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Behind the Scenes Europe: Visit the Neighborhoods Where Disney+ Shows Are Made

eenjoyable

2026-01-24

11 min read

Explore the European neighborhoods and studios where Disney+ EMEA shows are made—tours, transport, eats and 2026 trends for short trips and fan experiences.

Beat the overwhelm: visit the European neighborhoods where Disney+ EMEA shows are actually made

Too many options, too little time, and zero confidence that a studio day will be worth your trip? You’re not alone. In 2026, streaming production across EMEA has exploded — and so have opportunities to peek behind the curtain. This guide turns scattershot research into a focused itinerary: London’s commissioning hubs, northern TV neighborhoods, historic European studios and the practical tips to visit them (tours, transit, eats, and on-set etiquette).

The 2026 context: why studio neighborhoods matter now

Streaming platforms like Disney+ doubled down on local EMEA commissions through 2024–2026. Executives promoted in London and new commissioning strategies show Disney+ is investing in regional stories and production hubs. That means more shooting days, more local crews, and more neighborhoods hosting activity — from Soho creative houses to the studios outside the city.

Three trends to keep in mind for 2026:

Decentralized production — Large studios remain important, but so do urban neighborhoods (creative offices, post-production and location shoots).
Immersive fan experiences — Public studio tours, XR demo days and AR location markers or timed VR experiences for visitors.
Sustainability and community — Many sets now highlight green practices and partner with local businesses for catering and extras, giving travelers a chance to support local economies.

How to use this guide

Start with the city chapter that fits your trip length, then jump to the “Practical Tips” section before you go. Expect a mix of official public tours, studio-adjacent experiences (location walks, museum exhibits) and ways to see production neighborhoods without disrupting work.

London — the commissioning heart and creative neighborhoods

Why go: Disney+ EMEA commissioning remains centered in London in 2026. That means many scripted and unscripted shows are being developed, greenlit and post-produced here — even if exterior shoots happen elsewhere.

Neighborhoods to visit

Soho & Fitzrovia — home to production offices, post houses, casting agencies and editing suites; great for spotting industry meetups and independent screenings.
Borehamwood / Elstree (Hertfordshire) — a short train ride from central London; large studios and historic stages used by TV productions.
Shepherd’s Bush & White City — TV studios and corporate offices; nearby parks and Westfield for food and shopping.
Pinewood area (Iver Heath) — major film and high-end TV stages outside London; not always open to the public, but nearby visitor options exist.

Tours & experiences

Book the Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Leavesden) for a pro-level studio visit — it’s the best example of a high-quality, visitor-ready studio experience near London.
Check Elstree and Pinewood websites for seasonal open days; some productions and PR teams open stages for fan days or industry open houses.
Soho walking tours are ideal for seeing post-production houses and small studios. Look for film-industry walking tours that include guest speakers.

Nearby eats & transit

Soho: go-to spots include classic cafes, Chinatown lanes and craft sandwich shops — perfect for quick crew-style lunches.
Borehamwood / Elstree: local gastropubs and cafés cluster near the studios; bring cash for small independent cafés.
Transit: use the Elizabeth, Central and Jubilee lines to reach West London neighborhoods; overground trains and shuttle buses serve Borehamwood/Elstree.

Manchester (MediaCityUK) — TV’s northern powerhouse

Why go: MediaCityUK in Salford is a real hub for TV production — studios, broadcast centers and a public-facing media complex mean you can see production spaces and often catch live recordings or audience seats for shows.

Tours & experiences

MediaCityUK offers guided tours and has public events calendars with studio audience opportunities. Book in advance for live-show tapings.
Look for museum exhibitions and industry open days; the complex often runs family-friendly behind-the-scenes days.

Nearby eats & transit

Salford Quays has waterside cafés and contemporary restaurants — perfect for a post-tour meal.
Transit: Manchester’s tram network (Metrolink) connects MediaCityUK directly to the city center.

Belfast & Northern Ireland — rising star for location shooting

Why go: Belfast and the Titanic Quarter have been major locations for international productions and remain active in 2026, hosting both studio work and striking on-location shoots across Northern Ireland’s coast and countryside.

What you can visit

Studio and location tours — while working studios are often closed to casual visitors, there are dedicated fan and location tours (including themed experiences linked to high-profile productions).
Titanic Belfast — not a studio, but a must-see for media-history context and large visiting exhibitions on ship-building and film-related exhibits.

Nearby eats & transit

Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is full of pubs and contemporary restaurants — ideal for a show-debrief pint.
Transit: the city center is compact and walkable; hire a local driver for coastal location trips.

Prague — Barrandov and richly photogenic cityscapes

Why go: Barrandov Studios in Prague is one of Europe’s historic film centers. Many international TV and film projects use Prague for interiors and cityscapes thanks to affordable local crews and skilled craftspeople.

Tours & experiences

Check Barrandov’s visitor program for guided tours or special open days — schedules vary by production.
Combine a studio visit with a walking tour of Prague’s civil architecture; many shows use the city’s streets as stand-ins for other European locations.

Nearby eats & transit

Prague’s cafes and bistros near Vyšehrad and the river are ideal for relaxed lunches after a studio visit.
Transit: Prague’s tram and metro make studio-adjacent neighborhoods easy to reach.

Rome — Cinecittà and cinematic legacy

Why go: Cinecittà is a living museum of filmmaking and a functioning studio. In 2026 the site continues to host international TV shoots and offers stronger public programming than many other European studios.

