Wyoming extra day

[clarabelle]

Hello!
I booked my ABD yesterday for Quest for the West. I asked about an extra day at the beginning and the ABD guide said they are not offering any extra days though ABD that we could call the Wort hotel directly and arrange it with them.

So my question is -how important do you think an extra day up front is with Wyoming? The main reason I was interested is to get some leeway with the airlines. We will be flying from GA and I wanted to allow times for kinks.
Since the extra day won't be though ABD we would also have to arrange our own transfer to the Wort from the Jackson Hole Airport.

Any thoughts?

Edited to add that we are going in June 2009

[Computer Magic]

I would say very. There are not alot of daily flights going into Wyoming. We tried leaving the morning of the QUest for West tour. We were to arrive around 2pm, what we thought was well within what we needed. The great airlines made us misse our first flight. After much stress and pleading, we were booked on a later flight. However, we missed the welcoming dinner. The welcoming dinner is huge. It took us a whole day to figure out who people were. We were not the only ones, someone from the east coast missed the welcoming dinner as well.

So I think going the day before any guided tour is necessary and the airlines are worst today, then when we went in Aug 08.

I not sure how ABD allows some people to book the day before and some not allowed. I remember being told, I would have no pickup arriving early or staying late...

[clarabelle]

Thanks!!
I think you just affirmed what I had been thinking. Maybe the Wort can give us some suggestions on how to do the transfers.
We have plenty of time to work on it

[Computer Magic]

Thanks!!
I think you just affirmed what I had been thinking. Maybe the Wort can give us some suggestions on how to do the transfers.
We have plenty of time to work on itThe worth will be able to assist. That is a top class hotel. We have thought about going back to the Worth and do a 3 or 4 day trip. They have their own packages.

[Momof3greatkids]

We just booked for June 30th, and decided to call and get a reservation for the day ahead, because of possible airline delays. We don't think we can get there by 4:00pm either. The Worth told me that they had plenty of availabilty. I wonder why ABD doesn't make this available. it is a hassle to have to get your own transportation, when you are already paying for it. I love ABD, but do think this is an area for improvement. If you are not going to have early arrivals available, you are really putting people in a possible bind. You either have to pay twice for transportation from the airport to the hotel, or risk missing part of the tour. For something billed as this upscale, they need to do better than this.

[clarabelle]

I hate it that I am paying for transfers twice as well. But I am excited about the trip. We booked the June 23 one.
Did the hotel help you with transfers?
Thanks again for your replies.

[Momof3greatkids]

Clarabelle,
I have not yet checked on transfers, because I am hoping, but not expecting, that ABD might agree to add a pre or post day. So, I will give ABD a little while to see if that happens. I know it was just the first day of 2009 when I booked, and hope they may work on the pre -days. I will post about transfers when/if I get to that point. I will probably wait until the New Year to work on it. I am also going to call ABD in a few weeks and see if they have possibly added a pre-day. Good luck, we may pass you at the airport. I am excited about this trip!

[ears2BWV]

We did Quest for the West this past June. We arrived a day early. For us between the time change and altitude difference it was worth the effort. We also were very tight with the airline timing. We arranged an extra day with the Wort, and if you let them know you are w/ abd they will place you in the same room.
We arranged transportation thru All Trans 1-307-733-2707. It was cheaper than a taxi for a family of 4. They were very good. When we approached the baggage claim area our driver was there holding up a sign with our name, we pointed out our luggage and he took care of the rest. I can save you the effort, Disney will not pick up this cost. Do make sure and notify All trans that this will only be a one way pick up, because we accidentally got charged for round trip.
For those with teens I would almost mandate the extra day. Once you start with abd you get rolling early every morning. It was the one day to sleep in.:goodvibes

[StaceyA]

hi everyone
we are planning to book this for next year. I found this in the FAQ on the ABD site:

5) Can I extend my vacation beyond the Adventures by Disney itinerary?
Yes, you may stay in Wyoming 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.

[clarabelle]

Thanks again everyone!!
Stacey -I asked and the ABD rep said they were NOT booking any extra days right now that I had to do it through the hotel itself.

