You want to plan a Disney vacation, but you don’t want the same Mouse-themed trip as everyone else. Or maybe you’re experiencing sticker shock after finding out how much a trip to Disney World costs.
Thankfully, there are other ways you can experience the magic. The seven Disney-themed destinations below let you step into your favorite stories without ever setting foot in an amusement park.
France
Why you should go: because noooo one eats like Gaston ... or the French
Some of our favorite animated Disney movies — Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Ratatouille — take place in France.
Let’s start in Paris. Of course, there’s Notre Dame, where Quasimodo is locked away in the tower, left to ring the bells when all he wants is to be with other people. The real-life cathedral has been closed since a devastating fire in 2019. Fortunately, it’s slated to reopen in December 2024.
Ratatouille was also set mostly in Paris. If you’re going to re-create the best of this film, we recommend you do it with food. Remy, the talking rat, wanted nothing more than to be a chef at Gusteau. Although that’s not a real restaurant, it’s believed that Tour d’Argent was its inspiration.
Tour d’Argent is considered one of the best restaurants in the world; it should be, having been in business for more than 400 years. If you can get a table and can afford the luxury, you’ll be treated to food that’s out of this world and views of Paris’s most iconic sites.
If you’re on a more average budget, sample these foods that are quintessentially French:
- Croissant: Time for breakfast? Order a croissant. Want a little mid-day snack? Treat yourself to a croissant. If you’re looking for something inexpensive, easy to find, and just about as French as you can get, head for a boulangerie and have a croissant.
- Escargot: Yes, we know it’s snails, but you ought to at least give them a try, just to say you did. Devour Tours recommends ordering the Burgundy variety alongside a nice crusty baguette.
- Cheese: There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of varieties. If you aren’t sure where to start your vacances du fromage (cheese vacation), sign up for a cheese tasting tour.
- Ratatouille: It’s not just a movie, it’s also a traditional Provençal dish made of vegetables like eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Ratatouille has been around for a while, but it got a boost in recent popularity thanks to Disney. Find it in bistros either as an appetizer or a main course.
Commit to the rat theme with a tour of the Paris Museum of Sewers. You’ll get an immersive experience down into the old sewers themselves. It’s a surprising take on history and the makings of a city.
Before leaving Paris, visit the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, France’s national library. The Richelieu building’s Oval Reading Room in particular will make you feel like you’ve set foot in Beast’s library from Beauty and the Beast. It also houses Victor Hugo’s original manuscript for The Hunchback of Notre Dame, along with other prized editions and prints.
Now if only they’d let you swing from a rolling ladder along the shelves.
About two hours by car from Paris is the Loire Valley. This is where you want to go to really feel immersed in Beauty and the Beast. The Château de Chambord was the inspiration for Beast’s castle, both in the animated and more recent live-action versions of the movie. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see the resemblance.
You’re now in a prime location for castles, castles, and more castles. Most of them don’t have a tie to Disney movies, but they’re certainly worth visiting if you like a taste of aristocratic life.
But if you do need another Disney connection, check out the Château du Rivau. Its maze garden is a nod to Alice in Wonderland.
Norway
Why you should go: to let it gooooo, Frozen-style
Rare (and strange) is the person who has never seen Frozen, so it shouldn’t come as much surprise that if you want to live this classic as a Disney vacation, you need to head to Norway.
The town of Arendelle in the movie is a combination of many Norwegian towns, and the castle is also a mishmash of two real-life places. The exterior was inspired by Akershus Fortress in Oslo, while the interior was inspired by Stiftsgården in Trøndelag, farther north among the fjords.
Akershus Fortress houses a medieval castle, the Defense Museum, and Norway’s Home Front Museum. That means that all in one spot, you can see the remains of the original castle — believed to be the oldest in the country — as well as exhibitions dedicated to the country’s military and political history.
Stiftsgården is the king’s residence in Trøndelag, and you can tour it in the summer.
The original Frozen movie got some criticism for how it worked (or didn’t) with the indigenous Sámi community. So for Frozen II, Disney collaborated much more closely with Sámi representatives.
About half of Sámi people live in Norway (the other half are primarily in Sweden, Finland, and Russia). There are many camps and festivals that welcome visitors looking to experience parts of the culture themselves. Sámi Week, in February, is an annual festival highlighting artists, markets, sporting events, and, of course, reindeer.
And speaking of reindeer, head to Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, a company that provides day tours geared toward Sámi culture and reindeer sledding traditions. Try their evening tours, and you might also get a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
With the wild success of the Frozen movies, are we surprised that we can take a Disney Adventures trip to Norway? Over the course of eight days, you’ll travel from Bergen along the coast to Oslo, with key stops in Flåm, Geiranger, and Otta along the way. You might also consider the Disney Arctic Expedition Cruise, although departures are more limited.
