What do people think about ABD?

[AdamEfimoff]

compared to other group tours?
private tours?
an by yourself?

 

[BadPinkTink]

I had a look at ABD for my country Ireland awhile ago. Honestly for first time visitors to Ireland, I dont think it gives a good overview of the country. There is so much more to see and do. I feel that the ABD Ireland tour is a very sanitised, very stereotypical Hollywood view of my county. We have so much history, so much culture so much more than whats on the tour. Also it seems very overpriced for what they are offering.

Its not that I'm against group travel, I have done a bus tour around Europe with a company and my mum does alot of group tours, both in Ireland and in Canada and America. Its just the contents of the ABD tour that to me is not something I would do for visitors who come here for the first time.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I am just going to give some context. I never understood group tour. I never understood doing a group trip. When I love plan and deciding where to go. Its what I do . I also love going to Michelin dining as I am a kitchen hand in a top venture in Brisbane. I love molecular cuisine. I feel also I will loose control of what I can do and see when I go on a group tour. Also when you go by yourself you can select the hotel. But having said all that I am open to seeing if I should do an abd tour or any tour. I love museums and culture. I also love tours that are authentic. I love dining that is local and authentic rather than touristic. But would love to know if you can do this on a group tour partially south africa? I am asking because of the danger element. I had a look at WildChina and found them to be much more authentic then many other operators is this true of ABD

 

[AdamEfimoff]

@WebmasterAlex @WebmasterJohn @DisneyKevin Please delete if not suitable

 

[calypso726]

compared to other group tours?
private tours?
an by yourself?

I absolutely love ABD. That doesn't mean I am not critical though. I love the fact that I feel totally safe because it IS Disney. I wold not be inclined to do China in 2018 on my own. I like that the highlights of a country and logistics of getting to each place is something I don't have to concern myself with. I like that the people on an ABD trip tend to be like minded ( enjoy Disney) and very friendly. I am a complete introvert unless I'm in my "Disney bubble" so to speak. The ABD guides are amazing! There is no explaining the value they bring to the trip. There are no words or examples that could suffice. It's something you have to experience in order to "get it". For years I read about how great the ABD guides were on this forum and still thought it was very expensive and didn't get what people were trying to explain. That is, until I went on my first ABD. Zoe and Hanneke set the bar very high and it was on that trip with them that I thought, "Oh, I get it now." DH figured that trip would be a one time thing because of the cost. This was back in 2013. When this year is over we will have completed 8 ABDs. We feel they are worth it. We haven't done any other group tours but are open to it if ABD doesn't have the dates or itinerary I want and I am not in the mood to plan everything.

I've done private tours and come to find the guides are what make or break then for me. We did a private tour in Scotland right before our ABD trip started and did a private tour in Iceland while in port on the Norway Iceland Scotland Disney cruise last year. I enjoyed my private tour in Scotland better than Iceland because of the guide. That said, Iceland was way more amazing with what we saw and did but the guide was not as good as my Scotland guide or the ABD guides. We are doing a private tour in Ireland before our next ABD as a pre-trip and I hope the guide is amazing. I told the tour operator that the guide will be the most important part of my trip with them. I think I've become a guide snob

By yourself" BTDT and it is exhausting because I am a perfectionist but I still do it from time to time.

 

[engle]

I am a serious vacation planner. I have been to every corner of the United States and been on and off the path! My first big venture out of US was on ABD China. We were very pleased. This summer we are headed on the Danube River cruise. We are spending a few days in Warsaw with our friends prior and the planning of that has been more than I bargained for. Our friends are from Poland but never been to Warsaw. They have left the planning to me. But without them, I'd be a little lost. Anywhere there is a language barrier, I think group travel is a great thing. I know the expense of the China trip was huge but when we priced it out ourselves, it was far more. I'm thinking they got special hotel and airline rates you can't get yourself. We did do an extra day on our own in Beijing prior to that trip and hired a private guide to take us a few places that were "more authentic". We love ABD for more reasons than the trip locations....the service, the safety, the access to attractions. It's more than just the sights they take you on...you have a non stop person or persons that can answer pretty much any question you have about the sights and the country. You would never get that on your own. You will never get swindled, you will never be left high and dry, you will rarely wait in a line, you never move your luggage, you never check into a flight, you never have to figure time into travel, you never have to settle a bill at the end of a meal, and if you want to do more off the beaten path things, there is usually time here and there. I would go to certain places on my own, but for me, ABD is awesome for oversees travel. Now this is just a comment on group travel, not as compared to other companies as I am a loyalist I guess. I have looked at Tauck. ABD needs to get a Japan trip.....

