The Top Five Disney Channel Original Series of the 2000s

While Nickelodeon had its charm, I must admit that I was a bigger fan of Disney Channel. Growing up, I wanted to be like Hilary Duff or Selena Gomez with my own show, tracing Mickey Mouse Ears with a glowing blue stick during commercial breaks. Yes, that was the dream. Although I have yet to star in my own original series, I still hold these top five Disney Channel shows of the 2000s near and dear to my heart.

Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004)

Before Disney introduced us to teenage wizards and pop stars, they gave us Lizzie McGuire, a show about a normal teenage girl dealing with normal teenage girl issues including problems with best friends, boys, and bras. The series stars Hilary Duff as Lizzie McGuire, who reveals her thoughts and emotions through a sarcastic animated alter ego. Not only is the show extremely relatable, but also I learned a lesson or two about life along the way. Plus, I get a kick out of the crimped hair, chokers, and all of those wild prints, which makes me want to bring back that early 2000s fashion.

That’s So Raven (2003-2007)

Set in San Francisco, the show revolves around teenager Raven Baxter, her friends Eddie and Chelsea, and her family, including her mother Tanya, her father Victor, and her younger brother Cory. Raven’s psychic powers and variety of disguises helps get her into and out of amusing situations that are still entertaining to watch. Also, there’s nothing better than a That’s So Raven reference whether that be a well placed “You naaaastyyy” to a an accurate description of anything and everything, “That is soooo not Raven.”

The Suite Life of Zach and Cody (2005-2008)

The show centers on twin brothers Zack and Cody Martin, who live in the Tipton Hotel where their mother Carey sings and performs in the hotel lounge. Zack and Cody often get in trouble and come up with ways to get out of it. Their twin antics occasionally involve other fun characters like the wealthy, yet dipsy London Tipton and the hotel's down-to-earth candy-counter girl Maddie Fitzpatrick. Although, I wasn’t a big fan of the spin-off The Suite Life on Deck, this show had a fresh, lighthearted charm that made me want to live at the Tipton with my twin at my side.

Hannah Montana (2006-2011)

The series focuses on teenager Miley Stewart, who leads a double life as an average schoolgirl by day and famous pop star Hannah Montana by night. Her father Robby Stewart, is a successful country music singer under the stage name Robbie Ray, and raises Miley and her brother Jackson in Malibu. The show not only follows the Stuart family, but also the day-to-day lives of Miley and her best friends Lily and Oliver as they navigate friendship and romances from middle to the end of high school. Not only do we enjoy sassy one-liners from the entire cast, but also get to groove to catchy hits like “Nobody’s Perfect.” Great music and acting, it really is the best of both worlds.

Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2013)

The show chronicles the adventures of the Russo Family, who live above their Manhattan sandwich shop. The three teenagers Alex, Justin, and Max Russo are wizards who live with their Italian father, Jerry, a former family wizard, and their mortal Mexican mother, Theresa. After their wizard training, the Russos participate in a competition to decide who will become the Family Wizard and keep his or her magical powers, while the others become mortals. Jerry gives his children wizard lessons, but also tries to teach them to not become dependent on magic. With a stellar script and cast, I have honestly laughed out loud when watching this show and proud to say that I stayed with it until the end.