Book through AAA or Disney?

[lillygator]

I have been comparing the resort prices and this is what I found today....

Coronado Springs ~ 177.30 through WDW 122.40 through AAA same for Caribbean Beach....


now if I book through Disney asking for the AAA discount will I get the same rate as AAA or do I need to book through AAA?


Please help!

 

[Kimberle]

I would book through Disney. You'll have to call them as you can't get the AAA rate on-line.

Disney will give you the AAA rate if available. Then, you'll have an easier time applying a new discount code if one becomes available.

 

[jtjarvis]

I happened to just have booked 4 nights at POFQ (for June) yesterday. I knew I'd get the regular rate but could apply discounts later. Just wanted to grab that room! My husband just joined AAA last night, then called Disney back immediately to apply it. They did it, presto. Saved almost $100! (But as for the question of whether it would have been even better to book through AAA, I don't know. [Can you actually book through AAA?]

BTW, can you add to AAA discount other discounts like mousesavers, if they come available?

JT

 

[BambiTamby]

No, you can't "add" a discount, but you can substitute one, if it's better, and available for your dates and resort.

AAA is a good way to save a little on a room, and give you the security that you'll have it, in case no other discounts come out!

My advise is to always book what you can truly afford.

BTW....I always call Disney, but I tell the CM that I will be searching for AAA rates. Some of them are not "trained" to do the AAA reservations yet.

 

[jtjarvis]

Bambi,
Thanks re: the discounts. That's good to know in case mousesavers or someone else comes up with something sharper! For now the AAA discount will do—plus the overall benefits of AAA are something we can really use so it was a bonus way of breaking even.

I absolutely agree with you on the affordability thing. I knew I could afford the rack rate at the hotel so was just looking for "gravy"! It's always a little heartbreaking when you or someone else is striving to make something work financially on conditions that may come through, or may well not! The dazzling array of choices—and potentially expensive ones—at Disney can make people long for more fantastic things than they'd normally seek out, huh!

JT

 

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

lillygator,

I'd use AAA if possible as you also can get the parking pass if you want and that is hard to get. Look into what specials they have going on. I just signed up even though I already have the Visa package booked because I saved on hotel rooms on the 1st night and my last night by using them (which has almost have saved me my full $ already)and also they have a promotion of $12.00 a week for 50 weeks in grocery coupons so I'm well ahead of my $63.00 membership.
Good luck. YO

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

We booked through AAA and it was wonderful. Everything for us worked out great. Plus the AAA diamond parking was perfect. Gets you right up to the parks if you are driving your own car. We also saved alot of money through AAA. True that Disney might match the price if you tell them but why go through that run around. I say best price up front for the same quality and more. Good luck whichever way you choose to go and make it a magical event. We sure did!!

 

[lillygator]

what is this about the parking???? I have been a AAA member since 95 and I know nothing about parking rights?? Do tell.....

 

[cjsmith]

The special parking pass from AAA is only available if you book through them. Otherwise, everyone would be parking there since most people are probably AAA members!

 

[william5419]

If you have the time, go to your nearest AAA office, and see what their travel agent has for you. They have a marvelous AAA-Disney World vacation book.

AAA handled all of my travel arrangements, air and land. They set up the transfers with Mears, between the airport and the Disney Resort Pop Century.

I got two lanyards, and a free soft drink at their lounge in tomorrowland. I saved some money by going with AAA.

 

[helenk]

The only bad thing about going through AAA is that they are a travel agency. If codes come out for your trip you are not able to call WDW and get the better rate for your stay. You must contact your agent at AAA and get them to call for you to make the change.
I went through AAA and it just seems as though they never really tried to get the codes for me.
I have had better luck on my own, but I know that some people like to use a travel agent as it does save you time. But I do enjoy planning on my own.
To me the savings that you generally get from the codes add up to a lot more than the perks of the AAA parking and the lounge in MK.
I have found that I have gotten a better deal with getting the airfare on my own as well.

 

[Fire14]

i'm not saying this is true in all states but i know when i've looked into aaa disney trips i had to book a PACKAGe if I went through AAA office. I called Disney and got AAA rate room only and did switch that to an AP discount without a problem.

 

[william5419]

Also, if you book through AAA, in the package you will also get a AAA Diamond Card good for discounts at certain places in Disney World. Places like Rainforest Cafe In Animal Kingdom; World of Disney store in Downtown Disney; Hollywood Cafe in Pleasure Island.

 

[lillygator]

Thanks for all the replies....I went ahead and booked through Disney. I had a great CM who REALLY got me excited for a minute. I gave her my dates and hotel and said I was looking for an AAA rate and before she could answer I asked if later a FL resident rate came out could I apply that instead.......she immediately responded with "I will go ahead and apply the better of the two now" OH MY GOD I was thinking YES they are out.....but then she came back with only an AAA rate was available at the current time but to keep checking back.

So hopefully they will come out and come out soon....if not at least I got a little off my rate!

 

[Nadine and Fred]

..and then modify the reservation through WDW.