Isn't anybody going to post about the gift?

[Miss SD]

Yes, we had Hanneke and Claudia. Sweepstakes winners comprised more than half of our tour, and after all of the press junkets these guys had lived through, I got the feeling they were burned out and phoning it in. When Adventurers were chastised for helping themselves to water, one of the sweepstakes winners said we were crazy for spending that kind of cash for such treatment. My husband agreed, unfortunately.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

We never got a gift this time either

I'm a bit confused as I have done 3 ABDs (Med cruise ABD, Central Europe & Australia) and have another 3 booked. Not sure why we were left out this time.

Should I call ABD and ask or will I get the canned: "we send gifts to random families, not all Insiders get them" response?

FWIW we are definitely looking at other options for our African safari. The list at this point is extensive: Thomson, Abercrombie & Kent, African Dream Safaris, Tauck Bridges and a few others. ABD isn't on the list and probably won't be. I have had a few dealings with them (through our TA) that have left a very bad taste in my mouth. I don't know if it's her (she's not the best -- I use her for the discount booking through her agency) or ABD, but I'm just not happy this time.

 

[carpenta]

WDWGroupie, We are doing our 3rd.Tauck Bridges this summer. You won't be disappointed. Look at the National Geographic family trips also. We have traveled with them and they are first rate too.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

WDWGroupie, We are doing our 3rd.Tauck Bridges this summer. You won't be disappointed. Look at the National Geographic family trips also. We have traveled with them and they are first rate too.

Thank you. I have looked at the TB safari and the *only* issue I have is the accommodations might be a bit too rustic for my tastes. It's too early to say at this point since their dates work well with our schedule so they are still a contender. There are so many companies that offer fantastic itineraries to Tanzania and Kenya that making a decision is going to be a difficult task.

 

[sayhello]

We never got a gift this time either

I'm a bit confused as I have done 3 ABDs (Med cruise ABD, Central Europe & Australia) and have another 3 booked. Not sure why we were left out this time.

Should I call ABD and ask or will I get the canned: "we send gifts to random families, not all Insiders get them" response?

FWIW we are definitely looking at other options for our African safari. The list at this point is extensive: Thomson, Abercrombie & Kent, African Dream Safaris, Tauck Bridges and a few others. ABD isn't on the list and probably won't be. I have had a few dealings with them (through our TA) that have left a very bad taste in my mouth. I don't know if it's her (she's not the best -- I use her for the discount booking through her agency) or ABD, but I'm just not happy this time.

I would definitely call ABD. The Adventure Insider program is handled by an outside company, and there have been several instances that I'm aware of, of people not being added to the lists even though they should be on it. The vacationistas I've talked to have acknowledged this, and taken down names to pass on to the other company. It is *not* random, it's *supposed* to be everyone who qualifies (see ETA), but it just doesn't always happen. There are definitely holes in the process.

Sayhello

ETA: "Everyone" who qualifies is defined this way by ABD:

The Program is open to legal residents of the 50 United States (and the District of Columbia) who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of primary residence who have completed travel on any Adventures by Disney guided group family vacation (excluding specialty departures as Sponsor designates from time to time) on or after January 1, 2005 ("Eligible ABD Vacation").

 

[gberg]

My understanding is it has something to do with customs to mail things like that out of the country. I know they've had a dickens of a time in the past just getting "the box" to folks in Canada. Not that I think they shouldn't still do it, but I guess it was just too much of a hassle.

Sayhello

I can definitely attest to this (I live in Toronto) and Kevin even more so since he had to deal with ABD about getting me my box. He finally got them to overnight it to me 2 days before leaving for the SF / BSM 60th Anniversary trip in July last year! Regardless of the reason it's still kind of annoying. But it hasn't stopped me from signing up for the DIS Halloween Backstage Magic in October!

Glenn

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I would definitely call ABD. The Adventure Insider program is handled by an outside company, and there have been several instances that I'm aware of, of people not being added to the lists even though they should be on it. The vacationistas I've talked to have acknowledged this, and taken down names to pass on to the other company. It is *not* random, it's *supposed* to be everyone who qualifies (see ETA), but it just doesn't always happen. There are definitely holes in the process.

Sayhello

ETA: "Everyone" who qualifies is defined this way by ABD:

Thank you sayhello. I called and the vacionista told me that although I am an Adventure Insider my name wasn't on the mailing list for this package (she had no idea why it was removed). She assured me that she would send a note to someone to have it sent to me. Apparently it may take up to 4 weeks to get here.

 

[sayhello]

Thank you sayhello. I called and the vacionista told me that although I am an Adventure Insider my name wasn't on the mailing list for this package (she had no idea why it was removed). She assured me that she would send a note to someone to have it sent to me. Apparently it may take up to 4 weeks to get here.

Yay! Glad to hear it helped!

Sayhello

 

[DCPhotoGal]

I would definitely call ABD. The Adventure Insider program is handled by an outside company, and there have been several instances that I'm aware of, of people not being added to the lists even though they should be on it. The vacationistas I've talked to have acknowledged this, and taken down names to pass on to the other company. It is *not* random, it's *supposed* to be everyone who qualifies (see ETA), but it just doesn't always happen. There are definitely holes in the process.

Sayhello

ETA: "Everyone" who qualifies is defined this way by ABD:

I have asked about this and was told that I had probably opted out of Disney messages at some point and that's why I wasn't getting them. I have tried to "opt in" again, and I have manually re-entered my info on the ABD insiders page, to no avail. I may follow up with the Vacationistas again. I am getting all of m necessary confirmations, and the trip boxes, just not the insider mailings.

 

[silmarg]

I have asked about this and was told that I had probably opted out of Disney messages at some point and that's why I wasn't getting them. I have tried to "opt in" again, and I have manually re-entered my info on the ABD insiders page, to no avail. I may follow up with the Vacationistas again. I am getting all of m necessary confirmations, and the trip boxes, just not the insider mailings.

me too. i think