norway

[syannlynn]

They suck you in with the best pictures. I have a Norway picture that looks like The Shire. I half expected to see a Baggins walking around.

 

[Tozzie]

I was thinking that, too. I really don't like constantly packing & unpacking...

*Only* 27 vacation days? No sympathy here!

Oh, and Adventure Insiders could book starting on Monday, Oct. 14th.

Sayhello

Yes but I dont get Holidays so if I want thanksgiving off I need to use a vacation day

 

[sayhello]

Oh this is exciting. I've never done an ABD, but said if they ever went to Norway I would. How quickly do the ABD fill up?

It really depends. The Scotland trip, when it was first introduced last year (for 2013) started filling up almost immediately. Some of the departures were close to full within a week or two. Most of the departures, the price started skyrocketing after a day or two. (With ABD, the price goes up as the departure fills up). There's just really no way to predict, as we'd never seen that happen with a new itinerary before.

They suck you in with the best pictures. I have a Norway picture that looks like The Shire. I half expected to see a Baggins walking around.

Well, of course! They know what they are doing! And it works!

Yes but I dont get Holidays so if I want thanksgiving off I need to use a vacation day

OK, that's different then. When I've had that situation, I've said "Only 27 days off a year" so that people like me don't mis-understand and say silly things.

Sayhello

 

[Calfan]

so, has anyone booked yet? I wonder how fast this will fill up since a lots of folks have already made summer 2014 plans. I hope they offer in 2015 aligned with a cruise.

I would love to do a DCL Baltics cruise coupled with this Norway ABD. Not sure how I would pay for it, but it sounds fabulous!

 

[dizneekrazee]

OT: Who are the lucky people in the photos? Random people from Norway? Or does Disney select some random family that gets to test the adventure out?

 

[sayhello]

OT: Who are the lucky people in the photos? Random people from Norway? Or does Disney select some random family that gets to test the adventure out?

Not random families. I'm not sure how they choose who gets to go on the test runs. I imagine it's cast members and their families.

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

OT: Who are the lucky people in the photos? Random people from Norway? Or does Disney select some random family that gets to test the adventure out?

I don't know about the Norway photos, but when we were in Peru earlier this year, we had a couple of extra ABD folks on our tour who were preparing for a press tour the following week. The video on the ABD website includes a lot of shots and interviews that were taken during that tour.

 

[paddles]

A couple of dates to Norway have gone up, so the tour must be gaining some traction. I think if they couple it with a Baltic cruise, there will be even more takers.

Otherwise, we may consider it in 2015 and also add on some time in Sweden and Denmark.

 

[Calfan]

Any Amazing Race watchers out there? They were in Norway in the 10/20 episode. And one of the activities involved RIB boats. Looked pretty cool, and the scenery looked amazing. We already have an ABD booked for 2014 but are thinking seriously about this one for 2015 (but still hoping DCL will be going back to the Baltics).

 

[WeLoveABD]

Any Amazing Race watchers out there? They were in Norway in the 10/20 episode. And one of the activities involved RIB boats. Looked pretty cool, and the scenery looked amazing. We already have an ABD booked for 2014 but are thinking seriously about this one for 2015 (but still hoping DCL will be going back to the Baltics).

And the new National Geographic has a nice article on Norway!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Hoping to gain some insight from ABD travelers. Maybe I'm cheap, or maybe I'm just not in the right tax bracket (trust me, I'm already up there when it comes to tax brackets). We already spend a lot on WDW vacations, including our DVC ownership, and we aren't shy about spending money.........but, I need to understand what makes an ABD trip "worth it".

My wife was instantly attracted to the Norway trip, and wanted to check it out. Well, at $24,000 for our family of 5, which could grow to near $30,000 once we add airfare to Norway, I'm left scratching my head wondering how the trip could possibly be worth that price.

I just finished checking hotel rates for the trip dates, figuring we would need 2 rooms for our party of 5, as well as menus for meals at the hotels. Add it all up (with meals estimated on the high side) and I come to a little less than $11,000. So I'm paying $13,000 for the in country travel, daily activities, as well as Disney's guide service. $500+ a day for activities, a couple thousand to cover a rental car/transport between locals would eat up another $6,000 of that $13,000, meaning I'm paying $7,000 to Disney to guide me around and add a touch of Disney magic to my trip. Ok, say my other estimates are off and would cost me $19,000 to do it on my own.....what is Disney providing us that makes their service 'worth' a $5,000 premium? Not knocking it, and I could be missing the boat, so I'm hoping you can help me understand. Thanks.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hoping to gain some insight from ABD travelers. Maybe I'm cheap, or maybe I'm just not in the right tax bracket (trust me, I'm already up there when it comes to tax brackets). We already spend a lot on WDW vacations, including our DVC ownership, and we aren't shy about spending money.........but, I need to understand what makes an ABD trip "worth it".

