AAA can someone explain the AAA discount?

[sleepingbean]

What is the AAA discount at Disney resorts and what do you pay to become a AAA member? We used to be AAA members years ago and I liked the maps and perks they offered, but I don't remember much about membership fees or resort discounts?!

 

[unicorn1]

I think the amount of the discount varies by resort & season, but it's fairly significant, and usually enough to more than cover the amount of an annual AAA membership. AAA membership is generally about $60 annually. If you are booking resort only (not a package), call Disney and get a price, then ask how much it will be at the AAA rate.

I can tell you that Disney is the only reason I'm a AAA member. It has saved me quite a bit the past two years.

 

[*Robin*]

AAA also gives you a parking pass when you book a package (I'm not sure if it's included with resort only)

In my opinion, the parking pass alone is worth the price of AAA!! It saved up HOURS of walking and waiting through the years!

 

[kelleigh1]

The cost for your AAA membership will vary by state. It is probably best to go to AAA.com and find out there what it costs to join for your area.

You can save up to 20% off the rack rates for Disney. The amount you save is based on what "season" you go. 20% is the discount for value season, but as with all discounted rates, there are only a limited number of rooms available, so if you don't book early, you may not get discounted rate.

The discount only applies to the room price, but you can still book a package with AAA and you'll save off the price of the room and get additional benefits too. Someone mentioned the parking pass, which gives you a priority parking space at the parks. There are also some other minor perks, although I don't have my info in front of me, so I'm not sure exactly what those are.

Bottom line...on our trip during value season, we are paying about $200 less than what the WDW website is quoting for the same timeframe.

 

[Mcbruns]

You do not have to have a AAA membership to purchase Disney packages (I can't speak to room only). In our area of PA, our AAA office has a separate section just for Disney. We have used them the past 3 trips and do not have AAA. Last yeat we figured it out to be a 17% savings. They only offer a limited amount of packages.

 

[kelleigh1]

You do not have to have a AAA membership to purchase Disney packages (I can't speak to room only). In our area of PA, our AAA office has a separate section just for Disney. We have used them the past 3 trips and do not have AAA. Last yeat we figured it out to be a 17% savings. They only offer a limited amount of packages.

This may be unique to that location because from what I've always been told from other AAA offices, in order to qualify for the discount, you must be a AAA member.

 

[ribbot]

You do not have to have a AAA membership to purchase Disney packages (I can't speak to room only). In our area of PA, our AAA office has a separate section just for Disney. We have used them the past 3 trips and do not have AAA. Last yeat we figured it out to be a 17% savings. They only offer a limited amount of packages.

I'm from PA---and I had to show my membership card before I could even sit down in the AAA travel agent's chair Are you from East or Western PA?

 

[sleepingbean]

Well, I called and they quoted me a discount around 20% off for the time I wanted to go, however it didn't really make sense because when I went online, the discounted price they quoted me was the same as the price on the Disney website?



I dunno?

 

[JCornell]

From what I had read on other posts, you don't have to be a AAA member to book a package through AAA. However, for Disney to honor your discounted rate you need to show your AAA membership at check-in (i.e. you can book without a membership but you need the membership by the time of your arrival). That said, I've also read that they often don't ask for your AAA card at check in but you're taking a chance since in my experience last Easter break they did ask to see ours (one membership required per room). I also agree that it was well worth it and we're going again this Easter break on a AAA package.

 

[*Robin*]

AAA has a travel agency. You can book all kinds of vacations there. You can't, however, get the AAA discount unless you have a membership.

 

[Mcbruns]

I'm from PA---and I had to show my membership card before I could even sit down in the AAA travel agent's chair Are you from East or Western PA?

We're in Eastern PA and use AAA in Reading. They have their own division just for Disney. We always deal with the same person (Jennifer Kopicki) Again, I am not speaking to room only or other AAA discounts. I understand you need a AAA membership for roadside assistance and other hotel discounts, not for Disney packages. I am just passing on what we do.

It would surprise me if other AAA divisions were different.

