London / Paris Disaster

[hardcorestitch]

They tried to replace some of them, but with very subpar alternatives and even those didn’t go according to plan.

Arrogance by Disney™

 

[SCDisneyDad02]

Disney has still yet to make this right. If you want my honest opinion, I would look at other tour operators. Disney has had opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to make this right. Their best offer? $250 per person refund (up from a future credit). If it weren't for our two fantastic guides, this entire thing would have been the most colossal let down of a trip I've ever had. Short of Disney comping another AbD to make it right, I won't even consider another one which is unfortunate because going into this one, we were already looking at others. This AbD was supposed to be the highlight of a 16 day London/Paris vacation for our 15 year old's 16th birthday and Disney let us down.

 

[Minnie1222]

In your opinion (and others reading this), should we move forward with planning? We have not made our reservations yet.

I usually avoid group tours since I don't like the rigid schedule. I am a paranoid vacationer (the exact opposite of a world traveler), yet I have no issues navigating London and Paris on my own or with my family. If you stay at a well-known hotel chain, like the Four Seasons, you can arrange airport transfers and private tours through them (the popular tours are listed under "Experiences" in their menu). Their concierge can also help you with other excursions if necessary.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I am very sorry that your special vacation was ruined.

I had an awful experience with ABD on the China / HK ABD I did with my daughter. I won't go into details because I have already done so on this boards, but ABD was awful to deal with and refused to take any accountability. I did end up getting some resolution, but nothing replaces the stress of a sleepless night worrying about missing a flight due to an impending typhoon, in a city where there is a huge language barrier and the ABD guides saying "sorry, the tour is finished, we are done, good luck, peace out". ABD 1-800 number was just as useless. I did manage to escalate to ABD management after many, many frustrating calls.

Then I had another terrible experience trying to get my deposit for the Egypt ABD returned during COVID.

I won't say that I am completely done with ABD, but I think their prices are very high for what they offer and have realized that i) I like touring on my own with no set schedule and ii) if I want to go somewhere I'm not comfortable traveling without a tour company, there are many good alternatives to ABD that don't charge your first born.

I do not think that ABD is going to offer your family a comped ABD.