While many have been inspired by the countless Disney movies that have been produced, we don’t often think about what inspired those movies to be what they are today. Many iconic locations in these movies have real-life counterparts.
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From the open landscapes of The Lion King we know were inspired by the plains of Kenya to the West African jungles full of swinging vines where Tarzan grew up with gorillas, these animated films showcase the best of the beautiful world that surrounds us. Here are some of the coolest natural and man-made locations that inspired Disney movies.
9Mont-Saint-Michel – Tangled
Set in the Kingdom of Corona, Tangled tells the story of a stolen princess, Rapunzel, with long golden hair who is locked away in a tower far from the castle. Rapunzel escapes her tower and ventures into the kingdom, where she achieves her dream of seeing the floating lights on her birthday.
The Castle of Corona is based on the real-life commune and monastery Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France. The island becomes surrounded by water during high tides is the inspiration for the island kingdom of Corona.
8Taj Mahal – Aladdin
The Disney classic animated film Aladdin is set in Agrabah in the Arabian desert. It follows the story of a street rat, Aladdin, who happens upon the Princess of the kingdom, Jasmine. On their journey, he comes to possess amagic lamp with Genieand uses three wishes to win the heart of Jasmine.
The Princess’ castle is based on the mausoleum of the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Built in 1653, the Taj Mahal has been a beacon of beauty and architecture and is listed as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
7Notre Dame - Hunchback Of Notre Dame
In Disney’s adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo, a deformed bell ringer, takes it upon himself to help the beautiful Esmeralda escape Frollo, who is after her.
The film takes place in Paris, France, inside the famous, now more than 763-year-old cathedral of Notre Dame. Today, you may visit the historic site but know there have been many renovations over the last several centuries, the most recent being after a fire that destroyed a large portion of the building in 2019.
6Forbidden City – Mulan
In Mulan, a Chinese woman takes on the challenge of becoming a warrior in the imperial army in place of her aging father. She trains and fights with her unit until they discover she is, in fact, a woman. But she does not let that stop her, thanks to her trusty dragon guide Mushu. In the end, she fights to save the Emperor in Imperial City and is recognized as a true warrior.
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The Imperial City is based on the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. It was built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and has since become a popular tourist destination.
5Hanapepe, Hawaii - Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch is the story of two sisters who are doing their best to get by after their parents’ deaths. Nani, Lilo’s older sister, is trying to make ends meet when Stitch literally falls into their lives from outer space. Lilo adopts Stich, and the two of them end up traveling across the island, seeing the sites and evading the aliens trying to capture Stitch.
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The Hawaiian culture is masterfully captured in Lilo & Stitch and is visually inspired by Hanapepe, a small town on the island of Kauai. This little town takes pride in its quaintness and even has a Lilo & Stitch mural next to JJ Ohana’s gift shop.
4Louisiana Bayou – The Princess And The Frog
In the 2009 film, The Princess and The Frog, Tiana is determined to open up her own restaurant as she loves to cook. But she is unexpectedly and unwillingly thrown into a voodoo magic curse that turns her into a frog. Not only is she a frog, but so is Prince Naveen. Together they travel through the Louisiana Bayou to find the only person who can reverse the curse.
They travel along the back of an alligator through the Louisiana Bayou, inspired by the actual Bayou that sits on the southern coast of Louisiana along the Gulf of Mexico.
3Valle De Cocora, Columbia – Encanto
In the Disney musical Encanto, Mirabela, a young, Columbian girl, is the only one in her family with no magical powers. The Madrigal family has been given magical gifts because of the sacrifice of their Abuelo and the determination of their Abuela. She is the matriarch of the entire town and head of their casita, which is set in a beautiful valley.
This valley is based on the Columbian location of Valle de Cocora, a stunning landscape of greenery, palm trees, and cascading mountains surrounding them—the perfect location for the secluded magical home of the Madrigals.
2The Emperor’s New Groove - Machu Picchu, Peru
The Emperor’s New Groove is a story about Emperor Kusco, a cocky and selfish ruler who cares very little for the people in his kingdom. He gets turned into a llama by his advisor Ezma and is thrust into an adventure with a common villager, Pacha, who helps him turn back into a human.
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Pacha happens to live in the most beautiful location of the kingdom, which was based on the real-life Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, in Peru. This beautiful landscape happens to be in the Cusco Region, clearly the inspiration for the Emperor’s name.
1Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Frozen
Frozen 2 is another adventure to find out who Elsa really is, but this time, she is working with her sister Anna, sort of. Eventually, it is up to Anna to save the kingdom and the enchanted forest and restore balance. But before she is sent on her own personal journey, Elsa has to cross the ocean and starts at an eerie black sand beach.
This beach was based on Reynisfjara on the southern coast of Iceland. This beach is covered in volcanic sand, and while a popular tourist destination, it is extremely dangerous to venture too close to the water. Elsa’s fight with the water spirit was spot on for the true dangers lurking along the water’s edge.
