ABD Alaska Cruise Package - Page 5 - The DIS Discussion Forums

Turtlemom · 01-11-2012, 10:14 AM

CaliforniaGirl09 and Calfan--
Wow--Having read your letters, I would really like to hear what ABD's response is. We are considering the Alaska cruise and the ABD add-on would be a huge plus, given that we are huge ABD fans and have already been on 4 ABD trips. But the cost of the add-on is a bit ridiculous if it does not include the helicopter/dog sledding excursion (which is wildly expensive on its own). We are also huge fans of the guides and have had both Tiffany and Landon on privious trips and LOVED them!

Please let us know if you hear anything back!!!!!
Thanks for writing those letters. . .

CaliforniaGirl09 · 01-11-2012, 12:17 PM

Not surprisingly, I haven't heard anything back yet. Calfan?

I suspect we'll get some kind of "it's not the value it's the experience" kind of response. I, too, was most disappointed about the removal of the heli/dog sled experience. That alone would keep me from signing up. I re-read the port adventure reviews from last year, and by far that was the experience everyone raved about.

I suspect they won't do anything to change it unless sign-ups are slow, and/or they get enough complaints.

Calfan · 01-11-2012, 12:44 PM

No response yet either (to my letter or to the comments I submitted on the Contact Us form on the ABD website). Like CaliforniaGirl09, I suspect ABD won’t take any action unless they see folks voting with their feet and not signing up. I also encourage anyone else who is disappointed in the itinerary changes and the pricing to contact ABD directly. Hearing from enough people might spur ABD to action.

Bobo912 · 01-11-2012, 01:42 PM

My experience with using Contact Us has been, if I'm complimenting someone or asking a question that indicates I might be planning to book, I get a quick response. The one time I sent a complaint, I got no response at all. I hope your experience is different.

CaliforniaGirl09 · 01-11-2012, 02:39 PM

Disappointing, but not surprising. Funny how that works, isn't it? LOL.

sayhello · 01-11-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo912

My experience with using Contact Us has been, if I'm complimenting someone or asking a question that indicates I might be planning to book, I get a quick response. The one time I sent a complaint, I got no response at all. I hope your experience is different.

Sayhello

Calfan · 01-11-2012, 04:58 PM

Just got the following email from Adventures by Disney:

1/11/2012

Dear Laura:

We appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As
you are aware, our goal is to provide the finest service on all of our
trips. Please be assured we take your comments very seriously. Your
remarks have been forwarded to the Adventures by Disney Guest
Communications team so they too, are aware of your feedback.

Sincerely,

Adventure by Disney Travel Services, Inc.

It will be interesting to see if there is any follow-up and if my written letter receives any kind of response.

CBEB · 01-11-2012, 05:56 PM

Wow, just now reading this thread. We did the ABD-Alaska last summer and now are so glad we did. As others have mentioned, the dog sledding was definitely at the top of our favorites list. The current itinerary most definitely is shorter - not sure we would sign up now.

Anyone know why they changed the dog sledding to a sea plane? I wouldn't think it would be based on a shorter short time if they have time to do the sea plane.

CaliforniaGirl09 · 01-11-2012, 08:05 PM

I have no idea why they changed it--there are still a number of port adventures with it so they definitely had enough time. I just received the same email as Calfan.

CaliforniaGirl09 · 01-27-2012, 11:04 AM

Wow, it looks like letters can have an impact. Sounds like they reduced the price! http://www.disboards.com/showthread....1#post43862318

Calfan · 01-27-2012, 12:15 PM

I got a call from ABD this morning confirming they have reduced the price of the ABD add-on for the Alaska cruises by $300 per person. I am so impressed that they took the feedback to heart! So tempted to do this now.

sayhello · 01-27-2012, 04:28 PM

I'll repeat myself.

Do it! Do it! Do it!

Sayhello

CaliforniaGirl09 · 01-27-2012, 07:42 PM

You really know how to make it hard, don't you? LOL. But we are definitely considering it. Really the main thing holding me back is not having the helicopter/dog sled activity. I think I'll have to go read through some trip reports to help me decide...

lucky1 · 02-23-2012, 10:04 AM

Ah.. I so want to do ABD with our July Alaska cruise, Each of the excurisions sounds like what we would book already. But the cost just seems about $3000 above what we would pay for each of the items on a going rate for our party of 4.

I also contacted ABD and my TA contacted DCL and ABD to find out what is included that is not listed.

*i found out a little bit more information with what’s included besides the shore excursion parts.
-*******2 guides just for your adventure that are with you onboard and ashore
-*******Welcome reception on board
-*******Private reception onboard with ship’s naturalist
-*******Case of bottled water
-*******Private farewell reception
-*******Photo CD including onboard and shore excursion pictures taken by Disney staff
-*******ABD backpack, special ABD pins
-*******Onboard gratuities included but not the adventure guide gratuities

Note no Palo's dinner or animation demonstration..

lucky1 · 02-23-2012, 10:05 AM

Also.. since my DD10 is not yet 90lb and that is one of the requirements of ziplining what will they have her do in place of ziplining?

