April 2010 ABD Backstage Magic : California Here We Come!!!

[TheTXTaylors5]

Bill and I added on two nights prior to the Tour at the Renaissance through DU/ABD. Bill is suppose to book our rental car this week. We are renting a convertible and driving up the PCH one day. I can't wait to finally see those cliffs and the water crashing on the rocks. If anyone can recommend any great stopping points along the way and a great restaurant for lunch please let me know. Also, we want to get out to Napa Valley and/or Sonoma Valley one day. It just wouldn't feel like an adults-only trip to California without visiting a winery. Again, if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I figure, we will be doing enough "Tours" with the ABD Trip. So, we decided not to visit Universal or WB while in LA this trip. We want to get off on our own and experience the "real" California. Of course being so close to The Highlands, some shopping has to be worked in there somewhere.

Southwest still hasn't released their April flight information yet. So, we are holding off on making our flight reservation until the SW info is released. Then, we can compare SW with AA. Also, once SW releases their pricing, it should make the AA prices go down too. One can only hope.

I have to give American Airlines some props today. Bill received an email today from the AA Customer Relations Manager. Due to his inconvenience with the flight on 9/11, they are putting 3,000 AA Advantage Miles into his account. Those miles could come in handy!

Jennifer

 

[spokanemom]

We are also planning on the VIP warner Bros Tour, I wonder if we could get a group rate if there were a few of us? We are considering the Universal tour, just not sure if time will allow both.

That is a great idea. I am trying to decide how many days to come in early and just exactly WHAT I want to do. I would love to go to Universal, do the Universal Tour AND the Warner Brothers Tour. I am just not sure if I have enough time or money! I don't know if staying at the Renaissance prior is the best thing either. I may be able to save some by staying somewhere else and just renting a car for a couple of days prior. I could just return the car to LAX on the day of pick up and then take the ABD transportation to the Renaissance.

I just don't know.

I am leaving for vacation this weekend. I will be more focused on the ABD trip when I get back. There are so many options going on in my head and I know that I can't do them all, but I really want to try!

I may just wait for one of you to come up with a really good plan, and then just copy it...

 

[Circusgirl]

That is a great idea. I am trying to decide how many days to come in early and just exactly WHAT I want to do. I would love to go to Universal, do the Universal Tour AND the Warner Brothers Tour. I am just not sure if I have enough time or money! I don't know if staying at the Renaissance prior is the best thing either. I may be able to save some by staying somewhere else and just renting a car for a couple of days prior. I could just return the car to LAX on the day of pick up and then take the ABD transportation to the Renaissance.

I just don't know.

I am leaving for vacation this weekend. I will be more focused on the ABD trip when I get back. There are so many options going on in my head and I know that I can't do them all, but I really want to try!

I may just wait for one of you to come up with a really good plan, and then just copy it...

Have a fabulous cruise!!!

 

[Dodie]

Happy Thursday fellow adventurers!

Have we done the "introduction" posts yet on this thread? I know some of us know one another from cruising together on the first podcast cruise or other DIS events, but have we done the single post - everything you should know about me so we can get to know everyone in the group thing yet? (I'm obviously too lazy to read back through the whole thread.)

If we haven't, I think we should!

 

[klam_chowder]

That's great, Lauren - thx a mint! The VIP Universal tour sounds fab; Pete did an awesome review of it I just checked their website and following Tracey's lead...there's a 10% discount for 6 or more

I was considering Griffith Park too but hadn't decided based on the ABD activities. That'd be an interesting one to do with you and Jeri too

Tracey - The Ellen tix idea is a hoot!

Jennifer - we drove the PCH from WA down to SF a few years ago, and it was wonderful Domain Chandon was the highlight of my Napa cruising...consider planning your touring to stop there for lunch

Alissa - I'm in a similar boat with the pre-stay...thankfully I've got time to mull it over as upcoming trips have much higher priority right now. Bon Voyage!

