AAA or book direct?

[ohiofam]

We are getting ready to book our first trip to WDW. Is it better/cheaper to book direct with WDW or has anyone used AAA and what are the advantages/disadvantages to using AAA?

Thanks!

 

[stellablue]

Hi there!

We just got back from WDW

We book directly through WDW (by phone NOT by internet) and used our AAA discount. It worked out great, was very easy, and we got a great deal! We found the reservation people at WDW very pleasant to deal with.

Disney sent us all of our paperwork in a timely fashion and we were able to check the status of everything online.

**Just remember to present your AAA card when checking in! Sometimes they won't honor the discount if you don't.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I just got a quote from Dreams Unlimited Travel using my AAA discount. For the ASMusic Family Suite we got a super discount; however, something I didn't know -- you have to book the hotel and tickets separately. Also, you cannot use any other discounts along with the AAA, like if Disney offers free dining (which I was hoping for during the week I'll be there), you have to chose between AAA discount and the free dining -- you can't have both. I also read somewhere that you can apply your AAA discount through WDW.

 

[phillyatdisney]

^^^^ Not true, last year we booked through AAA, got their discount and also received the free dining.....

 

[ohiofam]

Where do I find info on things like free dining? I also keep seeing people asking for codes, etc.,

This seems like so much work I wonder what the discounts are and if they are worth it.

Also, I gather check in times are later in the afternoon. Do most people try to use a park pass the first day, or is that a waste?

 

[Aliceacc]

If you want to book the DDP (dining package) and still get the AAA discount on the rooms, you'll need to book through AAA.

As to the pass: once you get past 4 or so days, the increments for adding a day become incredibly small. So, for our 6 night stay, we got passes for 7 days. Then we booked an 8 am flight to Orlando and a 7:30 pm flight home, so we'll absolutely get the use from those extra days.

Once you get to your hotel, you can check in (even though your room isn't ready yet.) You can leave your bags and either change into your suits and use the pool or head to the parks.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thanks for the great info. I'll be on the phone w/AAA first thing Monday morning. We're going on an all girl trip -- me, DD12, my mom and my mother-in-law. Anything extra I could save would be a HUGE help. So glad I signed up for these boards!

 

[misricsmith]

I called AAA ad they were $700 more for the week I wanted to go
dreams unlimited was only $200.00 more
So I did it my self with code I got
Poly garden view 8 day hopper with dinning for $3564

 

[pat fan]

I also keep seeing people asking for codes, etc.,

Don't make yourself batty looking for codes! In all our trips we have never once used a code. If they were out there, they didn't work for our travel times etc..so please don't feel like you are doing something "wrong" by not having one.

If you use AAA, you're already getting a great discount and the security of having someone to call should there be a problem (we've never had one). Have a great time planning your trip.....it's half the fun! Well, not half really, but pretty darn fun!

 

[shmedly123]

I called disney directly inquiring about the AAA code and then I asked them if their was an AP discount for the same time and the AP discount was over $600 cheaper than the AAA discount. So I bought an AP for $480 and saved $120. This was for 5 nights at a deluxe resort on a moderate park attendance week.

I guess you need to stay about 7 nights to break even at a moderate. But, now I have the AP so I will probably head back in less than a year.

One note on this, you only need the AP for 1 person in order to get the discount for the entire room. So everyone else in your group should just get the magic your way

 

[ohiofam]

I want to thank everyone for replying to my postings! I cannot tell you how helpful this has been!
Vicki

 

[Unregistered]

I use to work at AAA in the travel department as a travel agent and they do have great rates. You also will get the promotions that are on also. So if Disney is having a sale you should get a cheaper price with AAA then with Disney directly. The only thing that they sometimes do at AAA is that they only have a certain amount of rooms at the aaa rate especially with free dinning and such so make sure to go ahead and book but keep a look out for specials. You should be able to call and have your package even though it is under deposit changed to the special rate. And if I am not mistaken there is also a place to put the little savings code so if you do happen to have one make sure to give it to the TA to see if they would be able to get you an even better rate.

