"Adventures by Disney" Reduces in Size

The economic slowdown is hitting all aspects of the tourist/vacation market, and Adventures by Disney certainly isn't immune to it. For the first time, the number of tours being offered in 2010 is smaller in number than in 2009.

For the first time since Adventures' inception, Disney is scaling it back. The company has cut scores of trips from Adventures' 2010 schedule and has dropped a handful of destinations — including Spain, Austria and the Czech Republic — entirely.

Analysts say the pullback reflects the difficulties even brand icons such as Disney face selling premium vacations — such as $6,500-a-person safaris through South Africa — in the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression.

These are certainly premium vacations that many average families simply can't afford, even under the best of times. It will be interesting to see if Disney comes up with a "value" version of these premium vacations to expand the demographics of the guests buying into Adventures by Disney. I suppose it depends on what they can offer without sacrificing too much on the quality and the "adventure" aspect of the vacation.

Zz.