8 Real-Life Locations Used In Disney Movies

It’s not a secret Disney likes to use real life references when creating characters for its most famous animated movies. But did you ever stop and think that our beloved Disney locations like the amazing city of Agrabah were also inspired by existing places? Yep, that’s right! Disney’s creative team was inspired by actual castles, villages, and natural wonders, transferring them onto the silver screen in a beautiful animated form. Here are 8 real-life locations used in Disney movies.

Mulan – the Forbidden City, Beijing

Mulan’s Imperial City that became the setting to her final battle with the Hun’s leader was heavily inspired by the actual Forbidden City located in Beijing. Chinese emperors have been living on this UNESCO-protected site for several hundreds of years starting from 1420. The resemblance is striking!

Moana – Samoa

The gorgeous natural landscapes of Moana are the spitting image of South Pacific vistas. Jon Musker and Ron Clements, the directors of the movie, wanted to create an authentic feel that was based on existing cultures of the Pacific. The fictional Polynesian island of Motunui that served as home for Moana and her fellow islanders is a result of research conducted mainly in Samoa and Tonga. Directors travelled to these places themselves!

Tangled – Mount Saint-Michel, Normandy

Laurent Ben-Mimoun, a French artist responsible for the concept art of Tangled, did an incredible amount of work, exploring the Renaissance castles to create the one Rapunzel lives in, and using Mount Saint-Michel in Normandy as a reference to create the fairytale-like city she ended up travelling to. It’s a beautiful mix of ancient and modern architecture!