Adventures by Disney offers a completely different way to experience destinations around the world.
Rather than planning every hotel, transfer, tour and activity yourself, Adventures by Disney creates immersive guided vacations featuring carefully selected accommodations, local experts, unique experiences and Disney-trained Adventure Guides.
And despite the Disney name, these vacations aren’t centered around theme parks or Disney characters. Instead, they are designed to immerse travelers in the history, culture, food and experiences of the destinations they visit.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions travelers have about Adventures by Disney.
What Is Adventures by Disney?
Adventures by Disney offers premium guided group vacations to destinations throughout the world.
Depending on the itinerary, an Adventure may include experiences such as privately guided tours, cultural activities, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures, historic landmarks and access to places or experiences that may be difficult to arrange independently.
Your trip is led by Disney-trained Adventure Guides, who handle many of the logistical details throughout your vacation.
Adventures by Disney offers several types of travel experiences, including:
- Land Adventures
- River Cruises
- Expedition Cruises
- Escape vacations
- Private Adventures on select itineraries
Each itinerary is different, so the destination and style of Adventure you choose can dramatically change the experience.
How Do I Make an Adventures by Disney Reservation?
Your Adventures by Disney vacation can be reserved once you’ve selected the itinerary and departure date that works best for you.
A deposit is generally required when booking, with the amount and final payment date determined by the applicable Adventures by Disney terms and the type of trip you reserve.
Because payment and cancellation policies can vary by vacation type and departure, we will review the current terms with you before your reservation is finalized.
Booking early is especially important for highly desired destinations and departure dates because Adventures by Disney trips operate with limited group sizes.
What Is Included in an Adventures by Disney Vacation?
One of the biggest advantages of Adventures by Disney is how much of the vacation is already arranged for you.
Depending on your specific itinerary, your Adventure may include:
- Disney-trained Adventure Guides
- Carefully selected accommodations
- Local experts and guides
- Many scheduled meals
- Guided activities and entertainment
- Admission to included attractions and experiences
- National or regional park admission where applicable
- Transportation during your Adventure
- Luggage handling
- Designated airport or train station transfers
- Gratuities for many local guides, drivers, porters and other service providers
- Applicable taxes
Exactly what is included varies by itinerary, so each Adventure provides a detailed breakdown of meals, activities, accommodations and transportation.
What Is Not Included in an Adventures by Disney Vacation?
While Adventures by Disney includes a significant portion of your vacation, certain expenses are generally separate.
These may include:
- Airfare to and from your destination
- Transportation between your home and departure airport
- Meals or activities not listed in your itinerary
- Transportation not included in the itinerary
- Adventure Guide gratuities
- Passport and visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Airline baggage fees
- Laundry and telephone expenses
- Alcohol unless specifically included
- Personal purchases and other incidental expenses
Some Adventures also include designated periods of On Your Own time, allowing you to explore independently or choose your own meals and activities.
Are Flights Included With Adventures by Disney?
Airfare to and from the beginning and ending destination of your Adventure is generally not included in the advertised trip price.
Flights may be arranged separately and, in some cases, airfare may be purchased through Adventures by Disney in conjunction with your trip.
Current Adventures by Disney terms state that flight reservations they arrange must originate or terminate in the United States and that airfare purchased through Adventures by Disney is generally nonrefundable.
We’ll help make sure your arrival and departure times coordinate properly with your Adventure and any included transfers.
Are Airport Transfers Included?
Transfers between designated airports or train stations and your Adventure hotels may be included when you arrive and depart according to the itinerary’s specified requirements.
However, transfers from other airports, hotels or locations that are not part of the designated itinerary may not be included.
This is one reason flight planning is especially important with Adventures by Disney.
Arriving at the wrong airport or outside the designated transfer arrangements could require you to arrange transportation independently.
Can I Arrive Before My Adventure or Stay Longer?
Absolutely — and for many international destinations, we actually recommend considering it.
Adventures by Disney may be able to arrange additional nights at the first or last hotel on your itinerary, subject to availability.
When eligible pre- or post-adventure hotel nights are booked through Adventures by Disney, designated airport transfers may also be available according to the terms of the reservation.
Arriving at least one day before an international Adventure can also provide extra time to adjust to the time difference and reduce the stress of a flight delay affecting the official start of your itinerary.
What Happens If I Need to Cancel?
Adventures by Disney cancellation policies are based on how far in advance you cancel and the specific terms that apply to your reservation.
Deposits generally become nonrefundable after the applicable grace period, and cancellation penalties increase as your departure date approaches.
Because these policies can change and may differ depending on the type of Adventure, departure or special offer booked, we recommend reviewing the exact cancellation schedule on your confirmation rather than relying on a generic cancellation chart.
Travel insurance should also be strongly considered because Adventures by Disney vacations can represent a significant investment.
Is Travel Insurance Available?
Yes.
Adventures by Disney strongly recommends travel insurance, and vacation protection options are available.
Depending on the plan selected, travel insurance may provide benefits for circumstances such as:
- Covered trip cancellations or interruptions
- Travel delays
- Baggage loss or delays
- Emergency medical expenses
- Emergency transportation or evacuation
Coverage, exclusions and benefit limits vary by policy.
Travelers can also explore independent travel insurance providers to determine which policy offers the coverage that best fits their needs.
What Documentation Do I Need for an International Adventure?
Documentation requirements vary based on your citizenship and the destinations included in your itinerary.
