TWDC to test market group tours to Hawaii & Wyoming

[TroyWDW]

LOS ANGELES, Feb 17, 2005 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co.'s 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.

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[Suflay1]

Any more information available? Who do they consider veterans of the parks and cruises? How do we sign up???!!! Where's the best place to get more info about this new service?
Thanks.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Hmm... very interesting!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Here's what I got from the UK Yahoo news...

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

 

[dsnygal]

You may call 1-877-728-7282. It sounds like a lot of fun. Good Luck.

 

[Suflay1]

Thanks for posting that phone number, DSNYGAL. Sounds a little expensive, but I imagine it will be a first-class tour by Disney standards.

 

[Dizma]

..........has anyone recieved any more specific updated info yet? Can't seem to get a live person at that phone number. Thanks for any input that can be offered. -Dizma

 

[westjones]

This sounds like something my family might be interested in doing in the future. I hope it works out for them. Keep posting any information that comes out about it. I hope someone on DIS goes as a test family to report back.

DJ

 

[Dizma]

.........got thru to the Disney Adventures #. The itinerary sounds super. My husband is turning 50 in August and wants nothing but to be on top of the Grand Tetons..................well quess what? His dream is coming true. I am sooooo excited that I had to spill the beans. We are stoked! DH, DD 10, DS 8 and mommy me. There is a little quilt about so many wonderful trips this year, but with too many friends and family sick or passing...............life is just too short. You only live once.

 

[westjones]

.........got thru to the Disney Adventures #. The itinerary sounds super. My husband is turning 50 in August and wants nothing but to be on top of the Grand Tetons..................well quess what? His dream is coming true. I am sooooo excited that I had to spill the beans. We are stoked! DH, DD 10, DS 8 and mommy me. There is a little quilt about so many wonderful trips this year, but with too many friends and family sick or passing...............life is just too short. You only live once.

Oh, I hope you can give us a report! If Disney continues these tours, we would really like to check into the Hawaii one in 2007 (our 25th anniversary). We have always wanted to go to Hawaii!

DJ

 

[mla973]

There is information, including schedules and pricing, at www.mousesavers.com. They sound pretty cool. Prices do not include airfare, but I think they include most meals.

 

[westjones]

There is information, including schedules and pricing, at www.mousesavers.com. They sound pretty cool. Prices do not include airfare, but I think they include most meals.

Where is it listed on Mousesavers. I was just clicking around on different pages, but couldn't find it.

THANKS!
DJ

 

[Dizma]

All the info was in the newsletter. Try doing a newsletter search or sign up for the newsletter. The cm's at the phone number are very helpful too. Allseasons travel also has all the info. If you can't get the date that you are looking for they have a wait list. Good Luck!
Has anyone else booked?

 

[westjones]

All the info was in the newsletter. Try doing a newsletter search or sign up for the newsletter. The cm's at the phone number are very helpful too. Allseasons travel also has all the info. If you can't get the date that you are looking for they have a wait list. Good Luck!
Has anyone else booked?

Thanks! I must have overlooked my newsletter this month. Here is the link to the info on the Mousesavers website:

http://www.mousesavers.com/adventures.html

It really sounds nice. I hope it goes well this year. I would love to do this in the future. Please post trip reports if anyone does this! I want to know how it goes.

Thanks!
DJ

 

[Mnswimfamily]

My family just return from the 7 day Eastern cruise April 2nd. While on board we book the Hawaiian test for August 27th. It sounds wonderful. I will be traveling with my dh, myself, son 9, daughter 9, and daughter 5. What a great way to spoil ourselves for our 15th anniversary. Having met my dh in Hawaii almost 20 years ago, I believe it to a bargain for the resorts, tours, transfers etc. If anyone can swing it I would jump on board. Of course there is always a chance the test wont get off the ground but it was looking great as of last week.

I know Quest for the west was already wait listed when we saw the presentation mid week last week. But in all fairness it was scheduled for only 4 trip departures.

Dizma what date are you traveling?

I will try and keep ya all posted if I hear more info.

 

[Dizma]

Hi Mnswimfamily,
Congrats on getting in on the Hawaii trip and your anniversary. It sounds wonderful. We are booked for the 8/14 West trip. Was that your 1st Disney cruise? When will your next cruise be? Looking for other adventurers. -Dizma

 

[Mnswimfamily]

Dizma, Yes it was my families first Disney Cruise and we all had a wonderful time. I highly recommend it to all. I don't see us taking another cruise for several years. I like to change things around and next spring we will be land based in Florida for 10 days. A bit more relaxed, less food, and more swimming. Oh and the big eared guy too. As you could probably guess by my name we love to swim and we didn't get much on the cruise. Sounds funny but true. My family's favorite hobby is the beach. The kids could dig, build, swim for days. I had to drag them off the beach in St. Thomas and Anquilla. We are also landlocked in Minnesota so a cruise felt a bit restrictive to me. But again it was awesome.. PALO is the way to go for dinner. Unbelievable food and service by Marco..We made it up there for 2 dinners.

The west trip sounds awesome ! I was almost greatful it was booked as I couldn't have chosen. My daughter is a nature gal and thought is looked so cool. Esp since we vacation warm.

Dizma what was the minimum age on that group?

 

[Dizma]

Mnswimfamily, I believe the minimum age is 6 on the west adventure. Hoping my 8 year old cooperates, but couldn't pass up on the opportunity. It is the one place dh wanted to spend his "special" birthday. And the date opened up. It's almost like it was meant to be.
We took our 1st cruise last year and got hooked. However after hearing about that 70 foot wave last week, I have some concerns, which I can get over just thinking about Palo and the choc. sueffle. Did I spell that right? Oh well. Can't wait to hear of your Hawaii trip. It's a beautiful place. -Dizma

 

[westjones]

Has anyone done one of these trips this summer (or knows anyone who did)? I would love to hear a report!
Thanks,
DJ

 

[Mnswimfamily]

WE have not yet gone on our trip but I am packing... We are headed out a bit early for our trip but was hoping to get some scoop tonight checking in. I will add Disney has done a great job to date. Keeping us informed on the details and special boxes have arrived. On phoning in our flight changes I have heard wonderful stories so I am really looking forward to it. I will try my best to report in after our return in early Sept.