ABD News

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Folks.....

I’m writing to let you know that there is some ABD news starting to come out and it’s pretty exciting.

I understand that there are some great new itineraries being released.

While I cant say what they are at the moment....I can say that several of the folks that posted on the Dis which destination they’d like to visit should be very happy.

I can also tell you that ABD is working on a “returning guest” program.

Returning guests will be eligible for additional perks when traveling on subsequent Adventures.

I’ve heard that room upgrades might be among those perks.

I’ve also heard that after guests have reached a certain plateau (two Adventures), transportation from your home to your departure airport (and from the airport back home) will be provided.

This is what I have for now, but I will keep you posted as I learn more.

Also...Dreams Unlimited Travel will be offering our own early booking discount for all 2012 Adventures.

I hope you all will consider booking your next Adventure with me and Dreams Unlimited Travel.

Kevin Klose
Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[Momof3greatkids]

Do you have any idea of the date for release of new trips??? Can't wait to hear where they are going!

 

[tracyz]

That's great news Kevin! I'm glad to hear you talking about an early booking discount. I'll be pretty much ready to book our next year's vacation when the new itineraries come out, and have been bummed about thinking that I'll need to wait to see if any incentives are going to come out later. Give me incentive to book NOW!

 

[Bobo912]

YAY!!! Thanks, Kevin!

I’ve also heard that after guests have reached a certain plateau (two Adventures), transportation from your home to your departure airport (and from the airport back home) will be provided.

This alone will save me about $100 in taxi fare.

I'm still basking in the afterflow of our SWS trip, so I would like to book soon after the itineraries are announced. I too hope that there is an incentive to book early.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks for the update, Kevin! I'm eagerly awaiting the details!

It's really nice that they're FINALLY listening, and rewarding return guests! Room upgrades & transfers are definitely a nice perk!

YAY!!! Thanks, Kevin!

This alone will save me about $100 in taxi fare.

I'm still basking in the afterflow of our SWS trip, so I would like to book soon after the itineraries are announced. I too hope that there is an incentive to book early.

I agree! It will save me either $100 in taxi fare, or bugging the bejeezus out of my friends for rides! And I still miss early booking incentives.

Sayhello

 

[DisneyKevin]

Folks.....

The early booking discount will be coming from Dreams Unlimited Travel.

It will be available to Dreams clients who book through us just after the new dates are released.

If you have questions, you can contact me at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I can hardly wait to see the itineraries and book our 2012 adventure!! Good thing there is still time as I'm torn between Knights & Lights, Alpine Adventure & Australia!! Decisions, decisions!!

Of course we will book through DU! Love you guys!!

Come ABD, show us what you've got for next year!!

 

[tracyz]

We're planning to book through DU this time too. Hoping to avoid some of the nightmares I've been dealing with the past couple of days, dealing with a travel agent who doesn't understand ABD/DCL!

 

[marcemch]

I just hope that the early booking discount isn't undermined by even better offers made directly by ABD later in the season. That has always seemed so unfair to folks who put their money on the line early.
Not to be a skeptic, but am also wondering if the room upgrade option may mean that the rooms for everyone else won't be as good as they have been in the past. One thing I've liked about ABD is that we always seemed to get the best rooms in the hotel (view etc.).

 

[tufbuf]

Now I hope they won't post the new itineraries TOO early since we will be out the next two weeks. We are considering doing a back-to-back tour so I hope we can take advantage of the early booking rates.

 

[Momof3greatkids]

I also have the same fear. That the upgraded rooms may just be what ABD normaly booked in the past, and that the other rooms are of less quality. Hope I am wrong. Also, hope Normandy is somewhere out there.

 

[Bobo912]

I'm not so sure that there isn't some preferential treatment in the room assignments already. If some of the rooms are closer to the pool or lobby or have a better view, it seems to me that the returning guests and DVC members receive those rooms. That is my impression from the 3 trips we've done so far. Although, room assignment could be completely random and it's just a coincidence that it worked out that way. On SWS we were all upgraded to the cabins at Red Cliffs Lodge and that was very nice. I don't know if I would enjoy the upgrade as much if everyone didn't get it, so I don't think that perk is going to be all that enticing to me. But I really appreciate any effort on ABD's part to reward guest loyalty.

 

[OhioDisneyDavid]

I was calling to touch base on DCL/ABD Add-on for 8/27 and got to talking with the ABD cast member. She was trying to convince me to book some ABD land options including Italy and Backstage Magic. I mentioned that I had heard about ABD from “The Dis Unplugged” and she said tentatively that, “she thought she had heard of this but wasn’t into podcasts.” She asked, “Is it was a travel site or agency?” and when I responded that it was Dream Unlimited, she lit up!! She said, “Kevin and John were just here and they are our BEST travel agency! If you book with them, you are set. I highly recommend them.”

Wow, was I surprised that ABD would give such a glowing report on DU. She also indicated that Kevin had some really special news that he would be revealing at the end of August. I guess this is part of it!!

Just thought you might be interested.

Dave

 

[Bobo912]

really special news that he would be revealing at the end of August

 

[WeLoveABD]

My guess: Hawaii, and I hope Greece. All incentives/perks welcomed!

 

[DisneyKevin]

As for preferential room assignments....

I have booked many, many, many, many ABD trips for folks, including 5 full Backstage Magic Adventures.

On the two Backstage Magic Adventures in which I participated, I was had a Valet Stand view.

ABD usually books standard rooms at different resorts.

The upgrades will be to higher level rooms and suites.

The early booking discounts will be offered by Dreams Unlimited Travel.

 

[kristilew]

I’ve also heard that after guests have reached a certain plateau (two Adventures), transportation from your home to your departure airport (and from the airport back home) will be provided.

Interesting.....this does nothing for me if it's limited to the hometown airport - I live in a small town and have tons of people to drop us at the airport. BUT, if we get to choose the departure airport, THEN, it's a potential goldmine of savings. Flights from RDU, two hours away, are hundreds of dollars cheaper, but then we always have to factor in gas and parking (and hassle, of course), and usually end up deciding it's not worth it. But with transportation covered, the price difference could really be a swaying factor in deciding to book.

Hmmmm, it will be interesting to read the fine print when all info becomes available. Thanks, Kevin, for all your research and for sharing when you can!

 

[carpenta]

It would be nice if ABD would release it's dates earlier in the year. Also if ABD would run trips during the kids winter and spring vacation weeks. Next year (2012) we went ahead and booked a cruise for Feb. to see some sun (we don't see much in the winter) and travel to a warmer climate because ABD does not offer much "off season" trips. Although the "extras" would be nice they would not make or break our decision on any adventure.

 

[corky441]

My guess: Hawaii, and I hope Greece. All incentives/perks welcomed!

If they offer both of those, I'm going to be in deep ka-ka at work. At this rate I'll be vacationing morebthan working

 

[sayhello]

My guess: Hawaii, and I hope Greece. All incentives/perks welcomed!

I'm hoping Hawaii, too.

If they offer both of those, I'm going to be in deep ka-ka at work. At this rate I'll be vacationing morebthan working

And your problem with this is???

Sayhello