Pre-day Italy

[WDWmom08]

We took the plunge and booked our 2nd ABD...Viva Italia. It took some convincing on my part to sell my DH because of the cost but we're in. I'm trying to keep costs down but I think doing this without a pre-day would be a mistake. Although, I'm a bit confused about how the itinerary is written. Day 1 states that you start with a tour of the Colosseum then a privately guided tour of the Forum, however there is an asterisk that says Guests may choose to visit the Roman Forum either on Day 1 or Day 2 On Your Own time. Then you have the welcome reception that evening. Most of the other trip reports (although they are old) have day 1 starting with the reception and doing those first two tours the next morning. I think if all we had to get through was the dinner we could but all three on no sleep would be tough. All that being said is it worth it to book the pre-day through Disney or just book through the hotel? The hotel + breakfast is $575 including tax and the pre-day through Disney is $807. Do you forego the transportation if you arrive early without a pre-day? Is that worth $225?

 

[sayhello]

DEFINITELY arrive a day early. Not only does it help with jetlag, but if there are flight delays or problems with your luggage or anything, you've got a day to sort that all out. I'd never arrive the same day that an ABD starts.

As far as booking it through ABD or not, it's really personal preference. I never know from year to year what ABD's policy is these days in regards to booking your own pre-days, but I believe if it's to the ABD hotel, they'll still give you the transportation. Last I heard, if it was to another hotel, they'd transfer you to the ABD hotel, and you'd have to get yourself from the ABD to your hotel. But I'd verify that with ABD. Their policy has changed a lot over the years.

Sayhello

 

[WDWmom08]

Does anyone know what activities are included on the first day of the itinerary?

 

[Cousin Orville]

Is the transfer worth, $225? Probably not. You could just grab a taxi or search private drivers on google or tripadvisor. I've used Romeinlimo drivers before. I'm going in March and may look up the price and ease of just taking a cab.

I checked out the itinerary. Hopefully someone who has taken it can chime in. But it does look like you'll have at least some organized activity before the welcome dinner. Perhaps there was a change for next years itinerary compared to past trip reports. I'm guessing the asterisk regarding the Forum is for guests who arrive on Day 1 letting them know they can still walk the Forum on their own time another day if necessary.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I haven't looked at the current itinerary, but I ALWAYS arrive one to two days before an organized tour begins.

First of all, it helps with the jet lag. You may not notice it at first, but you will before the tour ends. As much as you're paying for the trip, you want to be alert and feeling good to enjoy what you've purchased.

Second of all, in the extreme case that there is an issue with the airline or a missed connection, arriving early helps ensure that you won't miss any of your actual tour.

Having said that, there are people who argue both sides of the situation. Book your pre night(s) through ABD. Book on your own. My personal preference is to book my pre nights and/or post nights through ABD because that means less work for you. It will cost more, yes. But it also ties all of your reservations together, and IMO is less work for you to let ABD handle it.

 

[aggiedog]

I haven't done this ABD, but I heartily second arriving a day early. We did a friend and family trip to Rome 3 years ago. Our evening flight from Toronto was 2-3 hours into the flight when they turned us around and sent us back to Toronto. We arrived back there at midnight, then had to be at the airport at 6:00am for the replacement flight....which then left 4 hours late. Bottom line, we arrived in Rome almost 24 hours late at 1:00am.

So, travel delays can definitely happen.

As for getting to the hotel from the airport, it is a hour (or more) drive depending on traffic. RomeinLimo has a good reputation, but there are several car companies I've seen listed on other boards. If you are looking for things to do, I'd consider doing some of the "B" level sights, the ones that normally get missed on the "Must see" lists. We will be in port there this summer and are going to Civita Bagnoregio and Orvieto, walled cities out of town. Or look at Context Tours - it looks like they have some really interested guided tours. (I think I've researched "things to do in Rome" to death the last 3 months.)

 

[abdgeek]

We took the plunge and booked our 2nd ABD...Viva Italia. It took some convincing on my part to sell my DH because of the cost but we're in. I'm trying to keep costs down but I think doing this without a pre-day would be a mistake. Although, I'm a bit confused about how the itinerary is written. Day 1 states that you start with a tour of the Colosseum then a privately guided tour of the Forum, however there is an asterisk that says Guests may choose to visit the Roman Forum either on Day 1 or Day 2 On Your Own time. Then you have the welcome reception that evening. Most of the other trip reports (although they are old) have day 1 starting with the reception and doing those first two tours the next morning. I think if all we had to get through was the dinner we could but all three on no sleep would be tough. All that being said is it worth it to book the pre-day through Disney or just book through the hotel? The hotel + breakfast is $575 including tax and the pre-day through Disney is $807. Do you forego the transportation if you arrive early without a pre-day? Is that worth $225?

I did this ABD a couple of years ago(2014) and it appears the itinerary has changed slightly. When I did it, the welcome dinner was the only thing on day 1. I would imagine they changed the itinerary because there were some heavy walking days so it looks like things are more spread out now. On our Day 2 we did the Colloseum, Forum, and walking tour of Rome.

Definitely do at least one pre-night. Whether or not I book them through ABD depends on how much more cheaply I can book them myself. If I do book it myself, it is always at the same hotel and I let ABD know so that I can stay in the same room and not have to move. I think how much you do on Day 1 will depend on what time your flight gets in. Several Italy flights arrive by 9am so there's plenty of time for other activities. The Gran Melia has a shuttle to one of the big squares with shopping and sites. I took it the day I arrived and walked to the Borghese Gallery. The next day I took the train to Florence to see the Uffizi Gallery. I was able to see it at a leisurely pace and get back in more than enough time for the welcome dinner.

 

[Woodview]

The price of the Hotel is overpriced for 1 night.

Here is what you should do .

Look up the Hotel & see what the price is for 1 night ( Check for 1/2 board {Half Board = Dinner } Rate )

then book it .

 

[mapsd]

When we did Viva Italia, a few arrived a day early & discovered that their extra night was NO CHARGE! Am not promising that this is the norm, but it was a pleasant surprise for them.
We came several days early and took the train to see the Amalfi Coast/Pompeii (would do it that way again).
Try to stay outside on arrival day (short nap is OK too).

Lots of nice lodging significantly less than what you've been quoted.
We are just back from doing Italy on our own and stayed near Termini Station (Hotel Universo) for a fraction of that.

Castel St Angelo is a great stop on your own. Wander Travestere/Jewish ghetto.
We discovered the Basilica San Clemente this time & really enjoyed it as well.

 

[WDWmom08]

When you did the trip were there any activities on the first day or just the welcome dinner?

 

[RebelHawk]

I'll parrot the advise about arriving early. We always plan a dead day before any vacation where we change multiple time zones. And for the pre days at the hotel we booked on our own (using Marriott Reward points). We made a note on our reservation that we would be bookending our pre nights with the ABD reservation that was already in place. They were able to keep us in the same room for our pre days and our ABD days without any issue. Now your milage may vary on that as hotel occupancy could make a room or level of room unavailable for non connecting reservations so just be prepared that you might have to move. But this could save you a lot of money over the inflated prices we have found with ABD room reservations.