A Travel Blog for Disney Fans
see below
Wallilabou Anchorage is a hotel and restaurant in Wallilabou Bay, an alcove in the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent. The pier and surrounding area played the role of Port Royal, the main location in 2004’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and multiple subsequent Pirates of the Caribbean films. The area is open to the public to explore the props and sets that are still on display including the ship mast of the Jolly Mon, the sinking ship that Captain Jack Sparrow steps off when we first meet him. An episode of the Disney+ series Prop Culture visits the Wallilabou Anchorage in an episode exploring the props, sets, and costumes of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Read more about the real-life locations featured on the show in our blog post: 7 Real-Life Locations From The Disney+ Series Prop Culture. This location made our list of the 10 Most Unique And Coolest Disney Related Locations Where You Can Spend The Night Address: Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Visitor Information: Wallilabou Anchorage
Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Skellig Michael is an island off the coast of Ireland. Named after the biblical archangel Michael and the Gaelic word sceilig, meaning a splinter of stone, this UNESCO World Heritage Site contains an ancient monastery and graveyard. Star Wars fans may recognize the island as Ahch-To, the place where the Jedi Order was founded and contains the site of the first Jedi Temple. It’s seen briefely as Luke Skywalker’s secluded hideaway in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and again, full of porgs, in The Last Jedi (2017). Address: Skellig Michael, Skellig Rock Great, County Kerry, Ireland Visitor Information: Discover Ireland
Skellig Michael, Skellig Rock Great, County Kerry, Ireland
The West and East Mitten Buttes (an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top) are rock formations in the Arizona portion of Monument Valley Park. From the south, these massive buttes look like two giant mittens. You may recognize one of these buttes if you’ve ever been on Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon or Soaring: Fantastic Flight as it is a featured location visited during the ride. In the Pixar Cars films (2006), the area near Radiator Springs is called Ornament Valley, an automobile spoof on the namesake of the Mitten Butte’s Park. If you’re into seeing more buttes, check out the Mexican Hat Rock Formation just ~25 miles down the road. Address: West and East Mitten Buttes, Arizona 86033 Visitor Information: Navajo Nation Parks & Rec
West and East Mitten Buttes, Arizona 86033
Waikiki Landmark is a residential condominium complex in Honolulu’s Waikiki district. It appears in the ABC series LOST as the building that Locke (Terry O’Quinn) fell out of during multiple flashback scenes. The filming location of the area that Locke falls on to is on the southwest side of the building along Kalakaua Ave. Please note that while the building’s grounds are open to the public, the building itself is a private residence. Address: 1888 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 Visitor Information: Leasing info via Landmark Real Estate, LLC
1888 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
CBS Studio Center is a working television and film studio in Hollywood. A few Disney films and TV shows were shot here including The Muppets (2011) and ABC’s The Last Man Standing. The studio is not open to the public and does not offer tours. You can gain access by participating as a studio audience member through a service such as Audiences Unlimited. Address: 4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 Visitor Information (Not Open to the Public): CBS Studio Center
4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
This house in the Virginia Highland suburbs of Atlanta played the role of Scott Lang’s ex-wife and daughter’s house as seen in Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2108). Though Maggie and Cassie live in San Francisco in the movie, many MCU films have shot in various parts of the Atlanta area with Trilith Studios as their production home base. Scott does visit the Lang house again after breaking free from the Quantum Realm during Avengers: Endgame (2019), but a different exterior set was used for this quick shot. Address: 840 Clemont Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 Visitor Information: Private residence, not open to the public
840 Clemont Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
This black sand beach on the southern edge of Iceland was the filming location for 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The beach transformed into planet Eadu, where the Empire sent assassins to search for Jyn’s father, Galen Erso. Address: Reynisfjara Beach, Reynisfjara, Iceland Visitor Information: Inspired by Iceland (Official Tourism Information)
Reynisfjara Beach, Reynisfjara, Iceland
The Palace of Fine Arts is a landmark series of structures in San Francisco originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition to house works for art. The main building is the iconic 135-foot domed rotunda, designed by architect Bernard Maybeck and now used for special events such as weddings. This structure was replicated in Disney California Adventure as a scale version, originally serving as the entrance to the now-defunct attraction, Golden Dreams. Today, the Disney version of the rotunda still stands, though repainted, as the entrance to The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Though it wasn’t actually filmed here, the Palace of Fine Art’s infamous domed building was no doubt an inspiration for similar structures seen in Theed, the capital city of Naboo in the Star Wars franchise. The grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts, including the rotunda (assuming no events are taking place), are open to the public daily. Check their event page for access to other buildings in the complex. This location is mentioned in our blog post: A Photo Tour of Lucasfilm’s San Francisco Headquarters Address: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123 Visitor Information: Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123
The University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music building plays the role of Marshall College, the fictional school where Henry Jones, Jr (Indiana Jones) teaches archeology and later becomes associate dean. You can see shots of the exterior of this building in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and again in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). Address: 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211 Visitor Information: University of the Pacific
3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211
The plains of this UNESCO World Heritage Site near the city of Moshi, Tanzania is featured in Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon and Soaring: Fantastic Flight as it is a featured location visited during the ride. The name Kilimanjaro is believed to mean The Mountain of Caravans in Swahili, referring to Africa’s highest peak. The name might sound familiar if you’ve ever been on Disney Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris – here you actually do ride through the park in a caravan of off-road vehicles. In film, the park is the setting of both the 1994 and 2019 versions of The Lion King. Address: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania Visitor Information: Tanzania Tourist Board
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania
This is the permanent home to the Walt Disney Studios since the company moved from their Hyperion Studio in 1940. The 51-acre campus is not only the corporate headquarters of the company but also the location of their live-action film and animation production centers. One of the soundstages is dedicated to Disney Legend Julie Andrews who filmed both Mary Poppins (1964) and The Princess Diaries (2001) there. Exterior scenes of the studio lot in 2013’s Saving Mr. Banks were actually filmed here as well. The campus features a number of unique and well-known buildings including The Roy E. Disney Animation Building, named after Walt’s nephew following his death in 2009. This building is topped with a giant blue hat, similar to the one Mickey wears during the Sorcerer’s Apprentice segments of the Fantasia films. Parks fans will recognize the facade of the building that houses Walt Disney Studios’ Art of Disney Animation attraction as an homage to this building. The Michael D. Eisner “Team Disney” Building stands just outside of Disney Legends Plaza. This building features the Seven Dwarfs as columns, holding up the structure – a nod to the studio’s first big feature film hit which helped fund the building […]
500 S Buena Vista St, Burbank, CA 91521, USA
