Please read the fine print before jumping to conclusions...

[lilyteen]

I know that alot of people on these boards are quite uptight today over the price increases for ABDs, as well as the removal of the EBD. But I would like to just ask that, before we all go off on a tangent, please read the fine print before you book with another tour company in frustration. I spent a good part of today doing just that ... I went to Tauck's website and even spoke to one of their reps at length today. I, too, am trying to decide where I should spend my vacation dollars. Please take what I have to say into consideration...there are some differences! It would be too lengthy for me to touch upon everything that I learned just today alone when comparing other tour companies' itineraries to Disney's. But to give you an example -- Tauck's Grand Canyon tour is $2,400 per adult, Disney's SWS is $2,569 per adult. So that is not a significant price difference, right? Well, that is the 2009 price for Tauck! They do not have their prices out yet for 2010 and these will not be available until the Fall I was told. So the bottom line is that their Grand Canyon tour at 2009 prices is very close to Disney's 2010 price. Furthermore, Tauck's does NOT provide two tour guides per group, as does Disney. They provide ONE 'tour director' per tour. Also, I compel you to look at the two to compare the activities that are provided with each. You will see a significant difference I feel. Another thing I wanted to point out is that, while many posters are mentioning that Disney has cut the # of trip dates, I also want to point out that Tauck also has very limited weeks that they offer as well. Now I cannot say I compared every single trip, as this is obviously not the case. However, I did compare one of the trips that I was planning on taking with ABD for 2010. Based upon this info, I do plan on booking with Disney as far as I can see right now, unless something significant is brought up that would convince me otherwise.

 

[Bobo912]

I know that alot of people on these boards are quite uptight today over the price increases for ABDs, as well as the removal of the EBD. But I would like to just ask that, before we all go off on a tangent, please read the fine print before you book with another tour company in frustration. I spent a good part of today doing just that ... I went to Tauck's website and even spoke to one of their reps at length today. I, too, am trying to decide where I should spend my vacation dollars. Please take what I have to say into consideration...there are some differences! It would be too lengthy for me to touch upon everything that I learned just today alone when comparing other tour companies' itineraries to Disney's. But to give you an example -- Tauck's Grand Canyon tour is $2,400 per adult, Disney's SWS is $2,569 per adult. So that is not a significant price difference, right? Well, that is the 2009 price for Tauck! They do not have their prices out yet for 2010 and these will not be available until the Fall I was told. So the bottom line is that their Grand Canyon tour at 2009 prices is very close to Disney's 2010 price. Furthermore, Tauck's does NOT provide two tour guides per group, as does Disney. They provide ONE 'tour director' per tour. Also, I compel you to look at the two to compare the activities that are provided with each. You will see a significant difference I feel. Another thing I wanted to point out is that, while many posters are mentioning that Disney has cut the # of trip dates, I also want to point out that Tauck also has very limited weeks that they offer as well. Now I cannot say I compared every single trip, as this is obviously not the case. However, I did compare one of the trips that I was planning on taking with ABD for 2010. Based upon this info, I do plan on booking with Disney as far as I can see right now, unless something significant is brought up that would convince me otherwise.

Just FYI...Tauck does have 2010 prices posted on their website for the Galapogos Island trip. The posted rates for 2010 are actually around $200 less than the 2009 rates. Still got a lot of research to do before I decide what I'm going to do. I totally agree that it would be a mistake to rush into anything without really digging into the details.

 

[HappyGrumpy]

Well thanks for that info however I have another question?

You don't happen to go by another name like ABDlilly do you?

Just Curious?

 

[kjd469]

Well thanks for that info however I have another question?

You don't happen to go by another name like ABDlilly do you?

Just Curious?

I thought the exact same thing!!

