Is this the decline and fall of ABD?

[sayhello]

I am sad to read so much negative about ABD. I understand that there are two sides to every story, and I am not sure that we have heard the entire story. All I know is our own story.

We have been on two ABD trips. In the summer of 2009 we had a terribly unfortunate experience in China when they were placing people in quarantine for H1N1. We were pulled from our ABD trip and placed in quarantine by the Chinese government. It was an awful experience and completely terrifying. (You can read about it on other threads on the ABD section of the DIS) During the time we were confined ABD contacted us two times each day. One time from the Adventure Guides and one time from ABD management in California.

One of the men named in the complaint about ABD was instrumental in assisting our family during our time of trial. He was extremely compassionate and the ultimate professional. ABD personnel assisted us during the time we were confined, after we were released, and after we got home. They couldn't possibly have provided any more assistance. They thought of things we didn't!

We made no demands of ABD. We didn't assume that because something unfortunate happened to us that we deserved preferential treatment because the trip was so expensive. Part of international travel is understanding that risks are involved. ABD came through for us. They treated us professionally, and compassionately. We were contacted by management of ABD from both Florida and California. They were extremely supportive and helpful.

Our experience with ABD was opposite from the one mentioned in another thread on the board. We are currently planning our third ABD.

2GirlsMama, I couldn't help but think of you and your family when I read that other thread, because I remember reading how amazing ABD were for you when you had your horrid issues in China. And how your experience was so positive with ABD that you went back the next year. I'm glad to hear you're doing another ABD. Which one? (Because I'm curious that way! ) I just signed up for my fourth ABD today (Knights & Lights).

Sayhello

 

[Skatetigger]

I too have to admit I am sad to see so many negative comments about ABD. We did the Germany trip in September and it was WONDERFUL. We so enjoyed our guides, our hotels and the food. We were pleased with all our hotels and didn't find any to be "subpar". We were in the Kempinski in Munich which was recently rated a top Europe hotel in one of my travel and leisure magazines. The guide we had in Munich was a one of a kind and someone we would have not met on our own. Yes we realize it's a bit expensive but to me the treatment and experience you get is well worth the price. I looked at the Tauck tour and it didn't go to some of the cities that we were looking to do so we wouldn't have done that trip anyway.

We cannot wait to do the Backstage Magic tour in 2012.

 

[Miss SD]

I too have to admit I am sad to see so many negative comments about ABD. We did the Germany trip in September and it was WONDERFUL. We so enjoyed our guides, our hotels and the food. We were pleased with all our hotels and didn't find any to be "subpar". We were in the Kempinski in Munich which was recently rated a top Europe hotel in one of my travel and leisure magazines. The guide we had in Munich was a one of a kind and someone we would have not met on our own. Yes we realize it's a bit expensive but to me the treatment and experience you get is well worth the price. I looked at the Tauck tour and it didn't go to some of the cities that we were looking to do so we wouldn't have done that trip anyway.

We cannot wait to do the Backstage Magic tour in 2012.

Thanks for posting your thoughts about the Germany trip. We're going in June (my 50th birthday present) and it's nice to hear positive comments about the tour. I also considered Tauck but I wanted to do an "ancestry" trip and almost all of my family is from southwestern Germany. I wanted to focus specifically on that area, and I couldn't find a tour company that traveled just to that region. (Didn't have time to do the river boat/Berlin part of those trips.)

 

[allforpooh]

I think with any trip where the costs are high to include ABD, expectations are extremely high and cannot always be met.

I agree that we could probably go to Europe for alot less on our own, but as Ido said it takes hundreds of hours to plan the kind of trip ABD plans. With that in mind I decided that it was worth it to me (I would be the one doing all of the planning) to let ABD plan our trip. That way I can actually enjoy our trip and let the guides worry about anything that might come up along the way. Ireland June 25th, 2011 - here we come.

Denise

 

[Grifdog22]

I now somewhat regret posting this thread. It was not intended as an ABD bashing/defending site. I was more interested in people's perspectives as to whether the cutbacks and changes in the last 18 months foretold a corporate change in the Disney management plans, and the concept would be headed for a shutdown, or whether the Great Recession responses by Disney were a learning experience for them to grow on.

To those who answered this in for its intended inquiry; I thank you for your views.

Let's move on to living the Adventures.