ABD Backstage Magic - Summer 2010 Edition!

[Jeff & Stacy in NYC]

That's cool, Rob! I know Plays in the Park very well. I grew up in South Plainfield before I moved to Staten Island. Thanks for the invite but we're still busy with work. Break a leg in your next shows!

 

[DisneyRob]

Sorry to hear your busy and thanks I will. now off to the 4th show. speek to you all soon.

DisneyRob

 

[katscradle]

I just wanted to say hi, I am Katherine!
I was on the first ABD trip this past April and had a blast.
When this one came up I asked DH if he would give this to me for a birthday present since my birthday is in July, but no go...
So I keep telling myself that a girl can't get everything she wants...
You will have a fantastic time...
For those on a budget here's my 2 cents of advice.
Have a dollar amount in your mind of what you can spend and stick to it.
We did not have a budget and had decided before we went into MOG that if we saw something we wanted then we were going to get it..
Unfortunately we wanted almost everything!

I am glad to hear there are a few of you peeps that are going to be on PCC#2as we will be on the cruise as well. We went on PCC#1, Mousefest 08 was our first mousefest, and the TSM Meet was amazing.
You will have an amazing time and I look forward to meeting up with a few of you on PCC#2!

 

[Chropistopy]

I just wanted to say hi, I am Katherine!
I was on the first ABD trip this past April and had a blast.
When this one came up I asked DH if he would give this to me for a birthday present since my birthday is in July, but no go...
So I keep telling myself that a girl can't get everything she wants...
You will have a fantastic time...
For those on a budget here's my 2 cents of advice.
Have a dollar amount in your mind of what you can spend and stick to it.
We did not have a budget and had decided before we went into MOG that if we saw something we wanted then we were going to get it..
Unfortunately we wanted almost everything!

I am glad to hear there are a few of you peeps that are going to be on PCC#2as we will be on the cruise as well. We went on PCC#1, Mousefest 08 was our first mousefest, and the TSM Meet was amazing.
You will have an amazing time and I look forward to meeting up with a few of you on PCC#2!

Thanks for the info Katherine! I think it is safe to say that we're all super excited.

I'll definitely be on a budget. I've told myself that if it can't fit in my suitcase then I don't need it...but do plan to buy one thing for the memory at each of the big attractions.

I'm looking forward to PCC 2.0. Hope we get the chance to meet.

 

[Carolinagal]

Hi all -

I am Lynne from Texas, and went on the ABD 1.0 adventure. I am so excited for you all - it was truly a once in a lifetime trip, and one I will treasure forever! You will not regret it!

Please feel free to PM if you have any questions - I would love to help! Also, I am slowly posting trip reports on my blog at www.wonderingwhatnext.com, if you want to see more detail.

Just a few random thoughts:

1) I think all of us experienced difficulty trying to pack our purchases for the trip home. You can mail your purchases home, but it is kind of a pain to arrange, IMO. You might consider bringing a box and mailing label from home to drop off at the business office to make it a little easier.

2) On the free night in Hollywood, several of us went to the Jimmy Kimmel show, and had a wonderful time! I highly recommend. I did not try the Hotel Roosevelt, but wish I had, as it sounded like Kevin had a great time!

3) The guides (and do you know who you have yet?) did a wonderful job of setting up special viewings, even during times they had designated as "free" - I recommend you take advantage when you can, as they were really terrific!

Have a wonderful time, and feel free to ask any questions!

 

[NitroStitch]

Thanks Lynne and Katherine! I know we're all so excited to be going! We really don't have money to spend on the trip, so I'm especially worried about MoG! Hopefully between my husband and I, we will manage to jam enough stuff into the luggage we bring with us...or we'll have to figure out shipping too.

It's good to know that the guides have a way to set up special viewings even on free nights - many of us want to see Fantasmic and World of Color, so we have our fingers crossed. Whatever we do, it's going to be fun!

 

[Chropistopy]

Hi all -

I am Lynne from Texas, and went on the ABD 1.0 adventure. I am so excited for you all - it was truly a once in a lifetime trip, and one I will treasure forever! You will not regret it!

