AAA & Free Dining Questions

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Doesn't AAA just get a certain rate and then the discount code would be ZHQ for the free DDP?

Nope. There is a code for the AAA discounted package with dining and a code for the AAA discounted package without dining. In order to add the free dining, one of the two previously listed codes would have to be replaced by the new code for a package with free dining.

 

[LindyN]

Nope. There is a code for the AAA discounted package with dining and a code for the AAA discounted package without dining. In order to add the free dining, one of the two previously listed codes would have to be replaced by the new code for a package with free dining.

That is correct. To get the free dining the AAA code is replaced by whatever else replaces it.

Even a "Magic Your Way" package has its own code. YYK is the MYW w/dining, YYM is MYW no dining. The CM has to type in a code for everything they book.

The code that is typed in determines the rate and there is only room for one.

 

[MrsPMC00]

I just had my AAA agent adjust my reservation, and YOU CANNOT STACK discounts. My disounted rate when I was paying for dining was 2298.71. After she added the free dining promo, it was 1903.50...same as if I priced in on the Disney site as a MYW pkg without dining. But....it is still FREE DINING

 

[MarksMom2006]

Hi all! I am a former AAA TA (and Disney Specialist). I just wanted to let you know you can NOT get both the AAA discount as well as the free dining. If you are using AAA to book, and want the dining plan, the dining code automatically takes out the AAA code. Sorry to disappoint. It just seems that it would not be fair for AAA members to be saving that much more. (Im a member of AAA too...I wish we could have both, but we can't!) Ill take the dining discount though since it is greater!

 

[Marriedmyprince]

Until I see a stacked (double discount) itinerary, I remain skeptical. Of the few who claimed to have received 2 discounts, none have produced paperwork to this effect. No, they are not required to... but you'd think one of them would just to shut me up...



(no need to wonder... I'm a real $%^&$ when it comes to discovery, too!)

I'm with ExPirateShopGirl. Add the numbers and most people just booked the free dining plan through AAA and got the same deal as those who booked with Disney. Both CRO and AAA told me today that these offers can not be combined. (same as 2005 and I tried then too.) If you already had a AAA rate and then added free dining you may not be realizing that the AAA agent is giving you the std package with free dining (full price room added back in) because it is a new cheaper rate. So I see no reason to book the free dining through AAA; I would book through Disney directly. I would be curious to hear from someone who had AAA discounted package with NO DINING on it and then added the free dining today. If they had to give up the AAA discount, then their package price should go up because they do get dining for free but they have to give up the AAA discount. Also, AAA discounts are really good at this time of year, so if you only have 2 adults ( and even 1 junior) on the dining plans for 1 deluxe room you may not beat your AAA price(see below). As for those of you who wonder why we use AAA, just check out the rates below to see my savings. I wish I could use free dining just for the feeling of something for FREE but my AAA discount is better for my family. I have been watching the discussion for my inlaws in All-stars, it should save them money. I wish everyone with teenagers a great trip with free dining because then it saves buckets! Love that dining plan, free or not! Married my prince

For example when pricing my trip: 2 adults, 1 kid (& 2 babies free), 7 nights, 8 day park hopper, & dining plan, no insurance, taxes included
1st$ Disney rack rate, 2nd$ AAA discount rate, 3rd$ TODAYS Free dining rate
Contemporary Garden Wing, garden view: $3428, $2829, $3169
Contemporary Deluxe Garden Wing: $3988, $3551, not offered
Poly Garden view: $3980, $2989, $3358
Beach Club Garden View: $3870, $2896, $3247

 

[MrsPMC00]

I'm with ExPirateShopGirl. Add the numbers and most people just booked the free dining plan through AAA and got the same deal as those who booked with Disney. Both CRO and AAA told me today that these offers can not be combined. (same as 2005 and I tried then too.) If you already had a AAA rate and then added free dining you may not be realizing that the AAA agent is giving you the std package with free dining (full price room added back in) because it is a new cheaper rate. So I see no reason to book the free dining through AAA; I would book through Disney directly. I would be curious to hear from someone who had AAA discounted package with NO DINING on it and then added the free dining today. If they had to give up the AAA discount, then their package price should go up because they do get dining for free but they have to give up the AAA discount. Also, AAA discounts are really good at this time of year, so if you only have 2 adults ( and even 1 junior) on the dining plans for 1 deluxe room you may not beat your AAA price(see below). As for those of you who wonder why we use AAA, just check out the rates below to see my savings. I wish I could use free dining just for the feeling of something for FREE but my AAA discount is better for my family. I have been watching the discussion for my inlaws in All-stars, it should save them money. I wish everyone with teenagers a great trip with free dining because then it saves buckets! Love that dining plan, free or not! Married my prince

For example when pricing my trip: 2 adults, 1 kid (& 2 babies free), 7 nights, 8 day park hopper, & dining plan, no insurance, taxes included
1st$ Disney rack rate, 2nd$ AAA discount rate, 3rd$ TODAYS Free dining rate
Contemporary Garden Wing, garden view: $3428, $2829, $3169
Contemporary Deluxe Garden Wing: $3988, $3551, not offered
Poly Garden view: $3980, $2989, $3358
Beach Club Garden View: $3870, $2896, $3247

I had a AAA discount package (with dining) booked previously and added the free dining, and I did lose the AAA discount (as I knew I would). But I still saved $400. I still chose to book thru AAA because I like the extra perks they have in terms of in park discounts, etc. They still do add value to the trip.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It definitely adds value. We are diehard car renters, so the pass is a must... along with the other goodies!

