AAA discount ?

[caroline1851]

I've been thinking about joining AAA. What sort of wdw vacation discount do you get if booking thru AAA?

 

[mamaloya]

You can sometimes get a 20% discount on your room only reservation. Generally in value season. You can also get a slight discounts on tickets. I think packages purchased through them may also be slightly cheaper, but not much.

I have found that their agents are not very knowledgable though. If you know what you are doing, it is fine. If not, I would recommend a specialized disney agent.

 

[VAN]

We usually get a 10% discount on the Ft Wilderness room only reservations. You just make your reservations through Disney and then have a AAA discount applied. You DO NOT need to go through AAA.

Keep in mind that there are a limited amount of rooms that are offered for discount, so if you are going during a busy time, they may not be available.

We have also gotten 15% off the hourly rental of water craft at the Marina with our AAA card.

 

[mattmommy]

You can also get the diamond parking pass from AAA to park right behind the handicapped spaces.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I love AAA, we usually save between $200-$400...like the above poster said, they AAA agents aren't always very Disney knowledgeable, so as long as you know what you are doing you will be all set!

 

[themudd4]

We use our AAA discount almost every time we go to WDW. For a weeks stay in a Mod resort we saved roughly $200+. Some may tell you, you can only make a room only reservation to get the discount but that is not the case. You can book a package, but the discount will only apply to your room.
While you can apply the discount by calling WDW directly, I suggest not doing that before you call your AAA TA and finding out if they are offering any extra booking offers. Sometimes AAA will offer certain perks when you book directly through them.
It is true that not all TA's are experts on WDW. I suggest asking at your local office for the WDW expert...and even still I would do my homework, and know what I want when I wanted it. Being on the DIS is the best place to find answers, or even learn what questions to ask.
I adore my AAA TA...hopefully you will be as lucky as I was to find mine. (PS...I did not like the first AAA TA I had and had someone else take it over...& have been happy with her ever since)
Bonus things by using AAA...
Discount shopping with AAA Diamond card (mentioned by a PP), Preferred parking (although I have never used it), sometimes you may quilify for a monthly special "booking bonus" which may be as small as a free soft drink up to a disney gift card.
Fell free to PM me if I could be of any more help.

 

[Where's Tigger?!?!]

I would definitely make sure the discount is available before you join. I didn't have a AAA membership at the time and paid the membership fee only to find out that there were no more discounts available for my travel dates at my resort. There was a discount available at another resort but when we decided to book that one instead the discount was gone. I thought we were still eligible for the preferred seating so I went ahead and booked through them and now found out I am not eligible for that. Most because I didn't book the higher package. I did get a $15 voucher for Planet Hollywood, 1 free miniature golf game and a discount on a SeaRaycer ride. I am not sure but I thought I read that you can get these when you book elsewhere. I didn't get the parking voucher since I am staying on site and not driving. All-in-all I was a little disappointed that I spent the extra membership fee and didn't really get any discounts or extra perks other than those listed and a luggage tag. I also had to make my own Magical Express arrangements since my TA didn't include that information on my reservations.

I am hoping that the AAA discount will be a benefit while at the park. Otherwise, I would definitely check ahead of time to see what discounts are available. Good luck. I hope it works out for you.

 

[themudd4]

I would definitely make sure the discount is available before you join. I didn't have a AAA membership at the time and paid the membership fee only to find out that there were no more discounts available for my travel dates at my resort. There was a discount available at another resort but when we decided to book that one instead the discount was gone. I thought we were still eligible for the preferred seating so I went ahead and booked through them and now found out I am not eligible for that. Most because I didn't book the higher package. I did get a $15 voucher for Planet Hollywood, 1 free miniature golf game and a discount on a SeaRaycer ride. I am not sure but I thought I read that you can get these when you book elsewhere. I didn't get the parking voucher since I am staying on site and not driving. All-in-all I was a little disappointed that I spent the extra membership fee and didn't really get any discounts or extra perks other than those listed and a luggage tag. I also had to make my own Magical Express arrangements since my TA didn't include that information on my reservations.

I am hoping that the AAA discount will be a benefit while at the park. Otherwise, I would definitely check ahead of time to see what discounts are available. Good luck. I hope it works out for you.

I noticed by your ticker your trip is only 18 days away... .
May I ask when you tried to book your trip thru AAA TA? I am just wondering if it was just to close to time or if you found one of those TA's who really shouldn't be in the line of work.

You were told correctly, the luggage tags, planet hollywood coupon, mini golf, & searacer is from Disney not AAA. The parking pass will not do you much good if you are NOT driving, but you also should have a diamond card with slight discounts at select shopping and dinning areas. Like 10% at World of Disney at DTD.
I am also curious what discount you are looking to get with your AAA card at the parks?

I am sorry you had such a hard time getting your plans made. I hope you have a wonderful trip regardless of how the planning got started.

 

[poolex3]

Does anyone know if you get the parking pass if you only get your park tickets from AAA?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We saved about $400 using the AAA discount on the room portion of our package. I think the parking pass is only available if you purchase a package.

 

[Where's Tigger?!?!]

I noticed by your ticker your trip is only 18 days away... .
May I ask when you tried to book your trip thru AAA TA? I am just wondering if it was just to close to time or if you found one of those TA's who really shouldn't be in the line of work.

You were told correctly, the luggage tags, planet hollywood coupon, mini golf, & searacer is from Disney not AAA. The parking pass will not do you much good if you are NOT driving, but you also should have a diamond card with slight discounts at select shopping and dinning areas. Like 10% at World of Disney at DTD.
I am also curious what discount you are looking to get with your AAA card at the parks?

I am sorry you had such a hard time getting your plans made. I hope you have a wonderful trip regardless of how the planning got started.

