ABD pre stays

[CoCoMo]

I am looking into ABD Italy next summer. This would be my first experience with ABD. The price of the pre stay as part of the ABD package is a lot more expensive than if I booked the hotel on my own. I understand of course then that I would be on my own as far as transfers, etc are concerned and also if the adventure was cancelled. I am just wondering how people with ABD experience feel about adding the pre stays as part of the package vs booking them on your own. Thank you.

 

[Calfan]

For our Scotland ABD, we were a bit put off by the price of 2 rooms at the Balmoral for our 3 pre-nights, so we opted to book our own hotel. We just took a cab from the airport when we arrived. It turned out that our hotel was within walking distance of the Balmoral, so we just moved our luggage over on the first day of the ABD. For the Central Europe ABD we have booked for 2014, we opted to use the ABD pre-nights. It is still pricey for 2 rooms for 4 nights, but I did not feel as comfortable without the ABD transfers in Prague. We are also doing one ABD post-night in Vienna.

 

[carpenta]

For our Scotland ABD, we were a bit put off by the price of 2 rooms at the Balmoral for our 3 pre-nights, so we opted to book our own hotel. We just took a cab from the airport when we arrived. It turned out that our hotel was within walking distance of the Balmoral, so we just moved our luggage over on the first day of the ABD. For the Central Europe ABD we have booked for 2014, we opted to use the ABD pre-nights. It is still pricey for 2 rooms for 4 nights, but I did not feel as comfortable without the ABD transfers in Prague. We are also doing one ABD post-night in Vienna.

FWIW....we have traveled to Prague on our own last year and it is easy to get around. From the airport a taxi is about $30.00 in a minivan. You can get info on sites such as Cruise Critic or Viking River cruise line etc. for info on car reserving. Once in Prague it is a very easy town to walk. Also local tour companies that advertise in the lobbies are a great way to see a lot more by small busses with a guide for small money. We had a wonderful time and don't fear too much for Prague is set up for tourism and most there are willing to get you where you want to go. We stayed in the Hilton which was superb especially after the small local hotel we had booked had no AC and the temps were in the 90's. Loved to return.

 

[sayhello]

For me, it really does depend on the country, and just *how much* more expensive it is.

For my Alaska ABD, it wasn't *that* much more to book the pre-night through ABD, and I was arriving at midnight, and just felt better knowing ABD would have someone there to pick me up. But I booked the post-nights on my own.

For my London & Paris ABD, I booked the pre-days on my own. I was able to find a much more reasonable hotel in the area I was planning to tour in, and just took a taxi to the ABD hotel the first day of the trip.

For my Greece trip, I did both pre- and post-nights through ABD. It was just easier that way, and the price was not that much difference. I liked having the transfers taken care of, since I didn't speak *any* Greek.

Sayhello

 

[abdgeek]

I always book my pre and post hotel nights through ABD. I know I can probably get it cheaper, but there's usually includes free wifi and breakfast and I don't have to take the time to do the research. One time, for the DCL Med Cruise, I waited too late and couldn't get the pre-night. That one I booked myself at the same hotel DCL was staying at. It was less expensive, but the angst I had about how to get from the airport to the hotel just wasn't worth it.

 

[pihanettie]

I am looking into ABD Italy next summer. This would be my first experience with ABD. The price of the pre stay as part of the ABD package is a lot more expensive than if I booked the hotel on my own. I understand of course then that I would be on my own as far as transfers, etc are concerned and also if the adventure was cancelled. I am just wondering how people with ABD experience feel about adding the pre stays as part of the package vs booking them on your own. Thank you.

Are you talking about the Rome/Florence/Venice trip? I am doing that one and also notice the big price difference. I noticed the Gran Melia Rome offers hotel shuttle service (fee applies) to/from the airport (at least it is advertised as such on various websites) and I considered doing this but since I am a single mom traveling with 2 small(ish) children I opted for the Disney meet-up at the airport for the convenience factor. Not speaking Italian also played a role (vs. Scotland, for instance, where I would feel more comfortable doing it on my own).

 

[pihanettie]

I am looking into ABD Italy next summer. This would be my first experience with ABD. The price of the pre stay as part of the ABD package is a lot more expensive than if I booked the hotel on my own. I understand of course then that I would be on my own as far as transfers, etc are concerned and also if the adventure was cancelled. I am just wondering how people with ABD experience feel about adding the pre stays as part of the package vs booking them on your own. Thank you.

Oh, and the breakfast is included, which can be quite pricey.

 

[pihanettie]

Wow, three of us posted at the same time!

 

[Calfan]

FWIW....we have traveled to Prague on our own last year and it is easy to get around. From the airport a taxi is about $30.00 in a minivan. You can get info on sites such as Cruise Critic or Viking River cruise line etc. for info on car reserving. Once in Prague it is a very easy town to walk. Also local tour companies that advertise in the lobbies are a great way to see a lot more by small busses with a guide for small money. We had a wonderful time and don't fear too much for Prague is set up for tourism and most there are willing to get you where you want to go. We stayed in the Hilton which was superb especially after the small local hotel we had booked had no AC and the temps were in the 90's. Loved to return.