We used them in 2005 for our stay at the BCV and in 2006 for a stay in the Contemporary and in 2007 for our ASMu stay. We got the MYW package each time. We do not have a AAA membership.

 

[Tam1067]

In the Chicago area, I have to give my AAA number before the agent will give me a quote.

We're saving close to $400 off the rate quoted through Disney directly for 8 nights at the Polynesian with passes (and hoppers) and DDP in July, when there are no other codes available. Our membership covering two drivers (DH and I) is around $75 a year.

In addition to the parking perks, if you book a package through AAA, you'll get the Storytime in MK (we had the Fairy Godmother last year) and some coupons for shopping at Downtown Disney.

 

[kaysmommie]

I thought you could actually get the AAA quote first and the ndecide if it's worth it or not? how much does it usually save off deluxe in regular season?

 

[Mickey's Girl]

Would a AAA discount for room only be as deep a discount as an AP discount. I am already a AAA member, and I would rather use that instead of purchasing an AP. We are going in the Peak season and need the best discount we can get!

 

[Disneyolic]

We just joined AAA last Saturday for the savings. I had originally purchased the package through WDTC for POR, 7 nights at the end of June, MYW 6 days plus Dining. WDTC had the price of $2889.76. I called the local AAA Travel Center who gave me a quote of $2682.98 if I joined AAA. They also said they would waive the application fee of $15 if I purchased the package. AAA cost $50. Therefore, I saved $150 on my package after the AAA fee. Plus I now have AAA for a year. I feel it was definitely worth it.

As a side note, I used my AAA card already at Payless Shoes and saved over $5. Not a lot, but definitely something. I'm really liking this AAA!

 

[mommapea]

As a side note, I used my AAA card already at Payless Shoes and saved over $5. Not a lot, but definitely something. I'm really liking this AAA!

I can use my AAA card at Payless Shoes? I had no idea. I just spent over $70 on ballet and tap shoes for my dd's. Guess I need to check with AAA to find other things that I can save on.

 

[Tam1067]

We saved close to $400 for 8 nights for the 5 of us at the Polynesian during Value season in July of this year. The www.mousesavers.com site has more info on the specifics. Here's the information there:

AAA and CAA Resort Hotel Discounts
American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) members qualify for "room only" discounts almost year-round, though there are a limited number of rooms available for each date. You can generally save about 10-20% at the Disney resort hotels, depending on the season.

In general, the discounts run as follows:

During Value Season you can get up to 15% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 20% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.
During Regular Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.
During Peak Season and Summer Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts.
The only time AAA/CAA discounts don't usually apply is Holiday Season (around Christmas) at the Value and Moderate resorts.

This is off the hotel portion of whatever you're booking.

 

[ribbot]

I can use my AAA card at Payless Shoes? I had no idea. I just spent over $70 on ballet and tap shoes for my dd's. Guess I need to check with AAA to find other things that I can save on.

Yep, go to their website and you'll find everything that's offered for discounts. We've saved $475 already this year between Disney and Pearle Vision (glasses)! and it's only February!

 

[ribbot]

We're in Eastern PA and use AAA in Reading. They have their own division just for Disney. We always deal with the same person (Jennifer Kopicki) Again, I am not speaking to room only or other AAA discounts. I understand you need a AAA membership for roadside assistance and other hotel discounts, not for Disney packages. I am just passing on what we do.

It would surprise me if other AAA divisions were different.

We used them in 2005 for our stay at the BCV and in 2006 for a stay in the Contemporary and in 2007 for our ASMu stay. We got the MYW package each time. We do not have a AAA membership.

I'm in Western PA and like I said, we had to put our card in front of the girl before we could even sit down to talk to her. We saved the 20% off Value season at POP for this year, plus we got an extra $75 off for booking through AAA in January. It made the room part of our package $65 per night which I thought was a great deal since we paid $59 in 2005.

 

[Trep72]

Does AAA allow for the same deposit and payment options as booking directly through Disney?

Thanks in advance...