About

Have you ever visited a new place and asked, doesn’t this remind you of Disney?  Ever stepped into a fairy tale-town in Europe or a Victorian main street in the U.S. and thought, this seems familiar?

At Mapping Disney, we take readers on a journey to the real places, cultural settings, and historical backdrops that have inspired the Disney films and parks. 

Our goal is to design travel itineraries with an eye toward Disney.  On your next trip, you’ll know where to go in London if you love Mary Poppins, in San Francisco if you love Main Street Victoriana, in Bavaria if you love the Disney castles, and much more.

Walt Disney and his successors drew extensively on international heritage—architecture, dance, music, and a global body of folklore and fairy tales.  The movies and parks were–and continue to be–inspired by real places and cultures around the world.

From Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany to Big Ben in London; from New Orleans, Louisiana to Fort Collins, Colorado, join us as we search for the “real story” behind Disney. 

Alexandra, the founder, brings a lifelong love of Disney, architecture, and great places. She studied history and economics at Georgetown University before completing her MBA and pursuing a “day job” in consulting, focused on travel and hospitality. 

Her husband Charlie has dusted off his photography skills for Mapping Disney.

Viewpoints expressed reflect the personal opinions and views of the author. They do not reflect the views of any other entity and should not be read to endorse or otherwise promote any person, business, or service.