There is no way to refute the fact that the tales conveyed in Disney's animated movies are among the most memorable ones that have ever been displayed on a movie theater screen. Every story and fable is turned into a colorful, magical, and fascinating computer-animated movie, and we can’t get enough.
However, there are a lot of small nuances that you may have overlooked in these movies. Though they’re easy to miss, these are the subtleties that make Disney films so remarkable. To prove this point, here are some of the most interesting facts about Disney animated features that will cause you to look at them in a different light, ranging from the time-honored classics to the most recent films made in partnership with Pixar.
Let's discover some easter Eggs found in Disney classics!
Alyssa Milano Inspired the Little Mermaid’s Look
It needs to be made clear how the creators of Disney's iconic characters want their likenesses to come across. Regarding the central character of The Little Mermaid, Disney made a somewhat arbitrary decision about who they wanted to base Ariel on to ensure she had relatable qualities.
Alyssa Milano, a child star in the 1980s, was the talk of the town at the time the movie was being filmed. So, the studio decided to base Ariel's looks and personality traits on her! Though she does not have red hair, Alyssa Milano was the inspiration for the role of Ariel.
Toy Story and its Brilliant Relationships
Some callbacks in movies are more coincidental than others, and Toy Story contains one of the best examples of this type of callback. When Woody is in Sid's house, the carpet in the frightening kid's corridor is very similar to the carpet in the hotel in the classic film The Shining.
This moment occurs when Woody is creeping through Sid's house. Production designer Ralph Eggleston admired the work of Stanley Kubrick so much that he felt compelled to pay tribute to the director in some way.
Simba Roars Like a Tiger
Though it would appear to be an odd fact to mention on this list, this roaring issue is still quite fascinating. Mature Simba's roar at the end of The Lion King was not precisely that of a lion. Instead, the sound effects used in the movie belonged to another animal.
It was eventually revealed that Disney used the roar of a tiger. As it turns out, the average roar of a lion is relatively subdued. So, Disney had no choice but to go with a more vociferous danger kitty instead!
Did Ariel and Belle Appear in Enchanted?
Enchanted may not be an animated film in the traditional sense. However, the film shares an intriguing link with some of the great animated films of yesteryear. Specifically, it stars two of Disney's most famous princesses. To be more precise, it stars the women who voiced those roles.
Actresses Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid) and Paige O'Hara (the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast) make brief appearances as a secretary and a soap opera character, respectively, in the 2007 film.
Mickey Mouse Is Hiding in The Emperor's New Groove
Considering that Mickey Mouse inspired so many Disney films, it's only fitting that he received some recognition in the movie to come. This recognition may take the form of an overt cameo appearance or a subtle allusion. In The Emperor's New Groove, it was the latter.
Throughout The Emperor's New Groove, Mickey's head appears in numerous forms and configurations. It is possible to locate it in the food served on Kuzco's plates, on Yzma's earrings, and even in some shrubs.
Sleeping Beauty Only Contains 18 Lines
Now that we have your attention, let's be more specific. In the classic Disney film Sleeping Beauty, there are more than 18 lines of dialogue. However, Aurora, who was the central character, only had 18 things to say throughout the entirety of the movie.
We knew that she didn’t say much, but that is kind of crazy! Apparently, Aurora has the second-lowest number of lines in any Disney movie. Dumbo is number one. To be fair though, he is a baby elephant.
Lilo and Stitch Loved Elvis Presley for a Reason
Some Disney films have the most off-the-wall references to popular culture, and Lilo and Stitch is an excellent example. A number of the King's compositions are featured in the popular animated adaptation of one of his movies.
Lilo and Stitch received a nomination for an Academy Award in the Best Animated Feature Film category in 2002, which is ironic considering that critics rarely give positive reviews to movies starring Elvis Presley. Stitch even appeared in the film dressed up as Elvis!
The Beast Is an Assortment of Animals
If you are like most people, when you were little, you probably didn't consider what kind of animal the eponymous Beast from Beauty and the Beast is meant to be. If you were to take his appearance at face value, you might conclude that he is a peculiar feline creature of some type.
Disney revealed that the ferocious character's appearance is a composite of several different creatures. This graphic clarifies which species served as the basis for each distinctive feature of the Beast's appearance. To be clear, he does have a mane resembling a lion's.
Disney's shortest film is Dumbo
Most of Disney's animated feature films last only a short time. After all, is it reasonable for you to anticipate that your child will stay attentive throughout a movie that runs for three hours? However, Dumbo takes everything to an entirely new level.
It's crazy because Dumbo has a runtime of only 64 minutes. Yes, the movie clocks in at just over an hour. Executives counseled Walt Disney to lengthen the film's running time, but in response, he stated, "You can stretch a story just so far before it won't stay together."