 

[lilyteen]

No! I am familiar with the post that was put on here earlier from a person who had that user name. I am not the same person, although the name does sound familiar. I am just merely pointing out some things because I, too, am trying to remain level-headed amidst all the chaos that the price increases have caused. I do agree that the price increases were a bit to swallow, but I just thought I'd caution others to read the fine print before making any rash decisions that they would regret later on. While it is true that the Tauck 2010 prices are available on some overseas trips (what they refer to as their 'exotic' trips), the ones for the family trips (which is what I am interested in) will not be posted until the fall. No specific date was provided either to me. I must say I will appreciate having two tour guides on the tour. From what I have read, it seems also that there is a difference in the level of the activities that are provided. For instance, this is copied and pasted directly from Tauck's Grand Canyon tour notes, which is their equivalent of ABD's Southwest Splendors Tour, and I quote, "All hotel and lodge accommodations, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling, the flight trip over the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the float trip on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon, your choice of either the open-air jeep ride or the boat ride in Antelope Canyon, and the services of the Tauck Director, local drivers and guides are included. "
Now note that it states you get a flight over Rainbow Bridge Monument, float trip on river, and your choice of ONE either a jeep ride or boat ride. Now on ABDs SWS, you get a TON of activities that are included in the itinerary, including but not limited to Monument Valley 4X4 off-road excursion, native animal presentation, trip to Montezuma Castle, cowboys and canyons jeep tour, Sedona Heritage Museum visit, hike Red Rock with Ranger, Native American dance show, white water rafting, cowboy cookout. So there is just not the same level of activities included it seems, nor is there the same number of tour guides that are there to cater to the groups' needs.

 

[HappyGrumpy]

Oh of course your not the same people just total a coincidence?

But hey who am I to judge you seem to have a plethora of info! So bring it to the table who knows you may single handedly save ADB this year!

Hey I am hanging in there until Aug 31st when I get home from my first ABD and assess wether or not we do the Italy Sig!

HG

 

[Tissa]

I agree to go over the details of any trip with any tour company then book what fits best for your budget and comfort level. Any way you look at it these trips are expensive. I'll just be glad when I can finally decide and put that to rest so I can get back to the excitement of the actual trip.

 

[helenk]

I noticed with Tauck if you arrive early or leave later than the tour they will not provide transportation to or from the airport on those early or later days. Yet reading ABD it seems that they will, at least in some instances any way. Am I understanding that correctly?
I was looking at the Ireland Trip in 2010 and I'd love to fly in a day early and leave a day later but was worried about the transfers between the hotel and airport.

 

[crashbb]

I noticed with Tauck if you arrive early or leave later than the tour they will not provide transportation to or from the airport on those early or later days. Yet reading ABD it seems that they will, at least in some instances any way. Am I understanding that correctly?
I was looking at the Ireland Trip in 2010 and I'd love to fly in a day early and leave a day later but was worried about the transfers between the hotel and airport.

It may depend on the tour. For the tour I was looking it, I was told I could get transfers even if I came early and left late. Right on the tour page it says (a similar comment is made for transfers back to the airport at the end of the tour:

A representative of Tauck will meet you at Hanoi (Noi Bai) International Airport and provide transportation to Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, regardless of the day or time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour.

Now, if I choose to come 2 weeks early and stay at a different hotel, I'd be out of luck.

One the other hand, transfers are really not that hard - especially somewhere like Ireland where English is the main language.

 

[sayhello]

I noticed with Tauck if you arrive early or leave later than the tour they will not provide transportation to or from the airport on those early or later days. Yet reading ABD it seems that they will, at least in some instances any way. Am I understanding that correctly?
I was looking at the Ireland Trip in 2010 and I'd love to fly in a day early and leave a day later but was worried about the transfers between the hotel and airport.

From what I've seen, for ABD, it really depends on the trip, and how the transfers are handled.

For Southwest Splendors and Rock Trails/Mounty Tales, where there is one mass transfer, a couple of hours long, all you had to do was show up at the meeting point at the airport on the first day, and your transfers were covered. But there were no pre/post days available through ABD for those trips, so getting *to* your pre-stay hotel, etc, was on your own if you came early.

Some of the other trips, it seems they were accomodating if you'd made your own arrangements, others, it seemed they weren't. I'd check with ABD for a specific trip.

However, if you arrange your pre/post-days through ABD, the transfers are DEFINITELY included.

