Booking Resort - Costco vs AAA vs other

[atmail35]

I'm getting very confused on the cheapest way to book the GCH. I've checked online through Disney, AAA and Costco.

Costco the room/ticket price was the same, but you get a $20 gift card and character meals worth $43 per adult/22 per child (in our case it is $108 plus the $20 so $128).

AAA there was a small discount - about 7%. I searched here and people mention a 10% AAA discount for room only...is this by booking though AAA or directly through Disney and mentioning you have AAA?

When I look at AAA and Costco it seems like I can only book a package with room/tickets combo.

For AAA is it better to call a local agent or just do it online? would there be any difference in price? We won't have a car, so the Diamond parking seems irrelevant for us.

We are considering upgrading to a park view room ("premium view") and with AAA you seem to get it for a less than Costco.

It seems like AAA is the better deal since the discount is larger than the overall price of the character meals and gift card.

Also we have the Disney VISA, does that get a room discount anywhere? I didn't see it mentioned on the Disney VISA perks site.

Should I be looking anywhere else? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[GenGen22]

I'm getting very confused on the cheapest way to book the GCH. I've checked online through Disney, AAA and Costco.

Costco the room/ticket price was the same, but you get a $20 gift card and character meals worth $43 per adult/22 per child (in our case it is $108 plus the $20 so $128).

AAA there was a small discount - about 7%. I searched here and people mention a 10% AAA discount for room only...is this by booking though AAA or directly through Disney and mentioning you have AAA?

When I look at AAA and Costco it seems like I can only book a package with room/tickets combo.

For AAA is it better to call a local agent or just do it online? would there be any difference in price? We won't have a car, so the Diamond parking seems irrelevant for us.

We are considering upgrading to a park view room ("premium view") and with AAA you seem to get it for a less than Costco.

It seems like AAA is the better deal since the discount is larger than the overall price of the character meals and gift card.

Also we have the Disney VISA, does that get a room discount anywhere? I didn't see it mentioned on the Disney VISA perks site.

Should I be looking anywhere else? Any advice is appreciated!

On the AAA site it only lets you book packages for ex. Tickets & hotel but you can call AAA & book the hotel w/o tickets. I agree costco costs more & is not much of a deal. I think the chase visa discounts are for dining & merchandise.

 

[MermaidHair]

I have never booked through Costco but i know you can get the scoop on room only AAA rates by calling WDTC directly and asking for the AAA rate. Then if you want to see what other perks you can get with a AAA package call their Disney travel number. I do not know when you are traveling but Orbitz seems to have good rates right now so I would try them too. Good luck!

 

[gardengirl2790]

We use AAA for our trips. First I price it out online, and then I call AAA directly and speak to an agent I am familiar with. It makes me feel better to speak to a real person as I book my trip, and can make my room requests too and the agent can make sure to note the requests for me. I did use Costco once, a few years ago, and the longest length trip I could book through them was for four nights. I'm not sure if the night limitation has changed, but I have not used Costco again. AAA has always been cheaper than the Disneyland website, and I have been very happy with the customer service.

 

[GenGen22]

Another place you can look up is getawaytoday.com to see if you get a better rate you can book with or without tickets. I always go directly through the hotel & use my AAA that way instead of booking through AAA it always comes out a better rate.

 

[rimomma66]

Can you book the same packages through AAA? Like Good Neighbor Hotels and the trips to San Diego Zoo?

 

[GenGen22]

Can you book the same packages through AAA? Like Good Neighbor Hotels and the trips to San Diego Zoo?

Yes you can.

 

[carisa81]

I booked our GC room through the hotel directly. I just told them I was a AAA member and she gave me 10% off of our room. Of course that is for room only reservations.

 

[awdsmama]

Not sure when you are going, but have you considered renting DVC points to stay @ GCH Villas? Google "Dave's DVC points" (never used, but have seen plenty of good reviews on the DVC board here an other sites)- you can put in your dates and click on California and then hover over the # of points it says it requires. Compare that to your quote from the other companies.

For my October dates, it's $700 cheaper than a reg room at GCH and is only about $100 more to rent points for a GCH villa than to stay in a basic room at PPH.

Still out of my budget but definitely a way to save at GCH!!!

Then buy your park tickets thru your local AAA office for a discount on those, if they offer them - I guess all don't?

 

[atmail35]

Thank you all for your responses! I think I will call Disney and just book w/ AAA discount. 10% is better than nothing!

 

[atmail35]

Not sure when you are going, but have you considered renting DVC points to stay @ GCH Villas? Google "Dave's DVC points" (never used, but have seen plenty of good reviews on the DVC board here an other sites)- you can put in your dates and click on California and then hover over the # of points it says it requires. Compare that to your quote from the other companies.

For my October dates, it's $700 cheaper than a reg room at GCH and is only about $100 more to rent points for a GCH villa than to stay in a basic room at PPH.

Still out of my budget but definitely a way to save at GCH!!!

Then buy your park tickets thru your local AAA office for a discount on those, if they offer them - I guess all don't?

My original plan was to rent my friend's DVC points, but we are waitlisted for our dates. I can get a 1BR for less than a standard room via DVC, but sadly there is no availability!

I'm shocked at how much the rooms cost at DL compared to WDW! $500 a night is really

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Just scanning, so not sure if it was already answered, but the only thing you'd get with the disney visa is 0% APR if you book through Disney I think. It may be different with the premier disney visa, but that was our experience with the regular one unless someone down the line didn't tell us something. AAA is the best deal I've ever come across.