Disney pioneers fast-growing group family travel market
Disney’s pioneering efforts at family group travel started modestly with just a handful of itineraries three years ago but Adventures by Disney next year will offer 18 itineraries in 13 countries.
“Adventures by Disney has entered a market niche so new that the company is one of the first in,” said the Orlando Sentinel.
“The family market really is growing tremendously,” said Carol Blevins, a travel consultant.
Tauck World Discovery apparently preceded Disney when it started family-oriented overseas package tours nearly five years ago. Today, 13 of Tauck’s 100 tour itineraries are in what is known as a “bridge program,” which is designed to bridge generations.
“We’ve been sort of the lonely voice in the wilderness, trying to do the business of escorted family travel,” said Tom Armstrong, Tauck’s communications manager. He said the company welcomed Disney’s programs because they were raising the visibility of the entire industry.
Adventure Tours have Disney employed hosts, guides, concierges and at times, actors. Disney has written storybooks to provide a Disney-flavored basis for its tours.
The tours range from six to 12 days. Prices, which don’t include airfare, range from $2,000 for a child to $5,000 for adults. Groups are usually 30 to 40 people.
Disney should quickly become a major tour operator, says Larry Yu, a professor of tourism studies at George Washington University.
“Disney very definitely leverages on its brand and, I think, on loyal customers who’ve been to the parks, and they would like to take their kids to different destinations,” he said.
Report by David Wilkening
Chitra Mogul
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season