Making Magic Happen, Together
A Disney adventure brings joy, memories, and new possibilities for Bancroft residents.
The women of one of Bancroft’s adult group homes enjoyed the trip of a lifetime — a weeklong adventure to Florida, filled with friendship, laughter, and pure magic.
For months, the dedicated group home staff had been brainstorming ways to create meaningful summer experiences for the residents. Knowing the women’s love of Disney movies and princesses, they began exploring the possibility of a surprise trip to Florida.
It was a big undertaking, but they never let that stop them. With creativity, resourcefulness, and support from families and Bancroft’s clinical team, they turned a dream trip into a reality.
Making It Possible: From Dream to Reality
The trip was a genuine team effort, made possible through a combination of individual budgets, the group home’s activity budget, family support, and creative use of staff benefits. After weeks of careful planning, everything was finally in place and it was time for the big reveal.
When the women learned they’d soon be heading to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, SeaWorld, and Aquatica, their faces lit up with joy. There were gasps, laughter, and wide smiles all around. They couldn’t believe they would soon be meeting their favorite Disney princesses!
In the weeks leading up to departure, staff and families helped prepare them for the trip with storytelling, photos, and videos, a strategy recommended by Bancroft’s clinical team to make sure everyone felt ready for the journey ahead.
A Week of Memories
And then, they were off! The three residents and four staff members traveled together to Florida for a weeklong adventure, visiting SeaWorld, Aquatica, and, the highlight of the trip, Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Each stop brought unforgettable moments: the awe of seeing dolphins and orcas at SeaWorld, water ride fun and laughter at Aquatica, and the magic of meeting their beloved Disney princesses at Magic Kingdom.
All their hard work and planning paid off. The trip lived up to the dream, and everyone had a blast!
More Than a Vacation
This trip was more than just a vacation — it was proof of what’s possible when we dream big for the people we support. Like any family or group, it took careful planning, creativity, and teamwork to make it happen, but the memories it created made every bit of effort worthwhile.
Not every home or individual can take a trip to Disney, but this experience is already inspiring staff across Bancroft to think differently about community engagement. Sometimes that means a vacation, other times it’s a day trip or a local outing, but each experience opens doors to connection, growth, and joy.
What's Next
The Disney memories are still fresh, but the group already has its sights set on their next big adventure — a cruise! This time, the women will be actively involved in choosing the destinations, planning the details, and making it their own.
Community engagement is at the heart of Bancroft’s residential and day programs. We’re building on experiences like these to expand what community engagement can look like, creating more opportunities for connection, joy, and unforgettable memories.
