Costco, AAA, Disney?

[kellysa]

I priced out the different booking options for my family's 4 day DL trip in Nov. Disney, AAA, and Costco are the exact same price. All offer the resort magic package.

Additional benefits are as follows:

AAA - $20 Disney card, free character dining, free theme park parking, Turtle Talk with Crush priority seating, MTMM

Costco - $20 Disney card, free character dining, MTMM

It appears that AAA has the best deal with the added benefits. Does anyone know if I'm missing anything between the 3?

I was waiting for the 4th night free offer but the Disney representative I spoke with didn't think that Disney would be offering the 4th night free. She told me they already have a lot of bookings for the fall, more than they normally do. This is just her opinion but I figured I'd book now and pay the $25 change fee if the offer comes out after I book.

Thanks for your help,

Kelly

 

[tlynk]

We just got back about a month ago, and decided to go with a Costco Package (AAA didn't offer free character breakfast when we originally booked it). With Costco we got tickets for priority seating at Aladdin and a few other attractions as well, plus different discounts for dining and shopping throughout the resort. However, I still think it is cheaper to book on my own. By the time I priced everything out separately (using my AAA card, and/ or work for discounted tickets and hotel)- nothing was really free.

 

[CalGal]

kellysa-
I've only priced summer packages recently through AAA, so you may have some different benefits for fall. (The summer package through AAA does not come with free character dining and $20 gift card). But when I priced Disney property packages, the "Magic Moments" packages through AAA included a discount (10% for peak season) while the "Resort Magic" packages did not. The deal is, the # of rooms with the AAA discount are limited. The standard rooms at the various properties seem to go quickest, and the availability varied depending upon your check-in dates. What hotel are you considering? You might try calling the hotel directly to see if you can get a AAA discount that you might not be getting otherwise. If it is not a Disney hotel, try the hotel's web site. Try to get them a quote for the final price (with all the taxes, etc.) Booking separately gives you the benefit of being able to cancel much later without penalty, although you may not get all the extras. If you get your parkhopper through AAA, you should still get the free parking and a Diamond Card good for discounts at several places in DTD.

 

[2GuysSeattle]

I booked through AAA and did not receive $20 Disney card or free character dining. I just checked their website and do not see that these features are included as part of their package. They do offer free parking, fee pin and lanyard, diamond discount card, etc. So are you sure that AAA is offering the $20 Disney card and free character dining, and how do I get this package? I know that Costco has offered these perks, but I have not seen them offered through AAA.

 

[DizMe]

When I booked our package for fall, I priced out those same three. For us (we're in N CA), the AAA package was the cheapest. It did not come with the "free" character dining or $20 card, but it was a couple of hundred dollars less than the Costco and Disney Travel packages. DT and Costco were the same price but DT did not have the character meal or $20 card included. I'd rather pay less and decide later whether or not I want to do a character meal. If I do, I get a 10% discount with my AAA card, which oddly enough was not offered if I booked it with the package.

Since I booked our package, I found out about the great discounts through Gay Days, but it's too late for me to change since I booked air separately for nights right after the offer ends, and it's $100/ticket to change it. If I'd only read about it sooner, I could have gotten DLH for $169/night and our 4-day hoppers for $139 adult/$119/child. That would've saved us $400 for our 4-night trip, family of 5. However, we now have a resort/pool view and the Gay Days savings would have been for a standard view, so it's not completely comparable.

 

[Misskitty3]

I booked through AAA and did not receive $20 Disney card or free character dining. I just checked their website and do not see that these features are included as part of their package. They do offer free parking, fee pin and lanyard, diamond discount card, etc. So are you sure that AAA is offering the $20 Disney card and free character dining, and how do I get this package? I know that Costco has offered these perks, but I have not seen them offered through AAA.

I just booked our trip thru AAA a couple of days ago and there was no mention of a character breakfast or a gift card and we are travelling in October. Please let us know where you heard about this as I will call back to AAA to see if I qualify too.

Thanks!

 

[justapixel]

I just booked through AAA for the end of this month.

(I'm a Disney novice, by the way.)

I was told on the phone that with my hotel booking and a two day park hopper pass, I would receive an early entry into Fantasyland, a Toon Town Madness something or other, and priority viewing to Turtle Talk with Crush, whatever that is.

This is what my itinerary says:

_____________________________________________

DISNEYS GOOD NEIGHBOR MAGIC
PACKAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
ACCOMMODATIONS : GOOD NEIGHBOR HOTEL
PARK HOPPER TICKET : DISNEYLAND - CALIF ADVENTURE
PRIORITY VIEWING : TURTLE TALK WITH CRUSH
CALIFORNIA DIAMOND FUN CARD : ONE PER PACKAGE
COLLECTIBLE PIN AND LANYARD : ONE PER PERSON
PREFERRED SEATING AT DCA : SELECT ATTRACTIONS
FREE PARKING : DISNEYLAND RESORT
DREAM COIN : ONE PER PACKAGE
HOTEL NAME : HOTEL MENAGE

_________________________________________

Nothing about Fantasyland entrance or that Toon thing. I am not happy as it was not cheap and I could have booked the hotel and bought the tickets on my own for less than I paid for the package. I really wanted the early entry into the park, especially since we'll be going at the height of the season, and I'm not really interested in coins and lanyards and the like.

