AAA rep giving out incorrect information!

[Sammy]

I had a conversation with my Dad & Stepmom yesterday who are leaving for WDW this Friday...first trip in over 20 years. They booked Fort Wilderness through AAA and as we were discussing the trip, I heard several incorrect pieces of information that the AAA rep supposedly passed along to them:

1. They could get from HS to MK by boat.

2. Trail's End at FW is a Character Meal (maybe it used to be?)

3. Fastpasses are included with their package and can be picked up when they check in. (Is there some special AAA pass I'm not aware of?)

There were a couple other items as well, but I was surprised at some things I was hearing! Now, I know there's a TON of information you get on Disney, and they may have misunderstood some things, but DSM was adamant the rep had given her this information! I corrected as much as I could, but I didn't want to come off as a "know-it-all", because I'm sure they trusted that the Rep was supposed to know her stuff.

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

well the 3rd one is somewhat correct... meaning that you don't have to pay any extra for it like you do at Universal Studios, so they are included in your package.... just not gunna be able to pick em up at your check in...

But unless they (AAA agent) has gone to WDW I think they sometimes pass along a lot of miss information.

and I had a similar experience with my father and step mom as well... they had booked there trip and paid for it in full.... I saw a code come out to the public and told them about it and they called their TA and she said nope she had never heard of such a thing, I ended up calling her directly for them and telling her and ended up getting them over $400. back because of the pin code!!! With all this being said .... I am a Disney Nut Case... So I can't even blame the poor girl... she probably isn't obsessed like I am!

 

[goofy4tink]

I had a conversation with my Dad & Stepmom yesterday who are leaving for WDW this Friday...first trip in over 20 years. They booked Fort Wilderness through AAA and we were discussing the trip, I heard several incorrect pieces of information that the AAA rep supposedly passed along to them:

1. They could get from HS to MK by boat.

2. Trail's End at FW is a Character Meal (maybe it used to be?)

3. Fastpasses are included with their package and can be picked up when they check in. (Is there some special AAA pass I'm not aware of?)

There were a couple other items as well, but I was surprised at some things I was hearing! Now, I know there's a TON of information you get on Disney, and they may have misunderstood some things, but DSM was adamant the rep had given her this information! I corrected as much as I could, but I didn't want to come off as a "know-it-all", because I'm sure they trusted that the Rep was supposed to know her stuff.

OH man. Do them a favor and go out and buy them a guide book. Get the PassPorter. You can tell them it's a gift that they can jot down daily notes in so they can remember the fun they had. But, they will also read it and get the correct info.
This is my big issue with non-Disney travel people. They 'think' they know, but they don't. Disney is way too expensive to just have any old travel agent make arrangements for you. I had my first trip really messed up by one. My dd turned 6 while on our first trip. I really wanted to eat at the Castle. Back then, you had to book 60 days prior. Figured the TA knew this..heck, I did. But, she called me in early Oct to tell me that she wasn't able to get CRT for the morning of Oct 25th when she had called earlier in the day. REally??? You called just over 3 weeks before and were surprised when you couldn't get it?? Man, I was peeved. We ate lunch there, no characters, and it was fine. But I learned my lesson. Don't use a TA who isn't Disney experienced.

Get 'em the book and let them read it. I highly recommend it. It's not quite as negative and wordy as the UnOfficial Guide to WDW, but it gives very good and accurate info, without all that pixiedust flying around.

 

[chartle]

Does your dad and step mom (and the AAA TA) know that FW is a campground?

The reason I ask is on one of those funniest things I have ever heard at WDW threads there was a story of a couple checking into FW and asking where the hotel was. The CM looked puzzled and asked if they had camping equipment. Puzzled guest looks back and says that their TA got them a great rate at an on site Disney resort for $45 a night (the nightly rate for a campsite at that time).

Not sure where they stayed.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

FW has cabins as well.

 

[Sammy]

Does your dad and step mom (and the AAA TA) know that FW is a campground?

