New to ABD - Booking questions

[Belle2667]

Hi -

We are interested in doing the new 2008 Germany trip with ABD. I've been searching for this info and I can't seem to find it. Someone said that booking one of these trips via phone can take 45 minutes, so I'd like to have as much information myself before I call.

How much is the deposit that is needed at booking? If ABD books airfare at that time, is the airfare due at booking? How far in advance of your trip is the balance due?

Thanks!

 

[Poppins2000]

I just booked our Disney Adventure trip to Ireland for May 08 about three weeks ago, it took about 10-15 minutes. They ask for all the names of the people in your party, their ages, their passport numbers (if you don't have them yet that's fine, you can give them this info at a later date) and whether or not you are celebrating anything special.

You will need to pay $300 per person at time of booking. After 14 days, this money is NOT refundable but considered a cancellation penalty for your trip. Make sure you are DEFINITLEY going before you book.

Balance for trip is due 90 days prior to departure date.

Air fare is seperate, we shopped arpound, found a good deal called Disney back and they booked the flight for us! We let Disney book our airfare becuase if something should happen with the trip, i.e. it's cancelled or has to be rescheduled for another time, Disney is responsible for paying the rebooking fees with the airlines. If you book the airfare yourself, you are responsible for any rebooking fees. Oh, and we had to pay for the airfare in full at the time it was purchased.

 

[Belle2667]

Thanks Poppins2000!

I figured we had to pay the airfare. I also knew about Disney covering costs if rescheduled or cancelled, that's why I knew we'd be letting them book it for us. Nice to know you shopped around and found what you wanted first.

Wow on the losing your deposit if you cancel! We're 95% sure, (we already have a big vacatio for next year but when we saw Germany come out, we were like, we gotta go!) but we'll have to commit before we call then.

Again, thanks for your help!

 

[awatt]

If you want to save yourself time and hassles, book your trip with Kevin at DU. He' s the board moderator. I'v ebooked twice with him and it's been a breeze.

 

[Belle2667]

Thanks awatt, but I tried that already and Kevin said that DU is no longer doing the ABD trips. DU is the only travel agency I use (for all things Disney!) and I've had no luck with AAA, so I will be contacting ABD directly.

Thanks again!

 

[amsae]

We are actually booked for the Germany Trip in July 2008. We recently did a group booking with Delta for airfare for all 13 people in our group. Flying to Paris first, then spend a couple days there and then take a train to either Frankfort or Heidleburg as a group. Then start our Germany trip. This will be our 3rd ABD trip. Good Luck.

 

[mrosen]

In response to:

We are actually booked for the Germany Trip in July 2008. We recently did a group booking with Delta for airfare for all 13 people in our group. Flying to Paris first, then spend a couple days there and then take a train to either Frankfort or Heidleburg as a group. Then start our Germany trip. This will be our 3rd ABD trip. Good Luck.
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I take it you have really enjoyed the ABD trips if you are on your 3rd trip of this type. We booked our first one (Viva Italia) and have to decide soon on deposit window. Interested in any feedback you have on pros of the ABD trips or what your other places were that you went on that you enjoyed? The cost of these trips is alot (we got early booking, value rates which does help but still expensive) and we are going with 2 kids (elementary school ages) but concerned in late April may not be alot of kids along.

 

[amsae]

On our first trip, two years ago, we did the Quest for the West and met several other familes and then next year we all did the Grand Canyon Trip with ABD. Yes, they are expensive, but when you do not have to worry about making many descisions, which is what our family likes. Kids love it.
I would say with elementry age kids, you probably could be pushing it. I think at age 10 is a good age to start these trips. As for going in April, yes, I would be there will not be many kids yet, call ABD back and they can tell you who is booked so far.

My kids where 11 and 12 on our first trip. They are adventures that will last a life time, trust me.

 

[mrosen]

In response to:

On our first trip, two years ago, we did the Quest for the West and met several other familes and then next year we all did the Grand Canyon Trip with ABD. Yes, they are expensive, but when you do not have to worry about making many descisions, which is what our family likes. Kids love it.
I would say with elementry age kids, you probably could be pushing it. I think at age 10 is a good age to start these trips. As for going in April, yes, I would be there will not be many kids yet, call ABD back and they can tell you who is booked so far.

My kids where 11 and 12 on our first trip. They are adventures that will last a life time, trust me.
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Thanks for your insights. Appreciate it. Were you able to get Disney to tell you some demographics on who was going? I have called 2 times and they claim for privacy reasons, they cannot tell me anything about are any other families already booked to go on this trip. I'm not asking for names so think it is strange that they will not help me at all with any details and I'm only asking for details about any other families with kids already booked.

 

[amsae]

I would present it this way. What are the ages of the kids attending this trip currently. They can do this for you, just be persistant. What I do suggest is to make sure to bring the kids DS game on the trip. All the kids had one on our trips and played against each other on the bus, no complaining and it gave them a chance to know each other better.