New trips are up!

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I am curious, in addition to the early booking, are they still also offering an insider's discount for those who have previously completed trips with them? Or did that disappear some time ago?

I'm curious about this, too!

 

[DisneyKevin]

I am curious, in addition to the early booking, are they still also offering an insider's discount for those who have previously completed trips with them? Or did that disappear some time ago?

I'm curious about this, too!

The return guest discount is not running at the same time as the early booking discount.

The early booking discount is not combinable with any other Disney promotion.

It is combinable with the increased booking discount offered by Dreams Unlimited Travel.

The return guest discount may reappear after the early booking discount window closes.

 

[disneyphx]

Unfortunately the switch from Tasmania to the Gold Coast was a dealbreaker for us.....The Gold Coast sounds fun, but it is a place we have been and are likely to return to. Tasmania is something we have never done and were really excited about.
So new to figure out Plan B - the Rhine cruise looks good

 

[Cousin Orville]

My guess is they dropped Tasmania partly due to flight issues that I mentioned in my trip report. There used to be a direct flight from Sydney that Qantas cancelled that last summer. We had to connect through Melbourne, but the connection was TIGHT. Qantas had to hold the plane to Tasmania for our group. If they chose different flights, you might either be traveling all day with no zip lining or get to the resort too late.

I don't think it should be a deal breaker. Tasmania was cool and I'm glad we went, but I'd be just as interested in going to Gold Coast. Tasmania also had the downside of being cold kayaking in their winter months (June-July). Kayaking in Gold Coast sounds better. Plus they've added several new activities in Sydney and the camel riding in Uluru. I don't think it's a better itinerary. Just different. And that's nice to see from time to time. My only complaint is that they shortened the trip by one night.

 

[disneyphx]

Interesting to know about the flight issues.
I am sure we are in the minority in terms of it being a dealbreaker - I grew up about an hour from the Gold Coast and we return to that area about once a year. Tasmania is a place I have never been and everyone I know who has been there loved it.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Interesting to know about the flight issues.
I am sure we are in the minority in terms of it being a dealbreaker - I grew up about an hour from the Gold Coast and we return to that area about once a year. Tasmania is a place I have never been and everyone I know who has been there loved it.

Oh I understand. I didn't mean to imply it shouldn't be a deal breaker for you.. just others who haven't been to Australia. The downside of losing Tasmania is that it is kind of a difficult destination to do on your own (coming from America with a limited amount of time). It's somewhat remote. There were a lot of small roads and hidden surprises around the island that would be tough to find on your own. ABD always excels when they take the path less travelled. It's too bad when they remove some of these destinations.

 

[Hlee]

So ABD telling me that the early saver discount was a very limited promotion and not available on my trip even thought it has the early saver flag posted next to my trip departure date??? That was very limited if they are already not offering halfway in to the first day of booking??? Am I missing something here???

 

[Cousin Orville]

So ABD telling me that the early saver discount was a very limited promotion and not available on my trip even thought it has the early saver flag posted next to my trip departure date??? That was very limited if they are already not offering halfway in to the first day of booking??? Am I missing something here???

Well that was pretty limited! What trip? I just sent my request through my DU agent, Kevin, a moment ago so I haven't heard back yet.

 

[Hlee]

Well that was pretty limited! What trip? I just sent my request through my DU agent, Kevin, a moment ago so I haven't heard back yet.

It was the Southeast Asia trip departure in June. I can't believe that trip had already filled up its "allocated" spots:/

 

[Cousin Orville]

It was the Southeast Asia trip departure in June. I can't believe that trip had already filled up its "allocated" spots:/

I don't know. Maybe send the request through an agent??? and have them try? That does seem odd.

 

[Hlee]

I don't know. Maybe send the request through an agent??? and have them try? That does seem odd.

It was thru my agent. Lol

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

The return guest discount is not running at the same time as the early booking discount.

The early booking discount is not combinable with any other Disney promotion.

It is combinable with the increased booking discount offered by Dreams Unlimited Travel.

The return guest discount may reappear after the early booking discount window closes.

Thanks so much for the follow up, Kevin! Kelsie (my DU agent) sent me the same answer at about the same time, LOL. You guys are always right on it!

My only complaint is that they shortened the trip by one night.

That is a bummer--I hated when they did that to Scotland last year. I would love to get your impression on the changes to ABD China. We are thinking about doing that one next year--thrilled to see the re-arranged order of cities to enable Shanghai Disney. That was what stopped us from going this summer (we're doing Greece instead). I noticed a couple missing dinners--including one of the fancy ones in Shanghai--but did you notice anything else that had been cut that you really enjoyed? Would love to hear your impressions of the revamp.

It was the Southeast Asia trip departure in June. I can't believe that trip had already filled up its "allocated" spots:/

Yikes, that is fast if that's the case! I wonder if there are only a couple on each trip? I better figure out my China plans!

