Adventures vs. Disney Cruise

[SanFranciscan]

This may seem like an odd question to ask here since this site is for guests' questions about trips and not about corporate decisions, but I am curious and thought that someone here might know.

Disney promotes Disney cruise lines and Disney timeshare in the theme parks but never Adventures by Disney. In fact, I have asked park and resort cast members this at Disney World. The cast members whom I have asked were not aware that Adventures by Disney even exists. Does anyone know why Disney chooses to do this that way?

 

[carpenta]

.............it seems that Corporate treats ABD as the "red headed step child"............or as Rodney Dangerfield would say "No respect, no respect at all".......

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

You think it's bad that they don't advertise it in the parks, it's non-existent in Canada. They treat Canadians like second class citizens. We don't get to be part of the Adventure Insiders or anything and yet they are more than happy to take our money. I don't understand how they can manage to get my package information to me across the border but they can't get anything else across the border. I don't even really care about the gifts. I would just like to have access to some of the same deals that U.S. Adventure Insiders get.

Come to think about it, makes me wonder how much they actually want to continue offering ABD. The trips are getting pared down but prices are staying high. Lots of people are starting to look elsewhere, me included.

 

[TXTransplant]

I first heard about ABD on those information videos they show you on the Magical Express to/from the WDW resorts and MCO. We just got off a Disney Cruise (in December), and there was an entire channel (maybe even 2 channels) on the TV in our room dedicated to advertising ABD.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think its simply that ABD is such a small part of the company it just gets lost. Think about how many people sail on DCL every week (10-20 thousand) compared to how many take an ABD trip, perhaps a few hundred.

 

[DisneyKevin]

This may seem like an odd question to ask here since this site is for guests' questions about trips and not about corporate decisions, but I am curious and thought that someone here might know.

Disney promotes Disney cruise lines and Disney timeshare in the theme parks but never Adventures by Disney. In fact, I have asked park and resort cast members this at Disney World. The cast members whom I have asked were not aware that Adventures by Disney even exists. Does anyone know why Disney chooses to do this that way?

You think it's bad that they don't advertise it in the parks, it's non-existent in Canada. They treat Canadians like second class citizens. We don't get to be part of the Adventure Insiders or anything and yet they are more than happy to take our money. I don't understand how they can manage to get my package information to me across the border but they can't get anything else across the border. I don't even really care about the gifts. I would just like to have access to some of the same deals that U.S. Adventure Insiders get.

Come to think about it, makes me wonder how much they actually want to continue offering ABD. The trips are getting pared down but prices are staying high. Lots of people are starting to look elsewhere, me included.

ABD was advertised in the parks a while back.

They had kiosks similar to DVC.

There was then a management change and that stopped.




Canada has very strict laws about advertising, discounts and give aways. Australia does as well.

This is especially true for anything travel based.

For a very long time, ABD would send a CD with all of the Adventure photos to each participant.

I can't tell you the number of times these would be held up in Canadian Customs...or the guest would be told that they had to pay a huge customs tax to get their CD.

This is part of the reason ABD went to web based photos.

When researching a contest for Dreams Unlimited Travel and the DIS, we found that we could not award prizes to Canadians, as it was considered a lottery and lotteries are illegal.

In order to allow Canadian folks to participate there had to be "educational aspect" to the contest.

Each entry had to include a question or questions and each entry had to include the right answers. (ex. How much is 13 plus 6. Ans 19)

There were other hoops to be jumped through. I don't remember the details.

This was several years ago and rules / laws may have changed, or my memory may be fuzzy. I haven't had to deal with this in quite a while. You know the old saying...if you don't use it, you lose it.

 

[Bobo912]

I first heard about ABD on those information videos they show you on the Magical Express to/from the WDW resorts and MCO. We just got off a Disney Cruise (in December), and there was an entire channel (maybe even 2 channels) on the TV in our room dedicated to advertising ABD.

That is where I first heard about ABD too.

 

[sayhello]

This may seem like an odd question to ask here since this site is for guests' questions about trips and not about corporate decisions, but I am curious and thought that someone here might know.

Disney promotes Disney cruise lines and Disney timeshare in the theme parks but never Adventures by Disney. In fact, I have asked park and resort cast members this at Disney World. The cast members whom I have asked were not aware that Adventures by Disney even exists. Does anyone know why Disney chooses to do this that way?

I was noticing that during the Christmas special they broadcast (filmed at the parks) they had 3 families that had special wishes granted at Disneyland, WDW and on a DCL cruise. They never mentioned ABD. (There was one ABD commercial during the broadcast, but that was it). I was thinking the same thing as carpenta, that they're the "red headed step child" of Disney.

Come to think about it, makes me wonder how much they actually want to continue offering ABD. The trips are getting pared down but prices are staying high. Lots of people are starting to look elsewhere, me included.

I've wondered this same thing, too.

Sayhello

 

[paddles]

I wouldn't advertise at the parks either. ABD is very niche and a high price point that attracts a certain group of people....most people who go to the parks (or cruises for that matter) wouldn't spend the $$ for ABD.

