List of Disney References

This page lists Once Upon a Time and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland's references to various Disney works.

Season Four in General
CHARACTERS FEATURED

LOCATIONS FEATURED Items featured

"Rocky Road"

 * The Arendelle soldier refers to Kristoff as the official ice master and deliverer; a reference to his character in the film.
 * Mary Margaret adds her own personal touch to the mayor's office in the form of a painting of two bluebirds sitting on a branch, a reference to the bluebirds that Snow White interacts with in the Disney film.
 * "Marian" gains a streak of white hair in the same fashion Anna did in the film.
 * Hans states he did not kill Anna, but left her to die.
 * Elsa asks her aunt if she has ever built a snowman; a reference to Olaf and the Frozen song "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?". She also talks about the ice palace she built.
 * Dr. Hopper advises Mary Margaret that it's okay to let go of her child. This is a reference to the song "Let It Go".
 * Kristoff says that he's seen Anna fight wolves and snow monsters and "that idiot from the South Isles"; a reference to events from Frozen.
 * When Emma leaves the diner, an advertisement for computers with the ENCOM logo from the movie Tron can be seen on the street.

"Breaking Glass"

 * Elsa builds an ice staircase of the one she made in the movie Frozen during the song "Let It Go".
 * Snow Queen tells Elsa that she going to "build a snowman", just like in the song "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?".
 * Elsa says "I'm not afraid", which is a reference to the line Anna says right before the reprise of the song "For the First Time in Forever" from the movie Frozen.
 * David tells Mary Margaret that Belle will be able to reach them even if they fall through a portal to Asgard; a reference to the fictional realm Asgard from the movie Thor, in which Josh Dallas originally portrayed the Asgardian Fandral. ''
 * Elsa said that she sent a giant ice monster to chase her sister away, a reference to Marshmallow from Frozen.

"Family Business

 * Belle favorite book has a blue cover, just like her favorite book from the opening scene of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
 * Oaken say's "Hoo-hoo" and maces his hand like in the movie.
 * Kristoff says that Anna fell in love with Hans only ten minutes after meeting him.

"The Snow Queen

 * When Ingrid enters the clock tower, the clock (seen from inside) is set at 10:15, a reference to the scene from Frozen where Anna and Hans are singing "Love Is an Open Door" in front of a clock tower.
 * One of the babies, during the 'Mommy and Me' class, is wearing a Mickey Mouse outfit.
 * When Emma uses magic to handcuff the Snow Queen, the clock (seen from inside) is set at at 12:25, a reference to the time on the White Rabbit's pocket watch in Alice in Wonderland.
 * The instruments and the position of the musicians playing at the royal ball, are the same as in the movie.
 * The Duke of Weselton dances similar to the way he does in the movie.


 * The Duke asks, "Did I say that out loud?", just like he did in Frozen.
 * Helga pronounces his name "Weaseltown" instead of Weselton, and intends to stop the trading business between their kingdoms, just like Elsa does in the movie.
 * Ingrid freezes Helga similar to the way Elsa freezes Anna in Frozen.
 * Emma runs away after her powers become out of control the same way Elsa does in Frozen.
 * A set of Mickey Mouse ears cast in steel are lying in a box on the counter of Mr. Gold's pawnshop.

"Smash the Mirror"

 * Elsa expresses Anna's love of chocolate in Frozen with a table full of chocolate desserts for her return.
 * When Anna says, "Go away Anna, go away Anna", she recites dialogue from the "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" sequence in Frozen.
 * Kristoff uses his pickaxe from Frozen.
 * When Ingrid first arrives in the Land Without Magic in 1982, there is a Tron advertisement in the city streets.

"Fall"

 * Anna says to Hans that she sang with him, referring to their duet "Love Is an Open Door" from Frozen.
 * Elsa and Anna embrace, just like they do in the movie.
 * As the shards from Ingrid's spell fall from the sky, an advertisement for computers with the Encom logo from the movie Tron can be seen on the street.