 

[ldo]

I will speak for Europe. For a family of 6, I cannot justify the price. With the internet, it is easy to plan a trip and research it down to the exact minute the local bus comes by your hotel, even with a photo of what the bus stop looks like. So, you can totally plan and, for the most part, even purchase train, museum, etc. tickets, from your kitchen ahead of time. I use viator.com to research what tours are offered for cities I want to visit. Sometimes, I use one of their day tours when the logistics are better, and I want a worry-free day tour.
I have planned 5 trips. But, the amount of research I did was more time spent that actually being on the trip. OTOH, we went on a full day tour in Russia on a cruise. I maybe spent 1 hour looking online at the places we were going to see. Everything was oraganized for us. No worries about how to get from A to B or where to eat, etc. I didn't even realize that the Hermitage was in the Winter Palace until I got there. I imagine ABD (or another tour group) is like that--worry-free and you can plan/research ahead of time or not. For someone super busy or uncomfortable with DIY, a group tour would make sense. I would also like the comradery of a DCL group, and if I had a single child, that would be very appealing. It can also be more fun as a couple to travel in a group. If I were elderly, I would also want a group for safety.
But, I enjoy researching and reading about history, culture, etc. and I am good at logistics. So, planning a trip is a hobby for me. We take a family of 6 and I can do a week-long cruise and 2 weeks DIY land for about $13K, excluding airfare. So, if you are comfortable with trains on your own, taking public transit, etc., then Europe is very easy. OTOH, I would never embark on going to S. America or China on my own.

 

[scottmel]

I am a total vacationer planner myself type of person. Love planning every detail. That being said we did ABD BSM SoCAl last summer and loved it. We are doing ABC NYC next month. I honestly enjoyed backstage so much b/c I didn't have to plan for once (though I did add on several days and got my planning fix that way). We are not really group people and I was concerned how I would feel if people ran late or were slow etc. Not a worry at all. Everyone super on the ball and guides were great. I feel the things you experience would be hard to replicate on your own and we really enjoyed the ease of the trip.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

We did the Southern California DL trip in Feb 2015. It was a great trip. It had some issues, which I won't get into here but overall it was a good trip and exactly what it was advertised to be. We're booked on the Austria, Germany and Czech Republic trip this coming September. We have found that we have to look at each trip on a trip by trip basis and compare them to similar trips offered by comparable tour companies. We were interested in the South East Asia trip so we compared it to one being offered by another company. Ultimately we chose to book with the alternate company because we prefer to travel on adult only trips and there were no adult exclusive trips offered to South East Asia by ABD. Disney has really reduced the number of Adult Exclusive trips and this is a big thing for us as we do not want to travel with children so this really limits us in which trips we can take with ABD.

 

[seashell7290]

I was skeptical of ABD because of the price but after returning from the London/Paris trip, I understand. I had a limited amount of time I could take off so the itinerary fit perfectly. We waited in no lines at some of the busiest tourist attractions in Europe. I'm talking a 2 hour line in Versailles as an example. If I planned it myself I would have needed atleast 2 weeks to cover the itinerary. The guides were wonderful and any question I had was answered. It was a worry free trip and I am glad I traveled with Disney.

 

[Cousin Orville]

For anyone interested there are also many replies in the thread: Is ABD worth the $$$?

We travel in many different ways depending on where we're going, who's traveling, and how long we have. Price is obviously subjective, but for me ABD's are worth it and are consistently my favorite trips. I definitely enjoy traveling without groups as well. It's just different. Traveling on our own is more leisurely and paced. It also require more coordination and usually involves fewer destinations and activities. There's pro's and con's to each. I think it's unfair to suggest ABD offers a watered down or sanitized view of a country. There are many experiences with locals and out of the way activities that were just not realistic to coordinate on my own. In China, how are you going to arrange to go inside someone's home in a local Hutong to learn how to make a Chinese silk knot? Or talk to a sheep farmer in Ireland and ask them about how to grade the quality lamb for restaurants who they're selling it to? Or visit an entrepreneur in the middle of nowhere Tasmania running a farm and splitting her time between 2 continents. Traveling on your own is wonderful and has its own perks, but it doesn't leave you with a more profound view of a culture. In regard to restaurants, I can absolutely assure you one can do Michelin restaurants just as well on an ABD as on their own, because we have. We did in Paris, Dublin, and considered doing so in Australia and China but declined because it was just me and my 10yo son. My wife and I have a 1 and 2-star reservations on our upcoming Italy/Switzerland booked in Milan. As long as you're in the right city, you can eat out Michelin style just as well as grabbing a pizza (which I equally love).

If anyone has an interest in ABD but are yet unsure, I'd just suggest trying it. It's one vacation out of hopefully many future trips to come. The odds are you will actually be surprised how much you'll love it.

