The big buzz this week over on the Disney Vacation Club Member website is the announcement of three special Member-only Adventures by Disney tours later this year.
It’s something that the Disney Vacation Club hasn’t done in some time, in fact such a long time that we actually removed the page referring to the Member only itineraries from PassPorter’s Disney Vacation Club for Members and Members-to-Be in mid 2011. Previous itineraries for the tours, which ran from 2007 to 2009, included the American southwest, the Backstage Magic tour of Hollywood, and the Disneyland resort, with the most exotic offering being the Viva Italia tour. However, this time around, the Disney Vacation Club has outdone itself with the itineraries it’s offering.
Quest for the West
Only one of the three is in the USA, and that’s the Quest for the West, which takes you on a 7-day, 6-night adventure around Wyoming. Visits include Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks, and Brooks Lake Lodge.
Old Faithful's eruption dwarfs Old Faithful Inn in the background
As you’d expect from something that’s exclusive to Disney Vacation Club Members, there are little additional extras, such as a live theatrical production at the historic Jackson Hole Playhouse.
Having recently toured both national parks, I can tell you that anyone who opts for this adventure is in for a real treat, as they are both absolutely stunning, with an amazing array of landscapes to enjoy.
The Member adventure departs on July 30, 2012, and is open to all ages. It costs 443 vacation points per adult, and 421 per child.
Stunning Jenny Lake in the middle of the Grand Tetons
Enchanted China
The second option takes you to the other side of the world-literally! Enchanted China is an adults-only, 12-day, 11-night adventure, which takes you on a grand tour of China, taking in Beijing, Chengdu, home of the panda nursery that is part of my must-do list, Xi’an, where the stunning Terra Cotta Warriors are located, Guilin, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Additional extras on this tour include dinner at the China Club, one of Beijing’s most exclusive clubs, and a private tour at Shanghai Museum.
Hong Kong as seen from the Peak, overlooking the city
I have to be honest, this is an itinerary on my wish list, containing all the places I’m desperate to visit in China, but have yet had the opportunity to do so. Having been to Hong Kong, I can tell you that’s an amazing city, and one I’d love to go back to. However, I’m going to have a seriously long wait for this tour, as it would take way more points than we possess.
The Member itinerary departs on September 16, 2012, and the cost is an eye watering 917 vacation points for each adult. It’s going to take a lottery win before we’ll ever have that many points!
Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities
Pacific coast of Lima (photo courtesy of Douglas Famy)
The final option is Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities, taking you on another adults-only tour through Peru. The 9-day, 8-night itinerary takes in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lima. Additions to this tour include an outdoor lunch, and performance featuring Peruvian Paso horses, and regional dancers.
This tour also departs on September 16, 2012, and is a much more reasonable 447 points for each adult.
As if that’s not enough, don’t forget that, with each of these tours, a $95 booking fee applies, and you need to add on the cost of airfare to your tour cost.
I don’t know about you, but I love the idea of all three tours. And one lucky person who will get to enjoy all of these amazing experiences, schedule permitting, is the DVC’s Senior Vice President, and General Manager, Claire Bilby, who will be hosting farewell meals for all three tours. Not a bad way to see the world, and of course, Members will get the chance to ask anything they ever wanted to know about the Disney Vacation Club! Now there’s a job I could happily do, if it meant enjoying those destinations…
Much as the idea may appeal, with 440 points-and I thought that was a lot-there is no way that any of these itineraries are in our near or long-term future, which is a great shame. I’ve never been on an Adventures by Disney tour, but I know friends who have, and I’ve never heard anything but good things about them. Ah well, a girl can dream….
So… anyone out there tempted by these Member only tours and going to be splashing out their points on one?
