AAA discount Fort Widerness Cabins vs Dining Plan

[lippylulu]

I was told that I cannot book a Dining Package with Park tickets AND get the AAA discount on a room or in my case a cabin at Fort Wilderness. We are ging with out 10 year old daughter for either 7 or 8 nights. Which will save us more money----the AAA discount on the room/cabin or the basic dining plan for 3 (dd is 10 years old). We are not likely to do any cooking in our cabin except eating breafast and snacks at night.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I think it depends on how you eat. I might take a look at the restaurants you're considering, figure out *about* how much food would cost you on a typical day without the dining plan, and compare it to the cost of the dining plan for the three of you per day. If you plan to eat a table service meal every day (still a generalization as there is a wide variety in prices) and you typically would eat the appetizer/entree/dessert each that comes with the dining plan, the difference in what you'd pay out of pocket for food may exceed the AAA discount. That also depends on when you're going and what the AAA discount amounts to in real dollars, i.e. percentage off and cost of the cabin in value season vs. holiday time. I'm not sure what the percentage off would be for your particular trip, and I imagine it might make a difference.

 

[Tam1067]

If you call an AAA agent directly, you can get the DDP, tickets, and the AAA on the room only portion of your package. If you book through Disney direct (or through another travel agent who is not an AAA agent at an AAA agency), you can usually get a room only reservation with an AAA discount on the room. But then you cannot get a package including tickets and the DDP.

I hope this makes sense to you.

I've done two different trips with AAA, and both times, we've gotten the AAA discount and a package (tickets and DDP) by calling an AAA agent directly. You also get a few more perks that way including a Storytime at MK, some shopping discount coupons for Downtown Disney, and some other things.

 

[lippylulu]

Tam, thank for the tip. I will call AAA tomorrow and maybe get a better deal.

The Disney approved agent (not AAA) said the AAA discount applied was around $33 a night. Dining is roughly $39-40 per night. I can't figure out which is worth it if I have to choose, but maybe with AAA I won't have to.

 

[Gillian]

Tam, thank for the tip. I will call AAA tomorrow and maybe get a better deal.

The Disney approved agent (not AAA) said the AAA discount applied was around $33 a night. Dining is roughly $39-40 per night. I can't figure out which is worth it if I have to choose, but maybe with AAA I won't have to.

What did you find out from AAA? My agent booked us with the AAA discount and the dining plan.

The dining plan is generally a good deal if you eat out at 1 table service meal per day. Food at the World is very expensive. There are menus here somewhere and also at allearsnet.com

Have fun!

 

[lippylulu]

What did you find out from AAA? My agent booked us with the AAA discount and the dining plan.

The dining plan is generally a good deal if you eat out at 1 table service meal per day. Food at the World is very expensive. There are menus here somewhere and also at allearsnet.com

Have fun!

I called AAA and did get a better quote by about $200. I also checked packages on Jet Blue and they had a great deal too with airfare---but no dining plan. I am still sorting it all out!

 

[mill4023]

At first, I thought you were talking about the free dining plan special for August/September. You can't get the free dining offer and the AAA discount.

But you can definitely get the AAA discount on a package and purchase the dining plan. You just have to book through AAA. Now whether or not purchasing the dining plan makes sense for you is another question.

Look through the menus here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm
This will give you an idea of the prices. Don't forget to add tax and tip to those prices. That should give you an idea of what you would spend on meals each day without the dining plan. Compare that to the cost of the dining plan (almost $120 per night for the 3 of you) and see if you come out ahead or not.

But in general terms,
If you like to eat mostly counter service meals, the dining plan is probably not a good value.
If you like to eat at least one nice table service meal per day and you enjoy getting appetizers and desserts, the dining plan will probably save you money.