Be Careful with AAA packages!!

[Julia M]

I had a horrible time at my AAA office. The quote did not have the AAA discounted room rate. I was told that I didn't get a discount, because it was the Xmas season (dates 12/19-12/27)

I was told that if I wanted an extra day in the parks (from a 7 day MYW pass), I would have to spend the money for 5 one day passes, which is about $303.

When I said I was shocked that the rate was so high, and that I thought I would get an AAA discount on the room, I was told "no" (because of the holidays) She suggested I consider the value resorts, even though the room would be smaller (I said I thought they only fit 4, she said "no")

Now I have to call around and find another agency near us.

Julia

 

[SueEllen]

Sorry to hear that. The value resorts do only hold a maximum of 4 people. It sounds as if you are not working with someone familiar with Walt Disney World vacations.
Best of luck to you for your reservation.
Sue Ellen

 

[benedicttw]

We always book directly with Disney. Book the room and tickets seperate. If you are there 7 days you may consider an annual pass. What we do is book a room at a moderate that works as soon as we know the dates. Watch for the annual passholder rooms to be released about 90 days before your trip. Check rates at deluxe hotel. We were able to get AKL for $121. per night with the AP discount. This will more then pay for the AP. You only need to have 1 AP to get the room discount. There are also other discounts available with the AP. You also could do this with the moderate resorts.

I have check AAA several times and have almost always been able to put together at least as good if not better by going through central reservations.

 

[benedicttw]

WE also have the problem of 5 in the family. What we have found is the these resorts sleep 5:
Poly
PO Riverside
Yacht Club

 

[Julia M]

We always book directly with Disney. Book the room and tickets seperate. If you are there 7 days you may consider an annual pass. What we do is book a room at a moderate that works as soon as we know the dates. Watch for the annual passholder rooms to be released about 90 days before your trip. Check rates at deluxe hotel. We were able to get AKL for $121. per night with the AP discount. This will more then pay for the AP. You only need to have 1 AP to get the room discount. There are also other discounts available with the AP. You also could do this with the moderate resorts.

I have check AAA several times and have almost always been able to put together at least as good if not better by going through central reservations.

You know, we were thinking about booking through AAA to get the dining package.

But, I may just forget about it.......I'm probably better off doing it myself (it's just my personality!)

Julia

 

[Leslie32]

I am sorry you had trouble with AAA. We booked through them and got a room discount. We booked MYW package with hopper and dining. She broke it all down and we got the discount. We saved almost 450 dollars compared to the disney. We are a family of 5 staying at poly lagoon view concierge. We are staying there 6 nights 7 days.

 

[arielfan]

I'm surprised we have booked our last three trips through AAA and we have never had a problem...Maybe the travel agent did not know what she was doing...Everytime the price has been better through AAA, plus you get alot of perks...I guess I've been lucky...Sorry to hear about your bad luck...

 

[WDWBetsy]

I had a horrible time at my AAA office. The quote did not have the AAA discounted room rate. I was told that I didn't get a discount, because it was the Xmas season (dates 12/19-12/27)

I was told that if I wanted an extra day in the parks (from a 7 day MYW pass), I would have to spend the money for 5 one day passes, which is about $303.

When I said I was shocked that the rate was so high, and that I thought I would get an AAA discount on the room, I was told "no" (because of the holidays) She suggested I consider the value resorts, even though the room would be smaller (I said I thought they only fit 4, she said "no")

Now I have to call around and find another agency near us.

Julia

Sorry you had such a bad experience. It looks like the AAA rate is not available for the dates you are going; they have certain black-out dates.

You might try another AAA agency - I think you can get a AAA Magic Moments discount of 35% off the room portion of a package at the Swan & Dolphin hotels (most nights year round), so you might check that out. I don't know if it would be available the nights you need.

Also ask about AAA/CAA members receiving 200 Disney Dollars upon check-in on a Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel package of seven or more nights (can be combined with AAA Disney Magic Moments® Savings; voucher must be presented at hotel check-in to receive Disney Dollars).

Unfortunately, since you're going during the holiday season, it might be hard to get a discount since they are often subject to availability. I'm not sure if the 200 Disney Dollars is subject to availability or not. It never hurts to ask about specials.

You can search for another AAA agency at www.aaa.com - hope everything works out!

 

[christianweecare]

I also called our AAA office for quotes and the agent quoted prices that were higher than I thought that they should be. It took me two days to get through CRO myself but I ended up booking on my own with the AAA discount room only. I did much better on my own. I will say that I knew alot more about the different resorts, etc. than both the AAA agent and the CRO CM! It pays to do your homework so you won't unknowingly pay more for something that is incorrect in the first place.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

WE also have the problem of 5 in the family. What we have found is the these resorts sleep 5:
Poly
PO Riverside
Yacht Club

You can add to the list:
BWI
BC
CR
Fort Wilderness
AKL Deluxe rooms

 

[Gillian]

You may want to let someone higher up at your AAA office know that one of their agents is uninformed about the new Disney packages and tickets. And resorts! Unless one of your 5 is under 3, then you can fit at a value.

If you're checking in on 12/19, that's the last day of value season. You should be able to get value season rates for your whole trip. Do shop around for an AAA agent who knows what they're talking about. Or at least call Disney yourself and see if they have an AAA discount available for your dates.

I have found my local AAA agents to know less about Disney than I do. That in itself isn't the problem, but usually they should at least understand the packages they are selling!

 

[2Disneybuggs]

CAn I ask how you find an AAA travel agency? It's only $55 to join the AAA so maybe I should join and get a discount. I would want to be sure there was an agency near me to book though.

 

[Gillian]

AAA.com

or try aaany.com

 

[elkton_john]

When I got my AAA quote it seemed higher than I expected. I asked the agent to go over everything that was included. She never mentioned "travel insurance" but when I inquired she said that it was "built-in" to the package price. I asked for a quote w/o it which was $90 less (2 adults). So you may want to be sure of what your being quoted for.

 

[fam4jc]

I had the same problem with my AAA package and room only quotes yesturday. She emailed me the prices which were the same as on the disney site (Always use that results as your base quote and work from there trying to guage your discount value). I had to email her twice before she admitted makig a mistake and not quoting correctly. She also had NO CLUE about tickets or resorts. You are better off using a disney specialist TA (one who has graduated from the College of disney knowledge) or just doing your research on rack rates and booking yourself. IMHO