Are DL packages best deal?

[angey77]

Hi all!
I'm a WDW nut who is voyaging across the country to DL for the first time July 30 - Aug 2.
Question: Disneyland.com quotes me a three night package at Disneyland Hotel, with two three-day adult hoppers for $1238. Is this the best deal I will probably get on Disneyland Hotel? (BTW, staying at any other hotel is not an option).
I know with WDW, I avoid packages like the plague, mostly because I have an annual pass and always get great rates on the resorts. I was considering buying one DL AP for about $70 more than a three-day hopper if there were any good AP deals on the resorts, but from reading a few of these threads, seems there are no AP rates for July?
Any thoughts? Anywhere else I should look before I book this package?

 

[CalGal]

I just don't think you are going to get much of a break on DLH this summer since it is in high demand. I don't think you can save much if any with the AP at that time, but I don't really know since I don't have AP. AAA was able to actually beat the DL web site quotes I got a couple of months ago for the DLH and GCH, particularly when quoted view rooms. AAA also gives you the benefit of getting the multi-Fastpass parkhoppers, which I think are going to be very helpful during the crowded summer season. If you don't belong to AAA, you might consider joining just for this benefit. (The Multi-Fastpass benefit is only available to packages that include a stay on one of the 3 on-sight resorts; since you are planning that anyway, it' a great perk).

 

[angey77]

I just don't think you are going to get much of a break on DLH this summer since it is in high demand. I don't think you can save much if any with the AP at that time, but I don't really know since I don't have AP. AAA was able to actually beat the DL web site quotes I got a couple of months ago for the DLH and GCH, particularly when quoted view rooms. AAA also gives you the benefit of getting the multi-Fastpass parkhoppers, which I think are going to be very helpful during the crowded summer season. If you don't belong to AAA, you might consider joining just for this benefit. (The Multi-Fastpass benefit is only available to packages that include a stay on one of the 3 on-sight resorts; since you are planning that anyway, it' a great perk).

Can you tell me what kind of discount you had gotten? I'm not a member of AAA, but now I am considering it!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The Walt Disney Travel Company (packages) and Central Room Reservation-CRO (room only reservations) have a certain allotted number of rooms available for discounts - AAA (10%, and could be more at value season during specials), senior citizens, and APs (10%, and could be more at value season during specials).

If there are still discounted rooms available, you can get a 10% discount w/your AAA for room only reservations, I don't know about packages. There are no senior citizen discounts for packages, and no AP discounts for packages.

However, WDTC also runs 4th night free at the DLR hotels and 3rd night free at some Good Neighbor Hotels. I have seen a difference of up to a $1000 depending on the number of nights & park hopper days that guests want when they book a package instead of booking separately, and sometimes I see a savings when booking the rooms & tickets separately -- it depends on the season and availability of rooms and discounts that are out there.

 

[Michael623]

I booked a 3 night/4 day package through AAA (for the multiple FP) and compared it to DL.com and the AAA quote was $90 less with AAA. Don't get me wrong, it certainly wasn't cheap but it was cheaper than going straight through DL.

 

[CalGal]

angey77:

I believe my discount for the Grand Californian was about $140 BUT that was a park view room. ($1611 vs. $1749 for my package). I also priced packages for the DLH, 2 adults, 4 day parkhoppers (subtract $40 to get your package). I don't have my notes in front of me right now, but I did look at them last night after I posted the previous response. I'm pretty sure that the quote for the standard room package was around $1280 (equivalent to what your quote is), but only about $40 more for a view room (compared to $150 more on Disneyland.com). So, it seems, the break was really just with the view rooms. A couple of more buts here: I booked around 2 months ago for the same time period that you are going. There may be only a limited number of "discounted" rooms; that may explain why DL view was a good deal, but the standard room was not discounted. That also may mean that you might not be able to get the same break now.

I would hope that you could get a quote from AAA by teling them that you are considering joining depending upon whether they can provide the package that you are interested in.

Be aware that if you try to get quotes through some places, they may give you a quote that doesn't include all the taxes and resort fees. Make sure you compare apples to apples. My AAA quote included all the taxes, and, I believe, the resort fee as well.

