Category
World
Layered Getaways
Trend cluster
Category
Whimsical
Excursion
Pop culture franchises take center stage with themed family cruises.
3.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Whimsical Excursion trend?
Whimsical Excursion: With parents looking for travel packages that provide entertainment options for the whole family, cruise brands are leveraging iconic pop cultural franchises to create once-in-a-lifetime family vacations that take escapism to the next level with fantasy and fairy-tale themes. This progression highlights the continued influence of the nostalgia cycle on travel and specifically, among parents and within the realm of family travel.
Trend themes
Themes within the Whimsical Excursion trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Themed Travel Experiences
The continued influence of the nostalgia cycle on travel has led to cruise brands leveraging iconic pop cultural franchises to create once-in-a-lifetime family vacations that take escapism to the next level.
02
Family-Oriented Outdoor Activities
The growing demand for engaging outdoor activities on cruise ships is leading cruiseliners to ensure their on-board itinerary revolves around more interactive and experiential components.
03
Immersive and Interactive Hospitality
With many millennials looking for unique drinking and dining experiences, hospitality brands are looking to create immersive and interactive experiences to attract a younger clientele.
Industry implications
What the Whimsical Excursion trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Travel and Tourism
The travel and tourism industry can anticipate significant growth in themed travel experiences, family-oriented outdoor activities, and immersive and interactive hospitality offerings.
For
Entertainment and Media
The entertainment and media industry has opportunities to collaborate with hospitality brands to create themed travel experiences and pop-up bars that leverage nostalgic icons and cultural franchises.
For
Hospitality and Leisure
The hospitality and leisure industry can explore opportunities to create immersive and interactive hotel experiences by leveraging iconic franchises and expanding their offerings to experiential components.
Workshop question
How can you channel the pursuit of nostalgia in a way that entices consumers across age demographics?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Whimsical Excursion
Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 50%, activity 60%, freshness 9%.
Popularity50%
Activity60%
Freshness9%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Africa
Evidence
Examples of the Whimsical Excursion trend
7 featured examples from Jan 19, 2016 to Aug 27, 2019CategoryLifestyle
Whimsical Fairy Tale Bars
Brooklyn is Set to Host an Alice in Wonderland Pop-Up Bar on a Bus
The success of the Alice in Wonderland pop-up bar suggests that the hospitality industry can explore creating temporary themed venues and experiences to attract and engage with a…
CategoryLifestyle
Sci-Fi Cruise Experiences
Disney's 'Star Wars Day at Sea' Features Themed Food and Events
Opportunity for cruise lines and travel companies to partner with entertainment franchises and create unique themed cruise experiences.
CategoryLife-Stages
Cruise Ship Water Parks
Dr. Seuss WaterWorks is a Whimsical Water Park Aboard the Carnival Horizon
Cruise companies should consider investing more in engaging outdoor activities as a way to help differentiate their offerings from competitors and attract more families with child…
CategoryBusiness
Science Fiction-Themed Hotels
Disney Has Released More Details About Its Immersive Star Wars Hotel
The creation of immersive storytelling experiences presents an innovation opportunity for the hospitality industry to create themed accommodations that go beyond traditional hotel…
CategoryLifestyle
Cruise Ship Tea Parties
Disney Cruise Line's 'Royal Court Royal Tea' Features Iconic Characters
Creating immersive, fairy-tale themed experiences in hotels, resorts, and theme parks.
CategoryWorld
Tropical Hideaway Theme Parks
Disneyland's Tropical Hideaway Will Be a Rest Stop in Adventureland
There are opportunities for entertainment companies to create immersive and interactive themed attractions based on popular franchises or original concepts.
CategoryMarketing
Ocean Liner Halloween Events
Disney Cruise Line's 'Halloween on the High Seas' Targets Families
Traditional hospitality brands like cruiseliners are incorporating interactive and experiential components to attract more young families.