 

[JJZMgailey]

@WebmasterAlex @WebmasterJohn @DisneyKevin Please delete if not suitable

This is a great topic, Adam. No worries!

 

[85glht]

We have done two ABD trips.... Southern Cali and Alaska. We really liked the Southern Cali trip. We went into places that were inaccessible to anyone i.e.; Imagineering, Walt Disney Studios etc.... except for us, the tour group.


Alaska on the other hand.... Most places we visited we could have done on our own, too many hours spent on a bus.
Not too many negatives but I know we wouldn't do this trip again. Southern California is on our radar (again) when Star Wars Land is complete. Definitely will do that tour again.

The guides we had on both trips were awesome. One of the guides we had on both trips... Summer Rose was her name.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Group travel is a great way to get comfortably used to a country you've never visited. And having assistance in case of emergency is so helpful. Especially if there's a language barrier.

Is ABD worth it? I've done 3, have 4&5 in July/August and 6&7 scheduled next year. I find I like their itineraries, hotels, etc. And find it's way less stressful to have a package arranged. Viator is good for booking excursions, but traveling between cities, etc., is a hassle. I like having transportation worked out. I like that in case of something cropping up and necessitating a change in the schedule, I don't have to worry about it. My vacation is a vacation. Not a chore. Lines are typically avoided, the guides give recommendations for shopping, food, etc. They know where the bathrooms are, give special treats, and you get to meet interesting people. The companies and local guides are top notch. It's all very worth it to me.

As for sanitation, and sanitized views of a country, that's the nature of tourism, isn't it? When I visit a place the first time, I want to see the main sights. Not back alley off the beaten path locales. My visit to Italy, for example: I want to see the historic places; why would I spend thousands traveling to Rome and skip places like the Vatican for more "authentic" everyday experiences?

 

[Tozzie]

I love ABD because I dont want to sit at my computer and plan the trip, i like not to have to worry about the details, I have an extremely stressful job and when I get on the plane I am very happy that the next week of my life is planned for me. unfortunately after 7 abd's my abd days may be over due to health issued caused by someone else. Time will tell weather I can do another ABD I hope i will be able to otherwise I am happy for the memories the 7 I have taken have given me

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I have always considered group travel to be like an on rails section of a game and sadly fake. Mum gave me an alternation either go in a group to South Africa or not go. I chose to not go. Never understood group travel. I enjoy planning am I an idiot ? I consider Cruises to be the same. I am trying really hard to understand such travel but am failing? any help

Group travel is a great way to get comfortably used to a country you've never visited. And having assistance in case of emergency is so helpful. Especially if there's a language barrier.

Is ABD worth it? I've done 3, have 4&5 in July/August and 6&7 scheduled next year. I find I like their itineraries, hotels, etc. And find it's way less stressful to have a package arranged. Viator is good for booking excursions, but traveling between cities, etc., is a hassle. I like having transportation worked out. I like that in case of something cropping up and necessitating a change in the schedule, I don't have to worry about it. My vacation is a vacation. Not a chore. Lines are typically avoided, the guides give recommendations for shopping, food, etc. They know where the bathrooms are, give special treats, and you get to meet interesting people. The companies and local guides are top notch. It's all very worth it to me.

As for sanitation, and sanitized views of a country, that's the nature of tourism, isn't it? When I visit a place the first time, I want to see the main sights. Not back alley off the beaten path locales. My visit to Italy, for example: I want to see the historic places; why would I spend thousands traveling to Rome and skip places like the Vatican for more "authentic" everyday experiences?

Group travel is a great way to get comfortably used to a country you've never visited. And having assistance in case of emergency is so helpful. Especially if there's a language barrier.

 

[Rapunzellover]

There's nothing idiotic about enjoying planning. Or not liking group travel.

However, I think it was rather silly to give up the chance to go to S. Africa just cause you dislike group travel, especially since you're apparently disliking it without having tried it.

And I don't get your statement that such travel is "fake." I would go to the same sights on my own as with a group. What would make the group travel less real?

 

[calypso726]

I have always considered group travel to be like an on rails section of a game and sadly fake. Mum gave me an alternation either go in a group to South Africa or not go. I chose to not go. Never understood group travel. I enjoy planning am I an idiot ? I consider Cruises to be the same. I am trying really hard to understand such travel but am failing? any help

Ok first of all I have to say that reading that you gave up going to Africa which is on my bucket list and slated for my 50th birthday in 2019 is making me want to do this to the computer Now that I got that off my chest, please go ask mum if she'd like to adopt a daughter Thank you

I think the main reason you are having a hard time understanding is your refusal to try it One of the philosophies that I try to live by is not to judge what I think about something before I try it. I keep an open mind, try it and then decide whether it is for me or not. When we went to Scotland for the first time I vowed I would at least taste haggis despite how gross is sounded. Ground sheep's organs, mixed with oatmeal and cooked in the stomach of a sheep I seriously thought, I'd taste it, gag, possibly throw up in my mouth a little and be done with it. Imagine my surprise when haggis suddenly shot up to getting on the list of my top 5 favorite foods!