Thanks for the feedback on Prague. We are coming in 5 days early, so we definitely plan to navigate the city on our own and do a couple of day trips. I don't feel at all uncomfortable with that, but for some reason I did not feel as comfortable with the airport transfer with all of our luggage in a city with which we are not familiar and where we don't speak the language. Plus, booking with ABD let me avoid having to research hotel locations.

 

[Tozzie]

I have done 3 ABD's and have the 4th coming up due to my schedule and vacation time at work I was only able to do a pre night on one trip and I booked it with ABD, the price difference wasn't all that much and I wanted the transfer, which by the way didn't happen my transfer never showed up and when I called ABD they told me to take a Cab and I would be reimbursed, luckily this was in Ireland and language wasn't a factor, I luckily had some Euros to pay for it, one reason not to go to a foreign country with out currency.


On a side note to pihanettie, after doing 2 DCL MED cruises and 2 European ABD's I can honestly say that Italy is by far the best when it comes to people speaking English, even in small towns, always most people in stores and restaurants spoke english or broken english but I oculd always get my point across and my question answered.

 

[carpenta]

Thanks for the feedback on Prague. We are coming in 5 days early, so we definitely plan to navigate the city on our own and do a couple of day trips. I don't feel at all uncomfortable with that, but for some reason I did not feel as comfortable with the airport transfer with all of our luggage in a city with which we are not familiar and where we don't speak the language. Plus, booking with ABD let me avoid having to research hotel locations.

Five days? You'll have a great time. I can relate to your choices. we did not have very many problems with the language. Most everyone spoke a little English. On our local tours one of our guides spoke many languages and his English was flawless. There are all the big hotel chains well represented and are quite comfortable. Food is great in the shops off the main square as well as the Opera House. We are doing the Germany trip next year to expand our Slavic / German tour.

 

[Bobo912]

I booked our pre-day in Lima through ABD and the price was more than double what I would have paid if I had booked it myself. Breakfast was included either way. I booked through ABD for the transfer, and, like Tozzie, our transfer didn't show up. I won't do that again.

 

[paddles]

On the Bella Italia trip, the drive from Naples airport (and train station is pretty close to the Naples airport as well) is about 90 minutes. And that would be an expensive transfer....so for that trip, it might be worth paying for the pre-night.

In Scotland, the cost of Balmoral was roughly the same with ABD pre-night and booking myself (so I booked pre-night so I wouldn't have to change hotel rooms).

However, in other cities, there is a big difference so you should compare. If the airport transfer + breakfast is a LOT cheaper on your own, then you shouldn't bother with the pre-night thru ABD.

just my 2 cents.

 

[Grifdog22]

We have post nights booked through ABD for our fourth upcoming trip, Winter Wonderland. The trip ends, well, in the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter. ABD then takes everyone back to the airport, it appears, all at the same time. I guess we could spend that time traveling to the airport, but we'd rather spend those hours enjoying Yellowstone and the Tetons if we are staying. By arranging the post night, ABD will arrange a snow cat/vehicle transfer back to Jackson Hole. Probably can do this on our own, but my original calls to make reservations were not successful. Sometimes logistics are best left to the professionals. Also, we've looked at the last ten years of weather and from friends in Montana we have been told repeatedly that if the snow is really heavy, some vendors for individuals simply don't show. If we are with ABD, I think we will be taken care of.

I agree with Paddles - check it out first - sometimes the cost from just is not competitive.

 

[SingingMom]

I am looking into ABD Italy next summer. This would be my first experience with ABD. The price of the pre stay as part of the ABD package is a lot more expensive than if I booked the hotel on my own. I understand of course then that I would be on my own as far as transfers, etc are concerned and also if the adventure was cancelled. I am just wondering how people with ABD experience feel about adding the pre stays as part of the package vs booking them on your own. Thank you.

We booked a pre-day with ABD for our Germany tour last month. It gave me piece of mind to have the transfers and the same hotel room for when the tour started.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Calfan]

Five days? You'll have a great time. I can relate to your choices. we did not have very many problems with the language. Most everyone spoke a little English. On our local tours one of our guides spoke many languages and his English was flawless. There are all the big hotel chains well represented and are quite comfortable. Food is great in the shops off the main square as well as the Opera House. We are doing the Germany trip next year to expand our Slavic / German tour.

