AAA Rates ?

[Maggie'sMom]

Help a Disney-obsessed mom with plans for August 2010....

I am planning to take my DD back to WDW in August 2010, probably the 14th through the 21st. I'm planning to splurge on the Poly, and any kind of discount will be very helpful. I have a few questions...

I know 2010 rates will most likely be released in August. Will AAA discounts be released at that time?

If so, would it be better to book a room-only through Disney direct, then wait to see if I get a PIN for that time, or a general public discount is released? If we get to next summer and there aren't any better codes released, could I then contact a AAA agent to change my reservation to a package? (I know I want the package.) Or would it be better to just contact a AAA agent this August and have them book a package, then work through the TA if a code becomes available that is better than the AAA discount?

I generally like to have control over my reservation and not have to go through a TA. That's why I was considering booking room-only, and only going through AAA for the package if it was the best deal I could get. I've never used a travel agent before and am a little nervous about having to go through them for my reservation.

TIA!

 

[mbanks21]

AAA cant discount a Disney rate if they dont know what the Disney rates will be until August

 

[YesMickey]

Help a Disney-obsessed mom with plans for August 2010....

I am planning to take my DD back to WDW in August 2010, probably the 14th through the 21st. I'm planning to splurge on the Poly, and any kind of discount will be very helpful. I have a few questions...

I know 2010 rates will most likely be released in August. Will AAA discounts be released at that time?

If so, would it be better to book a room-only through Disney direct, then wait to see if I get a PIN for that time, or a general public discount is released? If we get to next summer and there aren't any better codes released, could I then contact a AAA agent to change my reservation to a package? (I know I want the package.) Or would it be better to just contact a AAA agent this August and have them book a package, then work through the TA if a code becomes available that is better than the AAA discount?

I generally like to have control over my reservation and not have to go through a TA. That's why I was considering booking room-only, and only going through AAA for the package if it was the best deal I could get. I've never used a travel agent before and am a little nervous about having to go through them for my reservation.

TIA!

If you have a Disney experienced AAA agent, that is the way to go. I booked for Nov. of last year through my agent, and when the codes came out I immediately called here and within an hour she had rebooked our stay with the code discount. It was nothing to it. I know I have heard people say she should have done it without my calling her, but I find that kind of picky. I could understand a TA that ONLY does Disney, but AAA does everything, and could not possibly keep up with every discount that comes up on every vacation, airline, cruise etc. in the world. Worked out great. I figured out I ended up paying $91/night at POR after the discount, and the rack rate was $145-$149/per night without any discount. In all I saved over $300.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

AAA cant discount a Disney rate if they dont know what the Disney rates will be until August

Maybe my question wasn't clear because I think you misunderstood what I was asking. I was wondering if AAA rates become available when the 2010 rates are released in August, or are the AAA rates released at a later time? I know AAA can't offer me any discounted rates until Disney releases their 2010 rates.

If you have a Disney experienced AAA agent, that is the way to go. I booked for Nov. of last year through my agent, and when the codes came out I immediately called here and within an hour she had rebooked our stay with the code discount. It was nothing to it. I know I have heard people say she should have done it without my calling her, but I find that kind of picky. I could understand a TA that ONLY does Disney, but AAA does everything, and could not possibly keep up with every discount that comes up on every vacation, airline, cruise etc. in the world. Worked out great. I figured out I ended up paying $91/night at POR after the discount, and the rack rate was $145-$149/per night without any discount. In all I saved over $300.

I'll have to contact AAA and ask for someone with Disney experience. I've booked so many trips myself it will seem strange using a TA, but I've always traveled during slower times of the year when I had a PIN code. Now that DD is in school, I have to change my travel times and the AAA discount may be the best I can do. Thanks for the advice. Now if I could just find a good therapist to help me with my Disney vacation planning obsession. Or maybe not... I enjoy it too much!