 

[Cousin Orville]

I would love to get your impression on the changes to ABD China. We are thinking about doing that one next year--thrilled to see the re-arranged order of cities to enable Shanghai Disney. That was what stopped us from going this summer (we're doing Greece instead). I noticed a couple missing dinners--including one of the fancy ones in Shanghai--but did you notice anything else that had been cut that you really enjoyed? Would love to hear your impressions of the revamp.

I'm glad to see they start in HK and end in Shanghai. I want to say when I wrote my China trip report, I was hoping that ABD would consider restructuring it this way to give guests the opportunity to add pre or post days for HKDL and SDL. I think Shanghai warranted more time on my itinerary. It was my favorite city, and we just had 2 days there. Now at least you have the option of adding post days. I do see they took out M on the Bund in Shanghai which is a shame. I would highly recommend a reservation there on your own if you add post nights. M on the Bund is on an upper floor with a large balcony overlooking the Bund and skyline. Seeing the Shanghai skyline lit up at night is an absolute must do. It would be criminal to miss it. That AND HK are the best skylines in the world to see lit up. That's the biggest omission, but you can easily do that on your own.

They've added the Temple of Heaven in Beijing which we did on our own. That's a pilgrimage site for an Epcot fan. They've improved (fingers crossed) one of the dinners in Beijing... learn to like duck if you don't already. Peking Duck: duck in a pancake with sauce - how can that be wrong? Some of the hotels have been upgraded. They were already quite good. Most of the activities are unchanged. I'd just suggest adding more time in HK and Shanghai.

 

[mathgeek]

They removed Tasmania from the Australia itinerary now there are more days on the Gold Coast. I am booking it but can anyone comment if that's a bad change.

Cousin Orville, my go to for all things ABD, just posted on another board that he liked visiting Tasmania but thought the Gold Coast sounded good, too! It is certainly going to be easier (and cheaper) to fly into Sydney and out of Brisbane. We booked 12/20-12/30. I am already excited!

My guess is they dropped Tasmania partly due to flight issues that I mentioned in my trip report. There used to be a direct flight from Sydney that Qantas cancelled that last summer. We had to connect through Melbourne, but the connection was TIGHT. Qantas had to hold the plane to Tasmania for our group. If they chose different flights, you might either be traveling all day with no zip lining or get to the resort too late.

I don't think it should be a deal breaker. Tasmania was cool and I'm glad we went, but I'd be just as interested in going to Gold Coast. Tasmania also had the downside of being cold kayaking in their winter months (June-July). Kayaking in Gold Coast sounds better. Plus they've added several new activities in Sydney and the camel riding in Uluru. I don't think it's a better itinerary. Just different. And that's nice to see from time to time. My only complaint is that they shortened the trip by one night.

I'll add my 2 cents worth having done the Australia trip too. I agree that the downside of Tasmania, at least for the trips in June/July, was the cooler weather. We didn't end up kayaking but saw penguins instead, which I really enjoyed. Also, flying into Sydney and out of Brisbane should be much easier than Cairns and Hobart.

The one thing that's been added to the trip that I would've liked to do was the Taronga Zoo. I just wasn't able to fit it in. But they removed some of the activities that I really enjoyed - biking at Sydney Harbour, surfing at Bondi, zip lining, and the wildlife sanctuary. I also liked having a bit more OYO time in Sydney in the afternoon/evening rather than the morning. I really enjoyed seeing Les Mis, and that would've been difficult to do after the Opera House tour. Also, that first day in Sydney seems pretty booked for a first day, like you almost need to come in a day early just to acclimate and be ready for day 1.

That last day in Hobart was not my favorite day, so I could've done without it other than some of the nice picture stops along the way to Port Arthur and time to pack. The change to an 10-night trip may make it easier for someone to add on a few days in NZ.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I have new info....

The early booking discount is very limited for each departure date. On most dates, there are 4 spaces allotted to the discount. They are disappearing quickly.

The Adventure Insider discount (you must have completed two Adventures) or $100 per person kicks in after the early booking discount is gone.

The AI discount is valid for anything booked between 4/20 and 8/20/16.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

We are seeing several trips now no longer have the ABD Early Booking discount available even though they still say they do on the ABD website.

I have a feeling they may have only allocated 2 or 4 spots on the designated trips for these discounts.

 

[Cousin Orville]

It was the Southeast Asia trip departure in June. I can't believe that trip had already filled up its "allocated" spots:/

Looks like my departure doesn't have anymore allocations available either - Africa June. Son of a....

I'm going to bite my tongue now before I throw out a bitter comment I regret. Have to go back to work anyway to pay for these trips. Thanks, ABD.

 

[DisneyKevin]

John and I think alike.

I'm just a faster typer.

 

[tgeorge]

Well, I guess I'll have to be prepared to pay more on our trip

 

[danv3]

We are seeing several trips now no longer have the ABD Early Booking discount available even though they still say they do on the ABD website.

I have a feeling they may have only allocated 2 or 4 spots on the designated trips for these discounts.

That's unfortunate. AbD not updating their website promptly as these deals go away borders on false advertising. We're talking about substantial ($400pp) price differences.