Germany trip cancelled

[Theta]

Rapunzellover, did you book your air through Disney? We are flying out of Canada and Disney only books flights out of the US, so I am getting a little nervous since I booked my flights myself.

We are on the August departure of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos trip. It is about half full now, but they still are not guaranteeing the departure.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Rapunzellover, did you book your air through Disney? We are flying out of Canada and Disney only books flights out of the US, so I am getting a little nervous since I booked my flights myself.

We are on the August departure of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos trip. It is about half full now, but they still are not guaranteeing the departure.

Unless you have a huge number of people cancel there is a pretty good chance your trip will go. I had 24 on my trip to Southern California last year and as of January my Central Europe trip has 22 people on it.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Rapunzellover, did you book your air through Disney? We are flying out of Canada and Disney only books flights out of the US, so I am getting a little nervous since I booked my flights myself.

We are on the August departure of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos trip. It is about half full now, but they still are not guaranteeing the departure.

Our SE Asia ABD left with around 20 or so people on it.

 

[acndis]

All of this is making me so nervous about our Peru trip next December! We switched from the River Cruise and ABD made a point of telling my TA that the trip was not yet guaranteed. I took a risk and already bought my air (because I got an incredible fare) but don't have good options if the trip doesn't make!

I am not sure what ABD does about this except release fewer trips initially and add them if there is demand.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

All of this is making me so nervous about our Peru trip next December! We switched from the River Cruise and ABD made a point of telling my TA that the trip was not yet guaranteed. I took a risk and already bought my air (because I got an incredible fare) but don't have good options if the trip doesn't make!

I am not sure what ABD does about this except release fewer trips initially and add them if there is demand.

Nat Geo has a family trip to Peru that goes in December if you need it, the dates are not exactly the same but reasonably close to each other. You can also contact ABD and ask how many people are booked on your dates. That's how I found out my trip has 22 people on it.

As for Disney releasing fewer trips and adding on as needed, this was their business model a few years ago. They would start with say half a dozen trips to a location and then you would see more trips show up as the original ones filled. They don't seem to do this anymore. Now it seems like they release a gazillion trips and then drop them when they don't fill. Italy has tons of trips and the recently released WDW/Central Florida trip has 26 trips over the span of 6 months (one a week starting in June).

 

[acndis]

Thanks! Cind Slipper. I did already look at the Nat Geo rate. That might be our best option if the trip doesn't make.

Back in December, there was one other family and us. We are 5 people. For SE Asia, most parties were five or more so that may mean we are already up to 10 and we still have lots of time. However, the dates are just perfect and our flights were <$700 so I hope we get stick with our original plan.

We are doing Australia in 2017 and that is already waitlisted! I will breathe easier choosing one of the most popular destinations.

In the meantime, everyone think about booking Peru next December!

Nat Geo has a family trip to Peru that goes in December if you need it, the dates are not exactly the same but reasonably close to each other. You can also contact ABD and ask how many people are booked on your dates. That's how I found out my trip has 22 people on it.

As for Disney releasing fewer trips and adding on as needed, this was their business model a few years ago. They would start with say half a dozen trips to a location and then you would see more trips show up as the original ones filled. They don't seem to do this anymore. Now it seems like they release a gazillion trips and then drop them when they don't fill. Italy has tons of trips and the recently released WDW/Central Florida trip has 26 trips over the span of 6 months (one a week starting in June).

 

[Rapunzellover]

Yes, I book my air through ABD. They were very good about the Nashville flight becoming impossible after they moved it up 4 hours. And the Germany/Spain B2B price was so excellent, and they aren't gonna charge me more for rebooking. I explained my frustrations and they have done good work.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

This! I can't believe a year later, we are still talking about this! ABD is just not listening. The fact that other tour groups can make it happen (and offer other perks like guaranteed air fare and price adjustments that are tied to the value of the Euro) makes ABD's lack of response that much more maddening.

It seems clear to me that ABD is being directed by the same mentality that's been driving the most recent changes to the parks...and that mentality is not in favor of loyal, repeat customers. They are catering to the families that are willing to give carte blanche and pay whatever it takes to give their family that "once in a lifetime" experience. If they never come back, fine, because there are more people in line behind them willing to do the same. They are placing no value on those of us who are/were repeat customers, because we *gasp* dare to question when we feel like we aren't getting top value for our dollar.

Our ABD last year was entirely comprised of first-time guests. Many of them had never even heard of ABD prior to booking the trip. And as I posted earlier, at least half of them booked well after the 90 day payment date...meaning they paid top-dollar for that trip. Call me a pessimist, but I just don't think Disney cares if those guests return because they've already paid such a premium for the first trip. From a financial standpoint, I guess it is better to continue to recruit the first time guests who don't know any better and who don't have expectations that need to be met. I feel the exact same way about the parks, and it's unlikely we will be returning to WDW for a vacation. There are just too many other interesting places to visit.

