I wish ABD would go to ...

[acndis]

Did someone say that was a recent complaint about the Australia trip? I thought I saw that and meant to ask about it, but forgot about it

That was me. I think the main objection was showing Disney movies on the bus instead of destination specific documentaries and they were not thrilled with the more kid focused games/activities. There were only 3 juniors on the trip (my son was one) and these kids loved each other so this was not a big deal to cut this out. The kids did not really miss it but there are no other real Disney aspects of the trip (except the pins).

I do think it is fine for anyone to express their concerns during a trip and like I said, it was a great group of folks. I enjoyed everyone but there was not the kind of group bonding (aside from the kids) that we’ve had on other adventures. I think that was just due to different expectations. By the time we got to the Gold Coast, most weren’t particating in the planned activities which is fine and anyone’s choice but it did detract from one of the main reasons we do the trips and that is to meet other people. This trip has caused me to rethink our future plans. The group dynamic is so important! Again, this was a great group. It was just very different from previous groups and that may be the nature of going to Australia. It is so accessible and there is so much to do that it’s hard for the group to bond.

Our guides were two of the best and they were amazing! The logistics on this trip are a beast. Still loved the trip but may try some other destinations on our own in the future.

As for Japan, of course, it could end up a Disney bus driver rumor but it sounded pretty solid! We will see.

 

[BluesTraveler]

That was me. I think the main objection was showing Disney movies on the bus instead of destination specific documentaries and they were not thrilled with the more kid focused games/activities. There were only 3 juniors on the trip (my son was one) and these kids loved each other so this was not a big deal to cut this out. The kids did not really miss it but there are no other real Disney aspects of the trip (except the pins).

I do think it is fine for anyone to express their concerns during a trip and like I said, it was a great group of folks. I enjoyed everyone but there was not the kind of group bonding (aside from the kids) that we’ve had on other adventures. I think that was just due to different expectations. By the time we got to the Gold Coast, most weren’t particating in the planned activities which is fine and anyone’s choice but it did detract from one of the main reasons we do the trips and that is to meet other people. This trip has caused me to rethink our future plans. The group dynamic is so important! Again, this was a great group. It was just very different from previous groups and that may be the nature of going to Australia. It is so accessible and there is so much to do that it’s hard for the group to bond.

Our guides were two of the best and they were amazing! The logistics on this trip are a beast. Still loved the trip but may try some other destinations on our own in the future.

As for Japan, of course, it could end up a Disney bus driver rumor but it sounded pretty solid! We will see.

Thanks for the follow up comment! That definitely falls in the "wouldn't bother us" category for me. But I definitely respect that people have different travel styles and preferences.

I think our Wyoming trip will be hard to top for group dynamic - not only did kids bond with kids and adults with adults, but we (and other folks) really enjoyed other people's kids and were joking about stealing other people's kids at the end of the trip.

 

[sweetpeama]

Ones I would like to see just because I would love to share my part of the world with all my Dis Friends

Crow Country including areas that are no longer part of the current area
Black Hills beyond Rushmore. I have done over a dozen trips here and still haven't seen or done everything.
Nez Pierce Trail
Battlefields and Massacure sites of the Indian Wars in Eastern MT and the Dakota's.

 

[sayhello]

Ones I would like to see just because I would love to share my part of the world with all my Dis Friends

Crow Country including areas that are no longer part of the current area
Black Hills beyond Rushmore. I have done over a dozen trips here and still haven't seen or done everything.
Nez Pierce Trail
Battlefields and Massacure sites of the Indian Wars in Eastern MT and the Dakota's.

ABD definitely needs more North American itineraries!!

Sayhello

 

[AquaDame]

ABD definitely needs more North American itineraries!!

Sayhello

I'd love a riverboat/New Orleans adventure...

 

[mamajab]

I'd love a riverboat/New Orleans adventure...

That sounds like fun!

 

[ImprovGal]

https://www.adventuresbydisney.jobs/become.html

Look down at the section labeled "language ability".

*waiting patiently*

 

[AquaDame]

Welp... seems that secret is pretty much out of the bag.

 

[Bobo912]

https://www.adventuresbydisney.jobs/become.html

Look down at the section labeled "language ability".

*waiting patiently*

I thought I remembered a discussion about Japanese occurring before and I found this thread from 2015: https://www.disboards.com/threads/want-to-be-an-adventure-guide.3168258/#post-49488163
So listing Japanese as a desired language isn't a new addition. Of course, that doesn't mean they aren't adding Japan next year - maybe just that they've been considering it for awhile. This could be the year.

 

[tgeorge]

If they don’t announce it this year, I think we’ll all be very disappointed. Waiting is the hardest part

 

[leannak]

I'd love to see a South Dakota trip. My family wants to go there and it feels necessary to take your kids there... but I can't seem to figure out a good mix of activities and places to stay. Maybe they could do a whirlwind USA monuments tour, flying you around to see the Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, Mt. Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, etc... knock all those off our list.

