London/Paris ABD vs DIY trip

[Momtastic]

Hello fellow travelers! My family and I are strongly considering the London/Paris ABD. We have three school age kids, have traveled quite a bit domestically, but no overseas international travel with the kids. We really want our next trip to be to London and Paris, because there is so much amazing culture and beautiful sights that our kids are the perfect ages to appreciate.

I’m the one who usually plans all of our vacations down to the last minute detail so feel like I would be perfectly capable of planning an itinerary from scratch. But, I’m kind of over it. The idea of having others manage all of the planning and logistics for once really appeals to me. We’ve never done group travel before, and I would love to try it out to see if this style of travel is our thing. Going with a company that is really focused on kid and family friendly experiences also appeals to me. Additionally, our older daughter is mildly autistic, and her needs can at times add a bit of stress and complexity to travel. So anything that can take away from the stress and uncertainty of travel is a good thing. But I keep coming back to the cost and whether I can justify it.

I have seen other threads here lately discussing whether ABD is worth the premium cost. But many of them have highlighted the advantages for more difficult to travel places, and suggested that France and England are not that hard to manage on your own. But I’m curious if anyone who has gone on this specific itinerary can offer their perspective on whether they thought they got enough value to justify the high price tag. I understand that no one can answer whether it would be worth it for our family, since everyone finds value in different things. But I’d really like to know if others who went on the trip were glad they went with ABD vs another company or DIY.

Also…bit off topic but if there’s anyone with experience doing any ABD with a special needs child, curious to know if you thought ABD was a good fit.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I havent done ABD but I lived in London for 4 years and travel to UK regularly to visit my sister. I have also been to France multiple times solo and with with family, if thats any help

 

[IzzyBella]

Hello, while we haven’t done this ABD, I can comment from the perspective of someone who likes to both travel with ABD and also DIY. In July, we did London on our own for four nights before flying to Athens for the Greece ABD. In my opinion, it depends on what you want. London is easy enough to DIY, but I spent hours (and hours) planning, and had to be in charge and making decisions (what time are we leaving, how do we get there, etc.) the entire time. In contrast, I was able to relax in Greece and let someone else answer those questions. And a bonus for us is our only child had other kids to hang out with, and we met a bunch of great people, too.

If you do get to London, and if you’re Harry Potter fans, I recommend a day trip to the Warner Brothers Studios where they filmed the movies!

 

[OKW Lover]

We have done the London/Paris ABD. We thought it was certainly worth it. No need to concern yourself with how to get to the various locations of interest. You get a local "step on" guide that has in-depth knowledge of the country and will relate back stories to you.

 

[aggiedog]

Haven't done the ABD, but can confirm that those cities are easy to do OYO. If you want a happy medium, we used a company, "France Just for You" for two trips to France. They can put together a self-guided tour for significantly less money with step by step instructions of how to get places, hotel reservations, restaurant recommendations, arrange tour guides (our first guide in Paris also showed us the ins/outs of the bus system,) get tickets for places, etc. They do a fantastic job, and had some very good recommendations for both trips regarding what we should do, not do, what time to get there, etc. It is just France though, so you'd need to do London OYO, but without the language barrier, and the good public transit there, that really is not too much work.

 

[Steven G]

I did the England/france ABD. We were only two people, me and my son, so I judge the price for 2. I think it’s worth it. What makes it special are the guides, including the local guides you get. We went during Christmas, so it was a slightly different itinerary due to weather. I also did Warner brother studios on our own, and recommend that highly, before the tour began. My son is on the autism spectrum, and still speaks highly of the trip.

 

[jimmymc]

While I haven't done this tour, there are a few private experiences of places that are normally very crowded, and I think that could help your daughter. You also skip a lot of lines for the bigger attractions. But on the other hand, the itinerary doesn't leave you with much free time, and you get one full day in London. So if there are other things you wanted to do, you would need to skip things on the trip or add nights.

Do you have certain things you really want to do in either city, or just see it in general?

 

[Donalyn]

Haven't done this itinerary (as we did it back in the day OOO, before kids and before finding ABD).