BTW, I meant single-types only in that I didn't want to cramp anyone who's excited to finally bellow, "we've never had a vacation for 7 years [if applicable insert: without the kids]"

cheers,

 

[corky441]

That is a great idea. I am trying to decide how many days to come in early and just exactly WHAT I want to do. I would love to go to Universal, do the Universal Tour AND the Warner Brothers Tour. I am just not sure if I have enough time or money! I don't know if staying at the Renaissance prior is the best thing either. I may be able to save some by staying somewhere else and just renting a car for a couple of days prior. I could just return the car to LAX on the day of pick up and then take the ABD transportation to the Renaissance.

Jet Blue has finally released their fares for April Now I can get this trip moving.

My plans for DH & I are still basically the same - going to come in on Saturday and spend a few days at Huntington Beach - plans are to do the San Diego Zoo one day and drive the Pacific Coast Highway the other. I'm with Alissa on the car rental plan - We're going to fly into Long Beach (less hectic than LAX) and rent a car there- then on Tuesday morning drive up to LAX, drop off the car & hook up with the ABD airport transfer. as far as coming home - we'll fly out of LAX using the ABD transfer


I am so excited and now that the airfare is taken care of - it really feels like WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND

 

[3guysandagal]

Just curious here....you mention showing up at LAX to drop off rental cars and grabbing the ABD transportation.
Is this possible without having a flight coming in that day?
Isn't that like showing up at MCO and grabbing ME just for the free ride to WDW? (NOT!)
Don't know, but it was the first thing that popped into my mind when reading this.
If it is possible, it sure may help our planning.

 

[corky441]

Well, my thinking is that All Disney needs to know is that I have a flight coming into LAX on Tuesday morning. Since they haven't booked my airfare as part of a package it really doesn't matter.

for example - say I check and find that the morning JetBlue flight to LAX from NYC is flight # 999 and it arrives at 10:35 am

if I show up at the desiginated meeting place with bags in hand - how would they know if I was on the plane or not? I'm not being met at the gate, but down in the baggage claim area. All I have to do is look for for the driver holding the card with my name on it.

Theoretically, the same is possible at MCO with ME, say you've spent 2 days before arriving at Orlando over in Tampa and you have a rental car that you picked up in Tampa. since you have a resort reservation at Disney World you are entitled to ME transportation if you want it. Why not drop off your rental car, proceed with your bags to the baggage claim aream and sign in at the ME desk & hop the bus

 

[katscradle]

Happy Thursday fellow adventurers!

Have we done the "introduction" posts yet on this thread? I know some of us know one another from cruising together on the first podcast cruise or other DIS events, but have we done the single post - everything you should know about me so we can get to know everyone in the group thing yet? (I'm obviously too lazy to read back through the whole thread.)

If we haven't, I think we should!

I was thinking maybe we should pick a date and time to go into the chat room. Can we do this? What do you think?

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Bill booked our rental car. For those looking, there is a Hertz location AT THE HOTEL!!!!! That is where Bill booked our convertible. So, we will take the ABD transfer to the hotel on Sunday and pick-up the car on Monday for a day of fun in the Cali sun.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I was thinking maybe we should pick a date and time to go into the chat room. Can we do this? What do you think?

We're game!

Jennifer (& Bill)

 

[tickledtink33]

Just curious here....you mention showing up at LAX to drop off rental cars and grabbing the ABD transportation.
Is this possible without having a flight coming in that day?
Isn't that like showing up at MCO and grabbing ME just for the free ride to WDW? (NOT!) Don't know, but it was the first thing that popped into my mind when reading this.
If it is possible, it sure may help our planning.

On ABD's website under the FAQ section it says

For those driving a vehicle, on Day 1 of your trip, you may self-park at the Grand Californian Hotel as we offer one coach transfer from the Grand Californian Hotel to the Renaissance Hotel. Your vehicle will then be available for pick-up at the Grand Californian Hotel at the end of your vacation. Please contact a Concierge Agent at (877)-728-7282 for more details. A guest may also pick up a transfer from LAX by meeting at Terminal 7, United Airlines at Noon by the Baggage Claim Information Desk and this can be arranged through your Concierge Agent as well.

Also about grabbing the ME if you are not flying in on the same day that you need the transfer.