Hopefully, those things just aren't written on the itinerary? I have emailed them but I won't hear back until after the holiday.

Please be careful to ask questions and be sure you know what you are getting before you pay. I also paid BEFORE I was told I'd have free parking, so when I paid, I bought the shuttle pass. (We are going to have a car with us.) Then my AAA agent told me I'd have to pay 25.00 to change it, which didn't seem quite right.

Stuff like that probably doesn't happen to you Disney veterans, huh?

 

[justapixel]

Just a quick update - I called AAA and I actually do get the early entry to Fantasyland and the ToonTown morning thing.

So, it is a nice deal after all.

 

[2GuysSeattle]

Justapixel, if I am reading your post correctly, you package includes a two-day parkhopper. It is my understanding that you only get early entry with a three day or more park hopper.

 

[justapixel]

Justapixel, if I am reading your post correctly, you package includes a two-day parkhopper. It is my understanding that you only get early entry with a three day or more park hopper.

Yes, I agree. I did ask the travel agent that and his response was:

On line 8 preferred seating at dca select attractions is for toon town morning madness and will have info for you in your documents and the early entry into fantasyland
will have the voucher for you to enter as a AAA member, so when you arrive at the resort they will have the opening times for the day and you get exclusive entry 1 hour
prior over the general public.

Hope that clears all up for you.

So, it's either an AAA benefit or he made an error. Which, somehow, they are going to have to correct. I could have purchased this package cheaper and bought it for the perks of getting in early.

 

[CalGal]

Yes, I agree. I did ask the travel agent that and his response was:



So, it's either an AAA benefit or he made an error. Which, somehow, they are going to have to correct. I could have purchased this package cheaper and bought it for the perks of getting in early.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm betting that your AAA agent made an error. The preferred seating at Disney's California Adventure is quite different from EE and Mickey;s Toontown Madness. Those should be listed as part of your package quote and confirmation (they were on mine). While you may still get a vouchure for Toontown Madness, the EE is tied to the park hopper. I've always heard that EE is only with 3-day or longer PHs, and I did find the following in the AAA 2007 brouchure:
"Each guest must have a valid 3-Day or greater Disneyland Resort Park Hopper souvenir ticket from the AAA Vacations for early entry into Disneyland Park. To enter Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness, each guest must have a valid 2-Day or greater a valid 2-Day or greater Disneyland Resort Park Hopper souvenir ticket from the AAA Vacations."

My recommendation for any package -- Get the written quote first and read it over carefully before putting down the deposit. Not all travel agents are terribly knowledgable about the Disneyland packages.

 

[new kid at heart]

I would like to know about the $20 gift card and breakfast, too. One day while I was "messing around on the internet, I went to the Costco site and priced a package. Immediately after, I went to the AAA site and priced a package and the gift card and breakfast were listed as benefits. I had already booked a trip, and thought I'd call AAA the next day to see if I could add this benefit to my package. Before I called, I went to pull up the package again on the AAA site, so I could refer to it, but could not find it. Hence, I didn't bother trying with my AAA agent. I wondered if what I saw as a AAA benefit was somehow tied into my going to the Costco site first, and something getting mixed up. I should try this out again to see what happens. If anyone finds something out, please let me know!! Thanks!

 

[CalGal]

AAA has various packages available, and when you get a quote, you will typically get the best available. Only a limited number of rooms are available for a particular package for particular dates. For the Disney properties, the less expensive rooms usually sell out first so you may be able to get a view room for little more than a standard room, or a room at GCH for little more than one at DLH for a particular date. Or, you may get a much better package if you change the arrival date. AAA is now participating in the 4th night free promotion for the fall, so IF there was a gift card and free breakfast deal going for fall, it may have been discontinued for the 4th night free deal. I think it's safe to say that there is no $20 gift card and breakfast deal for for summer through AAA (however there were some magic moments packages available that gave you 10% off)

 

[justapixel]

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm betting that your AAA agent made an error. The preferred seating at Disney's California Adventure is quite different from EE and Mickey;s Toontown Madness. Those should be listed as part of your package quote and confirmation (they were on mine). While you may still get a vouchure for Toontown Madness, the EE is tied to the park hopper.

Yes, I'm quite concerned about this. When I get my package in the mail, if there is no EE, I will contact them. They'll have to do something to make it right because that is the sole reason I purchased from them over doing it myself. The same hotel and park hopper tickets would have been cheaper had I bought them on my own.

