Ariel has the most beautiful design, I thought. Something felt very human, at least about that one moment where she tries to put her hand through the hole in the top of her treasures room. And those scenes of her not being able to speak, she also seemed to come alive just a little more than the modern female characters of the early 90's. Other than that, artificial or not, I just can't take my eyes of that amazing red hair. They meant that to make her special from the other sisters and a person could say it's not that special. But it's really amazing. That's one of the major reasons she's so iconic.
For the same reason, that I loved the way she seemed to come alive somewhat during funny moments, I should also mention Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Because I really love the humor of that movie and her reactions, especially toward the end when she meets the Queen and goes to court - that whole thing - her facial expressions were classic. The voicework really enhances the performance of the animation too. For that reason, I have to say I even liked her better as a character than Ariel. They sort of even out.
I always thought Pocahontas looked very unique. This isn't always a compliment. In some shots, her head's structure is too chiseled and almost man-like. However, this is animation and I don't mind if she does look man-like in any way. I think she looks incredible along with the animation of the movie which I think looks impeccable anyway - one of Disney's most beautifully animated movies. Then, I almost am tempted to say Anita from 101 Dalmatians because I just saw the photographs of the actress who did the voice and she was absolutely stunning. On that note, does anyone remember one of the trailers from 101 Dalmatians - the one where they show the hand of Cruella De Vil dialing the telephone while the voice over guy goes, "and the exotic beauty who masterminds the whole thing" (they're talking about the crime to kidnap the puppies), then the shot cuts to Cruella sitting in bed with her hair in curlers so there's nothing to hide her bony, corpse-like, skeletal face with the ugly skin and pointy nose? That was incredibly clever for a Disney advertisement.