A Disney Cast Member's Journey Through Central European Christmas Markets

Jessica Van Gessel, a destination manager at National Geographic Expeditions and longtime Disney cast member, recounts her experience aboard the Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise — a Budapest-to-Munich journey through festive markets, regional foods like lángos and chimney cakes, and culturally rich stops including Salzburg's Sound of Music locations. The itinerary's highlight was a Saint Nicholas Day tradition that carried seamlessly from Van Gessel's childhood to life on the river. Her Disney career — spanning Animal Kingdom Lodge, EPCOT, and now expedition operations — reflects the cultural values at the heart of the program.

Jessica Van Gessel, a destination manager at National Geographic Expeditions and longtime Disney cast member, traveled the Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise itinerary — a journey from Budapest to Munich that combines festive holiday markets with the cultural depth of Central Europe. From trying lángos in Budapest to tracing Sound of Music locations in Salzburg, the experience illustrated what sets guided National Geographic travel apart from independent touring. Van Gessel's Disney career — spanning Animal Kingdom Lodge, EPCOT, and now expedition operations — made her a natural fit for the role.

Holiday Markets Along the Danube

On the Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise, Jessica Van Gessel experienced the Central European holiday tradition firsthand — stalls lined with handmade ornaments, nutcrackers, toys, and regional sweets. "Christmas is my favorite season," Van Gessel said. "It celebrates family traditions and customs passed down through generations."

In Budapest, she tried lángos — a flatbread topped with sour cream, cheese, and smoked salmon — and sampled the wide variety of chimney cakes available across markets, fresh pastries dusted in cinnamon sugar and sometimes filled with cream or chocolate. "The culture is so different from ours," Van Gessel reflected. "The depth of the stories they carry behind their traditions is absolutely magical."

Saint Nicholas Day and a Tradition Carried Across Borders

One of the most memorable moments came when the familiar custom of Saint Nicholas Day — observed by Van Gessel's family through a tradition passed down from her great-grandparents — translated naturally to the river cruise. On the expedition, guests placed their shoes outside cabin doors overnight, and in the morning found them filled with candies and chocolates. "This was so much fun and a great way to celebrate very traditional customs," she said.

Salzburg and the Sound of Music Connection

A stop in Salzburg, Austria added personal resonance for Van Gessel, who grew up watching The Sound of Music — her mother's favorite film. Visiting the real locations featured in the movie, with the Alps as a backdrop, made the day feel surreal. "Growing up watching the movie and then seeing the places where it took place, you have the mountains behind you… It looks fake, but it's not," she said. "That was probably my favorite day."

On the value of guided travel, Van Gessel was direct: "You're gliding along the Danube River through different countries. Anything you could possibly want to see is laid out for you to experience. It's worth it to leave your cares behind."

From Animal Kingdom to Antarctica: A Disney Career That Led to Expeditions

Van Gessel's path to National Geographic Expeditions runs through multiple chapters of Disney history. She began at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, working alongside cultural representatives from Africa, and leveraged a background in marine biology to move into animal care. Leadership roles at EPCOT deepened her connection to global cultures through the park's international cast members. "Getting to know the cast members coming over from all those different parts of the world was so rewarding," she said.

Now on the operations side of National Geographic Expeditions, Van Gessel works with international partners to coordinate guest itineraries — managing logistics from flights and passports to experience scheduling. "We have different trips going all over the world every day," she explained. "This role speaks to who I am at my core. I'm learning a new part of the world every day."

What This Means for Holiday Travelers

The Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise represents one of National Geographic Expeditions' most seasonally specific offerings — a purpose-built itinerary for travelers who want to experience Europe's holiday traditions with the structure and depth of an expert-guided expedition. For Disney cast members and guests drawn to cultural travel, it demonstrates the breadth of experiences available through the program. Browse itineraries at NationalGeographicExpeditions.com or call 888-732-2379.