For those who have booked a DCL/ABD add-on

[sayhello]

Well, that explains it for us--we didn't do an ABD in 2010 (and went through withdrawal!)--looking forward to Peru in August. So...has anyone heard anything other than the usual speculation that the 2012 trips will be announced in August?

I haven't heard anything else.

Sayhello

 

[MiceRNice]

I am agonizing over this add-on. Doesn't it strike anyone else as messed up that the ABD part costs more than the cruise itself? Sure, it's three days of wonderful excursions and a nice wine pairing, but really, I figured that would be worth about $2,500 for me and my son, maybe $3,000 for all the VIP stuff ($1,500 each extra). But the add-on works out to $1,000 each more than that. Do you all think this is worth it?

 

[OhioDisneyDavid]

I am agonizing over this add-on. Doesn't it strike anyone else as messed up that the ABD part costs more than the cruise itself? Sure, it's three days of wonderful excursions and a nice wine pairing, but really, I figured that would be worth about $2,500 for me and my son, maybe $3,000 for all the VIP stuff ($1,500 each extra). But the add-on works out to $1,000 each more than that. Do you all think this is worth it?

I agree, it is hard to justify the extra cost and I will be able to tell you when I get back from my DCL/ABD if it was worth it. Read SayHello's trip report to see some of the pluses that Disney gives.

This is how I viewed it using possible trip options to WDW as comparison:

Staying off-site = Doing excursions on your own.
Staying on-site = Using a GOOD excursion company or booking w/DCL
Having a CM backdoor you onto all the rides & attractions = ABD Cruise Add-on​

You can definitely do it cheaper but something has to give. It is an exchange of time for money. Since each port day is less than 12 hours, I want the maximum possible ROI for my time. That is more important than the ROI on the money. One example: getting to see "The David". The museums are closed the day we are going to Florence so it is IMPOSSIBLE to see this and other key artifacts. ABD has special permission to get us in. I can't put a price on this important part of our trip.

Just my opinion but once I was over this in my mind, it helped justify the money. I can also post my chart that shows where all the money is going if you are interested.

Dave

 

[MiceRNice]

Yes, I would love to know where $4,600 goes for the ABD portion of the Alaska cruise (for one adult and teen). That's on top of the $3,850 for an outside cabin. That's a heck of a VIP experience for three days in port!

 

[tracyz]

I had a really hard time justifying this as well, but DH actually made the decision. If it were up to me, I may have passed, but DH is willing to pay a premium to have no worries. And now that we've made the decision and booked, I super-psyched about the ultra-pampering I expect.

Dave,
On a side note, can you tell me where you got your information about seeing "The David" in Florence on your Monday stop? I noticed when you mentioned it before, and I spoke with an ABD rep when I was deciding about the add-on and specifically asked about that. She didn't know and said she had to check and call back. When she called back the next day she spoke with my DH and told him that there would be no "David" on the Florence Monday and they would be supplementing a different activity instead but didn't know what that was yet.

 

[OhioDisneyDavid]

Dave,
On a side note, can you tell me where you got your information about seeing "The David" in Florence on your Monday stop? I noticed when you mentioned it before, and I spoke with an ABD rep when I was deciding about the add-on and specifically asked about that. She didn't know and said she had to check and call back. When she called back the next day she spoke with my DH and told him that there would be no "David" on the Florence Monday and they would be supplementing a different activity instead but didn't know what that was yet.

It looks like we have two different stories and we will have to see what happens. I talked to a Manager at ABD about this specific question and confirmed that I was there on a Monday, when most of the museums are closed. The manager "verified" and stated, "ABD has special permission to have private access to 'David'." Maybe you have more up-to-date info. I have seen that ABD can be flexible and substitute different activities.

This would not be the first time that I have recieved conflicting info so there is no use to try and reconfirm. We will just have to wait. This one thing will not make or break my vacation, but it would be *special* to go.

You can let me know as you get off the boat and I get on. Look for me, I will be wearing my blue shirt. LOL

Dave

PS-I convinced my DW about booking the ABD like your DH did to you. We husbands can't make the decisions without the support of our good women!

 

[MiceRNice]

I totally agree with you guys that the ABD Italy is the way to go. We did the trip as a family in September, 2009, and it was amazing. That is why I am so bummed that the ABD add-on for the Alaska cruise is over-priced. For Italy, we stayed in the most amazing accommodations, were lavished with attention every day and had 1 1/2 weeks of super activities. I just can't compare the cost of the ABD add-on when we're staying in a ship's cabin (already paid for) and are really looking at only three days of activities. That's about $1,500/day for the two of us! And it sounds like you get one key chain for the whole family and no little trip book or special countdown promising excitement.

 

[carpenta]

It looks like we have two different stories and we will have to see what happens. I talked to a Manager at ABD about this specific question and confirmed that I was there on a Monday, when most of the museums are closed. The manager "verified" and stated, "ABD has special permission to have private access to 'David'." Maybe you have more up-to-date info. I have seen that ABD can be flexible and substitute different activities.

This would not be the first time that I have recieved conflicting info so there is no use to try and reconfirm. We will just have to wait. This one thing will not make or break my vacation, but it would be *special* to go.



Dave

....just a note about special permission. When we cruised Disney in 2007 we did have a behind the scene tour of the vatican. We were wisked through all the lines and the end we had a PRIVATE SHOWING of the Sistine Chapel. There were only a handful of people with our group and we were allowed to take pictures and video. One of our group asked the guard and he replied "it's a private group, do what you wish. Last year we also sailed with Disney and again we were met with a private train at the station that whisked us off to Rome right downtown to the Vatican,It was amazing time and shows that Disney does pull strings to get some things done. All our excursions were 1st class and topped most we have taken with other outfits.

 

[tracyz]

Thanks for the hopeful heads up about special permission. I do agree that it's best just to wait and see what will happen. Seeing "the David" would be special, but it's not going to make or break our trip. I am actually kind of excited to wait and see what kinds of surprising ABD comes up with, and not to know exactly what is going to happen. I'm a huge planner/control freak when it comes to vacation, so it says a LOT about how much I trust ABD that I just have faith they're going to give us a fabulous vacation without knowing any more details!

 

[MiceRNice]

I can heartily say that the Italy ABD experience is the way to go. It wasn't even about the line-ups for us (we still had to wait sometimes and we didn't get a private Sistine Chapel showing). What really makes ABD magical were the guides (the best anywhere), the magical surprises, the sense that you are on a really safe, fun adventure where anything wonderful can (and does) happen. I know, I know. That is why I am AGONIZING over the extra $4,600 for three days of this. The Alaskan cruise is brand new, no one's taken it and can report on these "extras" to determine whether this is great vacation value or just a premium to be in the club, so it is all reliant on faith, trust and pixie dust!

 

[sayhello]

MiceRNice, I have to add that another advantage to the Alaska ABD is that each day you are doing the equivalent of 2 or 3 excursions, much more than you would be able to arrange with DCL or on your own. In both cases, you would have to make your way back to the ship, and then catch a second excursion, or even a third. The DCL system won't let you book excursions that they think are too close together. Since ABD is coordinating everything, including all the transportation & meals, it all works seamlessly, and you will get to do and see far more each day than most other people.

And the number of people on your excursions will almost certainly be less than you would see on most DCL excursions. And you get priority disembarking in the ports.

Also, since you are doing all your excursions with the same people, your son will have that continuity of the same kids at all of the activities, and hopefully even on the ship.

There are also some niceties onboard. On the first day, you meet up with your guides, and if you have a carryon, you can leave it with them, rather than shlepping it around the ship until your cabin is ready. There's a welcome reception, where you will meet your fellow ABDers. There's a group dinner at Palo included. All shipboard tips, all tips for the drivers & local guides on the excursions are included. All meals onshore are included. You get a CD of all photos you have taken on the ship, and another of all pictures taken by the guides. A Farewell reception. The only additional expenses you'll have, really, are things you pay for onboard, and souvenirs.

Yes, it's pricey. I'm really surprised it was about the same cost as the Med ABD (which has far more port days) but Alaskan excursions can be REALLY expensive. I realize you're agonizing over it. I'd like to push you over the edge. It's a GREAT way to cruise!

Sayhello

 

[MiceRNice]

Thank you for your encouragement. I appreciate that I will (hopefully) be purchasing a carefree, deluxe Alaskan experience and that is worth its weight in Yukon gold! It's just too bad the mark-up is so high ($600 - 800), but I know being a hard-core Disney fan has its price (and rewards).

Did you mention the cost would be $4,328 for me and my son, according to your sources? Did that include tax?

 

[kgsmith]

MiceRNice, I have to add that another advantage to the Alaska ABD is that each day you are doing the equivalent of 2 or 3 excursions, much more than you would be able to arrange with DCL or on your own. In both cases, you would have to make your way back to the ship, and then catch a second excursion, or even a third. The DCL system won't let you book excursions that they think are too close together. Since ABD is coordinating everything, including all the transportation & meals, it all works seamlessly, and you will get to do and see far more each day than most other people.

