Aaa worth it or not?

[julluvsdisney]

So I am trying to get the best deal possible! I am planning a trip to WDW staying at the WL. Does anyone know if the AAA discount is worth it? Do you have to book with AAA or can u just do it through disney? Also is it just like disney as far as deposit then pay off within 45 days of check in? If anyone has dealt with this can you help me out? Thank you in advance!

 

[floridascgirl]

We have booked a room-only before through Disney using our AAA #. I believe the discount was 10% for us (it was a Deluxe resort).

 

[ms mouse]

We booked room only with Disney using a AAA discount. You dont have to go through AAA travel. The deposit depends on if you book room only or a package. AAA is only offered certain times, and a limited number of calls so you would have to call to see if it is worth it, it is not a huge discount but better than nothing.

 

[snykymom]

If you want AAA room-only, you can book through Disney. If you want a package with a AAA room discount, you must book through AAA Travel. The room-only/package reservations are subject to the same deposit & payment rules as if you booked directly.

AAA discounts are generally 10-20% off rack rates, depending on resort and season.

 

[punocchio]

We're going through this debate right now with the availability of Free Dining. When I called Friday 7/24 to make a reservation for December with FD, I was told you can't combine AAA discount on top of that.

In our example we booked 4 nights at FW Cabins with a 1 day park ticket. Obviously your rates will vary, but for our family of 2 adults and kids, when we backed out the "retail" price of the dining plan from the package ($102/day), and compared it to the AAA rate, this is what we saw:

Room package w/tickets with free dining = $1491
Net cost after backing out FD = $1083
AAA rate plus 1 day ticket = $1242

So we came out somewhat ahead with the dining plan.

That being said, the CM who took our reservation mentioned there is a AAA code in the system but it's not active until Monday. I'm assuming that will be AAA rate with free dining, and if that's the case, we'll be changing our package to that code!

 

[rdsx28]

I am confused so now there will be a AAA discount with the free dining on MOnday? We are booked AAA November 28-December 6th with AAA discount. I was hoping for free dining which would be great. A discount as well would be even better!

 

[keywestbride]

I am confused so now there will be a AAA discount with the free dining on MOnday? We are booked AAA November 28-December 6th with AAA discount. I was hoping for free dining which would be great. A discount as well would be even better!

Wow, that would be awesome! I'll be thrilled if we "just" get the free dining, but AAA on top of that would almost cover upgrading to basic dining (we're planning on staying at Pop).

But unfortunately, it just doesn't make any sense that this would be the case b/c you can't have a AAA package booked through Disney, kwim? I guess they could do it but require you book it through AAA, but it just doesn't seem like there would be any reason for Disney to do that.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Earlier this year we were told we couldn't combine AAA and the 4/3 package. We gave up the AAA room rate since the 4/3 was a better saving.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

No, you can't combine two discounts. You would have to pick either the AAA rate or book Free Dining. I personally wouldn't buy into AAA solely for discounts at Disney. However, AAA is a great thing to have for peace of mind, especially if you travel largely by driving long distances. If you break down, run of out gas, have a flat, need to be towed...fantastic!!! It also gives you discounts on regular hotel rooms around the country as well as other vacations. Disney has been releasing so many discounts that have been a lot better than AAA discounts.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

This past March when making our December room only reservation, my dad was able to get the AAA discount for our Contemporary Atrium Club - Bay Lake View. All he did was tell his CAA number to the Cast Member from CRO and that was it.

 

[cleophus12]

We saved almost $100 on our room only rate at POP for Nov. I've been a AAA member for years, but if I didn't use it again this year, the savings on this trip alone would make it worth the membership fee.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Can you book online through Disney using a AAA discount, or do you have to call Disney directly to book?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Can you book online through Disney using a AAA discount, or do you have to call Disney directly to book?

To get the AAA room only discount you can only call them, so it can not be made online.

 

[cglaura]

Don't forget when comparing a room discount vs. dining to figure in not the cost of the plan, but how much you would normally spend on food.

For us, it always comes out better with a room discount because we split meals and only spend around $30 per day on food/snacks, sometimes less because some day I might just have a $1 piece of fruit for lunch, on those days we spend around $15. We usually only do 1 or 2 TS meals, 3 if we are staying over 12 days.

The only breakfast we eat out is our traditional 1st day mickey waffles, after that, we eat breakfast in the room, so that is never a factor, we pack a suitcase of cereal, breakfast bars, etc.

I know alot of people say, but free dining, it is free, eat it! We'd never be able to, it would just go to waste.

I wish they'd do a new type of discount. Partial room and free QS meals. Like 5-10% off the room, free QS.

ETA: We think AAA is worth it. If we get 15% like usual we should save around $200 this trip. Even without it, one dead battery in a cold dark parking lot at night or a flat, AAA worth it.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

We have been happy with the AAA discounts! Our 2007 trip it saved us about $450 compared to disney.com (MK view @ CR) and in 2009 we were able to combine AAA, 4/3, and get the $200 GC! And before the Disney issued deals were added we were saving about $150 for 4 nights at CBR.

I have e-mailed CAA about our 2010 trip, but will likely wait to book until AAA rates are issued in August (along with the other rates and package prices).

Hoping for some AAA/CAA magic again this year!