The best Disney movie prior to the little mermaid is in my opinion is Sleeping beauty. First of all it is the first movie to have an actual name for a prince. Philip was his name and he actually knew the princess beforehand. He did not like her when he saw her, so the true love factor didn't really apply. He actually fought for the princess cutting through thorns fighting maleficent  as a dragon. Then he had to climb up flights of stairs to get to the princess. Though him kissing her when she is sleeping is kind of creepy. There you have it.