Apparently, Disney is now in the business of leading guided tours abroad:

Adventures by Disney is designed to take families to places they might be too timid to visit on their own — without loading on the schmaltz. Hiking Machu Picchu with an 8-year-old would be daunting for most travelers. With Disney promising to handle everything, it might seem doable.

[...]

Travel agents say the company is also bringing a degree of comfort and attention to detail that is missing from most family tours. Each day, guides surreptitiously take photos of families enjoying activities and slide copies under their hotel room doors during the night. Ice is carted around in Europe to make up for restaurants that lack it. After river rafting in Peru, guides surprise guests with hot chocolate and a warm towel.

[...]

While Disney characters do not populate the tours, the company relies heavily on what it calls “local storytellers.” For instance, in Venice the Disney tour guide might say, “Some people believe that you can even see the ghost of Marco Polo wandering these streets.” Around the next corner, Marco Polo, a local actor in historical garb, awaits.

Yeah, having someone cart around ice for your Fanta sounds like a real adventure, doesn’t it? God forbid you step outside your comfort zone when traveling. I pity the suckers who drop over $4,000 per person NOT INCLUDING AIRFARE for a week long trip to big bad Italy. Save your money and just go to the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. They have gondolas, pizza, employees dressed in silly costumes, and drinks with ice. It’s probably the same experience you’ll get with “Adventures by Disney”, but for thousands of dollars less.

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