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

We usually try to get in a day early--to recover from the long flight, and maybe get oriented to the city where the tour will start--and have gone back and forth on whether to do the first night on our own, or book the hotel through Disney. When on our own we try to stay near the airport, so the next day we will be picked up by the Disney rep--but that means slogging our bags back to the airport, and generally being somewhat remote from the main part of the city. So ultimately we have come around to booking the pre and/or post nights through Disney and then not worrying about it (yes, it is more costly--but sometime the convenience is worth it!). We have been on other tours with other companies, and the transfer has been somewhat hit and miss. (By the way--seems from the above quote from Tauck, they are talking about letting them know your arrival date and time within two weeks of the trip--but I think you won't get a transfer unless it is the specific pick up date designated for that tour, and not within two weeks of that date). Comes down to your willingness to make the first night or two cheaper, with some inconvenience.

 

[crashbb]

(By the way--seems from the above quote from Tauck, they are talking about letting them know your arrival date and time within two weeks of the trip--but I think you won't get a transfer unless it is the specific pick up date designated for that tour, and not within two weeks of that date). Comes down to your willingness to make the first night or two cheaper, with some inconvenience.

You have to let them know at least two weeks ahead, but it does not have to be on the day the trip starts - they will transfer you to the tour hotel even if you come early (or leave late).

 

[nunzia]

I noticed with Tauck if you arrive early or leave later than the tour they will not provide transportation to or from the airport on those early or later days. Yet reading ABD it seems that they will, at least in some instances any way. Am I understanding that correctly?
I was looking at the Ireland Trip in 2010 and I'd love to fly in a day early and leave a day later but was worried about the transfers between the hotel and airport.

We found ABD to be very accomodating. We arrived several days early and stayed at the Grand Californian. We were picked up there and taken to the hotel in Hollywood (althpough the driver did say he hadn't gotten a gratuity which he did and this was noted by our guide) Then on our departure day we were taken to the airport at a convenient time for us.

 

[lilyteen]

I read some reviews from people who took Tauck tours, and it seems that certain complaints popped up frequently enough to give it some serious thought. The first issue is that the quality of the food on the Tauck tours is purported to be less-than-desirable. Apparently, some who've gone on the tours have stated that the food is "fast food", low quality, cafeteria style food. Another issue that people seemed to mention quite a bit is the time spent in transit. It seems that people complain about spending a large majority of the tour on the bus or en route to various destinations. Also cited were lack of knowledge on the part of the tour director and no time spent at each of the attractions or so-called itinerary highlights. One even says that it seemed that it was more of a photo-taking op at many of the trip highlights and that they are so time-driven that the element of surprise and fun on the tour was thus non-existent. I am not a Disney rep, I am a married, licensed professional mom of seven children who has no choice but to be very cautious in how I spend our vacation money. We work very hard for our funds and I am trying to get the best value, while still not scrimping on what I consider to be very important trip details - such as high-quality hotels, excellent palatable food choices, and ample time to spend at each tour highlight. Check some of the reviews out on google - you'll see what I mean.

 

[jenbadeaux]

Your comments are very interesting, Lilyteen. But if you go look up my previous posts from last year when I was still a HUGE ABD fan, you will see that I wrote about Amy, a lady who was on my Southwest Splendors tour. She had done Tauck cowboys and canyons(their version of Quest for the West) and had nothing negative to say about the tour. In fact, she loved it. Tauck has been around for a long time and enjoys a very good reputation. They only use professional guides, which is very different from Disney who uses both Disney employees and professional guides. Geraldine, one of the guides from my Southwest Splendors, is a professional guide, working for ABD and other tour companies. All my other guides(Maura, Daniel, and Landon) have been Disney parks employees(guest relations, yes program, VIP tour program). I loved them all, but I will say there is a difference. All were quite good, but Geraldine has a level of professionalism different from the others--this is not her summer job, it is her full time profession. In addition to Amy, I have now talked to several other people who have taken a Tauck trip. Everyone raves, just like we do about ABD. I would never bash another tour company without some first hand knowledge. I have now booked Costa Rica with Tauck for July 2010. Two other families from Quest for the West, for a total of 16 people, have now put down deposits to join us on that trip. They are fun families and we are looking forward to a delightful time. If I come away with a bad experience, I will share my disappointments, but I am not about to try to ruin a company's reputation based on something found on google. For someone who has not gone with Tauck or ABD, you seem very biased and that gives us all pause.

