The old ABD we all knew and loved appears to be making a return?!!

[Grifdog22]

Maybe I am too optimistic, but I'm actually smiling. Reading the recent forum posts over the last couple of days on trip adjustments based on guest feedback, I was surprised. Reading the post this morning about a concern of the new Germany trip omitting the Teddy Bear program for adults only, and then reading Kevin's posting that he contacted ABD and they added this back in, all in the same day, is simply amazing. I know that I liked the return of the early booking discount, which a lot of us old timers asked for, the new overall pricing and changes to the Australia trip enough to book it. I had walked away from ABD after a bad Winter in Wyoming experience (not the location or planned activities, just the ABD execution). I couldn't find what and when I wanted Australia, so I came back looking, apparently at the right time.

After booking Australia on the AI opening day, I dropped them an email this morning asking for our arrival time at the Gold Coast, as we have an afternoon and evening OYO, and my kids want to try tandem skydiving, which lands close to the hotel on the beach. I received a great, detailed and immediate response. When I booked, the vacationista had invited an email as well as giving her extension so she could continue a "relationship" on with us. It works. This is a very different experience than what we last received, and along the lines of the original ABD program.

I also note that the website keeps getting updated as the pricing is changing. It would be difficult to make that real time. The website seems to be pretty updated.

 

[sayhello]

Oh, I hope you're right!!

Sayhello

 

[TXTransplant]

Having done the Germany trip, I thought this change to the itinerary - that affected only the adult exclusive and September trips (during Oktoberfest) - was a good thing. The Steiff Museum is very juvenile, and IMO, not an appropriate activity for an adult's-only trip. There definitely is NOT enough time in Munich. The fact that ABD has now discounted the feedback of guests who have actually taken the trip in favor of those who haven't is actually a little disappointing to me. I know when I gave my feedback (which actually didn't include any comments related to this particular activity), I did it from the perspective of trying to maximize the value of the trip. I happen to think spending more time in Munich is MUCH more valuable than visiting the Steiff Museum.

 

[Rapunzellover]

TX transplant- I sort of agree with you; I'm surprised they acted so quickly. Were there lots of complainers? But these are people who want to book so ABD is giving them what they want.

I do hope tinkering with the itineraries doesn't become commonplace. Once a person books, it shouldn't change, or ABD should give refunds.

 

[TXTransplant]

TX transplant- I sort of agree with you; I'm surprised they acted so quickly. Were there lots of complainers? But these are people who want to book so ABD is giving them what they want.

I do hope tinkering with the itineraries doesn't become commonplace. Once a person books, it shouldn't change, or ABD should give refunds.

In theory, I agree. If the itinerary changes after you book, then those guests probably do have a legit reason to complain. But this was one situation where the change was actually for the better. If someone cancelled their trip over this, all I can do is SMH, because the Steiff Museum really is not an activity that should make/break your decision to travel to Germany. It's just not that impressive.

 

[Rapunzellover]

In theory, I agree. If the itinerary changes after you book, then those guests probably do have a legit reason to complain. But this was one situation where the change was actually for the better. If someone cancelled their trip over this, all I can do is SMH,
because the Steiff Museum really is not an activity that should make/break your decision to travel to Germany. It's just not that impressive.

But this change-- no Steiff-- was made before anyone booked, so nobody should have booked if they were unhappy.

I was specifically referring to them adding it back. I see no reason to alter the itinerary after people start booking.

It's like the France trip I am booking. They better not add back old stuff now, cause I booked because I like what they got rid of.

 

[TXTransplant]

But this change-- no Steiff-- was made before anyone booked, so nobody should have booked if they were unhappy.

I was specifically referring to them adding it back. I see no reason to alter the itinerary after people start booking.

It's like the France trip I am booking. They better not add back old stuff now, cause I booked because I like what they got rid of.

Oh, I see what you're saying! I thought the itinerary change only affected trips/dates that would have just been announced this week. But then I got confused that maybe the change affected the Sept 2016 trips (which would have been booked last year).

And I agree with you 100%...the people who booked the adult/exclusive and Sept 2017 intineraries without Steiff only to have that added back definitely have a case to complain! Munich/Oktoberfest vs Steiff is a no-brainer to me...I would not be happy with the latter if I had booked one of those trips.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Are they taking out the lunch and Oktoberfest? Or just the lunch? The later is maybe no biggie, but the former? That's huge. Unless something fell through with the Oktoberfest plans?

 

[TXTransplant]

Are they taking out the lunch and Oktoberfest? Or just the lunch? The later is maybe no biggie, but the former? That's huge. Unless something fell through with the Oktoberfest plans?

To be honest, I couldn't exactly figure it out. And until ABD updates the intinerary on the website, it's probably a question mark. I was just surprised at the number of people on the other thread who were saying the Steiff tour was one of the main reasons they were booking Germany. If that's really their motivation for taking that trip, unfortunately, I think they will be VERY disappointed.

 

[paddles]

I've been on the Germany trip and really enjoyed it (kids just loved it).

I haven't been on the France ABD, but I used to live in Paris and have traveled to the most of the places on the France itinerary. Without a car or some knowledge of French, the France itinerary may be hard to replicate, so I'd probably choose that itinerary. That said - Germany also goes to some great off-the-beaten path places, but the France itinerary is really special.

 

[White Rose]

To be honest, I couldn't exactly figure it out. And until ABD updates the intinerary on the website, it's probably a question mark. I was just surprised at the number of people on the other thread who were saying the Steiff tour was one of the main reasons they were booking Germany. If that's really their motivation for taking that trip, unfortunately, I think they will be VERY disappointed.

I attend American steiff teddy events. There are Germany trips of teddy bear enthusiasts from America where the only destination is the steiff factory. These trips sell out. I am not that crazy into bears...but the thought of spending a morning at the steiff factory is a good way to spend a morning.

I am a nondrinker. So is my husband. It is a personal preference. I do not want to be around people getting drunk, or the strong stench of alcohol. The thought of missing a bear event for a beer event...was a negative to me, and yes, knowing the focus of the day changing to include a beer tent, would impact my desire to do the trip. I typically avoid drinking, drunks, alcohol. I do not go to bars. I had negative experiences growing up around heavy drinkers and I do not wish to be exposed to this again.

The new new itinerary, based on what Kevin says... We get up earlier, go to steiff, then on to lunch at the Hofbrau Haus, and continuing to Munich. Beer tent still happens.

The old new itinerary.. Get up later, no steiff, get on the road to lunch at the Hofbrau Haus, and on to Munich, beer tent.

This is a good compromise. If others are so anti-bear as I am anti-beer...they can sit out of the bear activity, as I will be sitting out of any beer activity.

 

[White Rose]

dup post

 

[White Rose]

But this change-- no Steiff-- was made before anyone booked, so nobody should have booked if they were unhappy.

I was specifically referring to them adding it back. I see no reason to alter the itinerary after people start booking.

It's like the France trip I am booking. They better not add back old stuff now, cause I booked because I like what they got rid of.

I am glad they compromised, giving back the morning steiff without taking away from the Oktoberfest pieces. The only change is adding back in a steiff morning, nothing is being removed..still doing Hofbrau Haus for lunch, still doing Oktoberfest, yay!