Mont Saint-Michel (English: Saint Michael’s Mount) is a monastery and commune in Normandy, France. This location’s unique feature is a ~14 meter (46 foot) change in tide in the area surrounding which turns the mount into an island. You can see this magnificent sight in Epcot during the whimsical Impressions de France film. Be sure to check out this track for some Epcot related chills. In another Disney Park, Disneyland Paris, you can see design elements incorporated into their eccentric version of Sleeping Beauty castle. Don’t be left in the dark: if you’re a fan of Disney’s 2010 feature animated film Tangled, take a closer at the kingdom of Corona – its island was largely influenced by the famous commune. Now, at last, you see the light! Address: 50170 Mont Saint-Michel, France Visitor Information: The Tourism Office Mont Saint-Michel Normandie
50170 Mont Saint-Michel, France
This ‘S’ shaped canal runs through the center of the city and acts as a highway of sorts to the complex network of canals that make up Venice. This waterway inspired replicas that can be found in both Epcot’s Italy Pavilion and Tokyo DisneySea’s Mediterranean Harbor. It’s famous gondola rides inspired a Venetian Gondolas attraction in DisneySea as well. In film, the canals are heavy featured during Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) during Peter Parker’s class trip to Europe. Harrison Ford spent the day here on August 8, 1988 as he filmed scenes for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Walt Disney himself even visited the majestic canals during a family vacation in 1951. Address: Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy Visitor Information: Venezia Unica
Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Sardi’s is an upscale restaurant in New York City that was host to a memorable scene from The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) where Kermit posed as a Broadway producer and replaced Liza Minnelli‘s portrait with his own. Today, you can dine at Sardi’s before a Broadway show and find Kermit’s portrait hanging on the second floor (across from the top of the stairs) supposedly the original portrait donated to the restaurant following filming. Liza’s portrait now hangs far from Kermit’s (can you blame them?) on the first floor, close to where the scene was actually filmed. Address: 234 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 Visitor Information: Sardi’s
234 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
In 1987, Walt’s wife Lillian made an initial donation of $50 million to build a performance venue in honor of her late husband as a gift to the people of Los Angeles. The building opened in 2003 and includes a main performance hall (home to the LA Philharmonic) as well as a theater called REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater) to honor Walt’s brother Roy and his wife Edna. You can also find a public garden whose centerpieces is a flower-shaped fountain called “A Rose for Lilly”. The fountain is made from the pieces of over 200 Royal Delft porcelain vases, a favorite of Lillian. Sharp-eyed Marvel fans may also recognize the building as the venue holding the charity gala where Tony Stark finds out that Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges) has been plotting to take over his company and sell weapons to terrorists in the 2008 film, Iron Man. Address: 111 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012 Visitor Information: Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
111 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Proscenium is a high-rise office building in midtown Atlanta. The building’s lobby was a filming location for Avengers: Endgame (2019), playing the role of Stark Tower’s New York City lobby in the scene where our heroes travel back to 2012 to take back the Tesseract (which contains the Space Stone). The building’s lobby is a private office lobby, so while you may walk inside and look around quickly, you may be asked to not take photos inside. Address: 1170 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 Visitor Information: Proscenium Office Space
1170 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Once Salem’s Old Town Hall, this building is now home to the Salem Musem, an exhibit space telling the story of the town from its founding 1626, through present day. Fans of the 1993 Disney flick, Hocus Pocus, will recognize the exterior of this building as the venue where the film’s Halloween party took place and Winifred (Bette Midler) performed “Put a Spell on You”. Address: 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970 Visitor Information: Salem Museum at Old Town Hall
32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970
The Glendale-Hyperion Bridge connects Interstate 5 from Glendale (into Atwater Village) to the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles where one of the original Disney animation studios once stood. The bridge, along with its distinct octagonal towers, serves as the architectural inspiration for the bridge (really a monorail track) on Buena Vista Street at the entrance to Disney California Adventure. The bridge can briefly be seen during the 1988 live-action and animated hit Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Test footage from this scene can be seen during the seventh episode of the first season of the Disney+ series Prop Culture as the episode visits the stuntman and original vehicle used as the car body prob for “Benny the Cab”. Address: Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA Visitor Information: Wikipedia
Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Part of the Peabody Essex Museum, this 18th-century house, known as Ropes Mansion, was featured as Allison’s house in the 1993 Disney flick, Hocus Pocus. Though the exterior was used for filming, interior scenes were filmed in a studio. Address: 318 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970 Visitor Information: Peabody Essex Museum
318 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
Kualoa Ranch is a private nature reserve located on the east side of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The ranch’s unique topography makes it the perfect filming location for exotic jungle scenes like the ones seen in ABC’s LOST and Disney films including George of the Jungle (1997), Mighty Joe Young (1998), and Pearl Harbor (2001). The ranch’s visitor center and gift shop are open to the public, but the only way to get a close-up view of the filming locations is by taking one of the tours that they offer. Address: 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744 Visitor Information: Kualoa Ranch
49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Launched in 1989, the tall ship Lady Washington was commissioned as the official tall ship of the state of Washington by Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, a not-for-profit public development authority. The ship is a full-scale replica of the original Lady Washington, an 18th-century vessel named in honor of Martha Washington, and resides in this historic seaport when it’s not out on a film shoot or touring the state. The modern ship has a number of Disney connections including playing the role of the HMS Interceptor in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). A few years later, the Lady Washington stars in the ABC series Once Upon a Time as Captain Hook’s ship the Jolly Roger from season 2 and on. The ship is even credited as the design reference for the RLS Legacy in Disney’s 2002 feature animated film, Treasure Planet (2002). The ship in the movie is based on the adventures of the Hispaniola from the RLS (Robert Louis Stevenson) classic book, Treasure Island. In the Disney+ series, Prop Culture, host Dan Lanigan visits this location in search of props associated with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). Read more about the real-life locations featured […]
500 N Custer St, Aberdeen, WA 98520
In March 1979, the cast and crew of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) traveled to Finse, Norway to film scenes in and around the Hardangerjøkulen (Hardanger Glacier). These scenes were for the battle on ice planet Hoth, with a majority of the on-the-ground battle footage being filmed on the glacier itself. The cast and crew stayed at the nearby Finse 1222 hotel, which currently has a small museum devoted to the production and hosts an annual fan event. An area near the south edge of Finsevatnet lake was where filming took place for the scene where Luke grapples to an AT-AT in order to drop a thermal detonator inside. A stuntman hung from a helicopter in order to get the footage. Heading further south, near a ridge, is the probot droid landing site and the landscape for a scene where the Imperial AT-AT Walkers first approach the Rebels. Heading a bit more east, is the area where a matte painting of the Rebel’s Echo Base entrance was superimposed on top of footage that was filmed here. Near this area is the location where Han destroys the probot from behind a rock. Although due to erosion, the whereabouts of […]
Hardangerjøkulen, Finse, Norway
Formerly called Pinewood Atlanta Studios, Trilith is a major film production center in the heart of Georgia. The massive 700-acre facility has hosted the filming of a number of hit Marvel productions including Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and the 2021 Disney+ series WandaVision. The soundstages and backdrops are not generally open to the public for tours. Address: 461 Sandy Creek Rd, Fayetteville, GA 30214 Visitor Information: Trilith Studios
461 Sandy Creek Rd, Fayetteville, GA 30214
