Let the “Adventures” begin!
As of noon this past Monday, several hundred Disney cast members had supposedly submitted applications to be part of the “road test” for a new concept in Disney vacations: “Adventures by Disney” trips.
Though only 40 Disney employees (and their family members) will eventually be selected to take part in the test trips in June, I’m told that these folks are truly in for the “Adventure” of their life-time. As they get to “test drive” the Hawaiian-based “Escape to Paradise” package or the Yellowstone, Great Teton & Jackson Hole-based “Quest for the West” package.
These “Adventures by Disney” test tours represent a significant departure for the Mouse. Given that — other than a few token appearances by Disney characters during the 8 day / 7 night experience — these packages feature no stops at Disney theme parks and/or any trips on the Disney Cruise Line.
Even so, the two test intineraries that Disney has assembled for “Adventures by Disney” make these trips sound absolutely spectacular. A “must do” once the Mouse works all the kinks out and makes these vacation packages available to the general public later this summer.
“What’s so special about these ‘Adventures by Disney’ trips?,” you ask. Here. Take a look at the transcript of the ABD brochure that I’ve provided below. This will give you a full run-down of what the cast members who are taking part in these initial test tours can expect to experience:
It’s a Whole New World of Adventure
The next time you want to get away with your family, don’t just plan a vacation. Plan an adventure. Better yet, let us plan it for you. With Adventures by Disney vacations, we’ll take your family on the journey of a lifetime filled with exciting activities, fun events and unique activities. We’ll handle all of the details, from your luggage, to accomodations, to activities from the whole family. Two of our expert Adventure Guides will be your escorts, guiding you through two of the most beautiful destinations in the world, and creating the kind of lifetime family memories that you’ve come to expect from Disney.
Be One of the First
This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be one of our first-ever adventurers. A very limited number of families will get the chance to experience and help us refine our Adventures by Disney vacations during our Summer Preview 2005 trial. We’re testing two unforgettable adventures starting in June: Hawaii’s “Escape to Paradise” and Yellowstone’s “Quest for the West.” Not only will you enjoy flexible itineraries and hassle-free traveling in a small group, you’ll have access to the kind of experiences that tourists only dream of. All you have to do is pack your bags, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. To book your adventure, call ***-***-****
Hawaii: Escape to Paradise
Crystal blue waters, miles of pristine beaches, tropical breezes and the magic of Disney. Does it get any better? As a matter of fact, it does. Because with our “Escape to Paradise,” you’ll get all this plus world-class accomodations, fine dining and your choice of exciting excursions and fun activities. Snorkel among some of the most beautiful reefs in the world. Tour a real volcano rim. Learn how to surf like a local. Or just relax and soak in the sun. Young or old, big or small, everyone in the family will experience their own litle slice of paradise.
Day 1: Aloha Adventure
When you touch down in paradise, you’ll be whisked to the JW Marriot Ihilani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina on Oahu. First you’ll meet your Adventures Guides, then you’ll be greeted in the traditional Hawaiian way, with a flower lei. You’ll have time to take in the hotel’s beautiful beach and sparkling blue lagoon before experiencing a legendary Hawaiian sunset. Then you’ll kick off your vacation with a Hawaiian feast.
Day 2: Legends of the Islands
Start your first full day on the islands with a delicious breakfast featuring fresh local fruit. From there, step back in time for an unforgettable tour of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Enjoy lunch in Waikiki. Then the choice is yours — hike to the heights of Diamond Head for a gorgeous view of Oahu, hit the shops in Waikiki for souvenirs, or simply relax on the beach. Dinner will be served at the resort at the end of the day.
Day 3: Beach Party, Hawaiian Style
After breakfast, you’ll get the chance to see the coral reefs’ colorful residents as you snorkel in the hotel’s lagoon. Then you’ll embark on a private reef & ray excursion (An “Adventures by Disney” specialty) where you’ll be able to hand-feed the stingrays. In the afternoon we throw a Hawaiian luau on a secluded beach “Adventures by Disney” was granted special access to. Kids can build sand castles and make leis, parents can enjoy a massage session, and everyone can learn how to surf. After dinner, relax with some Hawaiian storytelling by a bonfire under the stars.