The Luxo Ball’s Disney Cameos
Although most of these fascinating tidbits relate to one of Disney's animated films, this one is relevant to many of them, particularly Pixar's productions. Fans will undoubtedly have fond memories of the iconic "Luxo Ball," also known as the yellow ball that Buzz Lightyear used to bounce around on.
As it turns out, that very same ball has appeared in several other Disney-Pixar movies and shorts. Some examples include the films Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, and Cars. Keep an eye out for it in future releases!
Pinocchio's Nose Has a Secret
When you think of Pinocchio, one of the first things that likely comes to mind is that his nose grows long when he tells a lie. Throughout the movie, you might assume that this punishment accrued from multiple lies he said.
However, this occurs only once during the entirety of the movie. At this point, Pinocchio began to tell lies, such as how he had seen "two large monsters with big green eyes" on the way to school. This moment demonstrates how he evolved as the story's protagonist throughout the narrative.
A Hyena Expert Sued Disney!
Cartoons are rarely the best resource for learning about animals. Some animals, like the spotted hyena, can suffer due to their depiction in cartoons.
Three spotted hyenas serve as goons for the film's villain, Scar, in the 1994 animated picture The Lion King. A hyena biologist who took offense to the film's erroneous portrayal of the species filed a defamation of character lawsuit against the production company. Hyenas, in actuality, are extremely smart and flexible. The case didn’t amount to much, but we’re glad someone stood up for these clever creatures!
The Beatles Were Almost in The Jungle Book
There are numerous occasions throughout Disney's history where you may find yourself looking at a character in one of their films and thinking, "Hmm, that character sure seems to resemble someone else." This is because Disney has the propensity to model certain characters after historical figures.
Take, for example, the vultures in The Jungle Book. They are modeled after the band The Beatles. Disney wanted the Liverpool band to provide the voices for the four birds, but John Lennon refused to appear in an animated film.
Another Cross-Film Cameo
Disney films, particularly the more recent ones, are filled with many easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans to discover. These days, the movies that Mickey Mouse produces tend to be much more self-referential than they were in the past.
For example, they frequently include callbacks to prior movies or drop little nuggets to imply that these movies are based in the same universe. Consider the film Big Hero 6, for instance. In the background of a brief sequence is a graphic that reads "wanted," you can see Hans from the Disney film Frozen.
The Black Spots in 101 Dalmatians
Have you ever counted the number of times the black spot appears in 101 Dalmatians? Since the dogs have been visible for so long, we can assume the total is quite large.
A whopping 6,469,952 black dots were counted throughout the film. As far as we can tell, we are still determining who exactly was responsible for keeping track of how many times each area appeared in each frame. Perdita has 68 spots, Pongo has 72, and each of the puppies has 32, so that should assist.
Eeyore and Optimus Prime
When it comes to the characters they represent, it is incredible how versatile voice actors can be, and Disney is chock full of great examples of this. Peter Cullen, an astonishing voice actor, is responsible for one of the most exciting character differences in the Disney universe.
The veteran actor provided the voice for the well-known character of Eeyore the donkey in the animated series Winnie the Pooh. On the other hand, in the Transformers film franchise, he played the role of Optimus Prime.
Disney and Pregnancy
Chicha became the first pregnant character to appear in one of Disney's films when she was featured in The Emperor's New Groove in 2000. Though she only has a supporting role in the film, Chicha made Disney history.
It's common knowledge that Disney movies show mothers in an unfavorable light. The mother's role seems to only vary between dying or becoming a villain. The recurring role Chicha played in The Emperor's New Groove created a discernible shift in Disney's representation of female characters.
Gaston’s Final Scene
It's little wonder that Gaston is one of Disney's least-liked characters, with his general cockiness and disdain for Belle's love of reading. Gaston initially yelled, "time to die!" as he stabbed the Beast in the classic final confrontation.
However, Disney changed the line to "Belle is mine!" in the movie's final cut. Critics of the closing line say it better matches the plot of the two people competing for Belle's love, while supporters of the original believe its dark violence matches Gaston’s character. What do you think?
Rapunzel’s Green Eyes
If you think about all the different princesses in the Disney universe, you'll notice that each one has specific characteristics that set them apart from the others. Rapunzel can set herself apart from the rest of the pack for various reasons. However, one quality is exclusive to her and cannot be found in anybody else.
Most Disney princesses have either brown or blue eyes; however, the protagonist of Tangled is unique in that she is the only one with green eyes.
Mulan in Tarzan
An excellent example of a Disney film making a sly reference to another Disney film is presented here. In the movie Tarzan, there is a hidden easter egg that, without a doubt, only the most observant of spectators would pick up on.