01-11-2012, 05:56 PM	#68
CBEB We're ready to do it again! So far, we've managed to sprinkle lots of pixie dust Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Garland, TX Posts: 333	Wow, just now reading this thread. We did the ABD-Alaska last summer and now are so glad we did. As others have mentioned, the dog sledding was definitely at the top of our favorites list. The current itinerary most definitely is shorter - not sure we would sign up now. Anyone know why they changed the dog sledding to a sea plane? I wouldn't think it would be based on a shorter short time if they have time to do the sea plane. __________________ WDW 2002 Wilderness Lodge, DCL 2003 7-Day Eastern, DCL 2004 7-Day Eastern, DCL 2005 7-Day Western, DCL 2006 7-Day Western, WDW 2007 Caribbean Beach, DCL 2008 15-Day WB Repo, DCL 2009 7-Day Tortola, DCL 2011 5-Day DREAM, DCL/ABD 2011 7-Day Alaska, ABD/HKDL 2012 12-Day China, DCL/ABD 2013 7-Day Mediterranean

01-27-2012, 04:28 PM	#72
sayhello Have Camera, Will Travel Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 8,772	I'll repeat myself. Do it! Do it! Do it! Sayhello __________________ Check out my Southwest Splendors Trip Report! (2008). 5 parts, full of pics & details & impressions! My Taming the Last Frontier ABD Alaska Trip Report! (2009)! 7 parts, pictures, stories, & more impressions! Also check out my ABD/DCL Mediterranean Magic Trip Report! (2010) NOW POSTING! My DIS Unplugged London/Paris/Disneyland Paris Trip Report! (2011)

02-23-2012, 10:04 AM	#74
lucky1 Face Character Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Southwest Desert Posts: 2,546	Ah.. I so want to do ABD with our July Alaska cruise, Each of the excurisions sounds like what we would book already. But the cost just seems about $3000 above what we would pay for each of the items on a going rate for our party of 4. I also contacted ABD and my TA contacted DCL and ABD to find out what is included that is not listed. i found out a little bit more information with what’s included besides the shore excursion parts. -****2 guides just for your adventure that are with you onboard and ashore -***Welcome reception on board -***Private reception onboard with ship’s naturalist -***Case of bottled water -***Private farewell reception -***Photo CD including onboard and shore excursion pictures taken by Disney staff -***ABD backpack, special ABD pins -***Onboard gratuities included but not the adventure guide gratuities Note no Palo's dinner or animation demonstration.. __________________ Lucky1 Ready to go to DL or WDW at anytime Part of a Disney Family**

02-23-2012, 10:05 AM	#75
lucky1 Face Character Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Southwest Desert Posts: 2,546	Also.. since my DD10 is not yet 90lb and that is one of the requirements of ziplining what will they have her do in place of ziplining? __________________ Lucky1 Ready to go to DL or WDW at anytime Part of a Disney Family

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01-11-2012, 10:14 AM	#61
Turtlemom Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 297	CaliforniaGirl09 and Calfan-- Wow--Having read your letters, I would really like to hear what ABD's response is. We are considering the Alaska cruise and the ABD add-on would be a huge plus, given that we are huge ABD fans and have already been on 4 ABD trips. But the cost of the add-on is a bit ridiculous if it does not include the helicopter/dog sledding excursion (which is wildly expensive on its own). We are also huge fans of the guides and have had both Tiffany and Landon on privious trips and LOVED them! Please let us know if you hear anything back!!!!! Thanks for writing those letters. . .

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01-11-2012, 12:17 PM	#62
CaliforniaGirl09 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 581	Not surprisingly, I haven't heard anything back yet. Calfan? I suspect we'll get some kind of "it's not the value it's the experience" kind of response. I, too, was most disappointed about the removal of the heli/dog sled experience. That alone would keep me from signing up. I re-read the port adventure reviews from last year, and by far that was the experience everyone raved about. I suspect they won't do anything to change it unless sign-ups are slow, and/or they get enough complaints.

01-11-2012, 12:44 PM	#63
Calfan Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 356	No response yet either (to my letter or to the comments I submitted on the Contact Us form on the ABD website). Like CaliforniaGirl09, I suspect ABD won’t take any action unless they see folks voting with their feet and not signing up. I also encourage anyone else who is disappointed in the itinerary changes and the pricing to contact ABD directly. Hearing from enough people might spur ABD to action.

01-11-2012, 01:42 PM	#64
Bobo912 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,358	My experience with using Contact Us has been, if I'm complimenting someone or asking a question that indicates I might be planning to book, I get a quick response. The one time I sent a complaint, I got no response at all. I hope your experience is different.

01-11-2012, 02:39 PM	#65
CaliforniaGirl09 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 581	Disappointing, but not surprising. Funny how that works, isn't it? LOL.

01-11-2012, 04:58 PM	#67
Calfan Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 356	Just got the following email from Adventures by Disney: 1/11/2012 Dear Laura: We appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As you are aware, our goal is to provide the finest service on all of our trips. Please be assured we take your comments very seriously. Your remarks have been forwarded to the Adventures by Disney Guest Communications team so they too, are aware of your feedback. Sincerely, Adventure by Disney Travel Services, Inc. It will be interesting to see if there is any follow-up and if my written letter receives any kind of response.

01-11-2012, 08:05 PM	#69
CaliforniaGirl09 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 581	I have no idea why they changed it--there are still a number of port adventures with it so they definitely had enough time. I just received the same email as Calfan.

01-27-2012, 11:04 AM	#70
CaliforniaGirl09 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 581	Wow, it looks like letters can have an impact. Sounds like they reduced the price! http://www.disboards.com/showthread....1#post43862318

01-27-2012, 12:15 PM	#71
Calfan Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 356	I got a call from ABD this morning confirming they have reduced the price of the ABD add-on for the Alaska cruises by $300 per person. I am so impressed that they took the feedback to heart! So tempted to do this now.

01-27-2012, 07:42 PM	#73
CaliforniaGirl09 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 581	You really know how to make it hard, don't you? LOL. But we are definitely considering it. Really the main thing holding me back is not having the helicopter/dog sled activity. I think I'll have to go read through some trip reports to help me decide...