Instead, they need to step up their digital presence and targeted Marketing approach:
1) When I google "luxury family tours or vacations", ABD doesn't show up at all on the paid search results or on first page for the organic results. This is atrocious! There's no reason why Disney can't spend a few $$ on paid search to at least increase their awareness. Further, they need to rework their website so that it has a better organic search presence.

2) Once they get a better Search presence, then ABD should definitely spend some $$ on retargeted online banner ads.

3) Improve email by providing useful content (not just sales pitches) to new and existing customers. For example - "5 key mistakes people make when packing", "10 places your children should see before 18", etc.

4) Get partnerships with credit card companies (like Amex, Citi Sapphire card, etc.) that would help target the right ABD audience; partnerships with airlines, high end hotels, etc. that would also help them target those individuals who are likely to spring for the high price point of ABD.

5) here's where ABD is really missing the mark recently: Develop raving fans that will help promote the brand/service through word of mouth, blogs, social media, forums.

As you can tell, I work in Marketing. I'm rather surprised that ABD efforts are so lacking...they definitely to change up the management there to make it a more effective company. Hire me, ABD, and I'll fix this for you!

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

ABD was advertised in the parks a while back.

They had kiosks similar to DVC.

There was then a management change and that stopped.




Canada has very strict laws about advertising, discounts and give aways. Australia does as well.

This is especially true for anything travel based.

For a very long time, ABD would send a CD with all of the Adventure photos to each participant.

I can't tell you the number of times these would be held up in Canadian Customs...or the guest would be told that they had to pay a huge customs tax to get their CD.

This is part of the reason ABD went to web based photos.

When researching a contest for Dreams Unlimited Travel and the DIS, we found that we could not award prizes to Canadians, as it was considered a lottery and lotteries are illegal.

In order to allow Canadian folks to participate there had to be "educational aspect" to the contest.

Each entry had to include a question or questions and each entry had to include the right answers. (ex. How much is 13 plus 6. Ans 19)

There were other hoops to be jumped through. I don't remember the details.

This was several years ago and rules / laws may have changed, or my memory may be fuzzy. I haven't had to deal with this in quite a while. You know the old saying...if you don't use it, you lose it.

I would just like to see them extend the same discounts to Canadians as to Americans. They can give us the discounts for the properties, cruise lines etc, why not the tours too? Especially since it costs us so much more to do the trip than most Americans thanks to the exchange rate.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I would just like to see them extend the same discounts to Canadians as to Americans. They can give us the discounts for the properties, cruise lines etc, why not the tours too? Especially since it costs us so much more to do the trip than most Americans thanks to the exchange rate.

Discounts for DCL and WDW are not dependent on you having completed any number of cruises or visits to qualify for the discount.

The Adventure Insider program requires that you complete two Adventures before you qualify.

Canadian law prohibits this sort of thing. Your laws are very strict regarding travel.

Also, I know of no travel organization that offers discounts based on the exchange rate of any given country.

 

[TXTransplant]

The Adventure Insider program requires that you complete two Adventures before you qualify.

I don't think this is a hard and fast rule. We got an AI gift right before our first ABD last June, and we received the most recent AI gift (the picture frame), but our next trip isn't scheduled until June 2016

 

[DisneyKevin]

I don't think this is a hard and fast rule. We got an AI gift right before our first ABD last June, and we received the most recent AI gift (the picture frame), but our next trip isn't scheduled until June 2016

The gift is given to everyone (US residents) that has completed an Adventure.

To qualify for the AI discount, you must have completed two Adventures at the time of booking.

The current AI discount is $300 per reservation.

In the past, they have offered $100 per guest.

They seem to alternate back and forth.

I referenced this because discounts were part of the discussion.

 

[TXTransplant]

The gift is given to everyone (US residents) that has completed an Adventure.

To qualify for the AI discount, you must have completed two Adventures at the time of booking.

The current AI discount is $300 per reservation.

In the past, they have offered $100 per guest.

They seem to alternate back and forth.

I referenced this because discounts were part of the discussion.

Ahhhh...I forgot discounts were part of the AI program. I was thinking it was only gifts.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Ahhhh...I forgot discounts were part of the AI program. I was thinking it was only gifts.

I believe there should be tiered incentives/rewards for returning guests---earning points toward an airport transport from home or free ore night hotel stay etc. Going on one trip may earn you a $ discount, and step up the reward for multiple trips. We had a Disney provided transport from Our home in San Diego to LAX a few years ago which was great! (But discontinued).

 

[DisneyKevin]

I believe there should be tiered incentives/rewards for returning guests---earning points toward an airport transport from home or free ore night hotel stay etc. Going on one trip may earn you a $ discount, and step up the reward for multiple trips. We had a Disney provided transport from Our home in San Diego to LAX a few years ago which was great! (But discontinued).

ABD ran the transfer promotion in the past and logistical details were a nightmare.

I doubt we will ever see that promo again.