From above, a plush toy can be seen falling out of the professor's backpack when he gets a little too close to the gorillas. The dog from Mulan, known as Little Brother, was the inspiration for this item's appearance.
The Rock's Grandfather Inspired Maui
Dwayne Johnson had even more creative input into his character in Moana than folks initially thought. The successful Hollywood actor convinced the film's creators to model Maui after his late grandfather's appearance.
The Rock’s grandfather, a talented Samoan wrestler, was known as Maivia. In addition to Dwayne's father, Rocky Johnson, Maivia Johnson was instrumental in The Rock's rise to superstardom in WWE, which ultimately opened the road for his transition into the entertainment industry. We can see why he wanted to honor his grandpa in the film.
The Only Disney Princesses with a Real Job
It is interesting enough that Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, was the first African-American princess in Disney history. This information was revealed in the film. However, there are a lot of other exciting aspects of this movie that you might be interested to discover.
Considering most of Disney's heroines, you'll realize they are either princesses or utter nobodies who can't find work. Tiana was the only one who ever held a real job; she was a waitress who dreamed of becoming a chef.
Was Aladdin Inspired by Tom Cruise?
When you look at certain Disney characters, you'll remark, "Wow, that character does look familiar. Where have I seen that look before?” The explanation is that Disney frequently bases its characters on well-known individuals the company considers to possess star power.
Consider the story of Aladdin as an example. The character was based on Tom Cruise because Aladdin is a daredevil who enjoys performing stunts across Agrabah. Since he is such a daredevil, Disney decided to base his appearance on the famous action star.
Foreshadowing in Disney Films
Disney films don't merely make references to their predecessors. There have also been plenty of instances in which their more recent movies contain easter eggs that hint at what will take place in the future. Ratatouille is a beautiful illustration of this point.
In a sequence where Remy the rat is snooping about, he gets spooked by a shadow that looks very similar to Dug, the dog from Up. At the time, Disney and Pixar were yet to release a trailer for Up.
The Apple of Automobiles
It should come as no surprise that the Disney-Pixar film Cars is chock full of, you guessed it, cars! Throughout the film, cool race cars of various configurations and hues are depicted, and each possesses an eccentric personality.
However, if you don't pay attention, you can miss a white racing car with the recognizable Apple logo and the number "84" on it. This represents the year Apple's first computer was made available to the public. It makes perfect sense when you consider that, at the time, Steve Jobs was Disney's largest shareholder.
Scar's Dark Cameo in Hercules
It is common knowledge at this point that Disney films are notoriously self-referential, which means that they frequently make cheeky references to other Disney movies. This is something that has been extensively documented. However, some of these references are more obvious than others.
Take, for example, the movie Hercules, where the main character wears the pelt of Scar, the antagonist from Disney's The Lion King. There is a strong insinuation that Scar was the target of trophy hunting. Though he does not deserve to be treated in such a manner, it is good to know he won’t be hassling Simba anymore.
The Inspiration for Tinker Bell
When the animated Peter Pan movie debuted in 1953, audiences were instantly taken by the charming actions and appearance of the fairy character Tinker Bell. A real lady, actress Margaret Kerry, was revealed to be the force behind the fairy dust.
The film's sequences were created by animators who observed Kerry to replicate her actions. Kerry went so far as to pose next to a pair of scissors and get stuck in a keyhole to mimic some of the movie's most memorable scenes.
Pocahontas Is Grounded in History
To our knowledge, Pocahontas is the only Disney heroine based on a genuine person from history. In 1613, colonists kidnapped a Native American lady named Pocahontas from the tribe of the Powhatan.
In the following years, she was married and gave birth to a child after being coerced into becoming a Christian. By contrast, there is some debate over whether or not Mulan was a genuine person. Some say she was a fictional figure from ancient Chinese poetry. However, Pocahontas was definitely real.
Walt Disney Inspired the Name "WALL-E"
There are only so many films produced by Disney that directly reference Walt, the man who started it all. One of these is in the title of the movie WALL-E. The protagonist is a lovable little robot whose name is the same as the film’s title.
It is undeniable where the idea for the moniker "WALL-E" came from when you consider that Walt Disney's full name was Walter Elias Disney. When they saw the movie for the first time, most people probably missed this allusion, so it remained a fun little inside joke.
Cinderella Was Walt’s Favorite
Finding out Walt Disney's thoughts on the films he oversaw during his lifetime is always interesting. The man who began it all once said in an interview that the scene where Cinderella's dress transforms into the ball gown is his favorite animated sequence in all of his films.
Though Walt passed away in 1966, Disney continued to produce a massive body of work, with both the animated and live-action filmmaking sectors thriving. That's an enormous accomplishment, and we’re sure Walt would be thrilled.
