Book rooms through Disney or AAA or agent?

[SleepingUgly]

Just wondering if anyone knows the difference among booking my rooms through Disney directly or the AAA or an independent travel agent. All are offering me the same rate (AAA discount), so am curious regarding what other other pro's each party may have to offer customers. For instance, does AAA mail out more pre-trip information than Disney, or vice versa?

TIA!

Linda

 

[Lewisc]

A Disney travel specialist like Dreams Unlimited, sponsors of this board, will assist you in making your priority seating requests. They'll also try to get you better discounts if they become available. If you book through AAA you might get a special parking pass and extra discounts in DTD shops.

If you don't book direct Disney won't talk to you if you need to make any changes.

 

[tinan]

The $25 in Disney Dollars was only if you booked with AAA through the end of Jan. All of the other perks listed are only for those booking with AAA. Had I stayed with my original booking through Disney, I would not have been entitled to them as a member. I switched my reservations going through AAA because it was cheaper than going directly through Disney plus I got the extra perks.

 

[SB in KY]

If you book through AAA the deposit and payment issues are a little different... I booked through AAA yesterday and have always booked direct through Disney before....with AAA the deposit was only $200 (vs 1 night of the room + tax, which in this case was substantially more than $200)...however the balance is due 45 days prior to arrival.

They also have different cancellation penalties than WDW....if AAA is not offering a freebie you can't get elsewhere I would book direct with Disney or with DU or similar. AAA charges to change the reservation Disney does not.

 

[diathoney]

The AAA discount is the same whether you book through AAA or Disney or a TA. I have a good AAA TA, so if I'm having a hard time finding availability I use her. I usually book direct through Disney since the AP/FL Res discounts are better than the AAA rate. If there's no codes available, a AAA rate is better than rack rate!

I think the only perk I've gotten was some passes to Fantasia mini golf, but I only book rooms not packages since we have annual passes.

 

[MommyBoo!]

When I looked into booking through AAA, there was a $25.00 per person booking fee, but it was being waived because of a Disney promotion at the time.

I booked room only (the package wasn't going to work for us this time) myself and got the AAA discount, which is better than nothing if I don't get a code.

It also lists "one visit in AAA VIP Lounge", AAA Diamond Card, and AAA Diamond Parking Pass. I don't know if all AAA members get these things or only if you book through AAA.

I believe those are only for booking a package through AAA.

 

[Nik's Mom]

If you want to book a package (with dining and tickets), then the only place to get a discount is with AAA. Someone correct me if I"m wrong.

 

[tinan]

Yes....when booking a package and wanting the AAA rate you HAVE to book through AAA. If wanting a room only, you can get the AAA right from Disney. I ended up saving about $240 on a package by booking through AAA. It was enough of a discount that is allowing us to go with a moderate resort instead of having to go with a value. I'm excited as my children are older and I think they will enjoy the moderate more

 

[DisneyFans4]

If your booking a room only you can book this on your own and get the AAA rate. The important thing is that upon checkin they will ask to see your AAA card.
This is my first trip where I booked everything on my own because I got everything cheaper, even the air.