"The most amazing thing...it blew me away"

[Spaceace5150]

As for it being a tease......telling all of the secrets of this trip would be akin to giving away the surprise ending to a suspenseful movie. It's my opinion most people dont want that to happen.

The problem with this comparison is that a move is accessible to many people ($10 admission fee). An ABD trip is not (luxury trip).

My experience has also been that when something is hyped quite a bit, it is hard for things to live up to that hype... I say this with the disclaimer that I was not on the trip, so don't know if that is true or not.

 

[AndyPok1]

The problem with this comparison is that a move is accessible to many people ($10 admission fee). An ABD trip is not (luxury trip).

My experience has also been that when something is hyped quite a bit, it is hard for things to live up to that hype... I say this with the disclaimer that I was not on the trip, so don't know if that is true or not.

I agree entirely with your point, however it is my understanding that this was not a typical trip.

There's a trip report on the ABD board by Dolby1000 who took the standard ABD BSM trip about a month before us - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2944501 . He spills most of the "secrets" that occur on the tour, and it's a pretty accurate retelling of the trip that I took, so I would feel safe in saying that it is representative of all BSMs. I recommend reading it if you really want to be spoiled. However, I personally didn't read it until after I took the trip, and am happy that I waited!

For various reasons, ABD did one or two different experiences with our group. However, as myself and others have stated, they may never do these experiences again. Just as you say, it is hard for things to live up to the hype. It is for THAT reason that I don't want to say what happened. There is way too high of a probability that it will never happen again, and if you knew, then they hype WOULD be too high.

Sorry

 

[DisneyKevin]

The problem with this comparison is that a move is accessible to many people ($10 admission fee). An ABD trip is not (luxury trip).

My experience has also been that when something is hyped quite a bit, it is hard for things to live up to that hype... I say this with the disclaimer that I was not on the trip, so don't know if that is true or not.

I think you missed my point.

People who are able / willing to pay have a right to be surprised, whether it's $10 or $10,000 and I don't think we should spoil it.

As for whether it was over hyped or not.....let's assume it was...that way not knowing is not a big deal.

 

[quikah]

I will probably never go on one of these trips either, but I have found fairly detailed reviews of these trips by searching on google. While they might not contain everything, and are not the DIS exclusive trips, I think I have gotten a fairly good idea about what goes on.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I will probably never go on one of these trips either, but I have found fairly detailed reviews of these trips by searching on google. While they might not contain everything, and are not the DIS exclusive trips, I think I have gotten a fairly good idea about what goes on.

As we were the first and only group to have seen/done/experienced these things......I think these might surprise you.

 

[jcb]

I come at this from a different angle. If we had known what was coming when we did the "Tuscan Tower of Terror" (on the Viva Italia ABD trip), the peasants would likely have revolted.

 

[Michele]

Part of the thrill of an Adventures By Disney trip is the element of surprise....

......telling all of the secrets of this trip would be akin to giving away the surprise ending to a suspenseful movie. It's my opinion most people dont want that to happen.

I can see this being the case if I was going to go on an ABD trip at some point and not want to spoil the surprise. But unless I win a lottery (so never) I won't be able to afford to go. It would be nice to live vicariously through others and know at least some of the cool things that are going on.

 

[OKW Lover]

I guess the problem is that there isn't a way to satisfy those who want to know without affecting the experience for those who will be doing the trip in the future. No amount of "spoiler alert" will hide the surprises for long.

I'm glad that the surprises were intact when I took the tour but I understand there are lots of others that will not take the tour and are curious.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I can see this being the case if I was going to go on an ABD trip at some point and not want to spoil the surprise. But unless I win a lottery (so never) I won't be able to afford to go. It would be nice to live vicariously through others and know at least some of the cool things that are going on.

I guess the question becomes, who do we satisfy?

Those who will pay to take the trip or those who won't?

Many of the details of this trip have been shared already. A few have not.

As I said earlier, I don't feel it's fair to share these surprises and I hope everyone on this past trip agrees.

So far, I think they do.

 

[AndyPok1]

Let me be clear, I'm dying to share these surprises. Disney deserves accolades for the great surprises we had. It just simply isn't fair to people who may take the trip in the future.

How about this.... Someone invent a Mission: Impossible style self destructing podcast that can only be listened to inside of a Get Smart style Cone of Silence, and then I'll convince the whole trip to spill the beans on a recording. Deal?

 

[k5jm]

The surprises need to be surprises. And how do you put the Genie back in the bottle? If I knew what was going to happen, the pure "shock and awe" of the experience would have been lost. I appreciate the crew and fellow adventurers keeping the genie bottled, Pandora's box closed, and Santa in the North Pole!

 

[tjevans]

I think you missed my point.

People who are able / willing to pay have a right to be surprised, whether it's $10 or $10,000 and I don't think we should spoil it.

As for whether it was over hyped or not.....let's assume it was...that way not knowing is not a big deal.

I think we definitely have to agree to disagree. If I'm paying that much, I have the right to know everything and not be surprised. (I absolutely hate being surprised; I was once thrown a surprise party and walked out because of the surprise).

If you're not going to mention the details, the "nicest" thing to do in my opinion, is not to talk about the trips. Until then, it remains "it was too awesome to share with the commoners."

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think we definitely have to agree to disagree. If I'm paying that much, I have the right to know everything and not be surprised. (I absolutely hate being surprised; I was once thrown a surprise party and walked out because of the surprise).

If you're not going to mention the details, the "nicest" thing to do in my opinion, is not to talk about the trips. Until then, it remains "it was too awesome to share with the commoners."

I'm truly sorry that you feel this way, but, if this is the case, it's my advice that you never, ever consider an ABD trip.

