Adventures By Disney Norway: Day Three
Day three of our Adventures by Disney Norway vacation was all about exploring the Norwegian fjords and we lucked out with the most incredible weather. This post builds upon our Day 1 and Day 2 adventures, so be sure to check those out as well. Our morning started with another amazing breakfast buffet at the lovely Fretheim Hotel, before we walked across the street to meet our tour company and head out on the fjords for an unforgettable adventure.
Fjord Safari
As a family, we all agreed—one of our absolute favorite adventures in Norway was racing through the fjords on RIB vessels (rigid inflatable boats) with Fjord Safari. Their motto, “closer to nature,” could not have been more fitting. Nothing compares to the thrill of gliding across the water at full speed, the wind in your hair, and the towering cliffs of the fjords surrounding you. Fjord Safari had everything covered—goggles, life jackets, and warm flotation suits—so after a quick safety briefing, we were geared up and ready to go.
The best part about these small boats is the flexibility and access they provide. With our skilled guide at the helm, we slipped into quiet corners of the fjords, stopped at hidden gems, and covered nearly 60 miles with ease. Our route carried us through the Aurlandsfjord and all the way to the entrance of the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, each bend revealing something more spectacular than the last. Along the way, we passed picturesque villages, misty waterfalls, and even spotted mountain homes only reachable by ladders. Our guide brought it all to life with stories of trolls, Norwegian folklore, and fascinating bits of history.
One of the biggest highlights? Pulling right up to the roaring Sagfossen waterfall, where we sat in awe at its sheer power as it thundered down the mountainside. It was an unforgettable way to experience the majesty of Norway’s fjords.
Undredal
Our fjord adventure brought us to the storybook village of Undredal, said to be the inspiration for Disney’s Arendelle in Frozen. Here, we stepped inside the world’s smallest stave church, dating all the way back to 1147, where careful restoration work has uncovered centuries-old artwork on its wooden walls.
Just a short stroll away, we found ourselves at a cozy restaurant perched above the fjord, where we learned about local cheese-making traditions and sampled some delicious regional specialties. Fun fact: goats actually outnumber people in Undredal! With its peaceful charm, breathtaking scenery, and rich layers of history, this tiny village was brimming with tales of the resilience of Norwegians.
Brekkefossen Waterfall
We arrived back to Flam after lunch and had the afternoon and evening to explore this charming village. There is so much to experience here (the famous Flam Railway for example), but we were ready to stretch our legs and could easily walk to the Brekkefossen waterfall trailhead from the Fretheim Hotel. Round trip, the journey took us about 90 minutes and the hike from the beginning of the trailhead to the waterfall and back down made up about 45 minutes of that.
The path is a series of stone steps that were built by sherpas brought in from Nepal. They are compensated by the Norwegian government for their incredible trail work and that money goes back to Nepal to help build schools and other needs. I will say, people in Norway are tough! We are hikers from Montana and I would recommend hiking poles, especially for the descent. There is no rail, and it took a fair bit of concentration, but we loved our experience and definitely something I recommend if you are wanting to get some exercise.
Fjord Sauna
The family that cold plunges together, stay together…am I right? After our hike and some après, it was time for a little self-care, so we took a quick stroll (again, across the street) to the amazing Fjord Saunas. I would describe these as modified house boats that have a small changing area and then a beautiful cedar sauna with floor to ceiling windows and an interior hatch that makes your fjord cold plunge very accessible. You can also walk out onto their lower or upper platform and jump in. We had 90 minutes to enjoy and alternated between sweating and plunging with epic views. The fjord waters were so refreshing and staring out across this dramatic landscape is one of my highlights of the entire trip!
Pro tip #1: Pre book your sauna experience before you arrive to ensure the best availability. They do offer private group options if interested in that.
Pro tip #2: Bring your own towel and water bottle. You have to leave your water bottle in the changing room, but it’s just outside the sauna making it easy to grab a quick drink. We wore our swim suits, hotel robes, flip flops and also grabbed a towel from the hotel so were able to make the most of our time slot by not having to change once we arrived.
Tomorrow, our time in Flam was coming to an end, but in keeping in theme with this vacation, we had no idea what was awaiting us as we ventured deeper into fjord country. Day four of our Adventures by Disney Norway vacation is coming soon!
Tips from Day Three, Adventures by Disney Norway
- Wear layers and something comfortable for your time exploring the fjords. We had great weather with lots of sunshine, but our guide did say it was a very rare “bluebird” weather day.
- You will likely have time to explore Flam after your day exploring the fjords, so prebook an activity (fjord sauna, train ride, etc). This is something I can help you with!
- Many of the restaurants in Flam have limited hours, so make sure you have a solid dinner plan. We found this out the hard way. During our time here, we noticed several more dining options including food trucks were being constructed, but this is a small village and once the cruise ships depart, many businesses close for the evening.
Are you ready to plan YOUR Adventure by Disney vacation? Do you know the difference between a vacation and a trip? A vacation is something where the entire family can relax and I’d love to help you experience one of these epic adventures. Do you have questions on Adventures by Disney or other companies that I work with to make your vacation seamless with flights, transfers and all your favorite excursions bundled in? I am an Certified Travel Advisor and would love to work with you. Reach out to me at [email protected] or fill out a quote request here.
