AAA and when to book the trip

[Dayzee1026]

Hi All,

Does anyone book their Disney trip through AAA? Is the discount worth it or can you find better deals elsewhere?

Also, I'm planning a trip for the last week in October of 2013, when should I book it?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

 

[chipdale74]

Before I joined DVC I always booked my vacations through AAA. They seemed to have the best package deals. I would also try other travel agents like never land, costco's or bj's if you belong to them. As to how far out you can book you need to check with them. I think Disney has something to say about it

Good luck!

 

[hulagirl87]

We just booked our January trip through AAA we booked it the day that 2013 rates came out. We got a room discount and I think it was pretty good. Better to save some than none at all! I would book now for October. You'll have to put down a deposit, but it will guarantee the resort for you.

 

[Ariel1977]

I forgot how much we saved by going through AAA, but it was less than directly through Disney. Also, if FD comes out for our room (it did not include us), AAA can find out which is a better deal and adjust it (FD or the discount).

 

[Laurali]

I priced our Sept. stay through Disney and through AAA and the later was more expensive. Perhaps because we got a room discount through Disney but I was pretty surprised. Check out your options for sure.

 

[Dayzee1026]

Thanks for the help everyone. I got quotes from 3 different places and AAA was actually the cheapest. The agent at AAA, said its a 10% that I received. = )

 

[leedavidt]

I Have Always Used AAA To Buy My Parkhopper Tickets Instead Of Doing It At The Gate.
They Have Been Cheaper At The AAA Office.
As For Vacation Packages, I Used Orbitz,Travelocity,And The Next Adventure Was Booked Through Southwest.
All Included Airfare-(nonstop)
All Except One Has Been Spent At DTD ! What A Deal When You Split The Trip Down The Middle With Your Son Who Just Turned 22 !

 

[csharpwv]

We had sent a few folks to AAA after we had booked there, then we booked another trip through them - and when we had zero assistance in actually planning that trip, we haven't been back to AAA for travel assistance.

They aren't great at providing additional information, letting you know what is going on at WDW when you will be there, what attractions are closed for rehab etc.

Check with the agencies that sell Disney travel exclusively. There are more and more of them, Pixie Vacations, Dreams Unlimited, Small World Vacation, Fairy Godmother Travel - the list goes on. It seems a new one is popping up every few months.

Be sure to go with an agency that is designated as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner!

 

[daughtryfan114]

We had sent a few folks to AAA after we had booked there, then we booked another trip through them - and when we had zero assistance in actually planning that trip, we haven't been back to AAA for travel assistance.

They aren't great at providing additional information, letting you know what is going on at WDW when you will be there, what attractions are closed for rehab

We booked our upcoming trip with AAA. We did save money but our TA wasnt much of a help with anything else.

 

[skriegerjr]

We had sent a few folks to AAA after we had booked there, then we booked another trip through them - and when we had zero assistance in actually planning that trip, we haven't been back to AAA for travel assistance.

They aren't great at providing additional information, letting you know what is going on at WDW when you will be there, what attractions are closed for rehab etc.

Check with the agencies that sell Disney travel exclusively. There are more and more of them, Pixie Vacations, Dreams Unlimited, Small World Vacation, Fairy Godmother Travel - the list goes on. It seems a new one is popping up every few months.

Be sure to go with an agency that is designated as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner!

We always book thru AAA, not only for the discount (which had always been cheaper than any other travel agent I've received quotes from/and cheaper than booking with Disney direct, except when FD means the price is the same) but for the benefits...AAA fireworks viewing, AAA diamond parking (we drive down from NY and dislike the buses) but most especially the AAA Storytime.

As far as the trip planning, we love doing all the research in the months before, and between sites like Allears and the DIS, we find all the info we need re: attraction closings etc. we use Touringplans.com for park recommendations, and the lines App.

We've been to the World so many times, we usually know more than our AAA agent (who is a doll, sweetest lady)

Sent from my Toshiba Thrive 32GB using the DISBoards App

 

[daughtryfan114]

Our AAA agent never told us about the fireworks. When he called to come and pick up our package I saw the voucher in the book and asked. He told me it fills up very fast since there is not a lot of room and that we could see the fireworks just fine from the ground. When we do another trip, I will use AAA again, but will request a different agent!

