Adventure Insider Package

[WeLoveABD]

We've been on the phone with a few different ABD reps, mainly to get details about Greece. I had months ago asked to be on the email list for alerts re new trips--wasn't aware of the Insider thing so just signed up the other day (thanks for that info!!)...with 5 trips under our belt I thought for sure we'd have that UPS package by now, but that is not a big deal to us--we just want the trip info so we can compare prices, and decide on a trip! (Our DS is a Sr in High School, so a trip next summer is his grad gift--and Greece is of great interest to him, or Eygpt). But here it is, Saturday...no new info and the public announcement is supposed to be Monday!

They did tell us that packages etc are going out in waves, so not everyone will get them at the same time--and that appears to be happening. And there are some interesting perks lined up--for us, the airport transfer would be a nice addition, but I've been hoping and plugging for a free pre-night reward for some time (although not everyone who travels would use it, so I suppose any reward program will have to have options--just like for some the airport transfer isn't exciting).

But I'm taking my own advice to chill-lax, and am thankful for the opportunity to worry about such ultimately minor things rather than huge storms hitting my house etc.

 

[Bobo912]

A pre/post night of two, like Tauck offers to returning guests would be nice. I would also like to see some help with airfare. We got free airfare from Miami to Guayquil from Lindblad last year and they offer that fairly often on a number of trips. I've also gotten offers from Tauck for reduced airfare on some trips, as well. With airfare so high that would be a big bonus. When I booked the Australia ABD in 2009 (which was eventually cancelled) the airfare was around $1500, now it's more like $2500. I still want to take that trip, but if the price of the trip is singificantly higher than this year, that in combination with the airfare may make me decide on something else.

 

[abbyjt]

We've been on 5 ABD's. We have given Disney all of our information including emails on every one. We have never gotten a survey or an invitation to participate in a webinar or any other thing. We have not gotten the VIP package. My husband and I both signed up when Kevin put up the link to the insiders website. We haven't even gotten confirmation emails on that. My husband is losing his mind that we haven't gotten a package and that we've never been contacted. This VIP package to some people and not others seems to make bad feelings. I don't get it. I think the transportation to the airport is a nice perk. It wouldn't make me book with them, but it's a nice perk if I am booking with them.

 

[kmschuch]

I really hope ABD offers discount to repeat customers this year. I want to book on Monday, but will wait to see if they offer a good promo in a few months otherwise. We loved the free Disney Cruise and $500 Visa Gift Card promos these last 2 years.
Got my package yesterday. Love it!
Karla

 

[WeLoveABD]

No package yet! Meanwhile, in anticipation of a Greek trip announcement, we checked airfare to Athens--around 1500 pp! We'll keep an eye on it, and I hope we catch a lower fare--but that certainly does weigh into the mix.

 

[tufbuf]

No package yet! Meanwhile, in anticipation of a Greek trip announcement, we checked airfare to Athens--around 1500 pp! We'll keep an eye on it, and I hope we catch a lower fare--but that certainly does weigh into the mix.

That is actually quite good. The ones I look at range from 1800-1900 pp. I also hope the economic situation won't cause more riots in the near future.

 

[kristilew]

I haven't been on the boards in awhile, so was completely surprised when our package arrived last week. We did nothing to register. Since then, I have also received email welcoming us to the Insiders program. So, for those not "looking for it," I think the launch is a success.

I will be interested in the definition of "major airport." We have a regional airport, which somehow claims the international designation (maybe because it goes to the Bahamas?). If we are held to that, the perk won't help us at all. But if we can get a ride two hours up the road to RDU, then we can book way cheaper airfare and this perk could end up saving us hundreds of dollars, which would be a decision-changer in terms of booking some trips.

It's nice to see that they are trying to evolve and recognize repeat adventurers. We'll see what comes of it.

 

[Bobo912]

ABD should have just sent out an email to past guests prior to any the packages being shipped that said your package is on the way and will arrive by Sept 15 or whatever and they could have avoided all the confusion. I still have this nagging suspicion that I won't get anything. If it weren't for this board I wouldn't be attending the preview event or even know about it.

 

[tufbuf]

The packages everyone is receiving is just one of many that will be received for past guest. There will be more (5 to 6) within the year. The new France itinerary is actually interesting with the farewell dinner at no less than the Louvre!! That is just out of this world!!! The Greece itinerary sounds very exciting as well.... now I am in a dilemma....

 

[DisFan10]

Besides the question of what constitutes "major airport", we have to book "a new Adventures by Disney departure at the non-discounted Regular Rate between 8/29/11 and 2/29/12 for travel between 2/9/12 and 3/31/13".

I'm guessing there are going to be some departures that they designate as "discounted rate" and would not qualify for the free airport transfers.

 

[beccadisney123]

no package yet. but i'm sure it's coming...i think they sent out a lot of them. i guess not even disney can control the mail, or whether they have people's addresses already. they should have mine...so it should be en route in the next few weeks!! i'm especially excited that it sounds like it's all about GREECE

i did call and find out that ANY past guest can attend the virtual event that starts today. just go to adventureinsiderevents.com and register. it's really nice that they're doing this and i do hope that the 'major airport' is the one that is 75 mins away and not the one that is 25! guess we'll start finding out tomorrow.

i'm SO excited to find out more about Greece tomorrow. I love what i hear so far, but really want the itinerary details to make my decision. my 13 year old loves the percy jackson series so as soon as we heard it was greece, he was all over it. I hope there is enough time at the islands for me and hubby to relax.

 

[Bobo912]

Besides the question of what constitutes "major airport", we have to book "a new Adventures by Disney departure at the non-discounted Regular Rate between 8/29/11 and 2/29/12 for travel between 2/9/12 and 3/31/13".

I'm guessing there are going to be some departures that they designate as "discounted rate" and would not qualify for the free airport transfers.

I'm glad to see it doesn't say you have to book as quickly as it did for the $100 loyalty discount. If they make you book by Nov then that's not really a perk for return guests, it's just a very small early booking reward. But why put a deadline on it at all? I'm pretty sure I can make up my mind by 2/29 though. The Visa gift card offer this year also said you had to book a "non-discounted" rate, but I never saw any discounts, except for the trips that were up for sale on jetsetter.com.

 

[tufbuf]

Do they have travel dates from 2/9-3/31? I think that is quite early.

 

[Bobo912]

They actually do have dates that early. Here's a link:

http://abd.disney.go.com/abd/en_US/index?name=EarlyBookingDatesPage

 

[tufbuf]

My package arrived today, Bobo. Yours should arrive today too.

 

[Bobo912]

My package arrived today, Bobo. Yours should arrive today too.

I just checked to see if the UPS guy left it at the door without me noticing, but there's nothing there.

 

[DisFan10]

No package here either.

 

[Bobo912]

No package here either.

I feel your pain.

 

[DisFan10]

I feel your pain.

Well, UPS just delivered my package--- at 7:30 pm! He usually delivers around 1:30 pm, so I'm not sure why he's so late today. Maybe he had lots of other Adventure Insider packages to deliver.

I can see that AbD didn't spare any expense. The package included a nice book of Greek myths, a CD of Greek songs and dances, AND a few recipe cards of various Greek dishes. If all this doesn't get you in the mood to book the new Greece trip, I don't know what would!

 

[runskyhy]

We recieved our package over the weekend. It was a nice surprise. Reminds me of the DCL repeat guest program. Early on, there weren't many perks but it's grown some since. Hope everyone gets their package soon and has a wonderful time on their ABD vacations!