I’ve been watching Disney films since I was a small child and alongside the memorable characters and catchy songs they are also full of beautiful locations, these being almost enough to instil a dream of travel into young minds. Yet as we grow up it is possible for us to create our Disney inspired travel plans by visiting some of the most magical destinations.

Disney Inspired Travel Destinations

Neuschwanstein, Germany

Sleeping Beauty

The legend that transcends time begins with the glorious celebration of Princess Aurora’s birth—a joyful event that makes Maleficent, one of the most spectacular villains ever, extremely jealous. As the years pass and the princess grows into a beautiful and graceful young woman, three Good Fairies do their best to protect Aurora. But, alas, on her 16th birthday, Aurora pricks her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel and falls under Maleficent’s spell and into a deep sleep. Only brave Prince Phillip can defeat a fire-breathing dragon and battle his way to the tower to awaken the princess from her dreams.

Perched on a rocky hill, this fairy tale palace rises steeply above the village of Hohenschwangau, dominating the surrounding plains and Alpine foothills. You’ll understand immediately why Walt Disney used this royal castle as his inspiration for Sleeping Beauty.

Tanzania, Africa

The Lion King 

Disney animated feature following a naïve and curious lion cub as he struggles to find his place in nature’s great ‘circle of life’. Simba is excited about being king of the pride but is forced into exile by his evil and greedy uncle, Scar who wants to claim the throne for himself. Away from his family, Simba meets a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa. With the help of his new friends he overcomes great fear and adversity to defeat Scar and take his rightful place as ruler of the Pride Lands.

More than almost any other destination, Tanzania is the land of safaris. Wildebeest stampede across the plains. Hippos jostle for space in muddy waterways. Elephants wander along seasonal migration routes and chimpanzees swing through the treetops. The true circle of life.

Jordan, Middle East

Aladdin

Soar away on a magic carpet ride of nonstop laughs and thrills in one of the most spectacular adventures of all time! In the heart of an enchanted city, a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey Abu battle to save the free-spirited Princess Jasmine from the schemes of the evil sorcerer Jafar. Aladdin’s whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp as a fun-loving, shape-shifting Genie appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery.

Jordan has a tradition of welcoming visitors: camel caravans plied the legendary King’s Highway transporting frankincense in exchange for spices while Nabataean tradesmen, Roman legionnaires, Muslim armies and zealous Crusaders all passed through the land, leaving behind impressive monuments.

China

Mulan

Disney’s animated classic Mulan celebrates honour, courage and a young girl’s quest to be true to her own heart. As clever as she is beautiful, young Mulan is determined to prove herself – by courageously taking her father’s place in the Imperial Army. Aided by her outrageously funny guardian dragon Mushu and a lucky cricket named Cri-Kee, Mulan’s quest will lead her to a climactic battle atop the Imperial Palace, where her family’s honour, the fate of the Emperor and the future of all of China hang in the balance!

China is vast. Off-the-scale massive. A riveting jumble of wildly differing dialects and climatic and topographical extremes, it’s like several different countries rolled into one. Take your pick from the tossed-salad ethnic mix of the southwest, the yak-butter-illuminated temple halls of Xiahe, a journey along the dusty Silk Road, spending the night at Everest Base Camp, or getting into your glad rags for a night on the Shanghai tiles.

Alsace, France

Beauty and the Beast

When a prince is turned into a hideous beast by a magical spell, he finds that the only way out of his predicament is to win the love of the beautiful Belle. Belle agrees to come and stay at his home in exchange for the freedom of her father, whom the Beast had previously captured. At first she is repulsed by his hideous features, but as time passes she learns to recognise his true inner beauty.

Here the candy-coloured towns and villages look as though they’ve popped up from a children’s bedtime story, the gently rolling countryside, striped with vines, is nothing short of idyllic, and everywhere locals swear by centuries-old traditions.

New Orleans

The Princess and the Frog

Discover what really happened after the princess kissed the frog in an inspired twist on the world’s most famous kiss. This hilarious adventure leaps off the screen with stunning animation, irresistible music and an unforgettable cast of characters. Enter Princess Tiana’s world of talking frogs, singing alligators and lovesick fireflies as she embarks on an incredible journey through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. Spurred on by a little bit of courage and a great big dream, these new friends come to realize what’s truly important in life…love, family and friendship.

New Orleans has a lived-in grittiness that either feels intimidating or easily accessible. As a result of its visible history you’ll find a constant, often painful, dialogue with the past, stretching back hundreds of years. It’s a history that for all its controversy has produced a street culture that can be observed and grasped in a very visceral way.

Samoa

Moana

When a fiery ocean demon threatens her peaceful island home, teenage Princess Moana vows to fulfil her heroic destiny and save her people. Putting her navigation skills to the test, Moana sets out on a daring sea voyage to find the once-mighty demi-God Maui, the legendary creator of the Pacific Islands and the only one who can help her with her quest. Together, they traverse the treacherous open waters, encountering difficult conditions and dangerous creatures along the way, as Moana searches for the mythical island which holds the key to completing her mission.

Which Disney location would you travel to?

Let me know in the comments.