The reason I ask is on one of those funniest things I have ever heard at WDW threads there was a story of a couple checking into FW and asking where the hotel was. The CM looked puzzled and asked if they had camping equipment. Puzzled guest looks back and says that their TA got them a great rate at an on site Disney resort for $45 a night (the nightly rate for a campsite at that time).

Not sure where they stayed.

OMG....that's horrible and funny at the same time!!! But in answer to your question, "yes", the TA at least got that one right....they are driving down in their camper and will also have three of their grandchildren with them as well (not my kids).

I did buy my Dad a Birnbaum's pocket Disney guide book as part of his Father's Day gift, so hopefully they will at least browse through it. They've been planning this trip for several months, so I've had the opportunity to talk to them quite frequently, but they really don't seem to comprehend how much everything has changed in the last 20 years. I think my Dad's plan is to just walk through the turnstyles, pick up a park map, and THEN decide where to go! I even had to explain to him that having the DDP does not give you front of the line access to order at the CS restaurants (oh my!).

With the lack of planning, and the extreme heat and increased crowds I've been hearing about this week, I really hope they keep their sense of humor and have a good time....it's probably the only trip this set of grandkids will ever have.

 

[chartle]

FW has cabins as well.

Yes but a cabin has never been $45 a night. The TA just booked them the cheapest they could find without realizing what they sold them.

 

[Sammy]

chartle: your FW story reminds me of something that happened on our trip this past February. It was just DH and I taking our DD and her friend to celebrate their Sweet 16. The friend's grandparents live an hour north of Orlando and wanted to join us for a couple of days to see their granddaughter. They contacted me to tell me they booked Disney's Hilton Head Resort (on their own through the WDW website, not a TA) and were looking forward to meeting up with us!!! Ummm....I don't think so!

Of course, we straightened it all out, but can you imagine if they hadn't mentioned the resort to me? I wonder how long they would have driven around looking for the name of the resort on the signs!!

 

[3_disprincesses]

well the 3rd one is somewhat correct... meaning that you don't have to pay any extra for it like you do at Universal Studios, so they are included in your package.... just not gunna be able to pick em up at your check in...

But unless they (AAA agent) has gone to WDW I think they sometimes pass along a lot of miss information.

and I had a similar experience with my father and step mom as well... they had booked there trip and paid for it in full.... I saw a code come out to the public and told them about it and they called their TA and she said nope she had never heard of such a thing, I ended up calling her directly for them and telling her and ended up getting them over $400. back because of the pin code!!! With all this being said .... I am a Disney Nut Case... So I can't even blame the poor girl... she probably isn't obsessed like I am!

And the exact reason I became a Disney travel specialist. Most TA's will only tell a client what they understand a vacation package to be - whether it's Disney or another destination. I love getting to help clients actually prepare for their Disney vacations!

 

[RMulieri]

Like anything in life there are GOOD AND BAD TA's out there..Heck Cms that WORK for Disney give out wrong info all the time.I would get them a good guidebook.

 

[Andtototoo]

The first time we went to WDW with dd (which was 30 years since the last time we'd been there as kids), we booked through AAA. The rep gave us a ton of misinformation. I am eternally grateful to the lady in the line at MK who overheard us talking and set us straight on so many areas. What chapped my hide was that when I got back and called the manager about the misinformation, she clearly did not care. Haven't used them since.

 

[bumbershoot]

They contacted me to tell me they booked Disney's Hilton Head Resort (on their own through the WDW website, not a TA) and were looking forward to meeting up with us!!! Ummm....I don't think so!

Of course, we straightened it all out, but can you imagine if they hadn't mentioned the resort to me? I wonder how long they would have driven around looking for the name of the resort on the signs!!

Oh, the mind boggles!



OP, at Disneyland in CA there's a special FP promotion...but I don't think it's at WDW... If you have an old map you could show them the FP info on it.


A nice map might help them see the problem with a boat between MK and DHS.


And just looking at WDW's dining info on their own website can show them if Trail's End is a character meal.

 

[disneychic2]

Our first ever trip to Disney we stayed off site because our AAA TA didn't hold our reservation with a deposit. (She had our cc to do so) By the time we realized this, we could only get 3 days on property and since we had to rent a car anyway, we just stayed off property the whole time. I was really upset. Years later, I worked for AAA for a few years and loved helping people with their trips...especially Disney. I made sure I gave them good information and tips to make their experience as magical as possible.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I thought they all had to go through the College of Disney Knowledge? Wouldn't that teach them at the very least about Disney, hotels and packages?

I know I had some issues with a AAA agent, but last week, I saw a post on facebook by a travel agency giving incorrect information to someone and I had to correct them, because it just wasn't right. I notified the travel agency of their error and she said it was because their contact at Disney hadn't updated them. I also got that excuse when I tried to call our MWR office on post.

I would be in a world of hurt if I gave out incorrect information at my job, why is it okay for them to do it?

 

[Murray-Mint]

In the UK, there is a Disney Travel Agents programme with free training available for any staff of a registered travel agency. Upon completing the training and passing a test, the agent is entitled to a number of rewards including a reduced price ticket (for example, 14 day ultimate ticket for $211).

You'd like to hope that travel agents are taking advantage of training like that before selling Disney holidays to customers.

 

[Shir Kahn]

I've actually given some thought about becoming a TA specializing in Disney, as I love to plan our own and other peoples trips already, why not get paid for it? Just not sure that the money would be quite enough to allow us to go on all the WDW trips we go on now.

 

[Invisable89]

Over here in England my family & i are ALWAYS correcting people who have been told incorrect information when booking through non-Disney specialised TA's!

But what really bothers me is people booking through TA's & letting them deal with everything without doing any research themseleves what so ever. So they come home with a less than happy experience & they wonder why?

 

[MHSweb79]

I was at our local AAA office on Friday waiting for the travel agent to get some room-only rates.

While I was sitting there, a couple was at the regular desk, purchasing park admission tickets. The clerk asked them if they wanted the AAA Diamond parking pass. The wife said, "No, we are DVC members so we already get free parking." The clerk said OK. (STRIKE ONE- the pass does not offer free parking, just access to a closer area of the parking lot. )

Then the husband said, "Now, if the tickets get lost, I can show this receipt and get them replaced, right?" The clerk said, shrugging her shoulders, "I don't know. Nobody has ever lost their tickets before." (STRIKE TWO- the husband was correct. The receipt will get him replacement tickets.)

My DH gets annoyed when I insert my library of WDW knowledge into other people's conversations, so I sat their biting my tongue. The AAA travel agent, on the other hand, is very knowledgeable. We've used her several times and I'm confident in what she tells me. The clerk at the desk was someone new to me and probably still training.

 

[dyna]

I would not depend on AAA to plan a vacation for my dog much less myself. That said I've called disney to make ressie for haircut an been told that the BBB does not cut hair After asking for a ressie at Harmony Barber Shop.

Then was told the HBS did not take requests for hair cuts (this happened within weeks of the anouncement that you could now make appointments for HBS) I said TY hung up hit redail an got a TA who was at least willing to go ask someone about the appointments at HBS.

I've ran into the TA's not knowing what was going on with specials in resorts, free dining etc over the years that I don't put much faith in them either. The dis an a few other websites I can depend on tho.

 

[POOHsie]

I would not depend on AAA to plan a vacation for my dog much less myself. That said I've called disney to make ressie for haircut an been told that the BBB does not cut hair After asking for a ressie at Harmony Barber Shop.

Then was told the HBS did not take requests for hair cuts (this happened within weeks of the anouncement that you could now make appointments for HBS) I said TY hung up hit redail an got a TA who was at least willing to go ask someone about the appointments at HBS.

I've ran into the TA's not knowing what was going on with specials in resorts, free dining etc over the years that I don't put much faith in them either. The dis an a few other websites I can depend on tho.

I will agree with you. Disney TAs may be very knowledgeable or not. Depends on the person, I guess. With me, once, a Disney TA was misinformed about a discount and wouldn't give it to me. I meekly went along, learned later from reading DISboards that she had wrong info and I could have had the discount. I have gained a tremendous amount of info from here, but still feel like a rookie.