Yesterday I realized while watching “The Little Mermaid” (What you got a problem with that?) that Ariel’s mom was deceased. Then two seconds later I realized that many more Disney stories are centered around the child of a single parent. With the missing parent usually dead.
Here are the films I could think of off the top of my head that fit the Single Parent Disney Tear Jerker Technique:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Pinocchio-Gepetto isn’t married, so there.
Dumbo
Bambi
Cinderella
The Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast
The Lion King
Finding Nemo
Ratatouille
If you think of more than let me know. But it does seem a little odd and very manipulative of Disney doesn’t it?
Nice Girl Mean Thoughts 
The Fox and the Hound is another one that follows that formula. Also in Aladdin didn’t Jasmine only have a father? I could be wrong but I don’t remember her having a mother.
Well it might seem manipulative but its the pattern that is basic to most fairy/folk tales. losing a parent ,most often mothers was common so these stories reflected that and then either warned or consoled the listeners. Things are always more scary when they have the ring of truth – and for centuries being motherless/fatherlees with a step parent was common and always a possibilty.
don’t forget mogli in jungle book.