"Heroes and Villains"

 * In the dark castle, there is a close-up of Rumplestiltskin's teacup, a reference to Chip, the living teacup from the Disney film. The tea set on the table is a reference to the scene where Chip, Mrs. Potts and the rest of the living tea set bring Belle some tea in the movie.
 * Similarly, when Hook is being controlled by Mr. Gold, he pours some rum into two teacups in Granny's Diner.
 * The way Maleficent sends her message through a raven and later shapeshifts from a flock of ravens is a reference to the Disney film, where Maleficent owns a pet raven named Diablo.
 * Maleficent's costume and headgear is similar to what she wears in the classic Disney film.
 * Cruella De Vil's hairstyle and clothes are similar to her Disney animated counterpart.
 * Cruella refers to Ursula as 'darling'. 'Darling' is a word that her Disney counterpart always uses in the movie.
 * Ursula wears a shell necklace similar to the one in the movie.
 * Anna says, "Wait, what?", one of her favorite phrases from the movie.
 * Right before the wedding, Elsa says "What is that amazing smell?" and then she and Anna say "Chocolate" in unison, just like they do in the film Frozen.
 * When Anna says "Did you see these bruises?" and Elsa says "Have you seen Hans's eye?" is a reference to the part of the Frozen film where Anna punches Hans in the face.
 * Before Anna gets married, Elsa asks, "You ready?", just like in the film; once with young Elsa and again at the end of the film.

"Darkness on the Edge of Town"

 * When Cruella uses persuasion magic on her dogs, the magic comes out of her mouth in the form of green smoke, which is designed to reflect the green cigarette smoke that Cruella puffs in the movie.
 * A little bird sits on Mary Margaret hand, just like in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
 * According to a note on the board in the Storybrooke library, the owner of the Apprentice's house is Yen Sid, a reference to the powerful sorcerer from Disney's Fantasia.
 * In our world, Ursula wears a black jacket with purple, scale-like textures, and a purple scarf; a reference to Ursula's design in The Little Mermaid, where the character is lavender-skinned with six black tentacles with violet suckers.
 * Cruella De Vil's jerky way of driving is a reference to the eponymous' character's driving in the film One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
 * Cruella calls people 'darling', the famous label she uses to address people in the movie.
 * This episode features Chernabog and the Bald Mountain from Fantasia.

"Poor Unfortunate Soul"

 * The episode is named after a song from the Disney film The Little Mermaid. The song is sung by Ursula to Ariel.
 * Ursula sings "Part of Your World" and "Fathoms Below" during the episode. Both songs are from the Disney film The Little Mermaid.
 * Poseidon possesses a trident similar to the one that Ariel's father, King Triton, does. Ursula takes the trident from her father and and uses it to perform magic, just like Disney's Ursula takes Triton's trident and uses for the same purpose in The Little Mermaid.
 * Poseidon sees humans as dangerous, just like Triton does in the movie.
 * Ursula's mother was killed by pirates, just like Ariel's mother was in the 2008 prequel.
 * Ursula loves singing/music due to her mother's influence, and because she loves singing, she goes against her father's orders, just like Ariel does in the prequel.
 * Ursula is seeking passage to Glowerhaven, a reference to Prince Eric's line from The Little Mermaid, "You're not still sore because I didn't fall for the princess of Glowerhaven?"
 * Hook points out that if they spill any squid ink, "Storybrooke will have a giant squid in its harbor", a reference to the scene in the animated film, where Ursula grows into a giant.
 * Hook steals Ursula's singing voice by trapping it inside a sea shell, just like Ursula did when she took Ariel's voice in the Disney film.
 * Hook opens his eyes and sees the face of Ariel, which is reminiscent of the scene in The Little Mermaid, where Eric opens his eyes and sees Ariel's face after she rescues him from drowning.


 * Ursula's father has a problem with singing/music because it reminds him of his wife's death, just like Ariel's father does in the prequel. Like Ariel's father, he realizes he was wrong and decides to accept singing/music in their lives.
 * The aria sung by Ursula when she gets her singing voice back, is the same tune that Ariel sings in the Disney film, when Ursula takes her voice.
 * Gold says regarding August "Let's see if we can pull this puppet's strings." This references the song, "I've Got No Strings".

"Heart of Gold"

 * As the purse snatcher races across the road on his bicycle, there is a view from the inside of a car, where you can see a Mickey Mouse keychain on the rear view mirror.
 * In The Wizard of Oak furniture shop, there is a set of Mickey Mouse ears cast in steel, inside a drawer.
 * While Robin Hood is waiting for Mr. Gold outside the hospital, an advertisement for the Broadway production of Aladdin can be seen in the background.

"Sympathy for the De Vil"

 * The song that Cruella hears on the radio is a jazz instrumental version of the song "Cruella De Vil", from One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
 * Madeline's car is similar in design and color to Cruella's car from One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
 * The dalmatians growl at young Cruella, which is a similar attitude shown in the Disney movie.
 * Cruella calls Isaac a fool, which is an insult her Disney animated counterpart also uses.