Horses with Attitude
After seeing enough Disney films, you'll begin to notice a few common themes. For example, all the Disney princesses share a lot of visual similarities with one another.
But it also looks like a particular species shows up in many of the movies and that they always act in the same way. Sassy horses accompany many of the heroes and heroines. Maximus, Pegasus, Angus, Phillipe, Samson, Major, Sitron, Bullseye, Khan, Achilles, and Buck are the names of the 11 Disney steeds.
Disney’s Dirty Secret
There have been a few instances in which Disney movies have given snarky quips or easter eggs that are, to put it mildly, more geared toward adults. The film The Rescuers has one of the most blatant adults-only moments, although many viewers failed to see it.
If you pay close enough attention, you can see what appears to be a topless woman standing at a window as Miss Bianca and Bernard speed by. After receiving many complaints from stunned families, Disney, to everyone's amazement, decided to take back 3.4 million recordings so they could remove the offending moment.
The Iconic Spaghetti Scene Almost Didn't Happen
The iconic spaghetti-eating sequence is practically vital to the plot of The Lady and the Tramp. The movie depicts an unlikely romance between two canine characters with vastly different personalities and has remained popular with viewers.
The scene where the dogs share a bowl of pasta is the film's cutest and most adored moment. Shockingly, Walt Disney did not like this carb-heavy dog dinner and removed it from the film's storyboards. Fortunately, the scenario was reimagined by the film's director, Frank Thomas, who transformed it into the now-famous cinematic moment.
The Secret Behind the Voice of the Witch
Disney's sound designers have long been among the industry's most imaginative. Some of the best examples of this are when the performers in the film add their own unique brand of imagination to the role, completely changing the way we perceive the character.
As the Queen/Witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lucille La Verne devised a brilliant plan. She took out her artificial teeth before reading her lines, setting the stage for that instantly recognizable, sinister snarling voice.
Merida’s Hair
Brave probably won't go down in history as the most famous Disney film of all time, but that doesn't change the fact that the film boasts some of the most memorable characters and impressive visuals of any of the studio's offerings. Merida, a young woman with wild, wavy, fiery red hair, is the film's protagonist.
However, if she were to straighten her hair, it would appear to grow even longer. According to experts, if Merida's hair were straightened, the length of it would be at least four feet.
Jackie Chan's Unexpected Roles in Disney
Jackie Chan is most known in the United States for his work as a stuntman in various action films. However, the actor has also demonstrated his musical talents in several Disney productions.
Chan has released almost twenty CDs sung in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Taiwanese and has voice training in the operatic tradition. In addition to playing Captain Li Shang in the Chinese version of the 1998 film Mulan, he also recorded a Cantonese and Mandarin rendition of the film's theme song, "I'll Make a Man Out of You."
The Cartoon World Will Never Be the Same Because of Pumbaa's Farts
The act of passing gas was not depicted in a film until Disney's The Lion King in 1994, even though it is a natural human activity. Warthog Pumbaa has a problem with farts, which causes him and the other animals around him a lot of embarrassment.
In addition to being a charming and hilarious aspect of Pumbaa's personality, his flatulence marked the first time a character had farted in a Disney film. Thankfully, Pumbaa could hang out with friends who weren’t overly sensitive to odors (a meerkat and a lion).
Ursula Was Ariel's Aunt
The sea witch Ursula from The Little Mermaid (1989), is regarded as one of Disney's best antagonists. There's a scene in the movie where Ursula offers Ariel a chance to become human so she can have a romantic relationship with Prince Eric.
Ursula was initially intended to be King Triton's sister and Ariel’s aunt. The sea witch mentions that she was expelled from Triton's palace; therefore, it can be inferred that she was formerly a member of the royal mermaid line before being rejected.
A Turkey Almost Starred Alongside Pocahontas
Animators for the 1995 picture Pocahontas gave some thought to including a turkey. Wild turkeys abound in the Virginia setting of the film. So, it wasn’t entirely crazy for the Native American princess to have a turkey companion named Redfeather.
When the actor who voiced Redfeather passed away, the character was replaced with a raccoon named Meeko since they wanted to keep the show set in North America. Meeko's skill and hilarity in dealing with Governor Ratcliffe's pug made him an ideal replacement.
The Spice Girls as Inspiration?
The five muses are crucial in setting the tone for Hercules, a Disney animated picture released in 1997. Much of the soundtrack is performed by these five women, who portray different Greek deities.
Alan Menken, the film's composer, wanted to feature the Spice Girls in a performance of "I Won't Say," one of the film's most memorable songs. However, time conflicts caused the British female quartet to say no to lending their voices. As a result, the film's composers opted for a gospel-influenced score over a more mainstream one. No shade on the SPice Girls, but we’re happy it worked out this way!