3. St. Mark's Campanile (and more)

Epcot's World Showcase is full of architectural references and nods to the cultures represented within, but its Italy's representation that is perhaps the most impressive.

Italy is home to some of the most important architectural finds on Earth, and so in creating a miniature version of the country in Florida, the Imagineers needed to make sure to capture the full essence of the country's aesthetic. The only problem is that it's gone through quite a few aesthetics in the last thousand or so years – and all of them are equally important.

And so, the result is a blend of different eras and locations that create a snapshot of Italian architecture without feeling too much like a silly replica.

There are buildings that evoke Florence and Rome, but it's the tallest and most recognizable structure that really gives Epcot's Italy its “wow” factor – the replica of St. Mark's Campanile in Venice.

The Campanile is the bell tower of the famed St. Mark's Basilica and was built in 1912 after the original structure collapsed in 1902.

What makes this building more interesting than, say, the Eiffel Tower is that Disney has managed to transplant it from its home in the Piazza San Marco and into a more generically “Italian” courtyard without losing its striking presence. The France pavilion is far more intentionally Parisian, whereas Italy tries to draw inspiration from all of its countries famous cities.

Even if you don't know it by name, the replica of St. Mark's Campanile anchors Epcot's Italy with a recognizable sight, which allowed Imagineers to play with the rest of the area's architecture and provide a fuller picture of Italy's iconic style.

4. A (probably not haunted) Mansion

Over at the essential Passport to Dreams Old and New, Disney blogger and Haunted Mansion expert FoxxFur tracked down what looks very much like the original inspiration for Walt Disney World's version of the Haunted Mansion. It's a long article, but an absolute must-read for fans of Disney's spooky attraction.

The upshot is this: on page 59 of 1950's “Decorative Art of Victoria's Era” by Frances Lichten, there's a building that looks an awful lot like the Orlando icon. FoxxFur's detective work acknowledges that Claude Coates, lead designer on the Haunted Mansion, used this particular book as a source for his design work, and she surmises (rightly, I think) that the text accompanying the picture worked in harmony to ignite something in Coates' mind. Here's her words:

"In short, here was a great find - an architectural style not too far outside Liberty Square's era which blended old world and new (to better mix Liberty Square and Fantasyland) and which would harmonize with the high Victorian interior already designed. In short, practically everything about the exterior was inspired by pages 59-61 of Lichten's book."

Now, OK, this isn't a real, extant building as far as we know. But come on: How cool is that? This image very likely inspired one of the most beloved theme park attractions on the planet – who cares if it's just a drawing?

5. Hotel Del Coronado

 But, if it's real, extant buildings you want, it's real, extant buildings you'll get.

That photo is not a picture of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. That's the Hotel Del Coronado, across the bay from San Diego, California. There's no Narcoosee's there. There's no Victoria and Albert's. There's no monorail.

I know. It's weird.

The Hotel Del Coronado was built in 1888 (exactly 100 years before the Grand Floridian, which really just adds to the eeriness) and was, at the time, the largest hotel in the world. It's still open to the public, and a stay there is just as luxurious as you'd expect. It is an absolutely gorgeous resort located in an absolutely gorgeous part of the country.

And yet, for Disney fans, it's impossible to see this hotel without a bit of cognitive dissonance. In fact, don't look at that photo too long or it'll break your brain.

But if that's freaking you out, definitely don't google the Grand Floridian's other inspiration: the Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire.

Oops.