My wife was instantly attracted to the Norway trip, and wanted to check it out. Well, at $24,000 for our family of 5, which could grow to near $30,000 once we add airfare to Norway, I'm left scratching my head wondering how the trip could possibly be worth that price.

I just finished checking hotel rates for the trip dates, figuring we would need 2 rooms for our party of 5, as well as menus for meals at the hotels. Add it all up (with meals estimated on the high side) and I come to a little less than $11,000. So I'm paying $13,000 for the in country travel, daily activities, as well as Disney's guide service. $500+ a day for activities, a couple thousand to cover a rental car/transport between locals would eat up another $6,000 of that $13,000, meaning I'm paying $7,000 to Disney to guide me around and add a touch of Disney magic to my trip. Ok, say my other estimates are off and would cost me $19,000 to do it on my own.....what is Disney providing us that makes their service 'worth' a $5,000 premium? Not knocking it, and I could be missing the boat, so I'm hoping you can help me understand. Thanks.

I guess my answer would be that Disney makes everything easier and better.

I always notice the folks in European cities dragging their luggage through crowded cobblestone streets on the way to their hotel or train station. This is never clearer than it is in Venice.

With ABD, you never handle your luggage. It's a VIP experience.

Walking past the enormous line to get into the Vatican Museum is another example.

Having a guide give you the details of a place an it's place in history brings places alive.

I was in the Tower of London and listening to our guide Stephen talk about the history of the place and it was like living it. It was like we were there. That doesn't come from the rental guide you can rent at the ticket booth.

Knowing that if you need something in the middle of the night, there is someone there that speaks the language necessary and can procure that which you need is invaluable.

I guess I would tell you that it's a higher end product.

Why stay at the Grand Floridian when you can stay in a hotel on 192 for a fraction of the cost?

Why buy a Mercedes Benz when a Ford Fiasco will serve the same function for considerably less?

These trips aren't for everyone, but I think they are amazing.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thanks for the input Kevin. Having a guide to bring things to life, not waiting in lines for popular attractions, not moving your own bags.....those are all pluses, and I'm sure you are treated like a VIP. That's the kind of input I was looking for.

I'm not sure the whole 'GF versus I92' or 'Mercedes versus Ford' analogy is a strong seller. On these trips you are paying for the 'GF plus a 30% premium', as opposed to just paying for the GF. I guess I'm buying a chauffeur to go along with the Mercedes I could buy on my own, or getting a Concierge room at the GF as opposed to a regular room.

Is the Norway trip typical of ABD, at about a 30% bump on what the same hotels/meals/activities would cost when booked independently?

 

[DisneyKidds]

I will say, having someone who speaks the language and takes care of everything for you in country would be nice. Of course one of my proudest moments of our trip to Paris was making arrangements with a car driver to come back and pick us up for the return trip to the airport......and he didn't speak a word of English. Disney would eliminate that adventure, for better or for worse!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Thanks for the input Kevin. Having a guide to bring things to life, not waiting in lines for popular attractions, not moving your own bags.....those are all pluses, and I'm sure you are treated like a VIP. That's the kind of input I was looking for.

I'm not sure the whole 'GF versus I92' or 'Mercedes versus Ford' analogy is a strong seller. On these trips you are paying for the 'GF plus a 30% premium', as opposed to just paying for the GF. I guess I'm buying a chauffeur to go along with the Mercedes I could buy on my own, or getting a Concierge room at the GF as opposed to a regular room.

Is the Norway trip typical of ABD, at about a 30% bump on what the same hotels/meals/activities would cost when booked independently?

I will say, having someone who speaks the language and takes care of everything for you in country would be nice. Of course one of my proudest moments of our trip to Paris was making arrangements with a car driver to come back and pick us up for the return trip to the airport......and he didn't speak a word of English. Disney would eliminate that adventure, for better or for worse!

I think taking these trips apart is difficult.

An example would be in Venice. We took a trip and stayed at the Europa Regina.