Set inside the Writers Guild of America building, the Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library is the only library of its kind focused on the writings created for TV and film. Among the 35,000+ scripts in their collection are hundreds from Disney and its subsidiaries, available to the public for viewing. The Nightmare Before Christmas episode of the Disney+ series Prop Culture featured a segment inside the library, where host Dan Lanigan discusses the Nightmare script with its screenwriter, Caroline Thompson. Read more about the real-life locations featured on the show in our blog post: 7 Real-Life Locations From The Disney+ Series Prop Culture. Address: 7000 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Visitor Information: Writers Guild Foundation
7000 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
The Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the west coast of Greenland, 250 km from the Arctic Circle. Its gorgeous floating ice chunks set the stage as a filming location for Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon (Shanghai Disneyland), and Soaring: Fantastic Flight (Tokyo DisneySea). Address: Ilulissat, Greenland Visitor Information: Visit Greenland
Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland
This hut on the western edge of the island of Djerba played the role of Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi’s home in the original theatrical release of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. You may not recognize it, though, as the exterior shot of the house was completely changed when Lucas re-released the film as a Special Edition for its twentieth anniversary in 1997. Subsequent releases also contained the new version as well as additional CGI enhancement to other scenes. Today, the structure is still standing, used for storage by local fisherman. Address: Djerba Ajim, Tunisia Visitor Information: No Official Information – Tunisian National Tourist Office
Djerba Ajim, Tunisia
Part of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) takes place on Scarif, where the Empire has established a security complex. The pristine beaches of Scarif, along with some CGI enhancement, were filmed on the real beaches and in the crystal clear water of the island of Gan in the Maldives. Address: Gan, Laamu Atoll, Maldives Visitor Information: Maldives Ministry of Tourism
Gan, Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Named for its location 1,222 meters above sea level, the Finse 1222 is a full service hotel in the remote and tiny village of Finse, Norway. The town, only reachable by train or on foot, is the gateway to the spectacular Hardangerjøkulen glacier, known to locals as Hoth as it was the primary filming location for the 1980 classic, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. In 1979, cast and crew stayed at this hotel while filming scenes on the glacier, in the nearby valley, and in the immediate area on the back side of the hotel when snowfall was too intense to shoot further away. “If you turn the cameras around from that scene, there’s people out on their balcony sipping cocoa watching us” – Mark Hamill The hotel’s lobby has a display of Star Wars related memorabilia including a screen-used Rebel Trooper hat and a copy of The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. A room on the second floor houses a small museum displaying production photos and local news-clippings related to the filming of The Empire Strikes Back in Finse. A full-sized replica Snowtrooper costume is also on display and makes for a great […]
Finse, 5719 Finse, Norway
Known as “the most haunted house in Ireland”, this medieval manor on the south coast of Ireland was the inspiration for Fowl Manor, home to the main characters of the Artemis Fowl book series (published in the US by Disney Publishing Worldwide) and Disney film of the same name. Unfortunately, no scenes from the movie were shot here – the Fowl Manor seen in the movie was constructed on the Longcross Studios lot, outside of London. Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer appeared on the sixth episode of the first season of the Disney+ series Disney Insider to give fans a look at this tourist attraction where he once worked as a dishwasher. “It always seemed to me that it would be an excellent house with all its wonderful staircases and passages and corridors and peepholes, to have a family live; A family that had a life of adventure. So when I started to write Artemis Fowl and I was looking for a place for them to live, it seemed obvious to me, of course, the most haunted house in Ireland: Loftus Hall. So that’s where I put them.” – Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer Loftus Hall is now a tourist […]
Hook Head, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland
The Great Wall of China is a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage structure that once served as the barricade of the North, now acts as a tourist attraction for millions of visitors every year, many of whom (or is it just me?) are inspired to visit based on its connection to Disney. A portion of this 13,000-mile-long wall can be seen as one of the featured locations in Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon and Soaring: Fantastic Flight. I can’t help but think of a certain song every time I see this scene. The portion of the wall seen is near the city of Miyun, outside of northeast Beijing. It’s the same filming location that was used in the Wonders of China attraction shown in Epcot’s China Pavilion from 1982 to 2003 and Disneyland from 1984 to1996. Today, Epcot’s China Pavilion shows the updated(ish) Circle-Vision film, Reflections of China, which now features the Great Wall as the bookends of the attraction where we both meet and say 再见 (goodbye) to our host, Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. Watch the below video or take a listen to this song, it’ll make you feel like you’re […]
Miyun, Great Wall of China, China
This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of hundreds of rows of structures built into the walls of these mountains in order to create terraces that hold flooded pond fields for the cultivation of rice. More importantly, this peaceful landscape is the filming location for the site where farmer Thanos retreats to in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Address: Nueva Vizcaya – Ifugao – Mountain Province Rd, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines Visitor Information: Banaue Rice Terraces
Nueva Vizcaya - Ifugao - Mountain Province Rd, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines
This airport is best known as the site of the epic Avengers battle scene from 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. While most of the action took place on a backlot in Georgia and enhanced using CGI, the cast and crew did film a portion of the movie on location at this airport. Address: Schkeuditz, Germany Visitor Information: Flughafen Leipzig/Halle
04435 Schkeuditz, Germany
This small structure on Tunisia’s Chott el Jerid salt flats played the role of the Lars family’s Tatooine homestead in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). Exterior scenes of the house were filmed here, while interior scenes were filmed about 150 miles away at the Hotel Sidi Driss. After filming, the building was taken apart but then rebuilt in 2000 for Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) when Anakin travels to Tatooine to find his mother. It was again used in Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) when Obi-Wan delivers baby Luke to Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen Lars. Since then, the structure fell into disrepair. In 2011, fans from around the world donated $10,000 to have this iconic location restored to its full glory under the Save Lars Project. Though the intense desert conditions are wearing away at the facade, the building still remains open to visitors. Address: Naftah, Tunisia Visitor Information: No Official Information – Tunisian National Tourist Office
Naftah, Tunisia
Fort Bard is a 19th century fortress located in a narrow gorge at the entrance to Italy‘s Aosta Valley, gateway to the Alps. This unique building was the filming locations for Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), playing the role of HYDRA’s Research Base in the fictional country of Sokovia. Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 85, 11020 Bard AO, Italy Visitor Information: Associazione Forte di Bard
Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 85, 11020 Bard AO, Italy
This living history museum in Salem’s Forest River Park features a number of colonial architecture examples among other buildings from the 17th-century. You can see it during the opening scene of the 1993 Disney flick, Hocus Pocus, when the Sanderson sisters used their witchcraft to turn Thackery Binx into a cat. This museum is only open during warmer months, so be sure to check their website for opening hours before visiting. Address: 98 West Ave, Salem, MA 01970 Visitor Information: Pioneer Village Salem
98 West Ave, Salem, MA 01970