Also there are other AAA only perks.. I work for AAA Carolinas so I know that we had the free VIP parking, a special Storytime with Belle as well as other things like luggage tags and a VIP discount card to get discounts on food and such in the parks. So make sure to ask about that as well

 

[PiratesRock]

I'm curious if the AAA VIP Parking Passes are free from AAA or for a fee. I'm not currently a member and you can buy the passes on e-bay for around $20.
I haven't decided whether to just go ahead and join AAA or not, and this could help me with my decision.

 

[pat fan]

I'm not a AAA agent, but I believe they are free.
FYI, we used the handicap parking last summer and the AAA lots are right next to the handicap ones. Very convenient. I think we'll use AAA for our next trip.

 

[I Love Pluto]

AAA Diamond parking pass is a perk with a package. The people selling them on E-bay are doing something illegal. I suppose that eventually AAA will have to discontinue their parking pass due to this practice. Shame on those people!

We use AAA each time we book. We get the same price with insurance that we would have paid on Disney's web site without the insurance. It just makes sense to us.

 

[shmedly123]

I'm curious if the AAA VIP Parking Passes are free from AAA or for a fee. I'm not currently a member and you can buy the passes on e-bay for around $20.
I haven't decided whether to just go ahead and join AAA or not, and this could help me with my decision.

The AAA passes are for free and you don't need to book a package from AAA, you only need to buy your park tix. So if you can get a cheap room only res through an AP discount then you can just buy your tix through AAA.

I will say though that the AAA lot at MK is still a hike from the TTC as you after go across the handicap parking then under the bridge, then wait for the monorail and take that into the MK whereas Disney trans drops you off right at the MK.

 

[druidcat]

I work for AAA Carolinas so I know that we had the free VIP parking, a special Storytime with Belle as well as other things like luggage tags and a VIP discount card to get discounts on food and such in the parks. So make sure to ask about that as well

I just had our reservation switched over to AAA Carolinas and the lady I'm working with couldn't be more helpful She's looked at rates at almost all the resorts for me because I'm so indecisive

 

[kidcdv]

Newbie here.

I asked Dreams Unlimited to give me rates for the VWL for a few different weeks in late Nov/early Dec (3 to be exact). It was for 3 different rooms since we're traveling with family. The agent came back and said I should probably call Disney directly since that's what they do - call Disney and I would get the same rates. I wasn't trying to be a pain. I'm just flexible on the week and the location.

I was really confused by that. I thought they would have bulk discounts or something, kwim? I asked why should I book through her then if I can book directly through Disney. She said for the other stuff (park passes, dining, etc...)

Does that make sense?

 

[MODisneyfan]

The AAA passes are for free and you don't need to book a package from AAA, you only need to buy your park tix. So if you can get a cheap room only res through an AP discount then you can just buy your tix through AAA.

I will say though that the AAA lot at MK is still a hike from the TTC as you after go across the handicap parking then under the bridge, then wait for the monorail and take that into the MK whereas Disney trans drops you off right at the MK.

You have to buy ( if I remember right) atleast a 4 day hopper pass...

 

[MODisneyfan]

Newbie here.

I asked Dreams Unlimited to give me rates for the VWL for a few different weeks in late Nov/early Dec (3 to be exact). It was for 3 different rooms since we're traveling with family. The agent came back and said I should probably call Disney directly since that's what they do - call Disney and I would get the same rates. I wasn't trying to be a pain. I'm just flexible on the week and the location.

I was really confused by that. I thought they would have bulk discounts or something, kwim? I asked why should I book through her then if I can book directly through Disney. She said for the other stuff (park passes, dining, etc...)

Does that make sense?

That is just rude.. I as an agent would never do that.. clients are the people that pay my paycheck so I would have helped you the best that I could to help you make the right decision.. That is just not right..