Please feel free to PM if you have any questions - I would love to help! Also, I am slowly posting trip reports on my blog at www.wonderingwhatnext.com, if you want to see more detail.

Just a few random thoughts:

1) I think all of us experienced difficulty trying to pack our purchases for the trip home. You can mail your purchases home, but it is kind of a pain to arrange, IMO. You might consider bringing a box and mailing label from home to drop off at the business office to make it a little easier.

2) On the free night in Hollywood, several of us went to the Jimmy Kimmel show, and had a wonderful time! I highly recommend. I did not try the Hotel Roosevelt, but wish I had, as it sounded like Kevin had a great time!

3) The guides (and do you know who you have yet?) did a wonderful job of setting up special viewings, even during times they had designated as "free" - I recommend you take advantage when you can, as they were really terrific!

Have a wonderful time, and feel free to ask any questions!

Hi Lynne!

I'm hoping we get to see the Jimmy Kimmel show. Did you get tickets with the tour? Kevin alluded to the fact that not everyone went to the show. Was that by choice or were there a limited number of tickets?

We don't know (or at least I don't know) who our guides will be yet. When you say "special viewings", are you talking about the shows like Fantasmic? I think there are several in our group wanting to see both Fantasmic and WOC while we are there.

Thanks for all of the wonderful information. I appreciate the ABDers from the original trip taking the time to give us some insight!!

 

[Chropistopy]

Anyone with past ABD experience...

How is the pick up handled at the airport? The documentation states that we will be met at baggage claim. Is there a designated location? Are we just looking for a sign? I think that is the only part I'm a little nervous about. I want to make sure I'm at the right place at the right time.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Lynne!

I'm hoping we get to see the Jimmy Kimmel show. Did you get tickets with the tour? Kevin alluded to the fact that not everyone went to the show. Was that by choice or were there a limited number of tickets?

We don't know (or at least I don't know) who our guides will be yet. When you say "special viewings", are you talking about the shows like Fantasmic? I think there are several in our group wanting to see both Fantasmic and WOC while we are there.

Thanks for all of the wonderful information. I appreciate the ABDers from the original trip taking the time to give us some insight!!

There are not always enough tickets for everyone in the group, keeping in mind that we had 44 people.

The tickets were handed out in a raffle system. Those who's names were called were asked if they wanted the tickets or not. It seemed that everyone that wanted to go to the show got a chance to go.

Fantasmic was down for a refurb when we were in DL. Special viewings were offered for the parade and fireworks.

I have sent a special email with WOC details. Look for that to either already be there...or arriving very soon.

Anyone with past ABD experience...

How is the pick up handled at the airport? The documentation states that we will be met at baggage claim. Is there a designated location? Are we just looking for a sign? I think that is the only part I'm a little nervous about. I want to make sure I'm at the right place at the right time.

There will be someone in the baggage claim area with an ABD sign. If you are the only pick up at that time, the sign may have your name on it. If there are more guests, it will just be an ABD sign.

Prior to your departure, I will send an email with my contact information including my cell number.

Please do not be nervous about this.....ABD is fantastic at making things run smoothly.

 

[Carolinagal]

Kevin has covered everything, so I will just pipe in that I agree with him!

Please understand the "special viewings" are not guaranteed, but they definitely do their best to accomodate. You should probably consider they will be extra magic, rather than depend on them. Ours were special fireworks viewing, and special seating at the afternoon parade.

I believe the guides had 12 tickets for Jimmy Kimmel, and we were treated like VIPs - seated first, front of the line, good seats, etc. We did also see several people walking up and getting tickets though, just in case you have more that want to go than tickets. I am not a huge fan, but loved seeing how the show was put together.

The driver met me in baggage claim with a sign with my name on it, and escorted me to the car with my bag. One group of our party did have a problem with pickup, so I would recommend you keep the ABD 24 hour hotline number available, too. In their case, I believe they took a cab to the hotel, and were reimbursed later.

ABD 24 Hour Hotline: (888) 268-1103

I can't tell you how much fun Mickey's of Glendale was! The prices were EXTREMELY reasonable, which made it that much nicer! I also very much enjoyed shopping at Club 33, so leave room in the suitcase and on the credit card!

