In this blog I wanted to share a very new experience for me, and not one you might expect to hear me talk about! This past weekend I was a part of a very special group with "Adventures by Disney"! You know that Disney is one of my favorite things in the world (second only to Hawai'i!). But this division of Disney is not well known by a lot of folks. I want to change that today!
We spent our time together in the beautiful "City by the Bay" ~ San Francisco, CA. Now I'm a California girl, and have visited this city my whole life! I want to let you know (especially those Californians like me) on this adventure I saw San Francisco in a whole new and exciting way! I did learn things, and saw things that I had never been a part of before this trip!
Our time together started at our hotel, right on California Street, the Omni Hotel. This is a great location in the financial district, and really easy to get to for those driving in like me! We met each other (a group of about 25), and most important~ our "Adventure Guides"! Both Stephanie and Doug were warm, friendly, and had so much information to share! There was never a dull moment, and I was always eager to hear their stories through out the day!
Now this trip was very different from the regular itinerary, as it was designed for those of us in the Travel Industry to get better acquainted with "Adventures by Disney". But normally it is a fabulous four day experience in the city and the Napa Valley. The perfect "long weekend" bonding time for any family!
We boarded our motor coach and headed to the "Palace of Fine Arts". An iconic location that I have driven by myself many times! It was past time to stop and explore, and what a wonderful place it is too! Then we were off to the Golden Gate Bridge. But to stop and see it from the viewing spot, was again a worth while moment that I had denied my entire life! There were several more stops before lunch, and each one was all new for me. I was amazed at how little I actually knew about "my city"!
We had an outstanding lunch at "M.Y. China" downtown (I highly recommend it), before heading to the Presidio and Lucas Films! This "campus" is where all the creative work is done; all the Star Wars movies, etc., have come from this special place! I wish we could have seen even more. But what they do is so "top secret", they are not even allowed in each other's offices!
We ended our touring at the amazing "Disney Family Museum", just two blocks from Lucas Films. This very special place was a labor of love from Diane Disney Miller. She was Walt Disney's older daughter. It starts at the beginning; from Walt's childhood, to his time in the war, his move to California, and ends in Disneyland. This is a place I have visited before. But seeing it "with" Disney, gave everything a new meaning! Not the least of which was they stayed open late just for us!
We ended our time together with another fabulous meal! But I may have enjoyed the company by then even more than the food! These adventures are so much more than a "tour". The stories, the moments, the information from the Adventure Guides, all priceless! This vacation for you and your family includes, well, absolutely everything! Sure lots of "tour companies" include the necessities. But the "experience" on these tours with the Adventure Guides is simply unlike any others! You truly feel like a "VIP", and do have access to places that honestly, only Disney could offer!
These tours take you to other amazing and wonderful destinations in the United States. But also to Asia, South America, Europe, Africa and more! Another very exciting fact; they also offer tours for "adults only"! So although the family was in mind first. Disney did not forget those "empty-nesters", and couples wanting to have a special experience on their own!
I am completely impressed, and simply can not say enough about this vacation. If you have been thinking about something different, something very special for your family... this is it! Adventures by Disney may not be the first thing people think of when you say Disney. But once you have experienced this vacation it will be!
