norway

[jcb]

ABD probably isn't for folks who feel a need to be able to objectively justify every vacation dollar. I don't mean to imply I think with ABD guests pay more for the "same thing" that could be obtained otherwise. Rather, there are just too many intangible aspects to ABD. These can't be quantified, just described.

I'll be the first to admit I can get a "little uptight" on vacations (http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/08/29/bungling-a-trip-to-walt-disney-world/) is but one example. But not having to deal with the stresses that get me uptight (Kevin named most of them) was worth whatever extra the ABD trip might have cost.

Then there was the time the Pope "interfered" with our visit to St. Peters. Many folks had bought items for the Pope to bless (by arrangement of the store). When the local guide saw that the Pope would be blessing the crowd, she ran back to the store, grabbed the merchandise and returned with it for the blessing.

While the Pope was noticeably absent for the rest of the trip, there was a similar intangible aspect to the trip every day.

You also have to remember that the additional $5,000 you've calculated ABD would cost is being spread among 5 people.

I'm one to try to assess the cost/benefit of everything. After our last ABD trip, to Italy, I felt that it was worth every cent.

 

[kristilew]

DisneyKidds, I'm not sure if you've truly factored in the guide value on these trips. Sounds like you travel a lot, so maybe you have hired private guides in various countries. If one hasn't, it can be surprising how quickly the cost adds up. ABDs not only have the constant attention from the two full-time guides, but the addition of step-on or local guides at every location. It is invaluable. When we have recreated this on our own for nonABD trips, by hiring our own guides, it has cost my family of 3 hundreds of dollars per hour. Add in the time saved by ABD's guides joining you as you are on your way, rather than you meeting them, and you are able to fit in three times as many experiences, every day. Every time we finish an ABD, and look back at all we did, we realize we could absolutely not have saved money by doing this on our own.

 

[sayhello]

As the others have said, it really is the intangibles that make ABD worth it. I pay a lot extra per person as a solo traveler, but I still think it is totally worth it. The ease of travel; the attention and experience of the invaluable Adventure Guides; the VIP access to places where others are standing in hours-long lines; the top-notch step-on Guides; the logistics; the sense of "family" that the Adventure Guides instill in the groups. I could go on & on. The silly thing is, you'll know why it's worth it once you've done an ABD, but you have to figure out it's worth it to sign up.

Here's a link to a post where I consolidated some links to some previous discussions we've had on this subject. You might want to check those out, too.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3045636

Sayhello

 

[calypso726]

Disneykidds, like you we also love VGF and own there and my favorite restaurant is V&A in the Queen's room and aren't shy about spending money on the things we find hold value to us. We went through sticker shock as well with regards to ABD's prices and I don't think we fall into their marketing tax bracket for that matter Anyhow, I do think the money is worth it.

I can't imagine doing the Scotland trip we went on with ABD last year with no guide, or even one guide and without local experts. It would not have been the same experience. There is no possible way I would have been able to complete the itinerary on my own. The logistics would have been impossible to recreate in the amount of time. Even the time spent driving from point a to point b would have been lost time had I done this on my own. On the coach I got to enjoy the scenery and take in my surroundings. That would not have been possible if I was driving or playing "navigator" while DH drove. I would have missed so much.

Most importantly though, you can't know what you don't know. Had I planned a trip to Scotland on my own I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much because I would not have chosen to include some of things that were on the ABD itinerary. I would have missed out on what turned out to be the HIGHLIGHT of my trip. The one part of the trip I was least looking forward to wound up being the BEST part of my trip to Scotland. There are unique experiences that you get to have on an ABD trip that no one else is allowed to do, like launching your canoe off of Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in Scotland for example. There are a number of reasons, previously mentioned, to pay the premium for ABD. These are mine. We saw the value and I will continue to find creative ways to pay for future ABD trips.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I travel a lot of different ways. I do DCL European cruises, WDW/DL of course, and we travel abroad on our own. I enjoy them all, but ABD is my favorite way. My wife and oldest son would say the same. The main reason we don't concentrate more on just ABD is I have 2 kids that are too young. I can only take my oldest (for now).

One of the main reasons it's worth it to me is the ABD family that forms when traveling together with the guides. It's a lot of fun traveling with a bunch of like minded friends.

 

[Cousin Orville]

..like launching your canoe off of Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in Scotland for example.

Having been to Urquhart Castle, I'm jealous. Makes me want to go back with ABD just to canoe around the Loch.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thanks for the responses everyone. While expensive, you all seem to feel ABD is worth it, and then some. Furthermore, compared to getting guides on your own, maybe it isn't really that expensive. I can certainly see the viewpoint that if you are going to be taking a once in a lifetime trip to a place like Norway for close to $20,000, what's a few thousand more to make it a much more enjoyable, stress free trip.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Hi Everyone. I posted this intro in another thread and SayHello suggested that I post it here in case anyone from the bay area (or one of the couple other cities they fly out of) is looking for airfare. There are some huge bargain fares on Norwegian Airlines right now, especially in May. They do fly into Oslo and Bergen. The example below was for SayHello who was trying to do a London/Edinburgh route.

Here is a cut/paste of my previous post: "It looks like they only fly out of a couple US cities right now. They have very cheap promo pricing right now to Oslo/Copenhagen from Oakland with a little extra cost to or from London or EDI. They don't fly to all the cities every day though. For example Oakland to London on May 6th is $355 (they do one way fares, which I love)! Edinburgh back to Oakland is only $431.50 on May 20th. Really wish I could take advantage."

DisneyKidds, I think you have probably signed off on the issue but add my $.02 to the other posters. We've done 2 ABDs, including Scotland last year, and it was truly an amazing trip. It's hard to believe but we felt it was $30k well spent (family of 4 with extra days). We have traveled with our kids extensively, and I travel to Scotland very often, and usually hire private driver tour guides. I've done group travel as well. The special touches Disney did on this trip were amazing, and something I could not have replicated on my own (I don't think this is across the board in all ABDs necessarily, so I always look carefully at the itineraries). Archery at Glamis, canoeing at Loch Ness, private charter to Lewis, and some other things I can't mention (would ruin the surprise). It really is one of those have to experience it to understand. Norway is next on my list. I think the itinerary looks awesome. I was trying to make it work this summer, but with other travel complications, it looks like we'll have to shoot for 2015.