I think that these locations are very easy to do OOO - no language barrier in UK, and limited language barrier in France, both cities have world class metro systems that are easy to navigate and good for getting to the highlights. And both cities could easily fill a week, as there are so many things to see/do. Also, with ABD, you are limited to a select set of highlights - and yes, they are generally the big boys, but here are a lot of other things that may interest your family that are not on the itineraries.

But, like you, I'm the vacation planner. And I generally love it. But I see great value in sometimes NOT having to be the family tour guide - letting others do it for me, and just getting to enjoy the trip, without having to worry about the logistics. And, as PP said - the early entry, private experiences may be easier on your daughter. (I mean, we did the Italy ABD and had like a half hour with just our group in the Sistine Chapel, which is a far cry from the normal shoulder to shoulder experience.)

 

[Momtastic]

Do you have certain things you really want to do in either city, or just see it in general?

Great question. My husband and I have been to both cities prior to kids, so this trip would be focused on hitting the main tourist highlights for the kids and generally experiencing the culture. The only thing I thought was missing from the itinerary was Westminster Abbey, which my husband and I got a whirlwind tour of on a previous trip. We both really want to go back and do another more in depth tour. I think if we did a pre-ABD day in London, we could still make that happen as long as we are not too jet lagged.

 

[Momtastic]

Oh and regarding the Warner brothers studios that several of you mentioned - as much as I would love that, my kids for some reason don’t like Harry Potter and my husband is indifferent. So I would probably get outvoted. (Crazy right?)

 

[jimmymc]

Great question. My husband and I have been to both cities prior to kids, so this trip would be focused on hitting the main tourist highlights for the kids and generally experiencing the culture. The only thing I thought was missing from the itinerary was Westminster Abbey, which my husband and I got a whirlwind tour of on a previous trip. We both really want to go back and do another more in depth tour. I think if we did a pre-ABD day in London, we could still make that happen as long as we are not too jet lagged.

Just looking at the itinerary again, I would definitely add two prenights if I could, just because London has that much to see and do. I would also call and see how ABD handles a family of 5. They list the options for up to 4, but that might influence whether I booked the AbD or on your own.

 

[pjacobi]

Practice your travel skills in a major US city, like Boston, NYC, DC, or LA before going abroad. Once you are confident in travel skills in a major US city, London or Paris is not much different.


-Paul

 

[Momtastic]

Practice your travel skills in a major US city, like Boston, NYC, DC, or LA before going abroad. Once you are confident in travel skills in a major US city, London or Paris is not much different.


-Paul

Thanks, Paul. We we have actually been to all of those cities, and generally the kids do well. I feel like I can do a good job of planning a trip for a large city. I even speak a little French and did the planning for our trips to Europe in the years before kids. For our upcoming trip, it’s honestly more a matter of convenience and stress reduction than lack of confidence.

 

[MICKIMINI]

We did London on our own. Flew into Gatwick, toured London mostly on the hop on/hop off bus and also took the tube and a classic taxi. We went to Kensington Palace (our hotel was in that district), Hyde Park, Harrod's, Buckingham Palace, St. James Palace, British Museum (amazing), boat on the Thames and walking around town. We took a train to Bath which is a lovely town, toured the Roman Baths, walked around town and took the bus and then took a side trip by tour bus to Stonehenge, the Cotswold's and surrounding area. Our son and DIL were there in November and made the mistake of staying in Trafalger Square area which was seedy.

Our son starting going to Paris in high school and he and our DIL have been at least four other times including last May. They go on their own and stay in a nicer neighborhood near the Eiffel Tower and mostly walk. They have done side trips out to Versailles and taken a train to the champagne region.

We found Rick Steves to be the best tour guide. His videos are great and I still think it is smart to have a copy of his guidebook with you for maps. I find that seeing what we plan to tour ahead gives you more perspective so you can be more alert and safe. You can stay at the hotels ABD uses and follow their itineraries. I think as long as you choose your accommodations wisely and know how you will get around, you will be fine! Enjoy!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Thanks, Paul. We we have actually been to all of those cities, and generally the kids do well. I feel like I can do a good job of planning a trip for a large city. I even speak a little French and did the planning for our trips to Europe in the years before kids. For our upcoming trip, it’s honestly more a matter of convenience and stress reduction than lack of confidence.

