AAA dilemma

[gigi1976]

So I called AAA just to see what the perks of booking through them were, and if I could still make my own ADRs. When she called me back we went over the whole "what are you looking for in a resort, how many people, how many days" playbook, I tell her we have two kids and an infant and she says "well you can't put 5 people in a value room, even if one's a baby". I just acted like I didn't know Disney stuff and said I'd call back when we were closer to making a decision. So do I suffer through a TA that isn't a Disney expert to get the perks or just book it myself?

 

[cepmom]

that makes me crazy! I say book it yourself. I don't really see what the benefits of using a TA are especially if they have no Disney knowledge! If you want to use a TA for your trip, I would suggest using Dreams Unlimited or Small World Vacations who both specialize in Disney vacations

 

[pamjb]

I believe that you can get 15% off rack rates if booking through AAA. If you decide to book with them, you can still make your ADR's

 

[cepmom]

I believe that you can get 15% off rack rates if booking through AAA. If you decide to book with them, you can still make your ADR's

you can still get the AAA discount even if you book yourself

 

[kalliyan1]

if you book it yourself online or by calling disney, once you make a deposit or even after you make final payment, you can have your reservation taken over by AAA and still get the perks.....we do this ALL the time for the exact reasons you stated and have never had a problem getting it transferes

 

[Lewisc]

So do I suffer through a TA that isn't a Disney expert to get the perks or just book it myself?

You have to decide if the extra perks is worth dealing with a TA. Some TAs (including some AAA TAs) have booking fees, change fees or cancellation fees in addition to any fees charged by Disney. I wouldn't pay extra, or reduce my ability to make changes, for the AAA perks.

You don't have to do either. Some of the AAA TAs know Disney and some don't. When you call (or walk into an office) ask for the agent that books a lot of Disney vacations.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

We have a fantastic agent. We love the extra AAA perks, especially Story Time, which to me is one of my favorite things in the whole park! The close up parking is great to if you drive to the parks

 

[buzz2400]

I have booked through disney (over phone) and gotten a AAA discount. I beleive the only things you really get if you book with AAA directly is the story book session, the diamond parking pass and some kind of discount at the main disney store at the marketplace. If you can do without these, I would just book by calling and disney and asking for AAA price. Also remember if there is some disney special going on (like free dining in september) you don't get AAA discount for that.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You cannot book a MYW package with the AAA discount yourself, only a room-only AAA discount.

I book my own reservations with WDW then, BEFORE my final payment is due, I transfer my reservation to my beloved AAA travel agent who resides in another state entirely. She makes the final payment on my behalf and sends me my AAA goodies before we travel.

I do all my own dining reservations and such. She just completes the final transaction for me. Win win for both of us.

 

[Mary2e]

So I called AAA just to see what the perks of booking through them were, and if I could still make my own ADRs. When she called me back we went over the whole "what are you looking for in a resort, how many people, how many days" playbook, I tell her we have two kids and an infant and she says "well you can't put 5 people in a value room, even if one's a baby". I just acted like I didn't know Disney stuff and said I'd call back when we were closer to making a decision. So do I suffer through a TA that isn't a Disney expert to get the perks or just book it myself?

The biggest perks of booking through AAA are the fireworks special viewing areas and the AAA diamond parking pass.

 

[sah95]

You cannot book a MYW package with the AAA discount yourself, only a room-only AAA discount.

I book my own reservations with WDW then, BEFORE my final payment is due, I transfer my reservation to my beloved AAA travel agent who resides in another state entirely. She makes the final payment on my behalf and sends me my AAA goodies before we travel.

I do all my own dining reservations and such. She just completes the final transaction for me. Win win for both of us.

Does Disney do the transfer or does your TA call Disney to do the transfer? I'm so glad I saw your post!

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

This is from their site:

When you book a AAA Vacations® package to the Walt Disney World® Resort, you will enjoy:

Magic Your Way Base Ticket: Admission to one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks for each day of your stay (one Theme Park per day; must be used within 14 days of first use).

AAA Vacations Packages include certificates for Disney`s Miniature Golf, Sea Raycer watercraft rentals, Planet Hollywood® food and non- alcoholic beverages. When you book a Magic Your Way Premium or Magic Your Way Platinum Package you also enjoy Preferred Fireworks Viewing.

