Actually, I shouldn't be surprised. Christmas in Egypt is probably pretty attractive.Just saw on FB that the December Egypt trip filled up in 13 mins and is now at waitlist.
So sorry you didn't get your date! Maybe they'll add another date in that time range like they did for Japan.Unfortunately, my TA was unable to book the 10/20/20 date for us. She said she could get late September/early October, but those are quarter end/begin dates that affect my husband's job. Needless to say, we are really disappointed. Maybe 2021 will be better. We will keep our DCL Star Wars Day at Sea cruise that would have been canceled had Egypt panned out for us.
Congrats! So glad there's such a big group of DISers on that trip! That should be fun!Make that 12 on this thread on the October 20 date. I am embarrassed to admit that I called at 8 and got right through, and she said we were the first for the 10/20 date with EBD. DW and I debated last night at length whether to do this trip or not, and Cousin Orville's comments to my concerns rang true and we decided to take the leap. Until last night we wanted the opening first date, and realized it was over Ramadan, so 10/20 became our date. Then this morning the prices had gone up for that opening date before booking opened - perhaps they also realized the issues with getting lunch for a group...
We are delighted to be traveling with this group.
Some people will probably bail before the 14 days for the deposit are up, and as you say, might bail if they didn't get the EBD. It would be worth it to waitlist. Congrats on getting this trip!That is just insane about the December trip filling in 13 minutes!!! My TA miraculously got me and DD booked for that one! Looks like we got a rate of $7,849 per person (I'm still waiting for the actual confirm, but I see a charge on my cc for the deposit), which I don't think was EBD but is lower than the current non-red price showing for that date. I should have screenshotted the prices on the website before bookings opened. So sorry for those that wanted that date but are waitlisted. I wonder if folks will start bailing when they find out they didn't get EBD. I also wonder if ABD will add dates like they did with Japan....
I agree with this! I find today's frenzy fascinating when there are so many other options for this kind of travel. (But, that's probably like telling a Yankees fan that she could always go to a Mets game if the Yankees are sold out.) Disney's brand loyalty is definitely its super power.I am happy for all of you who got through!
For me, however, this just reinforces how little interest I have in indulging ABD's business practices.
I agree with this! I find today's frenzy fascinating when there are so many other options for this kind of travel. (But, that's probably like telling a Yankees fan that she could always go to a Mets game if the Yankees are sold out.) Disney's brand loyalty is definitely its super power.
Normally my TA books my ABD trips, but she is vacationing herself this week. I spent an hour on hold this morning, like many others apparently, to be told the trip I wanted (Egypt, naturally) was full. My last call to ABD prior to this was to reserve my excursions for our Rhine River Cruise, for which I also waited 45 minutes on hold. Egypt would have been our 6th ABD, but I'm feeling pretty soured on Disney lately. We have had great experiences traveling with ABD, but for the amount of money each trip costs, I'm disappointed in the customer service.
I will be taking a Backroads trip with a friend in a few weeks, and want to begin researching other options for family travel in the future. Although our kids (23, 18 & 15) would be content to continue with Disney, they are aging into new opportunities. What are the "other options" that you like to use for this kind of travel? We are not especially Disney people, we are travel people who found that ABD was a great choice for our (then) young family.
Unfortunately, my TA was unable to book the 10/20/20 date for us. She said she could get late September/early October, but those are quarter end/begin dates that affect my husband's job. Needless to say, we are really disappointed. Maybe 2021 will be better. We will keep our DCL Star Wars Day at Sea cruise that would have been canceled had Egypt panned out for us.
@distravel, thank you for the suggestion. At this point we've resigned ourselves to 2021 and will wait to see how next year's trips turn out for those lucky enough to book them. I realized that I am not just disappointed but also sad that we didn't get our date. Then I look at the bright side and figure that there's a reason why it wasn't meant to be in 2020. Now that I know the EBD only applies to a select few per trip I have learned to temper my expectations and excitement for the future.
Yes, this.I don't know why I am loyal to ABD. I am starting to feel like an abused spouse who continues to stay with someone even though they are mistreated and unfaithful.
The people I know who have taken the Norway trip have really loved it! Congrats!1:59 On hold this morning. This is our first ABD trip. My wife, me, and 3 daughters (15, 12, 9)...we're going to give the Norway trip a go. So little information about this trip online...fingers crossed!
This is exactly why I avoid Black Friday shopping like the plague. ABD needs to completely overhaul their opening day process.
We did not get our May or February ABD dates for Egypt. This is beyond frustrating and disappointing. Our son is in finance and has restrictions with quarter end and month end so we had limited choices. Dreams Unlimited has assured us they are working to have more dates added. But will those dates work for us? Maybe Will the price go up? Certainly.
We have placed a deposit with Scenic Cruises who runs Nat Geo's trips. We will not have the Nat Geo expert, but we will have everything else the same. Five star hotels, luxury river boat, max of 32 people--all for much cheaper than ABD. They offered us $1000 off per person (we are four people) or free economy airfare.
If ABD dates become available, we may book with ABD. Not because of their mis-managed office or less than stellar pre-trip customer service. It will be because we love the ABD guides and the people who tend to travel on these trips.
I don't know why I am loyal to ABD. I am starting to feel like an abused spouse who continues to stay with someone even though they are mistreated and unfaithful.
Sorry if I am being a Debbie downer. This just stinks!