Breakfast was served outside overlooking the Grand Canal. The price for non-ABD guests was 125 euros each. Thats 500 euros for a party of four.

Would I pay 125 euros for breakfast? No way. Did I enjoy being treated like a king and enjoy my breakfast in this GRAND location? You bet.

I understand that you can find breakfast somewhere else for far less, but then you don't get the same experience. This was my point with the Grand Floridian and 192. You can rationalize that you are effectually getting the same thing (a place to sleep) but you don't get the same experience. And yes, you can book the same room at the Grand Floridian....but breakfast is not included.

Let me give you another example...

I recently traveled to Germany and while in Heidelburg, I slipped and fell backward out of an elevated bathtub. It was a horrific fall and I am extremely grateful to not be hurt or dead. We had a doctor and a nurse traveling on our trip, but I took great comfort that should I end up in a German hospital (which was a real possibility) that I had a German speaking guide to assist with whatever I needed.

I am not suggesting that you book your Adventure based on an overpriced breakfast or a potentially catastrophic injury....but I have to tell you both are things I value.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Piece of mind, ease of travel, and the opportunity for somewhat unique experiences without having to think about the cost. I hear you, and those are nice things. Being new to pricing an ABD, I can't slip the reality that (given my accounting by trade nature) I have to consider the cost up front. There are intangible things built in I would never think of, thanks for pointing some out. Of course, you really did pay 125 euros for that breakfast, you just didn't have to whip out the Amex that morning and cringe over it.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Piece of mind, ease of travel, and the opportunity for somewhat unique experiences without having to think about the cost. I hear you, and those are nice things. Being new to pricing an ABD, I can't slip the reality that (given my accounting by trade nature) I have to consider the cost up front. There are intangible things built in I would never think of, thanks for pointing some out. Of course, you really did pay 125 euros for that breakfast, you just didn't have to whip out the Amex that morning and cringe over it.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I appreciate the input Kevin, I really do. I'm the husband, so does it really matter if ABD is right for me! I just need to let the wife know what she's really getting, if she continues to be interested. We stay in the GF and have dinner at Victoria and Alberts. Now I just need to see if my better half is ready to do that for 7 straight nights.

Do the packages include alcohol beverages, or do I have to pay separately if I want a cocktail or wine with my meal?

 

[DisneyKevin]

I appreciate the input Kevin, I really do. I'm the husband, so does it really matter if ABD is right for me! I just need to let the wife know what she's really getting, if she continues to be interested. We stay in the GF and have dinner at Victoria and Alberts. Now I just need to see if my better half is ready to do that for 7 straight nights.

Do the packages include alcohol beverages, or do I have to pay separately if I want a cocktail or wine with my meal?

Wine and/or beer are included with some meals, but not all meals.

 

[pihanettie]

Hoping to gain some insight from ABD travelers. Maybe I'm cheap, or maybe I'm just not in the right tax bracket (trust me, I'm already up there when it comes to tax brackets). We already spend a lot on WDW vacations, including our DVC ownership, and we aren't shy about spending money.........but, I need to understand what makes an ABD trip "worth it".

My wife was instantly attracted to the Norway trip, and wanted to check it out. Well, at $24,000 for our family of 5, which could grow to near $30,000 once we add airfare to Norway, I'm left scratching my head wondering how the trip could possibly be worth that price.

I just finished checking hotel rates for the trip dates, figuring we would need 2 rooms for our party of 5, as well as menus for meals at the hotels. Add it all up (with meals estimated on the high side) and I come to a little less than $11,000. So I'm paying $13,000 for the in country travel, daily activities, as well as Disney's guide service. $500+ a day for activities, a couple thousand to cover a rental car/transport between locals would eat up another $6,000 of that $13,000, meaning I'm paying $7,000 to Disney to guide me around and add a touch of Disney magic to my trip. Ok, say my other estimates are off and would cost me $19,000 to do it on my own.....what is Disney providing us that makes their service 'worth' a $5,000 premium? Not knocking it, and I could be missing the boat, so I'm hoping you can help me understand. Thanks.

I have read on these boards that other tour companies (Tauck, Rick Steve's) are good and more inexpensive. I would look at the itinerary and see if it offers something unique that would make me want it take the plunge. Lots of special things in some of these tours, I don't remember Norway itself being anything that unique or special, but since I have a trip planned already it was only a cursory look. I would not do anything in the US with them except BSM.