We all love adventures—planning for them, enjoying them and remembering the discoveries we made while having them. (And as Cardmembers, taking advantage of special vacation financing to help make them possible!)1 After all, every adventure is a journey of discovery. But, as the saying goes, every journey begins with the first step. So, when the Adventures by Disney® team begins to build a new adventure, what are the steps they take to create the immersive experiences you have always dreamed of?
The first step? Location, location, location! And with a wide world to choose from, options for potential destinations are virtually limitless! Before deciding on a locale, the Adventures by Disney® team looks at top travel trends and asks Guests, fellow Disney Cast Members and Disney partners around the world for suggestions. Potential destinations might be a location that inspired a film or a Park attraction. “Whatever it is, we want it to be unique,” says Lisa Gatlin, Senior Manager of Trip Development for Adventures by Disney®.
Every Adventure Tells a Story
The next criteria is pure Disney: there has to be a story. “We always ask ourselves, ‘What are the destination’s historical and cultural stories?’” Gatlin says. “Are there hidden gems to discover? What unique, immersive activities are available?”
Working with Adventure Guides
The team researches each destination deeply, then goes about creating special experiences for Guests. “Adventure Guides in each destination work to give Guests one-of-a-kind experiences that can bring a place to life in unforgettable ways,” Gatlin says. Sometimes that leads to wonderful surprises.
New Adventures in 2023
For instance, when the Adventures by Disney® team was building the new Land Adventure to the British Isles, which launches in spring 2023, they went to Northern Ireland, where they visited a farmhouse in a traditional village. “We learned to bake bread, heard stories about family and traditional village life, and interacted with the local family and their children,” Gatlin says. “We also visited the iconic Giants Causeway with a storyteller who brought the area to life with stories about the history and the folklore of the causeway. That’s where the experience becomes really magical.”
Activities for Every Interest and Age
As the team builds each adventure, they explore activities that will engage every age, including activities just for Junior Adventurers. “We put on our eight-year-old hats and our grandparent hats and all the hats in between to make sure we are offering experiences that not only connect families with the people and culture of the region, but also fit each Guest’s interests,” says Gatlin.
So Many Places to Explore
With over 50 adventures on seven continents, Adventures by Disney® offers a multitude of opportunities to journey to places you’ve always imagined seeing. Choose from Expedition Cruises, Land Adventures, River Cruises and even Private Adventures for 12 Guests or fewer. To learn more about Adventures by Disney® or to book a vacation, visit AdventuresByDisney.com, call 1-800-543-0865 or contact a travel agent.
Now that your appetite for adventure is whetted, remember that Cardmembers receive special vacation financing on select Disney vacation packages with your Disney® Visa® Credit Card.1 Then prepare for adventure!
