THE RIO THAT INSPIRED DISNEY:
INSIDE WALT'S 1941 GOOD NEIGHBOR TOUR
Last updated: March 19, 2026
Welcome back, my fellow adventurers. If you’ve ever wondered where Walt and his team got the idea for the short films in Saludos Amigos, I've got you covered. In 1941, Walt Disney and his team actually went to South America. Not just for fun (though… let’s be honest, there was plenty of that). They were on a diplomatic and creative mission known as the Good Neighbor Tour — sketchbooks in hand, soaking up Brazil’s color, rhythm, and life. And lucky for us, they filmed some of their adventures in a short film called South of the Border with Disney. Fast forward to today, and I set out to retrace their steps through Rio de Janeiro — chasing the same views, experiences, and inspiration that eventually made their way into animation history. Spoiler alert: it’s even more magical in real life.
Out first stop is to the Copacabana Palace Hotel, which wasn’t just a glamorous stop on Walt Disney’s Good Neighbor Tour—it was home (well...for some it was home). Walt and Lillian stayed here during their 1941 visit and the animators should have been housed here as well, but due to some overbookings, that wasn't the case...but more on that later. Regardless, the Palace became much more than a place to sleep; it was the command center for this leg of the trip. This is where the artists stored their supplies, gathered for meetings, and worked on sketches that would eventually shape Saludos Amigos.
Opened in 1923, the Copacabana Palace was already Rio’s most prestigious hotel by the time Walt arrived. Its gleaming façade and art deco interiors made it the perfect setting for Disney’s creative hub. Imagine Walt and Lillian enjoying the elegance of the lobby while upstairs, the animators’ sketchpads and paints filled the working rooms with bursts of color and imagination.
In the 1940s, the Copacabana Palace stood out like a beacon of luxury, surrounded by far fewer high-rises. Today, modern buildings crowd around it, but the Palace has retained its grandeur. It has aged gracefully, continuing to host celebrities, dignitaries, and dreamers alike. Walking inside today, you still feel the glamour they experienced, and stepping outside, you’re greeted by the buzz of Copacabana Beach.
Circling back to that Copacabana Palace mix-up, since Walt's team couldn't stay there, they found themselves checking into the Gloria Hotel—a grand property in the equally grand neighborhood of Glória, and it’s where they earned their now-famous nickname: El Grupo.
The name wasn’t some official Disney branding—it was a playful moniker given by locals and journalists, all because of this stay in the Gloria Hotel. Because they weren't staying in the same location as Walt, they needed to be available for updates on their itinerary. Walt (or someone on his team) would call the Gloria to update the Disney staff and the person at the hotel would call out for "el groupo - Disney el groupo" (meaning Disney group) so that someone from the group could take the call. And the name just stuck.
Here’s the bittersweet part: the Gloria Hotel is no more. After decades of hosting dignitaries, celebrities, and yes, Disney’s El Grupo, the property was sold in the 2010s. Today, it’s being transformed into condominiums. When I visited, external construction was well underway. The building itself wasn’t much to look at—scaffolding, cranes, and the usual signs of redevelopment—but the neighborhood still radiates charm. Glória is dotted with statues, historic architecture, and leafy streets that feel like they could have been sketched right into a Disney background.
If you’re exploring the area, don’t let the construction deter you. Around the corner from the old hotel site, I stumbled upon Labuta Mar, a cozy restaurant that feels like a hidden gem. The food is fresh and flavorful, and the location makes it a perfect stop after wandering through Glória’s streets. Think of it as your own little reward for following in Walt’s (or in this case his team's) footsteps.
Now that we've gotten the accommodations out of the way, let's dive into the places that were shown in the South of the Border with Disney film. The first standout to me was the stadium in Rio where a massive choir performed for him. In the film, the narrator simply says “at the stadium,” and we only get a few quick shots of it so I'll admit that this one was a little harder to track down. But here’s the detective work: the film mentions 30,000 people in attendance, which rules out smaller venues. And since Maracanã didn’t open until 1950, the only stadium that fits the bill is Estádio de São Januário.
Opened in 1927, São Januário was the pride of Rio’s Vasco da Gama football club. At the time of Walt’s visit, it was the largest stadium in Brazil and a symbol of modernity and national pride. Hosting Disney and his entourage was a big deal—imagine thousands of voices rising in song, filling the air with the same kind of grandeur you’d expect from a Disney finale.