Speaking as a mom, go with Disney. Yes, you could go on your own. But, this would be the kids’ first trip to Europe. And you want to be able to fully experience and enjoy it through their eyes! Not worrying or tracking all those little or unexpected things that may pop up which you would have to handle, tracking your daily itineraries, thinking about tomorrow rather than fully being able to enjoy today.

Make it a special experience and memory for the whole family, including you. Give them the appetite for more international travel in the future, and maybe you do the next one OYO. But there will be only one first trip to Europe for them.

An added bonus, Disney will take LOTS of photos and those are included….family pictures of all five of you, not four of you with one parent missing as the photographer, or family selfies that don’t quite get the entire iconic monument in the background.

 

[Miffy]

OP, I just looked at the ABD website because I was curious about how much this trip would cost . . . and . . . this seems like a heckuva lot to spend on a trip that you could easily do for maybe 1/4 of what this costs. But perhaps the money part isn't a consideration for you.

 

[wrightut]

I haven’t been on this ABD but I wanted to throw something out there about the group travel - what are your concerns with your daughter? Because group travel in general is not flexible. Yes it’s nice to just be told where to show up and be taken there. But there isn’t any wiggle room because you are generally on a fairly set schedule. If that might not work with your daughter’s needs, I would just do OYO.

 

[Woodview]

As an Irish person here are a few points to think about.

( A ) England ..... Different money from France .

( B) Different Adaptor / Plugs from France ( 3 pin Flat V 2 pin Round )

( C ) Cars are driven On The LEFT side of road .....Not Like U.S. A. Or France
..........................................................
France
( A ) Money is Euros BUT it easy to use

( B ) Some Toilet Areas Might be Checked out Before use ( Women

Cleaning the mens area ) Also A Plate Might be there for Tips.
.....................................
General
Hotel rooms usually have ONE single Bed Pushed against another

single bed to form a Queen Bed. ( Called a Double Bed )

A Single bed is usually there as well.
...........................................................................

To try and do the same trip on your own with a party of 5

will be tricky BUT It might be best to let others do it



.........................................

 

[Momtastic]

I haven’t been on this ABD but I wanted to throw something out there about the group travel - what are your concerns with your daughter? Because group travel in general is not flexible. Yes it’s nice to just be told where to show up and be taken there. But there isn’t any wiggle room because you are generally on a fairly set schedule. If that might not work with your daughter’s needs, I would just do OYO.

I definitely appreciate your point about group travel b/c it’s true that some kids with autism do better with more flexibility. But our daughter is actually the opposite. She really prefers more structure. The other reason for considering ABD is it would take some of the planning and logistics off my plate and (hopefully) allow me to focus more fully on our experience and my family’s needs. She’s pretty mildly on the spectrum, so generally speaking she’s a pretty chill travel buddy. It’s just that when things aren’t going well (we can’t figure out where we’re going, we’re struggling to get a taxi, navigating an unknown subway system) that’s when she tends to get distressed and have meltdowns. It’s happened a few times on trips when the above happened and I just wonder if international travel might increase the odds of this. Might be overthinking it though.

 

[wrightut]

I definitely appreciate your point about group travel b/c it’s true that some kids with autism do better with more flexibility. But our daughter is actually the opposite. She really prefers more structure. The other reason for considering ABD is it would take some of the planning and logistics off my plate and (hopefully) allow me to focus more fully on our experience and my family’s needs. She’s pretty mildly on the spectrum, so generally speaking she’s a pretty chill travel buddy. It’s just that when things aren’t going well (we can’t figure out where we’re going, we’re struggling to get a taxi, navigating an unknown subway system) that’s when she tends to get distressed and have meltdowns. It’s happened a few times on trips when the above happened and I just wonder if international travel might increase the odds of this. Might be overthinking it though.

I see. That makes total sense. Sounds like it might be a good fit for your family then. If you go I wish you all the best and to have a wonderful time.