Descendants 3 Self-Guided Itinerary
Overview
This highly anticipated trequel continues the contemporary saga of good versus evil as the teenage daughters and sons of Disney’s most infamous villains—Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay (also known as the villain kids or VKs)—return to the Isle of the Lost to recruit a new batch of villainous offspring to join them at Auradon Prep. When a barrier breach jeopardizes the safety of Auradon during their departure off the Isle, Mal resolves to permanently close the barrier, fearing that nemeses Uma and Hades will wreak vengeance on the kingdom. Despite her decision, an unfathomable dark force threatens the people of Auradon and it’s up to Mal and the VKs to save everyone in their most epic battle yet.
The Descendants franchise has earned billions of views, positive acclaim and a place among the most-watched original movies in cable history – and now, we invite visitors to travel to the film sites of Auradon and Isle of the Lost: Vancouver and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, whose magical scenery, lush forests and atmospheric attractions star as the enchanting setting of the hit film.
The “Disney Descendants 3 in Vancouver” self-guided itinerary takes you to key spots in the Descendants films, and requires you to traverse the waters between two distinctive yet equally visit-worthy cities: Vancouver and Vancouver Island. So, grab your selfie stick and let’s dive into the world of Descendants 3! To watch this itinerary come to life, download the free “Disney Descendants 3 in Vancouver AR Adventure”, housed on the QuestUpon app (available on App Store and Google Play).
Vancouver: Britannia Mine Museum
Descendants 3 fans won’t want to miss visiting the film site of Hades’ lair, situated on the Isle of the Lost where Disney’s villains live behind a magical barrier. In this Squamish attraction—a 45-minute drive from downtown Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway—you can snap photos of the entrance to Hades’ lair – are you brave enough to enter?
Afterwards, tour the historical museum by foot or aboard a thrilling mine train. Don’t miss “BOOM!”, a multi-sensory family-friendly experience that brings historic Mill No. 3 rumbling back to life using multiple screens, more than 30 speakers and special effects.
Vancouver: Minaty Bay
Just across from Britannia Mine Museum is placid Minaty Bay, a sparkling body of water perfect for reflecting. In Descendants 3, Minaty Bay is the place where the VKs leave Auradon and ride their motorbikes back to the Isle of the Lost to retrieve Hades’ ember.
Vancouver: Lynn Canyon Park
Driving towards North Vancouver for 40 minutes will bring you to Lynn Canyon, a leafy oasis that hosts Jane’s dreamy birthday bash where Audrey, daughter of Aurora, sings a spell that sends party-goers into a deep sleep.
The canyon’s 30-Foot Pool will also look familiar—fans will recognize it as the Enchanted Lake, whose waters are capable of washing away the effects of spells. Families will find plenty to do in the park’s 617 acres of forest, including several hiking and walking trails, as well as a fascinating ecology centre that stages popular puppet shows.
Vancouver: University of British Columbia
Cruise through downtown Vancouver on your way to your next destination, a 40-minute drive from Lynn Canyon. Situated on nearly 1,000 sprawling acres in West Vancouver, the University of British Columbia is considered among the most prestigious universities in North America – and it also appeared in Descendants and Descendants 2 as a part of Auradon Prep!
Head for the wacky Beaty Biodiversity Museum, where kids of all ages can dig into more than 500 exhibits and cross under a massive skeleton of a blue whale, the largest creature ever to live on Earth. Next, tour the awe-inspiring Museum of Anthropology, whose stunning glass-and-concrete architecture complements fascinating exhibits showcasing world arts and culture with an emphasis on First Nations peoples.
Vancouver: Rogers Sugar Refinery
Less than half an hour’s drive back to downtown Vancouver, you’ll find the biggest refined sugar distributor in Canada headquartered at Vancouver’s waterfront, near the bustling Port.
If you’ve kept a keen eye trained to Descendants 3, you’ll recognize this sweet building, which is part of the Isle of the Lost: it appears in the opening scene when Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos sing to the other VKs that it’s “Good to Be Bad”. After snapping a photo of the factory, wander into nearby Railtown (for great coffee, pop into Railtown Café; for parents: visit nearby Vancouver Urban Winery for incredible food and tasty beverages). Eventually you’ll reach Gastown, a neighbourhood you can spend several hours exploring.
Victoria: British Columbia Parliament Buildings
If you’ve floatplaned into downtown Victoria, you’ll immediately recognize the picturesque government property that transformed into the Museum of Cultural History. In Descendants 3, Maleficient’s scepter and the Queen’s crown are displayed in the museum – until they’re stolen by Audrey. Visitors are welcome to stroll the grounds, which are situated next to the bustling Victoria harbour; or join a free guided walking tour of the legislature’s interior.
Victoria: Hatley Castle
Less than a half hour’s drive from the Parliament Buildings is where you’ll find the most iconic attraction in the Descendants franchise: Hatley Castle, part of Auradon Prep, the castle-turned-school where Mal and her friends welcome a new batch of Villain Kids – and where Ben proposes to Mal in Descendants 3. The beautifully architecture castle grounds make for picture-perfect social media posts – particularly the tranquil Rose, Italian and Japanese gardens. Visitors can also pop into the onsite museum, which houses artifacts and exhibits sharing the site’s history and its present purpose as the campus of Royal Roads University.
Woodwinds Estate in Qualicum Beach
You’ll need to drive a couple hours from Victoria to Qualicum Beach, but the journey is worth it to see Woodwinds Estate: this real-life fairy tale cottage is the setting of Evie’s “starter castle” and fashion house in Descendants 3. The small town of Qualicum Beach is rife with activities for visiting families, including touring the Milner Gardens & Woodland, a seaside garden whose setting boasts 70 acres of woodland and garden housing plants from different temperate zones in the world; and Paradise Mini Golf and Fun Park and Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf, both featuring family-oriented mini-golf courses.