ABD Southern California Adventure - Just ok November 10, 2024

[KyleD]

I wholeheartedly agree. I'm going to experience this first hand next month and will be very disappointed if we are just "set free" to wander the museum by ourselves for 90 minutes. I hope that at the very least we are split up into our two groups and led through by a museum guide. The whole point of the Backstage Magic tour is to see things the average guest can't see on their own combined with a little Disney magic.

Now if the Academy Museum tour was led by docents or if there was a behind the scenes talk by the curator I could see it as a worthy substitute for the Muppet Studios. I just hope that the Adventures by Disney higher ups have listened to SonnyEclipseFan and others. I will certainly voice my opinion after my trip.

 

[rebeccam31]

Your review is disheartening as I had a wonderful time on this tour last February. I’m sorry the guides didn’t live up to the Disney customer service we have all come to expect. In fact our tour had a series of unfortunate events occur and our guides were spectacular in how they handled it. First there was a gas leak in the area of the Tam O’Shanter so we were not able to eat there, second since had to leave the area to find a place a place to eat we ended up missing out on Walt’s Barn and finally we were not able to see the Indy mechanics shop due to some unknown incident. We were disappointed but understanding as they worked their butts off keeping us entertained. We also we got Ghiradelli ice cream when we returned to hotel.

We did get to see the Jim Henson Studio and even had the pleasure of seeing a movie being filmed there. The loss of this tour stop is not as big of a deal to me as it seems to be to others. And our guides were very interactive with our group; the only time they ate by themselves was when we forgot to save seats for them.

I am going on another BSM tour this upcoming January, partly to see Imagineering again, partly to see the stuff we missed out on but mostly because I had such a great time with our guides overall. I sincerely hope that AbD higher ups listen to your feedback.

On a side note, I was the only solo traveler last February and may well be again in January. Aside from the first few hours on the first day in the Hollywood area I never felt like the odd man out. As we got used to each other the other guests, and particularly our guides Alyssa and Michaela, made me feel welcome and integrated throughout the remaining days.

Hi, Kyle!

Nice to "see" you again! We enjoyed talking with you on our tour, and I hope you've had occasion to photograph some more great wildlife!

I agree that the guides we had were incredibly attuned to the group. I think that's much more the norm and am so sorry for the OP's experience. I hope you have a great time on your second tour, and I would encourage anyone to go on the tour. I think the OP's experience is (hopefully) an aberration.

 

[OKW Lover]

I might have missed it, but I'm wondering who your guides were on this trip.

 

[SonnyEclipseFan]

We had Ralph and Christina as our guides.

 

[Steven G]

I’ve been on the trip multiple times since 2006, and each time, the number of actual unique behind the scenes has decreased. The last one I was on was not too bad, it was with the DIS. However, the tour still had less behind the scenes at the resort than the first two tours. I understand that some people just want lightning lanes and to be let go by themselves, but I can do that anytime. They should have an option to stay with the guide and have them show you additional stuff.

Here’s just a sample of things that have been cut, and are very unlikely to be included

extensive tour of 1901 club in carthay circle.
Dream suite tour
Behind the scenes at soarin, including smelling the orange scent.
Day 1 had stuff to do with the group after the dinner.
Visit where the fireworks are set off and listen to one of the fireworks engineer.


The stuff outside the parks has also been downgraded, but already discussed above.


I do have to say that I have never had problems with any of the guides. They have always been sweet.

 

[Steven G]

Pretty much the only things left inside the parks that are unique to the ABD are the bts of radiator springs and Indiana jones, and being the first people in the Disneyland park. Everything else could be done via one of the park tours or the vip tours. The last time I went on the tour, I really didn’t feel like I was on an ABD once we arrived at the DLR, we were left to ourselves so much,

The first time I went on the tour we pretty much stayed with the guides all day, except for maybe 3 hours of alone time. Now, it’s pretty much the opposite. Again, I understand that this is what guests requested, or at least the vocal ones.

I probably will not be going on the tour again, even if they reverted, so they probably wouldn’t listen to my feedback.

Also, I have to say, with the premier lightning lane now being a thing, it really hurts the dlr part of the ABd even more.

 

[Lainshark]

Radiator Springs Racers

 

[KyleD]

I just returned from my Mar 9th tour and I have to say it was fantastic. Both of our guides, Danny S and Michaela P were super attentive, knowledgeable and interacted with our group the entire time.

I am sorry to say SonnyEclipseFan that your poorly reviewed trip seems to be an anomaly in my opinion. This was my second tour and I had a great experience on both.

The only downside to the trip was the Academy Museum. It seemed like we were suddenly jolted out of the Disney experience into a 90 minute "touristy" experience. As I feared we were just set free in the museum after a bus ride that took us out of the Hollywood atmosphere into "real LA." The only upside is that it was revealed privately to me that this is essentially a placeholder while they try to get the legalities taken care of with the new owners of the Muppet Studios. Hopefully it will be resolved soon and the tour returns to the Muppets in the future.