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.