I don't know why it's so great

I never understood it either. The animation at times is very poor. Definitely not up to the standards of Disney in 50's and 60's. People focus on some prolific scenes but they ignore most of the movie where the animation is not good. Also, unlike what some people here say, I did not think that the characters were all that remarkable. Maybe Belle was a bit more "hands on" than earlier Disney princesses but those weren't exactly no brain bimbo's. I get that Beauty and the Beast is popular and I respect that. But I definitely don't think that it is better than classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves or Sleeping Beauty.