How many of us haven’t wanted to visit the magical lands brought to life by Disney animation? How often have we dreamed of flying on a carpet over the city of Agrabah, dancing with chimney sweeps on London’s rooftops, or exploring the various environments of Zootopia? It’s all fun to think about, but what if some of these places were not only probable but possible?
The Disney artists take a lot of inspiration for their worlds from real-life examples, and some even visit these locations before pen ever hits paper. If you’ve ever wanted to step into a Disney kingdom, have a look at these ten real-life models for your favorite films.
Sanfransokyo (San Fransisco Bay and Tokyo, Japan)
Let’s get the more obvious one out of the way and take a brief trip to where the east meets the west in Big Hero 6’s Sanfransokyo. If the name didn’t give the inspiration away, Sanfransokyo is a hybrid city that takes bright lights and neon of modern-day Tokyo and drops it right in the San Fransisco Bay area.
The result of this ingenious combination is a technologically advanced city that only a comic-book king like Stan Lee could invent (and cameo in). It’s the perfect colorful setting for a team of superheroes and their giant robot to call home.
The Town (Marceline, Missouri)
Though it’s never really named in the original film, Disney themselves have claimed that the town featured in Lady and the Tramp is the town of Marceline, Missouri. That name might not mean much to the average Joe Blow on the street, but true Disney fans know the significance of this little town.
For those of you not in the know, Marceline Missouri was where Walt Disney himself grew up, having moved there at the age of five years old. This town would also go on to inspire Main Street USA and a legion of other small town visuals featured in Disney’s films.
The Quarter (French Quarter, New Orleans)
In the southland, there’s a city way down on the river. Where the women are very pretty and all the men deliver. Randy Newman’s lyrics aside, if you didn’t figure out Disney’s The Princess and the Frog was inspired by 1920s New Orleans, then you’ve more than likely been living in a cave.
We’re not just saying that because Dr. John sings about it in the opening song of the film, but the number of town icons that are recognizable throughout the movie. From the Catholic cathedral in the French Quarter to the swamps and marshes of the Louisiana Bayou, Disney definitely did their homework on this one.
Paradise Falls (Angel Falls, Venezuela)
The mysterious jungles of Paradise Falls explored by Charles Muntz and then later Carl and Russel in Pixar’s Up. The film states that the famous falls are located in Brazil when in actuality the inspiration behind them isn’t that far out of the ballpark. It’s in Venezuela.
If you were to put Angel Falls and Paradise Falls side by side, it would be a little difficult to distinguish the two. Just stick a little yellow house on top of them and you’ve got a decent recreation. You might not find a giant squawking bird named Kevin, but you’ll definitely get a good view.
The Poor Provincial Town (Alsace, France)
Right on the border between France and Germany sits the beautiful town of Alsace. With its cobblestone streets, medieval-inspired architecture and lush fields leading out into the great wide somewhere, it’s no wonder the Disney Artists chose this place to be Belle’s hometown in Beauty and the Beast.
Though Belle wants adventure and something more than her “poor provincial town,” we wouldn’t mind spending a weekend or two in this lovely little village. We think Disney knew what they were doing on this one. The place practically looks like a postcard, could you possibly be more inviting?
Beast’s Castle (Chateau de Chambord)
On the subject of Beauty and the Beast, let’s have a look at the Beast’s domain for a minute or two. No classic fairytale is complete without a stunning enchanted castle to explore, right? The one featured in this magical movie is not only marvelous but is one of the most recognizable castles in all of France.
The Chateau de Chambord, located in Loir-Et-Cher, might lack the singing and dancing furniture, but it’s just as elegant and grand as the Beast’s castle in the film. With its large spires, beautiful gardens, and tremendous towers, we can see some certain similarities, though it does need a few more gargoyles.
Notre Dame (Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris)
Speaking of gargoyles, the Notre Dame de Paris was more than just the setting for Disney’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s most famous novel. Disney artists took a thorough tour through the iconic cathedral so that they could properly animate every last detail, including the famous Rose Window.
Every arch, statue, grotesque and gargoyle found in this incredible church made its way into the film, and the attention to detail is very present every time we see inside or outside the cathedral. The size, scale, and scope are absolutely stunning, and the real deal is even more majestic than its animated counterpart.
Game Central Station (Grand Central Terminal, New York City)
We know, we know, it’s impossible to visit a vast hub of your favorite classic video game characters like Sonic the Hedgehog, Q*Bert, and Zangief, but there is a definite real-world counterpart to Game Central Station in Wreck-It Ralph that thousands of people visit every day.
It might be a little obvious, but the inspiration behind this hub area where all the various video game characters in the arcade come together after hours takes its layout from the Grand Central Terminal in New York City, and it’s an inspiration is felt right down to the very last pixel.
Radiator Springs (Towns Along Route 66)
Radiator Springs gets it’s various roadside attractions and designs from various stops along the actual Route 66 that runs through the United States. Known as the “Mother Road,” Pixar animators sought out different landmarks and tourist traps to give Radiator Springs a life of its own.
Each venue and shop in Radiator Springs has a Route 66 counterpart. Ramone’s Body Shop was inspired by the U-Turn Inn in Shamrock Texas, The Cozy Cone takes its name from the Cozy Dog and its design from the Wigwam Motel, the list goes on and on, and we could ride it all night long.
Various Disney Castles (Neuschwanstein Castle)
Snow White, Cinderella, and Princess Aurora all get their standard-issue castle from one main inspiration. Upon further observation, we can confirm that all three locations bear a specific resemblance to different parts of the famous Bavarian castle. The thing absolutely looks like something out of a fairytale.
From as early as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney artists have looked to this castle for inspiration. From it’s white walls to its golden spires, we can even see where the Disney Parks took more than a few notes from this beautiful historic landmark.
