China: Enchanted China Meets Thread

[distravel]

That's a great idea! If ABD can't formally put the Shanghai Disneyland on the itinerary then a surprise trip there would be wonderful for those of us who want to go. Plus with ABD they will probably give us backstage access or a tour that we couldn't do on our own. Fingers crossed.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I'd gladly take the China ABD again if they included a strong presence in Shanghai Disneyland. Either a couple of days at Shanghai Disney would be cool, or better yet starting/finishing the ABD in Shanghai would be great. Neither of these I expect to really happen, but here's wishing...

Getting back down to reality, there's not much down time in Shanghai. You're only there for one full day plus the evening you arrive and the morning you depart. So there's not a lot of time there which is too bad, as it was my favorite city. On the one full day there is a morning and early afternoon activity. Then there's a short break and afterwards dinner and a show. I enjoyed the day, but if I had the ability to go to Shanghai Disneyland, I would definitely do that instead. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple years with ABD's itinerary.

Also keep in mind ABD doesn't give you a lot of time in Hong Kong Disneyland. You really just have 2-3 hrs on your own, then it's dinner and fireworks. I suspect you'll see the new nighttime parade as well. On our own we concentrated on Mystic Manor (which is the greatest Disney ride of all time) and a few others on that side of the park. We never got to Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, or much of Main Street. I enjoyed the park quite a bit and spent a couple of extra days in HK and HKDL. That's the advantage with ending in HK. It gives you the ability to see more HKDL (and a great city) on your own if you want.

 

[distravel]

Realistically it doesn't sound like there will any time for a surprise trip to Shanghai Disney unless they change the itinerary. My mother will be joining us on our trip to China so I don't want to wait for the 2017 ABD. We will probably fly back to Shanghai for a few days as a post trip.

We are looking forward to the release of the 2016 ABD schedule!!!

 

[RenoLovesDisney]

We are going on the China trip June 21- July 21, 2015. Anyone else going on that trip?

 

[sayhello]

We are going on the China trip June 21- July 21, 2015. Anyone else going on that trip?

Congrats!! I'm assuming you mean the June 21 - July 2, 2015 trip? While a month-long ABD sounds amazing, I don't think they offer one!

I've added you to the Roll Call on the first post of this thread. It doesn't look like any other DISers have said they're on that trip yet, but there's still some time. If you want to give me the makeup of your traveling party, I can update your entry on the Roll Call.

Sayhello

 

[RenoLovesDisney]

YES, that was a typo. We will be on the China trip June 21-July 2, 2015. Our travel party consists of two families. Four adults and five kids. Four boys 18, 17, 15, 14, and one girl 11 years old.

 

[sayhello]

YES, that was a typo. We will be on the China trip June 21-July 2, 2015. Our travel party consists of two families. Four adults and five kids. Four boys 18, 17, 15, 14, and one girl 11 years old.

Updated.

Sayhello

 

[Calfan]

We are impatiently waiting for the 2016 releases on June 9 so we can book this ABD for June of 2016. I'm wondering if the delay in release date from the typical May release has anything to do with tweaking this itinerary to take Shanghai Disney into account? If there aren't any tweaks, then we will definitely extend the trip in Hong Kong and maybe also head back to Shanghai as well.

 

[Cousin Orville]

We are impatiently waiting for the 2016 releases on June 9 so we can book this ABD for June of 2016. I'm wondering if the delay in release date from the typical May release has anything to do with tweaking this itinerary to take Shanghai Disney into account? If there aren't any tweaks, then we will definitely extend the trip in Hong Kong and maybe also head back to Shanghai as well.

The easiest thing for ABD to do would be to make the trip 1 day longer - 12 Nights. I think they need to do something. Otherwise on the one full day in Shanghai (currently), part of the group is going to go to DL on their own, and the rest of the group is going to wish they had done the same. However, I wouldn't want to go to Shanghai and not spend any quality time in Shanghai either. It's a neat city. Regardless, it's such an amazing trip!

 

[apsk7]

We are set to go on the July 19-30, 2015, ABD China trip! Very glad ABD says it's a guaranteed departure at this point! -- Mom, Dad, DD age 9.

 

[sayhello]

We are set to go on the July 19-30, 2015, ABD China trip! Very glad ABD says it's a guaranteed departure at this point! -- Mom, Dad, DD age 9.

I've added you to the Roll Call. It looks like your trip might be sold out, because it's listed as Waitlisted on the website.

Sayhello

 

[apsk7]

I've added you to the Roll Call. It looks like your trip might be sold out, because it's listed as Waitlisted on the website.

