New announcement from ABD

[calypso726]

Did anyone else get their ABD Insider communication today? Any guesses?

 

[sayhello]

I haven't gotten my mail yet for today (I'm still at work). What does it say??

Sayhello

 

[familygoboston]

I just got mine, and I have an idea!! (But know nothing!)
Just today I was replying to an email from a rep I had contacted from a large multi armed travel company (think escorted tours, River cruise line and drum roll please, organizer of independent but organized trips throughout Europe. I think this may be the Disney plan- not just a new destination, but the ability to choose say 2-4 (or 6!) cities, where they do the logistics. ABD would leverage their partnerships with lodging, and transportation to get you from city to city, house you in their preferred hotel and in each city there might be a representative at the hotel to direct your touring independently, make dinner recommendations etc, but you would tour on your own, possibly at prearranged sites. I really think this will be the next "wave" of travel products, not fully escorted, which aren't needed for the more mobile and well traveled generations coming along, but fully vetted and organized for the overly busy families of today. That's my prediction- I write a travel blog and follow travel news and trends, and that's my prediction! (I'm not so good with sports predictions, I had Kentucky in my braket, so we will see how I do with travel predictions, lol! )

SayHello- it's an Insiders teaser mailing saying they are announcing April 14, on a special website, "soon you and your family will discover more great destinations than before on a single trip, in ways you'd never expect, with legendary service and magical touches that only ABD can deliver". It also says Insiders can book before the GP. I thought of my theory because it also says "a new WAY to adventure is almost here" and I was coincidentally working with a company that offers that! (Emphasis on WAY is my own)

 

[White Rose]

How do you sign up for the ABD insider information?

 

[calypso726]

The mailer says. "Nothing pleases us more at Adventures by Disney than surprising and delighting our Guests, introducing them to the unexpected and sharing the wonders of the world in completely new ways.

And now --- drum roll, please --- I'm excited to say we're putting the finishing touches on our biggest surprise yet.

Soon, you and your family will discover more great destinations than ever before on a single trip ...in ways you'd never expect...with the legendary service and magical touches that only Adventures by Disney can deliver."

Hmmm, familygoboston, that is an interesting idea but not one I had thought of. However, one thing you mentioned in your post, I did think of as that would be a heck of a surprise if ABD is going into that market. Honestly, it was the only thing I could think of when they said "discover more destinations on a single trip in ways you'd never expect" and "biggest surprise yet".

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, I got that mailing as well. Looking forward to hearing what's up but also preparing for a big letdown.

 

[familygoboston]

Well, I'm not sure it wouldn't have even registered if I had not JUST been communicating with a travel pro about that type of trip, and the company I was chatting with, to my knowledge is one of the few who does this at a "consumer" level. Of course you can get a boutique TA to organize a trip like that for you, but it's not inexpensive because the economy of scale, those types of TA s make a cut off very hi end bookings at high end hotels. The company I was talking with does a much more "standard" accommodation and I'm sure that's how they keep prices in range, plus the huge volume of people they book. I think Disney, if this is it, would have some balance...accomidations might be higher end, but prices would be less than fully escorted. I think it's a market thats going to grow!

 

[familygoboston]

Another thought- River cruising...again, booming market, and lots of destinations!
Im sure those in the "know" are laughing at our speculations!

 

[sayhello]

Interesting speculations. Although when ABD introduced their "Gateway" itineraries, which were similar, but a bit more bare-boned as well as less expensive, they were a huge flop. (At least I assume they were, since they stopped doing them rather quickly).

I guess we'll find out on the 14th!

 

[sayhello]

How do you sign up for the ABD insider information?

You can join the ABD Adventure Insiders after you've taken at least one ABD. I keep hearing conflicting reports as to whether it's automatic now or not.

Just to be on the safe side, I'd sign up (assuming you've already taken an ABD) The link to sign up still exists and is linked to from the "Special Offers" tab.

http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/adventure-insider/join/

Sayhello

 

[holden]

Got my mail today. I'm excited to see what it is! I'd love to see more US based tours.

 

[kristilew]

Do we think that this means that on April 14, Insiders can book ALL the 2016 tours, or just the new special ones they'll announce? I need to get my ducks in a row if the new season will open next week!

 

[sayhello]

Do we think that this means that on April 14, Insiders can book ALL the 2016 tours, or just the new special ones they'll announce? I need to get my ducks in a row if the new season will open next week!

That's a really good question. That would be *way* early for ABD!

Sayhello

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

You can join the ABD Adventure Insiders after you've taken at least one ABD. I keep hearing conflicting reports as to whether it's automatic now or not.

Just to be on the safe side, I'd sign up (assuming you've already taken an ABD) The link to sign up still exists and is linked to from the "Special Offers" tab.

http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/adventure-insider/join/

Sayhello

Unfortunately you can only join the Insiders if you reside in the USA....ABD does not mail out any information or surprise gifts outside the USA.

 

[carpenta]

Got my mail today. I'm excited to see what it is! I'd love to see more US based tours.

If the international travel gets "spooked" by any large scale terrorist problem than it would behoove travel companies to look within this hemisphere. Now between the high cost and hassle we are looking to curtail international travels. On another subject, we had toured the Bardo museum in Tunisia (2010) and it was really sad seeing those poor people gunned down. The Bardo museum is a world class museum with remarkable Roman artifacts.

 

[calypso726]

Another thought- River cruising...again, booming market, and lots of destinations!
Im sure those in the "know" are laughing at our speculations!

That's what I'm thinking. Mostly, because I can't imagine ABD private jetting a group from point A to point B etc continuously throughout one trip.

 

[Rapunzellover]

With the prices ABD charges, I imagine it wouldn't be worth the money to do a trip with them host style. After all, the guides are the selling point for me, along with the zero work necessary. That would change if they offered host style trips and I know I'd rather just do it myself if i'm not getting the full disney pampering.

 

[familygoboston]

That's what I'm thinking. Mostly, because I can't imagine ABD private jetting a group from point A to point B etc continuously throughout one trip.

Oh my, not private jets, quite the opposite, they book you in scheduled trains and you make your own way from city to city. But the more I think about it, I'll be its River Cruising! If the copy catting of the original "family travel" company holds- then this would be the next step!

 

[Rapunzellover]

Haha.... you mean Tauck Bridges? I can see what you mean.

 

[sayhello]

Oh my, not private jets, quite the opposite, they book you in scheduled trains and you make your own way from city to city. But the more I think about it, I'll be its River Cruising! If the copy catting of the original "family travel" company holds- then this would be the next step!

I could get into that! I was eyeing some of the river cruises lately. With ABD would be really cool!

Sayhello