PHOTO: Adventures by Disney will include an Amazon cruise on its new Ecuador and Galapagos itinerary. (All photos courtesy of Adventures by Disney)
For Adventures by Disney it's all about filling those bucket lists. At the same time, the family adventure tour operator also wants to offer new guests the chance to experience its products on shorter, more affordable programs.
That's why for 2015 Adventures by Disney is introducing a new "bucket list" trip that combines Ecuador, the Amazon and the Galapagos, as well as new Long Weekend itineraries showcasing New York City and San Francisco & Napa.
The new 12-day, 11-night Ecuadorian adventure, including visits to the Amazon and Galapagos Islands, allows guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and discover the incredible wildlife indigenous to the region.
The complete program includes a four-night river cruise on the Anakonda riverboat to explore the tropical rainforest; a three-night stay at the Finch Bay Hotel in the Galapagos; a guided daytrip to a neighboring island to encounter more wildlife; an exploration of the historic colonial city of Quito (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with visits to local markets, artisan studios and one of South America's most beautiful Spanish cathedrals; a hands-on cooking class with a local chef, paired with a special Ecuadorian chocolate tasting; and exclusive, immersive activities with the local community to authentically experience the culture and history of the region.
Disney's new Long Weekends trips will initially feature two itineraries: New York City and San Francisco & Napa. These four-day weekend getaways allow guests to explore some of America's favorite places with a unique Disney experiential twist.
The New York City tour is a four-day, three-night program that offers VIP access and special activities that only Disney can provide because of its key relationships. Highlights of this trip include a behind-the-scenes visit to Good Morning America (the ABC news program on the Disney owned network); a Broadway musical dance workshop; and a visit to the historic New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street and a backstage tour offering a hands-on experience with Broadway props.
Also included is a performance of the Tony Award-nominated hit Disney musical "Aladdin;" an escorted tour through historic Harlem with a well-known local guide; an interactive motor-coach ride to visit Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Central Park and more; and a visit to the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side to learn what life as an American immigrant was like.
The San Francisco and the Napa Valley program is a four-day, three-night itinerary that explores the city and visits the vineyards of Napa Valley. The program includes a guided tour of the Walt Disney Family Museum; a biking tour of San Francisco Bay, starting in the historic Fisherman's Wharf and cycling through the Palace of Fine Arts, Fort Point and more; and a visit to the Letterman Digital Arts Center (Lucasfilm), which features life-sized replicas of Darth Vader and Boba Fett from Star Wars.
PHOTO: Adventures by Disney guests visit LucasFilm and its Star Wars characters on the shorter San Francisco & Napa itinerary.
Also included is a visit to Silverado Vineyards in Napa (owned by the Disney family) for instruction on wine blending and tasting (kids experience an olive oil flavoring activity); a ferry ride across the Bay to Angel Island State Park, which earned the nickname of "Ellis Island of the West"; a walk through Muir Woods National Monument, home to the largest coastal redwoods on Earth; a sampling of several of San Francisco's most celebrated restaurants; and a stay at The Fairmont San Francisco hotel.
Other programs for 2015 include the five-day, four-night Winter in Yellowstone & Wyoming, another long-weekend adventure; an eight-day, seven-night Alaska adventure; an eight-day, seven-night Arizona & Utah program; a seven-day, six-night Montana & Canada tour; a six-day, five-night Southern California program; and a seven-day, six-night Yellowstone & Wyoming tour.
In Latin America, Adventures by Disney will offer a seven-day, six-night Costa Rica program; a nine-day, eight-night Ecuador & the Galapagos; and a nine-day, eight-night Peru & Machu Picchu tour.
In Europe, the company will offer a nine-day, eight-night Austria, Germany & Czech Republic program; an eight-day, seven-night England & France tour; an eight-day, seven-night France program; a nine-day, eight-night Germany tour; a 10-day, nine-night Greece program; an eight-day, seven-night Ireland tour; a nine-day, eight-night Italy program; an eight-day, seven-night Italy & Amalfi Coast tour; an eight-day, seven-night Italy & Switzerland program; an eight-day, seven night Norway program themed along the animated movie "Frozen;" and a nine-day, eight-night Scotland: A Brave Adventure program themed along the animated movie "Brave."
In Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Adventures by Disney features a 12-day, 11-night Australia program; a 12-day, 11-night Cambodia, Vietnam & Laos tour; a 12-day, 11-night China program; a 10-day, nine-night Egypt tour; and a 10-day, nine-night South Africa Safari.
All Adventures by Disney itineraries include special programming for kids. Two Disney-trained Adventure Guides accompany every departure and local experts provide tours at most stops. Adventures by Disney also offers select itineraries featuring adult-only departures. Bookings for 2015 can be made as of May 21, 2014.
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