Opting out of Group Activities

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

If I want to opt out of a planned group activity, is that going to be a problem? When we did BSM last year, someone wanted to opt out of some of the activities and the guides wouldn't let her. Just want to make sure that was not the norm. We are doing Central Europe and we would like to opt out of the waltz lesson. My mom isn't interested at all and I'm already at about an intermediate level in waltz so would be kind of a waste of my time. Do we just have to let the guides know that we won't be doing that particular activity? We'd rather spend that time exploring Vienna.

Thanks!

 

[Cousin Orville]

It's not a problem. Unless the activity is on the way to the next hotel destination, I can't think of any situations the guides would have any issue.

We opted to skip bicycling in Sydney. Some friends of mine skipped the entire day's activities in Shanghai. My wife and I have skipped a dinner in Ireland. We just let the guides know. Our guide in Ireland seemed surprised we were skipping a dinner. I guess it doesn't happen often. But it wasn't a big deal for them or us.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

The itinerary for the day is a visit to the Spanish Riding School, followed by the Waltz lesson and then on our own time until the farewell dinner. We definitely want to see the Spanish Riding School but like I said, we're not interested in the waltz lesson and it's just free time after it. I'm glad we can skip it. I thought is was a little odd that the guides refused to let this lady leave when she asked. We were out in the main part of the park at the time. Granted we were on our way to the Disneyland Dream Suite but we were still out in the public areas of the park when she asked.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I suppose it would depend on where the group was at the time, where they were scheduled to go, and what the guest wanted to do instead. On my ABD (Australia) I opted out of two activities, just let the guides know.

 

[disneyphx]

As others have said, I think it depends on how it is built into the day. Having done this trip, it would be easy to leave from the Spanish Riding School. I would probably also mention it to the guides earlier in the trip and again that morning.
I wish we had skipped the waltz lesson......

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

As others have said, I think it depends on how it is built into the day. Having done this trip, it would be easy to leave from the Spanish Riding School. I would probably also mention it to the guides earlier in the trip and again that morning.
I wish we had skipped the waltz lesson......

Basically we want to leave the group at the end of the Spanish Riding School tour and just explore Vienna for a bit longer before heading to dinner.

 

[k5jm]

Never had an issue skipping out on group activities.

 

[carpenta]

Vienna is a very easy city to navigate on your own. Trolley cars run all over and you purchase tickets in little machines at the station. We just wandered around off the main pedestrian mall area and discovered many beautiful shops and buildings. By the Opera House you can take a trolley out to the summer palace and tour. It is now basically an art museum but have beautiful gardens. Go for it and I would suspect all that would be required is be back for the dinner.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Vienna is a very easy city to navigate on your own. Trolley cars run all over and you purchase tickets in little machines at the station. We just wandered around off the main pedestrian mall area and discovered many beautiful shops and buildings. By the Opera House you can take a trolley out to the summer palace and tour. It is now basically an art museum but have beautiful gardens. Go for it and I would suspect all that would be required is be back for the dinner.

This is our plan. We're going to get the Vienna card. It covers transportation and admission to attractions for use during our free time.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm glad we can skip it. I thought is was a little odd that the guides refused to let this lady leave when she asked. We were out in the main part of the park at the time. Granted we were on our way to the Disneyland Dream Suite but we were still out in the public areas of the park when she asked.

I think that is really odd as well. Maybe it was just that guide. We were on BSM in July 2015, and I can't imagine they would have stopped us from skipping out on something in the parks. The only caveat I could imagine was if there was a special surprise planned that you would be bummed to miss. But I think the days of surprises in BSM are gone--no more Club 33

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

I think that is really odd as well. Maybe it was just that guide. We were on BSM in July 2015, and I can't imagine they would have stopped us from skipping out on something in the parks. The only caveat I could imagine was if there was a special surprise planned that you would be bummed to miss. But I think the days of surprises in BSM are gone--no more Club 33

The only thing after the Dream Suite was bench seating for the parade and then we were let go. I was surprised when they refused to let her leave the group. Course for me, the problem would have been that had I said I had to leave the group due to a migraine, there is no way they would have stopped me leaving.

 

[carpenta]

Wonderful choice. There is also an historic amusement park called the Prada located across from the train station. There is a large ferris wheel on which you get into little rooms and look out the windows for a great view of the city. If you do go to the summer palace Belvedere :"The Kiss" is located there and worth the trip. If you want schnitzel than may I suggest "Figlmuller" ( wollzeile@figlmueller.at ). Oldest restaurant (1905) for schnitzel in Vienna. The people were so nice to us and the food was plentiful and delicious.

 

[sayhello]

As the others have told you, it's normally not an issue, as long as you're not in transit from one hotel to another. But since the activities are all in Vienna, and you plan to get yourself back to the location for the Farewell dinner, there should be no problem. I've been on multiple trips where people opted out of an activity. And I have twice opted to be left at the last location rather than be transported back to the hotel with everyone else, and again, no problem. I really can't imagine why your BSM Guide did that. I'm sure there was a reason, but I can't imagine what it was!

Sayhello

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

This is good information to know. *If* we do the holiday Peru trip with ABD (the timing works out better than Nat. Geo.) we will definitely skip the rafting. I read on here that people have gotten ill after falling into the river and I try not to get sick on vacation!

 

[SingingMom]

I wish DD & I HAD opted out of the Waltz lesson! lol It was extremely warm in the dance studio and it would have been nice to spend some more time wandering the beautiful streets of Vienna. DH actually did stay at the Ritz Carlton to pack and shower for our farewell dinner. One of the groups decided to go see Sisi's apartments instead of the waltz lesson, because DD had recommended it. At our farewell dinner, they thanked DD, because they felt it was one of the highlights of Vienna for them! I want to go back!!!

 

[WeLoveABD]

This is good information to know. *If* we do the holiday Peru trip with ABD (the timing works out better than Nat. Geo.) we will definitely skip the rafting. I read on here that people have gotten ill after falling into the river and I try not to get sick on vacation!

We did the rafting and it was our DD's favorite activity-- lots of fun and while we heard the same thing, no one got ill. Your choice of course-- different strokes for different folks!

 

[DCPhotoGal]

I skipped out of a dinner in Scotland because I found out there was a Diana Gabaldon book signing just a few blocks away from the dinner. I ended up finding several other guests who wanted to go along with us, and there was a large enough group of us that one of the guides came with us and made it an impromptu excursion on the trip.

 

[ABDGurl]

I skipped out of a dinner in Scotland because I found out there was a Diana Gabaldon book signing just a few blocks away from the dinner. I ended up finding several other guests who wanted to go along with us, and there was a large enough group of us that one of the guides came with us and made it an impromptu excursion on the trip.

I was on that trip and I remember that.

 

[anonymousegirl]

This is good information to know. *If* we do the holiday Peru trip with ABD (the timing works out better than Nat. Geo.) we will definitely skip the rafting. I read on here that people have gotten ill after falling into the river and I try not to get sick on vacation!

My DH and I did that last August. In retrospect, I should have gone rafting. While waiting for the taxi at the hotel, and coming back from using the facilities, I tripped in the garden and sliced my leg open on a shrub (apparently they grow 'em vicious in Peru!). Required 12 stitches and still not fully healed. But DH doesn't swim and I wanted to avoid the possible icky water splashing in my mouth and possible gastro troubles.

 

[RebelHawk]

We are going on the Sept 2016 Peru trip and we are certainly planning on skipping out on the white water rafting trip. When most of the reports specifically point out that they or someone in the group was impacted by some GI issues thats enough for me. I have no doubt that we'll find a way to entertain ourselves while everyone else is participating in that specific event.