You’d think the hedge maze was a real maze in Oregon or maybe a botanical garden. Nope. It was also built on a soundstage, although the aerial shots used a miniature model. Think about that: a giant maze that children run through, all inside an English warehouse. That’s some next-level teamwork.
There is a real hedge maze at Timberline Lodge now, built years after the movie came out. So if you visit today, you can get lost just like Danny, but with fewer snow zombies and more selfies. It’s like the hotel decided to finally listen to customer feedback.
Another kid in the mix: The Stanley Hotel
You’ve probably heard that Stephen King wrote the book after staying at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. That’s true—King had a wild night there in 1971, dreamed of his son being chased, and the rest is horror history. It’s the original inspiration.
The Stanley Hotel Where The Shining Was Filmed
But Kubrick didn’t film there. He thought it looked too “cheerful” or something. The Stanley is a beautiful white Victorian building that screams “charming bed-and-breakfast” more than “certain doom.” It’s like comparing a grumpy grizzly bear to a golden retriever.
Still, the Stanley leans hard into its spooky fame. They have ghost tours, a movie room playing The Shining on loop, and even a bar that serves “Red Rum” cocktails. If you’re planning a trip, it’s the perfect place to pretend you’re a character, just without the axe.
