Today is Walt Disney’s birthday, making it the perfect opportunity for me to share this exciting news with you: beginning December 20, you can experience a new day-long adventure that will immerse you in the magic of Disney and the history of Hollywood in unique and unforgettable ways. Lights…Camera…Magic! is a guided group experience that opens the door for you to see where Disney magic is made and walk inside The Walt Disney Studios – the very location that was built from the profits of the animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

All around you, the story of The Walt Disney Company comes to life as you tour the historic Studio Lot, explore the fascinating Disney Archives, shop at the Studio Store and enjoy lunch at the Studio Commissary—experiences you will not get anywhere else. Disney-trained Adventure Guides not only give you exclusive access to The Walt Disney Studios, but also take you to star-studded locales and iconic locations in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Malibu.

Lights…Camera…Magic! is the perfect addition to a Disneyland Resort vacation, or a great day trip for natives who have not seen this side of their hometown. What I love about the experience is that access to everything is so easy and comfortable! As with all of our Adventures by Disney trips, you’ll be treated with VIP attention from two Disney-trained Adventure Guides and enjoy exciting surprises and “magical moments” throughout the day. And the Adventure Guides do not miss a beat – they made sure I saw all the sights and told stories of historic Hollywood while pointing out the places of legends, places I have been watching on screen for years! We went behind the scenes for a private visit to the famed Kodak Theater and had time to explore fun and fascinating Hollywood Boulevard – I even saw several “stars!” We cruised the legendary Sunset Strip to Beverly Hills and strolled down world-famous Rodeo Drive. The finale was amazing – a breathtaking sunset in Malibu at celebrity favorite, Gladstones Restaurant!

So happy birthday to Walt Disney! Come celebrate by joining Adventures by Disney on Lights…Camera…Magic! and experience Tinseltown in a fashion only Disney can offer.

Interested in seeing more of Southern California with Adventures by Disney? Check out Backstage Magic, a six-day tour of Hollywood, The Walt Disney Studios and the Disneyland Resort.

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Filed: Adventures by Disney, Disneyland Resort, Vacation Planning

As some of you may know, I just got back from Adventures by Disney’s first trip to Egypt; it was amazing. Our group had so much fun! I learned about some of the most incredible things I have ever seen.

Today, I invite you to attend a special Adventures by Disney virtual event to learn more about my trip as well as some of our other exotic destinations.

Join us as we explore some of our most unique and exciting destinations. From China to South Africa and Australia, with the wild island Tasmania, to Egypt, this virtual event will take you whizzing around the globe – through beautiful landscapes and distinctive cultures, past fascinating animals and into time-honored histories. You will hear from some of our guests as they visit new places and you’ll see some of the exciting experiences that Adventures by Disney vacations are best known for. This special event ends Dec. 2, 2011, so click here and watch it today. Enjoy and see which one of these destinations will be your next family vacation.

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Filed: Adventures by Disney, Vacation Planning

One of my favorite Adventures by Disney stops in China is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. That’s where you’ll find nearly 100 acres of protected land filled with the world’s most beautiful pandas.

I fell in love with the fascinating (and incredibly unique) pandas of China as they romped, roamed, rested and played in their natural habitat. Our group of adventurers watched as the pandas began their day with each other. We were so close to them, I could hear the crunching of bamboo. It was also wonderful to explore a state of the art facility and see some of the cutest Panda babies that have ever graced the planet.

Adventures by Disney groups are treated to privately guided tours in China and have access to a biologist who can teach them about the pandas of the region. My experience getting to know these living wonders of China was unforgettable.

So, what would you most like to see during a trip to China?

Tagged: Adventures by Disney

Filed: Adventures by Disney, Vacation Planning

I went to Tasmania for the first time earlier this year with the idea of grafting a whole new element to Adventures by Disney’s remarkable Australia trip. The itinerary was already comprised of wonderful activities and sights such as the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback at Uluru, and vibrant, cosmopolitan Sydney with its stunning harbor. With such a grand itinerary already established, why add Tasmania?

