Booking through AAA?

[ginnymack]

Are there any additional advantages to booking through AAA? Any discounts or promotions that you may miss out on if you do? I am a little (ok a lot) type A about trip planning so I don't mind - in fact I enjoy - doing the planning and organizing, so "easy" is not a really big selling point for me.

Also, I am considering renting someone's DVC pts (which I know you can't do through AAA ) but the one thing holding me back is that there are no additional perks that would be thrown in - discounts on photo passes, free gift cards, free dining, etc.

We are thinking an early Dec - value season - trip, so none of the package deals have been posted yet. Can anyone give me a "booking through AAA sales pitch"? Or a good reason to go another way. Or anything else you feel may be useful!

Thanks!

 

[Loopner]

From my experience, you can call up Disney and just get the AAA discount without having to go through AAA. I prefer doing it myself and speaking directly with someone at Disney so that I hear all the facts first hand. JMHO.

 

[Luv2Roam]

January is Disney Month at AAA. You may want to call and see if they are offering anything special.
If you book a package (resort, tickets, dining) you have to go through AAA, if you want to use them. Disney can book a AAA room only res. But not a AAA package res.
Keep in mind if you book through AAA or any other TA, they own the res. Even once you pay for it. Any changes, etc you will have to go through AAA or the TA.
With AAA/TA the only other thing you can do on your own (if you choose to) is make ADRs.

 

[ginnymack]

ahhh - good point about who "owns" the res. Are AAA deals on the standard Disney package worth the extra hassle of dealing with a "middleman"?

I did check the AAA website for the January specials, but they are not posting any good deals so far ahead of our Dec trip!

 

[kimis]

We always book through AAA and love it. Last Feb we got the room discount, the free gift card, a dining gift card and the special go for so many nights and get some nights free. Check it out.

 

[DISNEMOM]

luv2roam-

will aaa make your adr's for you? thanks!

 

[kimis]

luv2roam-

will aaa make your adr's for you? thanks!

I don't think so. I have always made ours. It is fairly easy. I just make a schedule of what day and around the time we want to go to the resturant for the whole trip. Then I make one phone call. Also if you are on the dining plan they will help you count your allowed meals. If you are going soon I would be making those ADR's. Enjoy!

 

[dsnymoners]

AAA/TA here...its up to the TA you make them with..I make my clients dining res for them if they like but I know lots of TA's who dont. There are some other benefits with booking with AAA this year..You get the story time, prefered viewing for the afternoon parade at MK, and the diamond saving card.

 

[ginnymack]

Thanks, Tracy! That is great information!

 

[jessica29]

Wait I booked with AAA and they did not tell me about the prefered parade viewing. what is this? Everyday?Where is it. I do not have the 2010 book yet though.

 

[dsnymoners]

Wait I booked with AAA and they did not tell me about the prefered parade viewing. what is this? Everyday?Where is it. I do not have the 2010 book yet though.

sorry they didnt tell you this..its for anyone who booked with AAA with the dining plan for 2010 and its for the afternoon parade 3:00pm you have to make reservations.

location of the viewing area is on the 2nd level of Main Street Train Station.

 

[brymolmom]

Can you get a discount on a package thru AAA AND the gift card promo?

 

[The Hendies]

slightly OT, but still an AAA question.... What is the 'Diamond Parking' I hear about? I was on hold with AAA for 15 minutes today to ask, but couldn't keep on the line.

 

[sahm1000]

slightly OT, but still an AAA question.... What is the 'Diamond Parking' I hear about? I was on hold with AAA for 15 minutes today to ask, but couldn't keep on the line.

I'm also curious about the diamond parking. Is this something for all AAA members or only those who booked trips through AAA? If you just purchase tickets (not hotel stays) do you get the parking passes? And what exactly are the parking passes? Thanks for any help!

 

[kmccartney]

AAA/TA here...its up to the TA you make them with..I make my clients dining res for them if they like but I know lots of TA's who dont. There are some other benefits with booking with AAA this year..You get the story time, prefered viewing for the afternoon parade at MK, and the diamond saving card.

I was reading your post and you said that you are a AAA TA. I am in CNY and have not figured out how to find a AAA TA that knows tons about Disney. I communicated via email with two agents, one that said she no longer books Disney travel, and the second who has only been there twice and didn't seem very interested in booking my package. So can you tell me the best way to find TA that will know all of the special perks for celebrating a very special birthday and can take care of my package?

 

[jessica29]

I see 3 AAA Ta they didn't know crap. It's hard to find a good TA these days. Thank God for DIS

 

[dsnymoners]

I see 3 AAA Ta they didn't know crap. It's hard to find a good TA these days. Thank God for DIS

Wow thats harsh..Hope the information from this AAA/TA that I posted on here was helpful.

 

[dsnymoners]

Can you get a discount on a package thru AAA AND the gift card promo?

You wont get the AAA Discount and the gift card..you will get the gift card and the extra AAA perks as I mentioned earlier.

 

[ginnymack]

Ouch - that WAS harsh! Thanks again, Tracy - you have been very helpful!

 

[kmccartney]

I was reading your post and you said that you are a AAA TA. I am in CNY and have not figured out how to find a AAA TA that knows tons about Disney. I communicated via email with two agents, one that said she no longer books Disney travel, and the second who has only been there twice and didn't seem very interested in booking my package. So can you tell me the best way to find TA that will know all of the special perks for celebrating a very special birthday and can take care of my package?

WOW! I am so sorry, I never meant to start a AAA TA bashing session, I was just unimpressed that the two I dealt with and that they were not right for me for this particular trip. Please know that I have used AAA TAs before for international travel and loved my agents.

And to Tracy, thank you for the PM you were very helpful!