1. How do I book my Adventures by Disney vacation?
If you are in the United States, please call (866) 972-6244 to speak
to our Adventure Concierge Team or click
here to submit a request for an email quote.
2.
Do I need a passport, visa or other documents?
If you are a U.S. citizen, a valid U.S.
passport is required to enter and depart Ecuador. Your passport must
be valid six months beyond your intended stay and have 1-2 blank
pages remaining. Guests must also provide evidence of return or
onward travel. U.S. citizens traveling on regular passports do not
need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less. Those planning a longer
visit must obtain a visa in advance of arrival. Allow yourself
sufficient time to have your application processed if you are
applying for a new passport or renewing an expired passport. Refer
to www.state.gov
for further details.
In addition, Guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to
show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent.
If you are not a U. S. citizen, please check with the Ecuadorian
Embassy or Consulate at
http://www.ecuador.org for information on documentation
requirements.
Passport Services
You can apply for a passport through CIBT, Inc., a third party
travel document company servicing the travel industry (not
affiliated with the Walt Disney Company).
Click here for more information or call CIBT at
(800) 406-1523. Be sure to mention Adventures by Disney,
account #55134, for special pricing options.
PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY FOR TELEPHONE
CALLS made to access CIBT specialists.
3. Do I need vaccinations to travel
to this country?
If you are coming from the U.S., you are
advised to consult
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/. Your doctor or health-care provider
will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your
health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be
visiting, and planned activities. If you are not a U.S. citizen,
please check your local requirements on vaccinations for travel to
Ecuador.
4. What airport do I fly into and out
of?
ARRIVAL: You will fly into the Quito
International Airport (UIO) on your arrival day. Your flight is
expected to arrive at 11:00p.m. However, most flights tend to be
late and you may arrive at any time on your arrival day.
DEPARTURE: On the final day of the adventure, you will fly out of
the Quito International Airport (UIO).You may depart at any time on
the departure day, although no earlier than 6:00 a.m.
5. Are transfers included if I arrive
or depart from different locations or at different times from the
itinerary?
No. Transfers are only included from the
specified arrival/departure airports and hotels. For Ecuador,
transfers are included from the Quito International Airport (UIO) in
Quito to the JW Marriott Hotel Quito on your arrival day. On your
departure day, transfers are included from the JW Marriott Hotel
Quito back to the Quito International Airport (UIO).
6. Can I extend my vacation beyond
the Adventures by Disney itinerary?
Yes, you may stay in Ecuador before or
after our itinerary. Extended stays are available at special rates
if booked through Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc. in
conjunction with a land package and cannot be combined with any
other offer. Please contact a Concierge Agent for further
information.
7. How will our group travel between
destinations?
On this adventure, your group will
travel by motor coach, airplane and ship.
8. What is the climate like?
The Ecuadorian highlands, including
Quito, have a much cooler climate than the rest of the country.
Although temperatures vary with altitude, the average summer
temperature in Quito is about 61°F (16°C) and tends to be on the
chilly side at night. The central valley is generally spring-like
all year, with temperatures reaching no higher than 66°F (19°C). In
the coastal regions and Galápagos islands, temperatures average
between 70 and 83°F (21 - 28°C) year round with low rainfall that
usually occurs during the months of January through April. The sea
temperature averages 65 to 75°F (18 - 24°C), making swimming ideal
in the afternoon. Wetsuits are available aboard the ship when
needed.
9. How strenuous are the activities?
This is an active journey that includes
walking on uneven surfaces, up and down irregular stairs and on
cobblestone streets. Activities include snorkeling and hiking. Bear
in mind that most of the trip is at altitudes between 8,000 - 12,000
feet (2,438 - 3,658 meters) above sea level. While nearly all of the
trip's featured activities are gentle if enjoyed separately, the
full range of activities requires a moderate amount of stamina in
order to get the most out of your vacation.
10. What ages are appropriate for
this adventure?
Due to restrictions with the Galapagos
Islands portion of this adventure, children must be at least 7 years
old at the time of travel on our Gateway to the Galapagos trip. The
minimum recommended age is 8 years old. This is based on several
factors, such as flight time and jet lag, time zone differences in
the destination, duration of the vacation, high altitude at the
destination, extended hours of daily activity programming, number of
internal transports between experiences, potential for extreme
temperatures, and amount of physical activity (e.g., snorkeling,
walking on uneven surfaces, up and down stairs, and cobblestone
sidewalks). Because each child is different, call a Concierge Agent
to discuss whether this is the right trip for your kids.
11. What type of meals are served on
this Adventures by Disney Trip?
