Christmas during ABD trip, and suggestions for NYE in Sydney?

[paddles]

We'll be on the Australia adventure during the holidays next year, and I was wondering if ABD does anything special for Christmas? My kids (7 and 9 currently) are a little concerned about not being home for the big day.

Also, we're planning on spending NYE in Sydney. I've done a bunch of research today, and my head now hurts. It seems super-expensive, but I think it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I'm willing to splurge.

Does anyone have suggestions for a hotel (near the harbour) and good NYE events to do with kids? I definitely want them up for the midnight fireworks (although I'm sure we'll also see the 9pm fireworks as well). Most things I've found are big drinking/dancing events, and that won't work for my little ones.

thanks in advance for your tips.

 

[austraveler]

If you post this over on the Australian section there are a ton of helpful Aussie Disboarders who will help.

 

[kristilew]

We are just wrapping up an Adventure that went over Christmas. The only thing the guides did was give out candy canes on Christmas morning. At least half of the families on our trip do not celebrate Christmas, so there was a sensitivity to that. However, we were on the ship in the Galapagos, and Ecuador is a Catholic country, so we were wished many "feliz navidad"s by the crew, the ship had a Christmas tree, and Christmas muzak played nonstop. I'm not sure what it will be like in a different country, but I imagine ABD will continue to be thoughtful of all their guests, so I wouldn't expect a big deal.

 

[cheryllarsen]

Have a great time!

 

[cheryllarsen]

Never been to Australia but trying to talk the hubby into a trip to New Zealand.

 

[Bobo912]

We are just wrapping up an Adventure that went over Christmas. The only thing the guides did was give out candy canes on Christmas morning. At least half of the families on our trip do not celebrate Christmas, so there was a sensitivity to that. However, we were on the ship in the Galapagos, and Ecuador is a Catholic country, so we were wished many "feliz navidad"s by the crew, the ship had a Christmas tree, and Christmas muzak played nonstop. I'm not sure what it will be like in a different country, but I imagine ABD will continue to be thoughtful of all their guests, so I wouldn't expect a big deal.

kristilew, did you get any discount offer for booking your next ABD? Some people have mentioned receiving those in the past, but I don't recall if it was during the trip or something that was mailed/emailed later. I've never received anything like that after our ABDs, but we've got a trip coming up soon, and it's something I would almost certainly take advantage of, if I had the chance.

Sorry for going off topic.

 

[kristilew]

kristilew, did you get any discount offer for booking your next ABD? Some people have mentioned receiving those in the past, but I don't recall if it was during the trip or something that was mailed/emailed later. I've never received anything like that after our ABDs, but we've got a trip coming up soon, and it's something I would almost certainly take advantage of, if I had the chance.

Sorry for going off topic.

Nope, no offer. I'll let you know if one shows up in the next little bit.

 

[paddles]

that's odd...because on a Disney Cruise, they offer 10% off an ABD trip....I wonder why they don't have the same offer during an ABD trip. Seems only fair.

 

[paddles]

And another question I have is when does ABD provide free R/T transportation to/from your home airport for trips? I've read other people saying they got that perk, but I haven't received any info on it (although we've already done 1 ABD trip).

thanks for the insight!

 

[kristilew]

And another question I have is when does ABD provide free R/T transportation to/from your home airport for trips? I've read other people saying they got that perk, but I haven't received any info on it (although we've already done 1 ABD trip).

thanks for the insight!

We got it this time, on our third adventure. It was really nice. I had expected they would just cover cab fare, but instead we got a chauffeured town car. They scheduled a pick up time, which I adjusted easily. And when our plane touched down on the return, I received a text message saying the driver was arriving at the airport to pick us up. Great perk!

 

[sayhello]

that's odd...because on a Disney Cruise, they offer 10% off an ABD trip....I wonder why they don't have the same offer during an ABD trip. Seems only fair.

Well, I know on the Disney Cruise, they have an ABD Guide there onboard, and you have to actually book the ABD *on* the cruise to get the discount. That would be one more thing to add to the Guides' workload if they had to have the ability to book you on another ABD while on your current trip.

When I took my first ABD, I got a letter in my room towards the end of the trip telling me I could book another ABD within 10 days of the end of my trip and get a discount. I've never gotten one since. The biggest problem I had was that I'd already done an ABD for that year (I traveled in May), and wasn't going to be able to take a second ABD in the same year. And the trips for the next year were not out yet. I suppose that would work better with them apparently announcing the next year in May now...

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

And another question I have is when does ABD provide free R/T transportation to/from your home airport for trips? I've read other people saying they got that perk, but I haven't received any info on it (although we've already done 1 ABD trip).

thanks for the insight!

Have you gotten the other adventure insider gifts, like the books and DVDs? I've read that the perks come after you complete 2 ABDs, but I think there are some people on the board who have gotten the gifts after only 1 trip. When I booked our 2013 trip the vacationista mentioned the transportation perk to me, but when I got my paperwork it wasn't included. I called them back and they added it and sent me updated papers. This will be our 4th ABD. You should call and see if it was just an oversight.

 

[margie100]

We were in Peru with ABD over Christmas. On Christmas Eve we were given a special "Holiday Lights" pin to celebrate. (Donald holding a candle.) That night we had the adults-only dinner at the Sol y Luna hotel restaurant, and the restaurant added details because it was Christmas Eve, like free specialty cocktails, a bottle of wine, and a cheese plate.

At the Christmas Day Dinner we were told that the ABD home office had given the guides $420 ($10 for each guest) to buy presents, but they decided we should donate it to a local orphanage, and they arrange a visit to the orphanage when we were in Cusco.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Have you gotten the other adventure insider gifts, like the books and DVDs? I've read that the perks come after you complete 2 ABDs, but I think there are some people on the board who have gotten the gifts after only 1 trip. When I booked our 2013 trip the vacationista mentioned the transportation perk to me, but when I got my paperwork it wasn't included. I called them back and they added it and sent me updated papers. This will be our 4th ABD. You should call and see if it was just an oversight.

Our first perk (the airport transportation) was 2012 on our 6th ABD--as I recall this was a frequent traveler perk, and I assume that meant after several ABD trips. (I thought was 5--maybe now 4?)

 

[sayhello]

Our first perk (the airport transportation) was 2012 on our 6th ABD--as I recall this was a frequent traveler perk, and I assume that meant after several ABD trips. (I thought was 5--maybe now 4?)

I'm pretty sure it was only 2 or more trips to get the airport transportation...

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

I'm pretty sure it was only 2 or more trips to get the airport transportation...

Sayhello

May have been--followed a few years of complaints that nothing was done for frequent travelers with ABD. I argued for go 5 get 6th free, but that went no where! Maybe they'll consider a free pre or post night as a next level reward...

 

[sayhello]

May have been--followed a few years of complaints that nothing was done for frequent travelers with ABD. I argued for go 5 get 6th free, but that went no where! Maybe they'll consider a free pre or post night as a next level reward...

Hey, I totally like that go 5 get 6th free!!! A free pre or post night would be nice, too!

Sayhello

 

[paddles]

Free transportation to the airport would be a nice perk - just because we'll have so much luggage for the trips! But its not a deal breaker if they don't provide it. Our Scotland trip in the summer will be our 2nd ABD trip, but Australia in Dec will be our 3rd (so maybe we'll get it for that trip).

We'll be travelling for nearly 3 weeks when we go to Australia/New Zealand this Dec....so I guess I'll also need to figure out laundry faciliites for that trip....