I had a AAA discount package (with dining) booked previously and added the free dining, and I did lose the AAA discount (as I knew I would). But I still saved $400. I still chose to book thru AAA because I like the extra perks they have in terms of in park discounts, etc. They still do add value to the trip.

 

[MrsPMC00]

It definitely adds value. We are diehard car renters, so the pass is a must... along with the other goodies!

LOVE the parking pass!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Until I see a stacked (double discount) itinerary, I remain skeptical. Of the few who claimed to have received 2 discounts, none have produced paperwork to this effect. No, they are not required to... but you'd think one of them would just to shut me up...



(no need to wonder... I'm a real $%^&$ when it comes to discovery, too!)

I've got one theory on what might have happened last year. The Free dining started before the start of value season for value and moderate resorts yet they priced all free dining packages at value season rack room rates. So if someone had a reservation with AAA room discount off summer season and paid DDP at a moderate resort and then switch to a free dining package they would have lost their AAA discount but received the cheaper value season rate. To them it would look like they kept their room discount.

Here's the math using this years rates:

summer season at moderate $175 less 15% AAA = $148.75

value season at moderate resort=$145.00



Value season for values & moderates didn't start until 8/27 last year. Did anyone who claims they got both go after 8/27?

 

[CanadianGuy]

Here's the math using this years rates:

summer season at moderate $175 less 15% AAA = $148.75

value season at moderate resort=$145.00

Value season for values & moderates didn't start until 8/27 last year. Did anyone who claims they got both go after 8/27?

Awesome theory -- and makes a LOT of sense.

How does it work for values I wonder.. Probably much the same.

Knox

 

[lovesdumbo]

Awesome theory -- and makes a LOT of sense.

How does it work for values I wonder.. Probably much the same.

Knox

It doesn't work quite so well but I wonder what rack rates were last year. Here's this year's rates:

Summer season standard value room $109 less 15% = $92.65
Value season standard value room =$82

Summer season preferred value room $121 less 15% = $102.85
Value season preferred value room $94

 

[CanadianGuy]

I know the 82$ rate was 79$..

I'm not sure about the other rates.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Until I see a stacked (double discount) itinerary, I remain skeptical. Of the few who claimed to have received 2 discounts, none have produced paperwork to this effect. No, they are not required to... but you'd think one of them would just to shut me up...



(no need to wonder... I'm a real $%^&$ when it comes to discovery, too!)

I've got one theory on what might have happened last year. The Free dining started before the start of value season for value and moderate resorts yet they priced all free dining packages at value season rack room rates. So if someone had a reservation with AAA room discount off summer season and paid DDP at a moderate resort and then switch to a free dining package they would have lost their AAA discount but received the cheaper value season rate. To them it would look like they kept their room discount.

That is a great theory!

 

[matysgrandma]

I had a AAA discount package (with dining) booked previously and added the free dining, and I did lose the AAA discount (as I knew I would). But I still saved $400. I still chose to book thru AAA because I like the extra perks they have in terms of in park discounts, etc. They still do add value to the trip.

Same here, but I have a question for you. This is the first time I've used AAA to book any of my Disney trips (and I normally go 3-4 a year). I was kinda disappointed to see a $15 booking fee tacked on to my total. Is this standard procedure? I thought my membership was all that was necessary to use AAA.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Different AAA offices have different policies. I've never paid a booking fee to AAA with my travel arrangements. I use the local AAA office to book when we go to Mexico and an AAA office elsewhere to book WDW.

Same here, but I have a question for you. This is the first time I've used AAA to book any of my Disney trips (and I normally go 3-4 a year). I was kinda disappointed to see a $15 booking fee tacked on to my total. Is this standard procedure? I thought my membership was all that was necessary to use AAA.

 

[matysgrandma]

Different AAA offices have different policies. I've never paid a booking fee to AAA with my travel arrangements. I use the local AAA office to book when we go to Mexico and an AAA office elsewhere to book WDW.

Thanks for the info. I guess it's up to the branch to decide, then? That's pretty weird. I would think that with such a large company that there would be a standard that they'd all have to follow.

 

[Weluvdisny]

My DF is thinking about going and, in helping her plan, I was wondering if anyone has gone thru AAA and got the free dining too?

 

[spindoctors]

Yes, we got free dining through AAA; however, we had to forgo our AAA discount for it. Our AAA discount was $300, but free dining saved us $1400.

For what it's worth, we were very worried about our TA being able to get us free dining since she didn't come to work until 9 a.m. and the Disney lines opened at 7 a.m. I had read several posts that rooms in our hotel were no longer available with the free dining before I spoke with her at 9:30. When she called and said she had gotten it for us, I expressed my surprise. She said "That's because they hold a certain number of rooms for AAA." If this is true, I guess it could be possible to have a better chance of getting free dining through AAA.