Norway Frozen - We won!!!

[katrina1122]

So my hubby got a phone call tonight to tell him we won the Frozen online Contest for 6/28 to 7/5 to Norway!!!!!!!! and we will get the confirmation email/docs to fill out tomorrow

I'm in shock. If this is for real, and it seems to be as he filled out the contest via facebook and our dates match the dates for the contest, we leave in 5 weeks.

HELP! We've never done ABD. I haven't been abroad since 2000 and only Europe, hubby never has. Thankfully we have passports from cruises.

What to pack, plan, my mind is in shock for winning and shock for the planning.

 

[ziravan]

Wow!

You'll finally find out what frozen things do in summer... in Arendale..err.. Norway.

Congrats!

 

[abdgeek]

So my hubby got a phone call tonight to tell him we won the Frozen online Contest for 6/28 to 7/5 to Norway!!!!!!!! and we will get the confirmation email/docs to fill out tomorrow

I'm in shock. If this is for real, and it seems to be as he filled out the contest via facebook and our dates match the dates for the contest, we leave in 5 weeks.

HELP! We've never done ABD. I haven't been abroad since 2000 and only Europe, hubby never has. Thankfully we have passports from cruises.

What to pack, plan, my mind is in shock for winning and shock for the planning.

Congratulations!!

 

[abdgeek]

So my hubby got a phone call tonight to tell him we won the Frozen online Contest for 6/28 to 7/5 to Norway!!!!!!!! and we will get the confirmation email/docs to fill out tomorrow

I'm in shock. If this is for real, and it seems to be as he filled out the contest via facebook and our dates match the dates for the contest, we leave in 5 weeks.

HELP! We've never done ABD. I haven't been abroad since 2000 and only Europe, hubby never has. Thankfully we have passports from cruises.

What to pack, plan, my mind is in shock for winning and shock for the planning.

Congratulations!! Don't fret. Having up to date passports is the biggest thing. The good thing about ABD is that all you have to do is pack, show up at the airport, board the plane, and they do the rest! Someone from ABD will be at the airport of your final destination to take you to the hotel(may be a taxi driver, but they will either have the ABD paddle or a sign with your name on it). Below are my recommendations for things you can do now to ease your mind:

1) Visit the ABD website and look at the itinerary and trip tips & FAQ for the Norway trip. It will give you a suggested packing list, instructions on how much luggage per person you can have, etc.

2) Visit Frommer's or some other website to see what there is to do in the city you leave from. ABD will either fly you in the day the tour starts or the day before. If they fly you in the day before, there may be some things that ABD isn't doing that you will want to do or see. ABD shows you the main things, but...

3) Call ABD with any questions you have. No question is too silly. If they don't know the answer, they will find it out and call you back.

4) Stop the paper, pre-pay bills, etc. If you have a cell phone, call your carrier to see how much their international plans cost. Notify your bank(cc) that you will be out of town and the dates. Get whatever currency Norway uses before you go or plan to stop at an ATM once you get there. Get international adaptors for your electronics. Usually the hotels will have ones you can borrow, but they don't always fit.

5) Enjoy!!! If you have any questions about ABD, lots of people here can answer them. Since Norway is new, we can't answer specific questions about the ABD but you never know someone from Norway may post.

 

[sayhello]

Congratulations! That's really amazing. Please be sure & come back and tell us all about the Norway trip afterwards!!!

If you have any doubts as to the validity of the contest, just call ABD at 800.543.0865. They can easily tell you if it's legit or not.

abdgeek already gave you a lot of really great suggestions!

If anyone in your group has special dietary needs, be sure and call ABD and let them know ahead of time so that your ABD Guides can work out how to accommodate you.

And be SURE and bring hats! No matter where you travel in summer, a good hat is a must.

You're going to love ABD! The Adventure Guides are amazing, and it is one of those trips where you don't *have* to pre-plan activities, etc, because ABD has you covered!

Enjoy!
Sayhello

ETA: DISer Pink Mouse Ears, her DH and friends will be on the same trip as you. They also won the contest.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Wow, that is awesome! Congrats, and I can't wait to hear all about it. It's fun having someone from DIS win!

