24 Real-Life Places That Inspired Your Favorite Disney Attractions

Sunny Chanel
Feb 18, 2017

Sure, there are plenty of things to do at Disneyland and Walt Disney World that aren’t rides (especially since Disney World just got boozier)… but we’re betting you line up anyway. You may have considered extending the magic with a vacation inspired by your fave Disney princess or a Disney river cruise, but have you ever thought about where all the design ideas for your favorite attractions came from? It’s one thing to enjoy them in the park, but it’s a whole ‘nother deal to visit their real-life inspirations — and that’s a level of fandom we totally approve of. To speed you on your quest, we’ve collected two dozen locations all over the globe that helped Imagineers breathe life into some of the best of the Disney parks‘ oh-so-epic attractions.

1. The Matterhorn in Switzerland (The Matterhorn Bob Sleds, Disneyland): While you can’t hop in a bobsled and go through the actual Matterhorn searching for Yetis, you can go to Switzerland and bask in all its Alpine glory.

2. Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany (Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Disneyland): When designing the ultimate fairy-tale castle, Imagineer Herb Ryman looked to this gigantic German keep built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It may dwarf the Disney version, but they both share oodles of charm.

3. Château d’Ussé in Rigny-Ussé, France (Cinderella’s Castle, Walt Disney World): This stately manor in France’s Loire Valley was one of the European dwellings whose look was used to create the dramatic and oh-so-lovely castle that looms large in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Iconic and incredible.

4. Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC (Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, Disneyland): If you’re a fan of Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, you might be a wee bit disappointed that huge statue of Honest Abe in DC doesn’t start talking. But the sheer presence and weight of the sculpture — not to mention its historical significance — should more than make up for it.

5. The Spirit of Peoria on the Mississippi River (The Mark Twain, Disneyland): American riverboats are a beautiful and easygoing way to get around. While the Mark Twain in the Rivers of America only takes a short journey, you can book a multi-night getaway on a variety of riverboats that ply the Mississippi, such as the Spirit of Peoria. (Photo via Spirit of Peoria)

6. The Amazon, Congo, Nile, and Mekong Rivers (Jungle Cruise, Disneyland): This classic Disney ride pays homage to not one or two but four great rivers — the Amazon, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mekong. Could one river really have piranhas, elephants, and headhunters? We think not. Pick your fave and float downstream.

7. Antebellum Mansions of the South (Haunted Mansion, Disneyland): The opulent antebellum mansions of the American South proved to be perfect inspo for Disney’s curious yet deliciously creepy Haunted Mansion. One house in particular is thought to be the main inspiration for the ghostly dwelling in Anaheim: the Shipley-Lydecker house in Baltimore, Maryland. While the house no longer stands, you can visit several other old plantation homes to totally get that same haunted feeling.

8. The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA (Haunted Mansion, Disneyland): Back in the day, Haunted Mansion designers visited the sprawling Winchester Mystery House to gather ideas. The huge home boasts stairways that lead nowhere, doors that open right into walls, and areas that are supposed to be haunted. There’s even a seance room. Score!

9. Harry Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA (Haunted Mansion, Walt Disney World): Imagineers studied the gorgeous Harry Packer Mansion for the Walt Disney World version of the iconic Disneyland ride. And get this: You can STAY at the mysterious red brick palace of inspiration. To up the creepy, you can also book one of their Murder Mystery weekends. (Photo via Murder Mansion)

10. Redwood Creek and the Sacramento River, CA (Grizzly River Run, Disney California Adventure): If you’re not brave enough to ride the REAL rapids in the wild, the next best thing is to jump on one of the round (and totes safe) rafts at California Adventure’s Grizzly River Run: Imagineers went to the Redwood Creek and the Sacramento River to get the ride just right. But if you do wanna give it a try, these peeps can help.

11. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, CA (Great Movie Ride, Walt Disney World): Standing in front of the Great Movie Ride in Walt Disney World can be a little confusing, especially for those of us who are familiar with SoCal. The full-scale replica of the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (currently branded as the TCL Chinese Theatre) is so like the original, you practically expect a classic Hollywood starlet to step out.