"Operation Mongoose Part 1"

 * One of the TVs in the electronics shops briefly airs the ABC logo.
 * The Apprentice tells Isaac that he is to become the next author, as the previous one had "recently" passed away, which refers to Walt Disney who had passed away on the same date as the Apprentice sent a letter to summon Isaac. Walt Disney being one of the authors was alluded by August in "Best Laid Plans".
 * As Henry walks down the empty streets of Storybrooke, a lawn pinwheel of Tinker Bell spins in the wind.
 * At Isaac's signing, there is a girl dressed up in a Jack Sparrow outfit.
 * One of Isaac's fans is dressed up as Disney's Ursula from The Little Mermaid.
 * When Isaac is taken prisoner, the dwarves whistle an altered version of "Heigh-Ho", and Grumpy says, "Heigh-ho" and "off to work we go"; a reference to the song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

"Operation Mongoose Part 2"

 * When Henry and Hook knock out the guard at Emma's prison, Henry refers to this as the "Wookiee Prisoner Transfer" ploy. This is a reference to the scene from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, where Han Solo and Luke Skywalker pretend Chewbacca is their prisoner in order to enter the Death Star's detention area and rescue Princess Leia. Hook tells the guard his prisoner is "from the kingdom of Kashyyyk", referencing the Wookiee home planet from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Henry says to Emma, "My name is Henry, I'm here to rescue you". This is similar to Luke Skywalker saying his name to Princess Leia in A New Hope.
 * In Isaac's story, Emma is locked in a tower by her "mother", just like Rapunzel was in the movie Tangled. Following the rescue, Emma is dressed in an outfit which resembles Flynn Rider.
 * Emma calls Hook a "regular Jack Sparrow"; a reference to the famous pirate from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
 * This movie features Once Upon a Time actor Lee Arenberg as Pintel.
 * Belle drinks a cup of tea and offers Rumplestiltskin one; a reference to the scene where Chip and Mrs. Potts bring Belle some tea in the movie.
 * Rumplestiltskin drops a teacup and Belle picks it up to see that the rim is chipped; a reference to Chip from Beauty and the Beast. Similarly, the teapot on the table is a reference to Chip's mother Mrs. Potts.

Season Five in General

 * Merida from Brave is introduced in "The Dark Swan".

"The Dark Swan"

 * Young Emma visits a movie theater and watches The Sword in the Stone.
 * When Emma emerges from Vault of the Dark One, the Darkness (in the form of Rumplestiltskin) can be heard whistling "Whistle While You Work" from Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
 * This episode features the Will-o'-the-wisps and the Hill of Stones from the movie Brave.
 * Merida tells Emma that she's met her share of witches, a reference to the Witch from Brave.
 * Merida tells Emma, "Just be glad you're not a bear", a reference to Queen Elinor's story from Brave.
 * Hook makes a reference to Henry's "Wookiee prisoner gag".

"Dreamcatcher"

 * Just before Merida is about to look through Henry's storybook, an advertisement for computers with the Encom logo from Tron can be seen on the street.

"The Bear and the Bow"

 * The title of this episode was the original title of Brave.
 * The kingdom of DunBroch from Brave appears for the first time.
 * This episode introduces young Macintosh, young Macguffin, Wee Dingwall and Merida's brothers, as well as their homeland DunBroch, from Brave.
 * Merida and Belle visit the witch's cottage from Brave.
 * The potion, which transforms people into bears, is named "Spell of Mor'du", a reference to the main antagonist of Brave.
 * Merida fires an arrow straight another arrow, splitting it down the middle, just like she does in the movie.
 * The clan symbols seen on the banners are near identical to the ones from the mo]vie.
 * The witch's magic ingredients are used to transform Merida into a bear, just like what happened to her mother in the movie.
 * The moment where Merida, in bear form, looms over Mr. Gold with her teeth bared, mirrors the scene where Merida is attacked by Mor'du in the movie.
 * An automated message from Merlin appears from out of a cauldron, just like the witch's automated message in Brave.

