You can see references to a tiny British settlement in every Disney movie: What is the connection

By TravelWiseOct 22, 2023 17:51 PMNews
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Walt Disney honoured his ancestors in the studio's work. Source: Pexels

You can find a tribute to a village of about 240 people in Lincolnshire, England, in every Disney movie. Few people know, but it was there that the famous Walt Disney drew inspiration for the decor of the recognizable Sleeping Beauty castle that appears at the beginning of films.

In this way, the animator honoured the history of his family, which he learned about during a short trip to the village of Norton Disney. According to the BBC, Disney's ancestors may even be buried in the local cemetery.

On July 7, 1949, the already famous American and his family travelled to the tiny village because they were intrigued by the name, which was similar to the artist's surname.

Walt visited a local church, immersed himself in history, and saw the majestic 14th-century tomb of Sir William d'Isnay, which bore the family coat of arms with three lions. Theoretically, this could have been the American's ancestor as his family had once lived in England for some time.

There is no 100 percent certainty about this as it is difficult to trace the family tree so far back in time, but the animator was definitely impressed and decided to pay tribute to the village where his relatives probably lived.

Walt Disney later reproduced the image of lions on the flag that flies on the castle in California in all Disneylands and at the beginning of each movie. It is a little fuzzy when the camera zooms in closer.

Walt Disney recreates lions on the flag. Source: Screenshot
Walt Disney recreates lions on the flag. Source: Screenshot
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