China
Why you should go: to honor the legend of Mulan
Mulan is s Chinese legend that dates back thousands of years, long before Disney ever got its hands on it. While the movies don’t take place in any specific part of China, you can re-create the scene from the live-action movie with visits to these sites.
The Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is believed to be where scenes of Mulan riding horseback through the Rainbow Mountains were shot. Although the landscape looks fake with its bands of yellows, oranges, and rusty reds, the colors are actually all natural. They’re a result of layers of minerals in the rock.
There are observation areas throughout the park so that you can take in the views without damaging the landscape. Just be sure to choose a day with clear skies to make the most of your visit.
To see the area that stood in for Mulan’s hometown, you’ll need a trip to the Hekeng Tulou Cluster. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a prime example of circular earthen buildings and the traditional style of housing for the Hakka people.
Sometimes up to 100 families lived in a single tulou. They were designed for protection — an important aspect of the Mulan storyline — and to emphasize communal living. Visiting the Hekeng Tulou Cluser isn’t just about seeing architecture; it’s also a peak at a way of life.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Imperial City as portrayed in Disney’s live-action Mulan is neither a real city nor a fake one. It’s somewhere in between — a historical theme park that lets tourists immerse themselves in a Tang Dynasty city, despite the Tang Dynasty having been 13 centuries ago.
This theme park/movie set, Xiangyang Tangcheng, can be toured. It’s located in the Hubei province, west of Shanghai via about a 90-minute flight or nine-hour drive.
Colombia
Why you should go: to immerse yourself in the cultural home of Encanto’s Madrigal family
Like many of the places on this list, the city where Encanto takes place doesn’t actually exist. It is, however, based on several very real cities in Colombia — Bogotá, Barichara, Selento — and is deeply rooted in true Colombian culture.
Magical realism — the coexistence of reality and fantasy — is a long-held tradition in Colombian art and culture. It became famous as a literary genre thanks to the work of Colombian-born Gabriel García Márquez.
Although his childhood home was demolished years ago, the new Gabriel García Márquez House Museum in Aracataca shows what life was like for the prolific author.
The Caño Cristales played a key role in the movie. You might remember a particularly moving conversation between Mirabel and her grandmother in a colorful river. In real life, that’s Caño Cristales, located in an isolated mountain range, the Serranía de la Macarena.
Its nicknames are the River of Five Colors and the “liquid rainbow.” The vibrancy stems from the blooms of aquatic plants in the river. Conditions and the season have to be right, but if you’re there at the plants’ peak, you’ll see a riverbed swathed in reds, yellows, greens, and blues.
If you travel to Colombia in August, you can catch Medellín’s Feria de las Flores, or the Flower Fair. This festival was represented in Isabela’s magical gift of being able to grow flowers out of anything.
Colombia claims its flowers are among the best in the world. They celebrate this floral pride with the Feria de las Flores. For 10 days, there are parades, music, a chiva carnival (sort of like a float-building contest but on open-sided buses), and more.
You can’t possibly travel to another country without trying one of the most popular local dishes. And in Colombia, that honor goes to arepas con queso. It’s what Julieta, Mirabel’s mother, makes in Encanto when she uses her gift of healing people with food.
Arepas con queso are corn cakes stuffed with cheese. You can sometimes find them stuffed with meat and vegetables, too, before being cooked on a griddle or deep fried.
Polynesia
Why you should go: because it’s a lot, the sun, the sea. You’re welcome.
Moana is set on the fictional island Motonui (although there are real-life places with that name). The movie’s creators used aspects of Polynesian cultures and mythology throughout, pulling traditions from countries like Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, and Hawaii.
There is not a single Polynesian culture. With that in mind, expect to have a special experience depending on where you go in the region.
Tahiti, which is part of French Polynesia, is a favorite among tourists and so offers ample opportunity for visitors to get a taste of Tahitian culture. Try learning traditional dancing, much like you see Moana do with her friends at the beginning of the movie.
If you were fascinated by the story of Te Fiti in Moana, you’ll want to visit the Musée de Tahiti et des Îles. This museum houses artifacts from French Polynesia and other cultures throughout Oceania. It’s where you can learn more about the Polynesian version of the origin of the universe, which is the basis of the movie’s Te Fiti legend.
Perhaps Samoa piques your interest. West of French Polynesia by about 1,600 miles and about 3,600 miles from Australia, you want to be committed before booking a flight.
But that commitment is worth it. Dive into Fa’a’ Somoa, the Samoan Way, at the Samoa Cultural Village. You can sample the most iconic traditions from the island, including weaving, cloth making, and music and dance. You’ll also see tatau or traditional tattooing, like what the demi-god Maui had in the movie.
You can’t come all this way without getting some good food. Book an evening at a Fia Fia, the Samoan version of a Hawaiian luau. You’ll feast on meat, seafood, and vegetables cooked in an umu (an above-ground oven heated by volcanic rocks) while being entertained with songs, stories, and the Siva Afi, or fire knife dance.
