CaliforniaGirl09
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
I'd love to visit one!Some of the ones I have seen look amazing, but I can see why some people wouldn’t want to stay in one.
I'd have a pretty hard time getting up off the floor, too! This poor old back just ain't what it used to be! While the Ryokan sounds kind of cool, I'd be surprised if ABD did something like that that would be physically prohibitive for a lot of folks. I guess we'll find out!
Sayhello
This is my thought as well... in order to accommodate everyone I doubt they would choose a ryokan and would likely stick to nice hotels. I could see them including an optional day trip to a hot spring or something instead.
I've stayed at a few and really enjoyed them - as others said you don't HAVE to use the public baths. They tend to have private options as well though sometimes the facilities are still shared. One I stayed in I felt truly immersed... the water in the tubs were communal even though they were private. I got out pretty quick when I saw the hair floating... ^^; The other ones had constant fresh water circulating.
I totally agree with you! I don't have a backup vacation booked yet - I might do Hawaii if the Japan trip doesn't look good (unlikely!) or the price is too astronomical (although I'm not sure how much is "too much" at this point. Where do you draw the line? ) But I *REALLY* want to go! It's been on my bucket list for YEARS and YEARS!I can't wait to see what this trip looks like... I booked a backup cruise on DCL just in case its out of my price range but I really want to go on this!
I totally agree with you! I don't have a backup vacation booked yet - I might do Hawaii if the Japan trip doesn't look good (unlikely!) or the price is too astronomical (although I'm not sure how much is "too much" at this point. Where do you draw the line? ) But I *REALLY* want to go! It's been on my bucket list for YEARS and YEARS!
Sayello
Nat Geo family and Thomson family both stay at a Ryokan during the trip, but A&K family does not. So it shall be interesting to see what ABD does. I think if they do it would give me pause since I know it would be very uncomfortable for me to get up off the floor and I don't think I'd truly enjoy the experience. Did I mention that you are supposed to walk around the Ryokan in a robe and slippers they provide you with? I would be very uncomfortable with this.
And since we could only likely do this trip in August when it's horribly humid in Japan I am not sure if we can make it work. Now if they include some park experiences we could be swayed. It shall be interesting.
C'mon ABD! Release the itinerary already!!
Yep, but I'm still pretty pissed at Thomson's, who made it quite clear that I, as a solo, childless traveler, was not really welcome on their trips. ABD has *ALWAYS* been inclusive.Oh! It looks like the Tomsons' ryokan has "modern" rooms with western beds in addition to the futon rooms... maybe you could insist on having one of those? I loooooved Osaka, I like their itinerary more than nat geos. They call out more activities vs museums and spend another day in Tokyo instead of taking a day trip to Hakone. Tokyo just isn't getting enough time in either, but at least you aren't tossing another train ride/stop into a jammed packed schedule. But then, they DO go to Nara which almost makes up for that... Nara is really fun, especially if you have kids, since the deer are so cute! You can always stay in Kyoto another day or two to do that though. Its an easy train ride away.
Yep, but I'm still pretty pissed at Thomson's, who made it quite clear that I, as a solo, childless traveler, was not really welcome on their trips. ABD has *ALWAYS* been inclusive.
Sayhello
OMG, how bizarre is that!It's funny because I requested a Thomson brochure thinking that as a middle-aged person with a kid, I would be their demographic. The brochure they sent me was dedicated to travelling with your Millennial "children," including discussion about how Millennials like to be treated like adults. Imagine, people between 22 and 37 wanting to cross the street by themselves and go potty without a chaperone. What a crazy generation we are. I'm guessing they sent me the wrong brochure, but they are permanently off my list of possible tour companies.
I travel solo, so there's very little chance I'll DIY Japan. We shall see. I've learned to never say never.Anyway, back on topic. I'm very curious to see what the ABD Japan itinerary will include. But since my family's must-do list includes bunny island and snow monkeys, my guess is that we'll eventually just DIY Japan.
It's funny because I requested a Thomson brochure thinking that as a middle-aged person with a kid, I would be their demographic. The brochure they sent me was dedicated to travelling with your Millennial "children," including discussion about how Millennials like to be treated like adults. Imagine, people between 22 and 37 wanting to cross the street by themselves and go potty without a chaperone. What a crazy generation we are. I'm guessing they sent me the wrong brochure, but they are permanently off my list of possible tour companies.
Anyway, back on topic. I'm very curious to see what the ABD Japan itinerary will include. But since my family's must-do list includes bunny island and snow monkeys, my guess is that we'll eventually just DIY Japan.
Yep, but I'm still pretty pissed at Thomson's, who made it quite clear that I, as a solo, childless traveler, was not really welcome on their trips. ABD has *ALWAYS* been inclusive.
Sayhello
It's funny because I requested a Thomson brochure thinking that as a middle-aged person with a kid, I would be their demographic. The brochure they sent me was dedicated to travelling with your Millennial "children," including discussion about how Millennials like to be treated like adults. Imagine, people between 22 and 37 wanting to cross the street by themselves and go potty without a chaperone. What a crazy generation we are. I'm guessing they sent me the wrong brochure, but they are permanently off my list of possible tour companies.
Anyway, back on topic. I'm very curious to see what the ABD Japan itinerary will include. But since my family's must-do list includes bunny island and snow monkeys, my guess is that we'll eventually just DIY Japan.
OMG, how bizarre is that!
I travel solo, so there's very little chance I'll DIY Japan. We shall see. I've learned to never say never.
Sayhello
OMG!!! That is SO LAME!! I just can't believe "We plan for later starts in the morning when we can". OMG. Too funny!I am dying laughing at this marketing material: https://familyadventures.com/specialty-adventures/teens-millennials/
I called to speak to someone to ask about a trip after exchanging some emails. I think it may have been for their Japan trip before ABD showed any inclination to do one. The guy I talked to told me it was a family trip and "they don't encourage" singles to take their family trips, and steered me towards some sister company I'd never heard of. He honestly made it sound like families wouldn't feel safe with singles on the trips. He definitely made it sound like they believe singles wouldn't like traveling with families. I tried twice, and basically got the same answer. Really turned me off to the company.What did they say or do...? Thats crazy!
Check laceltris3's link above to the Thomson Family Adventures site. It's not just an outdated catalog!!Yep, 36 year old "millennial child" here. Was it just a really outdated catalog? Frankly when I travel with my parents these days I'm the adult and they're the children! They like to put their feet up and have their kids do all the planning.
I just don't like being anywhere that far away for that long where people aren't expecting me to show up at a certain place by a certain time. If anything happened to me, how long would it take someone to realize it? It might be paranoid, but it's how I feel.Honestly if there is anywhere in the world I would solo a trip it is Japan. Plenty of english around, exceedingly safe, straightforward trains, VERY polite general population & very clean with some of the best customer service in the world. If I can't afford ABD or if their itinerary doesn't seem worth it I'm going solo.
I have not. The closest I have come is going to the Ghibli museum (which was great) but there weren't any animators there or anything.