Another problem with AAA agent.

[pperfectmom]

Sorry to vent about AAA again, but the agent we are dealing with is unbelievable. She's super nice, but knows nothing about WDW. She told me the other day that CBR is closer to the MK than the Poly. Today when I called to have her check on rates for WL, she gave me a quote for courtyard view and told me that was their standard room(The quote was $100 more than the price I got on the WDW site for a woods view) . She said the transportation is great there and I could take the monorail to Epcot. Then she asked if I would like her to check prices for POR because we could take a boat to Epcot from there. WTH? I KNOW she can get us the AAA discount but I wonder if I will be a nervous wreck just wondering if she got it all right. We really, really need the discount so I hate to give up on her and I hate to hurt her feelings(Yea I know I'm goofy). If I knew they were going to offer free dining again I would just wait and do everything myself. I hate to go through the trauma of dealing with her to get a discount we will eventually give up. I can't decide what to do. I really just want to do it all myself but that wouldn't be the cheapest way.

 

[lclark0621]

Are you trying to book a package with the AAA rate?

I know AAA can get the discount with the dining plan, but if you are not booking the dining plan, you can book a room only AAA rate with any travel agent or through Disney themselves.

You might have better luck with a TA who knows Disney.

 

[beth_cam]

If you don't have something booked with her yet just don't call her back. You can use any aaa agent anywhere. last year I used one in New Jersey and I am in South Carolina. I'm using a local one this year that has gotten good stuff said about her here on the Dis for over a year....I really wouldnt worry about hurting her feelings. You dont have to be mean to her...you dont even have to say anything (although after about a month I'd be tempted to make an anonymous call to her supervisor to suggest some more disney training with the agents). You could even just say you've changed your mind. Let her draw whatever conclusions she will.

 

[pperfectmom]

If you don't have something booked with her yet just don't call her back. You can use any aaa agent anywhere. last year I used one in New Jersey and I am in South Carolina. I'm using a local one this year that has gotten good stuff said about her here on the Dis for over a year....I really wouldnt worry about hurting her feelings. You dont have to be mean to her...you dont even have to say anything (although after about a month I'd be tempted to make an anonymous call to her supervisor to suggest some more disney training with the agents). You could even just say you've changed your mind. Let her draw whatever conclusions she will.

Is there any way you could pm her name and number? I would like to be able to get our discount but I'm scared to use the agent in Lexington. They assured me when I first called that she IS the Disney specialist. I'm not sure what that says about AAA Travel.

 

[LindyN]

Disney has a "College of Disney Knowledge" that a TA can do. It is NO SUBSTITUTION for being a frequent visitor. CDK is an introduction, but unless you go to the parks and experience the restaurants, resorts, and transportation, its just a start. There is no substitution for staying in the resorts, experiencing the attrations, and eating in the restaurants.

Any TA can apply a AAA discount to a room reservation and do add-on tickets. If you want the dining plan though then you must go through AAA. Many times though a Disney discount will end up beating one from AAA. But when there are no discounts then the room discount from AAA still beats rack rate. The AAA discount is immediate when it is available, while you might have to wait for Disney to release something that may apply to your reservation. (Then your TA needs to be on the ball and see if that discount will work for you).

If you book with AAA you can just have them make the reservation and you can do your own planning. Just get a good book and read, read, read. If you want help though and some good first hand information then find an agency that specializes in Disney and get an experienced agent. An agent who actually does Disney will have tips to make your park touring more efficient and will help you get the most out of your money. Ask your AAA office for a "Disney Specialist" who actually has a Disney habit and goes to the parks. There are some out there.

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

If you're looking for a room only reservation with a AAA discount, you can get that directly with Disney by saying you have a AAA membership.

If you want the dining plan package (Magic Your Way Plus Dining) with the AAA discount on the room part of the package, you have to go thru AAA. Disney can't give you the discount. This applies to when the dining is free and when you have to pay for it.

Like LindyN said, ask for your AAA office's Disney specialist. Every office will have one.

Good luck!

 

[Tracy Savage]

I booked thru Disney. I have AAA but I didn't feel comfortable with my agents knowledge or willingness to book for me. It was like she was bored with the whole WDW thing from the minute is walked in.

 

[LindyN]

Some agents do not like booking Disney for a variety of reasons. Compared to other package suppliers Disney is a pretty low revenue stream and some things are non-commissionable. Many agents would rather sell an all-inclusive resort someplace warm than a Magic Your Way Package. The compensation is better with the latter than it is with a MYW pkg.

But to get the dining plan with a AAA rate on the room you must book through AAA travel. The AAA rate is a place to start but not always the lowest price, especially if Disney decides to have their own discount. Plus AAA rates do sell out. They are not across the board, nor are they available during the Holiday season. This is true of all discounts at Disney.

