It’s no surprise that as twenty-something year old collegiettes we have an obsession with Disney. We did grow up watching the movies 24/7. While I have a soft spot for each of the princes—how could I not? —it’s pretty obvious that Prince Eric takes the cake for my dream guy. Here is why:
1. He is so attractive. I know, I know, he’s a cartoon, but still. Eric is every girl’s tall, dark, and handsome. With his shaggy dark hair, inviting blue eyes, and his athletic bod, it’s no wonder Ariel gets the “goo-goo-eyed” look the second she lays eyes on him.
2. He’s strong and he’s a sailor. Again, note the athletic bod. Eric takes the reigns (or the ropes) and leads the much older crew. He knows how to navigate the seas. How can we not find that attractive?
3. He’s royalty. Enough said. Think Prince Harry.
4. He’s an older man. Whether you are six or twenty when you watch this movie, you always relate to sixteen-year-old Ariel, and to her, eighteen-year-old Eric as a mature, older man.
5. He loves his dog. Dogs are a man’s best friend. Eric is no exception because his trustiest pal is Max, his fluffy and intelligent pup. Who doesn’t love an animal lover?
6. He is brave. Eric risks his life to save Max in the storm at sea. He dives into the black water and he runs through fire. Pretty brave, and it shows how much he loves his dog.
7. He is not too shallow. Although Eric was entranced by beautiful mermaid Ariel, what sticks with him is her voice. Not her face, her overly exposed body, or her perfect hair. Eric remembers the beautiful voice. Still shallow, I suppose, but we should admire that he wants his woman to have a voice.
8. He is musically inclined. Eric plays what looks like a flute or a recorder, what Scuttle calls a “snarfblat.” He remembered Ariel’s melody and plays it as he tries to find the magical singing girl who saved his life.
9. He doesn’t sing! Eric never sings. All of the other princes or male counterparts in Disney have at least a little moment in the limelight, but Eric never sings. I don’t know about you, but unless I’m in the presence of a musician, I don’t want a sailor attempting to serenade me with a song.
10. He believes in love. Eric is supposed to be married (18 is marriage age) and he has already refused a princess because he knows that she’s not the one. He says he’ll know when it happens, that it will be like lightning striking. Cue the lightning and Ariel. It takes him some learning (he is a guy), but he ends up with Ariel, his one.
11. He takes things slow. Eric needs some musical encouragement in order to kiss Ariel, and just when he’s close, the moment is ruined. Typical. He does kiss her again under the romantic sunset once, although Ariel is trapped as Ursula’s prisoner.
12. He’s a bit stupid, but it’s endearing. Eric is a bit dim-witted in not realizing that Ariel is the girl who saved him and sang –even his dog realizes it! He almost marries disguised Ursula – but in his defense he was under a spell.
13. He’s protective. He kills Ursula and saves Ariel, Triton, and the souls in Ursula’s garden, and all of Atlantica.
14. He needs saving sometimes too. A little modesty is nice. Eric lets Ariel save him, and he appreciates her for it. He falls in love with her for it.
15. He picks the right girl. It really is important that our dream man ends up with the right person. Since it can’t be us, Ariel is the next best thing.