Yes -- there were unique activities just for our group. For example, the Dude Ranch was just for Tauck guests. (Tauck is a part owner so when there is a Tauck tour (regular or Bridges) only Tauck guests are there. We had special guides at the parks and stopped at locations along the way that were off the beaten track. Our trip was different that ABD as it started (or ended) in Rapid City to see Mt. Rushmore and ended in Jackson.
Yes, at the group meals (after the welcome dinner) the kids did sit together and so did the adults. At breakfast and lunches they often sat together as well.
I can't speak to the specifics of "special" things. I did just look at the equivalent itinerary for the trip we did and they do look very similar. Disney did seem to offer a few more things at night (Disney movies) then Tauck, but because it was summer, many families on our trip ate a late dinner (when we were in the parks) and used the daylight hours to hike, etc. At the Grand Tetons bunches of the kids swam (to cold for the parents). We had a campfire one night, went to the rodeo another night, etc.
There were several single people with a child on our tour (grandmothers and mothers). All seemed to really enjoy it.
Thanks so much for your input! Sorry to keep asking questions, but you (lastminutemom) seem to be the only one on the boards who can provide first hand experience into Tauck, and there don't seem to be any other trip reviews on-line.
Did Tauck provide kid only activities (vs. spontaneous kid free-time supervised by parents)? I would guess your example of kids swimming was not an organized tour guide supervised activity, right? Did they structure aspects of the trip to split between adults and kids? For instance, when we were in Germany with ABD, at one of the castles we toured, the kids had their own tour guide. She gave them more of the kid's view of the castle (alot of focus on the knights!), where the adults got the more normal tour (history, architecture, decor, etc.)
As far as my question about "special" things, I'll clarify. On our Germany trip (not so much on our Alaska trip), there were a few surprises that weren't on the itinerary. Things that left you with that "WOW" feeling. Things you wouldn't know about if you just read the itinerary on-line or in the catalog. (I won't give examples because I might ruin the surprises for others). I really thought that was the ABD difference, but am not sure now since we didn't really experience it in Alaska. Did the Tauck tour have a few special surprises thrown in?
Did you have one or two guides? Did they really seem to be interested in and good at engaging the kids? I do think ABD goes to great length to find kid-friendly guides.
I appreciate you taking the time to help me (us) discern the differences between the two companies.