To celebrate its momentous 100-year anniversary, The Walt Disney Company has decided to unveil a list of 30 breathtaking locations scattered across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa that have served as both inspiration and settings for their films and theme parks throughout the past century. To make this reveal even more exciting for fans, Disney has paired up these locations with the corresponding productions in a series of photographs. This way, enthusiasts can directly compare the real-world attractions to the imaginative reinterpretations created by Disney’s talented filmmakers and designers.
Among these enchanting examples are the Norwegian fortress that played a part in inspiring the magnificent castle seen in the beloved movie “Frozen,” the Tudor estate that influenced the intricate maze found in “Alice in Wonderland,” and the captivating forest that provided the backdrop for the classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
Surprisingly, a study commissioned by The Walt Disney Company uncovered that a startling 42 percent of the British population is completely unaware that many of Disney’s films and park attractions are actually based on real-world locations. Furthermore, when asked which locations in the UK they would like to see featured in upcoming Disney films, the Lake District claimed the top spot with 14 percent, closely followed by Loch Ness and Edinburgh Castle, both receiving 10 percent of the votes.
For a mesmerizing experience, scroll down to view all 30 pictures that showcase how these breathtaking real-world places have taken on starring roles in Disney’s productions, igniting the imaginations of their exceptionally creative team.
Take, for instance, the castle of The Beast from the beloved 1991 film “Beauty and the Beast.” Its design was heavily influenced by Chateau de Chambord, a remarkable landmark known for its Renaissance architecture, located in France’s Centre-Val de Loire region.
Meanwhile, the talented creators behind the iconic 1994 film “The Lion King” drew inspiration from various landscapes across Africa, particularly the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, which forms a part of the Serengeti National Park. Although Pride Rock, a symbol of Simba’s home, isn’t based on a specific real-life location, its design elements were inspired by geological formations found throughout the continent, including those seen in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
During a trip to the UK in 1935, Walt Disney himself visited Great Fosters, a charming Tudor-era manor house nestled in Surrey. Years later, when working on “Alice in Wonderland,” it is believed that Disney was reminded of the manor’s elaborate topiary maze, which greatly influenced the maze depicted in the film.
The breathtaking Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at California’s Disneyland Resort was partially shaped by the Neuschwanstein Castle, situated in the beautiful foothills of the Alps in Bavaria, Germany. Since its opening in 1955, this Disney castle, with its fairytale-like architecture, has remained an iconic centerpiece of the park.
In the opening scene of the 1953 film “Peter Pan,” London’s famous Big Ben makes an appearance as Peter and the Darling children fly their way to Neverland. Landing on the big hand of the clock, this landmark plays a memorable role. Big Ben also appears in the 1961 animation “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”
Regent’s Park, one of London’s eight Royal Parks, serves as the meet-cute location for the main canine characters Pongo and Perdita, along with their owners Roger and Anita, in the 1961 animated film “One Hundred and One Dalmations.” In a comical scene, the mischievous Dalmations accidentally knock their owners into the pond when their leads become tangled.
Akershus Fortress, a historic castle from the 13th century located in Oslo, Norway, played a significant role in inspiring the castle of Arendelle, Anna and Elsa’s home in the 2013 animation “Frozen.” Disney mentions that Akershus Fortress exudes an enchanting and fairytale-like atmosphere that perfectly complements the setting of the film, making it a natural choice for inspiration.
The mesmerizing desert valley of Wadi Rum in Jordan, renowned for its towering rock formations and ancient rock carvings, set the scene for certain sequences in the 2019 live-action adaptation of “Aladdin.”
Off the coast of Ireland, the island monastery of Skellig Michael became a notable filming location for the 2015 film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” In the movie, it is revealed that Luke Skywalker has been living in exile on this intriguing island. Skellig Michael then made another appearance in the 2017 film “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a picturesque medieval town in Bavaria, Germany, known for its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and fortified walls, served as a significant source of inspiration for the village depicted in the 1940 film “Pinocchio.”
