Adventures by Disney

[jrkcr]

Anyone ever do one of these trips? If so, where did you go/how was it?

I got the booklet and info today. I'm not sure we'll ever all agree on where to go! Or save up enough money...Are these trips a good deal, moneywise? I may have to look into that and do some comparison.

I'm mostly interested in taking my kids to Europe. I'll save Africa for when the kids are older.

[SBETigg]

I sent for the booklet back when it started. The trips look amazing, but I don't think they're a good deal. They include some neat experiences, but you could take your kids to Europe for much less money than the Disney Adventures trip cost. If you have the money to go all out and be indulgent, they look fantastic. Otherwise, I would price out alternatives and be sure to speak with a travel agent who really knows Europe.

[Aero]

We went on Disney's Viva Italia trip last year, and it was fabulous. They take incredible care of you, and make sure everyone is happy. They had to provide extra attention to my mother-in-law who is largely confined to a wheelchair, but they did it with a smile, and really went the extra mile for her.

Make no mistake, these trips are expensive. You could do Italy for much less, but you will not the same experience or receive the same care and attention. We could easily see the differences between our tour and others, when out and about.

Interesting fact: On the last day of our trip, in Venice, they arranged for a water ambulance to take my mother-in-law to the airport. They called my wife aside and explained that they couldn't assure her of the experience they would have with the ambulance, because the company hadn't been checked out by Disney. They said that Disney checks out *everyone* you'll have direct contact with as part of the tour. From restaurant servers to gondoliers. Everyone, while you're under their care. They apologized ahead of time in case the ambulance driver was rude. BTW, they paid for the ambulance.

- Aero

[Tink1]

Make no mistake, these trips are expensive. You could do Italy for much less, but you will not the same experience or receive the same care and attention. We could easily see the differences between our tour and others, when out and about.


- Aero

This is the absolute truth. I took my sons on the London/Paris trip and it was wonderful.

The Disney guides and the Local guides were great. We saw so much and there so many little extra's that other tours did not do.

I so want to do another one.

Nanc

[cjdami]

This trip is totally worth the $$$ you put out for it! We took the London/Paris trip almost 2 years ago and it was awesome! During the trip several of the others in our group agreed with us that Diney's new slogan should be Disney Does It RIGHT! There was nothing that we requested that was denied. The 2 adventure guides we had were very knowledgable in both cities. There were also guides in each city, who were both very good. The kids in out group including our DS had some neat things that they got to do asn we didn't. The day we spend at the Louvre the kids were able to get a front row sopt to see the Mona Lisa painting. DS made the comment that he could see the cracks in the painting because it's so old. Would do another one in a heartbeat no problem!! There is no way that you could see and do what is planned on that trip for that price!!
We also visited DL Paris while there, we loved seeing another DL park, because it was a once ina lifetime experience!!That was NOT part of the London/Paris trip we added it to ours and don't regret it!!
If you can GO FOR IT!! It's so totally worth the $$!

[SallyP]

Expensive? Yes! Do it again? Yes!

We did Viva Italia in September 2008 (MJ Debbie Kuhns)!
I'm just sad we can't relive it again. It is so Disney, well at least the way Disney used to be.
I don't mean Mickey and other characters, I mean customer service and satisfaction.

We did Viva Italia and then we did a Globus tour of Germany immediately after the ABD tour ... night and day difference. Yes the Germany tour was less expensive but apparently you get what you pay for.

The Disney tour was so family and this was an adults only tour. Have you ever heard the expression "It's the little things that count" ? This was definitely our experience with ABD.

The guides were so in tune with everyone, went out of their way to make you feel part of the group. Gave us their personal cell phone numbers the day we left Venice for Switzerland in case we had any trouble getting the train. We were no longer part of the Disney tour but our guide was staying in Venice an extra day and wanted to make sure we were okay.

ABD has had some rough spots this year with the canceling of many dates because of the economy. People just aren't touring or don't have the discretionary income. But they are trying to please the most with less and are working hard with people to switch to different dates or tours.

[jrkcr]

With all these wonderful reviews...I have to get DH to read this thread!!! I'm so glad to hear everyone has had such a positive experience with it. Thanks!

[Aero]

We did Viva Italia in September 2008 (MJ Debbie Kuhns)!

I'm curious, Sally, who you had for guides. Was it the marvelous team of Marco & Marco (second Marco is also known as Mandrake)?

Also, what did you think of the bus ride up to the Tuscan villa? Quite a thrill ride, no?

- Aero

[SallyP]

I'm curious, Sally, who you had for guides. Was it the marvelous team of Marco & Marco (second Marco is also known as Mandrake)?

Also, what did you think of the bus ride up to the Tuscan villa? Quite a thrill ride, no?

- Aero

Hi Aero,

We had the incredible duo of Vinnie (Vincenzo) and Mandrake (Marco). Mandrake was the one that gave us his telephone number. I actually missed those guys when we were in Germany. They were awesome guides.
Reno was our bus driver for the entire trip and he did a fabulous job on the Tuscan hillside up to the Villa. It was a beautiful view all the way up and worth every 'held' breath.

Did you witness Marco Mandrake's trepidation on the Gondola rides?

[Aero]

Yes, we had Reno as our driver, too. He was great. Quiet, but very nice. When my younger daughter got sick on the bus (sorry everyone!), he gave her a clean t-shirt right out of his luggage, and stopped at a little roadside market so my wife could run and buy her a pair of shorts. (Thankfully, she was fine after that.)

Mandrake/Marco was great, fun, and funny. He was constantly looking out for my mother-in-law. His real name is Marco but he goes by Mandrake because he's often paired with the other Marco. That lasted only the first night, tho, before we learned his real name and everyone was calling him Marco. I didn't see him on the gondolas, but I did learn that he speaks six different languages! (I told him that, as an American, I spoke English and just hoped everyone I met did, too.)

Again, it was a great trip, and our guides are a huge part of our memories. My older daughter is facebook friends with both of them.

- Aero

[csmith157]

I am looking at the Germany trip through ABD. For those that have gone, can you tell me the average ages of the children on the trip? If we go in 2010, my daughter will be 6 1/2 and my husband says that is too young.

Connie

[Aero]

You've probably seen this already, from the ABD site:

While we welcome children ages 4 and up at the time of travel to discover the stories of the world with us, we recommend that children be at least 6 years old at the time of travel on our Once Upon a Fairytale trip. This is based on several factors, such as flight time and jet lag, time zone differences in the destination, duration of the vacation and amount of physical activity (e.g., walking, biking) involved. Because each child is different, call a Concierge Agent to discuss whether this is the right trip for your little kids.

On our trip (Italy), the youngest was about 6, and she did fine. The guides did a lot to engage the children, and took them on separate little side trips during longer excursions. There was also a movie night for the kids, while the adults had a wine tasting.

I'd judge it by your daughter's personality. Does she get tired easily, especially when you do a lot of walking? Does she get frustrated easily?

Hope this helps.

- Aero

[SallyP]

I am looking at the Germany trip through ABD. For those that have gone, can you tell me the average ages of the children on the trip? If we go in 2010, my daughter will be 6 1/2 and my husband says that is too young.

Connie

Hi Connie,
We took the adult only trip to Italy but I have sent you a Private Message (PM) with some ABD information.

[luvdiznee]

Glad to hear so many good reviews about ABD. I too have ordered their info and have been viewing it. Europe looks very interesting. And I figure if it is to be me and DD, then a "guided" tour is the best way to go.