AAA packages

[mitchinson]

Planning a trip to the world Nov/Dec and have looked into going through AAA. From what I can see, they only offer package deals and I know that for "four ladies on the loose" (two of which are on really tight budgets) we really aren't interested in all these "extras". We plan on staying at All Stars and according to brochure can save 15/20% with AAA and get discounted park passes. Has anyone gone with these packages and could recommend or discourage it? In the long run would it be cheaper to just purchase everything separately? Also, which All Stars would you recommend? Have heard good things about Movies except for the fact that they are the last to get picked up by the buses and lots of times they can be pretty full till they get there. Thanks

 

[smjj]

I also booked a AAA package for the first week of Dec. 2002. I should have looked before I leapted. I later noticed it was not such a deal after all. I ended up cancelling the AAA package and booked just what I wanted as individual items using my AAA card to still get the discounts. The packages tend to offer items you will not use and that is what they are hoping for. I ended us saving quite a bit of money and I am not paying for items I would never use. Some people like the convience of a package but we have been enough times and had booked before using packages we did it on our own. Check Mousesavers.com. They have a lot of really good info that might be of help to you..smjj

 

[missmac]

OUR FIRST TIME AT DISNEY WAS IN DEC 2000,ALSO IT WAS THE FIRST TIME FLYING. AND I BOOKED THE CANDLELIGHT PRO. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH IT, EVERYTHING WAS DONE FOR US, TICKETS , RESORT, AIR THE WHOLE 9 YARDS. STAYED AT DIXIE LANDINGS. OUR AAA AGENT WAS SO GREAT HE GAVE US ALOT OF INFO, IT WAS OUR 25TH WEDDING ANNV., AND HE TOLD THEM WHEN HE MADE OUR REGGIS, AND THEY GAVE US SOME "PIXIE DUST" DINNER AT BOATWRIGHTS AND LITTLE EXTRAS. I WOULD USE THEM AGAIN.

 

[chell]

You probably would be better off by buying each piece of the package that you are interested in. There is no need in buying more than you are going to use. Last year we looked into the AAA packages also, but after much research we decided that we could do better buying them separately. Definitely use the AAA discount though. Like smjj said, keep a check on MouseSavers. Don't forget that they have a discount page here also. All of the great tips we found around here saved us a ton of money!

I love the All Star Movies. It is my favorite. They are the last to get picked up on the buses that go to all 3. But some of the buses only go to one. I think the MK has a bus to each All Star. I'm sorry that I can't remember any more details.

 

[MiJo]

and decided to do it ourselves with the help of everyone here on The DIS. I may be wrong but the AAA package we looked into charged both of us a set price, such as $700 per person. When we broke it down, it appeared each of us was paying for the room for each night and we were not getting a great discount. That may be different now, though. The agent at AAA was not helpful at all, either. During the '99 trip that we booked ourselves, my DW and I got DxL (POR) for $85 night + tax. In 2000 we got CSR for $94/night plus tax and this year we have AKL for $135/night + tax. We also booked our own flights, our Christmas Processional tickets, our Keys to the Kingdom Tour, an Illuminations Cruise, our priority seating reservations, our towncar service to and from the parks, and much more. The AAA package also gave us things we did not want such as admission to the Wide World of Sports complex. If you go during the Value Season in November/December you may be able to get the All-Stars for as low as $49/night with a good discount. You can use your AAA membership to get a discount on park tickets and possibly some meals. I suggest you try doing it yourself or going through Dreams Unlimited, which is a free travel service here on the Boards. They will also get you the best discount on a room for the time you are going and help you with your entire trip. Chellnjr was right about Mousesavers, too. Check it out!
Mike

 

[goofybob]

I agree with all the folks above.... booking the individual components has always worked out cheaper for us when compared to packages of any kind.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Stay FAR AND AWAY from packages.

For our first trip, I booked through AAA and not only overpaid over $500 in charges that weren't itemized (as usual with packages, they won't break it down for you) but I also ended up with vouchers for anything and everything!! What that means is, rather than getting the real tickets (plane, Mears, park passes, etc) I got vouchers and had to stand in line just as if I had purchased everything on the spot. What was the use of the travel agent if I had to swap the vouchers anyway? The agent had not even selected our plane seats and put us in the Nikki Bird, a motel that looked nothing like the picture of the nice HJ hotel they showed us at the time of booking.

A pathetic waste of money altogether...

Wanda

 

[soccer mom]

I think you can book through CRO and ask for AAA discount if you are booking room only. You can then pick up your park passes at your local AAA to receive a discount. I don't know if you can purchase the passes at check in and get AAA discount.

We booked with a package the first time we went...way too much money!

 

[cassie]

Count me in ...my first trip was a package with a travel agent. As I choked on the price she said Disney is not a cheap vacation. I didn't know anything. When I got back I found these boards and got the courage to do it myself to save money. Packages offer more than I want or can do.

Last year I went with Dreams and saved a bundle. This year I have AAA (DU doesn't accept AAA)so I booked with CRO. Got my discount on the room. Codes came out and I got my room lowered. I will get my park hopper tickets at AAA.

After all is said and done you can save alot of money doing it yourself if you are willing to spend the time. Travel agents (AAA included) will quote you a price as of the day you inquire. If it sounds good you book and forget about it. In the mean time a special rate might appear and you'll lose the chance for a lower rate because your travel agent won't be watching for it.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

You can get your hoppers at FloridaOrlandoTickets.com. Their prices are lower than AAA's, DC's, Connections and Ticketmania's!

Wanda

 

[Poly Pal]

In 15 years of trips to WDW, I've never found that I could save money using a package (AAA, American Express, Eastern Airlines -remember them?!, Delta Dream Vacations, etc.)

I have always found that you are paying the equivalent of at least twice for the hotel room and at rack rates.

Disney is an expensive vacation. Packages make it even more so! But, if you are willing to pay top dollar for the convenience of having someone make all of the arrangements for you (and you trust them to not make any mistakes), or the package offers some feature that you would not be able to purchase separately on your own (like reserved PREFERRED seating at parades, fireworks displays, Fantasmic, etc.), then maybe a package would be attractive.