"The Bear King"

 * The "Bear King" is King Fergus' nickname in the movie Brave. "The Bear King and His Daughter" was one of the proposed titles for the movie.
 * This episode introduces King Fergus, Queen Elinor and the Witch from Brave.
 * The kingdom of DunBroch and its castle appears.
 * Two bear carvings are sitting on a shelf in the witch's cottage, a reference to the events of the movie, where the Witch made a living selling bear carvings.
 * King Fergus says that the Witch gave his daughter magic, and turned his wife and boys into bears, a reference to the events of the movie.
 * The carvings on the castle thrones are similar to DunBroch symbol on Merida's pendant from the movie.
 * King Fergus' clan symbol (a sword against a circular pattern) is near identical to the one from the movie.
 * The Witch warns Merida that if the enchanted helm is not returned by sundown tomorrow, she'll turn everyone into bears.
 * Merida is seen riding a Shire horse, a reference to Angus from the movie.

"Devil's Due"

 * Cruella's purse is the same as in the Disney movie.
 * Cruella mentions Bambi's mother from the film, when talking about her fur coat.
 * There is a close-up of a stuffed bear and tiger sitting next to each other in the Underbrooke swan house, a reference to Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger.

"The Brothers Jones"

 * A stuffed bear and tiger are sitting next to each other in the living room of the Underbrooke swan house, a reference to Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger.

"Her Handsome Hero"

 * Gaston mentions a man called LeFou, who likes to spread tall tales to embarrass him. This is a reference to Gaston's sidekick from the movie Beauty and the Beast.
 * Maurice states that Gaston is the son of Lord LeGume. According to the story reel included in the Platinum and Diamond Editions of the DVD and Blu-ray release of Beauty and the Beast, Legume was originally intended to be Gaston's surname. ''
 * When Belle asks and Mr. Gold research spell books in the Underbrooke pawnshop, Belle says that there must be something in the books that can help, to which Mr. Gold remarks that it would if they were just trying to boil a pot of tea; a reference to the scene where Chip and Mrs. Potts bring Belle some tea in the movie.

"An Untold Story"

 * In the opening shot of the scene everyone returns to Storybrooke, an advertisement for computers with the ENCOM logo from Tron can be seen on the street.

"The Savior"

 * In Belle's dream, she prepares tea for Rumplestiltskin, a reference to the scene where Chip and Mrs. Potts bring Belle some tea in the Disney movie. The tea set includes cups, a teapot, a creamer and a sugar bowl, which mirrors the scene in the movie, where Chip and Mrs. Potts are accompanied by a living sugar bowl and a living creamer.
 * In Belle's dream, she drops a teacup, but Rumplestiltskin catches it and says that it's not even chipped; a reference to Chip from the Disney film. The segment where Belle is holding the cup and the teapot are a reference to Chip and his mother Mrs. Potts.
 * In Belle's dream, she and Rumplestiltskin dance to an instrumental version of the title song from Beauty and the Beast. Belle's yellow dress is similar to the one her Disney counterpart wears in the dance scene from the movie.
 * The red bird is an allusion to Iago from the Aladdin trilogy.

"The Other Shoe"

 * The evil stepmother is named Lady Tremaine, just like in the Disney film.
 * Clorinda wears a greenish dress before the ball, and also pulls her hair back with a yellow bow, just like Drizella does in the animated Disney film. Tisbe also wears a yellowish dress like Drizella does, though has her hair styled similarly to Anastasia.
 * When Cinderella presents the dress she intends to wear for the ball, Clorinda destroys it by throwing it into the fireplace. This is similar to the scene in the animated film, where the titular character presents her new dress and the stepsisters tear it apart.
 * Cinderella plans to wear her mother's dress to the royal ball, but it is destroyed when Tremaine gives the dress to Clorinda, who puts the gown into the furnace, as Tisbe holds back Ella. This alludes to the live-action film where Cinderella plans on wearing her mother's dress until her stepmother and stepsisters intentionally tear the dress apart.
 * Cinderella's mother's dress is pink, but the gown the she wears to the ball is blue. This is a reference to the live-action film, where the Fairy Godmother transforms Cinderella's tattered pink dress into a blue dress.
 * The way Lady Tremaine and her daughters name Ella "Cinderella" ("Cinders on Ella. Cinderella.") is similar to the live-action film ("Dirty Ella. Cinder-ella!").
 * This episode features Gus from the animated Disney film Cinderella.
 * Like Disney's Anastasia, Tisbe wears a pink dress during the ball and has her hair styled similarly.
 * Cinderella asks if Prince Thomas is charming, which causes Snow White to mention that the name "Charming" is already taken by somebody else. Prince Charming is the name of the prince in the animated Cinderella film.
 * It is also a common misconception that the prince in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is named "Prince Charming", when officially he is only known as "The Prince".
 * Just like Disney's Anastasia, Clorinda falls in love with a low-class man, but her mother disapproves of their relationship. Eventually, she is helped by Cinderella, before standing up to her mother and being reunited with her lover.
 * Lady Tremaine mentions her cat, a reference to Lucifer from the animated Disney film.
 * When David visits Belle aboard the Jolly Roger, a teapot and a tea cup are sitting on the table, a reference to Chip and Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast.

