Experts believe that the cartoonists were inspired by these locations.
Disney cartoons are often illustrated with magical places that look too improbable to be true. However, the world does have real-life versions of these magical villages, castles, and buildings to visit. This is reported by the Daily Mail.
The Queen’s Castle, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
The Queen’s Castle is the home of the Evil Queen and Snow White before the princess left.
In the 1937 cartoon, it looks like a typical fairy-tale castle with white towers and a beautiful setting. However, experts believe that the author was inspired by the Alcázar building in Segovia, Spain.
“Just like the Queen’s Castle, the Alcázar is located on top of a rocky landscape and has a similar magical atmosphere with its towering towers. Moreover, Rachel Zegler, who played Snow White in the new 2025 remake, performed the song “Waiting On A Wish” in front of the Alcázar in Segovia,” the article noted.
Paradise Falls, “Forward and Up”
The cartoon “Up and Down” tells the story of Carl and Ellie, a married couple who save money to visit Paradise Falls, but they are unable to go together because Ellie’s wife dies.
“A few years later, Carl manages to lift his house with the help of balloons and fly to Paradise Falls to finally see it,” the Daily Mail reported.
However, fans of the cartoon can see Paradise Falls with their own eyes, as it is believed that the film was inspired by Angel Falls in Venezuela.
“The Ice Heart”
“Frozen” is a favorite cartoon for many people, so they can experience its magic in real life.
It is known that Arendelle is the main setting of the cartoon and the birthplace of Anna and Elsa.
“It is believed that the village is inspired by the city of Hallstatt in Austria, where visitors can see similar colorful buildings and distinctive architecture. At the same time, it is believed that the palace chapel of the Kingdom of Arendel is based on the Church of St. Olaf in Norway, which boasts Viking-style elements and wooden carvings,” the publication adds.
Castle Corona, “Rapunzel: A Tangled Story”
In this cartoon, Corona Castle appears, where King Frederick and Queen Arianna live with Rapunzel.
This castle is believed to have been inspired by Mont-Sainte-Michel in France.
Princess Belle’s Village, “Beauty and the Beast”
In this cartoon, Princess Belle has fun in the fictional village of Villeneuve, where she comes from.
“It is believed to be based on similar areas in the Alsace region of France, where you can find many distinctive villages with cobblestone streets and unusual houses,” the Daily Mail emphasized.
Portorosso, “Luca”
Portorosso is the main setting of the cartoon. This small village is located by the sea and is known for its colorful buildings and a fountain in the center.
“The director of the film Luca, Enrico Casarosa, was born in Genoa, Italy, a port city in the Liguria region. The Cinque Terre is a coastal area located in the same region and is considered one of the places that inspired the creation of Portorosso,” according to the article.
The Sultan’s Palace, Aladdin
The Sultan’s Palace is the home of the Sultan, Princess Jasmine, and Aladdin. This building features large domed roofs over the towers and is painted in a creamy red color.
Therefore, it is believed that the palace’s design is partially based on the Indian Taj Mahal, as it shares similar structural characteristics.