Hôtel Sidi Driss was a filming location in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) starring as Luke’s sunken home (the Lars family homestead) on Tatooine. It was again a filming location in 2002’s Episode II – Attack of the Clones. The interior courtyards of this traditional Berber style home still feature some remnants from filming including murals and set dressing as it seems the current owners embrace the Star Wars lore. While interiors were filmed here, the exterior shots of the home took place about 150 miles away at an unnamed structure on the Chott el Jerid salt flats. This location made our list of the 10 Most Unique And Coolest Disney Related Locations Where You Can Spend The Night Address: Matmatat-Al-Qadimal, Tunisia Visitor Information: Hôtel Sidi Driss (only available in French)
Matmatat-Al-Qadimal, Tunisia
The Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) is a museum in Queens, New York devoted to the history of film and television and educating its visitors on the process of filmmaking from its earliest form to the latest technological advancements. A number of Disney related items can be found on display in this museum including screen-used memorabilia from Star Wars and a permanent Jim Henson Exhibition with a variety of items from Muppet TV shows and movies. The Jim Henson Exhibition is a multi-media exhibit featuring nearly 300 objects on display including 47 puppets from Muppet movies and TV shows, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal (1982), Labyrinth (1986) and more. A traveling version of this exhibit, curated by the museum, is currently touring the US. Check out our blog post, A Tour of The Jim Henson Exhibit: Imagination Unlimited, for more info on its current location. The exhibit also features a “Waldo” puppet control mechanism that was developed in order to let puppeteers remotely operate mechanical puppets like those found in Fraggle Rock and Dinosaurs. A later version of this was used to perform Waldo C. Graphic, the “spirit of 3D” who stars in Walt Disney World’s Muppet*Vision 3D. The Henson exhibit is also featured […]
36-01 35th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
The Chinese Theatre has been a Hollywood landmark and icon of the city since it’s opening in 1927. The building remains a working movie theater, shopping complex, and tourist destination for its celebrity handprints embossed into the cement on the floor within its entrance courtyard. To this day, Disney still holds gala premieres for some of its movies here. One of the biggest premieres ever was in 1964 for Mary Poppins which was broadcast live on TV. This event was partially recreated for the ending scene to 2013’s Saving Mr. Banks. Marvel fans may also recognize this building as the site of a terrorist attack during an explosion where Happy Hogan ends up hospitalized during the 2013 film, Iron Man 3. If you can’t make it to Hollywood, Disney has its own version of this building in the form of an exact replica forming the facade to °o° and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 Visitor Information: TCL Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
This carousel, built in 1926, in the heart of LA’s Griffith Park was the inspiration for Disneyland: The idea for [Disneyland] came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always Daddy’s day with the two daughters…. I’d take them to the merry-go-round… and as I sit while they rode… I felt that there should be something built where the parents and children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started” – Walt Disney The Merry-Go-Round that Walt references is the one here in the park, between his Los Feliz home and the Disney Studio in Burbank. The Disney+ series Prop Culture filmed a segment here in an episode exploring props and costumes from Disney’s 1964 film, Mary Poppins. In the episode, host Dan Lanigan brings Karen Dotrice, the actress that played Jane Banks, here to discuss how the carousel inspired a fantastical scene in the film while checking out the iconic yellow dress and hat costume that she wore in the movie. Read more about the real-life locations featured on the show in our blog post: 7 Real-Life Locations From The Disney+ Series Prop Culture. The ride is still open to the public, though operating on […]
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Touted as the world’s largest film studio (by acreage), Morocco’s Cinema Studio Atlas is the reason why the region is considered the Hollywood of Africa. Founded in 1983, the studio has seen big-budget productions like the non-Disney Ridley Scott flick Gladiator (2000) and HBO’s Game of Thrones. A number of Disney and their subsidiaries have filmed here including Fox’s The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Fox’s Kingdom of Heaven (2005), and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010). Additional scenes for most of these films took place at the nearby ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou. While this place is still a working film studio, visitors are free to wander the grounds to check out a variety of props and abandoned film sets. Read about our visit to this location and other Moroccan points of interest in our blog post: Treasures of Morocco: Finding Epcot’s Real-Life Landmarks Address: Km 5, BP 28 Route de Marrakech, Ouarzazate 45000, Morocco Visitor Information: TripAdvisor
Km 5, BP 28 Route de Marrakech, Ouarzazate 45000, Morocco
This public park in Queens, NY is most well known as being the site of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair. It was at this World’s Fair where Walt Disney saw an opportunity to not only experiment with new theme park technology but to also test the east coast audience, in preparation for his Florida Project. The centerpiece of the World’s Fair and one of the only surviving structures today (along with the Queens Museum) is the iconic Unisphere. Imagineer Harper Goff had a hand in designing the famed armillary sphere which has been featured in major films including the epic opening to Iron Man 2 (2010) and plays a major role in Brad Bird’s Tomorrowland (2015) which recreated the fair for the big screen. You may also recognize the Unisphere as Peter Parker captures a glimpse of it from the highway while being driven around by Happy during Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Read more about our visit to this park in our blog post: Re-Living Walt Disney’s Past: Exploring the Grounds of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair. This location is mentioned in our blog post: Re-Living Walt Disney’s Past: Exploring the Grounds of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair. Address: […]
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368
Beetle House is a restaurant and bar themed in honor of Tim Burton. Burton worked as an animator for Disney in the 1980s before moving on to his own feature films, including many for Disney and Fox including Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), James and the Giant Peach (1996), and Alice In Wonderland (2010). Though the restaurant isn’t officially sanctioned by Burton or Disney, the decor and staff are dressed as references to his films and characters and the menu makes reference to these films including items like Edward’s Lemonade, Coco Skellington, and Giant Peach Salad. The restaurant also has a sister location in New York City. This location was featured in The Nightmare Before Christmas episode of the Disney+ series, Prop Culture. In the episode, host Dan Lanigan brought key members from the film’s production to the restaurant to review props and sets from the Tim Burton cult classic. Read more about the real-life locations featured on the show in our blog post: 7 Real-Life Locations From The Disney+ Series Prop Culture. Address: 1714 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Visitor Information: Beetle House LA
1714 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Golden Oak Ranch is a plot of land 30 miles outside of Los Angeles, used by Walt in the 1950s and later purchased by the company in 1959 for use as film and TV production facility. A number of classic Disney productions have been filmed here including Spin and Marty episodes, Old Yeller (1957), The Parent Trap (1961), The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975), and Pete’s Dragon (1977). The ranch is still used today and continues to host productions such as Pearl Harbor (2001), The Country Bears (2002), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), The Muppets (2011). In television, ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Disney+ series WandaVision have shot here as well as an episode of the Disney+ series One Day at Disney (Shorts) featured Golden Oak while profiling their Operations Manager, Steven Sligh. The name Golden Oak is memorialized as the name of the Golden Oak community, a private residential area located on Walt Disney World property, where its clubhouse displays props and memorabilia from classic Disney TV shows and movies that were filmed here. Although no tours are given and it is not open to the public, industry professionals can gain access for scouting and filming purposes. Address: 19802 Placerita Canyon Rd, […]
19802 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321
