Top 10 Things You Missed in the Background of Disney Movies
#10: Nick’s Dubious Application
“Zootopia” (2016)
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There are plenty of fun little details throughout “Zootopia.” You can spot a pair of elephants dressed like Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” during Judy’s train ride through Tundratown. But another detail you might have missed can be found in a more dramatic scene. After Judy singles out predators as savages, Nick storms out and leaves his police officer application. One question on the form asks if the candidate has ever committed a crime or been arrested. If you look closely you can see that Nick checked “yes,” crossed it out, then checked “no.” It’s nice that his first instinct was to be honest at least.
#9: Dr. Facilier’s Deathly Curtains
“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
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The Shadow Man is an electric showman in his villainous song “Friends on the Other Side.” He’s so charismatic that Naveen and Lawrence don’t even notice a disturbing red flag. After they take a seat, keep an eye on Facilier’s shadow. Not only does it have its own personality, its presence also changes the curtains’ patterns to skulls. It’s a scary addition that’s easy to miss. There are of course other things hidden throughout New Orleans, such as Aladdin’s magic carpet and Ariel’s father Triton as a parade float. Mama Odie even appears to be in possession of the genie’s lamp. But Facilier’s skull pattern curtains are really subtle, and make him even more terrifying than he already is.
#8: Rapunzel’s Princess Staircase
“Tangled” (2010)
Many things are tucked away in the background of this 2010 film. You probably didn’t notice Pinocchio in the rafters of the Snuggly Duckling, or Rapunzel’s cradle foreshadowing many characters she will meet in the film. But these next few are probably the easiest to miss. Rapunzel seems to pay homage to her princess predecessors through her art. Snow White’s poison apple, Cinderella’s glass slipper, Ariel’s shell, and Belle’s rose all appear to be painted on the staircase. Even Aurora’s spinning wheel can be seen during “When Will My Life Begin.”
#7: The Genie’s Handwriting
“Aladdin” (1992)
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Longtime fans have pointed out this film’s many references to Disney’s history. Some of us still remember pointing at the screen when we saw the Sultan’s Beast figurine. And Sebastian’s cameo was pretty hard to miss. But a lesser known background detail has to do with the folk tale’s origins. When Genie takes Aladdin’s order during “Friend Like Me,” you can see that he doesn’t write in English or from left to right. That’s because “Aladdin” was adapted from an Arabic story of the same name from “One Thousand and One Nights.” The film may be American, but it does include references to the source material in small details.
#6: Deep Cut Disney Locations
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
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While on his way to a fair, Belle’s father Maurice comes across a signpost in the woods. Upon first glance, it seems completely illegible. But there are two words that are recognizable to hardcore Disney fans. One sign appears to say “Valencia,” the neighborhood where many of the studio’s animators attended the California Institute of the Arts. The other sign looks like “Anaheim.” If Maurice had followed this sign, he might have ended up at Disneyland. If you look closely, you can also see the famous painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” in the background of the Beast’s castle. But the signpost is more fun to break down, and you’d probably have to press pause to do it.
#5: Hercules & the Mast of the Argo
“Hercules” (1997)
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It would be hard to adapt a legend this famous without mentioning other Greek myths. Some references in “Hercules” are obvious, but this one in particular might fly over your head if you aren’t familiar with the mythology. Inside Phil’s home, there’s a log hanging from the ceiling. He warns Hercules that it’s actually part of the ship the hero Jason sailed on in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. In some tellings, Hercules joined Jason and the Argonauts on the quest. Later, Jason actually allegedly died when the stern of the rotting Argo fell off and hit him on the head. Hercules bumping into it seems like a playful nod to the story.
#4: Belle in Paris
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
In this loose adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel, Paris is packed with unique characters. But one in particular stands out among the rest, if you’re paying attention. As Quasimodo watches the townspeople from his bell tower, we see a woman out on a stroll, casually reading a book. This is none other than Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.” It makes sense that she’d make a cameo, seeing that her story is also set in France. As characters, she and Quasimodo are similarly viewed as outcasts from their communities. Her appearance is brief, but you might be able to recognize her by her outfit from the beginning of her film.
#3: Tiana & Naveen Visit Arendelle
“Frozen” (2013)
The “Frozen” franchise has many hidden cameos. Both Mike Wazowski from “Monsters, Inc.” and Baymax from “Big Hero 6” can be spotted as small figurines in the first and second films, respectively. And you’ve probably heard of Rapunzel and Flynn’s appearance in Arendelle. But there’s another cameo that we bet you haven’t seen. During “For the First Time in Forever,” Elsa observes a crowd arriving for her coronation. For a split second, a woman with a familiar green dress appears in the background. Fans have speculated that this is Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” — and to her right is supposedly Prince Naveen. While there’s no official confirmation that this is them, you have to admit that there is a resemblance.
#2: Kuzco’s Hidden Mickeys
“The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)
The iconic mouse is really his own genre of Easter egg, as his image has appeared across various Disney movies. You can spot him watching performances in both “The Little Mermaid” and “A Goofy Movie.” In “Aladdin,” Rajah briefly resembles Mickey when Jafar’s magic wears off. And you’d have to have a keen eye to spot him in the Beast’s library. But did you find him in the opening number of this 2000 film? Kuzco draws a lot of attention, so Mickey might be hard to spot. In an overhead shot, take a look at the dishes Kuzco is being served. In them you’ll see the iconic three-circle silhouette made out of the food.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Hans Wanted” Poster, “Big Hero 6” (2014)
A Criminal in Arendelle & San Fransokyo
“The Jungle Book” & “Toy Story 2” Posters, “Meet the Robinsons” (2007)
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The King & Grand Duke, “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
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Jock the Hyena, “The Lion King” (1994)
The Shadow of a Scottish Terrier Appears to Be Allied with Scar
The Troll’s Clothing, “Enchanted” (2007)
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#1: Oh My Disney
“Ralph Breaks the Internet” (2018)
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The first “Wreck-It-Ralph” paid homage to video game history and even Walt Disney’s birth date. But the sequel was an Easter egg extravaganza. An early one is a pop-up ad that appears to feature Cass from “Big Hero 6.” But the bulk of them are during Vanellope’s trip to a Disney website. Some of the references are pretty obvious, but there are too many to catch them all on a first viewing. In the background you can see Clarabelle, Honey Lemon, Humphrey the Bear, Woodlore, Judy Hopps, and Rocket Raccoon. You can also spot things like Spiral Hill from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and the Jolly Roger from “Peter Pan.” If you blink even once, you’re likely to miss a few of these.
Which of these background details did you spot? Let us know in the comments.
