Your favorite ABD moment and trip

[mbferruggia]

My favorite trip on ABD was the Austria, Czech Republic trip. We had two incredible experiences on this trip which is special to ABD. One was taking a private tour of the Salt Mines. We all put miner overalls on and sled deep into the salt mine. The kids loved it as well as the adults. Now 1000 ft underground we took a boat ride on a small body of water from one side of the mine to the other. The experience was magical and like nothing I have ever done. The other amazing experience of this adventure was having a private dinner in the oldest zoo in the world. When everyone that visited the zoo had to leave we enter through back gates and were escorted privately to see all the animals. It was just our group in this massive zoo. After the tour we had an amazing dinner in the Emperors Pavilion. I felt like a celebrity. Words can't express how amazing this experience was.

 

[RSM]

Hi MBFerrugia--Did you do this ABD recently or was it the previous version?

 

[mbferruggia]

Hi RSM. We did this trip a couple of years ago. ABD dropped it for a few years but then brought it back. I noticed they included Germany on the new itinerary. They still include going to the salt mines and the tour/dinner after hours at the zoo. We have done 6 ABD trips over the last 6 years. They all have something special but this is one of our favorite adventures. We actually never planned on taking this trip but our ABD trip to Italy/Switzerland was cancelled so this trip was the only one that worked with our flight we already purchased. Funny how things work out

 

[Cousin Orville]

So many from which to choose. A couple of my favorites include our private tour of Omaha Beach and the American Cemetary. Our hop on guide was wonderful and it was very emotional. Also, our Amazing Race style scavenger hunt through the Cambodian temples. That was my DS' favorite. He still talks about it.

 

[JLoane]

There were many magical moments on our Enchanted China trip, but one of the most memorable for me was walking on the Great Wall. I just asked my daughter and husband, and they both picked Guilin--such beautiful scenery

 

[2littlestitches]

Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, and bike riding near the Sydney Opera House!!!

 

[RSM]

As many have said, there are so many it is difficult to choose. For us, there is just something a little more magical about our first ABD to Italy and Switzerland. Our favorite experiences occurred during the couple of days in Zermatt. Everyone had fun on the zipline/ropes course, and watching all the kids and Adventure guides playing soccer in the yard of the hotel (the ABD was at the same time as the last world cup). A couple of on your own activities in Zermatt also stand out-- paragliding at the Matterhorn and taking the gondolas up to the ice palace.

 

[mbferruggia]

The Italy, Switzerland trip was my daughters favorite ABD. At the time she was only 12. I was surprised on how much she appreciated the beauty of Switzerland. She loved Zermatt and taking the train up to the Matterhorn. Posing with St. Bernard Dogs and the Matterhorn in the background was pretty special. Zip-lining was a great family activity.

 

[mbferruggia]

Thanks for sharing 2littlestitches. I would love to do this adventure and go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

 

[happymomof1]

A surprise breakfast at the secret Club 33 in disneyland.
Being in Walts private hang out, and then stepping out on the balcony and having tourists below photographing and waving to us like we were all celebrities. Oh -wait..... the workshop at imagineering where we got to see a scale model of the new fantasyland and the 7dmt car in development was super awesome too! Backstage Magic is a great trip! Sooooo hard to pick just one favorite moment.

 

[2littlestitches]

Thanks for sharing 2littlestitches. I would love to do this adventure and go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

It was such an amazing trip!!! When we did it, the plan was to snorkel for awhile and then swim back to the boat for lunch, then snorkel again. We had so much fun that my husband and I asked the guides for permission to skip lunch and stay in the reef! They didn't mind, and we snorkeled for hours. My husband even found a clownfish. Awesome memory!!!!!!!!

 

[mbferruggia]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Now I have a big decision, Australia, China, Cambodia/Vietnam??

 

[WeLoveABD]

To the original question--there are so many moments...BIG moments like walking the wall in China, or exploring the Acropolis. But I like the unexpected things--my son in a "top of the world" pose at the top of the Eiffel tower in December with winds howling, or a Christmas eve service in Germany hearing Silent Night in its original German. Seeing the kids just being free to enjoy life unfolding around them, and the parents being free just to take it all in. And funny enough, our best family dinner ever was after a whirlwind 24 hour period in Peru--on the day we were leaving the ABD to go home, at a relaxed lunch in Lima, my backback was stolen--with our passports. Great trip insurance and Disney support got us through it all (new passports, new plane tickets, transportation to get all of these things done--with a translator standing by). After it was all done, and we had time to sit and have dinner...well, the joy, the relief, the absolute silliness was something that still brings a tear to my eye. Who'd a thought.

