.

Continue reading for the best of list.

Sometimes it takes many years, even decades, for a popular Disney film brand to enter the theme parks in the form of an attraction. For instance, while the Voyage of The Little Mermaid first graced Disney’s Hollywood Studios only two years after the film’s debut, over 20 years passed before a ride shaped up in the parks.

Now the exquisite dark ride exists at both Disney California Adventure Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. In this first section of two-part edition of Disney In Depth I will share five films that deserve to be translated into theme park attractions.

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Hello There! This is Adam Frazier and you are listening to Skull-Face Island, the official movie podcast of Geeks of Doom! As always I’m joined by The Guy Who Knocks, David Allen… and our resourceful producer Tim “Ain’t Nobody Got Time For Dat!” Grant.

Today on the Show: We’ll discuss David O. Russell‘s latest film, Silver Linings Playbook, as well as Rich Moore‘s animated adventure, Wreck-It Ralph. We’ll also boot-up the Geek-O-Matic TeleFax for all the latest news on X-Men, Star Trek, Batman, and Star Wars: Episode VII.

Wreck-It Ralph smashed box office records for a Disney animated film in its opening weekend, and won over critics and audiences no less. With its creativity, heart and passionate storytelling, Wreck-It Ralph signals Walt Disney Animation Studios is back in the game, so to speak. This edition of Disney In Depth will explore what has led up to this new hit for the studio, as well as what awaits.

Many individuals say the Disney Renaissance began with 1989’s The Little Mermaid, with following entries Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King reaching even greater heights – everyone seems to leave out the forgotten The Rescuers Down Under. Regardless, this represented a period of unparalleled imagination and inspiration within the studio, continuing for several years to follow. Then came the slump. Audiences were no longer interested in musicals, so it seemed, and Disney animation switched gears into the sci-fi realm with productions like Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Treasure Planet. Computer animation emerged, and with that advent Disney entered the new arena with misses like Chicken Little and the awkward-yet-smart Meet the Robinsons. None of these performed all that wonderfully. It had appeared as though Disney lost its touch. But the studio had some exciting developments up their sleeve.

Wreck-It Ralph
Directed by Rich Moore
Written by Jennifer Lee, Phil Johnston
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk
Walt Disney Pictures
Rated PG | 108 Minutes
Release Date: November 2, 2012

Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) is the villain of the classic arcade video game Fix-It Felix Jr., a Donkey Kong copycat in which the game’s eponymous hero (Jack McBrayer) repairs a building that Ralph destroys. For 30 years now, Ralph has been doing the same job and has grown tired of being the bad guy.

Wanting to prove he can be the heroic good guy, Ralph escapes his game and suits up in Hero’s Duty, a futuristic first-person shooter in there spirit of Halo. There, Ralph aids the game’s fearless leader, Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch), battle against “Cy-Bugs,” the game’s extraterrestrial invaders.