AAA discounts

[EvanMaddieMouse]

I am in the doldrums. I want to start planning my next trip to the World. I looked on the disneyworld.com site today, and for the four of us (DH, me, 13 year old DS and 6 year old DD) it was just over $3000 for Pop, base tickets, and disney dining.

Does AAA offer discounts on packages including DDP? I'm wondering if it's worth it to look into. Anyone have any input?

 

[Disney Commando]

I am in the doldrums. I want to start planning my next trip to the World. I looked on the disneyworld.com site today, and for the four of us (DH, me, 13 year old DS and 6 year old DD) it was just over $3000 for Pop, base tickets, and disney dining.

Does AAA offer discounts on packages including DDP? I'm wondering if it's worth it to look into. Anyone have any input?

We booked last trip with AAA it was cheaper with them, but when Disney offered the free DDP They honer it unlike some other places (had to give up discount according to Dis rules was around a $200 dis. but was well worth giving up for DDP+) They also give you a coupon book when you go with coupons for stuff like free photo, 30mins in arcade, Dimond parking pass, and the best was storytime ( didn't know what to expect only around 30 people were there Snow White came out and read a story and the took pics this was awesome). I would look into it even just for the perks

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

I agree, the perks are so worth it. We drive to the parks since we have a huge stroller, and teh diamond parking is great.

The story time is one of the best things in the park! One time we were there with only 2 or 3 other families, the last time it was more like 5 or 6. A character reads a story then you get some special one on one time with them. Some of the best pictures form the entire trip! So worth it!

 

[buzz2400]

AAA prices tend to be the same as disney prices when disney is running a special. I have checked prices many times with both. The one thing I have found is that if you book through AAA, you do get a few perks, like diamond parking and free picture. You might want to reconsider getting the dining plan. That might save you money. I did the dining plan one year and hated it because you had to plan in advance where you were going to eat. I would rather just do counter service than the sit down dinners. That would save you a lot of money. It would also give you the freedom to go where and when you want instead of making your plans to coincide with dinner reservations.

 

[tr-ray]

If you can't get any other discount, I would go with AAA.
Our last two trips we booked through AAA, even the buy 4 get 3.

Like PP's said, even if you don't end up getting an additional discount (above AAA rate) you still get the parking pass, AAA discount card for the World of Disney store in DTD, Story Time Pass, & Free 5x7.

I looked late last week, and the AAA book for 2010 wasn't out yet... We're comparing rates & looking at ideas for 2010 too.

We did the Quick Service Dining Plan last time out, and liked that just the same as the traditional dining plan. It's not much cheaper (about $10 less pp/per day), but left us much more flexibility with when & where to eat, especially with a small baby. We liked that we got the refillable mugs free too. That saved us a ton on drinks alone!

 

[KibbyCat]

If you go during the periods when Youth Education Services have open enrollment on special classes, you can get specially discounted tickets. Some people on this board added a class onto their vacation plans and were able to save $400 on tickets because of this. The classes are special behind-the-scenes things for all ages. Check out the info here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2332767&goto=newpost

 

[mistysue]

Last year it cost us $10 MORE to book through AAA than direct through Disney.

Some people say they get a discount and I have been told it is a regional thing but here in Michigan AAA offers the same rate as disneyworld.com and charges you a $10 booking fee. Then you also can't make changes to your package without the agent or do your own ADR's online for your 180+10. I found it to be an annoying inconvenience.