Breaking ABD NEWS

[keaster]

Hi Kevin! I'm a new DVC member and was wondering if the point chart for ABD will be coming out at the same time as the new itineraries are released at the end of August? Thanks!

 

[PrincessSharon]

Great new itineraries. Now I don't know which one I'll do next year. I can't wait to hear the details of the DIS exclusive trips! And I'm so glad they're introducing a loyalty program. I'll certainly enjoy the room upgrades. I kind of suspected I had better rooms than the rest of the group on my last ABD (my 3rd), because usually my room was in a different location than everyone else. It'll be nice to not have to bother my family members for a ride to the airport, too! Kevin, will the early booking discounts be for more than a week or so? I'll be at WDW from August 27 until September 5.

 

[jlou]

What is a DIS Exclusive trip?

What is the advantage to being on one?

I'm also very interested in understanding what is meant by a "home airport" as I fly out of any one of 3 different airports from here.
One is a regional airport close to my home, and the others are 2 hours away. It is often more cost (and time) efficient to fly out of one of the 2 airports that are 2 hours away, since they're international airports. This sounds like a nice perk, but doesn't seem to be very equitable, as it only takes me 20 minutes to get to my regional airport with free parking, but the airfare from there is often much more expensive.

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

1) I am happy that the Gateways are being discontinued.

2) Any idea if the France trip includes a day at Disneyland Paris?

Thanks Kevin!

 

[DisneyKevin]

1) I am happy that the Gateways are being discontinued.

2) Any idea if the France trip includes a day at Disneyland Paris?

Thanks Kevin!

Disneyland Paris has always been available as an "add on" after your Adventure.

This September, the Dis is going on an exclusive Knights and Lights Adventure where Disneyland Paris is included in the Adventure.

It was added on at an additional cost, this means that the guides will stay with our group and that our trip through DLP will have all of the perks associated with an ABD trip...as opposed to us doing this on our own.

This is the first time this is being done and I believe that it will be an optional addition to future Knights and Lights Adventures and most likely the new Esprit de France Adventure.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Re DLP...we went on K and L for Christmas 2008, and because everything was closed on Christmas Day the ABD group went to Disneyland Paris. The guides were there, and we had special park escorts and various perks--prearranged seating for the parade, two groups for rides (one group with milder rides, and the group I went with for the roller coaster rides--both as VIP/head of line), plus a behind the scenes tour of Star Tours and dinner at Walt's on main street (which oversaw the Main Street Electrical Parade). We had already purchased post-nights at DLP, but because we spent a day there as part of ABD tour, we were able to have an evening transport from our hotel to DLP so we could spend another day in Paris.

As we continue to experience--ABD and the guides went out of their way to fill in any trip gaps, and to accommodate our needs. It was great!!

 

[katrina1122]

Ok call me clueless, but what is Gateway and why is it being cancelled?

 

[tufbuf]

Ok call me clueless, but what is Gateway and why is it being cancelled?

Gateway tours are special ABD tours which allow more on-your-own time and cheaper than the regular tour. I believe they had one for Italy and thE Knights and Lights tour this year.

 

[sayhello]

What is a DIS Exclusive trip?

What is the advantage to being on one?

The Dreams Unlimited have hosted a few ABD trips just for DISboard folks. Up until now, they've all been Backstage Magic tours, but this year they've added a Knights & Lights tour that leaves the beginning of September.

The advantages are a) traveling with other DISboard Disney fans, b) some members of the Podcast team are on the trip c) they sometimes arrange special activities (speakers, a possible breakfast at Club 33, etc) that are not on the regular ABD itinerary and d) for Knights & Lights, they arranged a special Disneyland Paris add-on that is actually a part of the ABD, where the Adventure Guides will stay with us, and we'll have VIP access, etc. That was developed just for DU and this trip.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

Ok call me clueless, but what is Gateway and why is it being cancelled?

Gateway tours are (were?) a less expensive alternative for a couple of itineraries. As tufbuf said, they had more on-your-own-time, generally less meals were included, and the hotels were a step below those used for the regular ABD's. Also, the number of people allowed per trip was higher (50 vs 40 or 44). They only offered them for Italy and London/Paris. (I think there was another one last year, but I can't recall).

I'm assuming they are being done away with because they weren't selling well.

Sayhello

 

[glassslipper2004]

Thanks Kevin!

 

[BriarRosie]

Hi Kevin! I'm a new DVC member and was wondering if the point chart for ABD will be coming out at the same time as the new itineraries are released at the end of August? Thanks!

DVC points charts are handled by DVC Member Services. You can call them or look on the dvcmember.com website. Travel agencies won't have that info.

 

[Icemann]

Australia & Tasmania - North Queensland, Ayers Rock, Sydney, Tasmania

Were do I sign Thanks for the early good news

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

You're the best, Kevin! Thanks for all of the info.

 

[tchrrx]

We are also waiting for a Hawaii ABD trip. Any chance it will be announced, or has everything already been released?

 

[WebmasterJohn]

We are also waiting for a Hawaii ABD trip. Any chance it will be announced, or has everything already been released?

There is no specific Hawaii ABD trip planned for 2012.

ABD did work with the folks at Aulani (Disney's newest resort on the Island of Oahu) to develop "ABD Like" tours for guests staying at the resort.

Kevin and I had the chance to take a hard hat tour of the resort and learned about some of the tours offered as well ther cool stuff about the resort.

If you have some time check out our podcast from that trip located here - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/archives.htm - it's the 7/21 podcast.

 

[adambomb85]

Wow - Greece! My Fiance and I were planning to take the traditional Australia AbD for our honeymoon, but now with this addition (and the new Australia and Tasmania) this is going to make our decision a lot more difficult - a good problem to have!

Can't wait for the details about these upcoming trips - and to potentially work with Disney Dreams Unlimited

 

[Bobo912]

There is no specific Hawaii ABD trip planned for 2012.

ABD did work with the folks at Aulani (Disney's newest resort on the Island of Oahu) to develop "ABD Like" tours for guests staying at the resort.

Kevin and I had the chance to take a hard hat tour of the resort and learned about some of the tours offered as well ther cool stuff about the resort.

If you have some time check out our podcast from that trip located here - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/archives.htm - it's the 7/21 podcast.

When we were on SWS a couple of weeks ago our guide Tiffany told me that Mike Cooke (our fantastic guide in Alaksa and from SWS or Costa Rica for some of you) has left ABD and taken a job at Aulani. John, do you know if he is involved with excursions at the resort?

 

[sayhello]

There is no specific Hawaii ABD trip planned for 2012.

ABD did work with the folks at Aulani (Disney's newest resort on the Island of Oahu) to develop "ABD Like" tours for guests staying at the resort.

Kevin and I had the chance to take a hard hat tour of the resort and learned about some of the tours offered as well ther cool stuff about the resort.

If you have some time check out our podcast from that trip located here - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/archives.htm - it's the 7/21 podcast.

Waa! I was really hoping for a Hawaiian ABD in 2012... I wonder what the cost would be to do it on my own & do the excursions vs doing it with ABD?

Sayhello

 

[tufbuf]

When we were on SWS a couple of weeks ago our guide Tiffany told me that Mike Cooke (our fantastic guide in Alaksa and from SWS or Costa Rica for some of you) has left ABD and taken a job at Aulani. John, do you know if he is involved with excursions at he resort?

Yeah, we bumped into Chris in Lima too after he finished doing the previous Peru adventure before ours and he also mentioned that Mike is with Aulani now. Chris and Mike were our guides when we did SWS last year. They were great!