Adventures by Disney today made an exciting announcement about new destinations to visit beginning in 2024.
We all know the song, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” but we definitely want to talk about the new adventures.
Colombia, the country that inspired the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Encanto,” is one of Adventures by Disney’s newest destinations! Beginning in 2024, guests can see the Academy Award-winning film come to life by set-jetting on this family-friendly itinerary to experience the cultures, cuisine and people that helped inspire the movie. Only Adventures by Disney can design a trip like this with sprinkles of magical moments throughout. Be sure to keep reading, because we have a special download just for you (hint, it’s original concept art from the film).
Joining Colombia as a new Adventures by Disney destination is the Eastern Canada Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, plus an enhanced New Zealand itinerary full of outdoor experiences.
Let’s take a closer look at each destination to discover what we’ll see and experience.
Colombia: The Destination That Inspired Disney Animation’s “Encanto”
When filmmakers Byron Howard and Jared Bush traveled to Colombia in the spring of 2018, their quest was to find inspiration for the story, world and characters of their new film, which would become “Encanto.” They visited the Cocora Valley and saw the towering wax palm trees and butterflies. They ate delicious food, including arepas, and they played tejo, the national sport of Colombia. Walking through the streets of Cartagena they saw colorful architecture and fabrics, and the idea for the “coffee kid” came to life in the Coffee Region.
On the Adventures by Disney Colombia trip, we’ll have similar experiences and more.
- Similar to the Madrigals, we’ll make arepas like Julieta prepared for her family, eat delicious meals and play tejo. We’ll also tour a Colombian coffee farm in the Coffee Region, drink coffee and learn how to brew a perfect cup.
- We’ll learn about the conservation of cotton-top tamarins on a trek through the dry forest near Proyecto Titi, a project supported by the Disney Conservation Fund. It was Colombia’s rich biodiversity that inspired the magical ability of the “Encanto” character Antonio, who has the power to communicate with animals.
- Privately guided tours in Bogota will take us through the colorful Paloquemao Market to taste the wide variety of locally-grown fruits and admire the colonial architecture of the historic city center – La Candelaria.
- Adventure-seekers can snorkel among the Rosario Islands, a collection of 27 islands home to more than 1,300 species of marine animals, vibrantly colored fish and plants.
“Every Disney Animation film begins with research, and the trip we took to Colombia as we were developing ‘Encanto’ with Lin-Manuel Miranda immediately brought the story of this magical place and our wondrous Madrigal family to life,” said Howard and Bush. “Colombia is a crossroads of Latin America, and what we learned about family, tradition, music, food and dance were central to the development of the film. Our hope was always that ‘Encanto’ could celebrate just some of the many different people and cultures we experienced in Colombia – we are thrilled and touched that so many people have felt seen by the Madrigals’ story and now have this opportunity to experience its magic for themselves.”
Check out the announcement video. Our thanks to Adassa (actress, singer, songwriter and the voice of the character Dolores) and the filmmakers for helping us share the magic of Colombia.
Visual Development Artwork by “Encanto” Associate Production Designer Lorelay Bové
We have a special bonus for you … now and for families on the inaugural Colombia season. Adventures by Disney worked with Walt Disney Animation Studios to release exclusive “Encanto” visual development artwork as a signed lithograph, for those on the adventure, and as an immediate digital download for you, our Disney Parks Blog readers! Please be sure to check out the terms of use for using each wallpaper before downloading.
More about the artwork:
Each travel party booked during the inaugural 2024 Adventures by Disney Colombia season will receive a signed lithograph of never-before-released artwork from Walt Disney Animation Studios. This piece of visual development artwork by “Encanto” Associate Production Designer Lorelay Bové set the early concept for the new door to Casa Madrigal that would be revealed at the end of the film – a symbol of the new miracle that Mirabel and her family create together through honesty and love. Bové’s work includes such Walt Disney Animation Studios films as “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled,” “Zootopia,” “Big Hero 6” and more.
Adventures by Disney is opening new doors, creating even more ways for families to discover a different kind of magic: the magic of the world around them.
Eastern Canada Maritimes: Scenic Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Credit: Acorn Art and Photography
Now, we’ll travel north to the beauty of eastern Canada’s Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Outdoor activities and cultural immersion are the stars of this itinerary, and it’s a great opportunity for families to take in the sights, sounds and activities on the rivers, beaches, ocean coasts and gulfs. As with every Adventures by Disney trip, our Disney-trained Adventures Guides lead every step of the way and take care of all the details, ensuring a fun-filled, hassle-free vacation. Here are just a few examples of how we’ll spend our days on this trip.
- Touring an authentic maple syrup farm in Nova Scotia to learn about the process that brings syrup from tree to table, and of course, sampling this delicious treat.
- Exploring the outdoors at amazing locations such as the 150-year-old Wood Island Lighthouse, where Junior Adventurers will enjoy making and flying kites along the shore. Other adventures include walking on the low-tide ocean floor at the Bay of Fundy, enjoying an onboard fisherman’s feast, riding horses, listening to live Celtic music during a traditional ceilidh (social gathering), biking, canoeing and kayaking.
- Enjoying tea with a descendent of author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s family at the Anne of Green Gables Museum, and visiting Avonlea Village, the fictitious community central to the Anne of Green Gables stories.
- Learning about the indigenous Mi’kmaq Peoples during a visit to the Millbrook Cultural Heritage Centre.
New Zealand: An Enhanced Outdoor Adventure
While traversing New Zealand from north to south, we’ll see stunning scenery at every turn, from the beaches and tropical rainforests to visiting vibrant cities and small towns. We’ll even participate in an authentic meal indigenous to the country! On this itinerary we can look forward to:
- Participating in the exciting America’s Cup Experience in Auckland, the “City of Sails.”
- Sharing an authentic Hangi dinner with a local family to experience the indigenous Maori culture.
- Marveling at thousands of glow worms illuminating an underground cave among limestone formations.
- Touring the National Kiwi Hatchery, a facility renowned for its kiwi bird conservation program.
- Gazing at the dramatic geysers that dot the landscape at Te Puia Geothermal Park, including the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Traveling via the TranzAlpine Train upwards into the Southern Alps.
Bookings open to the public on May 12, 2023. More details can be found at adventuresbydisney.com, by calling 833-ABD-0103 (833-223-0103), or by contacting your travel agent.
We hope to see you on one of our new adventures beginning in 2024!