AAA relationship ending permanently Jan 2015

[shepd]

I've been parking in the AAA parking (which is a total waste of time, especially since it apparently doesn't exist at all at Epcot, according to the Cast Members there) and when we were parking at Magic Kingdom today we were told by the Cast Member that as of the end of this year AAA and Disney were going their separate ways. At Hollywood Studios we were told by a Cast Member that our pass expires at the end of the year and it wouldn't be good again, as if it were Disney's final relationship.

Also, for some really weird reason, each time I tried to get to the AAA parking, the Cast Members seem perturbed, as if it was disappointing that someone would ask to use it (I could see them thinking why would anyone bother, but this was more of the reaction I'd expect if I asked a Cast Member to pick up after me).

Looks like it's a pretty deep level of unhappiness between the two!

Posting this in rumors because it's not like Cast Members are the be all and end all of information.

 

[rteetz]

I've been parking in the AAA parking (which is a total waste of time, especially since it apparently doesn't exist at all at Epcot, according to the Cast Members there) and when we were parking at Magic Kingdom today we were told by the Cast Member that as of the end of this year AAA and Disney were going their separate ways. At Hollywood Studios we were told by a Cast Member that our pass expires at the end of the year and it wouldn't be good again, as if it were Disney's final relationship. Also, for some really weird reason, each time I tried to get to the AAA parking, the Cast Members seem perturbed, as if it was disappointing that someone would ask to use it (I could see them thinking why would anyone bother, but this was more of the reaction I'd expect if I asked a Cast Member to pick up after me). Looks like it's a pretty deep level of unhappiness between the two! Posting this in rumors because it's not like Cast Members are the be all and end all of information.

This was discussed on the disunplugged podcast. The travel agents seem to have been hearing rumblings that their partnership is ending. It's not just happening with parking it's happening with planning trip and AAA discounts for that as well.

 

[derekleigh]

So AAA will no longer sell tickets at their locations? I guess the diamond parking pass is out of the question for 2015.

 

[briand1023]

Interesting. Doesn't AAA have a building right on property outside MK too? Wonder if that goes away too

 

[etherealcaitiff]

Heigh Ho, Reservation CM here. To sum it up, Disney and AAA are changing their status with each other. When a AAA TA books with us they get a better commission rate and a few extra perks (special fireworks viewing). From 2015 forward that will no longer be the case. AAA can still book Disney Vacations, but it will just be like going through any other agency. Some particulars are still not clarified, but if you have any specific questions I'll try to answer.

 

[rlduvall]

Heigh Ho, Reservation CM here. To sum it up, Disney and AAA are changing their status with each other. When a AAA TA books with us they get a better commission rate and a few extra perks (special fireworks viewing). From 2015 forward that will no longer be the case. AAA can still book Disney Vacations, but it will just be like going through any other agency. Some particulars are still not clarified, but if you have any specific questions I'll try to answer.

Will AAA discounted room only rates still be available?

 

[rteetz]

Will AAA discounted room only rates still be available?

Probably not

 

[dwheaton]

Heigh Ho, Reservation CM here. To sum it up, Disney and AAA are changing their status with each other. When a AAA TA books with us they get a better commission rate and a few extra perks (special fireworks viewing). From 2015 forward that will no longer be the case. AAA can still book Disney Vacations, but it will just be like going through any other agency. Some particulars are still not clarified, but if you have any specific questions I'll try to answer.

Will the Diamond Parking still exist in 2015? I remember it being pretty close at DAK at least.

 

[North of Mouse]

So frustrated with them - will be cancelling my AAA.

 

[redcubfan]

And I'm guessing there will no longer be AAA discounts for Fort Wilderness campsites as well? If so that's unfortunate since there really are no other discounts available for the campsites.

 

[OKW Lover]

Interesting. Doesn't AAA have a building right on property outside MK too? Wonder if that goes away too

I believe that building you are referring to is simply the car care center. It might continue in operation as an AAA auto affiliate.

 

[North of Mouse]

And I'm guessing there will no longer be AAA discounts for Fort Wilderness campsites as well? If so that's unfortunate since there really are no other discounts available for the campsites.

You are so right, unfortunately! We were able to get a discount last April, and the 15% sure made a difference on 10 nights. Even at that, they only had a limited amount of sites (very limited) so they weren't doing too much 'favors'!

There 'have' been reports of getting Disney visa discounts, but I have never seen any, so probably mostly a myth!! And, why should they, can hardly get ressies anymore, except way in advance???

Meanwhile, the rates are going up, up, up!!

 

[manning]

I came across a business once that never gave a discount. Asked why not the owner said give a fair price and good service and you don't need to.

At one time Disney didn't give a discounts.

 

[Laz]

So frustrated with them - will be cancelling my AAA.

I am afraid that this may be the reaction for many AAA members (myself included). So much of what AAA offered exclusively is now offered through many different outlets. Disney discounts were a huge plus to us Mouse-loving members. One year, an AAA package to DLR include unlimited fast passes with no waiting period for getting another FP or expiration time. I collected FPs at the beginning of the day and we would grab another right after we got off a ride.

I guess those days are gone and I will probably be letting my membership expire as well.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I believe that building you are referring to is simply the car care center. It might continue in operation as an AAA auto affiliate.

I think AAA's national headquarters is located north of Orlando, Heathrow?

 

[crazy4wdw]

So frustrated with them - will be cancelling my AAA.

I'm thinking of not renewing my membership when it expires. However, from reading different blogs, it appears that it's primarily Disney that wants out of the business relationship with AAA. I've noticed that AAA discounts offered by other hotel chains seem to have also decreased over the last several years. At one time, the AAA membership would provide a fairly significant savings at different hotels but now it seems you may get a $5 to $10 discount off the rack rate.

 

[hebbynan]

I dropped my AAA membership years ago. What was once our only source of maps for trips (TripTicks I think they were called) has been replaced by GPS and google and iPhones. Discounted attraction tickets have been replaced by Groupon, etc. To me there was just no need to keep it when I could get all the benefits without needing a membership. Saved me about $76 a year in member fees.

To it's credit - when I started driving back in the early 90's AAA was a great thing to have. Of course the internet wasn't around then either. Wow...I really just dated myself didn't I?! LOL

I did book my first ever Disney trip through AAA, but now after 6 more trips...I do it myself directly through Disney!

 

[belleandthebeast]

It is Disney that ended the relationship. Which truly stinks for them and us. The benefits weren't all that great but the discount helped out a lot. But it's not AAA's fault.

 

[circus4u]

To it's credit - when I started driving back in the early 90's AAA was a great thing to have. Of course the internet wasn't around then either. Wow...I really just dated myself didn't I?! LOL

!

Ummmm, started driving in the early 90's? Young whipper snapper That makes me ancient (early 60s) I think the internet was around in the 90s too. Of course, at my age, I may be a bit confused.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Ummmm, started driving in the early 90's? Young whipper snapper That makes me ancient (early 60s) I think the internet was around in the 90s too. Of course, at my age, I may be a bit confused.

The internet was around in the early 90's....we first got it in our home in 93.