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The Pros and Cons of an Adventures by Disney Trip

By U.S. News & World Report

When you think of a Disney vacation, images of theme parks, costumed characters and cruise ships likely come to mind. But recently, Adventures by Disney announced its first-ever trip to Iceland, departing in 2018. Where does Iceland fit into the mix? Launched in 2005, Disney’s Adventures by Disney is the company’s guided, group travel arm. With trips to over 30 vacation destinations in 25-plus countries on six continents, Adventures by Disney offers a premium, family-focused vacation experience.

[See: 10 Common and Costly Mistakes Travelers Make at Disney.]

So is Adventures by Disney right for your vacation? Here are the benefits — and the drawbacks of an Adventure by Disney itinerary.

The Upsides

You Can Enjoy One-of-a-Kind Experiences

Adventures by Disney’s offerings include weekend getaways, land-based trips, river cruises and upgrades to a Disney Cruise Line vacation. The itineraries typically include iconic bucket-list experiences such as trips to classic European capitals, an African safari, expeditions to the Great Wall of China, hikes to Machu Picchu, exploring highlights in America’s national parks and more. Of course, Disney did not invent the guided group travel model. Many other companies, including Austin Adventures, Tauck Bridges and Thomson Family Adventures, also lead trips to many of these same destinations.

So what makes Adventures by Disney different? “Experiences that only Disney could provide, such as a private, after-hours visit to the Sistine Chapel, participating in an alms offering ceremony with monks in Laos, learning the art of Peruvian weaving from master artisans and more,” says Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Adventures by Disney,

You’ll Gain Added Perks and VIP Treatment With an Adventure Guide

The Adventure Guides are a top Adventures by Disney differentiator. Adventures by Disney has a rigorous selection process to handpick guides from the thousands of Disney cast members who apply. The Adventure Guides are part concierge, part photographer and part camp counselor, and ensure every detail of the trip goes smoothly and everyone in the group feels included. What’s more, the crew members aim to create an environment where families feel comfortable stretching boundaries and opening themselves to new experiences. In addition to the Disney Adventure Guide, local experts join the group at each stop to share insider knowledge of the region.

[See: 8 Things to Avoid at Disney This Summer.]

And as far as family travel goes, Disney knows how to cater to family — the company was founded on family entertainment. Adventures by Disney is an extension of the family vacation business that began with the theme parks and expanded to Disney Cruise Line. As a result, all of the destinations and experiences on an Adventures by Disney trip are appropriate for children and families. Plus, the Adventure Guides will not only go above and beyond in keeping the kids happy, but making sure the entire family enjoys their vacation together. As far as the group goes, most of the guests are fans of the Disney theme parks and cruise line. Even better, at the end of each day of the trip, every guest receives a special Disney pin — a Disney collectible you can only get on an Adventures by Disney trip.

The Downsides

You Won’t Have Much Down Time for Solo Exploration

Adventures by Disney vacations are not for everyone. These are group trips with up to 40 people, meaning you should feel comfortable sharing your vacation with other families. As with any group trip, someone else controls the itinerary, including when you go, where you stop and how much time you spend at each place. Plus, Adventures by Disney itineraries tend to be jam-packed, catering to travelers who want to do it all. If you’re looking for laid-back relaxation on the beach, this probably is not the trip for you. Also, because Adventures by Disney caters to families, the majority of trips are when kids are out of school, meaning you’ll be traveling during hot summer months in crowded destinations. There are some Adventures by Disney vacations available in the spring and fall shoulder seasons, but keep in mind that some of these itineraries are exclusive to adults.

If Price is Your Top Priority, You May Score a Better Deal on Another Disney Vacation

Adventures by Disney trips are not inexpensive value vacations. They are high-end, luxury trips. For example, the weeklong Adventures by Disney trip to England and France can cost a family of four (two adults and two children) approximately $20,000, excluding airfare. So what do you get for that price? The Disneyland Resort and Southern California itinerary includes VIP tours inside the Jim Henson Company Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives, none of which are open to the public. These experiences are one-of-a-kind and are unavailable, at any price, other than through Adventures by Disney.

No matter the destination, you’ll receive VIP treatment on your Adventures by Disney trip. “VIP service and experiences abound, and throughout all our vacations our guests are attended to by highly trained Adventure Guides, who serve as expert storytellers, bringing the stories of the world to life in fun, interactive ways,” Potrock says.

[See: 10 Top Budget-Friendly Disneyland Hotels for Frugal Families.]

The Takeaway

Adventure by Disney trips are costly, but you get an all-inclusive, no-planning required vacation in the trusted hands of Disney with dedicated, experienced Adventure Guides leading the way. You will not find Mickey and Minnie Mouse (or any other Disney character) on these trips, but rather authentic stories of the local destination sprinkled with the country’s own distinct traditions. If you can afford it, Adventures by Disney offers a luxurious, hassle-free vacation. However, if Adventures by Disney vacation doesn’t fit into your family travel budget, consider another Disney trip or an adventure vacation with a reliable outfitter. Compare similar itineraries, and see which one has the destinations and activities most appealing to your family members’ interests and needs.

More from U.S. News

6 Insider Secrets for Saving Time and Money at Disney

13 Tips for Sniffing Out the Best Deals on Hotel Rooms

10 Top Budget-Friendly Disneyland Hotels for Frugal Families

The Pros and Cons of an Adventures by Disney Trip originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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