Kaua’i, Hawaii
Why you should go: for a trip the family will always remember
Hawaii is a popular destination for a Disney vacation when you’re obsessed with Moana, but don’t forget that Lilo & Stitch took place on the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i.
Hanapēpē is considered the “home” of Lilo & Stitch, even though the movie takes place in a fictional Hawaiian town. Found on the island’s south shore, Hanapēpē is most often described as quaint and unchanged. The plantation-style buildings still resemble the structures of a century ago so closely that the town has been used as a location for period films.
Rather than serving as plantations, though, the buildings are now home to local shops and restaurants. Hanapēpē is considered the art capital of Kaua’i, so be sure to look for prized work by local islanders.
Venture outside of town and take a boat tour along the Nāpali Coast. From there, you can see Kalalau Valley, which inspired the spot where Stitch crash-landed at the start of the movie.
It’s the kind of view we imagine when we picture lush, mountainous Hawaii. Sharp mountain ridges overlook the ocean, covered in rich green vegetation. This was also the backdrop for other movies like Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
As you explore Kaua’i looking for Lilo & Stitch haunts, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path. Many of the sites that inspired the movie’s setting aren’t visible from the tourist track or the main road. It’s a story about real family — ohana — so you’ll have to dig deeper for the real-life experience.
If you aren’t looking to re-create an experience from a specific movie but still want the Disney experience, book a stay at the Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu. It’s open to members of the Disney Vacation Club as well as non-members at cash rates.
While there aren’t amusement park rides, you can still see the Mouse himself at the character breakfast, go to the Starlit Hui hula performance and character dance party, and catch an outdoor movie on one of the Ohana Disney Movie Nights.
Love the famous Dole Whip treat? The Dole Plantation is nearby, serving up the pineapple dessert.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Why you should go: for a hoppin’ good time
Tiana in The Princess and the Frog wants to run her own restaurant, so the first thing you need to do for a Disney vacation dedicated to this princess is eat. And if you’re in New Orleans, that means two things: beignets and gumbo.
Everyone recommends Café du Monde for beignets. The restaurant has been in business for more than 150 years and has built a reputation as the best to make the warm, fluffy pastries. If you want to go somewhere less been-there-done-that, check out Morning Call. It’s been around almost as long and is equally known for its incredible coffee.
Asking who has the best gumbo in New Orleans is like asking a New Yorker where you can get the best pizza. You’ll get a different answer every time, but they’ll all be right. Radosta’s is a neighborhood joint serving up classic gumbo.
Get the creole gumbo at Dooky Chase’s and not only will your stomach be happy, but you’ll also be dining at the restaurant said to inspire Tiana’s story. Leah Chase, head chef even into her 90s, is the Disney princess in the flesh.
Keep eating and throw some jazz in there for good measure with a ride on the Steamboat Natchez. The river cruise putts along the Mighty Mississippi. You can choose a meal option, serving Southern classics, or go with the sightseeing option for some of the best views of New Orleans.
The Princess and the Frog wouldn’t even be a story if not for voodoo. It’s what turns Naveen and eventually Tiana into frogs after all. Voodoo is an Afro-Caribbean religion that has often gone misunderstood and sensationalized. Get the real story at the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.
New York City
Why you should go: to feel alive
For Joe in Soul, it’s all about jazz music. And that’s why much of the movie doesn’t just take place in New York City, but in the West Village specifically. You can’t do a Soul Disney vacation without hitting a club or two.
The Blue Note Jazz Club is one of the best. Some of the greatest jazz musicians of our time have performed and recorded at the Blue Note. This could be your chance to be part of music history.
The National Jazz Museum in Harlem captures the history of jazz. But it’s not all about the past. The museum’s mission includes education and music appreciation. It also hosts contemporary concerts and other events.
Of course, Soul isn’t the only Disney production with a connection to NYC. The Lion King and Aladdin are both showing on Broadway. The Lion King has been running since 1997. It won a Tony Award for Best Musical (among other categories) and is recognized for being a family-friendly Broadway show.
Continue your Disney-inspired vacation in NYC with a stop at the New York Public Library. If you or the kids are fans of Winnie the Pooh, this is where you can see the original plush toys that inspired A.A. Milne’s stories. You’ll find (albeit a bit raggedy at this point) Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga, and Eeyore.
Protecting Your Unique Trip
Now that you’re excited about doing something different — reenacting your favorite scenes with your kids or from your own childhood — it's time to think about how to make it a reality. As you plan, remember to include travel insurance on your list.
Seven Corners can help you protect the money you spend on your trip if you face cancellations and delays. We also provide travel medical insurance, an important part of traveling safely when you’re overseas.
Learn more and get a quick quote at SevenCorners.com.