 

[YesMickey]

Maybe my question wasn't clear because I think you misunderstood what I was asking. I was wondering if AAA rates become available when the 2010 rates are released in August, or are the AAA rates released at a later time? I know AAA can't offer me any discounted rates until Disney releases their 2010 rates.



I'll have to contact AAA and ask for someone with Disney experience. I've booked so many trips myself it will seem strange using a TA, but I've always traveled during slower times of the year when I had a PIN code. Now that DD is in school, I have to change my travel times and the AAA discount may be the best I can do. Thanks for the advice. Now if I could just find a good therapist to help me with my Disney vacation planning obsession. Or maybe not... I enjoy it too much!

Yeah, I understand, I already have the fever again and are hoping we will be able to go in March of next year. Another good thing about booking through AAA besides the discount is the other benefits such as the discount card for souvenirs and also the parking pass you receive if you are driving.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

We won't be driving. One of the reasons I want to stay at the Poly is for the monorail access. But have your kids ever done the AAA story time? I was wondering if it was worth the time.

My last trip was in March and we stayed at POR. It was just 4 days, and I went with a friend and didn't take DD. We really enjoyed POR. It was my first time there, although I've stayed at POFQ before.

 

[simplymama]

TIA!

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I just booked our room only reservations direct with Disney and got a nice AAA discount. I thought that even if you got a package booked through a TA from AAA that the discount is still only really on the room, so if you like to have control over the reservation, why not just call yourself and get the AAA rate?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I just booked our room only reservations direct with Disney and got a nice AAA discount. I thought that even if you got a package booked through a TA from AAA that the discount is still only really on the room, so if you like to have control over the reservation, why not just call yourself and get the AAA rate?

I could if I didn't want the dining plan, but I really like having the dining plan when I'm traveling with DD. It works to our advantage when we are doing multiple character meals. Last trip, we did 4 character meals and will probably do the same this next trip. In order to book a package with the AAA discount, I have to have a AAA agent book it. Therein lies my dilemma.

 

[brentalex]

I could if I didn't want the dining plan, but I really like having the dining plan when I'm traveling with DD. It works to our advantage when we are doing multiple character meals. Last trip, we did 4 character meals and will probably do the same this next trip. In order to book a package with the AAA discount, I have to have a AAA agent book it. Therein lies my dilemma.

I'm not sure if your questions have been answered, so here goes. Yes, when the 2010 rates get released in August, the AAA rates will probably be released at the same time. They were released this way in August 2008 for the 2009 season.
Now, if it was me, and I knew that I wanted a package, I would go through AAA and just get it done and not bother with making a room only reservation with Disney. If something better comes up for you, they can make the change and you don't have to bother with cancelling the room only reservation and making a new deposit for the package that you know you want.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm not sure if your questions have been answered, so here goes. Yes, when the 2010 rates get released in August, the AAA rates will probably be released at the same time. They were released this way in August 2008 for the 2009 season.
Now, if it was me, and I knew that I wanted a package, I would go through AAA and just get it done and not bother with making a room only reservation with Disney. If something better comes up for you, they can make the change and you don't have to bother with cancelling the room only reservation and making a new deposit for the package that you know you want.

Thanks. I hadn't gotten the exact answer yet, but was thinking that was the way it would happen. I think I will go ahead and contact a AAA agent to make the ressie in August. I just need to break this "control-freak" habit of mine when it comes to Disney reservations.

I'm wanting to make this a surprise trip for DD, but I don't know that I'll be able to keep my mouth shut.

 

[YesMickey]

Thanks. I hadn't gotten the exact answer yet, but was thinking that was the way it would happen. I think I will go ahead and contact a AAA agent to make the ressie in August. I just need to break this "control-freak" habit of mine when it comes to Disney reservations.

I'm wanting to make this a surprise trip for DD, but I don't know that I'll be able to keep my mouth shut.

Also If I am not mistaken you may also save a few dollars on the tickets through AAA as you can get tickets only through them and there is a slight discount. And no I have never done Story time, we are too busy riding rides.