 

[glassslipper2004]

jenbadeaux - Good for you for moving so fast and making arrangements for your group and your friends to do another trip together!

lillyteen, any chance you noticed what hotel Tauck uses at the Grand Canyon?

Whatever the issues, and despite my disappointment with 2010 Disney offerings, I am very much looking forward to our trip which starts this Saturday. I'm glad we did Italy with Disney, because I wouldn't have been comfortable doing it on my own, and I can't imagine a better time. But for next summer I am thinking about London/Paris on our own, as I have been there before and am much more comfortable with both cities. I don't like the Disney trip because it seems to jam too much into a very short trip -- I would have tried Flavors of France, which seemed right up my alley, but alas, it is gone...

 

[lilyteen]

Hello, jen. Thanks for the reply. I did remember reading your post and I am probably wrong, but I thought you said that the lady who was on your SWS tour had mentioned taking tours with AUSTIN LEHMAN and being happy with them - not Tauck. If it was Austin Lehman that she was happy with, that would make complete sense because they do have an excellent reputation. I am not trying to come across as biased, but rather just comparing two similar trips being offered by rival companies. The only reason why I used Tauck as a comparison is because I was under the assumption that these disboards were for people who wanted to share thoughts/ideas. I received truly wonderful information from everyone sharing their trip reports. And I am also using information posted about other tour companies in order to see which one is the best value for the money. Many people have posted here that Tauck is a superb value, and I am just honestly not seeing it in the same light as perhaps others here on the boards. Because I have not been on an escorted tour by either of these companies, does not render me useless in being able to post information and/or research findings. I have traveled extensively, but am new to the group travel or escorted tours. I must also admit that I am taken aback by the seemingly scathing response I am getting for merely trying to take advantage of the boards to discuss/compare/share info on Disney and any other tour companies in order to make my FIRST tour the best that I can. Furthermore, I am saddened that one cannot post here without fear of being criticized for perceived lack of experience in the group travel industry or stance on comparison shopping.

 

[Bobo912]

I read some reviews from people who took Tauck tours, and it seems that certain complaints popped up frequently enough to give it some serious thought. The first issue is that the quality of the food on the Tauck tours is purported to be less-than-desirable. Apparently, some who've gone on the tours have stated that the food is "fast food", low quality, cafeteria style food. Another issue that people seemed to mention quite a bit is the time spent in transit. It seems that people complain about spending a large majority of the tour on the bus or en route to various destinations. Also cited were lack of knowledge on the part of the tour director and no time spent at each of the attractions or so-called itinerary highlights. One even says that it seemed that it was more of a photo-taking op at many of the trip highlights and that they are so time-driven that the element of surprise and fun on the tour was thus non-existent. I am not a Disney rep, I am a married, licensed professional mom of seven children who has no choice but to be very cautious in how I spend our vacation money. We work very hard for our funds and I am trying to get the best value, while still not scrimping on what I consider to be very important trip details - such as high-quality hotels, excellent palatable food choices, and ample time to spend at each tour highlight. Check some of the reviews out on google - you'll see what I mean.

I love ABD. I say good things about them to everybody who will listen. But with the exception of the "lack on knowledge" by the tour director (or guides in ABD's case), I think it is completely conceivable that someone could make the same complaints about ABD. Both trips I've taken, we spent a lot of time on the bus. It didn't bother me, but I can see how it might be a problem for some people. I'm a bit of a foodie, but I'm not taking these trips for the food, so the food has been fine with me, but it definitely isn't gourmet. You have to take everything you read on the internet (and even your friend's opinions) with a grain of salt. What is fine for some people, may not work for you. And there are some people who just aren't happy if they can't find something to complain about. For example, many times I've read extremely negative hotel reviews on Trip Advisor about hotels that I have used that were perfectly fine. And I don't think tour reviews are any different. Now if I came across lots of reviews and all of them were negative, then I might be concerned. But if some are negative and some are positive, then they don't really mean much as far as I'm concerned. I would put much more credence on a review by a DISer who has taken tours with ABD and other tour companies and can do a head-to-head comparison. Just my 2 cents.

