Did Pete ever complain to ABD about the food?

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm with Pete here. The food is an important part of our vacation and if you are doing a luxury vacation they better hit it out of the park. You're in Italy, home of some of the best food on the planet, how hard could it be?

If you pay $200 for a 7 day Carnival cruise then you don't get to complain but ABD should have higher standards.

So I was wondering if Pete ever complained to ABD and if so, what was their response?

 

[mikelan6]

I know that one of the worst meal experiences I've had was at the Walt Disney Studios during an ABD trip. We were SO rushed to eat and continue the tour, it was very unpleasant.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I wouldn't be surprised. Pete isn't one to be shy about his feelings.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I know that one of the worst meal experiences I've had was at the Walt Disney Studios during an ABD trip. We were SO rushed to eat and continue the tour, it was very unpleasant.

The food wasnt the issue.

That was poor timing and our guides being a bit overzealous with schedule maintenance.

It's my understanding that the April Adventure experienced none of that.

 

[mikelan6]

The food wasn't the issue.

That was poor timing and our guides being a bit overzealous with schedule maintenance.

It's my understanding that the April Adventure experienced none of that.

All true. But Pete was more complaining about the lack of choice as well, not necessarily the food itself.

ABD did make up for the rushed Studio meal with an amazing dinner and reception at Steakhouse 55 later that evening.

 

[Leigha]

I think he either has or will and I would go a step further if I were him and ask them .what the meals will be on his next trip (I would think they know by now) This will be so A. he is informed about whether or not to go somewhere different on his own and B. more importantly to let them know how serious the situation is and so that they'll have to state what choice they've made and think about whether or not it was a good one. You're paying too much not to do this and they should have no trouble standing behind their choice.

 

[DaParkers]

Pete can't complain if he's willing to pay for it again. Isn't that what he said about ticket prices?

 

[BriarRosie]

Pete can't complain if he's willing to pay for it again. Isn't that what he said about ticket prices?

I don't know if Pete would be willing to do that add-on for the Med cruise again, if ABD doesn't change. This type of luxury package vs. WDW ticket prices are like comparing apples to oranges, IMHO.

Tickets to WDW theme parks are mandatory if you want to have a complete vacation at WDW. This ABD add-on was completely optional. Pete could have probably had a better time in Rome, for example, with a DCL sponsored excursion instead of paying the premium with ABD.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Pete can't complain if he's willing to pay for it again. Isn't that what he said about ticket prices?

I'm not sure the decision to pay for another of these add-ons has been made as of yet.

The upcoming one for the Alaskan cruise is paid in full and well into the "huge penalty" phase.

I'm also not sure we're making a fair comparison.

A better comparison would be paying the premium for a Disney ticket and finding out that the attractions you were hoping for were not available and instead, your only options were typical, road side carnival rides.

 

[DaParkers]

I don't know if Pete would be willing to do that add-on for the Med cruise again, if ABD doesn't change. This type of luxury package vs. WDW ticket prices are like comparing apples to oranges, IMHO.

Tickets to WDW theme parks are mandatory if you want to have a complete vacation at WDW. This ABD add-on was completely optional. Pete could have probably had a better time in Rome, for example, with a DCL sponsored excursion instead of paying the premium with ABD.

Tickets to WDW are not mandatory, nor is an ABD add on or a Med cruise. It is definitely apples to apples. One is about food, the other is about tickets, but the premise is the same. Complaining about something that you are willing to pay for, period. BTW, he said that he would do it again.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Tickets to WDW are not mandatory, nor is an ABD add on or a Med cruise. It is definitely apples to apples. One is about food, the other is about tickets, but the premise is the same. Complaining about something that you are willing to pay for, period. BTW, he said that he would do it again.

Actually...it's not apples to apples.

If you want to enter a Disney theme park....you buy a ticket or else you dont enter.

There are other ways to see St Peter's Basilica and far less expensive ways to eat in Italy.

In one case you have no other option and in the other there are several options.

 

[DaParkers]

I'm not sure the decision to pay for another of these add-ons has been made as of yet.

The upcoming one for the Alaskan cruise is paid in full and well into the "huge penalty" phase.

I'm also not sure we're making a fair comparison.

A better comparison would be paying the premium for a Disney ticket and finding out that the attractions you were hoping for were not available and instead, your only options were typical, road side carnival rides.