More like 4.5 days. We arrive at mid-day on July 1 and the ABD starts on the evening of July 5. Now I am reconsidering the pre-stay location. Looks like we can get a suite at the Sheraton Prague Charles Square Hotel that will accommodate all 4 of us for about $1,750 less for the total stay than the total cost of our two rooms at the Prague Marriott thru ABD for put 4 pre-nights. (The Marriott is not showing any availability when I try to book on my own.). That is a significant savings and probably worth dealing with our own transportation from the airport to the Sheraton and from the Sheraton to the Marriott when the ABD starts (especially since it sounds like the ABD transfers on arrival aren't that reliable). I made the reservation and will discuss it with my DH. We can cancel the room at the Sheraton without penalty up until the actual day of arrival. I am going to stick with the ABD post-night in Vienna. It is very pricey, but I don't want the hassle of moving hotels for one night and want the ABD transfer back since we have a very early flight back. Plus it's the Ritz, LOL.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Over the years we've tried out many different options--including pre-nights at a hotel near the airport (which had free shuttle transport to and from central Rome) and then meeting up with the Disney rep on the appointed pick-up date to transfer to our ABD hotel. Next year, following the advice from those who went to Scotland recently, we are doing pre-nights at a different hotel in Edinburgh but walkable to the ABD hotel--which we'll do on the first ABD day. We always do a pre-night, to adjust to the time/get our bearings and do a fun activity on our own before starting the ABD--and just in case there are weather or other delays. We have developed a rule of thumb, though--if it is one pre-night, go with the ABD hotel (it is worth avoiding all of the transfer hassle); if it is more than one night, but in a place we feel comfortable, try out something different--but in Greece and China, we were not about to venture too far out of our comfort zone so we opted for the ABD hotel. We have never had a problem with the ABD transfers. And frankly, looking back at the trips--I remember fondly those trips that started out seemless (prenights, airport transfer by ABD, not switching rooms when the ABD trip got underway)--and can't recall at all the price difference in possible other hotels.

 

[calypso726]

On our Scotland trip we did 3 pre-nights at 2 different hotels. One was because we wanted to experience the place. It was Witchery by the Castle which is actually a restaurant and only has 9 suites. But the suites are huge and decorated in an over the top dramatic manner. Simply staying there was one of the highlights of the trip for us. We decided to add a 3rd night late in the game and stayed at a nearby Sheraton on points. Taking a cab was easy enough and of course we do speak the language.

Next year we are doing London/Paris and do plan to do pre and post nights. However, a couple of our pre nights will be in Inverness and our post nights will be in Disneyland Paris. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to book a pre night sans ABD even if I don't speak the language and especially if could stay on points and not pay out of pocket. We also plan to do Italy with ABD one day and if we do pre or post nights outside of ABD I would just write down the name and address of the hotel for the cab driver. I would also look up how to say, "Can you please take us to <insert name of hotel>" in Italian on Google and write it down in case I botch it up with poor pronunciation As a back up I also have a language translator APP on my phone so it should be easy enough for me and a local to communicate via translator app.

 

[Bobo912]

More like 4.5 days. We arrive at mid-day on July 1 and the ABD starts on the evening of July 5. Now I am reconsidering the pre-stay location. Looks like we can get a suite at the Sheraton Prague Charles Square Hotel that will accommodate all 4 of us for about $1,750 less for the total stay than the total cost of our two rooms at the Prague Marriott thru ABD for put 4 pre-nights. (The Marriott is not showing any availability when I try to book on my own.). That is a significant savings and probably worth dealing with our own transportation from the airport to the Sheraton and from the Sheraton to the Marriott when the ABD starts (especially since it sounds like the ABD transfers on arrival aren't that reliable). I made the reservation and will discuss it with my DH. We can cancel the room at the Sheraton without penalty up until the actual day of arrival. I am going to stick with the ABD post-night in Vienna. It is very pricey, but I don't want the hassle of moving hotels for one night and want the ABD transfer back since we have a very early flight back. Plus it's the Ritz, LOL.

Most of the time, I think the transfer are reliable, but they aren't infallible. If there is a big difference in the price, I wouldn't book through ABD just to get the transfer.

 

[sabrecmc]

We have post nights booked through ABD for our fourth upcoming trip, Winter Wonderland. The trip ends, well, in the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter. ABD then takes everyone back to the airport, it appears, all at the same time. I guess we could spend that time traveling to the airport, but we'd rather spend those hours enjoying Yellowstone and the Tetons if we are staying. By arranging the post night, ABD will arrange a snow cat/vehicle transfer back to Jackson Hole. Probably can do this on our own, but my original calls to make reservations were not successful. Sometimes logistics are best left to the professionals. Also, we've looked at the last ten years of weather and from friends in Montana we have been told repeatedly that if the snow is really heavy, some vendors for individuals simply don't show. If we are with ABD, I think we will be taken care of.

I agree with Paddles - check it out first - sometimes the cost from just is not competitive.

Would love to hear how your Winter Wonderland trip goes! We are seriously considering that one, and I can't find a thing on it.

On topic, while I haven't done ABD, when we did the DCL Med cruise, it was far cheaper to book the hotel ourselves because they didn't count my daughter as an extra guest in the room, which would have required a bigger room. DCL counted us as 3 guests and said we needed a suite for about double the price. I booked an advance rate online and even called to confirm that I did not need to put my DD(4) down as a guest. So, I'd definitely check around, but like others have said, it would depend on where you were headed.

If we do that Winter Wonderland trip, like Grifdog said, you are sort of stuck in the middle of nowhere to get to the airport if you don't use DCL's transport, so it really works against post-nights. For pre-nights in Jackson Hole, I wouldn't hesitate to book my own if it was that much cheaper.