Just curious what made you decide on ABD vs other options? I know ABD is more expensive but what did you find the value in the extra cost vs another company? We are new to ABD and hopefully it's something we continue to do if we find the value is worth the added expense.
We have completed 8 ABD trips. Overall, we have enjoyed the experiences, itineraries and the guides. I have read and been on other group tours where the "guide" is more of a driver really and doesn't really do much story telling, sharing history etc. I prefer to be entertained and learn about what I am seeing. I like the security of knowing ABD has already done the leg work to make certain everything is safe and top notch. I like knowing that if any unexpected issue comes up ABD will fix it immediately. With ABD I don't have to do endless research or take chances on whether or not I will have my expectations met. I like that the majority of the people I meet on ABD trips are really awesome people, easy to get along with and that is a great comfort to someone like me who is an introvert.
As a die hard travel hacker, I do much better on the points/miles earning front with ABD than I would compared to any other tour group. From a cost analysis perspective, I like that we can pay our ABD trips with Disney gift cards that we have loaded on to the Disney Savings Account. This allows me to purchase the Disney gift cards at a 5% discount with a credit card that earns 5 airline miles per dollar through a shopping portal that earns 1 extra airline mile per dollar. Loading the gift cards and paying the trip through the Disney Savings accounts gets me another 2% back in Disney gift cards. So on a $10,000 ABD trip, we will wind up saving $700 and earn 57,000 airline miles. Those 57,000 miles will go towards getting me a flight in first class that is worth a few thousand dollars.
Thank you for your response. I really love the idea of someone handling all the details. That is usually me in my family. It feels weird not having anything to plan other than airfare. Lol.
I too have used Disney gift cards with our Disney credit card. I feel I would get more bang for my buck using an airline credit card. I might look into that.
I am going to sound like a complete idiot. But I find that any tour goes to big nondescript hotels that I simply do not like. I just find that ABD and even most of the virtusio hotels that come on group tours are big convention properties. I also like deciding where to go . But did find that Wildchina has some good trips for well china
No I would not either but some areThat is one of the reasons I like ABD. The accommodations are usually pretty cool and often unique places. I would not consider Dromoland Castle in Ireland, the Balmoral in Scotland, the Landmark in London, Schloss Waldeck Castle in Germany or Gran Melia in Rome, just to name a few, to be big nondescript hotels. On the contrary, they are very elegant or unique.
Granted, if you like deciding where to go and doing all of the planning for your accommodations, getting from place to place, dealing with unexpected and unpleasant surprises and what not on your own, then ABD group travel will not fit the bill. But I wouldn't describe all of the accommodations on all of the itineraries as big nondescript convention style hotels and a reason not to choose their product. I'd say that about Globus but not ABD.
No I would not either but some are
Granted, if you like deciding where to go and doing all of the planning for your accommodations, getting from place to place, dealing with unexpected and unpleasant surprises and what not on your own, then ABD group travel will not fit the bill. But I wouldn't describe all of the accommodations on all of the itineraries as big nondescript convention style hotels and a reason not to choose their product. I'd say that about Globus but not ABD.
I haven't stayed at the first 2 hotels on the AZ/UT trip (they've changed since I took it) but the Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab is *FABULOUS*. It has gorgeous views of the Colorado River, and the Red Cliffs beyond. And the rooms are very, very nice. You will definitely like the Red Cliffs Lodge!This is the very reason we are trying ABD. While we are only traveling to AZ/UT for our first experience I am still very unfamiliar with this area. I am a bit of a travel snob. I like nice hotels. By nice I don't mean luxury. I mean very clean and family friendly. I trust Disney has done their research and know what works for their customers. If we feel the value is there after this trip we will considering ABD for future European vacations. That kind of travel we are extremely inexperienced and knowing they take care of everything gives me piece of mind.
The only ABD hotel I didn't think was that great was the Crowne Point in Heidelberg - but the location was great. Didn't love the "Paris Hilton", but that was me. I would have preferred to stay right on the Champs de Elysee. But, the Landmark in London, Fox Hills in Surrey, the hotels in Germany, Prague, and Vienna, were all wonderful. From the quaint to the extravagant. Loved them all!
But you aren't paying for the best hotel in the city. "Just" one of the top hotels.I just been to many Four Seasons. And the Four Seasons Park Lane is one of the best hotels in the city