Surveys/feedback

[Cousin Orville]

I sent my comments in, giving high praise to our guides as well as for the accommodations and food on our Germany trip (I felt like all were very good). I focused my feedback/suggestions on two things 1) the lack of an ABD-only tour at Neuschwanstein and 2) the lack of communication from ABD regarding the "status" of your trip in the weeks between final payment and departure (the whole "Will my trip be cancelled?" issue that has been discussed at length in other threads).

As much as I loved Neuschwanstein, when I reflected back on it, our experience there was really diminished because we had to share our tour with non-ABD guests. At this price point, and given all of the other "exclusive" excursions/tours on the trip, I was really disappointed that this tour was not ABD-only. Adding the non-ABD guests to the tour made it VERY crowded (we were packed into the rooms like sardines and could not move around to look at the beautiful decorations, finishes, etc. in the rooms). The additional people on our tour pretty much doubled the size of our group (we were a group of 24, and we toured the castle in a group of at least 40). This made it difficult to stay with the ABD group and keep an eye on our kiddos to make sure they didn't get separated. In addition, there was a lot of pushing and shoving by the non-ABD guests, as I guess they felt like they needed to be at the front of the group, nearest the tour guide. After a week of lovely VIP-type experiences, I did NOT appreciate the pushing and shoving! In fact, part of why I'm paying ABD to organize a trip like this is specifically to AVOID the pushing and shoving at the world's most popular tourist attractions. Arguably, the tour of Neuschwanstein is the highlight of that trip, and it was disappointing that it wasn't as exclusive as the other tours and activities.

Anyway, I've already gotten a response back from ABD. It was very polite, and I'm certain someone there is reading it. The email said my comments would be "carefully considered" by "leaders" who will "determine where any future enhancements might be necessary." I have a feeling that ABD has gotten a lot of feedback from guests recently, and I'm really hoping to see some positive changes between now and our next tour (Italy - Amalfi Coast in June 2016...obviously my "complaints" weren't serious enough to keep me from booking again).

As someone who is signed up for Germany next year, I thank you for your critique! Hopefully they'll consider making the change. An all ABD guest tour of Neuschwanstein does sound much better.

 

[gberg]

Interesting Mike. Apparently Val & I were randomly chosen for both the SF and BSM portions of our last ABD trip.

Apparently being a solo traveler doesn't make a difference as I got the survey for both parts as well

 

[Woodview]

To TXTransplant,

May be as the ABD tour was a smallish group they might have added another group or a lot of Individual tourists to make the group to

acceptable level for allowing the tour to go Ahead .

If each tour lasts say 1 hour ...... And each tour is allowed to have say 60 persons in it.

Then they will fill that tour to 60 persons ...... even though ABD might have 40 of those persons.

Remember there are Many tours going every day from All over Europe to Neuschwanstein Castle & ABD Tours is nothing special to them.

It happens everywhere at every large Tourist Place...... And sometimes you get lucky & ABD are on there own

 

[SingingMom]

As someone who is signed up for Germany next year, I thank you for your critique! Hopefully they'll consider making the change. An all ABD guest tour of Neuschwanstein does sound much better.

Unfortunately, that is very unlikely. Neuschwanstein doesn't care if AbD guests are lumped together with other tour groups. They also don't care if you miss your entrance time. There are plenty more tourists to fill up those spots. I seriously doubt they would accommodate a private tour. They are even really strict on the reservation times. That's why the guides are very anxious to get everyone on the coach and on the road that morning. It's that popular of a destination.

That being said, it is a beautiful place, especially when the sun is shining! We were in awe!

 

[TXTransplant]

To TXTransplant,

May be as the ABD tour was a smallish group they might have added another group or a lot of Individual tourists to make the group to

acceptable level for allowing the tour to go Ahead .

If each tour lasts say 1 hour ...... And each tour is allowed to have say 60 persons in it.

Then they will fill that tour to 60 persons ...... even though ABD might have 40 of those persons.

Remember there are Many tours going every day from All over Europe to Neuschwanstein Castle & ABD Tours is nothing special to them.

It happens everywhere at every large Tourist Place...... And sometimes you get lucky & ABD are on there own

Yes, I understand how it works. Obviously Neuschwanstein wants every tour to proceed with as many people as possible in order to maximize their profits. My point in my comments to ABD was that touring what is arguably THE highlight of this particular itinerary in a crowded group of people where many of them are not part of the ABD takes away from the enjoyment of the experience. For as much money as ABD charges and with as much international "clout" as the Disney brand has, it seems to me that ABD could come to some agreement with Neuschwanstein to have private ABD tours. If private tours happen at the Vatican, I see no reason why they can't happen here. My point in writing to ABD was to let them know that I (and I think many other ABD customers) appreciate the VIP access that these trips offer. In fact, it's the no-hassle VIP experience that I'm specifically paying for. If I wanted to tour Europe's greatest sights with throngs of other pushing and shoving tourists, I'd just book a trip on my own (and save a lot of money doing so). In fact, I did exactly that in my early twenties when I studied abroad for a summer. Now that I'm in my late 30s and have a kid of my own, that travel style isn't very appealing.