International travelers may need:
- A valid passport
- Visas or travel authorizations
- Entry or transit documentation
- Health-related documentation when required
Some destinations require passports to remain valid for a specific period beyond your scheduled travel dates.
Because entry requirements can change, travelers should verify requirements with the appropriate government agencies well before departure.
Do Children Need Special Documentation?
Possibly.
Some countries have additional documentation requirements for minors, particularly when a child is traveling internationally with only one parent, a guardian or another adult.
A notarized consent letter from the non-traveling parent or parents may be required depending on the destination.
Requirements differ by country, so families should verify the regulations for every destination included in their Adventure.
Are Adventures by Disney Vacations Good for Children?
Many Adventures by Disney itineraries are specifically designed with families in mind.
However, the ideal age depends heavily on the itinerary.
Some Adventures include long sightseeing days, hiking, rafting, biking or other physical activities, while others are more relaxed.
Each itinerary provides a minimum eligibility age and often a recommended age, which can help families decide whether the trip is appropriate for their children.
Adventures by Disney generally recommends a minimum age of around four for many family Adventures, but individual itineraries may have different age requirements.
Are There Adults-Only Adventures by Disney Departures?
Yes.
Select Adventures by Disney itineraries offer Adult-Exclusive departures, which are reserved for guests ages 18 and older.
These departures can be a great choice for couples, friends, honeymooners, empty nesters or adults who love Disney’s level of service but want to travel without a family-focused group.
The itinerary may be similar to a traditional Adventures by Disney departure, but certain experiences or pacing may be tailored toward adults.
Can Adventures by Disney Accommodate Dietary Restrictions?
Adventures by Disney makes reasonable efforts to accommodate many special dietary requests.
Because trips travel through different countries and regions, however, not every dietary restriction can be accommodated at every location.
We recommend providing dietary information as early as possible so your Adventure team can be aware of your needs.
Guests with severe food allergies or highly restrictive diets should also discuss their needs before booking.
What Are the Hotels Like?
Accommodations vary considerably by destination.
Adventures by Disney carefully selects hotels based on factors such as location, service and their fit within the itinerary, but international hotel standards may differ from what American travelers are accustomed to.
For example:
- European hotel rooms may be smaller than typical U.S. hotel rooms.
- Bedding configurations can differ.
- Rooms that accommodate four guests may be limited in some destinations.
- Air conditioning may operate differently than it does in the United States.
- Certain amenities commonly found in U.S. hotels may not be standard internationally.
The variety is part of traveling internationally, and accommodations are selected to complement the destination and overall Adventure.
Are Adventure Guide Gratuities Included?
Generally, gratuities for your Adventure Guides are not included in the price of your Adventure.
Adventures by Disney currently suggests a discretionary gratuity of approximately $9 to $11 USD per Guest, per Adventure Guide, per day when you feel your guides have provided excellent service.
For example, on a 10-day Adventure with two Adventure Guides, a family of four would want to budget separately for gratuities for both Guides.
Many other gratuities associated with included meals, local experts, drivers, porters and other included services are already incorporated into the trip price.
How Active Are Adventures by Disney Vacations?
This varies tremendously by itinerary.
Some Adventures feature leisurely sightseeing and cultural experiences, while others may involve:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Horseback riding
- Extensive walking
- Uneven terrain
- High elevations
- Long sightseeing days
Each itinerary provides information about its physical requirements.
It is important to review those details before booking rather than choosing a trip based solely on the destination.
Do I Have Any Free Time on an Adventures by Disney Trip?
Yes.
Although much of your itinerary is carefully planned, Adventures by Disney typically incorporates periods of On Your Own time.
You may use this time to explore, shop, relax at your hotel or choose a restaurant that interests you.
Adventure Guides can often provide suggestions based on what you’d like to experience.
This gives you the convenience of a guided vacation without feeling as though every minute of every day is scheduled.
Why Is Adventures by Disney More Expensive Than Some Guided Tours?
Adventures by Disney is positioned as a premium guided travel experience rather than simply transportation and sightseeing.
The value comes from the combination of:
- Small-group guided travel
- Two Disney-trained Adventure Guides on many itineraries
- Local experts
- Premium accommodations
- Included transportation
- Curated cultural experiences
- Many included meals
- Behind-the-scenes or specially arranged experiences
- Luggage handling and logistics
- Disney’s emphasis on guest service
For travelers who value convenience and want much of the planning handled before they arrive, that level of service can be a major part of the appeal.
Is Adventures by Disney Just for Disney Fans?
Not at all.
You do not need to be a theme park enthusiast or even a major Disney fan to enjoy an Adventures by Disney vacation.
These trips focus primarily on the destination itself — its history, culture, cuisine, people and landmarks.
Disney’s role is primarily behind the scenes through the service, storytelling, organization and access built into the itinerary.
That can make Adventures by Disney especially appealing to travelers who want Disney-level service without taking a traditional Disney theme park vacation.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Adventures by Disney allows you to experience incredible destinations without having to coordinate every transfer, tour, hotel and activity yourself.
From exploring Europe and discovering the wildlife of Costa Rica to cruising some of the world’s great rivers and experiencing destinations closer to home, each Adventure is designed to combine immersive travel with the service and attention to detail Disney is known for.
The most important part is choosing an itinerary that matches your interests, travel style, activity level and the ages of everyone traveling with you.
Complete our vacation quote request and we’ll help you find an Adventures by Disney itinerary that’s right for your next journey.