 

[kelleigh1]

I also booked with the previously mentioned SC agent, and I'm in Massachusetts. I just didn't want to take any chances, although I'm pretty well versed in Disney...and this place definitely helps. If I were you, I'd definitely contact a different agent because the one you're talking with apparently hasn't been to Disney, or if she has, she's only gone once.

 

[Terry's Angels]

PPerfectmom,

I agree with the other posters, if your AAA agent doesn't sound like she knows what she's doing - work with someone else. Some agents aren't experts and it shows and unfortunately it may cause you to be worried and double check every thing they do (or don't do). I got some very helpful advice on this board about how to find a good agent along with some names.

 

[mylightshines]

Can you PM me the name/phone number of the agent? The one I talked to yesterday didn't really seem to know a lot and I really want to use somebody with a lot more Disney knowledge. Thanks

 

[pperfectmom]

Somebody please PM me the name and number of one of these super duper AAA agents.

 

[NJPluto]

I know what you mean about AAA. If I weren't as familiar with Disney then I'd be at a real disadvantage. I called my local office to book a trip at the GF for my family of 5. The gal I spoke with was nice enough but she didn't seem knowledgeable about Disney. She told me POR was the only resort to allow 5 people. I politely insisted that she check the GF. I also said that we wanted base tickets only. She said we can only get Park Hoppers. I told her that's an option that we don't want but the price seemed to include that option. I'm giving my branch another shot but with a different agent. If I'm still not convinced that the info is correct then I may ask someone to PM with a knowledgeable AAA rep. Thank goodness for these boards!

 

[Disneydenise]

NJPluto I too live in NJ and good luck finding out the correct information. I think I am going to book my room only with CRO and then purchase the discount pass at the local AAA office. If you are set on a package it will be impossible. We didnot think that the dinning package was a savings for our family but every family is different.

 

[mom2zoejane]

I am a new visitor to Disney, and did extensive research online, then checked with my local AAA branch. The quote they gave me at a Value with hopper and dining was only about $50 cheaper than what I was quoted on the Disney site. What's all this I'm reading about free dining? I didn't end up booking with them, but saving dining fees would have been worth it! That offer didn't ever come up in conversation.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The free dining MYW packages for later this year may or may not happen. No one knows, and it is pure speculation and hope for many right now.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Some agents do not like booking Disney for a variety of reasons. Compared to other package suppliers Disney is a pretty low revenue stream and some things are non-commissionable. Many agents would rather sell an all-inclusive resort someplace warm than a Magic Your Way Package. The compensation is better with the latter than it is with a MYW pkg.

You know, though (not arguing the point at all, just expressing my views) - Disney may be a low revenue stream for the TA, but me taking my business elsewhere would result in NO revenue stream
As far as I know, the commission on a Disney package is 10%; ten percent of a thousand dollars is $100 higher than ten percent of zero dollars. And I'm not the typical customer - most Disney visitors spend a LOT more.

 

[beth_cam]

I am a new visitor to Disney, and did extensive research online, then checked with my local AAA branch. The quote they gave me at a Value with hopper and dining was only about $50 cheaper than what I was quoted on the Disney site. What's all this I'm reading about free dining? I didn't end up booking with them, but saving dining fees would have been worth it! That offer didn't ever come up in conversation.

There is a good chance that aaa has automatically added travel insurance which in the disney site doesnt get added in until you have moved further along in the booking. That is about $60 per adult. I dont know when you are staying or for how long but in value season at a value hotel the aaa discount only adds up to 16.40 + tax (18.45) per night. So over a 7 night stay that becomes 129.15, or in regular season 116 for 7 nights. You might want to check out exactly what they offered you .... if you have insurance added and you have 2 adults you are actually looking at a savings of 170. Many many people don't realize their quotes include insurance.

 

[REL1203]

I just booked 3 nights with dining at a value for July at Rack rate, but got 8day hopper passes since I am staying longer on the same trip. I am not a AAA member (not sure what it cost to join), but is the offset of the sign up cost going to be more than the discount I would receive on this trip?

 

[beth_cam]

3 nights in july is usually enough to break even. The discounts are off only the room or room portion of your package. your tickets etc remain the same price as if you had booked through Disney. Don't forget that you still get aaa discounts and benefits for the entire year. At disney the benefits also include a small discount at DTD, discounts on tours, closer parking, special storytime with a character.

People are reporting membership costs at 45-60 per year for 1 person. We pay 79 for the two cards. We are using another discount but by booking through aaa we still get the benefits of the parking and storytime etc, but we also are using the discounts on tours which will gain us about another $50 savings on 2 tours.

examples.
Value 15% discount, Summer Standard Room -
3 nights at 14.85 per night = 44.55
Moderate 15% discount, Summer season, Standard Room -
3 nights at 24.75 per night = 74.25
I dont have a Delux rate (10% discount) handy but they are all well over 220 per night
3 nights at 24.75 per night = 74.25