Day 4: Big Island Spirit
Today, we turn up the heat as we travel to the Big Island to explore Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. You’ll have once-in-a-lifetime expereinces like touring a volcano rim with a geologist and hiking through a real lava tube. Back at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, little ones can dive into a Disney-style kids-only pool party while parents can enjoy a romantic sunset dinner. At night, the whole family can get together for a moonlight snorkel.
Day 5: Hawaiian Treasures
Get ready to travel back to ancient Hawaii. After breakfast, you’ll head out on a hike with a Hawaiian guide, seaching for petroglyphs — ancient Hawaiian rock carvings used to document special experiences and occasions. The rest of the day belongs to your family, to create some special experiences of your own. At night, you’ll witness a torch-lighting ceremony and enjoy a beachfront ‘ohana-style’ dinner before watching Disney movies under the stars.
Day 6: The Ancient Island
In the morning, we say mahalo and goodbye to the Big Island and travel to breath-taking Kauai. After a private ocean-view lunch at the famous Duke’s, prepare yourself for some dramatic, stunning scenery as we tour the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific,’ Waimea Canyon. Later, we’ll arrive at your luxury hotel just in time for a lei greeting. The evening is yours to explore and enjoy on your own.
Day 7: Paradise Found
Today we set sail on a calamaran cruise around the Na Pali coast. It’s the perfect way to see Kauai’s rugged beauty, steep cliffs and famous waterfalls as you soak in the sun on deck. We’ll have lunch on board, then plunge into the crystal-blue water for some snorkel time. At night, we pull out the stops Disney-style with a private paradise farewell dinner full of Disney surprises.
Surprise Visitors: Keep your eyes open, because you never know when you might meet up with one of your favorite Disney friends.
Day 8: Aloha
Enjoy one final aloha breakfast before bidding goodbye to paradise.
————————————————————————-
Quest for the West: Jackson Hole – Grand Teton – Yellowstone
Wide open spaces, rushing rivers and roaming wildlife abound in our Quest for the West. Take your family into the awe-inspiring heart of cowboy country as we explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, beginning and ending our trip in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming. You and your family will hit the trail hiking or on horseback, experience the thrill of whitewater rafting, fish a mountain pond or simply relax and take in the splendor of the Wyoming scenery. Between Disney and Mother Nature, you’ll be treated to the adventure of a lifetime.
Day 1: Wyoming Welcome
Upon landing, you’ll be greeted with that famous western hospitality by your Adventures Guides. The drive to Jackson Hole will give you time to check out Wyoming’s spectacular scenery and maybe even see some bison or elk. When you arrive at our hotel in the shadow of the Grand Tetons, you have time to settle into your anything-but-rustic accomodations before a private welcome reception and dinner.
Day 2: Grand Nature
Early risers can chose to start their day off with a morning wildlife hike. Then we head to majestic Grand Teton National Park for a scenic raft tour down Snake River. Along the way, keep an eye out for moose, elk, beaver, bison and bald eagles. After lunch, you can saddle up for a horseback ride, hike in the mountains or relax and enjoy the astounding views. Later, your Adventures Guides will set up telescopes for some after-dinner wildlife and star-gazing.
Day 3: Yellowstone Journey
After breakfast, we all travel by ferry across beautiful Jenny Lake to Yellowstone National Park. Once ashore, you’ll embark on an unforgettable hike past the cascade of Hidden Falls and onward to the aptly-named Inspiration Point, where you’ll see some of the most stunning scenery Mother Nature has to offer. After a picnic lunch at Colter Bay, you’ll witness the geothermic wonders of West Thumb Geyser Basin before checking into the historic and grand Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Then, we’ll seek out some evening adventure on a wildlife excursion through the park.
Day 4: Untamed Nature
The day begins with a driving tour of Yellowstone’s Grand Loop, a road that was originally formed by old wagon trails. From there, you’ll venture into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and witness the heart-stopping view from Artist Point. Then you’ll explore the rainbow colors, hissing steam and bubbling geysers of Norris Geyser Basin. Finally, you’ll travel to Old Faithful to catch a few of the world-famous geyser’s 130-foot eruptions before checking into the Old Faithful Snow Lodge or the Old Faithful Inn (one of the last log hotels in the country).