 

[cajunprincess]

That's great! Congrats! Have a great time!

 

[familygoboston]

Wow! This is excellent! My DH and I won a flight to st Martin once, and we thought that was special- this is phenomenal!

Here are some finance things to consider:
Don't give anyone any money for this prize, till you confirm it with ABD as Say Hello recommended

Also, be aware that the "book value" of the trip will be added to your "income" for tax purposes. This is not money that ABD will collect, but rather they report the value of the trip (usually a 1099 form) and you will need to include the prize on your taxes as income....sounds like, it's for a family of 4 , and ABD's run about 5-6 k per person, plus airfare, so at a minimum expect to pay income/gift taxes on an extra 20 k of "imputed income" for 2014. You might want to talk to whoever does your taxes to make sure you are prepared to pay the tax implications for this "windfall".

Still, getting a trip like this is so exciting! I agree with abdgeek- there is no one better to travel with last minute and under prepared- they literally take care of everything!

ETA: just read the rules, looks like the grand prize is for 2 ARV $12,500

 

[Kristina4109]

I remember several different contests for that ABD trip with those dates. I think DirecTV had one, Amazon might have as well. That's awesome! Have a great time!

 

[katrina1122]

We don't have to give ABD any money for anything. For taxes, they report to the IRS directly... The trip we won is for 2, it's valued at $12,500. We've already spoken to our accountant.

We still have had not contact with ABD, they hired a sweepstakes admin company to work with us for the initial contact, we should hear from ABD sometime next week. The wait is killing me. I have so many questions! The admin company told us the week we are on is for sweepstakes winners only, so yes there were several different ones out there. It's going to be quite a happy group with us, lol.

I contacted the other dis'er who won a different contest and is taking 4 on the trip, but haven't heard anything back from her.

DH and I are stuck on cloud 9, I didn't sleep the first 2 nights.

 

[tstidm1]

Congrats. ABDGeek gave you great advice. I would also check with what the cost of a disposable phone would be while you were there. It may be much cheaper to get a disposable phone at Oslo's Airport than getting the International plan from your carrier.

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

Woohoo!! Just saw your message and replied! I'll see you in Norway!!

 

[starry_solo]

Congrats on the win! Norway is gorgeous, I went there in 2011 through a different tour group (Globus) and it was so nice. I think when you go in the summer, though, it will be very difficult to see the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) since it stays light/bright til 3 a.m. or so.

I remember wandering around Norway past midnight and it seemed like it was only 6 p.m.!

 

[btwiceborn]

I'm definitely jealous. Post pics when you return please!

 

[katrina1122]

In an effort to not post pics a million different places....look here:
www.ourfrozenadventure.weebly.com

 

[starry_solo]

I didn't seen an update on your blog so I'm guessing you're having a hard time finding an internet cafe and/or your hotel doesn't have internet available.

Hope your trip is magical!

 

[katrina1122]

Sorry, we weren't able to update our website www.ourfrozenadventure.weebly.com, while in Norway. Our wifi was spotty and we just weren't able to get anything done. Also, my husband got a stomach bug late in the trip and gave it to me on the flight home, so we've been pretty much asleep the last 2 days! We are off to a business trade show tomorrow, so keep an eye out next week for lots of updates. I've put up 1 pic for now of Olaf on a fjord.

This trip was beyond amazing, I can't wait to share it all.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Super excited to hear about your ABD! Sorry to hear about the illness.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Bummer about the bug, but so glad to hear you had a great time. I can't wait to hear all the details. This trip is #1 or #2 on my list.

 

[starry_solo]

Sorry, we weren't able to update our website www.ourfrozenadventure.weebly.com, while in Norway. Our wifi was spotty and we just weren't able to get anything done. Also, my husband got a stomach bug late in the trip and gave it to me on the flight home, so we've been pretty much asleep the last 2 days! We are off to a business trade show tomorrow, so keep an eye out next week for lots of updates. I've put up 1 pic for now of Olaf on a fjord.

This trip was beyond amazing, I can't wait to share it all.

I thought that might have been the issue. EEK as to the stomach bug! Feel better soon!