The mystifying Black Forest region located in southwest Germany, adorned with its dark and mystical woods and crystal-clear streams, served as visual inspiration for the enchanting fairytale setting in the timeless 1937 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” as revealed by Disney.
The fictional island kingdom of Corona, the birthplace of Rapunzel in the 2010 film “Tangled,” draws its inspiration from the picturesque tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France.
Ashdown Forest, situated in East Sussex, is the real-life inspiration behind Hundred Acre Woods, the beloved home of Winnie the Pooh and his friends in A.A. Milne’s books, which were later brought to life through Disney animation. As early as 1937, Walt Disney expressed interest in acquiring the screen rights to Pooh’s whimsical tales upon discovering them through his daughter, Diane Disney Miller.
St Abbs village in Berwickshire, Scotland, found itself transformed into a filming location for Marvel’s immensely popular 2019 film “Avengers: Endgame.” Since then, the village has become a popular tourist destination, with Thor enthusiasts flocking to visit the actual spot where scenes were shot.
The vibrant and colorful old buildings of Italy’s Cinque Terre region served as the primary inspiration for the fictional seaside town of Portorosso on the Italian Riviera, featured in Disney and Pixar’s 2021 film “Luca.” Cinque Terre consists of five charming villages, namely Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Disney adds that these villages were instrumental in capturing the essence of Italian coastal life within the film.
London’s iconic Liberty department store takes center stage in Disney’s 2021 film “Cruella.” In the movie, Cruella, an aspiring fashion designer, secures a job at this renowned department store, where she showcases her extraordinary talent. Disney highlights the fact that her innovative designs catch the fashion world’s attention, firmly establishing the flagship store as a crucial setting in the film.
The towering mountaintop of Mount Olympus, the highest peak in Greece standing at an impressive height of 2,918 meters (9,573 feet), became an animated wonderland in Disney’s 1997 film “Hercules.” Depicted with swirling clouds and gleaming golden architecture, Mount Olympus serves as the majestic home to the Greek gods, including Hercules’ father Zeus.
The intense airport battle sequence found in the 2016 film “Captain America: Civil War” took place on the tarmac of Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. As explained by Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, shooting such explosive scenes in a live and operational airport of that magnitude was no easy task due to numerous restrictions.
The Croatian city of Dubrovnik provided the inspiration for Prince Eric’s castle in the endearing 1989 animated film “The Little Mermaid.” Known for its medieval walls, red-roofed buildings, and idyllic seaside location, the city’s aesthetic made a lasting impression on the castle’s coastal setting and medieval architecture, as stated by Disney.
The captivating aerial shots of Reykjavik’s Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, with its striking ebony sand and dramatic rock formations, made their way into the 2016 film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
The magnificent castle depicted in Disney’s 1937 animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” draws inspiration from Alcazar de Segovia, an awe-inspiring medieval castle situated in the charming Spanish city of Segovia. Disney points out the incredible resemblance between the castle seen in the film and the distinct shape, turrets, and steep roofs of Alcazar de Segovia.
The historical fortress of Forte di Bard, also known as Bard Fortress, located in Italy’s Aosta Valley region, served as a filming location in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” In the film, the fortress creatively doubles as the facility where the nefarious organization Hydra conducts their experiments.
The captivating Gusteau’s restaurant in the 2007 film “Ratatouille” drew inspiration from several Parisian culinary establishments, including Guy Savoy, Le Train Bleu, Taillevent, and La Tour d’Argent. Production designer Harley Jessup describes Gusteau’s as the most ornate among the bunch, exuding grandeur with its huge gilded arches, ceiling murals, and thick red drapes. Its palatial scale makes it the perfect backdrop for the film’s culinary delights.
In conclusion, The Walt Disney Company truly opens up a world of wonder by demonstrating how these extraordinary real-world places have played significant roles in their timeless productions. The creativity and imagination infused into each adaptation have allowed these locations to breathe life into Disney’s enchanting stories and capture the hearts of audiences around the globe.
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