I have been to Disney’s Vero Beach resort. I have toured the one at Hilton Head, as well. And while, yes, these resorts are beautiful and the level of customer service is everything you would expect from the Walt Disney Company…I cannot bring myself to say that I, personally, would consider at stay at either of them as a Disney vacation.
I’m sure I am in the minority here because really, the Walt Disney Travel Company offers so much more than just theme park vacations. With the Disney Cruise Line and the ever expanding Adventures by Disney, there is so much to offer families. But for me, if I am going to book a “Disney Vacation” you can be sure that at some point, I had better be skipping down Main Street USA or being dropped thirteen stories from the Hollywood Tower Hotel!
I think it’s great that Disney has branched out to offer so many different kinds of vacation experiences and believe me, some of them look amazing. If I had the money, I might be tempted to try several of them – just as long as there was a stop for a day or two for the parks.
I’ve gone on trips to Orlando and to the Walt Disney World Resort where I’ve scaled back my time in the parks. I’ve spent the day shopping in Downtown Disney, I’ve stayed poolside for an afternoon but as sad as it may sound, if I had the choice I would opt to just spend my time slowly touring the parks and restaurants and resorts that are there on the Florida property.
Is that lame?
On the cruise, you can book a land and sea package and while you are on the ships, you are surrounded by all-things Disney. If I wasn’t afraid of the water (and sinking!) I would totally try this and be very happy. I could easily find happiness dining with the characters, watching fireworks at sea and seeing Disney-based Broadway style shows.
But the Adventures by Disney are still a bit foreign to me – mostly I think the word “Adventure” scares me. I’m not adventurous or “outdoorsy” so these vacation packages don’t really speak to me. I consider sprinting through the rope drop to get to Space Mountain first the most adventurous part of my trip or perhaps riding the Kali River Rapids without a poncho! Real white water rafting? No…no thank you. Most of these packages that are being offered are also not anywhere near the “value” vacation that I come to equate with Disney. I know that I can get an all-inclusive vacation for my family for under $2500 – especially during a free dining promotion. These adventure vacations? That $2500 is sometimes the cost per person!
Granted, I know that these trips take you to other countries, they are for 10-14 days. I get it. To me, they are just glorified exotic destination packages with Disney’s name on it.
So what do you think? Are these non-theme park destination a real Disney vacation or do you, like me, crave being in the parks for at least part of the time?
Adventures by Disney is a wonderful, almost inclusive, vacation experience. These are small-group guided tours of popular destinations and as a guest you just don’t have to think about anything. Transportation? Done. Meals? Done. Entertainment? Done. Hotel selection and luggage handling? ABD selects upscale accommodations in nice areas and moves you from one place to the next. Queueing up for tourist traps? Not with ABD: They provide VIP tour experiences with little to no wait and guides are professionals. The other plus with ABD is the small group: no packed tour bus through Yellowstone, dropping people off with their own guide books. ABD does Yellowstone but with the small group and private guide you have things explained to you. That’s the Disney Difference.
Is an Adventures by Disney expensive? It is if you just look at the price. When you add in hotels, meals, tours and entertainment, its not that much more than if you pieced together a trip on your own.
I did an ABD last June and being a theme park commando and a passholder for at least 10 years, I thought I would miss the parks. With the ABD product, the Disney brand means you’re getting a more upscale experience and you are cared for during the vacation. ABD was possibly the best trip I’ve ever had–even comparing all of my cruises and theme park trips–because I didn’t have to do anything other than show up.
It is difficult to compare an ABD to theme parks. What ABD does is entertain and educate and take care of you. The Disney product is quite diverse and there’s really something for everyone. I still love the parks and can’t imagine not going, but if I have the opportunity to consider an ABD, then sign me up!