[clarabelle]

Thanks Ears for the number!!
What did you do the extra first day?

[StaceyA]

Thanks again everyone!!
Stacey -I asked and the ABD rep said they were NOT booking any extra days right now that I had to do it through the hotel itself.


weird that they would put it out there.
Im not sure if we will book the extra day or not. We will prob have a large group going so we need to take a vote lol

[clarabelle]

I wonder if that was something from the 2008 season they didn't take off?
It certainly wouldn't hurt to ask-maybe they will change later?
Anyway -I would love to hear how you get on.
When are you going?

[StaceyA]

I wonder if that was something from the 2008 season they didn't take off?
It certainly wouldn't hurt to ask-maybe they will change later?
Anyway -I would love to hear how you get on.
When are you going?


yes I bet it is, because i know i saw that on there even before the 2009 rates were up.
We are planning to go late august :woohoo:

[abbyjt]

We have done 3 abd trips (to europe) and always come in a day early. ABD booked the early day and provided transfers each time.
When I booked our 2009 adventure, the agent said that early days were not being booked YET and that I should call again in a week or so to add it. So I don't know if the policy has changed or not.
Perhaps with so many new adventures, there are a lot more new agents who aren't completely aware of everything yet.
Call back next week ( I will ) and ask again.

[ears2BWV]

Our extra day we went on the alpine slide and scenic chairlift. There is wonderful group called Teton science school which offers animal viewing excursions which got rave reviews from people we talked to in the lobby. The only problem is they go on sunrise and sunset tours. The day we arrived we could not have stayed awake for the sunset, and we really needed to sleep in that first morning.

[clarabelle]

Thanks Ears!!

[kd1katz]

There is wonderful group called Teton science school which offers animal viewing excursions which got rave reviews from people we talked t


They douple charged me! Still have not received credit. Many other operaters will do the same for half the price/

[tksbaskets]

My TA said the the pre and post days were not in the ABD computer yet but she was to check back. Hmmmm....

[clarabelle]

I think I will wait to the new year and see if they have added extra days and if not I will go directly through the hotel.

[Momof3greatkids]

Clarabelle,
We have gone ahead and booked our extra night through the hotel, because we want to make sure that we get the extra night, and will be booking our flight soon. I would worry that the hotel might get booked up, and I wouldn't have a room. The hotel has already told me that we can keep the same room when our tour starts with Disney, and if Disney adds an extra night we can just switch over to them. We also have until 14 days prior to the trip to cancel with the Wort. Good luck, and lets hope that Disney will add that extra night. I can't figure out why they wouldn't.

[clarabelle]

Thanks Mom
I will go ahead and call the Wort
:)

[Momof3greatkids]

I should mention that if you book a pre-night stay with the Wort, they do go ahead and charge you a first and last night deposit. I am not thrilled with being charged this far in advance, but I at least feel like I have my reservation all set, and I can get my frequent flyer flights lined up.

[bgirl]

We did the Quest for the West in July. We booked a pre day because of a full day of traveling to get to Jackson. The day we arrived we walked around Jackson, visited a local art fair, had dinner and went to bed exhausted. We booked a sunrise balloon ride in Idaho (the back of the Tetons) and had a 4:45 am pick up at our hotel. Unfortunately, due to wind conditions, our balloon ride was cancelled after we had ridden for 45 minutes into Idaho. The scenery during the ride was just beautiful. We went back to the Wort and slept. We later went on the Alpine slide, checked in with the ABD staff and miracle of miracles, met a family traveling with an 11 y.o. daughter just like us!!!! They became fast friends at the welcome dinner. We rescheduled the balloon ride for the next morning. Again we were to be picked up at 4:45 am. We received a call from the driver at about 4:15 am informing us again that the ride needed to be cancelled. We were disappointed, but did have a nice drive into Idaho the first day, and the second day had a relaxing morning before the ABD lunch.
At the end of the tour we fell in love with Brooks Lake Lodge. My DH had an I want to spend more time here :goodvibes look in his eye. We checked with the Lodge, and with the airline (a small fee to change flights), and my DH convinced me that we had saved so much money by not taking the balloon ride, that it would be a bargain to stay an extra night at the end of the trip. Staying on at Brooks Lake was the best decision. Another family from our tour had planned on staying extra days and we had a wonderful time with them. We went into the town of Dubois and attended a local rodeo. The scenery and surroundings at Broooks Lake Lodge make you fall in love with Wyoming, but the staff and other guests, make you want to stay forever. I would go back in a heartbeat. Everyone on our tour had really bonded and it was like a family vacation at the Lodge. An extra day at the Wort helped us ease into the trip, but the day at the end was priceless.