With that said, I wouldn't let this one issue prevent me from taking the trip. Neuschwanstein is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and even as cold, rainy, and windy as it was when we were there, it was still an amazing experience. It was just a little different from our other tours/excursions in Germany because it wasn't a closed group. My comments were more of suggestions on how to improve the trip more than they were complaints.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

My point in writing to ABD was to let them know that I (and I think many other ABD customers) appreciate the VIP access that these trips offer. In fact, it's the no-hassle VIP experience that I'm specifically paying for. If I wanted to tour Europe's greatest sights with throngs of other pushing and shoving tourists, I'd just book a trip on my own (and save a lot of money doing so). In fact, I did exactly that in my early twenties when I studied abroad for a summer. Now that I'm in my late 30s and have a kid of my own, that travel style isn't very appealing.

THIS exactly. I'm glad you wrote them. I feel the same way, and my last ABD experience (Batlics add-on) was disappointing in this regard to say the least. I said as much to them in my comments as well.

 

[TXTransplant]

THIS exactly. I'm glad you wrote them. I feel the same way, and my last ABD experience (Batlics add-on) was disappointing in this regard to say the least. I said as much to them in my comments as well.

I followed along with y'all's Baltic cruise add-on posts, and they were part of what prompted me to write to ABD. We aren't paying ABD prices to have the "average" experience...we could do that on our own! We want the no-hassle, low-crowd, low-stress, VIP experience, and are clearly willing to pay a premium to get it! If they don't deliver that, then we need to speak up. Otherwise, ABD will continue to raise our prices while cutting their costs (which in turn lowers the quality of the trips) to maximize profits.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I followed along with y'all's Baltic cruise add-on posts, and they were part of what prompted me to write to ABD. We aren't paying ABD prices to have the "average" experience...we could do that on our own! We want the no-hassle, low-crowd, low-stress, VIP experience, and are clearly willing to pay a premium to get it! If they don't deliver that, then we need to speak up. Otherwise, ABD will continue to raise our prices while cutting their costs (which in turn lowers the quality of the trips) to maximize profits.

Couldn't agree more, and that has been my biggest fear lately. I love the ABD product so much, I don't want to see it whittled away.

 

[SingingMom]

Couldn't agree more, and that has been my biggest fear lately. I love the ABD product so much, I don't want to see it whittled away.

Totally with you on this!!

 

[disneyphx]

Wanted to give our experience this summer - we love ABD too, but tried Tauck Bridges for the first time based on itinerary.
Our group of 35 had a private tour at Neuschwanstein. Interestingly to us, when they showed the 'upcoming tour' numbers in the courtyard, our tour number never appeared. Leading us to believe that it was a private tour, not that our group just lucked out in not having others......
We are headed back to ABD next year, so hope the quality and 'magic' is still there!

 

[TXTransplant]

Wanted to give our experience this summer - we love ABD too, but tried Tauck Bridges for the first time based on itinerary.
Our group of 35 had a private tour at Neuschwanstein. Interestingly to us, when they showed the 'upcoming tour' numbers in the courtyard, our tour number never appeared. Leading us to believe that it was a private tour, not that our group just lucked out in not having others......
We are headed back to ABD next year, so hope the quality and 'magic' is still there!

So glad you posted this! I was wondering what the experience was on the Tauck trip, but I didn't know anyone to ask. I was skeptical of the "Neuschwanstein doesn't do private tours" story that our guide gave us!

 

[RSM]

I know someone who has organized private tours of Neuschwanstein and the way they do it is to buy all the tickets for one time slot. May not be the only way, but that is the way he does it, and is now known by the management at the castle. They bundle other things into the day which allows them to charge a premium off-setting the cost of the "unused" tickets.

 

[TXTransplant]

I know someone who has organized private tours of Neuschwanstein and the way they do it is to buy all the tickets for one time slot. May not be the only way, but that is the way he does it, and is now known by the management at the castle. They bundle other things into the day which allows them to charge a premium off-setting the cost of the "unused" tickets.

I figured this was possible, as our guide mentioned it "might" be an option. For the amount of money ABD charges, they ought to be willing to pay the difference. Admission is only 12 euros. I don't know how what the max number for a tour is, but I'd guess it's somewhere around 50. That's 600 euros, if you buy out he whole tour. Personally, I'd rather have a private tour of the castle than the horse and buggy ride down the mountain. I really don't think ABD would lose money if they offered both, though.