7 Walt Disney Getaways That Go Beyond the Theme Parks
If you love Disney, are planning your next getaway but want to take a break from the theme parks then Disney still has a wide range of awesome options that you can enjoy. From a week spent at Disney’s Hawaiian getaway Aulani to exploring Alask with Disney Cruise Line, the only limit to the adventures you can have with this beloved company is your imagination. To give you a taste of some of the alternatives to a Disney theme park visit here are 7 other fun ways to plan a Disney getaway.
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
This tropical island getaway is one of Disney’s most beautiful resorts and is steeped in Hawaiian culture. Here guests can enjoy the beautiful beaches, take in the wondrous landscapes and relax and unwind from it all in the several swimming pools you’ll find on the property. On top of that, you can enjoy classic Hawaiian cuisine at two incredible restaurants, a children’s activity centre brimming with complementary activities and guided excursions that allow you to explore the islands and include visits to Dole Plantation and Pearl Harbor. The property offers standard rooms as well as villas so there’s bound to be an option that will suit couples travelling alone or for larger families. A highlight of a stay here is definitely the KA WA‘A, a luau which is an exhilarating dining and entertainment experience. Guests feast on a sumptuous, local island buffet, and enjoy lively music and traditional Hawaiian dance.Plus, for fans of Disney, this property still has a wonderful dose of pixie dust from character meet and greets to Mickey-shaped snow cones!
Alaskan Sailing With Disney Cruise Line
If you’ve only ever been to the theme parks before then you’re missing out on the absolute bliss that is a Disney Cruise. One of my favorite destinations is the Line’s picturesque sailings to Alaska out of Vancouver Canada. Guests can expect award-winning hospitality, incredible onboard activities certain to keep the kids busy for hours as well as stops at incredible ports of call including Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Dawes Glacier. There are also select 9-night sailings that venture to Hubbard Glacier. At each of these stops, guests can enjoy an impressive array of Port Adventures where you can do everything from enjoy a scenic train ride to setting off on a dogsled expedition! Alaskan itineraries are now available to book through Disney Cruise Line until Summer of 2020 giving you plenty of time to save up for your dream getaway.
Walt Disney Studios in Southern California
Adventures by Disney, the brands touring company offers an incredible Disneyland and Southern California Touring package for fans that Disney films or are looking for a taste of the VIP treatment. There’s a six-night tour which includes a private behind-the-magic visit to the Walt Disney Studios and the Jim Henson Company lot! Here guests will learn about the history of Disney animation and film, and will get to see some of the Studios incredible treasures including scripts, props, costumes, and even an Oscar or two!. The Walt Disney Imagineering campus just down the road in Glendale is heaving with artwork, models, sculptures, and technical wizardry that go into the Disney parks, resorts, and more. You’ll also enjoy a VIP guide at the theme parks who will help you get to the front of the line of your favorite Disneyland and Disney California Adventure attractions. Guests will also enjoy special access to World of Color and there’s even a character dining meal thrown in! Adventures by Disney also offers a 4-night version which provides a short-escape version of the tour outlined above.
Adventures by Disney Packages are currently available to book through 2020.
Getaways to Hilton Head or Vero Beach
Though these are slightly under the radar, Disney does have two magical resorts on the Atlantic Coast. There is Disney’s Hilton Head Resort in South Carolina as well as the Vero Beach Resort in Florida. Both are DVC villa properties offering an opportunity for members to do something outside of theme park stays but they also offer bookings to non-DVC members. The Hilton Head Island Resort is fashioned after a 1940’s hunting and fishing lodge and features multi-roomed villas and many recreational activities. The high-point is definitely the 12 miles of heavenly beaches. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is just 2 hours southeast of Walt Disney World and is styled as an elegant old fashioned resort. It’s the home of a Sea Turtle nesting ground, has a full spa offering a wide array of amazing treatments and an incredible Children’s Activity Center. Visitors to both properties will still get to bask in the amazing service and hospitality that Disney is world-renowned for.
Explore the Grand Canyon
Adventures By Disney offers an impressive array of domestic tours. Our favorite is the Arizona and Utah Tour. Guests can explore America’s National Parks with this incredible 8-night offering. You’ll be able to take your time and explore many of the country’s natural wonders with visits to the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Monument Valley and More. Active families will love the Colorado River Rafting Excursion as well as special one-of-a-kind opportunities like the Navaja Cookout and Storytelling evening. This tour includes a whopping 15 meals and typically is offered from April – September.
Travel Down Some of Europe’s Most Majestic Rivers
Three years ago Disney began a partnership with AmaWaterways offering sailings through central Europe along the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, and Seine river cruises. These incredible sailings offer a full range of port adventures (included in the cost) allowing for an in-depth exploration of countries and cultures. Fans of Disney will enjoy the peace-of-mind that comes with having two adventure guides taking care of your every need. There’s also nice Disney-themed touches thrown in. For example, the Rhine River Cruise stops in the quiet village of Riquewihr in France which was the inspiration for Belle’s hometown in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
Go Further Afield With a Once-In-A-Lifetime Adventure
On top of all the incredible non-theme park Disney destinations, we’ve outlined above, Adventures By Disney also offers tours to an ever increasing collection of exotic destinations. Guests can go zip lining through the rainforest on a Costa Rican Tour, check out the pyramids in Egypt, explore downtown Tokyo or head off on a real African Safari. With destinations spanning the globe and with varying itineraries, there’s something for wine connoisseurs, nature lovers, history buffs and more! Each of these tours is also brimming with a wide range of kid-friendly activities making each stop not only relatable to little ones but an experience they won’t soon forget.
For more information on booking any of the incredible options outlined above fill out our from below for your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels.
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