2008 rezzies

[tink_lover]

This site and many people on it were so helpful in planning our spring vacation this year. I'm starting on next year's plans. Here are a couple of questions...What are your thoughts on AAA rates? Are they worth it for the Deluxe hotels? Can AAA make reservations that include the DDP?

Last year I made the reservations thru the website. I was going to do that this year also, but because we would like a more specific room request ( and we are making the rezzies early) - do you think it would be better to call?

As always, thanks for the advice and I'm sooooo looking forward to planning this trip!

 

[fla4fun]

The only way to get the AAA rate on the room and include the DDP is to book through AAA, either by phone or on AAA's website. You can book a AAA room only rate through Disney (by phone, not online though) or through AAA direct. If you qualify for other discounts (Disney Visa, AP, Florida Resident) or if a general public code is released, you will need to be booked through Disney to modify your reservation to include these discounts. Most of these discounts will apply to room only reservations, not packages.

I have an AP and the dining plan doesn't work for me, so I book room only with an AAA discount first, and if a better discount comes along later, I try to get it applied. My philosophy is any discount is better than no discount at all!

 

[jess20k]

Unless you want a room only then you have to book through AAA directly for the package rate. I just cancelled my package that I booked directly through Disney and booked one with AAA. I was able to get a woods view at the WL, we were previously booked in a std. and we still saved $100.00. We booked the 7 day hopper and the basic DDP.

I usually prefer to book through AAA, so that I could take advantage of some savings...Usually we end up saving $100.00-200.00. So, I think it is worth it.

 

[Tam1067]

We saved close to $400 on the Polynesian by going through AAA vs. Disney directly. If you want DDP, you must go through an AAA agent.

Also, there is a nice perk if you have young kids, where you get to go to the Storytime in MK. We saw Fairy Godmother last year and Alice this year. It's only available to people who book a package through AAA.

 

[tink_lover]

Thanks - I did not know that about Storytime. Do you have to request that when making your reservations thru AAA? Also, if you make a room request thru AAA, will it be honored? We want to stay in the tower but on a higher level floor. This past vacation, I made the same request online, but did not get a high floor.

 

[Tam1067]

If you use AAA, you can have the travel agent make the request for you. It will be noted as "not guaranteed" on your reservation.

We've done this both times we used AAA and stayed at the Polynesian. We got our buildings both times (Samoa in 06 and Tokelau on 07), though when we asked for Samoa, we did not get the balcony we requested, due I'm sure to a lack of availability of balcony rooms in that building on the day we checked in. My advice is to make your request simple and put the most important part of it first, if there's more than one element to it.

With the AAA Storytime, you get a vouchers for each member of your party when you get your final documents about a month before you go. On the voucher is a telephone number to call and make a reservation. Both times we've done it, I called a few days after receiving the voucher and never had trouble getting the day and time I wanted.