I wonder if this is the "Think Big" we heard of?

[dianeschlicht]

Disney to test group vacations in Hawaii, Wyoming
Thu Feb 17, 2005 04:56 PM ET
LOS ANGELES, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) theme parks group, which has already expanded into cruise lines, will test leading group tours to Hawaii and Wyoming this summer, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.
Disney plans to take about 400-450 veterans of its parks and ships on one-week tours in groups of 35 people or less, spokeswoman Lisa Haines told Reuters. She declined to comment on pricing but said the test trips would be at discount rates.

Mickey Mouse won't be hiking in the mountains or getting a tan on the beach, but Disney expects its reputation for service to draw crowds of customers nonetheless.
"We are experts in the family vacation, but you are not going to see (Disney) characters in places they shouldn't be," said parks spokeswoman Lisa Haines.

Disney will hire its own guides for the trips, which could form the beginning of a new business. The initial Hawaii trip will include visits to the big island of Hawaii, Oahu and Kauai, while the Wyoming trip will take in the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone.

Perhaps this is the DVC thing we were hinted to "THINK BIG" about??

 

[kweaver]

While the idea sounds very neat, it doesn't seem to have much to do with DVC...except for the possibility of being able to use our points to make reservations (probably at inflated "prices").

 

[dianeschlicht]

I initially thought that too, but it is similar to the Adventurer collection, and just the mention of Hawaii and Wyoming reminded me of when the guide said "think big" about the next DVC.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wonder what they mean by "veterans of the parks". Do they mean people who work there? Or us frequent tourists who've done it for many years? If the latter, I've gone 20 times since 1987-I volunteer for Wyoming. Anyone hoping with me? Or is it the first meaning-employees?

 

[wintergreen]

Simba's Mom, I'm with you on the Wyoming trip!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Here's an article from my Yahoo page that gives just a few more details...

Disney tries new adventure lands
By Paul Bond

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Walt Disney will test the concept of offering guided tours to destinations far from its theme parks and having little to do with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck or its other famed characters, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

Disney is recruiting families aboard its Disney Cruise Line, at its World of Disney Store in New York and elsewhere, offering them discounted trips to Hawaii and Wyoming in the summer.

Disney will charge $5,600-$7,800 (2,955 pounds-3,693 pounds) for a family of four and will take groups of about 30 on guided tours to the two states. Plans are for six tours to Wyoming and nine to Hawaii.

While stressing that the concept is only a test, Disney will consider making a business of it if it is deemed successful, said Lisa Haines, vp strategic communications at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

Haines said the cost for the test families does not include airfare to the states, but all interior transportation and accommodations are included.

The "story-based" itineraries include visits to the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, and Kauai for the families taking part in the Escape to Paradise trip; and to Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone for those experiencing the Quest for the West adventure in Wyoming.

Haines said Disney will hire one or two guides per group of 30 or so vacationers. The concept has been dubbed Adventures by Disney.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

 

[pumpkinboy]

A lot less chance of catching a Norovirus or other nasty stomach bug on these types of trips than on a cruise. So maybe they're looking to do cruising without cruising, for folks who just want a change (to keep them in Disney's clutches, and all). I'm all for it.

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[erikthewise]

There was a marketing survey a year or two ago wherein respondants were asked various questions about package vacation tours to Hawaii, Western US, and one other destination (I don't remember clearly). This pilot program seems to be directly connected to that survey.

As I recall the packages in the survey listed top echelon resorts, and the prices were way over the top. I remarked about the Hawaii package that it was "very tempting, but in the end I wouldn't do it because one could have a VERY nice Hawaiian vacation for several thousand less." The packages seemed to include prepaid meals, which probably meant that you prepaid to eat at the very expensive restaurants in these resorts, which led to the inflated prices.

It will be interesting to see how this develops. Again, no apparent connection to DVC.

 

[wide awake]

I called and checked on this. Asked about the Wyoming trip, $4507 for two adults and one teen, sounded like 8 days, 7 nights. Loads of included activities, all meals, all tips except to the guides, and wonderful hotels. At least the one we've already stayed at is wonderful...Old Faithful Inn. DH and I aren't big "Disney" people, but we love the service, so a trip like this sounds tailor made for us. To any of you that can't go w/o T.V., Old Faithful Inn is about relaxing and enjoying nature, no televisions in the rooms. Just a fabulous lobby, restful rooms, and real geysers outside the windows. Anyway, besides the Yellowstone stay, there are also two nights at a dude ranch, and 2-3 nights at Jackson Hole/Tetons.

 

[lat]

Where did you call? I would be interested in finding out more to see if it will fit into our schedule.

Thanks!!!

 

[goldilocks_63]

Anyone know who to call to "volunteer"

GOldi

 

[wide awake]

I called 1-877-728-7282. Got the number off the news board.

 

[lat]

Thanks. I will call them on Monday (closed for the weekend).

 

[rocketriter]

Old Faithful Inn was the primary inspiration for WL at WDW. It's magnificent.

 

[erikthewise]

I should note that I don't have any memory of the Western US package from the survey -- that price may be reasonable. The Hawaiian package was $14K for something like 9 or 10 nights. And of course what they are actually doing might be different from the survey.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Okay -- I for one, think this is a horrible idea. Why reinvent the wheel? There are so many travel companies out there that already offer deluxe escorted tours. It just seems to me that Disney should stick with what they're really good at: DISNEY...not Abercrombie & Kent.

DCL has been successful because it is still about as Disney as you can get without theme park rides. I don't think they can replicate that at Yellowstone or Waikiki.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Am I the only person who got the Survey about 2 years ago on this? It was pretty invloved wanted to know types of venues, activity levels for kids all kinds of meals, accomadations opinions. I remmber it was long about a half hour in length. And the Wyomong one sounded great to me. Then at the end htere was an age cap. It said somthing to the effect of ages 6 and up and since my boys were 2-3 at the time. I was a little miffed. Anyone that has called? have you seen any age restrictions on this?

 

[lat]

I thought it over and I don't think I would sign up for this because I have little kids too. I don't think they will be ready for all the activities that these guided tours offer. So even if there is no age restriction, I probably cannot sign up because I won't leave my kids behind for any of the activities.