Fantastic news for Disney fans: It's suddenly become much more affordable to book an Adventures by Disney all-inclusive escorted tour package, the most exclusive and perhaps least-known way to vacation with Disney. Launched in 2005, Adventures by Disney offers guided, VIP-style tours for families to a wide range of destinations, including the American Southwest, Europe, China, and Costa Rica. Trips are known for delivering top-notch service and unique, VIP-style experiences for families, such as zipling through a Costa Rican jungle, pizza-making at a family-owned farm in Italy, or going backstage at Disney's The Lion King in London. Groups are kept small to ensure an intimate experience, and feature activities geared to adults and kids 8 and up.  And the price? A family of four will typically splurge $13,000 or more for a dream trip.

Want to soften the splurge? Adventures by Disney has just introduced a new line of itineraries, called the "Gateway Collection," that travel to three of the most popular destinations but cost up to 25% less. Here's how these new itineraries stack up:

• Costa Rica: The "Path to Pura Vida" itinerary costs from $3,309 to $4,409 for adults and $2,979 to $3,669 for children, depending on travel dates. Comparatively, the new "Gateway to Costa Rica" costs $2,489 for adults and $2,239 for children regardless of travel dates. Bottom line: A family of four would pay at least $3,201, or 25%, less for the Gateway itinerary.
• London/Paris: The "City of Knights & Lights" itinerary costs from $3,809 to $4,699 for adults and from $3,429 to $4,249 for children. The new "Gateway to London/Paris" comes in at $2,959 for adults and $2,659 for children. Bottom line: A family of four would pay at least $3,240, or 22%, less by going with the Gateway option.  
  
• Italy: The "Viva Italia" itinerary ranges from $3,699 to $4,619 for adults and from $3,329 to $4,159 for children. Comparatively, the "Gateway to Italy" trip costs $2,999 for adults and $2,699 for children. That's a difference of $2,660, or 18%, for a family of four.

Why the difference in price? Guests have more unscheduled time during the day, which is great for families that welcome less structure and the chance to spend some time exploring on their own. The good news is that the Gateway trips still offer access to the one-of-a-kind activities for which Adventures by Disney is known. The price difference between the two kinds of itineraries ranges from just under $1,000 to over $1,500 for each traveler, depending on travel dates. 

The first Gateway itineraries depart this summer from June to August, 2010.