france ABD with kids

[agignac]

Hi, our family is looking at the adventures by disney france trip in late july 2013. I have a 5 year old and a 13 year old. I speak France. We have been to Europe before, Disney Magic 2011 and other trips. THere are kids on these trips right???? And we have done Paris and louvre etc but we would do our own thing in Paris , is that oK?

 

[abdgeek]

On any ABD Tour, you can do your own thing on any day. However, you will not be reimbursed any money for the days you don't go with the tour group. The thing I love most about ABD is that you have experiences that no other tour group has. Yes they go to the major sites, but it's what they do at those sites that is different. I would suggest looking at the daily itinerary to see what is happening. If you feel you have already done all of those things, I wouldn't spend the money doing ABD.

I've done the Greek ABD and ABD Med Cruise add-on. I loved both and will take many more. The France/London and Monet France ABD tours are on my list also. I was there about 25 years ago, but I didn't do London and France the way ABD does. Yes, I did the Louvre, Versaille, Notre Dame, West Minster Abbey, etc.; but I didn't have an escorted tour of the museum, eat in a private room there, have lunch at the top of the Eiffel Tower, or bike the grounds of Versaille. Maybe consider coming in early or staying later to do the things that are on your list that ABD won't visit. That's what I've always done.

 

[sayhello]

On any ABD Tour, you can do your own thing on any day. However, you will not be reimbursed any money for the days you don't go with the tour group. The thing I love most about ABD is that you have experiences that no other tour group has. Yes they go to the major sites, but it's what they do at those sites that is different. I would suggest looking at the daily itinerary to see what is happening. If you feel you have already done all of those things, I wouldn't spend the money doing ABD.

I've done the Greek ABD and ABD Med Cruise add-on. I loved both and will take many more. The France/London and Monet France ABD tours are on my list also. I was there about 25 years ago, but I didn't do London and France the way ABD does. Yes, I did the Louvre, Versaille, Notre Dame, West Minster Abbey, etc.; but I didn't have an escorted tour of the museum, eat in a private room there, have lunch at the top of the Eiffel Tower, or bike the grounds of Versaille. Maybe consider coming in early or staying later to do the things that are on your list that ABD won't visit. That's what I've always done.

I totally agree with this. It's not just where ABD goes, it's what they do once you get there that really puts them a notch above!

abdgeek, did you ever do a report about your Greece trip (I'm getting old & forgetful! ) Unless something new comes up, I'm definitely signing up for the Greece ABD for 2014!

Sayhello

 

[abdgeek]

I totally agree with this. It's not just where ABD goes, it's what they do once you get there that really puts them a notch above!

abdgeek, did you ever do a report about your Greece trip (I'm getting old & forgetful! ) Unless something new comes up, I'm definitely signing up for the Greece ABD for 2014!

Sayhello

Hi Sayhello,

Unfortunately, I didn't do a trip report for Greece because there were a couple of people who already had. However, I did add comments to the end of one of them about some things that hadn't been addressed.

You will LOVE Greece!!! If you go during the summer, it will be very hot. Take a hat, wear it, and take breathable clothes that can be easily washed out in the sink. Our ferry crossing from Santorini to Crete was very rough. It seems as if it is hit or miss with this, but make sure you take something for motion sickness if you are prone to it. I flew into Athens a day early and stayed a day later to see some of the sights ABD wasn't going to. The day I landed I saw: Syntagma Square, Changing of the Guard at the Parliament Building, National Gardens(a disappointment and didn't feel too safe walking it by myself in the day--concierge said definitely don't do it at night!), and Bernaki Museum. The next day before the welcome dinner started, I did: Hadrian's Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus, New Acropolis Museum, and the Plaka(shopping area at the foot of Acropolis). On the day ABD did the Acropolis, I used that ticket to see the Agora(at the foot of the Acropolis) and then went to get authentic Greek sandals from the Poet Sandalmaker(look at reviews on tripadvisor) in Monstrivikos(sp?) Square--you exit the Agora in this square. I then got something to eat and caught the hotel shuttle from Syntagma Square back to the hotel. On the day the tour ended, I flew back to Athens and stayed at our previous hotel for one night. I used the day to see the National Archaeological Museum(take the metro from Syntagma Square--it's about a 4 block walk from there).