Hi!

Thanks for the well wishes for our trip. I am sure we will have a great time!

I didn't book my trip until May. It was a last minute decision. I am a single mom and going to school. I had put my income tax refund in the bank to pay for college tuition and when I realized I wasn't going to need it I decided it was time to finally take my son on a real vacation before he was all grown up. I know that booking my trip that close to the date does make it more difficult to get the discount. However I asked my TA if there were any available before I paid for the membership. I wasn't going to spend the extra money on the membership unless I could get the discount. It was just a little frustrating since I am trying to save $$ and thought this would work out best for us.

You mention the discounts with the AAA Diamond card. Is this seperate from the AAA membership card? The only card I received is my membership card and I thought that would give us discounts for shopping, etc. I hope I'm not missing something else. Maybe I'm not at the right level again??

Only 17 more days!!!

 

[themudd4]

You mention the discounts with the AAA Diamond card. Is this seperate from the AAA membership card? The only card I received is my membership card and I thought that would give us discounts for shopping, etc. I hope I'm not missing something else. Maybe I'm not at the right level again??

Only 17 more days!!!

It is a card that comes with your package. It is just a little paper card that you show at select stores/shops etc, and depending on the CM you may have to show your AAA card with it. Look through your package your purchased through AAA. If it is not in there call your TA back and ask for it. It is not alot of savings but we try to save most of our shopping gor World of Disney and we save 10% there.

Have fun on your trip...

 

[Cinderaven]

We use AAA all the time, our TA is very up on WDW and we pass what we know on to her to keep up on the latest info.

We save about $400-$500 per trip, and we go often. We use the Diamond card for 10% dis. at DTD and plan most of our shopping there.

The little perks are nice and help save on the budget. Also see what AAA is offering for booking at that time, my son received a mini iPOD for the trip down, and we received Bolova his and her watches @ around $100 a piece. Sometimes it pays to check things out.

Len

 

[ella6599]

So you only get the parking pass when you book directly through AAA? We had one last time, and it was pretty handy...I was debating using somewhere else this time...our AAA agent last time was very nice, and easy to contact, but I had to find all the special offers myself (which, I'm obsessive about that anyway ) to get her to apply them for us. (Started off with a disney specialist at AAA who took about a week to get back to us whenever we asked something!!! )

 

[LisaNJ25]

How long does it usually take to get your card once your join? I was thinking of joining for the peace of mind of the ride down.

I also believe you get 10% of at the wod store in dtd.

 

[Cinderaven]

You usually get a temp. card right away. I'm not sure how long it takes to get the regular one.

I suggest that you get the Gold package if you arre driving. You get a better package for traveling, longer towing, 125 miles compare to 10 miles etc...

Len

 

[jenins121681]

I've been thinking about joining AAA. What sort of wdw vacation discount do you get if booking thru AAA?

We have used AAA to book the our last 2 trips to Disney. I find it well worth it, not only do you get a discount, but you also get extra perks.....for instance this year the perks are: commemorative luggage tags (1 per person), 5X7 photopass gift certificate, $15 gift certificate to dine @ Planet Hollywood, one round of minigolf, Watercraft rental discount, disney story time experience, and 40 page WDW how to guide. Also you get admission to AAA's hiden lounge in MK...where you get a free drink and can relax as long as you want, we took advantage of the lounge last time we were there to get out of a quick thunderstorm. Plus you also get a discount, just by using AAA to book our trip we saved approx $500 from the price we were quoted from the WDW website. Also you get to park in the AAA parking section @ WDW parks....which is close to the entrance....totally worth it.

Also you get discounts on all trips, not just Disney and they also do customized road maps (if you are going to go on a road trip you give them your destination and they make a customized road TripTik map for you....it is awesome we used it when we took a trip to Canada)

Overall I would totally recommend AAA.

 

[firsttimer2007]

We have used AAA to book the our last 2 trips to Disney. I find it well worth it, not only do you get a discount, but you also get extra perks.....for instance this year the perks are: commemorative luggage tags (1 per person), 5X7 photopass gift certificate, $15 gift certificate to dine @ Planet Hollywood, one round of minigolf, Watercraft rental discount, disney story time experience, and 40 page WDW how to guide. Also you get admission to AAA's hiden lounge in MK...where you get a free drink and can relax as long as you want, we took advantage of the lounge last time we were there to get out of a quick thunderstorm. Plus you also get a discount, just by using AAA to book our trip we saved approx $500 from the price we were quoted from the WDW website. Also you get to park in the AAA parking section @ WDW parks....which is close to the entrance....totally worth it.

Also you get discounts on all trips, not just Disney and they also do customized road maps (if you are going to go on a road trip you give them your destination and they make a customized road TripTik map for you....it is awesome we used it when we took a trip to Canada)

Overall I would totally recommend AAA.

Is the lounge still open? I have heard both "it is" and "it is not"
I just booked with AAA and still can't figure out the advantages. Since we are flying and not going to have a car.

 

[themudd4]

Is the lounge still open? I have heard both "it is" and "it is not"
I just booked with AAA and still can't figure out the advantages. Since we are flying and not going to have a car.

I honestly don't know if it is or not, but it was more of a place to escape the weather. Or sit down for a quick break. You wont be missing much if it is closed!

 

[Unregistered]

Is the lounge still open? I have heard both "it is" and "it is not"
I just booked with AAA and still can't figure out the advantages. Since we are flying and not going to have a car.

To be honest I am not positive whether the lounge is still open or not....your AAA rep could tell you for sure, ours didn't mention anything about it being closed. As far as the perks look under "2007 Package Inclusions" on your trip confirmation print out It lists all the perks I listed in my last post, plus don't forget the price discount that AAA gives....