What to expect

Cinecittà runs guided tours, exhibits on production history and occasional set visits when schedules permit.
Combine a studio visit with a wander through nearby neighborhoods like Cinecittà’s local markets or a short trip to Trastevere for dinner.

Potsdam/Babelsberg and Berlin — continental studio scale

Why go: Babelsberg Studios near Potsdam (Berlin) is one of Europe’s oldest and largest studios, with modern facilities and public tours. Berlin also hosts smaller post-production houses and immersive XR studios that show how modern TV is made.

Tours & experiences

Babelsberg offers guided tours and has invested in visitor programming in recent years — check the official schedule for English-language tours.
In Berlin, look for XR demo spaces and studio open houses; the city’s tech/creative ecosystem is increasingly visible in public events.

Barcelona (22@ Poblenou) — Europe’s tech-and-media neighborhood

Why go: Barcelona’s 22@ district blends tech, media startups and smaller studios. It’s a good stop for travelers who want a behind-the-scenes feel without a large-stage visit.

What to do

Attend demo days, small-studio open houses or local film festivals that run year-round.
Pair studio-hunting with Poblenou’s tapas bars and beachfront cafés for a full-day itinerary.

Practical tips for studio visits and neighborhood hunts (actionable checklist)

Here’s a field-tested list to get the most from a studio or production neighborhood visit in 2026.

Check official channels first: studio websites, local tourism offices and show social accounts post tour dates and open days.
Book in advance: public tours and audience tickets often sell out weeks ahead, especially during festival or peak shooting months (spring and autumn).
Respect working sets: never enter fenced areas, follow staff instructions and avoid disruptive photography.
Bring ID: Some tours require ID for security checks; extras castings require DBS/working pass checks in the UK.
Use public transit where possible: Studios often run limited parking; many are linked to regional rail or shuttle services.
Plan meals near the set: Ask PR teams for recommended catering options or sample local pubs and cafés in nearby neighborhoods — supporting them helps local crew relations.

Tip: Many studios are fully booked for production. If you can’t get a studio tour, prioritize location walks, industry cafes and official fan experiences — they give almost the same behind-the-scenes feel without interrupting work.

How to find TV production tours and audience tickets

Official studio websites — first source for tour dates and visitor rules.
Show social media and fan pages — production teams sometimes announce pop-up events or competition tickets there.
Local tourist boards — often list studio open days and broadcast-center visitor schedules.
Industry mailing lists — sign up for studio newsletters and local film offices for early-bird announcements.

On-set etiquette and legal notes

Working studios and locations are private property. Photography and recording rules vary — follow staff direction. If you spot a shoot in a public place, keep a respectful distance and don’t block crew movement.

For travelers hoping to be extras or audience members: legal and safety checks are standard. UK shows may require right-to-work checks; EU productions may request passport or local ID — bring documents and allow time.

Budgeting & time-poor strategies

Short on time? Use this playbook:

Half-day option: pick one city neighborhood, do a studio or broadcast center tour, then a curated location walk and a recommended local meal.
Weekend itinerary: Day 1 — central creative neighborhoods (Soho/Soledad/22@). Day 2 — studio outskirts (Elstree, Pinewood, Cinecittà) with pre-booked transport.
Save money: combine public transit day passes with pre-booked free industry open days and afternoon walking tours rather than private guides — and consider flight or travel reward options before you buy.

What’s new in 2026 — trends and predictions

More public-facing production: studios are experimenting with dedicated visitor wings and XR demo spaces to monetize fan interest and provide education.
Shorter booking windows: high demand means many studio open days are announced only a few weeks in advance; follow official channels closely.
Hybrid experiences: expect more AR-enabled location trails and on-demand mini-tours for visitors who can’t attend in person.
Regional growth: Madrid, Lisbon and smaller hubs are getting more Disney+ and pan-EMEA commissions — watch for new tour offerings there through 2026.

Insider checklist before you go

Confirm tour availability and language options.
Pack comfortable shoes and a small daypack; many studio facilities involve walking between stages.
Download local transit apps and save directions offline where connectivity is patchy.
Bring a portable battery charger — you’ll likely take photos and use maps.
Respect non-disclosure requests; some sets may require you to refrain from posting certain images in real time.

Sample one-day route — London (time-poor)

Morning: Soho creative walk — stop by post houses and a production café.
Midday: Train to Elstree/Borehamwood for a studio open day or location check (pre-booked).
Afternoon: Return to central London for a West End screening or a talk hosted by a commissioning exec (watch Disney+ EMEA announcements — they often host public panels).
Evening: Eat in Chinatown or a gastropub in Soho and scan social feeds for any last-minute ticket drops or fan events.

Final practical resources

Official studio websites (Cinecittà, Barrandov, Babelsberg, Warner Bros. Studio Tour).
Local film commissions — they list permitted shooting locations, visitor days and contact points for press and fan visits.
Disney+ show social channels — promotions and community events are often shared there, especially around new season launches in EMEA.

Parting advice

Seeing where a show is made is as much about the neighborhood as the stage. Follow the trail of production offices, cafés where crews meet, public walking routes and studio visitor days to get a real feel for how a show comes to life — without disrupting the work that pays the bills.

Ready to plan your behind-the-scenes Europe trip? Use the checklist above, sign up for studio newsletters, and follow Disney+ EMEA show channels for pop-up events and ticket drops. Whether you want a quick Soho tour or a full-day studio visit outside the city, the neighborhoods where shows are born are more accessible — and more rewarding — than ever in 2026.

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