How a Grandfather's National Geographic Collection Inspired a Disney Career

Trip Operator Keith Jacobson credits his grandfather's collection of National Geographic magazines with sparking a lifelong love of exploration that eventually led him to a decade-long career with Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions. Growing up alongside 'Grandpa Spud' and his drafting-room studio, Keith found in those yellow-bordered pages an early window to the wider world. Today he channels that same spirit of adventure as a cast member, sharing curated experiences and stories with guests across the globe.

Keith Jacobson, a Trip Operator for Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions, traces his passion for travel directly to his grandfather George — affectionately called "Grandpa Spud" — and the towering shelf of National Geographic magazines that filled his childhood home. Over more than a decade with Disney, Keith has turned that early sense of wonder into a career built on sharing the world with others. His story is a testament to how the adventures of childhood can shape an entire life's work.

A Childhood Sparked by Yellow Borders

For Keith Jacobson, the iconic yellow border of a National Geographic magazine is inseparable from childhood memory. Around 1987, at age 10, Keith was playing with a wooden tugboat on the floor of his grandfather's studio when he looked up and noticed the bookcase lined with those distinctive yellow spines. Grandpa Spud kept a dedicated art space with a drafting board and supplies, and young Keith would sit beside him drawing freely — a place where creativity and curiosity lived side by side.

"Those magazines were my earliest opening to the world," Keith recalls. He would pull volumes off the shelf and lose himself for hours, never knowing which far-flung destination he would discover next. "I didn't realize Nat Geo had an impact on me from reading about these fantastic places all over the world," he says.

From Exploration to a Disney Career

The influence of Grandpa Spud extended well beyond reading. Keith credits his grandfather with nurturing a love of sailing, nature, and genuine connection with the world around him. That foundation shaped who he became as an adult — someone drawn to sharing experiences rather than simply having them.

Keith credits his early exposure to travel and exploration directly to his grandpa's National Geographic magazine collection, and that curiosity ultimately guided him into a career with Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions. For over 10 years, Keith has been crafting and leading extraordinary travel experiences, describing himself as a person who is happiest when providing memorable moments for others.

"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."

Bringing His Family Along for the Journey

In 2023, Keith was able to share the magic he has spent over a decade delivering to guests with his own family. He and his husband traveled with Keith's parents on a Rhine River cruise with Adventures by Disney — the family's first international trip together under the Disney banner. The experience brought the professional and personal threads of Keith's life into a single, meaningful moment.

The Legacy of Grandpa Spud

For Keith, Grandpa Spud was the first person to ignite a genuine sense of awe and adventure in his life. "He would be thrilled to know what I am doing now at Disney and about these experiences I'm providing for other people," Keith says. "And my 10-year-old self would be so ecstatic!"

As for the nickname "Spud" — even George himself wasn't entirely sure of its origin. Keith's father explained that it began in 4th or 5th grade when someone transformed the name George into "Judge," and another misheard it as "Spud." The name stuck, and so did everything it represented: a man of warmth, creativity, and curiosity who left a lasting imprint on his grandson.

Why This Story Matters

Keith Jacobson's journey from a boy flipping through National Geographic magazines on his grandfather's floor to a seasoned Adventures by Disney Trip Operator illustrates how early experiences with storytelling and discovery can shape an entire career. For anyone considering an adventures-focused Disney vacation, his story is a reminder that the best guides are often those who fell in love with the world long before they made it their profession. Explore upcoming Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions itineraries at adventuresbydisney.com.