I also thought I might not enjoy cruises very much. My first two cruises were with family on Carnival and Royal Caribbean on itineraries in the Caribbean which held no interest for me. My mom loves cruises and I didn't see the point of them, kind of like you After those two cruises which I thought were ok, I had figured cruises probably weren't for me. Then we became DVC members and thanks to the DIS I saw that it was common for people to "get to know each other" before a cruise on the cruise meet threads and get excited about their cruises, discuss what to expect and what to do while waiting for their sail date. So, we decided to go on a DVC member Disney cruise. It was awesome! On that cruise and some of the ones that followed we met people who have become lifelong friends. There is now a group of about 30 of us that keep in daily contact on a private FB page and we plan cruises to see each other, get together in WDW or DLR and every other year or so just meet up in somewhere the Midwest (central to every one) to hang out for a long weekend. A bunch of us are all going to Aulani in Hawaii next year too and I will be officiating the vow renewal for one couple who's marriage I just officiated last month. One of those friends had her house burn down to the ground and the whole group took up a collection so she could cover the insurance deductible. She lost her entire collection of the Outlander series signed by Diana Gabaldon. Those who have seen my Scotland ABD TR will understand the significance of that This lady was the one who made me read Outlander, was the reason I ever went to Scotland in the first pace and thanks to all of that, was the reason I started my travel hacking hobby so I wouldn't have to pay for airfare I contacted the author, she told me what to do in order to replace the series and have her sign them all and then I shipped them to the place they were renting while the house was being re-built. I would have never met all of these people, who are way more than just "cruise buddies" had I not gone on that Disney cruise.

Now all that aside, it really wasn't until my 13th (Alaska) and 14th (Norway, Iceland, Scotland) Disney cruise that I understood the point of cruises beyond hanging out with your friends and making new friends. Exploring ports of interest really give you a taste of a place or several places in a convenient manner and you can decide if you like those enough to go back and explore more thoroughly. I will totally go back to Alaska some day and just do land only. I've already decided to go back to Iceland for a week next year. I'd like to go back to Norway but just to hike Pulpit Rock.

ADB gives me a very similar opportunity that I don't actually have to plan. We got to see many highlights in Scotland with ABD and do some things we never could have planned on our own. Good luck launching canoes off of Urquhart Castle into Loch Ness on your own. Only ABD is allowed to do it. Good luck getting the local village baker to let you in their kitchen and teach you to make scones. We found we loved Scotland on this trip, and have been back twice since then and going again next year. The itinerary we did that first year in Scotland would have been impossible to do on my own, in the same time frame. It was a logistical nightmare. Californiagirl, who was on our ABD that year had already been to Scotland 8 times before and still chose to do the ABD trip because of the itinerary. That speaks volumes.

Heck I'll give you New York which anyone can do on their own, but here is what you aren't likely to get to do without ABD. How about front row center seats to Aladdin, meeting some of the cast afterwards, touring the theater backstage before the performance, seeing and trying on costumes from different shows, going to the choreography studio and learning a portion of a dance number that you will be seeing that night. I'm sorry, but I can't think of anything more immersive and less fake than something like that.

All the choices we make in life will have some impact and often a domino effect that we can't often foresee. Sometimes the choices we make enrich our lives in a way we never expected. Choosing not to try something, solely based on preconceived notions that have no foundation in experience can also well impact your life and leave it a little or a lot less richer, a little or a lot less fun and a little or a lot less full of wonder and joy. I don't want to think of what my own life would look like now, had a I not chosen to try a cruise with DCL. We wouldn't have the awesomesauce friends that we have now, I wouldn't have discovered my favorite author, I would still be sitting on the fence about trying ABD and I would not have started a hobby in travel hacking and over 2 million points and miles so I can travel more and in a manner I would not have been able to afford. I do hope all of this helps. I also sincerely hope you decide to try new things even if you think you won't like them or get them. You may well be right, but you really won't know until you try. Though sometimes, I'm sure you will be very pleasantly surprised at not only the experience but the aftermath.

 

[sayhello]

Awesomesauce, @calypso726!!

Sayhello

 

[Cousin Orville]

... You may well be right, but you really won't know until you try. Though sometimes, I'm sure you will be very pleasantly surprised at not only the experience but the aftermath.

well said!