I understand what you're saying, but I disagree. I am playing more Devil's advocate than anything else, so please don't mistake my demeanor. I disagreed with Pete when he said it. I got the feeling that some at the table did also, but that's irrelevant. He may not go on another ABD add on, but he said he is willing to. Maybe I'm over simplifying it, but it's all the same to me. Don't complain about it if you're willing to pay for it. It's the same with gas prices. We, as consumers have the right to complain about everything, even if we will still pay the price. Driving to WDW is not a necessity, but I do it. If gas is 4$ a gallon, I may still drive to Orlando, but I will still complain about it.

 

[DaParkers]

Actually...it's not apples to apples.

If you want to enter a Disney theme park....you buy a ticket or else you dont enter.

There are other ways to see St Peter's Basilica and far less expensive ways to eat in Italy.

In one case you have no other option and in the other there are several options.

When Pete spoke, options were not a qualifier. Willingness to pay for it was.

 

[BriarRosie]

I understand what you're saying, but I disagree. I am playing more Devil's advocate than anything else, so please don't mistake my demeanor. I disagreed with Pete when he said it. I got the feeling that some at the table did also, but that's irrelevant. He may not go on another ABD add on, but he said he is willing to. Maybe I'm over simplifying it, but it's all the same to me. Don't complain about it if you're willing to pay for it. It's the same with gas prices. We, as consumers have the right to complain about everything, even if we will still pay the price. Driving to WDW is not a necessity, but I do it. If gas is 4$ a gallon, I may still drive to Orlando, but I will still complain about it.

ABD add-ons are optional, and you don't have to buy them to enjoy cruise ports. ABD should be bending over backwards to keep people happy so they would choose another ABD add-on.

WDW tickets are the only way to see the parks, so that's why I said they are mandatory if you wanted a complete WDW vacation. You can't say park tickets are optional for the typical Disney vacation.

I stand by my post that you're not comparing apples to apples.

 

[DaParkers]

ABD add-ons are optional, and you don't have to buy them to enjoy cruise ports. ABD should be bending over backwards to keep people happy so they would choose another ABD add-on.

WDW tickets are the only way to see the parks, so that's why I said they are mandatory if you wanted a complete WDW vacation. You can't say park tickets are optional for the typical Disney vacation.

I stand by my post that you're not comparing apples to apples.

So, WDW shouldn't be bending over backwards so that you would come back on a trip? Only ABD? Your point helps my arguement. Isn't the fact that tickets are mandatory even more of a reason to complain. Why complain about something if you have other options? If gas was $5 a gallon at one station, but $3 across the street, would you pay the $5 and then complain? Probably not. But, if $5 was the only price, wouldn't you be more likely to complain?

P.S. Why are options being discussed? That was NOT a qualifier in Pete's statement. Willingness to pay was.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Don't complain about it if you're willing to pay for it.

I guess I disagree with this basic premise.

My electric bill is WAYYY too high. I moan and carry on for days. I've never once considered turning off my electricity.

I'm also of the belief that if you dont complain when dissatisfied with a product or service, then there is little hope of it ever getting better.

Why would anyone improve something they didnt know was unacceptable.

I still dont agree with the comparison of WDW tickets and an ABD add on.

Agreed that neither are mandatory. You used the example of gas. Using your argument....your car isnt mandatory, let alone gas to drive it.

But, if you want to get to WDW and arent willing to walk, it's a necessary evil. The same can be said for WDW tickets. They arent mandatory...unless you want to see the parks.

On the other hand, an ABD add-on is nothing but luxury. You can get off the ship and see pretty much the same stuff for a lot less. You are paying for guides, meals, front of the line access etc.

If you are willing to pay that price for luxury, it's my belief that you are entitled to the luxury you paid for. The discussion never was about the price being too high. The discussion was about the perception of not receiving that "paid for" luxury.

This is a different discussion than that of whether or not the price of Disney tickets will ever reach the tipping point where people dont buy them any more.

 

[DaParkers]

I guess I disagree with this basic premise.

My electric bill is WAYYY too high. I moan and carry on for days. I've never once considered turning off my electricity.

I'm also of the belief that if you dont complain when dissatisfied with a product or service, then there is little hope of it ever getting better.

