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Mapping Disney

Brave Locations in Scotland

About

At Mapping Disney, we design travel itineraries with an eye toward Disney. Our goal is to take readers to the real places, cultural settings, and historical backdrops that have inspired the Disney films and parks. From Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany to Big Ben in London; from the spooky homes of New Orleans to the western charm of Fort Collins, Colorado, join us as we visit the real places behind your favorite fairytales.   

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Destinations

  • United States
    • Southeast
    • New England
    • Western U.S.
  • United Kingdom
    • London and Surroundings
    • Scotland
  • Europe
    • Denmark
    • France
    • Germany
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Peru

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A small town in East Sussex is known as the "gatew A small town in East Sussex is known as the "gateway to Pooh country"—and it's not just a marketing gimmick. This is the region where A.A. Milne spent significant time with his family, including town Hartfield and nearby conservation area Ashdown Forest (aka the Hundred Acre Wood). 🍯🧸
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In fact, son Christopher would later write of the many "enchanted places" from his childhood that found their way into his father's stories, most famous among them Poohsticks bridge, restored in part with donations from Disney in the 1970s.⁠ 
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For decades since, a series of dedicated owners have kept this legacy alive in a shop, tea room, and gardens dedicated to A.A. Milne, E. H. Shepard, and the beloved characters they created. 📚🐇🧸🦉🦘🐅🇬🇧
Even with a stop at Eyesore’s Sad and Gloomy Place, I can't imagine a more lovely spring outing 🫖🌼
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #winniethepooh #poohcorner #ashdownforest #aamilne
Who better to celebrate #nationalpetday than Lilo Who better to celebrate #nationalpetday than Lilo and Stitch?  The animal rescue where Lilo "adopts" Stitch has a real-life counterpart in the Kauai Humane Society. 🛸🐾🌴
In fact, the island is known for its animal rescue efforts, which at times have included pairing pets with travelers heading back to the mainland.  Check it out and support them here: @kauaihumanesociety
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #liloandstitch #kauai #kauaihumanesociety
When you hear "Moana," most people think of Hawaii When you hear "Moana," most people think of Hawaii, but the film actually reflects a variety of Pacific island cultures, including Samoa.  The traditional Samoan dress is hard to miss in Moana's trademark outfit, reds mixed with natural woven fibers. The style is also clearly visible in the outfits worn by her family. 
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Another interesting connection:  @therock, who this week announced plans for a live action Moana, is actually part Samoan himself.  Is it any wonder he makes a perfect Polynesian demi-god?⁠ 🍍🗿🏝️🌋
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #moana #samoa #samoan #polynesian #polynesianculturalcenter #moanaliveaction #liveaction #therock
⁠News of a live action Moana has me reminiscing ⁠News of a live action Moana has me reminiscing about Hawaii, and in particular this very interesting piece of artwork I came across while on the Big Island. “Voyages of Ancient Polynesia” was hanging right outside the door to the Art Center inside Volcanoes National Park (one of my favorite places in Hawaii). 🌋🌴
The octopus is used to depict the pathways of Polynesian voyaging—with its body at the center/origin of settlement (roughly Tahiti), the tentacles stretch out as far as Fiji, Hawaii, and Rapa Nui (Easter Island), forming the “Polynesian triangle” we know today.  The real-life world of Moana! 🐙🧭🗺️
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disney inspired #disneyinspiration #moana #maui #therock #polynesian #frenchpolynesia #tahiti #marquesas #samoa #hawaii #polynesianvoyaging #polynesiantriangle #volcanoesnationalpark #volcanoartcenter @hawaiivolcanoesnps
1955's Lady and the Tramp was unique for the Disne 1955's Lady and the Tramp was unique for the Disney studio in that it was not based on a European fairytale, but was instead an original story - influenced in part by a real cocker spaniel, as well as by the town of Marceline, Missouri, where Walt spent part of his childhood. ⁠
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The 2006 documentary, "Lady's Pedigree: The Making of 'Lady and the Tramp' (available on Youtube) highlights the extent to which Marceline's look & feel made its way into this film.  Looking again at the background scenes, the quaint Victorian streetscape and sense of nostalgia that we now associate with Walt Disney is *unmistakable*. At one point, Andreas Dejas describes them as "almost like a animated Norman Rockwell painting…it has that detail, that Americana styling to it." ⁠ I can see it ⁠🖼️👨🏼‍🎨🎼🍝🐾
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #disneyhistory #waltdisneyarchives #disneyarchives #marceline #marcelinemissouri #ladyandthetramp #peggylee #bellanotte #normanrockwell #victorian #nostalgia #steamtrain @waltdisneymuseum
While most of Big Thunder Mountain was modeled off While most of Big Thunder Mountain was modeled off of Monument Valley / Bryce Canyon, it's hard to ignore the resemblance to Yellowstone. This shot taken portside on the Liberty Belle, reminds me of the geysers and other geothermal features we saw last year throughout Yellowstone national park. ⁠
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration  #waltdisneyworld #yellowstone #yellowstonenationalpark #nps #nationalparks #geysers #oldfaithful #geyserbasin #geothermal #bigthundermountain #frontierland #libertybelle #tomsawyersisland🌋
Still amazed by this property. Where else do you h Still amazed by this property. Where else do you have a flamingo habitat steps from the pool? ⁠
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #animalkingdomlodge #disneysanimalkingdomlodge #africanlodge #safarilodge
View into Victoria Falls' Lounge at Disney's Anima View into Victoria Falls' Lounge at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - a beautiful design reminiscent of its namesake on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.⁠
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #victoriafalls #zimbabwe #zambia #africanlodge #safarilodge #disneysanimalkingdomlodge #animalkingdomlodge #davidlivingstone
We had a chance to stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom We had a chance to stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge recently and were completely blown away by the collection of African artifacts on display throughout the property.  Among the most colorful were the Ijele, an enormous mask made by artisans of the "Igbo" people (modern-day Nigeria). Scroll right for a shot of this incredible work of art.⁠
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #disneyhistory #waltdisneyarchives #disneyarchives #waltdisneyworld #igboland #igbo #ijele #nigeria #animalkingdomlodge
"Ahh, soda pop!⁠ ⁠ No, cachaça..."⁠ ⁠ A d "Ahh, soda pop!⁠
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No, cachaça..."⁠
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A day late but Happy Birthday and "saúde" to our favorite duck.⁠ 🎂
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#mappingdisney #reallifedisney #disneyinspired #disneyinspiration #disneyhistory #waltdisneyarchives #disneyarchives #disney #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #donaldduck #josecarioca #88 #happybirthdaydonald #AquareladoBrasil #JoãoGilberto #SaludosAmigos #brazil #riodejaneiro ⁠
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    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.

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