This royal palace was most famously the residence of King Henry VIII of England. The building’s unique brick exterior serves as inspiration for the facade of the Sportsman’s Shoppe in Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion. You can also see parts of the building during the 2011 film, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, playing the role St. James’s Palace. Address: Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, United Kingdom Visitor Information: Historic Royal Palaces
Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, UK
Sydney Harbour, with it’s iconic Opera House, is one of the featured locations seen during Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon and Soaring: Fantastic Flight. This location is also featured in Pixar’s Finding Nemo (2003) where Marlin and Dory travel to from the Great Barrier Reef in search of Nemo. Unfortunately, there is no 42 Wallaby Way nearby in the real Sydney. If you can’t make it to Australia, you can visit a recreated portion of this harbour as it’s the setting of Crush’s Coaster at the Walt Disney Studios Park. Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Visitor Information: Sydney.com
Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
The Main Branch of the New York Public Library is arguably the most famous of the city’s 92 branches in its system. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building opened in 1911 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. The library’s Children’s Room contains a display of the original collection of dolls which inspired author A. A. Milne to write the Winnie-the-Pooh series of books which in turn inspired the Disney version. Read more about our visit to the library’s Children’s Room in our blog post: Meeting the Original Winnie-the-Pooh (and Tigger, too) You may also recognize the library from a number of classic films but the most notable Disney related one is Spider-Man (2002) – this is the scene where Uncle Ben gives Peter the “with great power comes great responsibility” speech before dropping him off at the library. Peter is really headed to an underground fight tournament to take on Bone Saw as Spider-Man. Read more about this location in our blog post: Meeting the Original Winnie-the-Pooh (and Tigger, too) Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018 Visitor Information: New York Public Library
476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Sleeping Beauty Castle is the iconic centerpiece of the original Disneyland Park and the only Disney castle whose construction was personally overseen by Walt Disney. Its aesthetic was largely influenced by the famed Neuschwanstein Castle based on designs by Imagineer Herb Ryman. While Neuschwanstein and other real European castles were imposingly large to intimidate common citizens, Walt supposedly wanted his castle to be friendly and less intimidating, so it was built on a smaller scale. A representation of the Disney family coat of arms can be found above the castle’s Main Street facing archway. The official Coat of Arms consists of three gold fleur-de-lis on a red fess (representing purity), a crest with a red lion passant-guardant (representing bravery or courage), and the motto Vincit qui patitur meaning: He conquers who endures. The emblem used on the castle is a custom design featuring the lion symbol. A similar emblem can be found on Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom and its clone in Tokyo Disneyland. Today, the castle houses a Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough attraction where guests can see various dioramas telling the story of the 1959 animated film, Sleeping Beauty, using the film’s original Eyvind Earle style of artwork. Just across the […]
Disneyland
This world-famous deli on the corner of East Houston Street and Ludlow St in New York City was a filming location for a scene in 2007’s Enchanted. Address: 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 Visitor Information: Katz’s Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
ABC’s Times Square Studio is located in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. It’s best known as the home to Good Morning America (GMA), among other ABC and ESPN programs. Access to the studio is only available by attending Adventures by Disney’s New York City Escape or entering for tickets to attend a taping of GMA. Address: 1500 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 Visitor Information (Not Open to the Public): ABC Television Networks
1500 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast is a full-service bed and breakfast in Antonio, Colorado – halfway between Albuquerque and Colorado Springs. The house, built in 1888, was used as the filming location for 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Both interior and exterior scenes were shot here, as the home of Henry Jones and his son, a young Indiana Jones (played by the late River Phoenix). Today, you can stay in one of four rooms at the B&B and admire the Indiana Jones decor, the “Jones” mailbox standing outside, and the nearby Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad which was also used in the beginning sequence of the film. This location made our list of the 10 Most Unique And Coolest Disney Related Locations Where You Can Spend The Night Address: 502 Front St, Antonito, CO 81120 Visitor Information: Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast
502 Front St, Antonito, CO 81120
Hurricane Falls is one of many waterfalls that line Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge. At 900 feet deep, the gorge is the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi. You may recognize this waterfall as it was seen briefly during Avengers: Infinity War when Bruce Banner uses the Hulkbuster suit to fight Thanos’ henchman Cull Obsidian during the final battle scene on Wakanda. Address: Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 Visitor Information: Georgia State Parks
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
In the heart of New York City, Times Square is home to a number of WanderDisney locations, including ABC Times Square Studios, New York’s flagship Disney Store, Planet Hollywood, and multiple Disney on Broadway shows. The iconic crossroads of 7th Avenue and Broadway can also be seen in a few Disney films such as Enchanted (2007) and Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). You even see it in animated form during Oliver & Company (1988). Address: Times Square, New York, USA Visitor Information: The Times Square Alliance
Times Square, New York, USA
This abandoned film set in the Tunisian desert was built in 1997 for the filming of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). The sandstone facades formed the village of Mos Espa on Tatooine. The set was used again in Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and still stands today, open to the public. Address: Naftah, Tunisia Visitor Information: Atlas Obscura
Porsche Experience Center’s Atlanta location puts you behind the wheel of a variety of elaborate sports cars. Its sleek and modern building may look familiar to sharp-eyed Marvel fans as it was used as the exterior design of one of the buildings in the Avengers’ upstate New York campus. The building was first seen in the trailer for 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. We see it again during Spider-Man: Homecoming along with the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, the two main buildings that make up the campus. Both buildings make an appearance in Avengers: Infinity War and one last time in Avengers: Endgame. Address: One Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354 Visitor Information: Porsche Experience
One Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
The Studebaker National Museum is a museum in South Bend, Indiana dedicated to the American automobile manufacturer of the same name, based in the same city. The museum features a display of Fozzie’s car from the 1979 film, The Muppet Movie. It’s one of two Studebakers used in the filming and still has paint remnants from when Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem contributed their psychedelic makeover (Can You Picture That?). The museum is currently accepting donations to help them “restore this star to its former glory.” This museum and car were featured in the Disney+ series Prop Culture, where host Dan Lanigan brings Joel Hodgeson (creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000) to meet the museum’s curator Aaron Warkentin to take a look at the famous car. Read more about the real-life locations featured on the show in our blog post: 7 Real-Life Locations From The Disney+ Series Prop Culture. Address: 201 Chapin St, South Bend, IN 46601 Visitor Information: Studebaker National Museum
201 Chapin St, South Bend, IN 46601
Part of the Chattahoochee Hills Eventing space, this rustic cabin on the east side of “Big Lake” on Bouckaert Farm (#8 on this map) played the role of Tony Stark’s cabin (referred to as “Stark Eco-Compound” in the screenplay) in the 2019 blockbuster film Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame. Though interior shots of the cabin were filmed on a soundstage in Trilith Studios, exteriors (including the emotional gathering toward the end of the film) were shot here. If you love this place 3000, then you can not only visit it, but you can even stay the night by renting it out via Airbnb by clicking here (new to Airbnb? Use our sign up link here for a coupon). This location made our list of the 10 Most Unique And Coolest Disney Related Locations Where You Can Spend The Night Address: 9445 Browns Lake Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213 Visitor Information: Chattahoochee Hills Eventing – Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm
9445 Browns Lake Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213
Known locally as Chiesa di San Barnaba, this church played the role of the fictional library (Biblioteca di S. Barnaba) where Indy busts into a catacomb underneath in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Address: Dorsoduro, 2771, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Visitor Information: APT of the Province of Venice
Dorsoduro, 2771, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Arguably the most famous landmark of Venice, this campanile (or bell tower) stands nearly 325 feet (99 meters) high and is situated near Doge’s Palace. A one-fifth scale replica of the campanile can be found as the tallest point of Epcot’s Italy Pavilion. The tower and surrounding square can also be seen during when Peter Parker and friends visit during Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019). Address: Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy Visitor Information: Basilica di San Marco
Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. It was constructed in 1958 based on the design of the Eiffel Tower. This tower is a featured filming location from Tokyo DisneySea’s Soaring: Fantastic Flight. Ironically, this 1,092-foot tall tower replaces the Eiffel Tower scene (seen on other versions of the Soarin’ ride film) in favor of an extended finale, unique to Tokyo’s version of the ride. This finale includes a flyover of Tokyo leading up to Tokyo’s iconic tower. Address: 4-chōme-2-8 Shibakōen, Minato City, Tōkyō-to 105-0011, Japan Visitor Information: Tokyo Tower
4-chōme-2-8 Shibakōen, Minato City, Tōkyō-to 105-0011, Japan
Plaza de España is a public square and garden in Seville. It’s long stretches of columned walkways and semi-circular lake was the inspiration for and filming location of Queen Amidala’s Theed Palace on Naboo, as seen during Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002). Address: Av de Isabel la Católica, 41004 Sevilla, Spain Visitor Information: Andalusia Tourist Community
Av de Isabel la Católica, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Brooklyn Lab School is a New York City public high school located in the borough of Brooklyn. This real school played the role of the Midtown School of Science and Technology, the school that Peter Parker attends, in exterior shots during Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Address: 999 Jamaica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208 Visitor Information: Brooklyn Lab School
999 Jamaica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208
The Matterhorn is a unique looking mountain in the Swiss Alps at the edge of a small town called Zermatt, Switzerland. Its jagged profile may look familiar if you’ve ever eaten a Toblerone – it’s featured on the logo of the Swiss chocolate. It may also look familiar if you’ve ever been to Disneyland… #MatterhornMonday Walt’s fascination with the mighty mountain first grew during a set visit to the production of the 1959 live-action feature film Third Man on the Mountain. According to author Jim Denny (via Disney Avenue), Walt had always wanted a mountainside attraction in Disneyland to remind him of his childhood days sledding down the snowy hillsides of Marceline. While on location in Zermatt, Walt became obsessed with the site of the Matterhorn mountain so much that he couldn’t take his eyes off of it – he knew it had to be a part of Disneyland. Legend has it that he mailed a souvenir postcard back to Imagineering with a hand-written note: Build This. In the summer of 1959, Walt’s vision came to life and the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction opened in Disneyland. The ride is still in operation today with only minor cosmetic and theming changes happening […]
Matterhorn, Switzerland
Iguazu Falls is a series of waterfalls dividing the upper and lower portions of the Iguazu River which forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil. The name Iguazu comes from the Tupi–Guarani language meaning big water. It’s not just a clever name as this expansive collection of moving water contains 270 different falls along the approximately 2.7 kilometer (1.6 mile) stretch of the river, making it the largest waterfall system in the world. Fans of beautiful natural sights such as this one can catch a glimpse of this big water from above while riding Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon, and Soaring: Fantastic Flight. Take a look at it on the small screen in the below video. This iconic series of waterfalls can also be seen as Warrior Falls where T’Challa fights to protect his crown during Marvel’s 2018 film Black Panther. While much of these scenes took place on a soundstage in Atlanta, establishing and aerial shots of the real falls were used in combination with CGI. Similarly, 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull filmed scenes here for Indy’s triumphant return to the big screen, […]
Iguazú Misiones Province, Argentina
St. Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican church consecrated in 1697. In the Disney universe, it’s most famously associated with Mary Poppins (1964) as her snow globe has a model of the famous structure, forming the basis of the Sherman brother’s hit song: Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul’s; The little old bird woman comes; In her own special way to the people she calls – Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag) St. Paul’s returns, as does Mary Poppins in 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns (2018). Early in the film, the main character, Jack, can be seen riding his bike past the cathedral with the bird woman still in her spot. This shot was actually filmed here in London, unlike the matte painting used in the original film. St. Pauls can also be seen in cartoon form as McQueen and Mater fly past it in Cars 2 (2011). In the Cars world, lugnuts are seen bolting down the iconic domed roof and car versions of the evangelists take the place of human ones lining the roof. Even the MCU gets in the game as we see Thor battling Malekith while falling (with style?) and fighting through portals during Marvel’s […]
St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Inc is an Alberta based company offering authentic sled dog tours of the Canadian Rockies. This tour company and their dogs were used in the filming of Disney’s Togo (2019). Though the company was used, scenes were not actually filmed in this location. You can book a tour with them to see where some of the filming was done in the nearby Rocky Mountains, playing the role of the Alaskan wilderness in the film. Address: 829 10 St, Canmore, AB T1W 0C3, Canada Visitor Information: Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Inc
829 10 St, Canmore, AB T1W 0C3, Canada
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait-Ben-Haddou is situated in the Moroccan desert, about 100 miles from Marrakesh. This ksar, or group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, was a key stop along the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. Disney Parks fans may recognize the earthen clay towers of Ait-Ben-Haddou as they’re represented in the facade above the entrance to Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot. A number of films have been shot here due to its unique and biblical looking structures, the most famous being the very non-Disney Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000). Disney and their subsidiary’s films include Fox’s The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Fox’s Kingdom of Heaven (2005), and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010). Additional studio and outdoor sets for most of these films were located at the nearby Cinema Studio Atlas. Read about our visit to this location and other Moroccan points of interest in our blog post: Treasures of Morocco: Finding Epcot’s Real-Life Landmarks Address: Aït Benhaddou, Morocco Visitor Information: TripAdvisor
Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is an art gallery and museum on the campus of the University of East Anglia. While this modern building is located in the UK, it set the scene as the upstate New York Avengers facility which first debuted during Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Both exterior and interior scenes from Age of Ultron were filmed here and the facility can be seen in subsequent films such as Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War. We see the building again, along with the new section of the campus (based on the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta) in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War, and one last time in Avengers: Endgame. The museum is open to the public, but don’t expect to see any Quinjets or Asgardians roaming around during your visit. Address: University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK Visitor Information: Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
