Summary

  • The Disney princess Raya, from Raya and the Last Dragon, is inspired by Southeast Asian cultures such as Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
  • The upcoming animated film Wish features the princess Asha, who is of North African and South European descent, and the kingdom of Rosas is located in the Alboran Sea.
  • Mirabel from Encanto is considered an unofficial Disney princess and is based in various locations in Colombia, such as Bogota, Cartagena, Barichara, and Salento.

While Cinderella Castle is the most famous spot in Disneyland — and it’s possible to spend a night in a suite in the castle, Disney’s magic can be found everywhere. Many of the settings brought to life through Disney animations may be fictional, but they are inspired by real places. So, when children ask where are the Disney Princesses from, parents can often give a real answer.

Finding Disney’s princess origins can be a fun activity for families when traveling, as they can discuss whether Sleeping Beauty comes from Germany or France. While the tales were initially based in European countries, later Disney brought stories based in South America and Asia.

While travelers might never be able to visit King Triton's underwater Kingdom or the sweeping land of Arendelle, they can check out these real-life destinations where all the Disney princesses came from. Keep reading to find out where they are!

UPDATE: 2023/11/05 22:03 EST BY REENA JAIN

More Destinations Where The Disney Princesses Actually Came From

Kids frequently inquire about Disney Princesses and their locations. Some of the questions they have are: Where does sleeping beauty take place? Where is Cinderella set? There are some real places to answer their queries. This list has been expanded to include two more such real places, as well as some useful information about all the places mentioned in the article.

RELATED: 10 Magical Real-Life Castles That Inspired Disney Films

17 Raya, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

Phnom Penh Cambodia
Photo by Kim Eang Eng on Unsplash
Phnom Penh Cambodia

The kingdom of Disney Princess Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon, Kumandra, was inspired by Southeast Asian cultures. The story unfolds the rich history and varied tales of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The film offers a rich and varied portrayal of the region's heritage and customs by incorporating elements of these countries' landscapes, structures, apparel, and folklore. Despite not being a physical location, Kumandra honors and symbolizes the richness and diversity of these countries.

  • Raya and the Last Dragon: Raya's character is inspired by Southeast Asian cultures, particularly Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

16 Asha From Wish, North Africa, and South Europe

Alboran Sea panorama

---=XEON=---CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Amazingly serene Alboran Sea, south of the Iberian Peninsula

Asha, a 17-year-old princess from the Kingdom of Rosas, is the main character of Wish, an upcoming animated Disney film set to be released on November 22, 2023. The director of the film claims that the princess is of North African and South European descent. Additionally, South European and North African cultures have a strong influence on the costumes and architecture of the Kingdom of Rosas in the film. More specifically, the Kingdom of Rosas is situated on an island that lies south of the Iberian Peninsula. So, if Rosas existed, it would be somewhere in the Alboran Sea.

  • Wish: Asha, the Disney princess in "Wish," is a fictional character of South European and North African descent.

15 Mirabel, Barichara, Cartagena and Salento (Colombia)

Cocora Valley, Salento, Colombia
Photo by Alejandro Ortiz on Unsplash
Cocora Valley, Salento, Colombia

Mirabel Madrigal can be considered an unofficial Disney Princess. While not part of a traditional royal family, the Madrigals hold an important position in their community, and Mirabel has all the qualities of a Disney princess. Many Colombian cities inspired Encanto, as Disney producers traveled to cities such as Bogota, Cartagena, Salento, and Barichada.

The Cocora Valley’s rolling terrain inspired the Madrigal’s house location, while the cobbled-stone streets, colonial architecture, and bougainvillea found in Barichara were recreated in the movie.

  • Encanto: Mirabel, the unofficial Disney princess, is from Colombia in Encanto.

14 Anastasia, St. Petersburg (Russia)

Kazan Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Photo, by Yash Bhargava on Unsplash
Kazan Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia

Anastasia was originally produced by 20th Century Fox, which Disney acquired years later. The story was inspired by the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who reportedly wasn’t executed along with her family. The movie starts showing the magnificence of Russia’s palace and reproduces St. Petersburg during the winter.

Anastasia starts in St. Petersburg, Russia when the Romanov family celebrates 300 years of ruling the country. Yet, most of the movie is set in Paris and follows Anastasia’s journey to find her grandmother.

  • Anastasia: Russia is the country associated with Anastasia.

13 Aurora From Sleeping Beauty, France

A stunning shot of Place de la Bastille near Moxy Paris Bastille, Paris France
Photo by: Guillaume Flament, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A stunning shot of Place de la Bastille near Moxy Paris Bastille, Paris France

Disney's Sleeping Beauty doesn't expressly state that it's set in France; however, there are several clues throughout that allude to that fact, including the playing of the French national anthem and the presence of the French symbol fleur-de-lis. So, it's reasonable to assume that Princess Aurora comes from France.

