Inside the Disney village in the UK you never knew existed – and it features in every movie
FEW people know it, but the UK is home to a small Disney village that Walt Disney actually visited during his life.
Paris may be the official location of Euro Disney, but the UK has a village of its own with a special connection to the globally-renowned entertainment company.
Norton Disney in Lincolnshire has a population of little more than 200, but in 1949, it was visited by one of the most famous men in the world, trying to track his family heritage.
There’s not a huge amount in the village, with The Green Man, its only pub, St. Peter’s Church and a village hall the only landmarks of note.
However, Walt Disney made a pilgrimage to the quiet hamlet, whose name dates back to the Norman army of William the Conqueror in 1066.
Evidence of his visit can be found in the village hall, where three prints from some of his most famous animated films, Pinocchio and Snow White, can be seen.
According to the Lincolnite: “The name Disney within Norton Disney comes from the family of that surname, which is an Anglicised version of the French d’Isigny.
“It is believed this family arrived on British shores alongside the Normans during the 11th century.”
The Disneys supposedly settled in Lincolnshire in the 14th century and had the village named after themselves after a rise to prominence.
One of them is said to have received property at Norton on the Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire border, where he established himself as both a farmer and Lord of the Manor.
Some of the family’s lineage can be traced in the village church, where a Disney Brass commemorates them.
Five of the family members are also known to have been buried in the cemetery on site as well.
The link between Walt and Norton Disney appears to be more than just nominal.
Disneys Robin claims that historian Jon Winter believes that the Lincolnshire Disneys had been largely forced out of England by the 1600s.
According to his research, the family initially moved to Ireland, before some returned to France and others went on to America.
Winter suggests that Walt’s great-grandfather was among those who crossed the Atlantic.
Walt’s visit to the village clearly made a big impact on him, with an element of his trip incorporated into one of his most iconic creations.
In 1965, he decided he wanted a coat of arms added to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at the Disneyland park in California.
For its design, he borrowed a three lion motif he had seen on a crest in Norton Disney.
It was added to the castle soon after and more recently, to the start of every Disney film.
The BBC explains:” A shooting star flies around Sleeping Beauty’s castle to the soaring strings of When You Wish Upon a Star, as multi-coloured fireworks explode and a perfect arc of light is formed in the sky before disappearing.
“That is the title sequence at the start of every Disney movie since 2006 – meaning that whether it is the live action Little Mermaid or the latest animated release Elemental, a tribute has just been paid to a Lincolnshire village with a population of 242.”
For Disney fans in the UK there is a new attraction that has opened, meaning the village isn’t the only place to enjoy a piece of Disney history.
Disney100: The Exhibition is now open in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.
The 20,000sqft exhibition at the ExCel in London has 10 themed galleries with many of the original props and costumes from both older films to the newer Disney movies.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Disney World celebrated its 50th anniversary.
And Disneyland Paris has just turned 30 – and Sun Online Travel visited the park.