Day 5: Trail Blazers
The morning begins with a biking or walking tour of Upper Geyser basin, for more hydrothermal activitiy among the plentiful geysers, hot springs and steam-filled fumaroles. You’ll enjoy lunch back at the hotel and spend the afternoon either exploring on your own or on an exclusive Disney backcountry bike trip to Lonestar Geyser and Kepler Falls. At night, there’s a kids-only dinner with the Adventures Guides, while parents get some romantic dining time alone. Then you’ll get together for a cowboy-style scavenger hunt before bed.
Day 6: The Wild West
Today we’ll round up and head out to the Spotted Horse Ranch in Jackson Hole, with a stop along the way to snap a picture at the Continental Divide. You’ll tap into your inner cowboy at a local saloon for lunch, then have some time to check out the town. Later, the adventurous at heart can take on a whitewater rafting trip while the more subdued traveler can experience the Jackson Hole aerial tramway. Spend the evening in true Disney style, with local cowboys cooking, playing music and telling stories by the campfire.
Day 7: On the Range
Start your day off with a mouth-watering range breakfast, then tailor your day to fix your tastes. Take off for some trail riding on horseback, go fishing in a tranquil trout pond or enjoy time around the ranch with your family and the new friends that you’ve made. At night, we’ll bring our wonderful week to a close with a farwell dinner party, where we’ll dance, sing and reminisce in true Disney fashion.
Disney Friends: With “Adventures by Disney,” no two days are ever the same. Be prepared for magical Disney touches around every corner.
Day 8: Happy Trails
Fill up on a hearty ranch breakfast before waving good-bye to the great west.
————————————————————————-
Don’t those trip itineraries sound like spectacular? Don’t you wish that you could be one of the cast members whose families were selected to take part in the “Adventures by Disney” pilot program?
Well, just so you know, Disney employees still have to pay for the privilege of taking part in the “Adventures by Disney” test tours. The “Quest for the West” test (which departs on June 30th) is charging cast members $1,699.00 per person for a single reservation, $1,399.00 for a double, $1,299.00 for a triple and $1,249.00 for a quad. Children 17 & under get to experience this text tour for just $100.00 per child.
The “Escape to Paradise” tours (Disney actually running two tests of its proposed Hawaiian itineraries. One that departs on June 15th and another that departs on June 25th) are even pricier. A single reservation for cast members goes for $2,299.00, a double goes for $1,699.00, triple goes for $1,499.00, quad goes for $1,399.00 and children 17 & under still get to do the tour for $100 per child.
It should be noted here that — as snazzy as these “Adventures by Disney” tours sound — they’re not actually all inclusive. While the packages that Disney put together DO include:
Accomodations at hotels & resorts
transportation and baggage handling
- All scheduled meals
- All scheduled group activities
- Gratuities for bellmen, housekeepers, drivers and dining room staff
The “Adventures by Disney” tour package does NOT include:
- air transportation between destination and home
- gratuity for Adventures Guide
Also — due to the nature of the active intineraries that the Mouse has put together — Disney was recommending (at least on these initial test tours) that travelers be at least five years old to take part in the Hawaii “Escape to Paradise” tour and at least six years old to take part in the Yellowstone “Quest for the West” tour.
So what happens now? Well, we all sit back and hope that some of the cast members who actually signed up to take part in this test program eventually get back in touch with JHM and share some stories about their “Adventures by Disney” vacation experiences. As I understand, the Mouse will be using the feedback that they get from these Disney employees and their family members to help fine-tune these vacation packages. So that “Adventures by Disney” will be virtually bug-free by the time Mickey begins offering these same vacation packages to the general public later this summer.
Anyway … That’s your detailed look at the proposed “Adventures by Disney” intineraries. So is anyone else out there up for a trip to the islands and/or a journey ‘way out west?
Your thoughts?
Special thanks to Cent for sharing all this snazzy “Adventures by Disney” info with JHM readers.