Sayhello

Thanks! I called today and learned that our trip is on a waitlist but only has 12 guests. The vacationista told me this has something to do with ABD's ability to get/hold hotel space on certain trips.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks! I called today and learned that our trip is on a waitlist but only has 12 guests. The vacationista told me this has something to do with ABD's ability to get/hold hotel space on certain trips.

That's interesting, but it makes sense.

Sayhello

 

[Calfan]

Is anyone aware of a China ABD ever being cancelled by ABD? We are planning to book for 2016, but the thread about cancellations is worrisome. Thomson Family Adventures guarantees all of their departures, and that itinerary looks good. But I've heard such fabulous things about the China ABD, and the fact that it ends in Hong Kong is a real plus for me (also hoping for some tweaks in 2016 to account for Shanghai Disney). So I'd really prefer ABD. But not if ABD is going to cancel on me a short time before my departure date....

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Is anyone aware of a China ABD ever being cancelled by ABD? We are planning to book for 2016, but the thread about cancellations is worrisome. Thomson Family Adventures guarantees all of their departures, and that itinerary looks good. But I've heard such fabulous things about the China ABD, and the fact that it ends in Hong Kong is a real plus for me (also hoping for some tweaks in 2016 to account for Shanghai Disney). So I'd really prefer ABD. But not if ABD is going to cancel on me a short time before my departure date....

I'd like to know, too! Especially any travelers going this year... have your dates been guaranteed? The other thread is really making me think. I was all set to do ABD China in 2016 (or 2017 depending on Shanghai) but if they aren't offering a suitable "guaranteed" date, I think Tauck will be the beneficiary (I love how they have their itineraries up in a more timely manner, too!).

 

[Cousin Orville]

Last year there were around 40 guests on our China ABD in June. I can't say that I've ever heard of a China ABD being cancelled by anyone here on the forum, but who knows? I would think that a summer China ABD would be low risk, but you never know for sure. I guess that's the problem - not knowing for sure. Does Tauk offer guaranteed trips?

If I were going again in the summer, I'd still feel comfortable booking with ABD. Having heard first hand from one of the guides about the travel logistic problems in China and the lengths that the ABD guides have gone to in the past to work around Chinese flight delays and cancellations, I would still feel more comfortable traveling with ABD even without the guaranteed departure.

 

[Calfan]

Last year there were around 40 guests on our China ABD in June. I can't say that I've ever heard of a China ABD being cancelled by anyone here on the forum, but who knows? I would think that a summer China ABD would be low risk, but you never know for sure. I guess that's the problem - not knowing for sure. Does Tauk offer guaranteed trips?

If I were going again in the summer, I'd still feel comfortable booking with ABD. Having heard first hand from one of the guides about the travel logistic problems in China and the lengths that the ABD guides have gone to in the past to work around Chinese flight delays and cancellations, I would still feel more comfortable traveling with ABD even without the guaranteed departure.

Thanks, Cousin Orville. It's actually Thomson Family Adventures, not Tauck, but they do guarantee their departures, with no minimum. They also have a max of 20 on their trips, which is kind of nice. Guess I'll have to weigh the pros and cons of each when ABD finally releases in June.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I think Tauck will be the beneficiary (I love how they have their itineraries up in a more timely manner, too!).

Ooops...meant to say Thomson will be the beneficiary!

 

[Calfan]

I realize this might be sacrilege on this board, but I confess to booking the Thomson Family Adventures Wonders of China trip for Summer 2016 today. We just liked the itinerary better. Seems like a slightly slower pace because the trip is 2 days longer. It also includes some bike rides and hikes that are appealing to me. And it meets my criteria of including what I call "the Big Four" that had made the ABD China trip so enticing (The Great Wall, Pandas, Terra Cotta Warriors and Gumdrop Mountains). But I hope you will let me stick around on this meets thread. The itineraries are so similar that I think we could exchange useful information.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I realize this might be sacrilege on this board, but I confess to booking the Thomson Family Adventures Wonders of China trip for Summer 2016 today. We just liked the itinerary better. Seems like a slightly slower pace because the trip is 2 days longer. It also includes some bike rides and hikes that are appealing to me. And it meets my criteria of including what I call "the Big Four" that had made the ABD China trip so enticing (The Great Wall, Pandas, Terra Cotta Warriors and Gumdrop Mountains). But I hope you will let me stick around on this meets thread. The itineraries are so similar that I think we could exchange useful information.

You know I'll be dying to hear!