EXCLUSIVE - When you book a "Plus Dining Package", a "Premium Package" or a "Platinum Package" you will be able to experience "Disney Story Time" - an exclusive storytelling experience with a character from a classic Disney animated feature. This charming story time takes place in the intimate Expo Hall Theatre in Town Square Exposition Hall in Magic Kingdom Park (advanced reservations are required, reservations vouchers and Theme Park admission required; seating is limited and subject to availability, operates on select days of the week and certain blockout dates apply).

EXCLUSIVE - AAA Vacations Diamond Card - All AAA Vacations® packages include the exclusive AAA Vacations® Diamond Card, which provides special savings and values at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort (one card per package). See the Special Promotions Tab for participating locations and specific benefits.

EXCLUSIVE - AAA Diamond Parking - Convenient Preferred Parking spaces at all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks (subject to availability, voucher required, block-out dates apply; nontransferable and void is sold.)

Keepsake AAA Vacations® luggage tag (one per person)

Must-See Must-Do How To Guide - a 40-page, full color booklet packed with everything from Theme Park maps and children`s activities, to tours, Disney Character Dining plus special tips to make your AAA Vacations® package stay the most magical ever. (NOTE: Guide is not available with Disney`s Basic Package)

Hertz® Rental Car Upgrade: Ask about an upgrade opportunity on selected rentals (restrictions apply)

Hertz® Complimentary Child Seat: Add a Hertz® car rental to your AAA Vacations® package and request one child seat at no additional charge (restrictions apply).

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Does Disney do the transfer or does your TA call Disney to do the transfer? I'm so glad I saw your post!

I send my TA a signed authorization form allowing her to take control of my reservation. The TA forwards that authorization to WDW where the reservation is assigned a new confirmation # which my TA emails to me within a day or two. I then have my TA make the final payment. This way she gets the credit for the reservation and I get the goodies. This has been working like a charm for 5 years.

 

[SarahKate]

We've used AAA for our last 3 trips. I like to have some control over things so I do all my own ADR's and that kind of stuff. Basically we just use the TA to book our trip for us so that we can get the discounted rate and especially the Diamond Parking Pass. I don't rely on them for any sort of Disney advice or expertise, because that's what I come here for! We usually save a few hundred bucks going thru them, although this year it was cheaper for us to book the special package and get the $300 Disney gift card!

Our TA has also been really good about just automatically rebooking our trip for us if a code comes out, he doesn't ask us, he just does it for us! Last time we saved about $100.

 

[lumpy08]

can anyone tell me about the special viewing for the fireworks for AAA? I thought my agent told me about there is a special viewing for the parade. Has anyone done this?

 

[CdnCarrie]

The Disney promotions like free dining, stay for 4 - get 3 nights free are all much better deal then the AAA discount. So unless you're going at a peak time where there are no promotions there is very little Perks to booking with AAA. I guess if you really want the story time thing. Hardly seems worth it to me.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

The Disney promotions like free dining, stay for 4 - get 3 nights free are all much better deal then the AAA discount. So unless you're going at a peak time where there are no promotions there is very little Perks to booking with AAA. I guess if you really want the story time thing. Hardly seems worth it to me.

You can book through AAA and still get those discounts plus get the AAA perks.

 

[CdnCarrie]

You can book through AAA and still get those discounts plus get the AAA perks.

Oh I know that! I just don't think the perks are worth it myself. Maybe for others. I like to book myself. It's so much fun to phone Mickey! Why let someone else have that fun??


Actually I use Airmiles for our flights and all our passes so I really don't need a TA.

 

[Mary2e]

can anyone tell me about the special viewing for the fireworks for AAA? I thought my agent told me about there is a special viewing for the parade. Has anyone done this?

It's fireworks viewing. There are special areas for AAA customers only. In the MK, it's near The Plaza restaurant, down the stairs. I forgot where it is in EC.

As well, I just noticed that it's no longer open to anyone who books just a regular MYW package, now you have to book the premium or platinum package to get access to the area.

 

[floridascgirl]

You can book through AAA and still get those discounts plus get the AAA perks.

I know when I booked through AAA and then a Disney special came out, I had to choose between the two...either the AAA discount or the Disney Special ( it was 30% off I think). There was no combining of the two offers.