Adventures by Disney Unveils New Private Adventures for 2021

Mother and girl sitting on street overlooking rooftops of Rome (Photo: Shuttertock)
Photo: Shuttertock

Editor’s Note 2023: Adventures by Disney phased out its private tour offerings in mid-2023. For more information about guided tours, check out our story on the best guided tours for families or browse tour advice on our sister site TourScoop.com.

Group vacations are probably going to look a lot different in 2021 than they have in years past. For many families, the idea of going on a vacation with other travelers is not comforting. That’s why Disney’s group touring vacation operator, Adventures by Disney, is introducing a new kind of group travel vacation experience called Private Adventures. 

Limited to 12 participants from a single family or group of families who are “in the bubble” together, Private Adventures give families the opportunity to travel together to a new location with the added confidence that a Disney vacation can provide. 

If you’re already thinking about a 2021 family vacation, here are three reasons you should consider an Adventures by Disney Private Adventure. 

1. Small Group Size

Even if a coronavirus vaccine is widely available by next year, many people will still not feel comfortable traveling with strangers in large groups. With only 12 people allowed per tour (plus dedicated adventure guides) and no age restriction (a departure from Disney’s general booking policy for group tours), an Adventures by Disney Private Adventure is a vacation the whole family can enjoy. 

Because of the nature and size of the traveling group, your trip can be customized to what your family wants to do at the destinations you’ll visit. Your Adventure Guide(s) will also become part of your family during your vacation. “Depending on the itinerary, guests will have either one Adventure Guide, who will host them throughout their trip, or a different Adventure Guide per destination city,” according to Disney. 

2. Popular Destinations

Private Adventures from Adventures by Disney will be available in five countries: Costa RicaEgyptGreeceItaly, and Peru. Each of these trips includes stops at major tourist attractions like Machu Picchu, the Great Pyramids at Giza, the Temple of Poseidon, or the Colosseum, where local experts will provide unique cultural experiences for both adults and junior adventurers to enjoy. For instance, in Egypt you might take a cooking class with an Egyptian chef; in Greece, you might do a wine tasting at a local vineyard.

3. Health and Safety Protocols

Disney’s travel companies are operating under strict health and safety guidelines. Some, Disney Cruise Line, remain closed for the foreseeable future, others—like the Orlando theme parks—have reopened with new protocols in place. Many of the same health and safety standards that Disney has implemented across the theme parks will be integrated into Adventures by Disney when tours resume. Those safety standards include temperature checks, limited occupancy for just about everything, and wearing masks.

Anyone who’s ever traveled with Adventures by Disney in the past knows that the tour operator’s special secret sauce is its completely hassle-free, skip-the-lines experiences. Your group shows up to your destination or activity and someone is already there waiting for you. There’s no waiting around, which is a great benefit when you’re trying to avoid queuing up and hanging around big crowds. 

Should You Take a Private Adventure?

These new Private Adventures with Adventures by Disney are a great option for families who still want to travel abroad, but also want the security and peace of mind that come with traveling only with a group of people you know. Essentially, you’re creating your own travel bubble with this style of trip. 

If you’re interested in Private Adventures with Adventures by Disney, you can contact your local travel agent, call Adventures by Disney at (800) 543-0865, or learn more at the Adventures by Disney website. 

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Megan duBois
Megan duBois is a freelance writer who covers theme parks, cruising, food and drink, and family travel. Her work has appeared on Buzzfeed, Popsugar, Insider, Orbitz, FamilyVacationist, The Daily Meal, Family Vacation Critic, TravelPulse, and more. Megan has been quoted as an expert and thought leader on theme parks for Forbes and other outlets.