ABD Discounts Plus Other Newbie Questions

[KLWST16]

DH and I are contemplating doing the Arizona and Utah tour with our two daughters (who will be 11 and 9) Spring Break 2017. I am starting my research into ABD but feel a little overwhelmed.

First question - are there any ways to get discounts? I did a quick Google Search and saw some travel agents offer a few hundred dollars off and then I saw someone (on this forum) mention something about release prices. What is that? I assume when Disney releases the tours, the prices are the lowest they will be? Does that mean when the 2017 season is released in a couple weeks, that will be the lowest price they offer?

Is air fare included in the price? Or do you have to get that on your own?

I've never been to Arizona/Utah before so am unfamiliar with the geography and where everything is located. Is that trip something we could easily plan on our own? We don't want to drive great distances between the sites and the almost all-inclusive nature of ABD is appealing to us. But would it be cheaper just to book some nights at Enchantment Resort on our own and do day trips to Grand Canyon/Jeep Tour of Red Rocks by ourselves?

 

[TXTransplant]

To answer some of your questions...

There are discounts, usually in the form of credits. Dreams Unlimited (a sponsor here) and Small World Vacations both offer discounts based on the total dollar amount of your trip. I received a $400 discount from Small World Vacations on a trip of about $8500 (one adult and one child).

The lowest prices are typically the opening day prices. The price of each individual trip increases as more people book that specific trip. It can be hard to predict exactly which trips will increase in price and by how much.

Air fare is not included. You can book on your own, or you can book through ABD (highly recommended) and pay ABD (vs. paying the airline). This is more for convenience, in the event that your trip is cancelled.

I have done the Grand Canyon/Page, AZ area on my own (with my sister and my son). It is A LOT of driving. Also, the hotels at the Grand Canyon book up well in advance, so you need to make reservations VERY early (we were lucky to get a room at all booking in January for a June trip). We did it and had a great time, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I think the area is easy to tour on your own, assuming you don't mind the driving. As a disclaimer, my sister lives in Phoenix, so we had that convenience factor. It's also difficult for me to justify paying ABD prices for a trip in the US, but that is just my personal preference. It really just all depends on how you like to travel.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Dreams Unlimited Travel offers a booking discount for amy Adventure.

The schedule can be seen here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/abd/specials.htm

DVC members are guaranteed the opening day pricing as long as there is availability on the chosen departure.

in the past, ABD has offered a small discount for repeat guests. You must have completed two Adventures to qualify.

They have alternated between a $100 discount per guest and a $300 discount per reservation.

I have not heard what they will offer with the 2017 dates.

Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[DCPhotoGal]

I have been booking my trips through Costco travel for the cash back they offer. You call the Costco ABD number initially but you are connected with the same ABD vacationistas that you would talk to if you booked directly. Then you are the direct contact with ABD (Costco doesn't actually intervene in any way). After you travel you get a Costco cash card. The amount depends on the trip you take. Ours have been about $1800 for a family of 4. That's bought us a lot of groceries, some new tires for the car, etc. The new offers that Dreams Unlimited is offering makes booking through them look attractive as well.

Other ways people have saved a little money with ABDs is buying discounted Disney gift cards (either with the Target Redcard or from Sam's Club) and adding them to a Disney Vacation Account. The DVA will pay you back a $20 Disney gift card for every $1000 you spend, and you can pay for your ABD trip with the DVA. It's a little time-consuming, but you can save another $500 or so that way.

 

[DisneyKevin]

When using Disney Gift Cards, it's important to note that should ANYTHING happen that you or ABD cancel a trip...all funds paid by Disney Gift Card will be refunded to those cards.

Disney now makes it easier with DisneyGiftCards.com.

You can consolidate your cards with smaller amounts into one card.

This makes managing that card (in case of a refund) much easier. Now you only need to keep one number handy instead of many.

Also, Dreams Unlimited Travel offers a savings off the price. We don't use gift cards and you don't have to wait for your discount. You just pay less up front.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

As far as planning the trip on your own, I'll tell you what I tell people who ask about the ABD long weekend here in Nashville. Yes, you can arrange to see all of these places yourself, although not always the same way that Disney does them. No, you probably can't do all of it as efficiently as Disney does.

Having said that, efficiency isn't the reason I travel with Disney. I expect a certain level of service and entertainment when I do anything Disney-related, and most of the time I'm not disappointed. I haven't been to Utah myself, but I have been to Arizona. If you have the time and the money, it would probably be more fun to let Disney do the driving and arrangements in that part of the country than to do it yourself with kids in tow. But most of it comes down to what you want to see/do and your trip budget for the year.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

As far as planning the trip on your own, I'll tell you what I tell people who ask about the ABD long weekend here in Nashville. Yes, you can arrange to see all of these places yourself, although not always the same way that Disney does them. No, you probably can't do all of it as efficiently as Disney does.

Having said that, efficiency isn't the reason I travel with Disney. I expect a certain level of service and entertainment when I do anything Disney-related, and most of the time I'm not disappointed. I haven't been to Utah myself, but I have been to Arizona. If you have the time and the money, it would probably be more fun to let Disney do the driving and arrangements in that part of the country than to do it yourself with kids in tow. But most of it comes down to what you want to see/do and your trip budget for the year.

I can see that point, too. I've reserved the Philly/DC trip for 2017 with my youngest. I grew up in DC, however, it's been many years since I've lived in the area, and many of these things I haven't visited before and would like to experience (and we visit relative nearly every year there). Having done one ABD, they efficiently pack in travel and experiences with convenience. I'm not sure if we will keep the trip as there is another trip (not ABD) we are considering for 2017 and need to assess dates and costs for both.