Adventures By Disney Doing Well?

[inkkognito]

I've been doing some research on ABD, as we were considering doing the Hawaii trip (which apparently isn't offered anymore). I would consider some of the others, but much of what I read seems to indicate that ABD is not doing well; has anyone else heard this? We'd probably be doing one of the U.S. trips in 2009, but I'm beginning to worry that they won't be around by then at all. I'd love to know if anyone else has heard this or if the info.is exaggerated on the sites I've seen.

 

[3littlepeas]

I find that weird....as we just got back from our 1st adventure this summer and our guides told us that they were doing amazingly well, so much so that they are announcing 8 new adventures IN ADDITION to the 8 already existing so far...Where did you get your info?

 

[Computer Magic]

I think with any new venture, it takes time to get the word out. I haven't heard anything but would love to see the source of your information.

I think ABD needs to be cautious about pricing as it can be a little high. I know if it wasn't for the early discount, we wouldn't be trying this out.

I don't see a lot of talk on different forums about ABD. Maybe the majority of the people vacationing with ABD are not die hard Disney fans like some of us here.

 

[bicker]

A good indication of this is whether or not there are last-minute discounts offered. I haven't heard about any, which is typically a relatively good sign.

 

[Stepht5]

We haven't even gone on our first one -- we leave in a couple of weeks!!! -- but, I am already trying to decide when to take our next one! LOL!

 

[inkkognito]

I found three articles while doing an internet search on ABD; if I remember correctly, they were all on Disney blog/fansite-type places. I'll see if I can find them again and post links.

Glad to hear it's not so, as I am very excited about the prospect of doing an ABD trip in 2009, or possibly 2008 if we can eke out the vacation days and if there is an especially intriguing destination. We are avid Disney cruisers (gonna embark on #58 on the Magic Aug. 18 for the transatlantic crossing), so ABD sounds right up our alley. Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[That crazy duck!]

inkkcognito,

Book an ABD trip and don't worry! They change the destinations based on customer feedback, interest and in order to keep things fresh. In a few days the big announcement should come out regarding the 2008 destinations. Might even be as early as Wednesday. Disney as a reputation to uphold and the last thing they will do is fold ABD. We took ours at the end of June and I can tell you it was the best decision our family has made! We're eagerly awaiting the new destinations to see which one we'll book; in addition to the DCL holidays we have future booked.

Enjoy!

 

[inkkognito]

Cool! I didn't realize that the new destinations were coming out so soon. If there is something really intriguing in 2008, we might trade a cruise for an ABD. Otherwise it will be for sure in 2009.

 

[That crazy duck!]

Keep the cruise and book an ABD. That's what I plan on doing if there is something interesting next year. Remember, you can have your cake and eat it too!

 

[Magix]

I think Disney is just having a hard time figuring out exactly how to sell ABD to the general public. Not sure why, since it shouldn't be that hard to explain to people that you're getting Disney-level service in a first-class travel environment.

As for pricing, I initally thought that the regular prices were pretty high compared to other travel companies, but have since realized that with others (such as Trafalgar, who my Dad will be traveling with next week), you pay what seems like a fairly low price for the trip, but disover later that everything you really want to do in each city you visit is an add-on with a considerable extra fee payable during your trip. When you figure it all out, ABD is no more expensive that most other tour operators. The difference is that with ABD everything is included. There are no add-ons to consider and budget for, everything's there in the itinerary, included in your travel cost.

THAT'S what they really need to point out to the traveling public.

 

[bicker]

FWIR, that's not entirely true. We've been advised by some folks coming back from our tour about some add-ons to consider and budget for...

 

[Computer Magic]

FWIR, that's not entirely true. We've been advised by some folks coming back from our tour about some add-ons to consider and budget for...

agreed. Even some of the trips state you will have to buy dinner on your own a few times. I think all food should be included, even if its just an a gift card for a set amount. I don't know what Disney makes off each person, so its hard to say if its a good price. But can you put a price on having the time of your life, I'm sure that is what Disney is betting on.

 

[bicker]

Disney's prices are not as high as the highest escorted tours out there, so you have to expect that some things won't be included.

 

[abbyjt]

ABD prices are comparable to similar tours out there by Tauck and much less than Abercrombie and Kent. From our own experiences, last summer London and Paris with ABD and this summer SPain with ABD, the prices are really reasonable. ABD gives you lots of surprises and extras that the other companies don't. We haven't taken Tauck Bridges (the family version), but we have taken Tauck. A huge advantange to ABD is the other families with children. Our kids made friends immediately. It's much more fun to sit on the bus with another kid than with your mom. The guides are wonderful with the kids too. As for dinner on your own, it varies from adventure to adventure, but it is comparable to other tour companies. You really do need some free time to explore and find some fun places to eat. (please don't eat at any US chain restaurants) ABD is doing just fine. This is only the third year and they are expanding so that they can learn and grow. Enjoy your trip. we are looking foward to our next ABD trip next year (Maybe Austria or Germany)

 

[Magix]

When I say add-ons, I'm not talking about meals. There are always meals to pay for on your own, even with other tour companies. By "add-ons" I mean excursions to see the sights. For example, my Dad's Trafalgar tour concludes with 2 nights in Paris. Some basic, on the bus sightseeing is included, but if he wants to actually visit the Louvre, or the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, Montmartre or Versailles, he has to pay an additional fee (in Euros, so the cost is actually much higher in US) to take the excursion. Each possible excursion (and there are many to choose in each city visited) costs roughly 50 Euro to 150 Euro extra, beyond the price he's already paid for the trip. So, to see all the sights, you'd end up with a cost about double what you paid initially. With ABD, you don't ever have to do that. All excursions are included. A very limited number of meals are all you worry about on your own. I think on the Italy trip, I only had to worry about 2 or 3 meals on my own during the week-long trip and they do make those quite obvious to you in advance on all the itinerary information.

 

[ppiew]

Last year our ABD tour was filled. This year we had to select our third choice because all others were filled! This hardly sounds like they are 'folding their tent'!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

Just to be safe I am going to put a deposit on one tomorrow. We are going to do the Disneyland tour as DH loves CA and we both love backstage Disney stuff. It just seems sorta pathetic because we live next door to Disney World and here we are heading off to Disneyland! But it sounds like a great trip and it's one of the shorter ones so we can fit it into our available vacation days next year.

 

[wdwsos]

Just to be safe I am going to put a deposit on one tomorrow. We are going to do the Disneyland tour as DH loves CA and we both love backstage Disney stuff. It just seems sorta pathetic because we live next door to Disney World and here we are heading off to Disneyland! But it sounds like a great trip and it's one of the shorter ones so we can fit it into our available vacation days next year.

So, did you do it? I had to call three times today for various things and they said they were incredibly busy!

Dotti

 

[inkkognito]

Yes I did!! April 8th Backstage tour in Hollywood/Disneyland

 

[inkkognito]

Here is one of the articles that I originally found indicating that ABD isn't doing well. I stumbled across it again while looking for more info on the Backstage Magic trip:

http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al061207b.htm