Second question: our favorite trip has been China. I'd love to do the other two some day--but it's all good.

 

[sayhello]

To the original question--there are so many moments...BIG moments like walking the wall in China, or exploring the Acropolis. But I like the unexpected things--my son in a "top of the world" pose at the top of the Eiffel tower in December with winds howling, or a Christmas eve service in Germany hearing Silent Night in its original German. Seeing the kids just being free to enjoy life unfolding around them, and the parents being free just to take it all in. And funny enough, our best family dinner ever was after a whirlwind 24 hour period in Peru--on the day we were leaving the ABD to go home, at a relaxed lunch in Lima, my backback was stolen--with our passports. Great trip insurance and Disney support got us through it all (new passports, new plane tickets, transportation to get all of these things done--with a translator standing by). After it was all done, and we had time to sit and have dinner...well, the joy, the relief, the absolute silliness was something that still brings a tear to my eye. Who'd a thought.

Second question: our favorite trip has been China. I'd love to do the other two some day--but it's all good.

How awful! But those are, from what I've heard, the times when ABD and the Adventure Guides really shine. Yes, they run a magnificent trip, but when things go wrong, they are there to help. And trip insurance! Some people just don't get why you'd want a good policy. Glad it turned out OK!

Sayhello

 

[Calfan]

My favorite trip on ABD was the Austria, Czech Republic trip. We had two incredible experiences on this trip which is special to ABD. One was taking a private tour of the Salt Mines. We all put miner overalls on and sled deep into the salt mine. The kids loved it as well as the adults. Now 1000 ft underground we took a boat ride on a small body of water from one side of the mine to the other. The experience was magical and like nothing I have ever done. The other amazing experience of this adventure was having a private dinner in the oldest zoo in the world. When everyone that visited the zoo had to leave we enter through back gates and were escorted privately to see all the animals. It was just our group in this massive zoo. After the tour we had an amazing dinner in the Emperors Pavilion. I felt like a celebrity. Words can't express how amazing this experience was.

We are going on the new Central Europe trip this July, so I am thrilled to read your comments. The itinerary looks amazing, and we are particularly excited about the salt mine activity.

As far as our favorite ABD, we have only been on one so far, which was Scotland in 2013 but we LOVED it. There were so many highlights on this trip, but I think the favorite day for all of us (myself, DH, DD who turned 11 on the trip and DS 9) was the full day on the Isle of Skye. And the highlight of that day was the hike in the Quairang under picture perfect blue skies which made the scenery that much more breathtaking.

 

[mbferruggia]

I am so excited for you Calfan. Your family is going to love this trip. The lids are going to love Mirabell Gardens with all the trick fountains. Don't want to spoil it for you but it was another great day on this trip.

 

[carpenta]

I am so excited for you Calfan. Your family is going to love this trip. The lids are going to love Mirabell Gardens with all the trick fountains. Don't want to spoil it for you but it was another great day on this trip.

The fountains are amazing. Salzburg is wonderful and if you are in the castle on the back side there is a little café that overlooks the Alps (and serves great sausage with ice cold beer). Have a great trip.....we did....

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Love this thread. We've been on two ABDs--Ireland and Scotland. Loved both, but Scotland really stood out with some really special moments. It's hard to pick one, but there was a surprise at the end that really put an exclamation point on the whole trip for me. As Calfan mentioned, the hike on the Quarrang was spectacular and probably the high point of the trip for me. The other was launching canoes from Urquhart Castle and canoeing on Loch Ness. Amazing and boy do you feel special! But really every day on this trip has something special. Lewis, Rothiemurchus . . . I could go on.

 

[Calfan]

I am so excited for you Calfan. Your family is going to love this trip. The lids are going to love Mirabell Gardens with all the trick fountains. Don't want to spoil it for you but it was another great day on this trip.

The fountains are amazing. Salzburg is wonderful and if you are in the castle on the back side there is a little café that overlooks the Alps (and serves great sausage with ice cold beer). Have a great trip.....we did....

Thanks! I am counting down the days...

 

[calypso726]

We've done two ABD trips now. Scotland and New York Dreams. Both were amazing but Scotland is still my favorite. Both had many special moments but my most magical was the same as Calfan's. Hiking the Quiraing was simply breathtaking. ABD number 3 for us will be London/Paris this September. Really looking forward to it!