Although there are plenty of French castles from the Medieval era that travelers can visit, including the Château De Chambord and Château De Haut-Koenigsbourg, they aren't related to the famous fairytale. However, Disney used the Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany, as an inspiration to create the famous Sleeping Beauty castle.

  • Sleeping Beauty: Aurora, Disney's Sleeping Beauty, is based on France's culture.
Related
This Medieval French Castle Is Hiding Almost Two Miles Of Secret Tunnels (& You Can Visit Them)
Château de Brézé is a stunning castle with some of the most impressive castle tunnels and one of the deepest medieval moats.

12 Mulan From Mulan, China

Great Wall of China in the winter
Photo by  Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash
Great Wall of China in the winter

While it's debated whether Mulan ever really existed, we do know for a fact that the Disney version of the character comes from China. The film is set in the country's north during the Sui dynasty when the population was under attack from the invading Huns. Mulan also features a couple of famous Chinese landmarks.

Disney fans and non-Disney fans flock to the Great Wall when visiting China. Not only was this featured in the movie, but it's one of the most impressive manmade landmarks on the planet.

  • Mulan: China is the origin of the Mulan Disney character.

11 Cinderella, France

Streets of a medieval village in France
Photo by Adrien Tutin na Unsplash
Streets of a medieval village in France

It's common knowledge that Cinderella is another Disney princess from France. We can tell from the château, where she lives with her stepmother and stepsisters before marrying the prince. Also, the film is adapted from the classic tale written by Frenchman Charles Perrault.

Perrault is also responsible for several other fairy tales popular today, some of which have also been turned into classic animations by Disney. He is credited with writing Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, Little Tom Thumb, and a later version of Sleeping Beauty.

  • Cinderella: Cinderella's story has origin in France.

RELATED: Disney: 10 Things To Know About Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle Before Going

10 Snow White, Germany

Black Forest, Germany, inspired the Show White
Photo by Max Böttinger on Unsplash

Most experts agree that Snow White comes from Germany, a classic story from the Brothers Grimm. In the original German tale, the evil Queen, Snow White's stepmother, is actually named Queen Grimhilde, giving away the story's German heritage. There are several differences between the Disney version and the original tale, so it's worth reading the original just to be surprised.

Interestingly, travelers visiting Germany can see the real magic mirror at the local Spessart Museum. It's also possible to retrace the steps of Snow White, reportedly inspired by Maria Sophia Margaretha Catharina von Erthal.

  • Snow White: Germany is the supposed origin of Snow White's fairy tale.
Related
10 Best Castle Hotels In Lisbon You Should Book For A Majestic Stay
Castle hotels combine comfort with a rich connection with the past. Here are ten of the best ones in Portugal's capital Lisbon.

9 Merida, Scotland

Medieval castle in Scotland
Photo by  Jörg Angeli on Unsplash
Medieval castle in Scotland

If there's one Disney princess who is very proud of where she comes from, it's Merida. The red-haired character is quite different from most other Disney princesses living in medieval Scotland. She's not looking for a prince, shoots her own arrows, and cares more about her relationship with her mom than boys.

Scotland is an excellent destination for travelers interested in seeing medieval castles, just like the one we see in Brave. The scenery in the movie is also dramatic, misty, and green. Visit the Scottish Highlands, and you'll see it for real!

  • Brave: Scotland is considered the origin of Disney's Princess Merida.

8 Pocahontas, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA
Photo by lorimcm na Unsplash
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA

Unlike other Disney characters, Pocahontas was a real person. She came from the Tidewater region of Virginia and is now associated with the colonial settlement at Jamestown. The village she was born in no longer exists but was located in Gloucester County. Although she came from Virginia, she was buried in England, in the ancient town of Gravesend.

Pocahontas may have been an actual figure, but the character we see in the Disney movie leads a very different life from her historical counterpart. Let's just say her story was Disney-fied to have a happy ending!

  • Pocahontas: Pocahontas originates from Virginia, the United States.

7 Moana, Hawaii

Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Photo by  Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
Kauai, Hawaii, USA

One of Disney's more recent main characters, and not strictly a princess, Moana is the daughter of a Hawaiian chief. The story is straight out of mythology, based on the tale of Maui and how he created the Pacific Islands by fishing them out of the ocean.

Watching the idyllic island scenery in Moana definitely makes you want to jump on a plane to the Hawaiian Islands! This isn't the first Disney film to be set in Hawaii, by the way. The first was Lilo & Stitch, though there definitely aren't any princesses in that one.