A New York City landmark, Grand Central Terminal has been serving its visitors as a train station and shopping concourse since it opened in 1913. While many areas of the Big Apple were used in filming, Marvel fans will recognize the building’s south-facing facade, featuring its unmistakable Glory of Commerce statues, from the climax of The Avengers (2012) during a scene where the team assembles to form a strategy to kick some As…gardians. Later on in the MCU, the set of statues above the Tiffany clock is found to have been replaced with a unique Battle Of New York Memorial statue. Grand Central is also the inspiration for both the design and punny name for the fictional Game Central Station where video game characters from Wreck-It Ralph (2012) and Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) gather at the end of the night. Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 Visitor Information: Grand Central Terminal
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
This iconic donut shop near LAX is world-famous for its towering donut sign. Disney fans will immediately recognize this shops exterior from Marvel’s 2010 film, Iron Man 2, where we find our hero enjoying a donut atop the 32-foot wide pastry as Nick Fury coaxes him down from the parking lot. While the exterior scenes were indeed filmed here, the subsequent interior scenes were filmed at another location, as this shop is takeaway only. Address: 805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301 Visitor Information: Randy’s Donuts
805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
The Lau Islands are a remote group of islands set between Melanesian Fiji and Polynesian Tonga. While it’s unknown if Motunui is one of the Lau Islands or a neighboring archipelago, it is certain that one of the Lau Islands was used as a filming location for the beautiful tropical scene during Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon, and Soaring: Fantastic Flight. Address: Lau, Fiji Visitor Information: Tourism Fiji
Lau, Fiji
St Abbs is a fishing village on the coast of Scotland. The small town’s harbor was featured as a filming location in Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame. The harbour stood in as New Asgard, a place where Thor and his fellow Asgardians went to following the events of 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. In the MCU, New Asgard is set within the real municipality of Tønsberg, Norway. Following the filming, the Scottish government officially declared the town as “twinned” with the fictional one, complete with signage near the harbor. This location made our list of the 10 Most Unique And Coolest Disney Related Locations Where You Can Spend The Night Address: St Abbs, Eyemouth, TD14 5PL, UK Visitor Information: St Abbs Visitor Centre
St Abbs, Eyemouth, TD14 5PL, UK
The Staten Island Ferry is a free transportation service operated by the New York City Department of Transportation, connecting Manhattan and Staten Island via New York Harbor. The service offers great views of the city as well as the Statue of Liberty. The ferry was heavily featured during Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) as Spider-Man disrupts an arms deal and splits the ferry in half in the process. Address: 4 South St, New York, NY 10004 Visitor Information: Staten Island Ferry
4 Whitehall St, New York, NY 10004
Egypt‘s famed pyramids outside the city of Cairo are not only the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but also the only one still in existence today. This magnificent complex of three granite and limestone structures can be seen by taking flight on Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon or Soaring: Fantastic Flight as it is a featured location visited during the ride. You can also catch a brief cameo by the pyramids in the ancient Egypt scene during Spaceship Earth. During the animated version of Aladdin (1992), the three pyramids can be seen briefly while Aladdin and Jasmine are exploring by carpet while singing A Whole New World. Address: Al Haram, Giza Governorate, Egypt Visitor Information: Egypt Tourism Authority
Al Haram, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Found atop a hill in southwest Germany, this Bavarian castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II in 1869 as a retreat but, sadly, he never lived to see the completion or its impact on Disney Parks around the world. This castle is the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland based on Imagineer Herb Ryman’s designs. You can definitely see some of the similarities in the towers and turret shapes. Neuschwanstein is also a featured location where a flyover of the site was filmed for Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), and Soaring Over the Horizon (Shanghai Disneyland). This view can be seen best by hiking up the mountain past Marienbrucke. One more tribute to King Ludwig’s masterpiece which can be found in Paris’ Disney Village: the King Ludwig’s Castle restaurant is a direct reference and namesake to the famed landmark. Read about our experience visiting Neuschwanstein Castle including travel tips and tricks in our blog post: The Best View in Bavaria: Seeing a Disney Castle In Real Life Address: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany Visitor Information: Neuschwanstein Official
Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
The exterior of Atlanta’s High Museum of Art plays the role of the fictional Museum of Great Britain in Marvel’s 2018 film Black Panther. Although no scenes were filmed inside, the building’s facade (enhanced with CGI) set the stage for the scene where Killmonger and Klaw steal an artifact containing Vibranium. Address: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 Visitor Information: High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Lujiazui is Shanghai, China‘s modern financial district. Its vibrant skyline along the Huangpu River features futuristic looking buildings such as Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Tower, and Oriental Pearl Tower. All of these buildings and more can be seen during the unique fireworks filled finale scene of Shanghai Disneyland’s Soaring Over the Horizon. The other versions of the ride (Soarin’ Around the World [Disney California Adventure], Soarin’ Around the World [Epcot], and Soaring: Fantastic Flight) have alternate locations for their end scenes. This colorful cityscape can also be seen in Epcot’s China Pavilion during the Circle-Vision film, Reflections of China (although the skyline has changed a bit since the film’s debut in 2003). Check it out in the video below! Set your gaze across the Huangpu River, and you will find a new China that reaches for the sky. Yet in this city of East meets West, one can still find treasures of Shanghai’s stately European influence. – Reflections of China’s host, poet Li Bai Address: Lujiazui, Shanghai, China Visitor Information: The Official Shanghai China Travel Website
Lujiazui, Shanghai, China
Wadi Rum is a desert valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock of southern Jordan. Its unique landscape is a desirable filming location for desert scenes. In the Star Wars universe, this desert was used for scenes portraying the moon Jedha in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). It can also be seen in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), playing the role of Pasaana, the planet where the crew finds a joyous Festival of Ancestors before taking off in speeders and discovering that Stormtroopers can fly… They fly now!? In 2019’s live-action remake of Aladdin, the Wadi Rum plays the role of the Agrabah desert, where Aladdin discovers the Cave of Wonders. Address: Wadi Rum, Aqaba 77110, Jordan Visitor Information: Jordan Tourism Board
Wadi Rum, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
The Mayan temple complex in Guatemala’ s Tikal National Park was a filming location for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). You can see it towards the end of the film as the Rebel base, Massassi Outpost, on the fourth moon of the planet Yavin. Address: Parque Nacional Tikal, Tikal, Guatemala Visitor Information: Tikal National Park
Parque Nacional Tikal, Tikal, Guatemala
Villa del Balbianello is an 18th-century Italian mansion. The villa’s position on Lake Como was the inspiration for Queen Amidala’s lake retreat on Naboo, as seen during Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002). The exterior was slightly modified using CGI to fit the Star Wars motif. Scenes were filmed inside the villa, including one on the balcony where Anakin and Padmé kiss for the first time as well as return to have their wedding at the end of the film. Its beautiful grounds and gardens are open to visitors year-round. Address: Via Guido Monzino, 1, 22016 Tremezzina CO, Italy Visitor Information: National Trust of Italy
Via Guido Monzino, 1, 22016 Tremezzina CO, Italy
