We are considering the So Cal/Disneyland trip as our first ABD. I know DH will reach his limit with the Disney stuff at some point. Is it easy for him to leave the group on the days you are in Disneyland? DH likes the history of Disney and Walt but at some point it is too much Disney.
We are considering this trip since it is only 5 days and would give us an idea of ABD is for us. Would love to do Italy but a lot of money if it turns out we hate group travel.
You can always leave the group if you want. The only restrictions on this with ABD is if you are transfering from point A to point B and stop along the way, they won't want you to go far, and you have to be sure you're there to continue the transfer. But since you're already at Disneyland, that's not a concern. Just be sure the Adventure Guides know that you're leaving, so that they're aware, and can coordinate you re-joining the group at whatever point. I would imagine if you are in a backstage area, you can't just walk off, they'd have to escort you out, but that's about it.
Well I am a huge fan and it is a dream to do this trip. I offered to DH that he wouldn't have to come but he seems to want to. We do go to WDW once a year, we have cruised DCL a bunch, been to Disneyland and Aulani. So DH says he is not a Disney person but he enjoys it certain aspects of it. We also travel to other places so Disney is just one part of travel plan.
We are looking for a short trip to do in the US. Other companies on my list didn't seem to fit that but maybe I am missing something. Until the US drops their entry requirements we don't want feel like it is worth it to travel internationally. Neither one of us have done group travel so we are looking for a test to see if it is for us.
For the two full days at Disneyland, you would have to stay with the group for the pre-opening parts and any backstage parts. The afternoons are on your own anyway, so if he gets bored after the tour then he can spend the whole afternoons doing whatever.
Please note that the backstage parts at disneyland are one of the highlights of the trip for most people. You will get to do something that is, if not impossible, very very rare to be able to do otherwise.
The hollywood tour day is all stuff you can do yourself, near 100%, except:
Jim Henson Muppet Studios: Impossible or vary difficult
Disney Studios (including archive): have to be a D23 member, and be quick in signing up for the tour, it sells out quickly. Otherwise, very difficult.
Imagineering: No longer offered...
Disneyland & DCA: For most things, it is obviously something you can do yourself with Disney Genie+, except:
1)
Getting into the Disneyland park before park opens... there is no one else other than castmembers. This was THE highlight for me. Near impossible otherwise.
2) Backstage sections, near impossible otherwise.
3) VIP seating for parades, fireworks, shows, etc. obivously you can get this with a separate VIP tour... note that everytime I have gone, the seating for the ABD trip is not the usual VIP seating, it's usually some additional area that may or may not be as good.
4) Visiting Walt's Apartment or the Dream Suite... there is a tour (not yet running) that offers Walt's apartment, and the Dream Suite is available with a very expensive meal. You would only see one or the other, usually Walt's apartment.
I think this is the perfect intro trip for you! It is short, so not a long time commitment. It is your dream trip, so if you find you don’t like group travel enough to do a longer one or another one, you’ve at least got to experience this one with all of the Disney AbD extras.
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