Fast forward to now, and São Januário is still standing tall. You can visit for football matches, of course, but what really surprised me was the behind-the-scenes tour. I can confirm I was the only person there for the Disney connection and not the football one. And here’s the kicker: when I asked my tour guide if this was indeed the stadium Disney visited, he wasn’t sure—he’d never been asked that question before. So while all the clues point to São Januário, the mystery isn’t 100% solved. If anyone out there knows definitively, please share below in the comments. If it's proven to be another stadium, I guess I’ll just have to make another trip to Rio (oh no, what a tragedy 😊)
Next in the film, they pointed out of of Rio's most distinctive features and they're right under your feet. The tiled sidewalks, known as calçadões, are a defining feature of the city. Introduced in the late 19th century, these mosaic-style pavements were inspired by Portuguese traditions, particularly the famous “calçada portuguesa” designs of Lisbon. Over time, Rio made them its own, weaving waves, geometric shapes, and floral motifs into the city’s identity.
Walking through Rio, you’ll notice that no two sidewalks are quite the same. Some are simple checkerboards, others intricate swirls. They’re not always the most consistent walkways—uneven stones and slick surfaces during rainy season can make them tricky—but they’re undeniably beautiful. It’s like strolling through a living piece of art, one tile at a time.
The most famous design of all? Without a doubt, the undulating black-and-white wave pattern along the Copacabana Beach Promenade. Originally laid in the 1930s, this design became a symbol of Rio’s identity. When Walt and his team visited in 1941, they would have seen the early version of this tiling—simpler, less expansive than the sweeping promenade we know today. In the 1970s, the city revamped and extended the design, making it bolder and more dramatic, the perfect backdrop for beachside strolls and Disney daydreams.
No trip to Rio is complete without visiting the city’s most iconic landmark: the Christ the Redeemer statue (or as the local's call it - Cristo Redentor). Standing tall atop Corcovado Mountain, this Art Deco masterpiece was inaugurated in 1931 and quickly became a symbol not just of Rio, but of Brazil itself. It's so famous in fact, that in 2007 it was officially named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, cementing its place in global imagination—right up there with the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu.
The journey to Christ the Redeemer is almost as memorable as the statue itself. The classic way is by train: the Corcovado Rack Railway, which climbs about 2,329 feet (710 meters) from the city up to the summit. The ride takes around 20 minutes, winding through lush Tijuca Forest, and feels like a scene straight out of a Disney montage. Other options to the top include vans that shuttle visitors up the mountain, and yes—if you’re feeling adventurous—there is a hiking trail that lead to the top (note that the hiking trail is free (at least as of the date of this post, but you will need to pay a small fee to go to the statue).
Tips for Your Visit
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Book ahead: This is one of the most popular attractions in the world, so securing tickets in advance is a must.
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Check the weather: On cloudy days, visibility can be poor. In fact, when I went, they made me sign a waiver acknowledging that I might not see anything. Luckily, by the time my train reached the summit, the skies cleared and the view was breathtaking.
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Go early: Try to catch the first train or van of the day. The viewing area at the top is relatively small, and it fills up quickly. I went up on the first train and was grateful—within 30 minutes, it was packed.
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A Spiritual Touch: If you’re on the first group up, you may even receive a blessing from one of the priests before ascending the final steps or escalator. If that's your thing, it gives another point to going early in the day.
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Photo Ops: Be prepared for some serious photo choreography. Group leaders stake out “perfect” spots, set up lines, and shoo away anyone who wanders into their frame. If you’re looking for your own great photo, I recommend snapping one just as you exit the escalator, on the platform below the final steps. From there, you get a wide shot of the statue with space to include yourself in the frame.
Our next stop is to Sugarloaf Mountain. I've already covered this on in detail in a previous post, so I won’t repeat myself here—if you want the full scoop on visiting, check that out here. But since Walt and his team made their way up this iconic peak during the Good Neighbor Tour, there are a few Disney-specific notes worth adding.
When Walt’s animators ascended Sugarloaf in 1941, they did so in the original cable car system—and let’s just say it wasn’t quite the sleek, modern ride we enjoy today. Thankfully, the cable cars have been updated twice since then, and the current version feels much more secure (and a lot less like a Goofy gag waiting to happen).
But what's really cool is that you can actually see the type of carriage Walt’s team would have used. On the first stop of your trip up Sugarloaf, there’s a small gallery/museum that showcases the history of the mountain and its cable cars. And up on the platform near the helicopter area, you can actually see an example of the older cars. I can safely say that I was very happy that was not the version of the cable car that I road on.
If there’s one place in Rio that feels like it was plucked straight from an animator’s sketchpad, it’s the Jardim Botânico—Rio’s sprawling botanical gardens. Founded in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal, the gardens were originally created to acclimate imported plants like spices and tea. Today, they cover over 340 acres (137 hectares) and house more than 6,500 species of flora. It’s huge—so big that wandering through feels like stepping into multiple worlds at once.