Whether it's affordable or not, you would be very unhappy, as ABD loves to surprise their guests with wonderful things not listed as part of the tour

We have repeat guests that have booked this trip for next year. It is my hope that they too can be thrilled by the opportunity to still be surprised

And it seems that as you now know that these trips are not for you, because there are always surprises, then the details shouldn't matter.

I would also suggest that, because we probably won't ever give away all of the surprises, that you skip over the ABD segments. This way you don't feel like a "commoner".

 

[safetymom]

I am the type of person that enjoys spoilers for tv, movies, etc. I didn't seek out the surprises for the Backstage Magic to see if it lived up to the hype.

For the Backstage Magic I am glad I didn't know the surprises. The trip without any surprises was pretty awesome!!! With the Disney "surprises" it put me over the top. I felt like I was pixie dusted as only Disney can do. I am sure if you look on the internet someone has spoiled the secrets but you won't see me telling anyone.

Trust me you get your money's worth on this tour!!! No need to be concerned about that.

 

[jcb]

. . . .

If you're not going to mention the details, the "nicest" thing to do in my opinion, is not to talk about the trips. Until then, it remains "it was too awesome to share with the commoners."

Just in case there is any doubt, I could not disagree more.

I also find your use of the word "commoners" quite misplaced. It implies a class divide when the DIS actually brings a disparate group of folks together. We are all commoners.

The cost of an ABD trip is, admittedly, beyond the reach of many folks. But to imply that the podcast team should not talk about them because of this isn't very fair. Going to WDW is beyond the financial reach of many folks. So should we just not have any more DIS Unplugged podcasts?

 

[TinkerChelle]

Let me be clear, I'm dying to share these surprises. Disney deserves accolades for the great surprises we had. It just simply isn't fair to people who may take the trip in the future.

How about this.... Someone invent a Mission: Impossible style self destructing podcast that can only be listened to inside of a Get Smart style Cone of Silence, and then I'll convince the whole trip to spill the beans on a recording. Deal?

I miss you Andy!

 

[TinkerChelle]

I think we definitely have to agree to disagree. If I'm paying that much, I have the right to know everything and not be surprised. (I absolutely hate being surprised; I was once thrown a surprise party and walked out because of the surprise).

If you're not going to mention the details, the "nicest" thing to do in my opinion, is not to talk about the trips. Until then, it remains "it was too awesome to share with the commoners."

Speaking as a commoner, this discussion is beginning to frustrate me. I made several sacrifices this past year to be able to take this wonderful adventure. I also had the love and support of a wonderful wife who made sacrifices to afford me the chance to do this adventure because she knew how much it meant to me. As a Disney Geek/Freak, which I lovingly refer to myself, it was definitely worth the sacrifices.

I also understand where you are coming from. Having listened to previous discussions on the podcast about this particular trip, I was often intrigued by the "special things" that were kept out of the discussion. At that point, I didn't believe this trip was within my "grasp" either; however, I never felt entitled to the secrets because it wasn't just about me.

I hope you are able to be in a position to experience a trip like this or a trip similar to this. I truly do.

"If you can dream it, you can do it!"......Walt Disney

 

[tjevans]

I'm truly sorry that you feel this way, but, if this is the case, it's my advice that you never, ever consider an ABD trip.

Whether it's affordable or not, you would be very unhappy, as ABD loves to surprise their guests with wonderful things not listed as part of the tour

I'm glad to know this. Although I probably could never afford an ABD trip, few things upset me more than deviating from published details. Ironically, giving me less makes me less upset than giving me more (such as when things are closed due to maintenance).

[Don't know how to quote from multiple messages, so...]

"I also find your use of the word "commoners" quite misplaced. It implies a class divide when the DIS actually brings a disparate group of folks together. We are all commoners."

You are proving my point for me. Before this recent trip, I cannot recall the team announcing there was something wonderful that they weren't going to tell us about. There could have been, but they didn't announce it.

I realize my words are coming across too strong, because I respect the people who were on the trip for respecting ABD's wishes to keep the secret. However, if I were in that situation, I wouldn't have even mentioned that there was information I was keeping secret.

While I know it wasn't the podcast team's intent, it is, to me, very similar to kids on the playground teasing others with the fact they know a secret that others don't.

And now, like Forrest Gump said, "that's all I've got to say about that."

 

[jcb]

. . . "I also find your use of the word "commoners" quite misplaced. It implies a class divide when the DIS actually brings a disparate group of folks together. We are all commoners."

You are proving my point for me. Before this recent trip, I cannot recall the team announcing there was something wonderful that they weren't going to tell us about. There could have been, but they didn't announce it.

I realize my words are coming across too strong, because I respect the people who were on the trip for respecting ABD's wishes to keep the secret. However, if I were in that situation, I wouldn't have even mentioned that there was information I was keeping secret. I was always told growing up that to advertise you know a secret is rude.

Without agreeing on your point, I recall other ABD trip(s) where "secrets" were not given away on the podcast.

While I understanding the perspective of folks who would like a "special" podcast that "reveals all", I'm having a hard time understanding your perspective. You appear to me to be saying that you think it impolite to discuss it at all. I just can't see anything wrong with telling listeners that an ABD trip is more than is being described.

But my fundamental point was simply that I hope Pete and John continue to do what they think is appropriate.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would also suggest that, because we probably won't ever give away all of the surprises, that you skip over the ABD segments.

I think this is a good tip. The podcast team will never disclose all of the surprises (else, it won't be a surprise, right?) that happen on the trips. If people are truly upset that they don't know every detail that happened, then it probably is a good idea not to listen to those segments. There are plenty of other segments that can be listened to for Disney information.