Anyone ever done the ABD Grand Canyon tour?

[Bobo912]

Thanks for correcting me. I couldn't find that on the website. Most Disney things consider 12 as the top of "child", but I just didn't know. Thanks again!

Sayhello

ABD considers 11 year-olds to be children. They charge the adult price for 12 year-olds.

I've heard though that the Disney service on these is superior. Do people agree?

ABD is very good. But saying they are superior depends on who you compare them with. I'm sure they are superior to a lot of tour providers, many of which are significantly less expensive. I've taken 4 ABD trips (#5 this summer), but I've also taken Tauck and Lindblad trips and they all very good. I didn't find those two companies to be inferior in any way to ABD.

I've done the Arizona/Utah ABD and loved it!

BTW...the original price for the 2014 Cowboys and Canyons was $3479 for adults and $3309 for children.

 

[luv2sleep]

ABD considers 11 year-olds to be children. They charge the adult price for 12 year-olds. ABD is very good. But saying they are superior depends on who you compare them with. I'm sure they are superior to a lot of tour providers, many of which are significantly less expensive. I've taken 4 ABD trips (#5 this summer), but I've also taken Tauck and Lindblad trips and they all very good. I didn't find those two companies to be inferior in any way to ABD. I've done the Arizona/Utah ABD and loved it! BTW...the original price for the 2014 Cowboys and Canyons was $3479 for adults and $3309 for children.

Oh ok. Interesting. Thx!

 

[Dreamer2012]

Ok I know this is the ABD thread, but...it's just too expensive for a larger family so can I ask if anyone knows of any other company's who do this type of trip but more "family friendly" price wise?

 

[Bobo912]

I think this is an easy trip to do on your own. Last summer I did a Montana/Alberta trip that combined the ABD and Tauck itineraries, including the awesome hotels, for about half of what the tour would have cost. So we did more activities for much less cost. The main issue with the Arizona/Utah trip would be the national park hotel which tends to book up well in advance. But if you're looking at 2015 you will probably be okay as long as you plan early. Or you can stay just outside the park, which is what ABD did a few year ago, before they started using the Thunderbird.

 

[RSM]

I think this is an easy trip to do on your own. Last summer I did a Montana/Alberta trip that combined the ABD and Tauck itineraries, including the awesome hotels, for about half of what the tour would have cost. So we did more activities for much less cost. The main issue with the Arizona/Utah trip would be the national park hotel which tends to book up well in advance. But if you're looking at 2015 you will probably be okay as long as you plan early. Or you can stay just outside the park, which is what ABD did a few year ago, before they started using the Thunderbird.

Just as a point of reference we booked the Thunderbird last August and will be there the week of 4/21. So it was booked 9 months in advance. I think you can book up to a year in advance. So, it might be tough, but with some planning you can get reservations at the NP hotel.

 

[sayhello]

I totally agree. I'm doing my fourth ABD trip this year and am already planning my fifth. They are really addictive. Before I chose ABD, I had researched going to Europe with Perillo Tours. What I like about ABD are the experiences you have. Any tour can take you to a country, but very few allow you to experience the people, country, and the culture like ABD does. When I did the Greece ABD, I didn't see any tours making cheese, kayaking to Spinalonga, hiking a volcano in Santorini, making Kolombi, or doing the other things we did. That's the ABD difference.

Well put! I totally agree with this. I think there are other companies out there that do similar things, but they really aren't much cheaper than ABD, and some are more expensive. There are very few companies that give you 2 Guides as well as local experts. And the Disney name definitely opens some doors!

Sayhello

 

[alagille]

Yep I paid cash for italy and got the opening day price just had to give them my DVC member number.

Ok, so here's my other thought: Do they allow resale DVC members to get opening day prices too?

 

[Tozzie]

Ok, so here's my other thought: Do they allow resale DVC members to get opening day prices too?

I have no idea

 

[luv2sleep]

Ok, so here's my other thought: Do they allow resale DVC members to get opening day prices too?

Call MS and ask. I had no idea this was a perk until I read it here. Or check with ABD maybe?

 

[alagille]

I can't since I am not currently a DVC member. Considering becoming one though.

 

[luv2sleep]

I can't since I am not currently a DVC member. Considering becoming one though.

Ah. Post the question on the DVC Member Services board.