Typically, breakfast is served buffet
style. Some lunches and dinners are also served buffet style, while
others offer a limited-choice menu. Dinners and lunches usually
include fish, meat, and pasta or rice entrées; soup and vegetables;
and desserts and fruit—along with a chance to try Ecuadorian
specialties. While the menus have been planned to give you a taste
of typical Ecuadorian cuisine, they are always balanced with limited
American fare. Given the nature of group travel, we regret that á la
carte menu choices are not available. Children-friendly choices are
available at all meals. Menu items are subject to change due to the
availability and seasonality of foods. If you have any questions or
concerns about dining at any time during your vacation, your
Adventure Guides will be happy to assist you.
12. Is alcohol included with meals?
Alcoholic beverages are typically not
included with your scheduled meals; however, you may purchase them
at your own expense.
13. Can you accommodate special
dietary needs?
Adventures by Disney will make a
reasonable effort to accommodate some special dietary needs at no
additional charge. Unfortunately, we may not be able to accommodate
all special dietary needs requested. Please contact a Concierge
Agent in advance of your departure to advise us of your needs.
14. Is this itinerary appropriate for
travelers with special needs?
Please note that this vacation includes activities that present
certain challenges to Guests with special needs. It is strongly
recommended that persons requiring assistance be accompanied by a
companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing
assistance. Neither Adventures by Disney nor its suppliers may
physically lift or assist Guests onto transportation vehicles.
Contact a Concierge Agent to discuss your needs.
15. What is the language and currency
of this destination?
The primary language spoken in Ecuador
is Spanish. You will also hear the indigenous language of Quechua
spoken in some areas. The unit of monetary currency is the U.S.
dollar. In Quito, ATM machines are available and credit or debit
cards are usually accepted. Since ATMs are scarce in Otavalo Valley,
the Galapagos and other regions, Guests should be sure to carry cash
or credit cards. There is a cashless system aboard the ship. For
cash, carry mostly $1, $5, and $10 bills, and make sure they are in
good condition. Your Adventure Guides can help you with any currency
issues or language barriers you may have.
16. Are tips included?
Adventures by Disney has pre-paid
certain tips and gratuities for all included meals and activities
such as tips for porters, housekeepers, drivers, activity providers,
local experts and dining room staff for included meals..
On Your Own Dining Gratuities: When eating at a restaurant, a
gratuity or "service charge" of 10% is usually included in the bill.
If you feel you have received exceptional service, you may leave an
additional gratuity of up to 5% which is always appreciated.
Adventure Guide Gratuities: Gratuities for your Adventures
Guides are not included. If you feel that your Adventure Guides have
provided excellent service, we suggest the following discretionary
gratuity: Per Guest/Per Adventure Guide/Per Day - $5-$8 USD.
For example:
• For a 10-day adventure, the Adventure Guide gratuity per Guest,
per Adventure Guide: $50-$80 USD.
• For a family of 4 for a 10-day adventure: $200-$320 USD per
Adventure Guide. For 2 Guides, this is a total of: $400-$640 USD.
Adventure Guides accept local currency and U.S. dollars.
17. What if Adventures by Disney
cancels the adventure prior to departure?
Adventures by Disney reserves the right to cancel or reschedule an
adventure at any time for any reason, such as if there are too few
Guests or if the quality of the trip or the safety of the Guests
would, in our opinion, be compromised, such as may result from
unforeseen circumstances (acts of God) or other circumstances beyond
Adventures by Disney's control.
If you purchase air travel through Adventures by Disney Travel
Services, Inc.: If you purchase air travel through us and we cancel
your adventure prior to its scheduled start date, we will attempt to
re-book you on another departure of the same adventure during the
same season, subject to availability, and we will bear any resulting
airline re-booking charges. If we are unable to re-book you on
another departure, we will issue a full refund of all monies paid by
you to us for the canceled adventure, including land package,
airfare and Vacation Protection Plan (unless you have filed a
claim), which refund shall constitute a full settlement.
If you do not purchase air travel through Adventures by Disney
Travel Services, Inc.: If you do not purchase air travel through us
and we cancel your adventure prior to its scheduled start date, we
will attempt to re-book you on another departure of the same
adventure during the same season, subject to availability; however,
you will bear any resulting airline re-booking charges. If we are
unable to re-book you on another departure, our sole obligation to
you is to refund your payment to us for the land portion and
Vacation Protection Plan (unless you have filed a claim), which
refund shall constitute a full settlement. We assume no
responsibility for any losses incurred by you on account of
non-refundable air tickets or otherwise.