The Eiffel Tower is a 324 meter (1,063 foot) tall structure built for Paris’ 1889 World’s Fair. Like many world icons, this one has a number of connections to the Disney universe. Most memorable is Epcot’s World Showcase where a 1/10th scale replica of the tower perched high above the pavilion gives the forced-perspective impression that the full-sized tower is looming above, a common site in the real City of Lights. Deeper inside the Epcot pavilion lies Impressions de France, an 18-minute film showcasing France‘s famous sites. This famous tower acts as the grande finale. Want to be magically transported to Epcot right now? Check out this audio track and you’ll feel like you’re there. Also in Epcot, you can fly up to the top of the Eiffel Tower while riding Soarin’ Around the World. Its spectacular twinkling lights can also be seen during two other versions of this ride: Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure and Soaring Over the Horizon at Shanghai Disneyland. Tokyo’s version, Soaring: Fantastic Flight, opted to replace their Eiffel Tower with an extended finale featuring the Eiffel inspired Tokyo Tower. Finally, the gigantic tower can be seen briefly during The Aristocats (1970) and […]
5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Battersea Park is a public park in London. You may recognize the distinct walkway running through the center as the area where Kermit, Miss Piggy, and a whole slew of Muppets rode bikes in The Great Muppet Caper (1981). Filmed in September of 1980, this was the first time multiple Muppet character road bicycles simultaneously, achieved through a combination of radio controls, marionette puppeteering, and a rod that joined the bikes together. Address: Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ, UK Visitor Information: Wandsworth London Borough Council
Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ, UK
The house of the McCallister family as seen during Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992) is a real house at 671 Lincoln Ave in Winnetka, IL. Both the interior and exterior of this house were used during the filming of these 20th Century Fox films (acquired by Disney in 2019). Address: 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093 Visitor Information: Private residence, not open to the public
671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is a museum with a large collection of historic ships and other sea vessels. One of the items in its collection is the HMS Surprise. Originally called the HMS Rose, the ship was purchased in 2001 by Twentieth Century Fox film studio to be modified and transformed into the HMS Surprise for the filming of Fox’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003). The ship was used once again for the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) as Captain Barbossa’s HMS Providence. Today, you can visit the HMS Surprise along with other historic ships along the shores of San Diego Bay. Address: 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 Visitor Information: Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
This UNESCO World Heritage mausoleum along the banks of India‘s Yamuna River features unique white marble styling and is considered the greatest architectural achievement in the Indo-Islamic world. The Taj Mahal can be seen as a featured location during Soarin’ Around the World (Disney California Adventure), Soarin’ Around the World (Epcot), Soaring Over the Horizon and Soaring: Fantastic Flight as it is a featured location visited during the ride, though a majority of this scene of the attraction was created using CGI. Fans the 1992 hit animated film Aladdin will be pleased to know that the design of Agrabah’s Sultan’s Palace was largely influenced by the white marble and bulbous minarets of the Taj Mahal. The name Agrabah even references the city of Agra, where the real-life structure exists. The Taj Mahal can also be seen during a very exciting scene in Disney’s 2013 film, Planes. If you plan to visit, grab a plane or hop a carpet and fly there soon, before it crumbles to the ground! Address: Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India Visitor Information: Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, India
Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India
Spaceship Earth is an opening day attraction and the icon of Epcot in Walt Disney World. The giant sphere is designed as a geodesic dome, a concept which came from author and futurist Buckminster Fuller, who also coined the term Spaceship Earth in his 1964 book, An Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth.The name expressed a world view over the concern for overuse of the Earth’s limited resources, encouraging all of its inhabitants to act as a crew in order to work for the greater good – an idea that’s as relevant today as it was in 1964. Spaceship Earth is featured during the fireworks flyover of Epcot during the finale of Soarin’ Around the World which is unique to this park (DCA’s Soarin’ Around the World, Soaring Over the Horizon, and Soaring: Fantastic Flight each have their own individual alternate endings). Queue Details The mural at the entrance to the attraction was designed and painted by Italian artist Claudio Mazzoli. On its creation: To begin I have to ask: Where did man come from? Where are we going? What are we looking for? I think the answer is power. The power of the universe. The good of the universe. It is the […]
Epcot
Greenham Common’s GLCM (Ground Launched Cruise Missile) Alert and Maintenance Area was used as a filming location for 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The grass-covered bunkers stood in as the Resistance’s above-ground base on the fictional planet D’Qar. This historic area was used by both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and again in the Cold War, as a base for nuclear weapons. The base was closed in 1992 but still exists today. While the bunkers are closed off to the public, you can scope them out from the perimeter or get a view from above by visiting the nearby Greenham Control Tower. Address: Greenham, Thatcham RG19 6HN, UK Visitor Information: Greenham Control Tower
Greenham, Thatcham RG19 6HN, UK
This public square in the heart of Cleveland’s downtown district was a filming location for the epic film, The Avengers (2012). The scene where Loki hypnotizes the crowd before being taken away by Captain America and Iron Man is meant to resemble Germany’s real-life Schlossplatz Stuttgart but was actually filmed just outside the square’s Terminal Tower building in 2011. Address: 50 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113 Visitor Information: Cleveland Public Square
50 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113
The Griffith Observatory first opened in 1935 and has since offered visitors an array of space and science-related displays. Situated in Griffith Park, the observatory was a filming location in Disney’s The Rocketeer (1991) where the namesake character attempts to rescue the heroine, Jenny. Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Visitor Information: Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Known locally as Star Wars Canyon, Sidi Bouhlel is a desert ravine which was the filming location for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). This is the gorge where R2-D2 is captured by the Jawas. Lucas used this area again for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) in the scene when Indiana Jones threatens the Nazis with a bazooka. Address: Bouhlel Sdada, Tunisia Visitor Information: Atlas Obscura
Bouhlel Sdada, Tunisia
Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flat is the world’s largest salt flat. This expanse of mineral set the stage as planet Crait in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017). Crait is best known for its abandoned Rebel Base where a battle between AT-M6 Walkers and resistance sky speeders took place. A re-creation of this scene can also be found in Disney Parks during Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. Address: Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia Visitor Information: National Geographic
Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
Scenes for 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story were filmed in London’s Canary Wharf underground tube station. “My first job ever in television was just round the corner… [I thought:] This is something from the future. This is like a sci-fi movie. If I ever get to do a sci-fi film in my life I’m gonna film it here.” – Rogue One Director Gareth Edwards The station’s dark and metallic tones set the perfect mood as the interior of an Imperial Base. Unfortunately, these scenes never made the final cut of the film but they do appear in the official teaser trailer (at the 1:12 mark). Address: Canary Wharf, London E14 5NY, United Kingdom Visitor Information: Transport for London
Canary Wharf, London E14 5NY, United Kingdom
The El Capitan Theatre is a fully restored movie theater in the heart of Hollywood, CA. The theater is operated by Buena Vista Theatres, Inc., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. As such, the theater regularly shows both first-run and classic Disney movies as well as hosts a majority of the Walt Disney Studios’ film premieres and events. The exterior of the theater played the role of the “Muppet Theatre” in Disney’s 2011 film, The Muppets (2011). Address: 6838 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Visitor Information: El Capitan Theatre
6838 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028