Good luck!

 

[angey77]

Thank you CalGal!
My parents are members of AAA and I "borrowed" their log in ID to see what kind of prices are being offered. From what I see, it was about the same as you said, the same price but with a better room view.

 

[alyssa810]

What's awesome about booking w/AAA is UNLIMITED FASTPASS!! That made it worth it for us!

 

[angey77]

Is the unlimited FP automatically included in all the on-site three-night or more packages. I just get nervous because it states it on the main page, but does not seem to state again when the site goes through the confirmations. I can see me showing up, excited about unlimited FP, only to find out it is a special feature that needed to be booked a different way.

 

[Michael623]

I had trouble finding it on the AAA site too but when I booked the package at the AAA office I double checked with the agent and it was included in the package.

 

[angey77]

That's it, I'm joining AAA. I need roadside assistance anyway
Thanks for all the advice on it. I'm sure the membership fee will be worth getting to FP many rides and being sure we get as much done as we can in such little time.

 

[CalGal]

Great news angey77! I think you'll be very happy with your decision. The unlimited FP is awesome during the busy season, and only available for AAA packages which include an on-sight stay. I am asuming you are planning on a view room at the DLH. You'll love it! Request the Sierra Tower if you can.

 

[angey77]

OK, so the AAA office in Baton Rouge seems to be run by monkeys. I called and told them I was considering membership, and asked if I booked DL online, if the unlimited FP was included, and the girl said "I'm not sure, call Disney." Ummm.
So I'm waiting for my email to be returned from the corporate web site. I would go during office hours, but I work an hour away from the nearest office and can't get home in time to go in the afternoons.

 

[Michael623]

A little off topic but I have my car insurance through AAA and I save as much per year as the membership costs me. Plus I can charge it to my credit card and collect those FF miles. It'll put me that much closer to another DL trip.

 

[CalGal]

I'm sorry you are having trouble with your booking. I don't think you're alone. I just bumped another post along the same line.

I pulled out my current AAA DL brouchure. It states:
"The exclusive availability of the multiple Faspass tickets pertains only to US and Canada through AAA Vacations for travel packages that include a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel."

I looked throughout the brouchure and couldn't find anything that indicated that the AAA benefits were not applicable to online bookings. It does state somewhere "for reservations contact your AAA/CAA Travel professional", but I still have to believe all benefits apply to online booking. I also couldn't find that it was limited to 3 nights; I've read of people booking just a night or two onsight to get the multi-FP, and adding nights at off-site hotels.

Alternatively, could you call a AAA office and book over the phone? I've always gone into my office (it's 2 blocks away), but even then, they've offered to mail things to me. Now I know they have to make phone calls to the WDTC to verify costs and make the reservations, but they should be able to make and hold the reservations without a deposit. You would then have to make a $200 deposit within 10 days to confirm the reservation (if greater than 40 days), and pay for the remainder at 30 days.
Gosh, perhaps I should become a AAA agent.

 

[angey77]

OK, I booked through AAA! YAY! I would have never known if it was not for the tips here. I'm so excited about the fastpasses! I know at least for DCA, my husband can run and get all the passes first thing in the morning, as he can't handle wooden coasters and California Screamin' is all me!
I made it to the Baton Rouge office in time and they did a great job. I walked in thinking I need to work for AAA too. Wonder when they will have an opening for a vacation counselor? hmmm.
One question: Is the Mickey's Toontown early admission thing for AAA members worth it? I think it will only be offered on the Monday we are there, and if I'm not mistaken, that is early entry for Fantasyland also (we'll only be there the mornings of Sun & Mon). I'm putting my money that early entry is the better of the two?

 

[Michael623]

California Screamin' is a steel coaster created to look like wood. It is very smooth, more so in my opinion, than RNR.

 

[angey77]

California Screamin' is a steel coaster created to look like wood. It is very smooth, more so in my opinion, than RNR.

Now you have me in a dilemna. Should I tell DH that, or take his FP?