2010 Yosemite with Tauck or ABD

[Bobo912]

I paid off the balance on our trip this past Monday and today I received a packet containing a leather-like pouch with a travel tip booklet, luggage tags and a lot of travel documents and information on the itinerary. The kids are supposed to receive backpacks, but not the adults, which is okay with me. Reading over the itinerary again, I'm sure it's going to be a really fun trip. It is 57 days away. Work is pretty busy and stressful at the moment, so I can hardly wait for vacation to begin!!!!

 

[Tozzie]

I paid off the balance on our trip this past Monday and today I received a packet containing a leather-like pouch with a travel tip booklet, luggage tags and a lot of travel documents and information on the itinerary. The kids are supposed to receive backpacks, but not the adults, which is okay with me. Reading over the itinerary again, I'm sure it's going to be a really fun trip. It is 57 days away. Work is pretty busy and stressful at the moment, so I can hardly wait for vacation to begin!!!!

Yay!!!! Hope you have a great time!!

 

[marcemch]

I paid off the balance on our trip this past Monday and today I received a packet containing a leather-like pouch with a travel tip booklet, luggage tags and a lot of travel documents and information on the itinerary. The kids are supposed to receive backpacks, but not the adults, which is okay with me. Reading over the itinerary again, I'm sure it's going to be a really fun trip. It is 57 days away. Work is pretty busy and stressful at the moment, so I can hardly wait for vacation to begin!!!!

GOOD NEWS! I'm glad to hear you received information from Tauck. I was thinking I would get something from them when I booked the trip and made the deposit, but I only received a receipt/confirmation from my TA @ AAA. Doesn't ABD send you something when you initially book? I can't recall, although both previous ABD trips were booked directly with them vs. going through an agent so that might be the difference.
Does the Tauck Bridges itinerary they sent provide any more detail than the one on their website or in their book?

I'm finding myself starting to daydream about vacation, so it's getting exciting that it's not that far away now. Guess our trip is three weeks after yours, so know what's ahead for us! I'm excited that we are going to meet up with friends (who actually live in NJ!) the weekend before in San Francisco, so am going to change my arrival date to Friday and spend two days in SF before the trip begins on Sunday night. Gotta love Southwest Airlines for being able to change flights without a fee!

 

[Bobo912]

GOOD NEWS! I'm glad to hear you received information from Tauck. I was thinking I would get something from them when I booked the trip and made the deposit, but I only received a receipt/confirmation from my TA @ AAA. Doesn't ABD send you something when you initially book? I can't recall, although both previous ABD trips were booked directly with them vs. going through an agent so that might be the difference.
Does the Tauck Bridges itinerary they sent provide any more detail than the one on their website or in their book?

I'm finding myself starting to daydream about vacation, so it's getting exciting that it's not that far away now. Guess our trip is three weeks after yours, so know what's ahead for us! I'm excited that we are going to meet up with friends (who actually live in NJ!) the weekend before in San Francisco, so am going to change my arrival date to Friday and spend two days in SF before the trip begins on Sunday night. Gotta love Southwest Airlines for being able to change flights without a fee!

The only thing I got after booking with ABD was the folder with the long contract that had to be signed and returned within 14 days and I think it also had release forms for photos to be used in Disney's marketing and something where we agreed to complete the survey after the trip. From Tauck I got a confirmation and some suggested reading material, probably just what you got, marcemch. Then I received another confirmation after I made a second payment showing my remaining balance and now this packet. I don't believe the wording is exactly the same as the website/brochure but there isn't really any more detail about the itinerary. Like ABD, they probably don't want to give away too much. If there are any surprises (of the pleasant sort) along the way, I promise not to spoil it for you. There are some instructions on what to do when you arrive at the airport and some other general instructions/information. I haven't read all of it yet. I'm just excited to receive something that makes it seem more real and not so far in the future.

