Alaska Departures 2016

[DizMagic]

I just got off the phone with ABD inquiring about my Adults Only Alaskan departure 8/15. They confirmed that this departure has been guaranteed with 31 people currently booked and 2 others considering. The rep mentioned that ALL Alaskan departures for 2016 are now guaranteed. Thought I would pass along in case anyone else was wondering.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I believe the 8/15 Alaska Adults only departure is now sold out.

 

[Mazz519]

Looking to do this in 2017...please post pictures when you get back....Thanks

 

[BluesTraveler]

Great news - we go in July

 

[acndis]

We just booked 6/26/17. Canceled the cruise we were booked on (Non-Disney) because the ABD price was great! Can't wait.

Those of you who are going this summer, please report back with pictures!

 

[carpenta]

We traveled to Alaska a few years ago with ABD the same date (6/26) and bring some warm clothes. Our trip the range of temps was 70 to 30's. We still love that trip.

 

[acndis]

I was just wondering about this! Great advice.

Did you do a trip report? We made a split second decision to cancel the Celebrity Cruise we had booked because the price was so close and the ABD seemed to be the trip we really wanted to do instead of the cruise. Do you notice many changes to the itinerary this year?

 

[carpenta]

We started in Fairbanks and traveled south to Anchorage. We got to see the oil pipeline but other than that Fairbanks is no big loss. Take time to do the bus tour into Denali Park on your own. We skipped the day's afternoon ABD tour and bought tickets and traveled on our own into the park. Best decision we made. ABD was O.K. with our choice. The Aleska is wonderful and has a great pool. The land and hiking trails are something you should explore located behind the hotel. You get so much more of a view of the "real" Alaska and vastness of Alaska than a cruise. Really good choice in my opinion.

 

[sayhello]

I was just wondering about this! Great advice.

Did you do a trip report? We made a split second decision to cancel the Celebrity Cruise we had booked because the price was so close and the ABD seemed to be the trip we really wanted to do instead of the cruise. Do you notice many changes to the itinerary this year?

I did a trip report when I did this ABD in 2009. It's changed (like carpenta, we started in Fairbanks) but you can still check out some of the activities like the Resurrection Bay cruise on the Kenai Peninsula, the visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the jet boat cruise, etc. I really loved this trip, and have considered re-doing it to do the new things they've added.

I've done both the ABD and an Alaska cruise (not DCL) and as much as I loved the cruise, seeing inland Alaska is *so* much better, and so much more the real Alaska!

Sayhello

 

[acndis]

Did anyone do pre-days? I know the trip changed a while back to begin in Anchorage rather than Fairbanks but still wondered if anyone had suggestions. Now, we are thinking of a few days in Seattle but it's still a bit of a haul up to Anchorage. I would love any other ideas!

 

[BluesTraveler]

I was just wondering about this! Great advice.

Did you do a trip report? We made a split second decision to cancel the Celebrity Cruise we had booked because the price was so close and the ABD seemed to be the trip we really wanted to do instead of the cruise. Do you notice many changes to the itinerary this year?

We go after you - we are on the Aug. 1 trip, so when you return if you have any tips or insight I would LOVE to read it!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Did anyone do pre-days? I know the trip changed a while back to begin in Anchorage rather than Fairbanks but still wondered if anyone had suggestions. Now, we are thinking of a few days in Seattle but it's still a bit of a haul up to Anchorage. I would love any other ideas!

We did this tour last year and arrived in Anchorage early. We visited every shop and did a lot of walking around the downtown area. We also went to the Alaska zoo which has a free shuttle that runs from the downtown area to the zoo and back again. We also checked out the weekend market and navigated our way through some big marathon that was being held downtown one day. It's a quiet town, but it's great for walking in the central area. I expect Seattle is a bit more exciting, but a lot of it depends on what you want to see/do and how early you want to arrive before the tour begins.

 

[sayhello]

Did anyone do pre-days? I know the trip changed a while back to begin in Anchorage rather than Fairbanks but still wondered if anyone had suggestions. Now, we are thinking of a few days in Seattle but it's still a bit of a haul up to Anchorage. I would love any other ideas!

I did post-days in Anchorage, and I highly recommend the Anchorage City Trolley Tour. It's a corny bus tour with narration from the driver, that takes you all around Anchorage (including areas you'd probably not go to otherwise, like past the Earthquake park.) I learned a *lot* about Anchorage, and it was just fun. It leaves from the Log Cabin Visitor's Center in downtown Anchorage. You can buy the tickets there if you don't pre-purchase them. I really enjoyed it, and the driver was a hoot!

I agree that downtown Anchorage is *highly* walkable, with lots of cool souvenir shopping.

Sayhello