I’ve now asked myself more than once, at what age I will stop being obsessed with all things Disney? The answer – NEVER! If you love Disney as much as I do then read on! This post covers destinations in Europe for Disney fans. It is said these destinations inspired Disney when they were producing the movies and building their physical locations.
Sleeping Beauty – Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
First up on this destinations in Europe for Disney fans is my 2nd favorite castle in the entire world! Neuschwanstein is a must visit castle in Germany but even more so if you are a Disney fan! This 19th century castle was built in the Romantic style by King Ludwig and is said to be the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle in the film and the Cinderella castle at Magic Kingdom in Florida. It’s very easy to visit Neuschwanstein from Munich, Germany. My post below outlines everything you need to know about visiting this magnificent castle.
Read this complete guide to Neuschwanstein Castle HERE
Beauty and the Beast – Riquewihr, Alsace, France
Next up on this destinations in Europe for Disney fans is in Alsace, France. I could not stop singing “Little Town” (Belle’s opening song in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) at all the little villages I visited in Alsace! Known to be France’s oldest wine route, Alsace is great for its wine AND its colorful half timbered villages. Out of all the villages in Alsace (there are over 70 on the wine route), Riquewihr is said to be what inspired Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! It’s easy to see why! This village has several beautiful wells scattered throughout and the cobble streets and colorful houses are just like from the movie, so much so that you may think you are walking inside the movie itself!
Read my post on 8 best villages to visit in Alsace (including Riquewihr) HERE
HERE is an itinerary for 3 days in Alsace.
Pinocchio – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of my favorite medieval towns in the world and is a wonderful destination in Europe if you are a Disney fan. Rothenburg (for short) is said to be the inspiration for Disney’s Pinocchio. Situated on the Romantic Route, this medieval town is usually busy during the day but so peaceful in the mornings and evenings. Peep into some of the stores on either side of the cobblestoned streets and you are sure to see colorful toys like Geppetto makes in the film!
HERE is how to spend time in Rothenburg
Peter Pan – Big Ben, London, England
This one is perhaps the most recognizable of all the destinations in Europe for Disney fans. Big Ben appears a few times in Disney’s Peter Pan and is a much loved landmark in the UK.
Big Ben was being rennovated when I last visited London but is since completed.
Hercules – Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens, Greece
The Temple of the Olympian Zeus in Athens is the inspiration for the meeting point between Hercules and his dad in the Disney film. This temple is said to be one of the largest ancient temples ever built! Back in the day, it had over 100 columns towering at 17.25 meters but only 15 of those remain today.
Read more about this temple and other must visit ancient sites in Athens HERE
The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
Another very recognizable landmark in France that was the inspiration for Disney’s the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Home to the character Quasimodo from the film, the Notre Dame Cathedral is a must visit in Paris whether you are a Disney fan or not.
I visited this beautiful church before it caught fire. If you are looking to go anytime soon, they are still renovating and will only reopen in 2024.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Alcazar of Segovia, Spain
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of Disney’s oldest films. The castle of the evil queen in the film was inspired by the Alcazar of Segovia, a nearly 800 year-old castle.
Frozen – Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
If you are keeping tabs on how many destinations in Europe for Disney fans is coming out of one country, France is crushing it right now! This fairy-tale village off the coast of Normandy was the inspiration for Frozen’s Kingdom of Corona.
Little Mermaid – Chateau de Chillon, Lake Geneva, Switzerland
I LOVE the Little Mermaid and was thrilled when I found out there is a real life castle that the movie was inspired by. I am yet to visit Chateau de Chillion but have definitely added it to my bucket list. The background in the scene where Prince Eric walks with his dog max, right after the shipwreck, looks like was inspired by this castle.
Brave – Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
Scotland is straight out of a fairytale, so it is not shocking that Disney was inspired by one of Scotland’s many castles for its film, Brave. The 13th century Eilean Donan Castle can be toured on a trip to the Scottish highlands.
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