"Street Rats"

 * The Cave of Wonders from Aladdin appears.
 * Emma tells Jasmine how she watched the Aladdin movie.
 * The term "street rat" is used to describe Aladdin, Emma, and a group of thieves that Jafar encounters on the streets.
 * One of Jasmine's possession is the Golden Scarab of Agrabah, a reference to the Golden Scarab Beetle from the movie.
 * There is a treasure called the Diamond in the Rough, which turns Aladdin into a savior. Aladdin is referred to as "the Diamond in the Rough" throughout the movie.
 * Aladdin steals apples, and eats them with Jasmine.
 * The monkey figurine that Aladdin finds in the cave, is a reference to Abu from the movie.
 * Jafar has a bird with an uncanny resemblance to Iago.
 * When trying to convince Aladdin to give up the role as savior, Jafar asks him if "Prince Aladdin" doesn't sound more appealing. This is a reference to the events of the movie, where Aladdin pretends to be a prince.
 * Jafar imprisons Jasmine within a giant hourglass, just like in the Disney film.
 * The Sultan is seen playing with toy miniatures.
 * Jafar has the Sultan under his control with a spell, which Aladdin breaks hold of by damaging his serpent staff.
 * Aladdin tells Jasmine "I could show you the world", referencing the song "A Whole New World", which opens with the lyrics "I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid".

"Dark Waters"

 * The design of the Nautilus is heavily similar to its design from the Disney film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
 * The uniforms of Captain Nemo's crew are very similar to the ones in the Disney film.

"I'll Be Your Mirror"

 * When Aladdin steals from Mr. Gold, a cymbal-banging monkey toy is sitting on the pawnshop counter. This is a reference to Abu, Aladdin's monkey in the movie, who was turned into a cymbal-banging monkey toy by Jafar.
 * Henry tells the Evil Queen that she "can't Darth Vader him" and adds, "I'll never join you". This is a reference to the famous scene from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, where Darth Vader asks his son Luke Skywalker to join him, and Luke answers, "I'll never join you!"
 * The queen answers that they "watched those movies enough to know that Darth Vader wasn't so black and white"; a reference to Anakin Skywalker's story from the Star Wars saga.
 * Aladdin says that the genie was freed from the lamp, a reference to the events of the movie.

"Wish You Were Here"

 * When David confronts the Evil Queen in the mayor's office, he calls her a snake and challenges her cowardice, an allusion to Aladdin's claims toward Jafar in Aladdin. This event also foreshadows the Evil Queen becoming a snake, like the movie's Jafar did.
 * In the Wish Realm, the dwarves whistle the song, "Heigh-Ho".
 * In the Wish Realm, Emma hums the song "Someday My Prince Will Come".

"A Wondrous Place"

 * This episode is named after a lyric from the song "A Whole New World" from the Disney film Aladdin, which ends with "A thrilling chase / A wondrous place / For you and me". The song is sung by Aladdin and Jasmine. Jasmine's last words to Aladdin in this episode are, "Let me show you my world," which is a reference to the opening lyric "I can show you the world / Shining, shimmering, splendid".
 * This episode is a rendition of Aladdin, with Aladdin, Jasmine, Jafar, the Sultan, the flying carpet, and two allusions to the Genie. The episode also introduces new characters from the film: Prince Achmed and the Street Vendor, who is based on Farouk.
 * Ariel has a collection of forks, a reference her dinglehopper (a.k.a. fork) from The Little Mermaid.
 * Jafar has been turned into a genie by the time of this episode, a reference to the events of the movie, where Jafar is transformed into a Genie.
 * A plush resembling Rajah from Disney's Aladdin can be seen when Hook takes the staff from Ariel.

"The Song in Your Heart"

 * The blue bird chirping a tune on the perch mirrors the chirping birds from the song "Whistle While You Work".
 * The lyrics "With a heigh heigh heigh / And a ho ho ho" sung by Grumpy are a reference to the song "Heigh-Ho" from the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
 * The lyric "He's got no strings" sung by Geppetto is a reference to the song "I've Got No Strings" from the film Pinocchio .
 * Hook throws his mug of alcohol into the tavern fireplace, just like Gaston does in Beauty and the Beast.