12. The Monorail in Seattle, WA (The Monorail, Disneyland): First, it should be noted that Disneyland’s Monorail, which debuted in June of 1959, was the first monorail to be in daily operation in the Western Hemisphere. But this isn’t just some fun ride — Walt Disney thought of it as a transportation solution for the future. Seattle soon followed with their own monorail service in 1962, built for Century 21 Exposition at the World’s Fair, and it still runs today. If you’re jonesing for a Monorail ride, you can always head to Seattle instead of Disneyland.

13. Castillo de San Felipe del Morro in Puerto Rico (Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney World): When you approach Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland in Walt Disney World and its impressive Torre del Sol watchtower, you’ll get glimpses of the influence that the real life fort Castillo de San Felipe del Morro in the Old San Juan in Puerto Rico had on the design.

14. Strasbourg, France (Fantasy Faire, Disneyland): To really experience that Fantasy Faire life, all you need to do is head across the pond to Strasbourg in France’s Alsace region. Not only do they have beautiful buildings and uber picturesque scenery (sure to have you singing tunes from Beauty and the Beast), but they also make killer wine.

15. Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA (Tower of Terror, Walt Disney World): When creating the old-school styling of Disney World’s Tower of Terror, Imagineers studied the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles and pretty much duplicated its ceiling. And what a ceiling it is! (Photo via millenniumbiltmore/Flickr/Creative Commons)

16. Bryce Canyon, Utah (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disneyland): The wildest ride in the wilderness is beautifully modeled after the American Southwest. One of the big inspos is Utah’s majestic Bryce Canyon.

17. Monument Valley, Arizona (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disney World): While the Imagineers replicated Bryce Canyon for Disneyland, they went to a different — yet equally stunning — locale for the version in Disney World. This time they pulled in landmarks from Monument Valley to create the sun-kissed rock formations.

18. Mustang, Nepal (Expedition Everest, Disney’s Animal Kingdom): “It’s a very convincing look at a Himalayan environment,” said Joe Rohde, one of the main Imagineers behind Expedition Everest and the area surrounding the thrill ride. Rohde and his team traveled to Nepal to harness the look and feeling of the land and found inspiration in a 1,000-year-old monastery near Mustang, Nepal.

19. Cadillac Ranch, Texas (Radiator Springs Racers, Disney California Adventure): The Imagineers responsible for Cars Land spent significant time on Route 66 and other notable highways to correctly capture the vibe from Pixar’s Cars. One of the places that has a (literally) huge influence on Radiator Springs Racers is the Cadillac Ranch, located west of Amarillo, Texas, off of Route 40. (Photo via Richie Diesterheft/Flickr/Creative Commons)

20. Chichen Itza (Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, Epcot): Enter Mexico in Epcot and you’ll get the chance to hang out with the Three Caballeros. And their digs are pretty sweet: a tribute to the Mesoamerican pyramids found down south in Teotihuacan and the Yucatan in historical cities like Chichen Itza.

21. African Safari (Kilimanjaro Safaris, Disney’s Animal Kingdom): Going on an actual safari in Africa is a big bucket-list item for many of us. Thankfully, we can get the next best thing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From the jeeps to the animals to the Florida heat, they really capture the safari experience to tide us over until we can splurge on a trip to a country like Kenya, South Africa, or Namibia for the real thing.

22. The Big Dipper in Santa Cruz, CA (California Screamin’, Disney California Adventure): The way-thrilling California Screamin’ in Disney California Adventure totally hearkens back to the wooden roller coasters of yore, like the Big Dipper that’s been a staple at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk since it opened way back in 1924.

23. Bergen, Norway (Frozen Ever After, Epcot): When creating the icy world of Arendelle in a little movie you may have heard of, the filmmakers spent quality time in the storybook-worthy town of Bergen. Their work trip (and the film) served as inspo for the popular Elsa and Anna ride in Epcot’s Norway pavilion.

24. Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, FL (Mission: SPACE in Epcot): Imagineers from Disney World didn’t have to travel very far for ideas for Epcot’s Mission: SPACE, since the Kennedy Space Center is only an hour away, just northwest of Cape Canaveral.

Have you ever scoped a ride’s real-life inspo? Tell us about it @BritandCo!

(Photos via Getty)

Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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