It's great that you'll be able to meet up with your friends in San Francisco. I seriously considered spending some extra time there too, but I decided to save the vacation days (and the money) for later in the summer, just in case something good comes along.

 

[sayhello]

I paid off the balance on our trip this past Monday and today I received a packet containing a leather-like pouch with a travel tip booklet, luggage tags and a lot of travel documents and information on the itinerary. The kids are supposed to receive backpacks, but not the adults, which is okay with me. Reading over the itinerary again, I'm sure it's going to be a really fun trip. It is 57 days away. Work is pretty busy and stressful at the moment, so I can hardly wait for vacation to begin!!!!

Wow, congrats, Bobo912! I really hope this trip ends up being just as wonderful as ABD! Options are always a good thing. I'm looking forward to reading your views when you get back.

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

We got our box of goodies from Tauck Bridges earlier this week, or I should really say my son did, since it was addressed to him. It contained a letter telling him that he's about to go on an exciting adventure and the following items:

I love the backpack. I may have to commandeer it for myself. The journal is made from recycled material (it's embossed with the Tauck logo - not sure if you can see that in the photo) and the pen is a wooden one, just like the one ABD hands out on the Costa Rica trip. The water bottle has a little compass on the strap, which is pretty cool. The small metal box contains a pack of playing cards.

I'm not sure what this is. DS says it's a Frisbee.

I'm really happy with the goody box and like that it was addressed to DS, since that makes it even more exciting for him. Overall, very pleased with Tauck so far. The big test is yet to come! Trip starts in 29 days.

 

[marcemch]

Thanks for the photos - I'm excited that this is coming our way. I'm not sure what that blue thing is either, but if your DS is like my DD, almost anything can become a toy!
I booked through AAA, so even though we made our final payment early last week, I still haven't received the confirmation/itinerary that you did after you made your final payment. (Not sure of the value, if any, of booking through a TA - don't think I'll do it again. Hope I didn't offend any TAs out there. I'm not happy that my communication from TB comes via AAA.)

 

[Icemann]

I like their pre-trip goodies I like the water bottle idea to.I to can't wait to hear your trip report as we were thinking about going with Tauck this time but the dates we wanted we couldn't get.We shall see what ABD does for returning guests this year and in the furture,Tauck may be getting some more business who knows,like their incentives better.I know you guys will have a wonderful time be safe and have fun

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks, Icemann. We're really starting to get excited about the trip now. I'm going to have to force mayself to start making preparations. I know the time is going to fly by and the next thing I know it will be time to go and I'll be rushing around trying to get everything together.

marcemch, have you seen the family photo contest on the Tauck website? An entry form for the contest is one thing in the packet that I forgot to mention. Prizes are 1st - $2000, 2nd - $1000 and 3rd - $500 travel vouchers. I'm going to be snapping photos like crazy - as if I wouldn't anyway.

 

[sayhello]

Cool box! Really nice they addressed it to him. I'm really looking forward to hearing how Tauck Bridges goes for you guys!

Photo contest sounds great! I wish ABD did that!!!

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

I got a "past guest" offer from Tauck today, although I'm not officially a past guest yet. I'm pretty sure it's not something I can take advantage of, but thought I would pass it along for informational purposes. The offer is for two free hotel nights (pre or post tour) on any Tauck Exotics in 2011. The options include Tauck World Discovery, Culturious and Tauck Bridges trips all over the world. The Bridges trips that qualify as exotic are Tanzania, Costa Rica and The Galapagos Islands. Tauck offers a Galapagos trip the coincides with our spring break, so I've got that on my list for next year, in case we do decide to take a trip at that time of the year. But I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have time to fit in two pre or post nights. Anyway there's a bit of information for comparison purposes as we make our way to August and the ABD itineraries for 2011.

 

[amsae]

We did this trip with ABD last year and had a blast, try to go to the Awahnee for dinner on your free night, we did and it was wonderful.
We stayed over a day and did Alcatraz

 

[Bobo912]

We did this trip with ABD last year and had a blast, try to go to the Awahnee for dinner on your free night, we did and it was wonderful.
We stayed over a day and did Alcatraz

Any recommendations on what to order for dinner at the Awahnee?

