Cheaper resort through AAA or buying annual pass

[Freddie Beach Shelly]

For all you experts out there...I have always stayed at a value resort but am thinking that for my DBF's first trip ever to Disney which will be Nov. 8-17, 2007, I would really like to WOW him and stay at a deluxe resort. (maybe Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Dolphin, or one of the Boardwalk resorts.

Sooooo...here's my question...would it be any more cost effective for me to buy an annual pass in order to get a lower rate at a deluxe or continue as I always do with booking through AAA?

Could somebody help me with this question? I'm sure somebody must have done some sort of comparison for this...

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[nbodyhome]

Start with AAA, if you have it. If an AP rate becomes available, you can see if it is available for your stay (if cost effective).

Just to let you know - that time period falls over Super Soap Weekend. Discounts (and just rooms) can be very hard to come by as it gets closer (like it is a lot of the year now, but that time period is ALWAYS packed at the resorts over that weekend). So the earlier you book, the better. The Boardwalk resorts go first.

 

[BadgerBruce]

My suggestion would be to book the Dolphin or Swan with AAA, then wait to see if AP rates are offered for the Disney resorts you listed. I believe you can get 50% off rack rate (if you don't wait too long) at S/D, while AAA gets you 10% off "regular" season rates at the Disney deluxe for those dates. If AP rates become available, you can always buy an AP later. I agree you should decide soon, as that first weekend is very busy--the end of F&W festival, Soap weekend, Veteran's Day weekend. Good luck!!!

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

Here's what I would do:

Call and book for the resort you want @ the AAA rate. Book this on your own... don't use a AAA agent, no need for that for a room only reservation. This way, worst case scenario, you are guaranteed the AAA rate for the resort you want.

My guess is, based on the length of your stay, you'll be much better off booking @ the AP rate, but I'd go ahead and book @ the AAA rate just in case no AP rates are offered when you go.

 

[loopner67]

Here's what I would do:

Call and book for the resort you want @ the AAA rate. Book this on your own... don't use a AAA agent, no need for that for a room only reservation. This way, worst case scenario, you are guaranteed the AAA rate for the resort you want.

My guess is, based on the length of your stay, you'll be much better off booking @ the AP rate, but I'd go ahead and book @ the AAA rate just in case no AP rates are offered when you go.

My thoughts exactly! You don't even have to buy the AP pass until you find out if you can get an AP rate, too. Once the rates for your dates are out, call up, see if you can get a room with the AP rate and if you can, then also buy the AP pass. You'll have to have the pass when you check in, but last year, I booked it all so late, that I just had to pick up my pass at DTD, then head to the hotel to check in. An extra step, but no biggie since it was worth the money I saved!!

Good luck!

 

[nbodyhome]

That is actually what I meant. Sometimes it's not worth it to go to an AP - sometimes it is.

Just from experience, it seems that it's easier to get an AP rate from a reservation with an AAA discount than one without any discount at all. That does NOT guarantee an extra discount (but again, due to Super Soap weekend - which is EXTREMELY popular, I'd start thinking about those reservations in the near future).

 

[loopner67]

Interesting theory that having a AAA reservation already helps with the AP rate. That is what I just did and I bet you are right!

I have to add for the person who started this thread... waiting for the AP rates to come out can be *very* nerve wracking. The rates for this April only came out on 2/21, which seems like it's cutting it close when you're trying to plan and be sure to get the codes. The message was posted in the "rates and codes" board here right away the morning those rates came out, though, so you'll have to be on "watch" if you don't get emails from Disney or you just call them up constantly and keep on asking if the AP rates are out yet. I think I read in an AP rate thread that someone called up and the CM over the phone didn't know, but the caller said they heard about it on the Disboards, so the CM checked it out. The CM came back on the line and said "yes, as a matter of fact the rates *are* out"! How funny that the people here at Dis could know before the CMs!