"Hyperion Heights"

 * The family in the backseat of Henry's car are all wearing Mickey Mouse hats, while a Mickey Mouse backpack is lying on the hat shelf behind them.
 * The evil stepmother is named Lady Tremaine, while Cinderella's stepsister is named Drizella, just like in the Disney film.
 * When Jacinda is rushing to work in the morning, she runs past a shop called Radcliffe Pet Day Spa, a reference to Roger Radcliffe from One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
 * The words that Lady Tremaine says to use the Fairy Godmother's wand, "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo", come from the Cinderella film.
 * The plot revolving around the Fairy Godmother's wand is similar to the one from Cinderella III: A Twist in Time. The wand is used against the Fairy Godmother to neutralize her and is stolen by Lady Tremaine to commit her wrongdoing.
 * Cinderella's ball gown and the Prince's outfit are similar to those from the live-action Disney film.
 * Henry mentions the animated movie Cinderella to the woman he meets.
 * Sabine is cooking when we first meet her, a reference to The Princess and the Frog, where her counterpart Tiana is a waitress who likes to cook and dreams about opening her own restaurant.

"The Garden of Forking Paths"

 * Tiana is named after the character from The Princess and the Frog. (Tiana first appeared in "Hyperion Heights", but this is the first episode where she is named on-screen.)
 * Cinderella's other stepsister is named Anastasia, just like in the Disney film.

"Beauty"

 * Various people wear costumes of Disney characters:
 * Elsa from Frozen. There's also a man wearing a male version of Elsa's coronation outfit.
 * Alice from Alice in Wonderland.
 * Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
 * The Incredibles from the movie of the same name.
 * The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus..
 * During Weaver's conversation with Tilly and while Ivy is searching for Lucy, two boys walk by—one wearing a blue, yellow and red costume and the other wearing a red, white and black costume. The costumes are from the Disney Descendants franchise. More specifically of Jay, the son of Jafar and Carlos, the son of Cruella De Vil.
 * This episode features Ellie, Carl Fredricksen and their child from the Disney/Pixar animated movie Up..
 * The romantic scene between Belle and Mr. Gold features the melody of "Beauty and the Beast" from the Disney film of the same name.

"Greenbacks"

 * Victoria's prisoner, who is later revealed to be Gothel, asks for her "special brew" and Victoria later obtains the herbs for it; a reference to the scene from Tangled, where the queen is healed with a special brew infused with the golden flower (in the traditional fairytale, the queen is cured by eating rapunzel salad).
 * This episode introduces Eudora and Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog.
 * Sabine makes beignet, just like her counterpart Tiana does in The Princess and the Frog.
 * Sabine works as a waitress at Mr. Cluck's Chicken Shack but dreams of starting her own business and takes money from the rent jar to pay for it; a reference to The Princess and the Frog, where Tiana works as a waitress and sets aside the money she earns, in a box, to save up money to start her own restaurant.
 * The logo on Sabine's food bags, which Lucy designed, is a firefly, a reference to Ray, one of the supporting characters in The Princess and the Frog, who is himself a firefly. The firefly ruby is also a reference to him.
 * The place where Sam Ochotta was arrested for drunken behavior is called the Pleasure Island Cabaret, which was named after Pleasure Island from Disney's Pinocchio. Rogers remarks that alcohol turns some people into jackasses, an indirect reference to the events of the movie, where mischievous boys on Pleasure Island who indulge in alcohol and other vices are turned into donkeys (the word "jackass" refers to both a male donkey and a stupid person). In addition, Sam shouts that he "isn't going to some salt mine"; in the movie, the donkeys are sold to salt mines and other places for money.
 * When Victoria finds out about Jacinda and Sabine's pop-up beignet shop, she calls an unseen character named Ralph and tells him to "wreck it".
 * Ivy refers to herself as being a clever girl, much like Disney's Drizella Tremaine did in the live-action Cinderella.

"Eloise Gardener"

 * Hook has to sing in order to locate the golden flower and reveal its "heart", which is similar to the way Mother Gothel and Rapunzel sang to activate the golden flower's healing powers.
 * Mickey Mouse appears on the watches Tilly is selling.