Mississippi river cruise, as someone mentioned, would be fun. As would an autumn New England tour or cruise.

Eastern-Europe (Poland)

 

[Donalyn]

So much to do in the Black Hills of SD. It is a fabulous family vacation. Not sure the ages of your kids, but we did a self-guided tour when my girls were 8 and 5. We drove in from the East. Spent one night in Wall, SD, so that we could backtrack some to hit the Badlands National Park in the morning before it got too hot. Now, to be clear - the hotel selection in Wall is not great (at all), but the Badlands are amazing. And Wall Drug - well, it is somewhat of an American west icon and you should at least try it.

Then we spent the rest of our nights in Rapid City. We used it as a base to drive all around the Black Hills, as well as to Devil's Tower (of Close Encounters of the Third Kind fame) in Wyoming for a day trip. In the Black Hills we did the following: Mount Rushmore, Lake Sylvan and hiked around the lake (it would be cool to stay at the cabins here, but not high end to be clear), Bear Country USA, the Cosmos thing, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, horse back riding, Deadwood and the walking tour of the city and reenactments. In 4 days.

We didn't get down to Hot Springs or the dinosaur stuff down there. And we didn't get to go to either of the caves (Jewel or Wind), as you needed advance tickets for the one we tried to visit which I didn't realize. And we didn't do the Harney Peak hike (can't remember what they renamed Harney Peak recently, but it is the highest spot in the US east of the Rockies and a very accessible hike that leaves from Lake Sylvan).

Note that some of the roads would be pretty tough in a motor coach - particularly around the Needles Highway.

My kids loved this vacation. My youngest discovered a love of rock climbing (from the Badlands, the Needles Highway and Lake Sylvan) that continues to this day. (I have a great picture of the girls at Mount Rushmore in my office!)

A few additional things: Probably not a lot of high end accommodations (we stayed at an Embassy Suites on the south side of Rapid City, with good access to roads south). You will likely also want to avoid a trip around the motorcycle rally at Sturgis, at least if you have kids in tow - due to crowds, as well as very interesting people watching issues.

 

[kaseyC]

I'd love to see a South Dakota trip. My family wants to go there and it feels necessary to take your kids there... but I can't seem to figure out a good mix of activities and places to stay. Maybe they could do a whirlwind USA monuments tour, flying you around to see the Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, Mt. Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, etc... knock all those off our list.

Mississippi river cruise, as someone mentioned, would be fun. As would an autumn New England tour or cruise.

Eastern-Europe (Poland)

Tauck Bridges Cowboy Country tour includes Mt. Rushmore. I believe it starts in Wyoming and ends in South Dakota.

 

[pixiepirate]

I'd love to see a South Dakota trip. My family wants to go there and it feels necessary to take your kids there... but I can't seem to figure out a good mix of activities and places to stay. Maybe they could do a whirlwind USA monuments tour, flying you around to see the Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, Mt. Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, etc... knock all those off our list.

Mississippi river cruise, as someone mentioned, would be fun. As would an autumn New England tour or cruise.

Eastern-Europe (Poland)

We are currently planning a road trip from Chicago to South Dakota for this September. We will make a stop in the Badlands and Wall, then plan to stay just south of Rapid City. Most everything is within an easy drive of Rapid City so you could easily base yourself in one hotel for the entire time. We have a day trip planned to Devil's Tower with a drive through scenic Spearfish Canyon on the return. We also plan to visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Custer State Park and the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. We are looking at the 1880's train but I am not sure we can fit it in our schedule. On our way back we plan to stop at the Minuteman Missile Site which in located near Wall.

I definitely agree about the Mississippi River Cruise. I would also add the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Maritimes. ABD definitely needs more North American trips.

 

[Donalyn]

Pixiepirate - sounds like a great SD/Black Hills trip. You should also stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, really just to say that you did. Another interesting Americana thing.

The Spearfish Canyon is beautiful.

The Tauck trip only has you going to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. So many other things to do in the Black Hills.

 

[pixiepirate]

Pixiepirate - sounds like a great SD/Black Hills trip. You should also stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, really just to say that you did. Another interesting Americana thing.

The Spearfish Canyon is beautiful.

The Tauck trip only has you going to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. So many other things to do in the Black Hills.

I did visit the Corn Palace many, many, many years ago on my first trip to SD. This time my sister absolutely refuses to visit it again. But we will finally make it to Devil's Tower which has been on my bucket list from the very beginning. This trip is going to be a great way to tick off a lot of boxes in my National Parks passport. Cant wait to see how much Crazy Horse has changed since the last time I saw it.

 

[leannak]

I’d also vote for India. ABD could make it so fun!

 

[leannak]

Or... more East coast USA into Canada in the fall. More port stops along the way.

Maybe even starting down in Florida.