I have what he told me in writing, so I'll expect them to make good. They can switch me to three day passes for the same money, I suppose, although
we will only be able to enter the park on those two days.

I'm just hoping this is a special promotion and he is correct.

 

[kellysa]

Thanks for all your responses. I now see the 4th night free is available at the Disneyland resort hotels. I checked AAA and my agent told me their Disneyland package has changed and the character breakfast and gift card is not available thru AAA. I checked Costco and now they seem to be the better deal with their extra benefits - $20 Disney card, character breakfast, and MTTMM. I waiting for my AAA agent to call me back but I'm probably going to book with Costco.
Thanks for your input!!
Kelly

 

[kellysa]

Okay, I'm getting frustrated!!! When I work up this morning I was going to book my Nov DL trip on Costco.com. I decided to double check AAA.com and once again it comes up as having the Disney Character Breakfast vouchers, the $20 Disney gift card, MTTMM, and the Turtle Talk with Crush as their special features. This is in addition to the 4th night free and Disney resort magic package. I called the AAA 1-800 number and the agent tells me this isn't correct but if I'm getting it online to go ahead and book it. I then call my regular AAA agent as soon as their office opens and she tells me she can't get me the character breakfast or the $20 gift card just the turtle talk and the MTMM. I saved the offer on my laptop. She then tries my login on her computer and can't pull up the same offer. I try a different computer in my house and once again the same offer isn't coming up.

I'm tempted to book this online but I'm worried that AAA might not honor the features listed if this is in fact an error. It that's the case I would go with Costco to ensure the free character breakfast and $20 gift card. My AAA agent asked me to copy and paste the online offer in email to her to see if AAA will in fact honor this. Twice I've gotten the AAA offer with the character breakfast and $20 voucher and then other times it doesn't come up. Why the differences? If I book this offer, doesn't AAA have to honor it? Doesn't it go thru Disney travel anyway?

Thanks for your help!
Kelly

 

[CalGal]

I've noticed that there are different ways to get Disney quotes through the AAA site (Going through a Disney Destinations link, or going through AAA Vacations link, etc.). Now I don't have Costco, but I don't really see the big advantage of AAA for you anyway. You won't need the parking if you are staying at the DL Resort hotels, and I really don't think the priority seating for Turtle Talk is worth much. I believe it is only good for the first show of the day. Sounds like Costco is a good way to go for you if they can give you the 4th night free, gift card, and breakfast.

 

[Okobojien]

Okay, I'm getting frustrated!!! When I work up this morning I was going to book my Nov DL trip on Costco.com. I decided to double check AAA.com and once again it comes up as having the Disney Character Breakfast vouchers, the $20 Disney gift card, MTTMM, and the Turtle Talk with Crush as their special features. This is in addition to the 4th night free and Disney resort magic package. I called the AAA 1-800 number and the agent tells me this isn't correct but if I'm getting it online to go ahead and book it. I then call my regular AAA agent as soon as their office opens and she tells me she can't get me the character breakfast or the $20 gift card just the turtle talk and the MTMM. I saved the offer on my laptop. She then tries my login on her computer and can't pull up the same offer. I try a different computer in my house and once again the same offer isn't coming up.

I'm tempted to book this online but I'm worried that AAA might not honor the features listed if this is in fact an error. It that's the case I would go with Costco to ensure the free character breakfast and $20 gift card. My AAA agent asked me to copy and paste the online offer in email to her to see if AAA will in fact honor this. Twice I've gotten the AAA offer with the character breakfast and $20 voucher and then other times it doesn't come up. Why the differences? If I book this offer, doesn't AAA have to honor it? Doesn't it go thru Disney travel anyway?

Thanks for your help!
Kelly

Hi! I had the same thing happen to me last week. I had been looking at the Costco site at one point. Went back later to AAA, and it showed the gift card, and breakfast along with Turtle talk . My AAA reservation agent was not able to get the same deal. Also was not able to pull it up on her computer. It has come and gone several times on my computer. I think it must be a glitch in the online system with disney travel.

I would be curious to know if they end up honoring it somehow. I would have been really upset to book it online, without realizing there could have been some kind of mistake.

Good luck!

Jennifer

 

[kellysa]

I'm booking Costco. I just got off the phone with my AAA agent. She told me even though the offer for the free character breakfast and the $20 gift card appeared on their online booking site, it is an offer that doesn't exist. She told me AAA would not honor it. Since I had sent her a copy of the offer in email, she told me they had their whole office looking into it as well as Disney travel. She said if I booked it online I would have to take it up with Disney to honor it. Not worth my time when I can get the offer through Costco.

I was wanting to book with AAA since we've used them in the past and I've always gotten great service.


Thanks!!
Kelly

 

[Misskitty3]

Kelly, you are right AAA does provide great service but so does Costco, so no worries there. Bummer about AAA not being able to offer the extras but you won't be sorry about going thru Costco as they are awesome!!