As I explored, I couldn’t help but be on the hunt for the same types of flora and fauna that were showcased in the South of the Border with Disney film and I did find a few. Way in the back, I stumbled upon the Japanese water lilies, their broad leaves floating serenely in the pond. They felt like a secret garden within the garden, a quiet moment of beauty that could easily have been a background cel in the film.
I also went searching for the famous walking palms—trees with exposed roots that seem to “walk” across the forest floor. Several people told me they don’t currently have any in the gardens, so I’m not sure what happened to them. But in the Biblical Garden, I did find something similar: the American walking tree. Its roots are exposed in a way that echoes the walking palm, though they don’t curve quite as dramatically. Still, it was fascinating to see how nature creates these whimsical designs.
But my absolute favorite spot? The Muses Fountain. Imagine a grand walkway lined with towering imperial palms, leading to a gorgeous fountain adorned with statues of the nine muses from Greek mythology. It’s breathtaking—like a scene straight out of a Disney finale. The symmetry, the scale, the artistry… probably also the perfect Instagram photo?
Another highlight of Walt’s 1941 visit was the Rio de Janeiro Zoo (called the BioParque do Rio). The film points out the animators exploring the zoo and sketching animals like flamingos, anteaters, tapirs, armadillos, and parrots—creatures that brought a burst of Brazilian personality into Disney’s animation.
When I visited, I was on the hunt for those same types of animals that Walt and his team visited. Sure enough, I saw flamingos strutting gracefully, parrots adding splashes of color everywhere, and I'm pretty sure that was my first time seeing an anteater. He was very elusive throughout his habitat, and getting photos of him proved to be very challenging.
My personal favorite part of the zoo was the aviary. Walking through, you’re surrounded by tropical birds of every size and color—macaws, parrots, and countless others. The sounds alone are incredible, like a symphony of squawks and songs. It’s easy to see how Disney’s artists found inspiration here; the aviary feels like a storyboard bursting with life.
But the real showstopper for me? The capybara. I wasn’t expecting them to be so cute, but they quickly won me over. With their gentle eyes and laid-back personalities, they’re like the chillest animals in the kingdom. Honestly, they’ve now claimed the spot as my second favorite animal (the quokka still reigns supreme at number one). Seeing them up close was a delight—like discovering a hidden Disney character waiting to be animated.
Finally, let’s talk about the heartbeat of Rio—samba. When Walt and his team visited in 1941, they were introduced to this vibrant dance and music style, and it eventually led to some of the defining moments in the Brazil portion of Saludos Amigos. Samba is more than just a performance; it’s a cultural expression, a celebration, and a way of life in Brazil.
Of course, the best place to experience samba is during Carnaval. I’ve already shared a full post about that dazzling festival, so if you want the details, check out that post here. But Carnaval only happens once a year, and Rio’s samba spirit doesn’t disappear when the costumes are packed away.
Many of Rio’s famous samba schools open their doors to visitors throughout the year. These schools aren’t just classrooms—they’re cultural hubs where music, dance, and community come together. Walt and his team specifically visited Portela, one of the city’s most legendary samba schools. Today, you can still catch rehearsals at Samba schools around the city. Watching a rehearsal gives you an insider’s look at the artistry and energy that fuels Carnaval.
Since I was in Rio during Carnaval itself, I didn’t get the chance to attend a rehearsal, so I can’t speak firsthand to the experience. But knowing that Walt’s team sat in on Portela’s rehearsals makes it a bucket-list item for any Disney fan. It’s a way to connect directly with the rhythm that inspired José Carioca’s world and the lively sequences in Saludos Amigos.
And that brings us to the end of this installment of my Disney-inspired journey through Rio de Janeiro! From opulent hotels and tiled sidewalks to samba schools and capybaras, retracing Walt’s footsteps from the South of the Border with Disney film can only be described as wonderful.
Thank you so much for joining me on this adventure. I love sharing these stories with fellow Disney enthusiasts, and I hope you felt a little of the same wonder Walt and his team experienced all those decades ago. If you’re hungry for more Rio-inspired Disney content, don’t stop here! Be sure to check out my other posts that dive deeper into Copacabana Beach, Carnaval, and Sugarloaf Mountain—all places that played starring roles in Disney’s vision of Brazil. Each one offers its own slice of magic, and together they paint a fuller picture of how Rio became part of Disney history.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep imagining, and remember: the world is full of Disney stories waiting to be discovered. ✨
