AAA or Teacher Rate or package.....what do we do.

[D L and K's Mom]

I am confused. We are going to WDW from Dec 23-31 2006. At the momnet we have booked a room at the Dolphin using the teacher's rate. Is there a way to go thru AAA using this rate so we can add on the dining plan? Is there a way to use this rate to make a package? I don't think that AAA or a package can match the teacher's rate at the Dolphin but it may be cheaper to make a package with dining. I am so confused. I hate planning but I love love love going.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

You need to stay at a Disney hotel to get the dining package and also if you want to use magical express(free transportion from the airport to the hotels). The dolphin/swan rates can be great, but you have to give up something.

 

[debbi801]

discount.

When I added in what we spent for food in 2004 and the cost to get 5 of us from the airport to the hotel and back, plus the cost of a roll-away bed because the Dolphin doesn't have day beds and we needed one....

It was cheaper to stay at the Contemporary in a wing room, MYW package w/dining on the AAA discount.

We like to do a lot of sit-down meals/character meals, so our dining gets costly and the dining plan is cost effective.

 

[swilphil]

Since you are going during the busiest week of the year (as I am), you will very much appreciate being in a great location like the Dolphin is. You won't need to rent a car, and you can take either Mears or use a Towncar (depending on how many are in your group) for less than taking a cab. I like the Towncar because it includes a free grocery stop, and we save lots of money that way on food. I figured out the cost of meals, and the dining plan wasn't worth it for our family if we stayed deluxe since you pay rack rates on rooms with the dining plan. At Christmas that is minimum of $250 a night at a deluxe with a desirable location. If you're family eats a lot and you do many sit down meals, the dining plan might be worth it for you. Especially at Christmas, we don't want to have the long waits at the restaurants and less time for the rides.