"Pretty in Blue"

 * A Star Wars backpack is hanging on a chair during Alice's tea party.
 * A Mickey Mouse figurine is lying in the grass during Alice's tea party.
 * Alice says that she slew a Jabberwock, a reference to the 2010 live action film, where the character does just that.
 * When Henry is reunited with his old friend Jack, he quotes Lando Calrissian's line from the scene where the latter is reunited with Han Solo in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He even pretends to punch Jack before he hugs him, just like Lando does to Han.
 * Jack says that Henry one of these days, Henry has to show him "this Star Wars thing", and Henry responds, "That's The Empire Strikes Back, but close enough".

"Secret Garden"

 * Tiana's Palace is named after Tiana's restaurant from The Princess and the Frog.
 * Memento Mori is based on the Disney World attraction of the same name.
 * Madame Leota from Disney's The Haunted Mansion appears.
 * Several of Leota's lines are taken directly from her The Haunted Mansion counterpart's lines or the Ghost Host's lines in the attractions.
 * Gothel references the song "Mother Knows Best" when having Robin make her choice between her and Zelena.
 * The ending where Doctor Sage's hair is cut is reminiscent of the scene where Gothel cuts off a lock of Rapunzel's hair in Tangled.
 * When Zelena and Wish Hook enter Memento Mori, a cymbal-banging monkey toy is sitting on the table. This is a reference to Abu, who was turned into a cymbal-banging monkey toy by Jafar.
 * While Henry was in the hospital, he comments Lucy will she say that Doctor Sage is Doctor Strange.

"A Taste of the Heights"

 * This episode introduces Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog.
 * Naveen's homeland is Maldonia, just like in the movie.
 * The Rollin' Bayou's symbol is a firefly, a reference to Ray, one of the supporting characters in The Princess and the Frog, who is himself a firefly.  (The Princess and the Frog, 2009) ​
 * Among the food for sale at the Rollin' Bayou are beignets and gumbo, both of which are heavily featured in The Princess and the Frog.
 * Drew's food truck is called the Flamin' Cajun, a reference to Ray, a Cajun firefly from the movie.
 * Drew and Sabine talk about how Drew has had an easy life with a lot of things handed to him, while Tiana had to work hard to get where she is. In The Princess and the Frog, Naveen is a pampered prince, while Tiana is a waitress who works hard to save up money to open her own restaurant.
 * Drew used to work at his family's restaurant, but later ends up running his own food truck, like Sabine does. This is a reference to The Princess and the Frog, where Tiana and Naveen end up running a restaurant together.
 * Drew admits that he flunked out of cooking school. In The Princess and the Frog, Naveen is bad at cooking and is taught to do so by Tiana.
 * When Naveen and Tiana are in the swamps, sounds of croaking frogs can be heard. In The Princess and the Frog, Naveen and Tiana were both turned into frogs.
 * The alligator that attacks Naveen and Tiana while they are in the swamps of the bayou is an allusion to Louis the alligator.

"Knightfall"

 * A Winnie-the-Pooh plushie is sitting on a shelf next to Alice's bed.
 * Young Alice paints and is stuck in a tower with a chess set just like Rapunzel in Tangled.
 * This episode features Maui's fish hook from Disney's Moana.
 * Ivy brings mochis from the Lucky Cat Cafe for Henry. This is a reference to Mochi, a minor character, and the location of the same name from Disney's Big Hero 6..

"The Girl in the Tower"

 * At Alice's tea party, she wears a blue dress and smock, similar to what she wears in Disney's Alice in Wonderland. She can also be heard, briefly singing the tune to "The Unbirthday Song".
 * The troll that saves and befriends Alice is an allusion to the BFG, the title character from Disney film of the same name.
 * Alice tells Robin that her "papa used to say all the best people are mad", which is a reference to the live action movie Alice in Wonderland.
 * Roni says that she usually goes for pizza at Bella Notte, a reference to the song from restaurant scene in Lady and the Tramp.

"Sisterhood"

 * The lanterns from Disney's Tangled appear. Also mentioned are the golden flowers from the film.
 * Flynn's Barcade is a reference to Flynn's Arcade.
 * A Recognizer vehicle from the Tron franchise is pictured on one of the Barcade's windows.
 * Weaver says that if Mr. Samdi tries to get in his way, he will send him to the other side, a reference to the song "Friends on the Other Side".

"Breadcrumbs"

 * The signs in front of the Rollin' Bayou say "A New Orleans Tradition", a reference to The Princess and the Frog, which takes place in New Orleans.

