Adventures by Disney?

[disneyjunkie]

I received the ABD brochure in the mail today. The DVD that's included is short but awsome.

Thanks to everyone who has posted a trip report. It really helps to get an idea of what ABD has to offer.

I just have a few quick questions.

How does the booking/payments work? How much is the deposit? When is final payment due?

I noticed that airfare isn't included, but I believe you HAVE book ABD's airfares. Can someone explain this?

Mods can we please get an ABD subboard?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi DisneyJunkie,

You can contact me at ABD@wdwindo.com amd I will be happy to share all of the info I have.

The deposit is $300 per person and you have a 10 day window after making your deposit in which to cancel for a full refund. After 10 days, your deposit is non-refundable. You full payment must be made 90 prior to departure. As usual, there are sever penalties for changes or cancelations after the 90 day mark.

You are NOT required to use ABD's airfare. I did use ABD on our recent adventure and will be checking into booking on own for our next one. There was nothing wrong with the airfare ABD booked for me, but I would have liked to tighten up the scheduling a bit.

The huge difference being that if there is a problem with airfare they booked, they are responsible. If there is a problem with airfare you booked, you are responsible.

Let me know if there is any way I can help.

Kevin

 

[DisneyKevin]

If you are interested in hearing about ouur trip, you can listen to the DIS podcast.

You can find it here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/#hm-podcast

 

[puggymom]

I have been looking for a trip to do with my 9 yo niece for next August, that WYoming trip looks awesome, just requested the brochure.

 

[ppiew]

Good for you PUGGYMOM - I took my 9 yr old granddaughter (along with 42 yr old daughter) on an ABD trip and it was worth every penny!!! How many tours can you think of that address a 67 yr old, a 42 yr old, and a 9 yr old- together???? Now THAT'S multiple generations!!!!

Believe me, I would recommend ANY of the ABD tours. The accommodations and service were great coupled with the sightseeing/guides etc. All in all a great experience for all!

If they ever reduced the quality of the accommodations or the level of service, I would NOT look further, but as long as those remain equal, I will definitely consider ABD again in the future.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi all,

I have to say that the ABD guides did an exceptional job of making sure that the kids in our group were involved and enjoying themselves. They were included in everyway and at their level.

They had a special dinner with the guides one evening while the adults were on their own. They cooked dinner together and watched a Disney movie.

They had a special gelato tasting. They had a mystery to solve with prizes at the end. They were always involved in "helping" the guides.

The parents also were thrilled to have all of the extra adult "eyes" keeping track of their kids.

It did not take long to become one big touring "family".

As I said earlier....the best compliment I can give is that we have already signed up for next year.

If I can help with your trip or answer questions, please feel free to contact me at ABD@wdwinfo.com.

Kevin

 

[welovedis]

Wondering for those who have gone:
1.what was the tour group size, about how many families/couples/singles--was it pretty evenly split so that no "one" group felt left out? We've been on other tours where there were mostly couples of singles traveling in groups, just wondering what the mix was?

2. How did the kids on the group do with the other kids? No one trying to get to be the guides fave or anything? We haven't experienced this but have heard other families talk about this issue (not on ABD tours) and they didn't care for it. Obviously it would depend on the families/kids involved but just curious if you saw how the guides interacted with the kids?

 

[DisneyKevin]

There were 20 people in our group

one family of four (Two adults, two kids 11 and 9)

One mother and daughter

One woman, her boyfriend, her mother and father

4 couples

2 single friends traveling together

2 tour guides

As there were only two kids on our tour, they received a great deal of attention, but being a former kindergarten teacher, I can assure you that two adults can and do make sure that each child is acknowledged and encouraged to participate.

The feedback I have received is that there is a dynamic that happens when there are older and younger kids traveling together. Friends went on an Adventure recently and told us that the older kids "mentored" the younger kids and made sure that they had a "buddy" to hang out with. I also understand that the younger kids began looking up to the older kids and wanted to participate in everything the older kids got to do. Tne parents were thrilled as there kids were completely involved..

I was very surprised at how quickly we became one big traveling party instead of individual small groups. When we had free time, we always explored or dined with other folks from our group. It was like having friends in foreign places. It was suprisingly one of the highlights of our Adventure.

Kevin
ABD@wdwinfo.com

 

[disneytraveler]

Thanks Kevin ,
Thats good to see. I travel solo alot of the times, well all the time and the traveling party aspect makes me feel more comfortable. I have gone on tours
with other companies solo and usually dine alone or find some one to dine with.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi DisneyTraveler,

You would have felt part of our big traveling group and you only would have eaten alone if you chose to eat alone.

Of our eight days in Italy, all breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners were included and we ate as a group.

Even the meals we were responsible for included other Adventurers.

I cant wait for the nexty one. We are off on the London / Paris tour.

The Imperial Cities tour intrigues me too.

Kevin

 

[disneytraveler]

Thanks again Kevin

The Imperial Cities looks interesting to me to. But never been to Italy yet so
its off to Italy for me.

 

[DisneyKevin]

If I can help in any way, let me know.

Kevin
ABD@wdwinfo.com

 

[ppiew]

We had about 38 or 39 on our ABD tour. There were about 15 children from age 5 to 22. All got along just fine. The older ones took about two days to adjust, the rest went with the flow immediately. Never saw or knew of anyone adult or child who did the brown nose bit to the guides. It was a great diverse group and we loved it.

 

[lynninpa]

Could someone please post a link to order the Adventures By Disney brochure and DVD? The link on disney.com does not seem to be working for me no matter how many times I try! Thanks!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Lynninpa,

If you contact me at ABD@wdwindo.com, I can provide more information.

Kevin

 

[ppiew]

The link is www.adventuresbydisney.com

 

[lynninpa]

The link is www.adventuresbydisney.com

Thank you, ppiew!

 

[teentoddlermom]

I'm so intrigued by this new service, but unfortunately my first impression is that it is really expensive!!!! Ouch.
ETA, I think the 2 western US tours are expensive, however I bet that I would spend a very similar amount of money planning and touring these sites without ABD. The fact is that these destinations are just expensive to visit!

 

[DisneyKevin]

These are first class / 5 star tours.

Just a few items...

Our hotel in Rome would have cost us 550 euros per night if we booked on our own

Our hotel in Venice would have cost 630 euros.

The breakfast buffet at the Venice hotel would have cost 75 euros per person had you walked in off the street due to being able to eat on a terrace directly on the Grand Canal.

We watched people associated with other tour companies dragging their suitcases through Rome and Venice. we never had to touch our luggage. Disney took care of EVERYTHING.

We took the Eurostar train from Florence to Venice and had first class tickets.

Just thought you might enjoy these figures.

Kevin

 

[MJGirl]

Good point Kevin ... I'm booked on the London Paris tour next June/July and I initially thought they were expensive as well, however, this will be a once in a lifetime trip for me and my daughter, that I thought I should do it right! I hope in the future they offer a Grecian Trip. I would go in a heartbeat.

Aside! Kevin, if you don't mind me asking, what should I budget for tips for the guides? Does disney send a suggested amount, or is it to your own discretion. Thanks in advance!