 

[knewton64]

We're going to Yosemite with Tauck Bridges! Wanted to start this thread so that any of us who are taking the Tauck or ABD Nothern CA trips can compare notes. Since this is our first experience with Tauck Bridges, I'm interested to see how the two companies stack up. We are traveling on June 20. There are now only 4 slots open for our date. There are 14 kids on the trip so far - 5 boys ages 7, 9, 11, 13 and my 9-year-old and 9 girls - 6, three 8-year-olds, two 9 year-olds, 11, 13, and 14. Making the reservation was easy, so it's been a good experience, so far. The rep was friendly and did not hesitate to tell me how many people were booked and the details about the kids. I'll keep you posted on any similarities/differences I see between ABD and Tauck.

....I am 4 weeks away from booking with CEI International tours for my trip to Ireland (ITS ABOUT TIME I BOOK THIS!).



Will also let all of you know the simliarities/differences between them & ABD.

P.S. For my upcoming trip to Ireland, I recently bought some Euros and Pounds from my Bank - using my Disney Chase Visa cc.
I gained Disney points from the purchase and paid cash for the purchase a day later with no interest being charged!


T.T.F.N.

 

[amsae]

Yes, we had this watermelon said that was awsome and the samon and chicken dinner. I was all great.
Just take the buses over and enjoy the ride. Take a lot of pictures.

 

[Bobo912]

Yes, we had this watermelon said that was awsome and the samon and chicken dinner. I was all great.
Just take the buses over and enjoy the ride. Take a lot of pictures.

Thanks! How are people generally dressed? Do you think shorts are okay for a child and capris for a woman? Or is it more dressy?

 

[amsae]

We treated is a special night out and wore slacks and a Tommy Bahama Shirt, ladies Dresses or Capris would be fine. Made Kids Dress up as well.
Enjoy it, you are on vacation.

 

[deanna2426]

We did this trip with ABD last year and had a blast, try to go to the Awahnee for dinner on your free night, we did and it was wonderful.
We stayed over a day and did Alcatraz

We are doing this ABD on 6/27 with a pre-stay in Lake Tahoe.

Can you please tell me what the attire is for kayaking? Do people wear bathing suits and water shoes or just quick dry clothing?

Also, I am not a biker, so I am planning on skipping the two bike trips. DH and sons will participate. Do you know if alternate activities are available or will I have time on my own?

Any other tips you have would be very much appreciated!

We are so excited

 

[Bobo912]

We're back. It was a fun trip. I've got a ton of work to catch up on, but I'll give you all my observations on the differences between ABD and Tauck Bridges when I have a little free time. I do want to mention to marcemch that there is a lot of water in Yosemite this year and the waterfalls are beautiful and should still be in mostly full force when you get there.

Can you please tell me what the attire is for kayaking? Do people wear bathing suits and water shoes or just quick dry clothing?

We went kayaking in Monterey Bay, rather than Lake Tahoe, but I imagine the water at Lake Tahoe is cold, as well, so the attire will be similar. We were given "rain suits" to wear, which were waterproof pants and top, with velco around the ankles and neck to keep the water out. You can wear regular clothes, swim suit or just your underwear beneath. On the advice of our guide, I just removed my clothes and put the rain suit on over my underwear. Those of us who had them, wore water shoes, and the rest went barefoot.

 

[sayhello]

We're back. It was a fun trip. I've got a ton of work to catch up on, but I'll give you all my observations on the differences between ABD and Tauck Bridges when I have a little free time. I do want to mention to marcemch that there is a lot of water in Yosemite this year and the waterfalls are beautiful and should still be in mostly full force when you get there.

Welcome back, Bobo912! I'm really looking forward to your report/observations! How was Yosemite? Did you LOVE it?

Sayhello