adventures 2010

Adventures by Disney invites travelers to experience the world in 2010 with guided group vacations created especially for families and breathtaking trips spanning six continents. Guests will meet local experts and enjoy VIP treatment and exclusive experiences they might otherwise miss on their own while discovering incredible adventures, including special thrills just for kids.  Each of the 19 itineraries is led by two Disney-trained Adventure Guides who handle all the details so families can concentrate on having the time of their life.

Below are highlights from Adventures by Disney’s 19 itineraries that span six continents:

ASIA & PACIFIC

China – Enchanted China

Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong

Families will learn about Chinese culture and explore amazing wonders – hiking the Great Wall of China, spending an afternoon cruising down the Lijiang River and visiting the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base.

Adventure Highlights

• Private, guided tour of Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City
• Hike up the Great Wall to explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World
• Amazing performance of classic Sichuan face-changing opera and Shanghai’s stunning ERA show
• Lessons in Chinese calligraphy, kite-making, fan-dancing, tai chi and stick-fighting
• Private cruise on the Lijiang River
• “Pedicab” tour of Beijing’s ancient alleyways
• Musical presentation at Shanghai Children’s Palace
• VIP experience at Hong Kong Disneyland

South Africa – Safari to South Africa

Cape Town, The Garden Route and Kapama Game Reserve

Welcome to the land of the Lion King! Discover a world of adventure with a castle visit in Cape Town and a trip through South Africa’s wild Garden Route. Enjoy an African safari in Big Five Country, home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo.

Adventure Highlights

• Wild Game Drive at Kruger National Park
• Learn to make Afrikaans pastry at a world-class cooking school near Stellenbosch
• Breathtaking views of Cape Town during a nature walk on Table Mountain
• Shopping excursion in an authentic African market
• Discover Cape of Good Hope, hike Cape Point and lunch at Boulder Beach with African penguins
• Explore the indigenous forest of the Garden of Eden, encounter the exotic residents at Monkeyland and Birds of Eden
• Experience an authentic Bush Walt, plus Junior Adventures craft-making and archery, at Kapama Game Reserve
• Lunch in the historic Spier Winery with a private wine tasting, bike ride and eagle encounter
• Pitch a tent for a traditional pan-African lunch with a Bedouin tribe

Australia – Discovery Down Under

N. Queensland, Ayers Rock and Sydney

Travel “down under” and discover a world where families can learn to throw a boomerang with an Aboriginal expert, watch the sunset on Ayers Rock and feel the rush of adrenaline zooming around Sydney Harbour on a high-speed boat.

Adventure Highlights

• Snorkel among the Lowe Isles in the Great Barrier Reef
• Boomerang-throwing and didgeridoo-playing by the Tjapukai (Aboriginal people)
• Hike through Mossman Gorge, the world’s oldest rainforest
• Marvel at the stars of the Southern Hemisphere at an Ayers Rock stargazing experience
• Feast on a traditional barbecue overlooking a lagoon of crocodiles
• Bike tour of Circular Quay and high-speed jet-boat ride in Sydney
• Meet Aussie cowboys at Tobruk Sheep Station
• Exclusive breakfast at Taronga Zoo with a zoo keeper

BRITISH ISLES & EUROPE

England, France – Cities of Knights & Lights

London and Paris

Step into the stories of characters and kings in two of the most magical cities in Europe. Families can enjoy VIP and private, guided experiences to some of the world’s most famous landmarks.

Adventure Highlights

• Explore London aboard a private double-decker bus
• VIP experience at the Disney theatrical production of “The Lion King”
• First-class train travel from London to Paris, at up to 186 mph
• Dine in the Eiffel Tower
• Special Junior Adventurers-only art detective game at the Louvre
• Lessons in the French game pentanque
• Climb the 422 twisting stairs of Nôtre Dame for a gargoyle’s view of Paris
• Bike trip through the royal gardens of Versailles

Ireland – The Emerald Isle

Dublin, Killarney and Shannon

Families will feel like they have reached a pot of gold as they discover the real treasures of Ireland. With excursions through legendary castles and authentic Irish dancing lessons, one can’t help but embrace the luck of the Irish.