Ditto from me! I also think it's telling that ABD is cancelling a trip in the middle of the summer for low enrollment. A mid-July trip with only 5 people is pretty bad even with the unrest in Europe. You have to wonder whether they are pricing themselves out and/or whether other things like the horrible trip guarantee policy are impacting bookings. Along with some of the other numbers that are being floated around here, unlike the parks, clearly ABD is not still filling its trips up. I have to wonder about the long-term viability of their business plan. With a high-end product like ABD, I think it is a huge mistake to not try to cultivate repeat customers and proselytizers like I used to be. I've said it before, but I'm really bummed about the direction ABD is headed in and hope someone wakes up

 

[WeLoveABD]

Ditto from me! I also think it's telling that ABD is cancelling a trip in the middle of the summer for low enrollment. A mid-July trip with only 5 people is pretty bad even with the unrest in Europe. You have to wonder whether they are pricing themselves out and/or whether other things like the horrible trip guarantee policy are impacting bookings. Along with some of the other numbers that are being floated around here, unlike the parks, clearly ABD is not still filling its trips up. I have to wonder about the long-term viability of their business plan. With a high-end product like ABD, I think it is a huge mistake to not try to cultivate repeat customers and proselytizers like I used to be. I've said it before, but I'm really bummed about the direction ABD is headed in and hope someone wakes up

One thing they should do is stop giving DVC members opening day prices no matter when they book--encourages late bookings, and thus may cause a cancellation due to low numbers.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Unrest in Europe means nothing. Tauck is filling their tours up.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Ditto from me! I also think it's telling that ABD is cancelling a trip in the middle of the summer for low enrollment. A mid-July trip with only 5 people is pretty bad even with the unrest in Europe. You have to wonder whether they are pricing themselves out and/or whether other things like the horrible trip guarantee policy are impacting bookings. Along with some of the other numbers that are being floated around here, unlike the parks, clearly ABD is not still filling its trips up. I have to wonder about the long-term viability of their business plan. With a high-end product like ABD, I think it is a huge mistake to not try to cultivate repeat customers and proselytizers like I used to be. I've said it before, but I'm really bummed about the direction ABD is headed in and hope someone wakes up

ABD is not like the parks or DCL in that ABD relies on outside vendors and other variables. WDW hotels and DCL ships are already there and ready to go. If they aren't filled, Disney can run FL resident or Annual Passholder rates to fill the empty spaces.

ABD, unlike WDW or DCL has a loyalty program. This year, Adventure Insiders who have completed two Adventures get a $300 per reservation discount.

DCL's Castaway Club allows guests that have traveled on five cruises the opportunity to pay full price one day ahead of other guests when new cruises are released.

WDW has no loyalty program at all.

2017 dates are not out for WDW or most of DCL as of yet. WDW will allow you to book room 500 days out, but won't tell you the price until 2017 dates are released.

ABD and DCL are now under one management and we are seeing ABD use DCL policies.

We have seen the deposit amount change to match DCL. Travel insurance change from a flat rate to 8% of the Adventure, just like DCL.

I am always sorry that anyone's plans get changed / canceled, but I am not sure that we ever know the real reason that Adventures are cancelled.

ABD / Disney is not really good about sharing information that isn't "Disney" friendly.

This Germany trip could have been canceled for any number of reasons.

Any one of the vendors / hotels on this Adventure could have backed out for the week in question.

While ABD might take 15 or 20 rooms, a convention may have booked the entire hotel. This is not unique to ABD and this is just one example.

Again...I am sorry that anyone loses their plans. Planning a trip is time consuming and having the trip canceled makes that wasted time.

 

[Rapunzellover]

I didn't mean to start a ABD complaint thread. I just wanted to share what happened. And ABD has been FANTASTIC in handling this. Absolutely great. No large company is without it's problems/bad service. I don't think anybody's issues should scare people away. These issues are there for every company, no matter what. ‎

 

[tgeorge]

I never took this thread as you complaining. If anything, it has been really helpful (to me at least) to know how ABD is handling your situation and I think they are being very fair. Are you upset, sure, who wouldn't be? But, I understand it is a business and they have to operate the best they can and it probably won't always be in my favor. I'm glad you're happy with how they are handling it. I think that is the most any of us can hope for. It won't stop me from booking ABD in the future.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Yeah, they're not even gonna charge me more for air if I can't rebook this year and need to do 2017. Waiting to hear if they're gonna honor the land price if I rebook 2017.

To me, this has been good service.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Yeah, they're not even gonna charge me more for air if I can't rebook this year and need to do 2017. Waiting to hear if they're gonna honor the land price if I rebook 2017.

To me, this has been good service.

That's great to hear. So, are you planning on still doing the Germany ABD, but a different date? What are your plans after Spain now?

 

[Rapunzellover]

That's great to hear. So, are you planning on still doing the Germany ABD, but a different date? What are your plans after
Spain now?

Yes, Germany is gonna get rebooked. I just don't know when. I wanted to keep back to back by doing Germany on your tour dates, but changing Spain wasn't possible.

 

[Rapunzellover]

There's only one date that will work this year, and I have to see if it'll fit work wise. If not, thenn it will just be Spain this year. Bummed but I figure it's meant to be this way.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Yes, Germany is gonna get rebooked. I just don't know when. I wanted to keep back to back by doing Germany on your tour dates, but changing Spain wasn't possible.

That's too bad. I'm sure Spain will be wonderful though.

There's only one date that will work this year, and I have to see if it'll fit work wise. If not, thenn it will just be Spain this year. Bummed but I figure it's meant to be this way.

When is Spain, again?

 

[Rapunzellover]

July 23

 

[Cousin Orville]

July 23

Are you open to switching destinations? Norway has similar dates to the cancelled Germany ABD and would still allow for a B2B.