[clarabelle]

Thanks!!

[pipch]

Hi Guys
we took your advice and tried to book the brooks lodge on the 18th July 2009 for that extra nights stay, unfortunately because disney have increased the number of these trips - the hotel has another disney trip arriving on the 18th for 2 nights - so it is full!!

we can go on a wait list but Disney do not release the rooms until 2 weeks out and by then I am not sure what chance we stand of getting a nice room somewhere else.

I have spoken to disney and that is why they have no plans whatsoever to book pre and post stays on this trip.
I am now off to see if the wort can extend so we can have the room before the trip. It sounds like booking very early is a necessity!

[Turtlemom]

Hi Pipch!
Any luck with booking the Wort on a pre-night stay? We just booked Quest for the West for next August, and I was going to look into a pre night. We heard the same story about Brooks Lake Lodge. Disney has it completely booked from June to September, unless there are cancellations. Since this trip is so popular, that is unlikely.

We were also thinking of checking into pre-night activities/tours. any other recommendations besides the Teton Science school mentioned earlier in this thread??????

Already getting excited, and it is almost a year away! Sigh. . . .


Turtlemom

:yay:

[pipch]

Hi Turtlemom
YES I did book the wort for the night before and they charged it to my credit card!!
I think I will call next year when they have the names from Disney ( as yet it is only a total number of rooms blocked off) and make sure that they link our reservations.

I have also done something with the hotel that I hope is okay - I requested an upgrade of the room as we are there for so many nights. They are charging me the difference between the disney rate and the full rate each night.
The manager assured me that was okay and that they would sort that with Disney, but once again I think I will call nearer the time and make sure.

[pipch]

Now we are not able to stay at the brooks lodge I was trying to find an alternative for the last night ( we leave on a cruise from Los angeles the two days later)
One option which appeals is to go back to Jackson hole and "do" the saturday night Rodeo. Why come to Wyoming and not do a Rodeo???
However when I looked up Brooks Lodge it said it was 60 miles west of Jackson.
How does Disney get everyone back to Jackson - Is the 60 miles done altogether on a coach or do they send Taxi's for everyone at varying times.
To be honest I cannot see the point in paying for our own transport for the 60 miles we may as well jump on the disney transport to the airport and then get a cab to wherever we were going to stay for the last night.

Can anyone please let me know how the last 60 miles is done? If it is by coach and all together early in the morning then we may make our own way.

Thanks

[Computer Magic]

Now we are not able to stay at the brooks lodge I was trying to find an alternative for the last night ( we leave on a cruise from Los angeles the two days later)
One option which appeals is to go back to Jackson hole and "do" the saturday night Rodeo. Why come to Wyoming and not do a Rodeo???
However when I looked up Brooks Lodge it said it was 60 miles west of Jackson.
How does Disney get everyone back to Jackson - Is the 60 miles done altogether on a coach or do they send Taxi's for everyone at varying times.
To be honest I cannot see the point in paying for our own transport for the 60 miles we may as well jump on the disney transport to the airport and then get a cab to wherever we were going to stay for the last night.

Can anyone please let me know how the last 60 miles is done? If it is by coach and all together early in the morning then we may make our own way.

ThanksEveryone from our trip went by coach. Everyone was dropped off at the airport. I'm not sure this is the norm our not. It seemed unique for us.

[ears2BWV]

We went in large vans. It was quite a long trip back. I would take advantage of the ride back to the airport. The airport is no more than 5 minutes from downtown Jackson Hole.:goodvibes