NICE TO MEET YOU
I’m Jana — lifelong Disney dreamer turned full-time explorer. After nearly 20 magical years working for the Mouse, I’ve journeyed to just about every classic Disney destination you can imagine. But now? I’ve retired my name tag, packed my bags, and set off to discover a whole new kind of magic that lives beyond the castle gates.
Worth mentioning - I’m a little camera shy so you likely won’t see me often, but I’ll always be the one behind the lens, personally exploring every spot.
FINDING THE MAGIC
Side by side (virtually, of course), we’ll trace the real-world roots of beloved animated stories, as well as the dreamy escapes that helped inspire Disney’s parks and resorts.
Important Note: You might notice some familiar locations popping up more than once. That’s because I tend to post in series based on wherever I’m adventuring at the time. But don’t worry - I’ll always keep the magic fresh, even if the castle’s déjà vu.
And while I’m doing my best detective work to track down these magical locations, but I wasn’t in the animation room, and, shockingly, I’m not on speed dial with the Imagineers. Tragic, I know. So while I aim for accuracy, some connections might be a bit interpretive.
Want to help? If you know a real-life spot that inspired Disney magic, I’d love to hear about it! Fill out this form and help me uncover even more enchanted connections.
ONCE UPON A NAME
When it came time to name this little corner of the internet, I found myself on quite the quest. I searched high and low, through all the obvious ideas and beyond… only to discover that many of the predictable names had already been claimed by other adventurers before me.
I could have given up there — but that wouldn’t be very magical, would it? So instead, I dug a little deeper. I followed my curiosity, and let my imagination lead the way. And that’s when I found it.
HigFig is inspired by “Higitus Figitus,” the famous spell from Disney’s The Sword in the Stone, where Merlin packs up his bags and quite literally magics himself off on a new journey. The spell itself is playful, chaotic, and full of possibility — and that’s exactly the spirit I wanted this site to carry. It's a little nudge for all of us to pack up, embrace the unknown, and say yes to the next adventure — wherever it may lead.
