For Donald Isbell and Nika Ogden, two cast members from Disneyland Resort, their mutual passion for Disney wasn’t the only reason they fell in love. However, it was the reason that inspired them to pack their bags and visit every Disney Park around the world…in 24 days.
Donald, a workforce data solutions analyst, met Nika, an Adventureland cast member, three years ago. After saying, “I do” on April 6, 2024, Donald and Nika set off to make their dream honeymoon come true.
Donald and Nika cruise up to the Disneyland Hotel in style after their wedding reception on April 6.
One wedding, three continents, and 24 days was what it took for Donald and Nika to visit every Disney Park around the world for the ultimate Disney experience. Between complimentary admission to nearly every Disney Park and numerous discounts along the way, the couple says their Disney cast member perks encouraged them to celebrate their honeymoon in such a magical way.
Donald and Nika showcasing their gifts from Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons.
The global journey began hours after the couple’s wedding where the newlyweds kicked off their celebration at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. To make their day even more special, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons stepped in to create some magical moments for the couple.
The honeymoon park hopping began the very next morning right in Donald and Nika’s backyard. The two cast members set out on a mission to ride all the major Disneyland Resort attractions that are also found at other parks around the world. From Space Mountain to Jungle Cruise, Donald and Nika were determined to do it all.
Disneyland Ambassadors Jada and Raul congratulate the couple and send them off with a special bon voyage at Sleeping Beauty Castle on April 7.
In appreciation of the couple’s dedication to making magic, Disney Ambassadors of Disneyland Resort Jada Young and Raul Aquino Rojas met with Nika and Donald on the first day of their honeymoon in Disneyland park. The Disney Ambassadors celebrated the couple with a hand delivered note from Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock! Ken’s note congratulated the couple on their big day and wished them safe travels ahead.
From there, Donald and Nika set off for a jam-packed three weeks, visiting Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Paris and Orlando while soaking up every bit of Disney magic each experience had to offer.
Donald and Nika explore a number of Disney Park offerings around the world.
From making Winnie the Pooh shaped dim sum in a Disney cooking class in Hong Kong Disneyland, to viewing the “Disney Electrical Sky Parade” with over 500 drones at Disneyland Paris, to experiencing the Behind the Seeds tour in the Living with the Land attraction at EPCOT in Walt Disney World, Donald and Nika had the opportunity to make one-of-a-kind memories while truly getting to know cast members in all parts of the globe. The couple was even greeted with a personal note from Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle in Orlando, congratulating them on their special celebration. “Every time we saw a cast member, it’s like we met our friends in other places,” explained Donald. “Even if we don’t speak the same language or we don’t work the same attractions or we don’t work at the same parks, everybody’s coming to Disney for the same thing. We’re all still cast members.”
Donald and Nika smile with the Disney Global Ambassador teams at each Disney Park.
To make Donald and Nika’s celebration extra special, the Disney Global Ambassador team united worldwide to show the couple each Disney Park through the eyes of a fellow cast member. With some Disney Ambassador magic, Donald and Nika experienced all that World of Frozen in Hong Kong has to offer, explored the Castle Club at the Disneyland Hotel in Paris, shared heartfelt conversations with all the Disney Ambassadors and so much more alongside their newest friends.
“Meeting [Disney Ambassadors Serena and Shannon] in Orlando was really cool,” said Donald. “We had a heart-to-heart where we walked down [Main Street, U.S.A.] and talked about careers and the different things we experienced at each park. They’re both wonderful people and had lots of kind words for us.”
Donald and Nika capture their memories on camera at each Disney Park.
With a camera roll full of memories and hearts filled with love, Donald and Nika share that the magic Disney made for them on their honeymoon journey truly made it an extraordinary trip. They assure that this is just the start of a lifetime of dreams come true…together.
Donald and Nika celebrate the final few hours of their wedding day at the Disneyland Hotel on April 6.