Adventure Highlights

• Spend two nights in an authentic castle
• Guided tour through Dublin Castle and the Book of Kells at Trinity College
• Tour the Guinness Storehouse and enjoy lunch overlooking the city
• Visit the Muckross House, a 19th century palace and Dublinia Historical Museum
• Visit an Irish farm for scone-making and sheep-herding
• Traditional cheese-tasting and private Irish dancing lessons
• Festive dining at a traditional Irish celebration
• Private river cruise on Kenmare Bay

Germany – Once Upon a Fairy Tale

Heidelberg, Trendelberg, Rothenburg and Munich

Embark on a fairy-tale journey through the German countryside complete with stories and tales of medieval times as well as exclusive visits to historic castles, themed dinners and unique activities. One never knows when a beloved storybook character may make a surprise appearance!

Adventure Highlights

• Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, part of Walt Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella Castle
• Private archery lessons and traditional pretzel-making demonstrations
• Wine tasting at Zum Ritter
• Medieval castle tours with local guides plus a two-night stay at Trendelburg Castle
• Private picnic lunch at Alsfeld Museum
• Bike riding at Hofgut Stammen and dance lesson with an Oompah band
• Teddy bear-making activity at Stieff Bear Factory

European Alps – Alpine Magic

Stresa, Zermatt and Lake Lucerne

Experience the Alps like never before with private tour guides and cable-car visits to the most popular peaks of Northern Italy and Switzerland. The only thing more breathtaking than the view will be the amazing obstacle course through Forest Fun Park.

Adventure Highlights

• Exclusive Junior Adventurers gelato tasting and pony rides
• Lesson in pasta making, taught by professional chefs in Como, Italy
• Sample wines with a local sommelier, while Junior Adventurers feast on grape juice and gourmet cookies
• Relax during a scenic train ride with views of Matterhorn Mountain
• Descend from the town of Andermatt on a 12-mile downhill bike ride
• Meet the true heroes of the Alps: the brave pups at a Husky camp
• Mini boat cruise and guided tour of the exquisite gardens and fountains of Isole Bella Island
• Visit to Ballenburg Open Air Museum and learn the fascinating history of Switzerland

Italy – Viva Italia

Rome, Tuscany and Venice

From exploring the masterpieces of Rome to pasta-making with an Italian chef to riding the grand canals of Venice, families will experience the real spirit of Italy from the moment they arrive.

Adventure Highlights

• Private gondola ride through the magnificent canals of Venice
• Pasta-making in Tuscany
• Privately guided visits to Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Coliseum and Forum
• Venetian Carnivale mask-making lessons
• Junior Adventurer search for Marco Polo and enjoy gelato tasting
• Bocce-ball lessons at a Tuscan villa

Special tour of Coliseum for Junior Adventurers

Italy – Bella Italia

Sorrento and Florence

Discover the rich history and beauty of Italy. From a boat ride off the Amalfi Coast to a private tour of the ruins of Pompeii, make memories that last a lifetime on this unforgettable adventure.

Adventure Highlights

• Visit Pisa and explore the Leaning Tower and the Field of Miracles
• Cruise around Capri on an exclusive boat tour and swim in the sapphire blue waters of the Mediterranean
• Learn to make pizza at La Galatea’s farmhouse kitchen in Sorrento
• Pose in the picturesque town of Positano, one of the most photographed places in the world
• Create a fresco masterpiece in Florence’s Children’s Museum
• Explore the automobile-free city of Lucca on a bike-riding excursion
• Embark on a walking tour of Florence, visiting Academia and Duomo with a local expert
• Exclusive visit to the famed Eagle Contrada Museum in Sienna

LATIN AMERICA

Costa Rica – Path to Pura Vida

San Jose, Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park

Experience the lush beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest and enjoy the wonders of nature and wildlife as families walk, raft and zipline across this amazing land.

