How a Grandfather Shaped One Disney Cast Member’s Journey
It is Grandparents Day and the perfect time to reflect on the special relationship one has with their grandma or grandpa.
For Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions Trip Operator Keith Jacobson, the day sparks memories of his grandfather, whom he lovingly called “Grandpa Spud.”
Disney
Their relationship was truly unique and inspired a career with Disney and National Geographic.
Early Inspiration
Keith spent his childhood years in his grandfather’s studio, drawing beside him while Grandpa Spud worked on his drafting board.
In 1987, when Keith was around 10, the yellow border of his grandpa’s extensive National Geographic magazine collection caught his eye. “Those magazines were my earliest opening to the world,” Keith recalls.
Disney
He would spend hours flipping through the pages, immersed in the exotic places and colorful wildlife featured in each issue.
Though he didn’t know it at the time, those magazines planted the seeds of his future career.
A Disney Journey
Keith’s love for travel and exploration can be traced back to the time he spent with his grandfather and those National Geographic issues.
Disney
“I didn’t realize Nat Geo had an impact on me from reading about these fantastic places all over the world,” he says, but each magazine served as a window to future travels.
Disney
Grandpa Spud’s influence led Keith to a lifelong love of sailing, exploring, and connecting with nature. This passion further led him to a career with Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions.
Today, Keith has channeled that love into his career, sharing those same magical experiences with others.
A Disney Adventure
Keith has been making magic at Disney for over 10 years!
“Working at Disney feels like a memory of mine with my grandpa and dad because of their sense of adventure,” Keith says. “And now that sense of adventure lives on from [them] to me.”
Disney
In 2023, Keith brought that magic full circle. He and his husband traveled with his parents on their first international trip together, experiencing a Disney Rhine River cruise.
The journey was a special way for the family to bond and share the same wonder and joy of discovery that inspired him as a child.
Grandpa Spud’s Legacy
Keith’s grandfather was the first person to inspire his sense of adventure, and he knows how proud he would be of him and his accomplishments.
Disney
“He would be thrilled to know what I’m doing now at Disney,” Keith reflects. “And my 10-year-old self would be so ecstatic!”
Grandpa Spud’s love for adventure lives on in Keith as he shares these magical experiences and adventures with other Disney fans.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Article Source/ Feature Photo: Disney Parks Blog
