New - Adventures by Disney

[Plutofan]

This does not specifically relate to DVC but you may find it interesting: It was just posted on www.mousesavers.com


Adventures by Disney
LAST UPDATE: 1/27/06 - MOST RECENT ADDITIONS ARE IN RED

In summer 2005, Disney quietly solicited participants for some experimental vacation packages to Hawaii and Yellowstone. They called the program "Adventures by Disney." A very limited number of participants had the opportunity to test out the concept, which was intended to bring Disney quality to non-Disney vacation destinations.

Disney offered "introductory prices" for the introductory 2005 summer season, but it still wasn't cheap: the 7-night/8-day "Escape to Paradise" tour of Hawaii tour cost a minimum of $7796 for a family of four, while the 7-night/8-day "Quest for the West" Yellowstone tour started at $5596 for a family of four. The tours included many meals, but not airfare.

For 2006, Disney is expanding the number of destinations that will be offered for "Adventures by Disney" packages. Here's a list of the 2006 destinations that have been announced, and a few highlights that have been released:

Oahu and Kauai, Hawaii - stays at beachfront resorts, surfing lessons, manta ray feeding
Oahu and the Big Island, Hawaii - visit Pearl Harbor, night snorkeling, private tour of Volcanoes National Park with a volcanologist
Wyoming - stay at a dude ranch and a hotel near Old Faithful, hiking, biking and horseback riding
Canadian Rockies - visit Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks, hike a glacier, ride on a snowcoach and lunch with a former Olympian at Canada Olympic Park
Costa Rica - cross hanging bridges in a rainforest, visit a volcano at Arenal National Park, swim near dolphins, private hike in the jungle with a naturalist, travel through the rainforest on a zipline, barbeque on a private beach
London and Paris - five star hotels in London and Paris, private dinner at the Eiffel Tower, tour of London on a double-decker, visit to Versailles
Rome, Chianti and Venice, Italy - historical tour of Rome (staying at either the Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi or the Westin Excelsior, depending on departure date), visit the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, stay at Borgo di Fontebussi in Tuscany with a day trip to Florence, visit Venice (staying at Bauer Venezia or the Westin Europa & Regina, depending on departure date) and tour the canals by private gondola

 

[Pa@okw95]

They look like normal vacation tours that are offered by everyone under the sun.

 

[KelNottAt]

I participated in a survey about this vacation option about 6 months ago (maybe longer). I remember Disney was asking me to compare their vacation concepts to Tauck, Beaches, a realy expensive one that contained 2 names, and others. While I think their packages were just as good as the other guys, their pricing "what ifs" were entirely too high. Made Tauck look like a bargain.

 

[stampinshauna]

The adventures sound like fun, but I bet the price is pretty steep.

 

[Dizma]

Better start hording your points, if you know what I mean!

 

[MrsNick]

Hmmm, Adventure packages to Hawaii....Hmmm, rumors that Disney recently purchased property in Hawaii...

Hmmm, sounds like maybe instead of a DVC in Hawaii, Disney wants to have packages, but instead of paying someone else for the lodging, they'll have Adventure guests stay on a Disney property?

Just a stream of consciousness guess.

 

[mark&sue]

What makes these "Disney" as opposed to other vacations. I like the sounds of the one in Europe as for us the air fares are so much cheaper, but would need the "magic"



Susan

 

[westjones]

I wonder if we will be able to use points towards these? I am sure it would be a lot of points, but it would be an interesting option for a change sometime.

DJ

 

[OneMoreTry]

About a year ago Disney asked me to participate in a survey asking whether I'd like to try one of these vacations. I had to agree to confidentiality, etc etc.

I was all excited until I saw the prices! I have a family of seven. It would have been over $10K for us.