Adventure Highlights

• Craft-making demonstrations with artisans from a local tribe
• Zipline through the Costa Rican rainforests
• Privately guided spotting of exotic wildlife
• White-water rafting along the Sarapiqui River (Class 2-3 rapids)
• Private beachside barbecue lunch
• Relaxing evening in the Hidalgo Hot Springs
• Privately guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist
• Exclusive visit to a working pineapple plantation

South America – Treasures of the Galapagos

Quito, Otavalo Valley and The Galapagos Islands

Join an ecological adventure in the volcanic islands of the Pacific Ocean. Families will not believe their eyes when they spot the Galapagos’ swimming lizards, silvery sea lions, giant prehistoric tortoises and exotic colored birds.

Adventure Highlights

• Stand on the center of the world at the Quisato Sundial
• Cruise the Galapagos Islands in the 293-foot-long Galapagos Explorer II and learn to make island cocktails with the crew
• Lessons in Peguche flute-making, traditional weaving and kite-making
• Private, guided nature walk to Peguche Waterfalls
• Come face-to-face with penguins, sea lions and iguanas on Bartolome Island
• Commune with tropical fish and sea turtles on a deep-water snorkeling excursion
• Visit a cheese farm, organic garden, horse stables and an embroidery shop at a countryside hacienda
• Private, guided tour of North Seymour Island to see the famous blue-footed boobies and scarlet-throated frigate birds

Peru – Sacred Valleys & Incan Cities

Lima, Sacred Valley and Cusco

From discovering the “lost city” of Machu Picchu to traveling through the intricacies of the Sacsayhuaman ruins, families will be immersed in the beauty and culture of the Incan heritage.

Adventure Highlights

• River rafting in the Sacred Valley
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu
• Lessons in the Portuguese game Sapo, plus Pisco sour tastings for Junior Adventurers
• Llama and alpaca encounters at Awana Kancha Camelids Center
• Learn colorful weaving techniques from local women at the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco
• Picnic lunch in Maras featuring a local dancing exhibition
• Privately guided exploration of the Maras Salt Pans

Farewell lunch at the magnificent private residence in Colonial Lima, the oldest restored colonial mansion

NORTH AMERICA

Mid Atlantic States – Spirit of America

Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Williamsburg

Come home to the cities that celebrate American heritage and explore some of the United States’ most iconic and educational landmarks as historical characters come to life and tell the story of the nation.

Adventure Highlights

• Privately guided trolley tour of Philadelphia, including Independence Hall and Liberty Bell
• Barbecue lunch along the banks of the Potomac
• Get your hands dirty with real colonial brick-making
• Junior Adventurer game – find the missing Declaration of Independence
• Biking tour of Washington D.C., including the Capitol and the Washington and Lincoln Monuments
• Privately guided tour of Williamsburg including Minuteman presentation
• Private lunch at ESPN Zone including arcade games
• Lunch at King’s Arm in Williamsburg – a historic tavern with costumed servers

Wyoming – Quest for West

Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Parks

Escape the routine of modern life and explore some of Earth’s most natural wonders in an adventure that will give your family a true western experience.

Adventure Highlights

• Junior Adventurers enjoy a scavenger hunt in Yellowstone National Park
• White-water rafting on the Snake River (Class 2-3 rapids)
• Trick-roping and lasso-tying lessons
• Scenic picnic at Lake Yellowstone
• Private, guided tour of West Thumb Geyser Basin and fun with laser thermometers
• Private picnic at String Lake
• Fly-fishing lessons on crystal-clear mountain lakes and spring-fed streams

American Southwest – Southwest Splendors

Sedona, Grand Canyon and Moab

Venture into the depths of the Grand Canyon; get vertical in a jeep excursion through the red rocks of Sedona and white-water raft down the Colorado River as you and your family explore all the beauty and adventure the Southwest has to offer.

Adventure Highlights

• White-water rafting down the Colorado River (Class 1-2 rapids)
• Guided Grand Canyon tour by a naturalist
• Cowboy & Cowgirl Cookout dinner complete with singing tales of the West
• Interactive entertainment from Native American performers
• Thrilling, off-road jeep tour of Sedona’s red rocks
• Three nights at a working ranch on the banks of the Colorado River featuring hiking and tennis
• Four-wheel tour through Monument Valley with Navajo guide
• Native craft-making demonstrations at Sedona’s Heritage Museu

Southern California – Backstage Magic

Hollywood and Disneyland Resort

The glamorous world of old Hollywood contrasts with the newest filmmaking technologies in this movie fan’s dream tour of Southern California. Get exclusive access to some of the most famous Tinseltown destinations and custom VIP tours that uncover the magic of Disneyland Resort.