Well, the first intriguing thing we heard about the island state was of its reputation as one of the last wildernesses left unspoiled. The Tasmanian Tourism Bureau touts the island as having one of the most pristine environments on the planet because of its remote location − off the southern coast of Australia, surrounded by oceans for thousands of miles. “Freshest air you’ll ever breathe anywhere on the planet, mate” the locals like to say, proudly filling their lungs as they do so. About 38% of the island is protected in wildlife reserves, national parks and World Heritage sites. You’ll hear mention of the great indigenous forests that still cover many parts of the island, the indomitable cliffs that plunge into the sea, the zany wildlife – Tasmanian Devils anyone? – the wonderful seafood, organic produce, well-marbled beef, handcrafted cheeses and boutique wineries that make your mouth water at the very mention.

The Island’s early settlers were convicts and their guards, unfortunate souls sent away from the British Isles to the Empire’s most remote colony. Those who survived the perilous sea journey faced a hard life in penal colonies in a spectacular setting, the earliest of which was called Port Arthur. Port Arthur’s setting is outwardly idyllic, set on a small scenic bay with rolling, forested hillsides cascading off in various directions. On Discovery Down Under, Guests get to explore the grounds and museum of this historic former prison by day but, as the sun disappears, the 19th century ruins of Port Arthur can seem an entirely different place; the air fills with mystery, of silence and what once was. After sunset is when the “ghost walking” begins. It was on my first Ghost Tour, in search of spirits, that I really got a feel for Port Arthur. Wandering through the deserted structures led by the flicking glow of lantern light, intrigue and stories of long ago, the past crept up and those “long gone” felt close. Restless. Are those who were detained still imprisoned? Is it myth or truth? How far away is long ago? Are there ghosts?

Goosebumps.

Happy Halloween!

Tagged: Adventures by Disney

Filed: Adventures by Disney

Did you know that more than 400 species of fish have been spotted around the Galapagos Islands? These rare and beautiful creatures are just some of the amazing sights Adventures by Disney guests can expect to encounter in our new Grandiosos Galapagos and Andean Highlands & Galapagos Islands vacations.

The Galapagos Islands lie just 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and have incredibly unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Across the islands, visitors can explore lagoons, lava fields, mangroves, caves, forests and breathtaking beaches. But for me, the rare wildlife that inhabits this beautiful place is the best part.

Many species that reside here can only be found in the Galapagos. Inhabitants vary greatly from island to island, making each one a special place to visit. For example, the Galapagos penguin is the only species of wild penguin that can be found in the northern hemisphere and they only inhabit a few of the islands.

There are 23 species of reptiles in the Galapagos and all but two of those are endemic to the archipelago. One of those unique to the islands is the marine Iguana; they live between land and sea (they can dive 30 feet!) making them the only marine lizard known to exist.

The Galapagos giant tortoise may be the most famous resident species unique to the Galapagos Islands. It is the largest living species of tortoise, weighing up to 595 lbs and living upwards of 100 years in the wild. The Galapagos Tortoise is native to seven of the islands; populations vary from island to island in characteristics such as neck length and the dome of their shell. The island-to-island differences of the Galapagos Tortoise played a huge role in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

There are so many animals special to the Galapagos that I could go on and on. Instead, I invite you to experience the Galapagos Islands with Adventures by Disney. Our Grandiosos Galapagos is our new 9-day cruise of the Islands, while the Andean Highlands and Galapagos Islands is a 9-day adventure that takes you first to Ecuador and immerses you in the culture of the region before heading out to the Islands. Join us as we head out to meet the Galapagos fur sea lions, blue-footed boobies, the world’s only red-footed boobies, cormorants, penguins, giant tortoises, sea turtles, fish, more fish and so many more incredible creatures. Hope to see you there!

Interested in exploring other Adventures by Disney destinations? Take a look at the posts below:

• Adventures by Disney Launches New Destinations
• Make Your Holiday Plans with Adventures by Disney
• Our Peruvian Vacation with Adventures by Disney

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Filed: Adventures by Disney, Vacation Planning

As regional manager with Adventures by Disney, I have had the opportunity to develop new itineraries from the ground up, as well as redesign and enhance existing itineraries. I’m not sure which is more fun: One of them gives me the opportunity to open up parts of the world for our guests, while the other lets me take something our guests already enjoy and bring it to the next level.