Why would anyone improve something they didnt know was unacceptable.

I still dont agree with the comparison of WDW tickets and an ABD add on.

Agreed that neither are mandatory. You used the example of gas. Using your argument....your car isnt mandatory, let alone gas to drive it.

But, if you want to get to WDW and arent willing to walk, it's a necessary evil. The same can be said for WDW tickets. They arent mandatory...unless you want to see the parks.

On the other hand, an ABD add-on is nothing but luxury. You can get off the ship and see pretty much the same stuff for a lot less. You are paying for guides, meals, front of the line access etc.

If you are willing to pay that price for luxury, it's my belief that you are entitled to the luxury you paid for. The discussion never was about the price being too high. The discussion was about the perception of not receiving that "paid for" luxury.

This is a different discussion than that of whether or not the price of Disney tickets will ever reach the tipping point where people dont buy them any more.

We agree on a couple of points, not on others. Life wouldn't be fun if we agreed about everything. Thanks for sharing your point of view and thanks for the AMC review. I will definitely be trying it.

 

[DisneyKevin]

We agree on a couple of points, not on others. Life wouldn't be fun if we agreed about everything. Thanks for sharing your point of view and thanks for the AMC review. I will definitely be trying it.

I have one more thing and then, believe it or not, I'm going to AMC Dine In.

I'm sure you pay a princely sum for cable each month (and if you dont...play along).

For a one week, in the middle of the month, your reception is terrible. You have lines and static, the voice fades in and out...you get the idea.

If that were me, I'd call my cable company and complain that I was getting what I had paid a princely sum for and I would ask that it be fixed. in other words, I'd complain...as I'm sure most would.

I'm surely not going to disconnect my cable, but it should be fixed.

That, to me, is a comparison to complaining about an ABD add on.

Now let's say you walk into Publix and milk is over $5.00 a gallon. You can complain all you want, but if you want milk....you pay $5.00. You can decide not to buy milk...but there really isnt a suitable substitution. Buy it or dont.

That's a suitable comparison to WDW tickets.

Now I'm really done and off to DTD and Bad Teacher.

And a mango margarita.

 

[DaParkers]

I have one more thing and then, believe it or not, I'm going to AMC Dine In.

I'm sure you pay a princely sum for cable each month (and if you dont...play along).

For a one week, in the middle of the month, your reception is terrible. You have lines and static, the voice fades in and out...you get the idea.

If that were me, I'd call my cable company and complain that I was getting what I had paid a princely sum for and I would ask that it be fixed. in other words, I'd complain...as I'm sure most would.

I'm surely not going to disconnect my cable, but it should be fixed.

That, to me, is a comparison to complaining about an ABD add on.

Now let's say you walk into Publix and milk is over $5.00 a gallon. You can complain all you want, but if you want milk....you pay $5.00. You can decide not to buy milk...but there really isnt a suitable substitution. Buy it or dont.

That's a suitable comparison to WDW tickets.

Now I'm really done and off to DTD and Bad Teacher.

And a mango margarita.

I agree. I never said that I felt differently, just playing Devil's Advocate. Enjoy the movie/meal.

 

[OhioDisneyDavid]

Pete had indicated in his Podcast comments that the food was not a reason to keep from doing this ABD experience. I am booked on a 7day Med DCL w/ABD add-on for August 27th and have some concerns:

• DW is seafood allergic. Not just tummy ache type, in the hospital type. We ate at California Grill in Contemporary where someone didn’t prepare seafood away from her meal and she spent the night in the Celebration Hospital. From Pete’s comments, her only choice on the Monaco lunch is a cheeseburger. Not top notch cuisine on the Riviera when we are paying top dollar for everything.
• Paid big bucks for ABD and expectations are high. If ABD experiences are same tours as the DCL excursions, why am I paying more?
• Meals were average; excursions were nominal and not a lot of extras in Pete’s opinion. Why would he still highly recommend the ABD experience?
• We are two adults travelling together with no small children so the extra eyes are not a factor. Cast Members are good tour guides but are they worth double that the normal DCL excursion guides?

I would love to hear more of the ABD details from Pete and team. Possibly the team could have another podcast special segment or show? Interested in how they deal with finances (credit card versus cash versus travel cash card)? Did they carry passports or copies?