Adventure Highlights

• Behind-the-scenes tours of El Capitan Theatre, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and Jim Henson Studios
• Walking tour of Hollywood landmarks
• Walt Disney Studios tour with lunch on the studio lot (who knows who you’ll run into!)
• Peek inside Walt Disney’s apartment where the light always stays on in his memory
• View fireworks from a special area
• Experience Disney’s California Adventure Park before it opens
• Customized VIP tour of Disneyland with many backstage adventures
• Journey into the magic of Walt Disney Imagineering

Northern California – Golden Path to Yosemite

Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco

Trek through the heart of California on a family adventure that starts in the pristine grandeur of Lake Tahoe. Experience the majesty of Yosemite and lavish in the charm of San Francisco.

Adventure Highlights

• Gather around the campfire for storytelling and s’mores
• Float down the Truckee River seeing the sites with a local guide
• Gondola ride up 8,200 feet and hike to the Village at Squaw Valley
• Walk in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt on a private tour of Yosemite Valley
• Saddle up for a horseback ride on Happy Isles Trail
• Discover San Francisco’s Union Square, Chinatown and more aboard an exclusive trolley ride
• Privately guided bike tour across the massive Golden Gate Bridge
• Junior Adventurers lean how to be junior park rangers with a local naturalist

Alaska – Taming the Last Frontier

Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Kenai Peninsula

Travel to the “Great Land” of the United States and experience all of the adventure it has to offer. Race along with “man’s best friend” while visiting the Trail Breaker Kennel Iditarod. Gaze upon massive icebergs as you float down the serene Placer River and get close to the last American wilderness featuring bears, moose and bison.

Adventure Highlights

• Watch for whales and other marine life on a Kenai Fjords Cruise
• Learn how to track wolves on an educational hike with a private guide
• Experience a Native Alaskan dance and drum performance
• Discover Denali on an exclusive jet boat and “strike” gold in the Nenana River
• Scenic views of Spencer Glacier on the Alaska Railroad
• “Underwater” dining experience at the Alaska SeaLife Center
• U.S./Southwest Canada – Rocky Trails & Mountie Tales

Glacier National Park and Banff National Park

Embark on an exciting excursion to the awe-inspiring glacial parks of northern United States and Canada. This unforgettable experience starts with a wild whitewater ride in Glacier National Park and crosses the border into an action-packed Canadian adventure.

Adventure Highlights

• Soak in the Upper Thermal Hot Springs
• Paddle across the clear waters of Moraine Lake in a canoe
• Listen to tribal tales of the Blackfeet nation from a famous Native American storyteller
• Private, guided bike tour along Bow River in Banff National Park
• Travel up Alberta’s historic cattle trail and get a taste of the real West
• Ride in a gondola up the 7,500-foot summit of Sulphur Mountain
• Private lesson in landscape painting at Whyte Museum
• Travel the only road in Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road, in a private Red Bus Tour

Pricing

In 2010, the price of an Adventures by Disney vacation will vary within set ranges depending on the trip. Prices will be based primarily on when a guest books and travels. Guests are encouraged to book early for best availability and great rates.

More detailed information is available at AdventuresByDisney.com.

About Adventures by Disney

As Disney Cruise Line revolutionized – and in some ways defined – the family cruise vacation, Adventures by Disney has recreated the way families think about vacationing together.

Launched in 2005, Adventures by Disney provides immersive, hassle-free and unforgettable guided family vacation experiences to destinations in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. Families traveling with Adventures by Disney receive exceptional service while taking part in extraordinary experiences from National Parks to Paris, Yellowstone to Costa Rica, the ruins of Pompeii to the ruins of Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef to the Great Wall of China, and more.

With Disney-trained Adventure Guides, engaging activities, VIP experiences and personal touches throughout, Adventures by Disney excites and delights every member of the family. Guests wanting more information about Adventures by Disney can visit AdventuresByDisney.com, call 877/728-7282, or contact their travel agent.

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