Entering its fifth year, Adventures by Disney is introducing its 2010 program of designed tours for family vacations, complete with provides educationally-enriched experiences. Whether floating down the Colorado River or climbing the Great Wall of China, families participating in Adventures by Disney vacations connect with the world and each other during a variety of guided group travel experiences spanning six continents.
"We are able to offer vacation experiences to some of the most fascinating places on earth, literally bringing history to life for our guests," said Don Gross, vice president of Adventures by Disney. "Each itinerary is carefully planned, creating a vacation that includes the most iconic and must-see sites as well as off-the-beaten path excursions. In fact, guests often tell us the hardest part about the trip is choosing the adventure."
Adventure Guide: Part storyteller, ambassador, concierge and role model, Adventures by Disney's highly-trained Adventure Guides are the hosts and specialists who lead guests on every trip. With two guides assigned for every group (of up to 40 people), travelers receive individual attention to ensure an enriching vacation.
Junior Adventurers: Young travelers are transformed into Junior Adventurers— seeing, hearing and tasting things that they might otherwise not have experienced. The immersive activities created just for kids allow young travelers to learn and have fun in places like museums that aren't always as entertaining for the younger set. For example, at the Louvre in Paris, the Junior Adventurers play an Art Detective game throughout the museum with their Adventure Guides, while adults take a privately guided tour with an art historian. In addition, the Adventure Guides are expert storytellers and are trained to create fun and unique, locally-based experiences for the kids. On almost every departure, there is also a Junior Adventurers night, in which the kids have a special evening experience with their Guides, while the adults get a quiet evening on their own at the resort.
Local Experts: An authentic Tuscan chef, a naturalist from Costa Rica, a Chinese tai chi master - these local experts share a passion; they live and breathe the local history and culture of their destination. They are an integral part of every Adventures by Disney vacation. They join guests to share their stories and provide an "insider's" perspective to each destination.
VIP Access: Travelers vacationing with Adventures by Disney receive VIP experiences that are practically impossible to schedule on their own. Special entry to otherwise crowded sites, unique accommodations (like castles in Ireland and Germany, a dude ranch in Yellowstone and at the base of a live, active volcano in Costa Rica). Guests also get backstage access of celebrated performances like "The Lion King" in London.
Adventures by Disney's 2010 destinations include 19 global itineraries:
Asia & Pacific
Enchanted China - China: Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong
Safari to South Africa - South Africa: Cape Town, The Garden Route and Kapama Game Reserve
Discovery Down Under - Australia: North Queensland, Ayers Rock and Sydney
British Isles & Europe
Cities of Knights and Lights - England and France: London and Paris
The Emerald Isle - Ireland: Dublin, Killarney and Shannon
Once Upon a Fairytale - Germany: Heidelberg, Trendelburg, Rothenburg and Munich
Alpine Magic - Italy and Switzerland: Stresa, Zermatt and Lake Lucerne
Viva Italia - Italy: Rome, Tuscany and Venice
Bella Italia - Central Italy: Sorrento and Florence
Latin America
Path to Pura Vida - Costa Rica: San Jose, Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park
Treasures of the Galapagos - Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities - Peru: Lima, Sacred Valley and Cusco
North America
Spirit of America - Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Williamsburg, VA
Quest for the West - Wyoming: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Southwest Splendors - Arizona and Utah: Sedona, Grand Canyon and Moab
Backstage Magic - Southern California: Hollywood and Disneyland Resort
Golden Path to Yosemite - Northern California: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco
Taming the Last Frontier - Alaska: Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Kenai Peninsula
Rocky Trails and Mountie Tales - Montana and Canada: Glacier National Park and Banff National Park
Worldwide and on the Web
Just as Adventures by Disney creates family-friendly adventures with the child in mind, so, too, are online activities designed for kids. Junior Adventurers can get a taste of the authentic real-life experiences they will soon explore by means of destination-specific games, trivia, photos, downloadable coloring maps and countdown calendars (www.JuniorAdventurers.com).
Additionally, AdventuresbyDisney.com is designed to answer guests' primary vacation questions. Unsure where to travel? The Trip Selector tool narrows down the ideal choices based on the family's interests. Curious what to expect day-to-day? Travelers can reference the Frequently Asked Questions to find a plethora of information - everything from destination climate to children-friendly cuisine for each itinerary. Decide on a trip? The full E-brochure is available online for guests to e-mail and share with others planning the vacation. The website also features a condensed print version of each itinerary including dates and pricing ranges for easy hands-on reference.
Holiday Getaways
Families can give the gift of travel as Adventures by Disney offers select 2010 itineraries designed to accompany the holiday season. Explore Italy during the most festive time of year or escape to the islands and create a new kind of holiday magic. Hear the fables of Germany where the legend of Sinter Klaus was born or go Down Under and be one of the first to ring in the New Year.
Visit www.adventuresbydisney.com.