Adventures by Disney

Some of the staff at All Horizons Travel have taken examinations to be Walt Disney specialists.  I asked Lori Heathorn, our resident Disney expert, to talk about Disney’s land based tours. Lori has been on the Disney Cruise Line, and has visited Disneyland and Walt Disney World countless times and currently holds her third Bi-Coastal Annual pass for all 6 parks. She can even tell you which side of It’s a Small World After All has the shortest line!  She has an absolute passion for knowledge on all Disney products and Disney Adventures.   I asked her to write an article on Disney Adventures for you, since it is worth looking at if you want something different, excellent value, with lots of frills.  Cheers!  Mo

When people hear the name Disney, they often immediately think of Mickey Mouse, princesses, or theme parks. It surprises people to learn that Disney offers land-based vacation all over the world with Adventures by Disney. And I can’t tell you how many people tell me they don’t want to see China, Europe, or the U.S. national parks with Mickey Mouse.

Well, I am here to tell what Adventures by Disney is all about. First though, let me tell you what it is not. It is not traveling with Mickey and Pluto. It is not just for families with small kids. It is not “if it is Tuesday, this must be Belgium” escorted tour.

This is what Adventures by Disney is:

1)      It is exclusive experiences around the world. The Disney name opens a lot of doors. This translates into back door or after hours entry to the Coliseum or the Vatican. It is stepping foot inside Walt’s personal apartment in Disneyland. It is visiting a farm in the countryside to meet the goat herder and learn how he makes his delicious goat cheese.

2)      It is VIP White Glove service that Disney is famous for. Most of the hotels are 5 star with the exception of the accommodations at the Grand Canyon, and one hotel in Costa Rica. Each adventure has two guides. In most cases, one of the guides is a local resident who knows his or her area and is passionate about sharing it with you. The second guide is there to be your personal concierge. To entertain the kids and make the adults’ time carefree and personal. And with two guides, the group is split into smaller, more intimate parties.

3)      It is storytelling, not lectures. Adventure Guides knows how to entertain kids and adults alike. While you will get the history and culture of the place, you won’t be getting it through a dry lecture on a bus, or in a museum. Instead it is scavenger hunts for famous works of art; it is local mythology around a roaring campfire with s ‘mores. It is making masks in Venice, or pizza in Tuscany. Everyone will come away from an Adventures by Disney vacation with a real understanding of the culture and history and having fun doing so.

4)      It is culinary experiences geared for adults and children. In Tuscany or Napa valley, while the adults are wine tasting, the kids are bottling their own flavored olive oil, or making a pizza lunch for everyone.

5)      For many of the twenty-eight adventures, it is back to nature. Hiking in the Tetons, river rafting the Colorado River, zip-lining in Costa Rica, stargazing in Australia, or hiking in Peru. It is time to reconnect with the family and with nature. And no one is left behind. If someone doesn’t want to raft the rapids, there is a river float option. Not a cyclist? There is a walking tour instead.

6)      It is special touches like complimentary photos throughout the adventure. It is a daily pin, themed to that day’s activity. It is the activity books that all guides have to amuse the younglings. It is secret magic moments that not even your travel agent knows about. And it all starts with your travel documents, but I can’t tell you any more!

So if you are thinking about doing a tour of Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, or North America, then you should be looking at Adventures by Disney if you want to really experience your destination and have someone else handle all the nitty-gritty details, smoothing your way to a fun-filled, active, and enriching experience for adults and families alike. There are even adult exclusive departures just in case you want to leave the kids with Grandma, or better yet, bring the kids and Grandma. There’ll be something for every age group on an Adventures by Disney tour.

Lori Heathorn, All Horizons Travel Disney Specialist