And the number of people on your excursions will almost certainly be less than you would see on most DCL excursions. And you get priority disembarking in the ports.

Also, since you are doing all your excursions with the same people, your son will have that continuity of the same kids at all of the activities, and hopefully even on the ship.

Sayhello, these are the exact reasons we decided to add the Alaska ABD. Another reason we chose to do it was because we are first-time cruisers and wouldn't be able to book excursions until 75 before we sail. Who knows what excursions will be available by then!

 

[sayhello]

Thank you for your encouragement. I appreciate that I will (hopefully) be purchasing a carefree, deluxe Alaskan experience and that is worth its weight in Yukon gold! It's just too bad the mark-up is so high ($600 - 800), but I know being a hard-core Disney fan has its price (and rewards).

Did you mention the cost would be $4,328 for me and my son, according to your sources? Did that include tax?

The price for the Alaska add-on is:

Adult $2299
Child $2069

That's a total of $4368, assuming your son qualifies as a child (for "regular" ABD's, a child is anyone under 12 at the time of the trip). As best as I can remember, that's the total price, including tax & everything.

Sayhello

 

[MiceRNice]

OhMiGosh! Help me out again say hello. Why the extra $200 for my 15-year son when he won't even enjoy the wine pairings? I wish Disney could make this slightly more affordable! And no Early Booking Discount as in the past with other ABDs. Ugh!

 

[sayhello]

OhMiGosh! Help me out again say hello. Why the extra $200 for my 15-year son when he won't even enjoy the wine pairings? I wish Disney could make this slightly more affordable! And no Early Booking Discount as in the past with other ABDs. Ugh!

I don't know why they do the ages that way. Your son won't be able to go to the dinner at Palo anyways (never mind the wine pairings); Palo is 18 and above, only. You might want to talk to someone at DCL or ABD about that. Technically, you are paying for an event that your son won't be allowed to attend. I don't know if they'd bend the Palo rules for ABD or not. I likely think not, but I would think DCL would owe you some sort of compensation!

The Early Booking discounts have gone the way of the dinosaurs. They don't have Early Booking discounts for any of the ABD's any more. At least the add-ons don't get more expensive as they book up, like the regular ABD's or the DCL cabins do. It's a fixed, flat price.

(PS, I'm on hold with DCL right now to see what they have to say about that!)

ETA: The answer is, no price adjustments for not being able to go to Palo. Palo is for Adults only.

Sayhello

 

[MiceRNice]

Thank you SO much for your helpful and prompt response say hello. This and your cost breakdown have assisted me greatly. Good news the price doesn't go up from here! That would be "ouch"!!

 

[tracyz]

I wanted to add that another big selling point for me in doing the add-on for our med cruise was the point that was made above about being with the same group for the entire cruise, especially for the kids. With our DD traveling alone with just her parents, we're hoping this will give her a chance to get some "kid time" and really get to make some friends.

Little extras keep coming up that make the price of the add-on more and more worth it in my mind. The pictures are a big one. It will be so nice to get all the pics from the cruise, and we'll take advantage of that for some nice family photos. It will also be nice to have people there who are taking pictures during our excursions so I don't have to worry about being behind the camera all the time. The tips for all the onboard CM's was one I found out about after I had booked...a bonus of a couple hundred $$!

My vote is to go for the add-on...I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

 

[MiceRNice]

We couldn't have met a nicer bunch of people on our ABD Viva Italia trip. My son was the only kid on the tour, which was perfect for him. As an only child, he gets on better with adults, so it's disappointing that Palo isn't an option for him as he's been fine dining since infancy (and drinking wine in Europe, though not in infancy). Especially as this is a mom-son trip, it would be great to have a core group of fellow adventurers to hang with.

I think I'm sold, but still feeling resentful about the pricing. It's a huge mark-up and it's not as though the Disney company would suffer if they made the cost of these experiences a little bit magical, too. I need the value to reflect what I'm actually shelling out, which value is at least $1,200 less than what I'm going to end up paying. That's a lot of goodwill, Mickey!

 

[sayhello]

MiceRNice, let me add one more thing. If I hadn't just gone to Alaska year before last, and didn't already have this year's vacation set up (Knights & Lights, YAY!) I'd be doing this cruise with the add-on, no question. I really like the mix of excursions, really want to do the dog sledding on the glacier, etc. Plus the fact that it seems DCL may not be going back next year... It's not the best Alaskan cruise itinerary in my opinion, but having that ABD add-on makes it an extraordinary opportunity.

I agree it seems a bit over-priced, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet & realize you get what you pay for.

Sayhello