The Magic of an Adventures by Disney Vacation
Quest for the West
by Mary Jane Crawford
courtesy of the MouseEarVacations.com® Team
Do you yearn to visit Wyoming, see Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, and the Teton Mountains, but not sure where to start, what to see and do, or where to stay? It is such a vast region to cover - especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Recently, I went on my first Adventure's by Disney (ABD) vacation - Quest for the West which included all of the above and more. I must say it was one of my favorite vacations. Disney took care of all the planning (which was a break for me since I am always planning vacations). We had an opportunity to see and do quite a few things, and at the same time we never felt overscheduled or rushed and even had some free time to explore on our own.
Our ABD guide and a cowboy enthusiastically greeted us at the airport. Our luggage was whisked away as we were escorted to The Wort Hotel in the center of Jackson Hole. We felt as if we were stepping into the old west as we entered this town. A real stage coach waited to give us a ride through the town. The shops appear old-western on the outside - but peek inside and you find extraordinarily nice and unusual items. Even men will enjoy shopping here - they can purchase a stuffed polar bear for a little over $34,000. Don't worry - not everything is that expensive, but they offer a lot more than t-shirts and the usual souvenirs!
We met the rest of our group that night at the Welcome Dinner. Our group of 31 people included all ages of families, couples, and singles. We enjoyed our upcoming days hiking the Teton Mountains and seeing the waterfalls and gorgeous views, like the breathtaking Artist Point - Yellowstone's Grand Canyon. A favorite of all ages was the white water rafting trip on Snake River Rapids. As we went through the rapids, not one of our rafts tipped over. I am still not sure if it was because of Disney magic or because Disney reserved the best guides available.
There was plenty of seating on the comfortable bus that took us to Yellowstone. Shortly after settling in my room in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, I glanced out the window to see a couple of mama bisons walking up the resort road with their calves. Disney magic was at it again!
A Yellowstone Park guide gave us a guided tour beginning with a front row seat to view Old Faithful. Throughout the next couple of days, our eyes captured the beauty of many hot springs, geysers, and mud pots. My favorite was the Grand Prismatic Spring - a beautiful turquoise blue (far prettier than the Caribbean) - it was breathtaking! We also witnessed a few geysers, also seen for the first time by our ABD guides.
After a delicious lunch at the Yellowstone Inn, we came out to find a bison grazing on the lawn. Another bison was across the street by the river, and soon moseyed over to join his friend. I am still not sure how Disney arranged that one - it must be that Disney Magic!
Our last few days were spent relaxing at the picturesque Brooks Lake Lodge and Spa with plenty of activities available like horseback riding, fishing, canoeing and massages. Parents relaxed and enjoyed their meals, while ABD guides dined with the children and entertained them with after-dinner activities.
Our two ABD guides were incredible in every way. No matter what we needed they were always prepared with items like bug spray, suntan lotion, first-aid, rain ponchos, water and snacks. And do you believe, during the 6-day adventure, never once did I hear a child utter, "I'm bored!"
So leave the planning to ABD - sit back and enjoy a relaxing vacation! I can hardly wait to experience my next fantastic Adventures by Disney trip to Alaska - Taming the Last Frontier! Ready to begin planning your next adventure? Contact us today and let the experienced and trusted travel consultants at MouseEarVacations.com begin planning the journey of a lifetime.
As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney
