AAA vs booking yourself??

[jupers]

Hi All,

I have a trip booked for FD that I did myself through Dis for Me, DH, DD(6) and DS(inf). 7 nights POR, 7 day base tix and FD. Total for the week $2002 (this includes insurance). I'm not a AAA member but I was wondering if anyone knows if they'll beat this price????

I would join AAA if it's worth it.
Thanks in Advance

 

[tkldisney]

Not if you have free dining. Then you will pay the same. No room discounts with FD.

 

[catne]

AAA would book you exactly the same price as Disney website for Free Dining...you would pick up a few AAA perks on the deal like a AAA 10% merchandise discount card, AAA Diamond parking pass and such. But you would not get the AAA room discount because Disney only allows one discount per room - which in this case would be Free Dining.

 

[policycobb]

I noticed you just have base tickets. Do you need park hopper option to be able to eat at variety of restaruants? I am trying to plan for the free dining as inexpensively as possbile. Every few dollars saved will help stay in my budget.

 

[mbanks21]

It helps to have park hoppers but if you plan carefully you can do without them. When I took my 3 year old daughter we would do MK in the morning, go back to the room for a nap/swim and go to Epcot (PSB) for dinner or do AK in the morning, nap, and MK for dinner (CP)

 

[mickeystoontown]

Keep in mind that, if you book through a travel agent, any changes or dining reservations will have to be made through the travel agent.

 

[Jasmin1]

Keep in mind that, if you book through a travel agent, any changes or dining reservations will have to be made through the travel agent.

This is true with changes, but not dining. You can make your own dining reservations. I have done it many times.

 

[jupers]

I noticed you just have base tickets. Do you need park hopper option to be able to eat at variety of restaruants? I am trying to plan for the free dining as inexpensively as possbile. Every few dollars saved will help stay in my budget.

You do not need hoppers. I am just planning on which park we are doing each day and making my ADRs around that park. You can still leave that park and return you just can't go to different parks. Not getting hoppers or WPs saved us about $330. Since DS isn't even 2 we're going to try to take it easy with him.

 

[Bete]

You plan your parks and then you plan your meals around that schedule. You have many resort restaurants to choose from, if you want to do something different or you don't want to go back to a park for a meal.

The biggest factor is to book 90 days out with free dining to get the best choices and times. If you don't do it ahead, then you can sacrifice your planning and you may have to rearrange it all or accept less than what you want.

Good luck. Free dining is a lot of fun!

 

[MyMuse]

I loved my park hoppers on my last trip. Prior to that, I did one day at Disney while staying off-site and visiting family.

AAA does have discounted park hopper tickets, starting at 3 days. I am unsure about merchandise discounts. You may want to walk in and see what AAA can do for you.

I did that to my local AAA, but they didn't seem interested, so I didn't book with them.

Shortly afterwards, I get an invite for their "Disney information night". Go figure.

 

[mbanks21]

Dont get your tickets somewhere else since you need tickets on your package

 

[MyMuse]

Dont get your tickets somewhere else since you need tickets on your package

If AAA is your travel agent, then they will do that for you.

If you are booking a package with Disney yourself, then, yes, your tickets would be part of the package...hence package.

Of course, if you are not doing a package (like me), you can get your tickets at any reputable seller (AAA, Undercover Tourist, Disney, travel agents, etc...).

I hope that clear it up?