 

[HappyGrumpy]

Hello, jen. Thanks for the reply. I did remember reading your post and I am probably wrong, but I thought you said that the lady who was on your SWS tour had mentioned taking tours with AUSTIN LEHMAN and being happy with them - not Tauck. If it was Austin Lehman that she was happy with, that would make complete sense because they do have an excellent reputation. I am not trying to come across as biased, but rather just comparing two similar trips being offered by rival companies. The only reason why I used Tauck as a comparison is because I was under the assumption that these disboards were for people who wanted to share thoughts/ideas. I received truly wonderful information from everyone sharing their trip reports. And I am also using information posted about other tour companies in order to see which one is the best value for the money. Many people have posted here that Tauck is a superb value, and I am just honestly not seeing it in the same light as perhaps others here on the boards. Because I have not been on an escorted tour by either of these companies, does not render me useless in being able to post information and/or research findings. I have traveled extensively, but am new to the group travel or escorted tours. I must also admit that I am taken aback by the seemingly scathing response I am getting for merely trying to take advantage of the boards to discuss/compare/share info on Disney and any other tour companies in order to make my FIRST tour the best that I can. Furthermore, I am saddened that one cannot post here without fear of being criticized for perceived lack of experience in the group travel industry or stance on comparison shopping.

Ok, you are most certainly are welcome to share your thoughts!!

But just for a second look at it from most of the "elders" I use the word "elder" in a respectful way b/c of those who have gone and come back to share their knowledge. You are a fairly new poster which is cool we need new people however when we see ABDLILLY and Lillyteen with basically the same amount of post on the same day with the subject matter that coincided with each other it causes everyone to raise and eyebrow

The majority of the people on this board have been literaly counting down the days for the new IT's and then PLOP! A big wet wool blanket was throw on the day by what was offered. So try and see it from that perspective! Everyone feels a bit jerked around.

Continue to fill us in on what you are finding and feel free to share your
thoughts. This is a place of very true raw emotion being expressed and as long as we are doing it in a respectful way lets continue the dialogue even if we don't always agree on all the subject matter. This should be a safe place for ALL to post respectfully to each other.

HG

 

[Tozzie]

Hello, jen. Thanks for the reply. I did remember reading your post and I am probably wrong, but I thought you said that the lady who was on your SWS tour had mentioned taking tours with AUSTIN LEHMAN and being happy with them - not Tauck. If it was Austin Lehman that she was happy with, that would make complete sense because they do have an excellent reputation. I am not trying to come across as biased, but rather just comparing two similar trips being offered by rival companies. The only reason why I used Tauck as a comparison is because I was under the assumption that these disboards were for people who wanted to share thoughts/ideas. I received truly wonderful information from everyone sharing their trip reports. And I am also using information posted about other tour companies in order to see which one is the best value for the money. Many people have posted here that Tauck is a superb value, and I am just honestly not seeing it in the same light as perhaps others here on the boards. Because I have not been on an escorted tour by either of these companies, does not render me useless in being able to post information and/or research findings. I have traveled extensively, but am new to the group travel or escorted tours. I must also admit that I am taken aback by the seemingly scathing response I am getting for merely trying to take advantage of the boards to discuss/compare/share info on Disney and any other tour companies in order to make my FIRST tour the best that I can. Furthermore, I am saddened that one cannot post here without fear of being criticized for perceived lack of experience in the group travel industry or stance on comparison shopping.

The problem is that most of the people here are speaking from experience or from the experience of people they know. You are welcome to post anything you like and we are allowed to call you on it. I can scour the internet and find a great review of Tauck for any negative review that you have found. The problem isn't the information you are posting it is your tone and attitude and your blatant attempts to steer people clear of any company other than ABD. With 16 posts, it is very suspicious about who you are and what your intentions really are. Sorry I am not buying into it. I have read your research but what you are not taking into account is what people want from a trip, not everyone is going to want all the activites that ABD offers some people might like the itineraries of other companies it is dependent on the people taking the trip.

I for one don't see you as providing information I see you as steering people towards ABD and away from other companies, in particular a company that many including myself have said they might book their next trip with. I