The Problem with Aladdin’s Timeline: #disney

Written and Edited by Cohlman from @AandKGames

Why Disney’s Aladdin cannot be set in the 15th century


In the Disney Platinum Edition DVD release of Aladdin, directors Ron Clements and John Musker openly discuss their visual influences. They mention aiming for a 15th-century Persian/Iranian backdrop in the feature-length audio commentary tracks. https://youtu.be/HAUA0DTu37s?si=9zlceFsPYmE-bpIZ (14:02, 14:13, 28:32, 41:36).

Aladdin: Diamond Edition: Sultan Speaks With Jasmine Blu-ray Movie Clip | ScreenSlam

Here’s the problem with that, The Sultan's palace in Aladdin https://youtu.be/lIYL-PQa010?si=ca759gK8gvZ9jNPd is heavily inspired by the Taj Mahal which wasn't built until the 17th century, another 200 years later. Another contributing factor has to do with the movie Mulan. At one point Genie transforms into a parade host and references Mulan. Since Genie cannot change or look into the past, Aladdin must happen at the same time or after Mulan.

Now when does Mulan take place you ask? Well either the 5th/6th century or the 17th century, making a 15th-century setting historically impossible.

This leads to two scenarios. If Mulan is in the
5th/6th century, it matches Genie's line that he was trapped in the lamp for 10,000 years and implies that Aladdin takes place beyond the hundredth century.

If we go with the Ming Dynasty logic and say the 17th century, then simply that proves we aren’t in the 15th century because there’s no way Genie can view or alter the past. It’s either too early or too late.