13 Breathtaking Real-Life Places That Inspired Disney Movies
These locations that your favorite Disney films are based on will make you believe in magic.
These locations that your favorite Disney films are based on will make you believe in magic.
MOVIE: The Sultan's Palace in Aladdin
Located right in the center of Agrabah near the Jordan River, the Sultan's Palace is visible no matter where you are in town.
INSPIRATION: Taj Mahal in Agra, India
The Sultan's Palace was loosely based on this architectural wonder in Agra, India. Although the Taj Mahal is a tomb, not a palace, we can see the inspiration come through in the movie's storyline as well: For example, Aladdin has a pet monkey and Jasmine has a tiger — two animals Agra is known for.
MOVIE: The Sultan's Palace in Aladdin
Located right in the center of Agrabah near the Jordan River, the Sultan's Palace is visible no matter where you are in town.
INSPIRATION: Taj Mahal in Agra, India
The Sultan's Palace was loosely based on this architectural wonder in Agra, India. Although the Taj Mahal is a tomb, not a palace, we can see the inspiration come through in the movie's storyline as well: For example, Aladdin has a pet monkey and Jasmine has a tiger — two animals Agra is known for.
MOVIE: The Beast's Castle in Beauty and the Beast
After a spell is cast on this Baroque-style castle, it becomes a dark and mysterious place — until Belle breaks the curse, that is.
INSPIRATION: Château de Chambord in Loir-et-Cher, France
The Beast may have been cursed, but his castle was modeled after quite the elegant abode. This stunning château in central France is characterized by its distinctive French Renaissance architecture.
MOVIE: The Beast's Castle in Beauty and the Beast
After a spell is cast on this Baroque-style castle, it becomes a dark and mysterious place — until Belle breaks the curse, that is.
INSPIRATION: Château de Chambord in Loir-et-Cher, France
The Beast may have been cursed, but his castle was modeled after quite the elegant abode. This stunning château in central France is characterized by its distinctive French Renaissance architecture.
MOVIE: Small Village Square in Beauty and the Beast
Belle lives in a peaceful, secluded village filled with charming local vendors, such as a flower shop and a bookstore.
INSPIRATION: Alsace, France
Belle's hometown features many architectural details reminiscent of the northeastern region of France. And while the town's inspiration is unconfirmed, the movie offers small hints of Alsace culture beyond the town square, like the design on the wine bottles featured in the film, according to Disney Wikia.
MOVIE: Small Village Square in Beauty and the Beast
Belle lives in a peaceful, secluded village filled with charming local vendors, such as a flower shop and a bookstore.
INSPIRATION: Alsace, France
Belle's hometown features many architectural details reminiscent of the northeastern region of France. And while the town's inspiration is unconfirmed, the movie offers small hints of Alsace culture beyond the town square, like the design on the wine bottles featured in the film, according to Disney Wikia.
MOVIE: Elsa's Ice Palace in Frozen
Created by Queen Elsa as a place she could live in isolation, the Ice Palace is quite the sight to behold.
INSPIRATION: Hôtel de Glace in Quebec City, Canada
If you spend the night in Quebec City's ice hotel, we won't blame you for belting out a verse or two of "Let it Go." Being surrounded by snow vaults and crystalline ice sculptures will truly make you feel like a snow queen.
MOVIE: Elsa's Ice Palace in Frozen
Created by Queen Elsa as a place she could live in isolation, the Ice Palace is quite the sight to behold.
INSPIRATION: Hôtel de Glace in Quebec City, Canada
If you spend the night in Quebec City's ice hotel, we won't blame you for belting out a verse or two of "Let it Go." Being surrounded by snow vaults and crystalline ice sculptures will truly make you feel like a snow queen.
MOVIE: DunBroch Castle in Brave
Located in the Scottish Highlands, Princess Merida resides in this stunning fortress with her royal family during the medieval period.
INSPIRATION: Eilean Donan Castle
Brave may be a fairy tale, but the places that inspired Disney are very real. This iconic castle overlooks the sea on one side and rolling Scottish highlands on the other — just like DunBroch.
MOVIE: DunBroch Castle in Brave
Located in the Scottish Highlands, Princess Merida resides in this stunning fortress with her royal family during the medieval period.
INSPIRATION: Eilean Donan Castle
Brave may be a fairy tale, but the places that inspired Disney are very real. This iconic castle overlooks the sea on one side and rolling Scottish highlands on the other — just like DunBroch.
MOVIE: Pacha's Village in The Emperor's New Groove
As the leader of a poor village, Pacha lives in a hut at the top of a hill — the very spot Kuzco wants to build his ginormous summer home, Kuzcotopia.
INSPIRATION: Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru
While Incan influence is evident throughout the movie, Pacha's village may just be the most obvious — the hill is actually based on a very familiar looking mountain: Machu Picchu.
MOVIE: Pacha's Village in The Emperor's New Groove
As the leader of a poor village, Pacha lives in a hut at the top of a hill — the very spot Kuzco wants to build his ginormous summer home, Kuzcotopia.
