Gay and Adv by Disney

[disneychrisk]

Hello, all.

I wonder if any of you have ever taken an Adventures by Disney vacation. I'm tempted to look into this, but the website looks pretty family-oriented, with kids in the mix. Of course, I have nothing against kids going. Rather, I'm wondering if anyone else had a positive or negative experience if you traveled with the crowd of moms, dads, and kids. Is this a gay-friendly option or not?

Any information you can offer is appreciated!

Chris

 

[OrlandoMike]

Here is a blog by Deb Wills, she runs the all ears site....

http://land.allears.net/blogs/debwills/2007/09/adventures_by_disney_reflectio_1.html

 

[tiggr33]

I've been on one, The Imperial Cities (Vienna, Prague, & Salzburg). For background and comparison reasons, I have also done a Tauck tour and many mid-range tours in Europe and Hawaii.

Although I am glad I saw the cities I did, I do not think I would do ABD Imperial Cities trip again. Why - the guides we had were the worst I have encontered in all my travels. The meals for the most part did not meet up to a high end standard. The standout is the hotel in Vienna. Their breakfast bufffet blows away any other I have encountered. I'm glad I saw the sights I did, but I don't feel this trip is worth the price tag associated with it.

I'll also say upfront, I did not pay cash or DVC points for this trip. We (my Mother and I as we are co-owners on our DVC contract) won this trip. But my partner (Padalyn) paid to be the 3rd person using her DVC points.

All trips offer Adults Only bookings. Would I do another ABD trip, probably. In fact I am looking at doing one next year as I have abundance of DVC points to use. Do I think ABD is in the same class as a Tauck tour, no way. DO I think ABD is a good value for what you get, no. Again I am basing this on one trip.

 

[padalyn]

Tiggr33 (my hunny) is correct in all she said - I would like to comment about being a gay couple on an ABD tour.

We didn't run into any bias from the guides. The other folks touring were a little put off at first, but seemed to warm up as the week went along. The photos (very poor quality unfortunately - NOT worth the money) did include us as a couple. We wanted to have a photo taken of us smooching in the gazebo from The Sound of Music so we waited until most of the group had moved on and had another couple take the photo - suprise!! The guide snapped on as well!

I don't think ABD really cares if the 2 folks in the room sleep in one bed or two. However, remember that there are others from all over the place that could be on your tour.

I would recommend that you do an adults only tour (they seem to be offered for all the ABD tours). This way you don't have to worry about the small folks - no questions - adults can be stupid, but at least you can react as you see fit.

I was so unhappy with our tour guides - we have a 3 page letter we wrote to ABD about it. Beyond them - the local guides were amazing. Knew their topics and how to present it. The language was not a problem for us at all. All the local guides were easily understandable. We did get into areas that are not typically seen by the average tourist.

I have to agree with Tiggr33 about the food. We did better when wandering around on our own! If you do decide to do the imperial cities - be sure to arrive a day early - the lipizanners (spelling!?!) were NOT part of the tour. I am not sure they are even going to be around any more at all. We managed to see them at the practice arena and took a tour of the stable (before the ABD tour offically began). It was amazing, and really worth it. I wish we had been in Salzburg for another day, but it was what it was.

I am glad I did it - however as a third it presented many problems for ABD. They are NOT set up for 3 in a room. I was sleeping on a couch in one city since the beds provided were singles only. (Tiggr33 and I are not little people - a twin just doesn't cut it for 2!!!)