Make sure you take advantage of the Intercontinental Athenaeum hotel shuttle. It takes you to Syntagma Square where there are lots of eateries(McDonald's--I know, but sometime you just want something familiar, Hard Rock(a couple of blocks away), and other Greek style eateries. I believe there is even a Starbucks nearby. The main touristy shopping district(american stores) is also behind the McDonald's. The Plaka is where you go for the Greek items. Be sure to comparison shop before you buy. You can go around the corner and that shop is selling the same item for more or for less than the shop you just visited. I hope this helps.

 

[sayhello]

Hi Sayhello,

Unfortunately, I didn't do a trip report for Greece because there were a couple of people who already had. However, I did add comments to the end of one of them about some things that hadn't been addressed.

You will LOVE Greece!!! If you go during the summer, it will be very hot. Take a hat, wear it, and take breathable clothes that can be easily washed out in the sink. Our ferry crossing from Santorini to Crete was very rough. It seems as if it is hit or miss with this, but make sure you take something for motion sickness if you are prone to it. I flew into Athens a day early and stayed a day later to see some of the sights ABD wasn't going to. The day I landed I saw: Syntagma Square, Changing of the Guard at the Parliament Building, National Gardens(a disappointment and didn't feel too safe walking it by myself in the day--concierge said definitely don't do it at night!), and Bernaki Museum. The next day before the welcome dinner started, I did: Hadrian's Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus, New Acropolis Museum, and the Plaka(shopping area at the foot of Acropolis). On the day ABD did the Acropolis, I used that ticket to see the Agora(at the foot of the Acropolis) and then went to get authentic Greek sandals from the Poet Sandalmaker(look at reviews on tripadvisor) in Monstrivikos(sp?) Square--you exit the Agora in this square. I then got something to eat and caught the hotel shuttle from Syntagma Square back to the hotel. On the day the tour ended, I flew back to Athens and stayed at our previous hotel for one night. I used the day to see the National Archaeological Museum(take the metro from Syntagma Square--it's about a 4 block walk from there).

Make sure you take advantage of the Intercontinental Athenaeum hotel shuttle. It takes you to Syntagma Square where there are lots of eateries(McDonald's--I know, but sometime you just want something familiar, Hard Rock(a couple of blocks away), and other Greek style eateries. I believe there is even a Starbucks nearby. The main touristy shopping district(american stores) is also behind the McDonald's. The Plaka is where you go for the Greek items. Be sure to comparison shop before you buy. You can go around the corner and that shop is selling the same item for more or for less than the shop you just visited. I hope this helps.

Thanks, abdgeek! If I go, it would likely be in May, assuming they have a departure in May. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better then. I really need to do some research, because I'm not familiar with most of the sites you mentioned! I was glad to read the street signs are in both Greek & English, because when my sister went solo to Greece (a kabillion years ago!) she was shocked to find the signs were all in Greek, and she couldn't read any of them! . It sounds like Athens has lots of options for getting around, so that's a good thing. Thanks for all the info! I wish I could afford to do 2 ABDs this year (or had enough vacation time!) But hopefully the economy will be more stable there by 2014...

Sorry for hijacking your thread, agignac!

Sayhello

 

[SingingMom]

Hi, our family is looking at the adventures by disney france trip in late july 2013. I have a 5 year old and a 13 year old. I speak France. We have been to Europe before, Disney Magic 2011 and other trips. THere are kids on these trips right???? And we have done Paris and louvre etc but we would do our own thing in Paris , is that oK?

Part of the whole ABD experience is doing the activities together. Our group visits to Versailles and the Louvre and Notre Dame were both fascinating and at points hilarious. Such memories! If you plan on doing most of your own thing in Paris, you might not want to spend the money on ABD. I felt it was almost a "beginners guide to Paris". If you have been there already and are fluent in French, you might be best planning your own itinerary. Have a great trip, what ever way you decide!

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