INSPIRATION: Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru
While Incan influence is evident throughout the movie, Pacha's village may just be the most obvious — the hill is actually based on a very familiar looking mountain: Machu Picchu.
MOVIE: The Royal Castle in Sleeping Beauty
After being cursed by Maleficent, princess Aurora is placed under a sleeping spell inside this towering castle.
INSPIRATION: Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany
Not only did this striking castle provide inspiration for the movie, you can see a real-life version of Sleeping Beauty's castle inspired by the German palace at Disneyland.
MOVIE: The Royal Castle in Sleeping Beauty
After being cursed by Maleficent, princess Aurora is placed under a sleeping spell inside this towering castle.
INSPIRATION: Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany
Not only did this striking castle provide inspiration for the movie, you can see a real-life version of Sleeping Beauty's castle inspired by the German palace at Disneyland.
MOVIE: The Kingdom in Tangled
Rapunzel was born in Corona, an island topped by a towering castle and surrounded by the sea.
INSPIRATION: Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France
According to Disney art designer Laurent Ben-Mimoun, the movie took literal inspiration from Mont Saint-Mitchel to create a renaissance castle on an island that emulates the peinture galante style.
MOVIE: The Kingdom in Tangled
Rapunzel was born in Corona, an island topped by a towering castle and surrounded by the sea.
INSPIRATION: Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France
According to Disney art designer Laurent Ben-Mimoun, the movie took literal inspiration from Mont Saint-Mitchel to create a renaissance castle on an island that emulates the peinture galante style.
MOVIE: Emperor's Home in Mulan
Not only is real-life architectural influence evident in Mulan, it's also based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan.
INSPIRATION: Forbidden City in Beijing, China
Mulan is thought to be set during the Han Dynasty, based on the traditional clothing the characters wear. However, Disney sought inspiration from this stunning landmark that would be built over 1,000 years later.
MOVIE: Emperor's Home in Mulan
Not only is real-life architectural influence evident in Mulan, it's also based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan.
INSPIRATION: Forbidden City in Beijing, China
Mulan is thought to be set during the Han Dynasty, based on the traditional clothing the characters wear. However, Disney sought inspiration from this stunning landmark that would be built over 1,000 years later.
MOVIE: The Cathedral in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
It's safe to say that bell ringer Quasimodo's home is a very literal reinterpretation of a real-life Parisian landmark.
INSPIRATION: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
You guessed it: Producers visited France while they were developing The Hunchback of Notre Dame to explore every last nook and cranny of the famous cathedral.
MOVIE: The Cathedral in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
It's safe to say that bell ringer Quasimodo's home is a very literal reinterpretation of a real-life Parisian landmark.
INSPIRATION: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
You guessed it: Producers visited France while they were developing The Hunchback of Notre Dame to explore every last nook and cranny of the famous cathedral.
MOVIE: Prince Eric's Castle in The Little Mermaid
Located on the shores of a mountainous region, Prince Eric's castle overlooks Ariel's underwater home.
INSPIRATION: Château de Chillon in Lake Geneva, Switzerland
This historic monument dates back to the 12th century and is thought to be the inspiration for Prince Eric's Castle, given its lakeside location.
MOVIE: Prince Eric's Castle in The Little Mermaid
Located on the shores of a mountainous region, Prince Eric's castle overlooks Ariel's underwater home.
INSPIRATION: Château de Chillon in Lake Geneva, Switzerland
This historic monument dates back to the 12th century and is thought to be the inspiration for Prince Eric's Castle, given its lakeside location.
MOVIE: Queen's Castle in Snow White
This classic fairytale castle is where the Queen plots to surpass Snow White as "the fairest in the land."
INSPIRATION: Segovia Castle in Spain
Raised high above a rocky terrain, the Alcázar of Segovia has a distinctive shape that resamples the bow of a ship.
MOVIE: Queen's Castle in Snow White
This classic fairytale castle is where the Queen plots to surpass Snow White as "the fairest in the land."
INSPIRATION: Segovia Castle in Spain
Raised high above a rocky terrain, the Alcázar of Segovia has a distinctive shape that resamples the bow of a ship.
MOVIE: City in Atlantis: The Lost Empire
In this animated science fiction film, a young man and his crew journey to find the lost city of Atlantis.
INSPIRATION: Angkor Wat in Angkor, Cambodia
If you'd like to journey to the fabled lost city of Atlantis, visiting this temple complex would be your best best. While the movie blends together architectural characteristics from around the world, the aerial view of Atlantis is said to resemble this Cambodian destination.
MOVIE: City in Atlantis: The Lost Empire
In this animated science fiction film, a young man and his crew journey to find the lost city of Atlantis.
INSPIRATION: Angkor Wat in Angkor, Cambodia
If you'd like to journey to the fabled lost city of Atlantis, visiting this temple complex would be your best best. While the movie blends together architectural characteristics from around the world, the aerial view of Atlantis is said to resemble this Cambodian destination.
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