 

[JStiffler]

I love my AAA Disney Magic Maker! She knows so much about Disney and has been great about informing me of all of the AAA benefits. She even sat on hold for an hour trying to get our tickets switched when FD came over for this Oct. (we had Royal Rooms booked an unfortunately nothing was available). I guess it all depends on the agent you choose. Mine is even going to help me plan my park itinerary.

 

[JStiffler]

Our AAA agent never told us about the fireworks. When he called to come and pick up our package I saw the voucher in the book and asked. He told me it fills up very fast since there is not a lot of room and that we could see the fireworks just fine from the ground. When we do another trip, I will use AAA again, but will request a different agent!

Have you tried calling yourself to see if you can still get fireworks reservations? It might be worth a shot?

 

[Anonny]

A travel agency that specializes in Disney can get you the AAA discount on the room. That way you get room discount and Disney knowledge.

 

[daughtryfan114]

Yeah I called and unfortunately it is all booked. She said there is about 50 spots allotted for it. She has noticed pretty many AAA people calling once they get their booklet and see the fireworks voucher. I emailed our agent and told him he should mention it when people are making their initial reservations. Just because he didn't feel it was "worth" it doesn't mean we didn't.
Oh well, we are going to have a blast anyway!!! 20 days and counting!!!

 

[gelebean2]

I book to save my room i want with Disney around a yr before my trip. Make small monthly payments n pay it off before going.

Disney does let u call in and have the room rate readjusted with the package deals or room only deals or even free dining if you want. Last yr i adjusted my price four times to get the best price with Disney directly.

Park passes with park hopper is just like $20.00 cheaper through AAA then direct with Disney after taxes, fees. So i get my park passes through AAA.

If u call Disney directly, u can check on their rates n packages ( i do a couple times a month for the best deal) U CAN ASK FOR AAA DISCOUNT OFFERS when u call Disney directly they do apply a AAA discount if u are a AAA member.

 

[pg0314]

I did a lot of research before booking our upcoming trip and AAA had the best package deals for what we wanted. By booking our flight and hotel together we got a really, really good rate on the room. And AAA travel insurance is a bargain at $50 a piece.

 

[skriegerjr]

A travel agency that specializes in Disney can get you the AAA discount on the room. That way you get room discount and Disney knowledge.

Discount but none of the AAA Benefits...

 

[skriegerjr]

Yeah I called and unfortunately it is all booked. She said there is about 50 spots allotted for it. She has noticed pretty many AAA people calling once they get their booklet and see the fireworks voucher. I emailed our agent and told him he should mention it when people are making their initial reservations. Just because he didn't feel it was "worth" it doesn't mean we didn't.
Oh well, we are going to have a blast anyway!!! 20 days and counting!!!

In the FWIW category, we've never been able to book it either (always booked up!) but I have a friend who's a certified WDW nut (she's had several of her tips published in the Passporter for Guests with Special Needs) and she had a great tip for me, watch the Fireworks from the Train Platform, and then walk down and out of the park after they are over, no crowds and you beat the mad rush for the bus/monorail/boat, etc. Can't wait to try it this trip.

Also, this past November, we watched the fireworks from the boat dock at TTC, the music was piped over there as well, and it was fantastic...we had parked there that day, so we literally finished watching the fireworks, got in our car, and drove back to POFQ, and were home in 10 min or less! Way better than 2hrs waiting for buses! We are going again this November, but had to postpone from Aug to Nov, so decided to upgrade to WL. Can't wait!

 

[Julie521]

I booked through AAA and got a room discount, then when the free dining came up during our dates, we switched to that discount and the free dining actually took $200 off the price. Sine we drove, we also loved the perk of the "AAA diamond parking." you pretty much park up front in every park except AK. You also get some vouchers, and a 10% discount at all Disney stores. Our travel agent was great for what we needed. I planned everything myself and made our reservations so I wasn't worried about needed that extra assistance.