Are AAA room rates + tickets cheaper than package?

[Lisa345]

We are planning to go President's week 2006 (yes, we are crazy!)
I have a Land/sea pkg booked through a TA and we got a very good price. But now I have been reading these boards way too much and I was thinking that if I put it all together myself, maybe I could save even more, plus I might want to do the dining plan and I can't with that pkg. So........
I just called AAA. I don't belong, but might be willing to join if the savings was good. After pricing out the Disney Web site, AAA is just about the same price, plus I would have to join. Where is the $300 savings?

 

[JELBoggio]

I have a package quoted with AAA (Poly 6 nights Magic Your Way Plus Dining with Park Hopper tickets for 6 days) and the savings is about $400 cheaper than thru Disney. I used an agent that was recommended somewhere in these boards - Michelle Shears. Her number is 800-643-5332. I'm sure she can help you like she did for me and others on this board.

 

[kelleigh1]

A couple things that I can tell you about AAA vs. Disney:

1. Your savings is going to be based on the time of year in which you travel. Value season will be a bigger savings than holiday season.

2. What your AAA TA might not be telling you is that there are only a certain # of AAA rated rooms available at each resort. Once those rooms are all booked, you're not going to be able to get a reduced price room. They can still book for you, but you're not going to see the lower rates.

 

[HayGan]

Sorry that I missed some of the questions that people had in regards to my package. I simply called my local AAA office and had them price a package for me. I did book our December vacation in January (when AAA was running a promo.) She priced out several resorts (Poly, CR, WL and CBR). I chose Poly even though the Poly was $250 more than the next cheapest resort. I knew that I was going to save something with AAA but I didn't find out until recently how much I was saving. I waited until Disney added the 10 day passes to the options on their website. That is when I realized that I was saving over $600.

BTW, my AAA agent didn't ask for a AAA number. That is a good thing because I am not yet a member. I plan on joining shortly before our final payment is due.

Anyone staying on-site can use Magical Express. You don't have to go directly thru Disney to utilize this perk!!

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me with any other questions

 

[Aanna]

My initial visit with them (AAA) quoted me same prices as disney website, for the package. I wasn't saving anything!! So I either had a bad AAA agent that was adding commission, etc., or she was dumb.

I had the same thing happen to me when I was booking a couple weeks ago! Seemed completely stupid to go through the extra hassle of a AAA travel agent when the price wasn't any better. Now I don't feel quite so alone, but I'd love to know why it didn't come out cheaper. There were *definitely rooms available with a AAA discount at that time, because I'd just talked to a Disney cast member about it. The room only AAA deal through Disney didn't help me with my package, but shouldn't AAA have been able to get me one of those reduced price rooms *with the package?

Ah well...
-Aanna

 

[jrogers345]

FYI - I just booked a November trip through AAA. The AAA discount only applies to the room, not the entire package. Regarding the free dining plan offer through Oct, AAA agent told me that you could only apply one or the other but not both.

I booked through AAA because free dining is not currently available in November and I wanted to book MYW package. Disney will apply the AAA discount but only allow you to book the room, they will not apply the AAA discount if you book a package.

I booked thru AAA agent. I don't know or didn't ask if the savings was for the room or the whole package. I just looked at the total price which was $180 cheaper than what was quoted for the same package on WDW website.

I emailed my AAA agent today and asked her a few questions about the free dining plan. She wrote back to me.....

"I've checked with Disney about the free dining. This is what they have done in the past, and may do it the same way if it is extended. If it is, they will rebook the reservation, and apply the free meals. Yes, you could still get the AAA discount. I'll keep an eye on it, but if you see it first, please let me know and I'll call immediately."

Sooooooo.... keeping watch and if it happens, will see if she's correct.... that I'll still get the $180 discount AND the free dining.

Janice

 

[have2getaway]

I contacted AAA for a package that included the dining plan for Jan. It was $150 cheaper than an identical package through Disney. Simply call the AAA number and select the travel option. The AAA rep. I was connected too was extremely helpful

 

[mainewmn]

This is exactly what the same scenario I found. I originally found the discounted rates for rooms via AAA web site, I then called Disney and asked them if I could book directly through them while still getting the AAA price and was told that was fine. I then decided to investigate further to see how much money if any AAA could save me, so I requested a price for 8 night, value resort package with 5 day park hopper tickets, without the meal plan. The quote I got was almost $100 more through AAA then the by purchasing the package separate. I wrote back to AAA asking them how come their “special discounted” price was higher then mine using their prices and I have yet to get a response. Will post if I do.

 

[Manon]

I've tried that, and the CM told me that Disney don't give AAA/CAA discounts!!!!

 

[kelleigh1]

This is exactly what the same scenario I found. I originally found the discounted rates for rooms via AAA web site, I then called Disney and asked them if I could book directly through them while still getting the AAA price and was told that was fine. I then decided to investigate further to see how much money if any AAA could save me, so I requested a price for 8 night, value resort package with 5 day park hopper tickets, without the meal plan. The quote I got was almost $100 more through AAA then the by purchasing the package separate. I wrote back to AAA asking them how come their “special discounted” price was higher then mine using their prices and I have yet to get a response. Will post if I do.

It could be the insurance. AAA seems to automatically include the insurance with their quotes. When I went to AAA the other day and had them get a quote, they were $120 higher than the AAA rate that I'd gotten through WDW. When I told them what WDW quoted me, I was told that the difference was the insurance and the rate without the insurance was exactly the same as what WDW had quoted me.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

I recently booked room only for our December trip through the AAA website - didn't know you could get the discount directly through Disney. Is my reservation immediately put into the Disney system? For example, if I call Disney directly, would they have record of it in their computer? Two reasons I'm asking. First, I'd like to take advantage of the new 100 days meal ressie booking for resort guests. Second, I like to make advance payments toward my trip so it's paid for by the time I get there - just works better for me.

Also, do you have to book through a AAA travel agent to use the MK AAA lounge? I was under the impression as long as you were a AAA member, you were entitled to their perks.

I'd love to hear from anyone who might know the answers. Thanks!!!

Jessica

 

[mainewmn]

Well the answer I got from AAA is that they cannot see the highly discounted rates for rooms that I see, she did correct the price she quoted me on the park hopper passes however that did not affect the price for the package. Their take is that in a few words is that “ this is their price, I can take it or leave it” no other explanation given.

 

[Gillian]

The insurance thing is interesting. When I booked my AAA package room + tickets + dining, I spoke with the agent and she specifically mentioned insurance. She told me it was not included, but that I could add it later.

I had to sign a credit card release and it also included a spot to indicate
-take insurance or
-decline insurance

This is AAA mid-atlantic, although it doesn't seem to matter. I did everything by phone/email. I can pm the agents info if anyone wants.

 

[kelleigh1]

Also, do you have to book through a AAA travel agent to use the MK AAA lounge? I was under the impression as long as you were a AAA member, you were entitled to their perks.

I'd love to hear from anyone who might know the answers. Thanks!!!

Jessica

I'd like to know this too. When I called AAA and asked them if I'd receive the Diamond Pass even though I'd booked through Disney with the AAA rates, they didn't know. And the AAA agent that I met with at the local office told me not to change anything because I was already getting the best rates that I could and he didn't want me to cancel and rebook with them for fear that I'd lose those rates. So now I don't know if I'll get the AAA perks even though I'm paying their rates.