Last year I took a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Port Canaveral. After the cruise the RC shuttle took me back to MCO. I then took the ME to the hotel. This was perfectly legit. I called DVC and told them that I would be coming into the airport on a cruise ship shuttle as I was taking a non Disney cruise before my DVC stay and asked about taking the ME. I was told no problem and to call back 30 days before my arrival and they would call the folks at ME and set it up. When I called DVC back 30 days before my trip they set it up for me. Everything went smoothly.

 

[3guysandagal]

On ABD's website under the FAQ section it says

For those driving a vehicle, on Day 1 of your trip, you may self-park at the Grand Californian Hotel as we offer one coach transfer from the Grand Californian Hotel to the Renaissance Hotel. Your vehicle will then be available for pick-up at the Grand Californian Hotel at the end of your vacation. Please contact a Concierge Agent at (877)-728-7282 for more details. A guest may also pick up a transfer from LAX by meeting at Terminal 7, United Airlines at Noon by the Baggage Claim Information Desk and this can be arranged through your Concierge Agent as well.

Also about grabbing the ME if you are not flying in on the same day that you need the transfer.

Last year I took a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Port Canaveral. After the cruise the RC shuttle took me back to MCO. I then took the ME to the hotel. This was perfectly legit. I called DVC and told them that I would be coming into the airport on a cruise ship shuttle as I was taking a non Disney cruise before my DVC stay and asked about taking the ME. I was told no problem and to call back 30 days before my arrival and they would call the folks at ME and set it up. When I called DVC back 30 days before my trip they set it up for me. Everything went smoothly.

Thanks Kim!
This helps a lot in our strategy planning.

 

[Circusgirl]

Greetings from the World!

Here are a few photos from my first day here. Have a great Sunday!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Greetings from the World!

Here are a few photos from my first day here. Have a great Sunday!

[/IMG]

Thanks for the pictures. We went to a MNSSHP last year and loved it. MNSSHP is by far our favorite of the parties. What a great way to start your WDW vacation.

Jennifer

Correction: Bill read this and said MVMCP is HIS favorite party.

 

[DisneyKevin]

But I always post it here in case someone doesnt check their email....

Howdy fellow Adventurers,

I have some exciting news and as typical with ABD….some explaining to do.

ABD has sent out Welcome packets. These packets include information about your Adventure and some other cool stuff to read.

These should have come directly to you….but, ABD saw fit to send them all to Dreams Unlimited Travel, so they have been repackaged and sent on.

These packets will travel further then you or I. 

Included in these packets are a travel agreement and a personal info sheet.

Each comes with it’s own envelope and ABD would like these back as soon as possible.

Here comes the explaining part….

If you added pre or post nights….these may or may not be listed on your confirmation letter. There is no need to worry…..or email me.  These packets were printed and sent prior to many of us booking our extra nights.

You can check you Client Services page on the Dreams site and see your correct totals and travel dates.

If you started as a double occupancy and became a single traveler…your confirmation will not reflect that change and has been changed by me There is no need to worry…..or email me.  These packets were printed and sent prior to changing your reservation.

If you started as a single traveler and became a double occupancy…. your confirmation will not reflect that change and has been changed by me There is no need to worry…..or email me.  These packets were printed and sent prior to changing your reservation.

If you started as a double occupancy and do not live in the same household (Lynne, Karen, Kim and Anna)……you have made ABD’s head explode. They are baffled by the fact that I need another set of travel documents for Lynne and Anna. I have explained that you are traveling together but don’t live together. I was aksed why you couldn’t just drop the forms off at the other house. I have explained that there are thousands of miles between houses. This caused a several minute silence.

I am waiting for your packets to be sent.

Ok…that’s it.

Oh, wait…..

Please complete the two documents and send them back.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[stenogoddess]

I mail from Kevin!

 

[slapwhitey]

Thanks for the info Kevin, can't wait to get the cool info packet. Guess that means it's for real.

Just so I understand, once we receive this you want us to email you....right?

Chris

 

[aspen37]

Wow what great pictures Heather!

Kevin, when I read the email I started cracking up. I'm glad we are making their heads explode after what they put you thru last week! Good for us!

 

[Dodie]

Poor ABD. They aren't going to know what's hit them with our group.