We especially liked the pins (right, John and Kat?), terrific shirts, sweatshirts and jackets, coffee mugs, etc.

You can relax - ABD really does have everything under control and will take great care of you

I am counting down with you all....

 

[Carolinagal]

I really wish I had shipped everything back - not only was I over the weight limit, but on the way home from the airport on the return I was in a major accident and had a couple of items smashed to smithereens

I believe you can fit a box flat in your luggage, and if you have a label it would be that much easier to allow the business office at the Grand Californian to arrange pickup (they seemed to be limited as to the carriers they offered, and some folks had to go off-site to arrange shipping back with other carriers).

Anyhoo, good luck with your planning!

 

[Chropistopy]

Thanks Kevin and Lynne!

That information makes me feel better about pickup at the airport. I'll definitely keep the ABD number and Kevin's number close at hand.

Kevin: Thanks for the e-mail surrounding WOC. I'll proceed with making my reservations.

Anyone want to join me for the WOC dinner package at Ariel's Grotto on Wednesday night? Would I look like too much of a freak at a character dinner all by myself?

 

[Chropistopy]

I really wish I had shipped everything back - not only was I over the weight limit, but on the way home from the airport on the return I was in a major accident and had a couple of items smashed to smithereens

I believe you can fit a box flat in your luggage, and if you have a label it would be that much easier to allow the business office at the Grand Californian to arrange pickup (they seemed to be limited as to the carriers they offered, and some folks had to go off-site to arrange shipping back with other carriers).

Anyhoo, good luck with your planning!

Sorry to hear about the accident. I hope the souvenirs were the only thing damaged.

 

[nmoore14]

Thanks Kevin and Lynne!

That information makes me feel better about pickup at the airport. I'll definitely keep the ABD number and Kevin's number close at hand.

Kevin: Thanks for the e-mail surrounding WOC. I'll proceed with making my reservations.

Anyone want to join me for the WOC dinner package at Ariel's Grotto on Wednesday night? Would I look like too much of a freak at a character dinner all by myself?

I agree with you Christy. I was getting nervous about how pickup was going to be handled. I am enjoying everyone's help about what to expect on this adventure.

 

[nmoore14]

Thanks Kevin and Lynne!

That information makes me feel better about pickup at the airport. I'll definitely keep the ABD number and Kevin's number close at hand.

Kevin: Thanks for the e-mail surrounding WOC. I'll proceed with making my reservations.

Anyone want to join me for the WOC dinner package at Ariel's Grotto on Wednesday night? Would I look like too much of a freak at a character dinner all by myself?

I don't mind joining you. We can look like freaks together. What time are you thinking about having dinner and seeing the show?

 

[Chropistopy]

Let's see if anyone else wants to join us and then I'll call for priority seating tomorrow afternoon sometime. I don't know if there is a certain timeframe that we'll need to eat to "qualify" for the dinner package. Would you rather eat earlier or later? I'm open to either.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Let's see if anyone else wants to join us and then I'll call for priority seating tomorrow afternoon sometime. I don't know if there is a certain timeframe that we'll need to eat to "qualify" for the dinner package. Would you rather eat earlier or later? I'm open to either.

For Ariel's Grotto, reservations between 5pm and 7pm get a FastPass for the 9pm show, reservations between 7:10pm and 8:30pm get a FastPass for the 10:15pm show.

For Wine Country Trattoria, reservations between 4pm and 7pm get a FastPass for the 9pm show, reservations between 7:10pm and 8:30pm get a FastPass for the 10:15pm show.

 

[luceb]

Christy
Hi!! Luce' here. I called Disney dining this morning to make WOC meal ressies, and the standard "dinner" times are going fast, at least for Wed, the 28th. So, you and Nicole better hurry. They will apparently let you decide where you want to stand (sort of). So, if you don't want to get wet or hot, they're recommending second or third tier.

 

[Chropistopy]

Nicole: What do you think about a dinner between 7 & 8 and watching the 10:15 show?


Thanks for info guys! I'll try to jump on these reservations early tomorrow.

 

[Chropistopy]

Oh...I got my box of goodies today!! Has everyone received theirs?