AAA planned trips--anyone used them?

[fabwallsmom]

Just wondering if anyone found AAA useful in planning a trip. Did they save you any $? Did you use the AAA stations in the park for free soft drinks? What about extra fastpasses?

Thanks,
Robin

 

[toystoryduo]

Hello and Welcome to the DIS! I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but in 1996 we had AAA plan our Disney honeymoon. Everything went very smoothly and our travel agent was very helpful and nice.

However, we have since found out that we could have booked our vacation much, much cheaper if we had put the trip together ourselves. Back in 1996, we stayed off property, had Four or Five day Hopper passes, and stayed less than a week for $3000. (Not including food, gas, souvenirs, e.t.c.) Last year, DH, DD2.5, DD1, and I went to WDW twice (10 days each) for just over $2000.

We still use AAA for Triptiks and Traveler's Checks, but we enjoy planning our vacations and saving money in the process. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful vacation!!!!

 

[Melann]

My BF and I used AAA to book our recent trip. For a week at ASSp with UPH we paid about $1200...didn't really do research to see if we could have did it cheaper ourselves, but we were happy with that rate. We also got a coupon to get two laynards with pins, a round of mini golf, or a character poster upon arrival in DW. We also got two free luggage tags from AAA when we picked up our information.

We drove from Philly, PA, so we got TripTiks made, and also had gotten Tourbooks for each of the states we drove through (MD, GA, NC/SC, FL, etc). These books had information about all the cities and had hotel reviews.

We did get a coupon from our agent for two free drinks in the lounge in Tomorrowland, but sadly, I kept forgetting to bring them with us in the park (bummer!)

Good Luck, and Happy Planning!

 

[myboysmom]

We are using them now. We are doing some things on our own, but when we have found discounts better than AAA we just call our lady and she handles getting the better discount. She has been helpful in booking great rates for the hotels we will need on our long ride down. We are very happy having the trip tickets too.

 

[jmminarik]

We had two trips through AAA. The first was our first to WDW and something of a minor fiasco thanks to poorly worded documentation on what was included in a package.

The second trip was definitely not worth the price paid. (Which we found out after the fact), but we did buy into DVC that trip, so in retrospect, what we over paid for back then has been more than repaid since.

-Joe

 

[luv2tvl]

As a AAA travel agent, I can say that quite a few people use us for their Disney packages.
I really think it's a personal preference. For all those internet savvy people sometimes piecing the package together is a better deal and people get enjoyment from doing the booking that way.
We book mostly people that just want an "all inclusive package" that's done from beginning to end and help with everything included.
There usually are AAA rates avail for both tickets and hotels so weather you book them seperatly or with a AAA agent use them if you are a member!
Have FUN!!