Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure, but I'm 99% sure that the last day of the ABD *is* included in your ticket from ABD, and will include reservations, even though it's OYO time, and you won't be going to the Parks with the group. Breakfast and the day in the parks OYO is technically a part of your tour.
Yes That is correct, thank you.
That's correct. If your farewell breakfast is in the parks then your guides will make a reservation for that day; otherwise, you will have your ticket already and can either make your own reservation or have the guides do it for you.
On the other hand, if @irlapes switches hotels, they get to experience both. The rooms at DLH are wonderful, so very charming.
I'm going on my second one in July and can report back. My understanding is the backstage stuff and studio tours are different each time, just depending on what's available.
Have done it 5 times now, so yes it is repeatable. Find the Hollywood stuff to be less compelling on repeat trips, but the Disney stuff is awesome.
Have your trips been during different seasons..? If so was there anything special about doing it during Christmas time that would make it stand out from a regular season (aside from the decorations and such, of course, which everyone gets to enjoy). Do they alter the behind the scenes portions to show more of the holiday overlays, or anything like that?
Yes, they were during different seasons, including Christmas time. I can't say that there was any real difference between the seasons other than the decorations. There is a huge difference between the holiday decorations at WDW and those at DL/DCA, with WDW coming off as a poor second.
It looks like the D23 visit guarantees a visit to Walt's office, which the ABD does not.
If all you care about is Disney Studios, the D23 tour looks pretty good. I know people who have taken it and enjoyed it. But it does not include Imagineering, which the ABD currently *does* include. I haven't done either, so I can't compare the Disney Studios part.
I'm surprised you haven't done this ABD trip!
I grew up in Southern California, and still have family and friends there, and have had a hard time justifying/fitting in this trip. I'm sure I'll do it at some point!
I’ve written about this before, but here are my highlight and lowlights on the ABD:
I got they've fixed that by now!
What’s a podcast version?
That's the ABD that included members of the DIS Unplugged podcast. Typically they add special touches that those on the regular tour don't get. They may also alter the schedule to add time to some spots.