Cities of Knights and Lights has been delighting our guests with the sights of London and Paris for many years. We always look to our guests for information and feedback and based on their input, we’ve added visits to Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, as well as a ride on the London Eye. At first I thought my aversion to heights would keep me from enjoying the views from the London Eye or even keep me grounded entirely. But once I boarded the capsule and felt how smooth the ride was, those concerns vanished. I now find myself taking a ride on the Eye (that’s what the cool kids call it) every time I’m in London.

We also added a two-night stay at the Foxhills Hotel & Resort in Surrey to give our guests the experience of staying on an English countryside estate. When I stayed at Foxhills earlier this year, I fell in love with the property and the plethora of activities available for every member of the family. I don’t think our guests will want to leave – I know I didn’t. I love how the new version of Cities of Knights and Lights experiences the bustle of London, then visits the quieter English countryside before moving on to the cosmopolitan city of Paris.

There are many memorable dining experiences on this trip and one highlight is our celebration at the famous Ladurée restaurant in Paris, which, aside from the opulent décor and the delicious food, offers the best macaroons in the world. They are definitely one of my favorite treats.

When I think about bucket-list destinations I’ve traveled to for Cities of Knights and Lights, the list goes on and on – Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Versailles, and more. When I’m developing a new itinerary or making enhancements to an existing one, if I have a “pinch me” moment, I know it’s a good addition because, most likely, fellow travelers will feel the same. I think guests on the Cities of Knights and Lights will be pinching themselves every day. I know I did.

For a look at other exciting destinations offered by Adventures by Disney, check out the posts below:

• Adventures by Disney Travels to Egypt, Part 1
• Adventures by Disney Travels to Egypt, Part 2
• Adventures by Disney Launches New Destinations

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Filed: Adventures by Disney, Vacation Planning

I eventually learned from the Egyptologists who escorted my tours of the monuments that many ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses took the forms of animals. Hippopotamuses, hawks, cobras, jackals, crocodiles, vultures and even the lowly scarab (also known as a dung beetle) took on deep religious significance, and within the temples and tombs their images can be seen everywhere. The images weren’t confined to just the walls and ceilings. There are also magnificent sculptures. Here’s one of my favorites, the god Horus who takes on the form of a falcon or hawk, and who is known as the All Seeing Eye as well as the God of the Sky, the God of War and the God of Protection:

I have a number of other animal-related stories but none of them “tops” the experience I had in Upper Egypt near Aswan, a beautiful city on the Nile River. This region of southern Egypt is home to the Nubians, a people who in ancient times were known for their vast wealth, military prowess and advanced civilization. I visited one of their villages and was invited into a café to get out of the deadly heat and enjoy a glass of refreshing mint tea. This is what the café looked like from the outside:

And here’s a view of the inside where it was remarkably cool and just as brightly colored as the outside:

I noticed a low-walled cement basin in the middle of the room – half filled with water and holding two small Nile crocodiles. I thought, “Wow, that’s pretty cool!” The owner of the café was a friendly guy who decided to join my Egyptian companion and me at our little table. When he noticed my interest in the crocodiles he became animated and picked one of them up. A few minutes of discussion in Arabic followed with my companion and it was translated to me that the Nubians want to protect the endangered crocs, so they raise them as youngsters in their homes up to a certain age before releasing them into Lake Nasser, the vast body of water that was formed when the nearby Aswan High Dam was built in the early 1960s. As this story was being shared with me the owner placed the crocodile on my head and motioned to my camera – I quickly understood that he wanted to take my picture. Here’s the moment, as it was captured. It’s one of my all-time favorite pictures:

The next day, visiting one of the ancient temples near Aswan, I was astonished to be introduced to another Egyptian god known as Sobek – characterized as a powerful man with a crocodile head. In thinking about my “croc encounter” on the previous day I had a very odd sensation of feeling like I knew exactly how the ancients had come up with their vision for Sobek:

Thanks for reading my Disney Parks Blog posts. I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of my travels in Egypt and that you’ve gotten a sense of the amazing things to be discovered there. Please visit us at www.AdventuresbyDisney.com to learn more about our trip to Egypt and consider joining us for this phenomenal experience.

Tagged: Adventures by Disney

Filed: Adventures by Disney, Vacation Planning