  • Moana: Moana's character is based on Hawaiian culture, primarily from Maui.

RELATED: 10 Real-Life Destinations Where Disney Movies Were Set

6 Ariel, The Little Mermaid, Denmark

The Litthe Mermaid, ,Copenhangen, Denamark
Photo by Marvin Radke on Unsplash
The Litthe Mermaid, ,Copenhangen, Denamark

There's been a lot of debate over where Disney's The Little Mermaid is set. The original tale is by Hans Christian Andersen, who was Danish, leading many to attribute the story to Denmark. But if we look at the fish and sea life species in the movie, it's really not typical of Northern Europe. In fact, some believe that the Disney version is set in the Caribbean.

Focusing specifically on Ariel and her origins makes sense to trace her back to Denmark. If travelers actually want to go and pay tribute to Ariel, they can include a visit to The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen on their itinerary.

  • The Little Mermaid: Ariel is supposed to be based on a Danish fairy tale.

5 Tiana, The Princess And The Frog, Louisiana

Building in the French Quarter of New Orleans, United States
Photo by  Aya Salman on Unsplash
Building in the French Quarter of New Orleans, United States

Princess Tiana made waves back in 2009 for being the first African-American Disney princess. She hails from New Orleans, Louisiana, entangled in a mess with the handsome Prince Naveen. Although everything is embellished in Disney animations, there is still a lot of Louisiana culture that seeps into the story. You can undoubtedly visit New Orleans today, although it might look a little different from how it looks in the movie, set in the early 20th century. There are even Tiana-inspired tours you can take while in the city!

  • Princess and the Frog: Tiana, the Disney princess in The Princess and the Frog, is based in New Orleans, Louisiana.

4 Anna And Elsa, Frozen, Norway

Bergen, Norway
Photo by Lachlan Gowen on Unsplash
Sunset in Bergen, Norway

Anna and Elsa have risen to become some of the most popular Disney characters ever in recent times. These sisters are the Princesses of a kingdom called Arendelle. Unfortunately, there is no actual place called Arendelle, but many believe the fictional land is based in the Scandinavian country of Norway.

The Disney art directors took inspiration from Norway when designing the background animation for Arendelle, so this is the closest real-life destination that we can place the sisters in. There are plenty of other clues pointing toward the Scandinavian culture of the Kingdom, including the names of some of the characters (looking at you, Olaf).

  • Frozen: Anna and Elsa are characters from the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, Norway.

3 Belle, France

Alsace, France
Photo by Vered Caspi on Unsplash
A canal between buildings in Alsace, France

Beauty and the Beast's events take place in France. Moreover, there are hints in the original film that reveal the location of the live-action movie through what the characters eat and Lumiere's strong French accent. In conclusion, Belle from the film is from France.

The story is set in 18th-century France, and while the movie was filmed mostly in the U.K., the Beast Castle features many European architectural styles, including French Rococo and Baroque. The animation was inspired in the medieval city of Alsace, so Disney's fans can include this place on their bucket list.

  • Beauty and the Beast: Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast belongs to France.

2 Jasmine, Aladdin, Arabian Peninsula

Beautiful flowers lined up in front of Taj Mahal in India
Image by Richard Mcall from Pixabay
Beautiful flowers lined up in front of Taj Mahal in India

Although no specific information is provided about the origins of Princess Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin, the film starts with the iconic song Arabian Nights, which alludes to a general Arabian Peninsula setting without pinpointing a specific location.

As for Agrabah, the fictional city depicted in the movie, it does not exist in reality. It is often associated with the cultural and architectural influences of various Arabian Peninsula countries, including Qatar, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. The palace was inspired by the Taj Mahal.

  • Aladdin: Agrabah, a fictional kingdom in the Middle East, in "Aladdin."
  • Also, the palace is supposed to be inspired by the Taj Mahal.

1 Rapunzel, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Photo Felix on Unsplash
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

In Disney's Tangled, Rapunzel is imprisoned in a tower nestled within a secluded forest, though the precise location is not mentioned. Yet, the original history is reportedly from Germany.

The film draws inspiration from European fairy tales and landscapes, particularly German and French esthetics. The visual elements and architectural styles reflect a fictional kingdom within a European context. While the exact geographical setting remains unspecified, the enchanting forest and tower create a captivating atmosphere. It's worth noting that "Tangled" is a work of fiction, allowing for imaginative storytelling that transports audiences into a whimsical world rather than being tied to a specific real-world location.

  • Tangled: Rapunzel is a fairy tale character originating from Germany.