"Chosen"

 * The pancakes Jacinda makes are shaped like Mickey Mouse heads.

"The Guardian"

 * The skulls and orange flowers in the Cave of the Departed are a reference to the sugar skulls and orange marigold flowers from Coco.
 * The masks in the room are also similar to the ones worn by Dr. Facilier's friends on the other side in The Princess and the Frog.
 * Mr. Samdi says that if Mr. Gold kills him, he will never get back to "that sweet wife on the other side", a reference to the song "Friends on the Other Side".

"Flower Child"

 * Jacinda finds a frog plushie in the box, a reference to Tiana and Naveen, who were transformed into frogs in The Princess and the Frog.
 * The film Ratatouille is listed on Henry's board, under Remy's name. Remy is the name of the rat protagonist from the movie.

"Is This Henry Mills?"

 * The film Ratatouille is mentioned on Henry's board under Remy's name. Remy is the name of the rat protagonist from the movie.
 * There is a postcard promoting balloon trips in Belle and Mr. Gold's travel book and the notes inside the book include the text "we haven't don as much of South America as I'd hop". Belle and Mr. Gold's journey across the realms in "Beauty" is based on Carl and Ellie's dream from Up, where Carl sets out to fulfill their dream to see the wilds of South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house.

"Leaving Storybrooke"

 * Leroy, Walter and Doc whistle the song "Heigh-Ho".
 * Maui's fish hook from Disney's Moana is used to break out of the snow globe.
 * A garden pinwheel of Tinker Bell appears on a house lawn in Storybrooke.

"Down the Rabbit Hole"

 * The stuffed rabbit sitting by the small table in the beginning of the episode is wearing a petticoat; a reference to the White Rabbit.
 * Young Alice wears the signature blue dress from the Disney film.
 * The sorcerer is named Jafar like in the Disney film.
 * Jafar has a magical serpent staff with eyes that glow red, just like in the movie.

"Trust Me"

 * The fictional town of Agrabah appears for the first time.
 * As Cyrus explains, wishes cannot be used to kill anyone, bring anything from the dead, or make anyone fall in love. This is a reference to Disney's Aladdin, where the Genie states that a wish cannot be used to kill anybody, make someone fall in love, or bring people back from the dead.
 * Silvermist the fairy makes an appearance.
 * While conversing with Alice, Cyrus tells her "You have the whole world, Alice. I can show it to you." This is a reference to the song "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin, which opens with the lyric "I can show you the world; shining, shimmering, splendid".

"Forget Me Not"

 * The Caterpillar has many aspects in common with Star Wars' Jabba the Hutt, such as being a sluglike, hookah-smoking crime boss who sits on a dais, having a team of bounty hunters and others criminals, and running a place of ill repute.
 * Similarly, Underland has a lot in common with Jabba's palace, such as being run by a sluglike, hookah-smoking crime boss who sits on a dais, being a meeting point for bounty hunters, having musicians and dancers, and having a bad reputation.
 * The name "Underland" is a reference to the Tim Burton movie Alice in Wonderland, where Wonderland is actually named Underland.
 * One of the mentioned creatures by the Red Queen is the Sarlacc, like the creature of the same name from Star Wars.
 * Maleficent's castle sits on top of the Forbidden Mountain, which is also the name of Maleficent's domain in Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
 * The Red Queen, who is based on the evil stepsisters from the "Cinderella" fairytale, is named Anastasia, just like in the Disney film.

"Heart of Stone"

 * The Red Queen, who is based on the evil stepsisters from the "Cinderella" fairytale, has many aspects in common with Disney's Anastasia, such as her name and the fact that a prince chose her stepsister instead of herself. They also both wear a pink dress and fall in love with a man their mother does not approve of.

"And They Lived..."

 * Jafar and Amara become the most powerful sorcerers in all the realms. In the Disney film, Jafar becomes the most powerful sorcerer in the world by using one of his wishes.
 * After breaking the laws of magic, Jafar bewitches the Red Queen, making her think she is in love with him. This is a reference to the scene where Disney's Jafar attempts to use one of his wishes to make Jasmine fall in love with him and she, in order to stall for time, manipulates him into believing she's fallen madly in love with him and even kisses him.
 * Jafar is defeated when the guard of the Well of Wonders, Nyx, curses him to become a genie when he took the water from Amara before she could return it. It is very similar as to when Aladdin tricked Jafar into wishing to become a genie.