Disadvantages of AAA?

[nmack]

Are there any disadvantages when booking through AAA? Do you miss out on discounts if you go with them?

Just anxious about actually going ahead and reserving a room for Jan. 2007! Thanks!

 

[Bibbidi]

It seems that the main disadvantage (IMO) to using AAA is that you have to be sure to have a AAA TA who is knowledgeable about Disney. Also, if you like having control over your reservations to make changes, etc, if you use AAA or any TA for that matter, you are relying on another person to make those changes for you. I have been mulling joining AAA so I could get a room discount on a package for next May, but after crunching my numbers in the end I'd only save about $127 by joining AAA.

Since Disney came out with a new room code this fall that could be using in conjunction with a dining plan, I will hope for something similar next spring. For me personally I wanted the "control" over my reservation and that was worth the $127 cost in my case. The discount on a room at POR where we are staying was about $193 off the Disney Rack Rate (based on 15% off in regular season). But I have to pay $66 to join my local AAA. That is where I came up with the $127. HTH

Also, if you use an AAA discount and a better AP discount comes out you have to choose one or the other, you can't stack the codes to get both discounts. You could not do free dining with a AAA discount either, it's one or the other.

 

[nmack]

Thanks for the reply. I already am a member of AAA, so I don't have to worry about the added cost of joining.

I'm just worried about later not qualifying for a discount that's offered if I go with AAA. It sounds like I will be eligible for another discount, but will not be able to do the AAA on top of that.

There will likely be some discount offered for January once it gets closer, so I want to have the ability to take advantage of that but have the security of a reservation at the resort I want.

Thanks!

 

[Bibbidi]

If you book a room-only with a AAA discount rate (when they're released) and a better discount comes out later--think Annual Pass, as long as there is availability where you wanted to stay, you could change the AAA discount to the Annual Pass one. However, if you book a package, currently the only way to get a discount on a package is to book directly through AAA and get the room portion discounted. That is unless Disney offers a different promo that would allow use of a discounted room rate to be booked with a package as they have just released for this fall--but that is a Disney sponsored promo, not something special thru AAA. Hope I'm not confusing you!

 

[GSDRescuer]

So then, if Disney offers a promo and you already have a AAA package through AAA (not CRO), can AAA change it to the Disney promo?

 

[Bibbidi]

So then, if Disney offers a promo and you already have a AAA package through AAA (not CRO), can AAA change it to the Disney promo?

That I am not sure about. It was another reason I decided to "go it alone" and just book through CRO for my package. Since I saw the new offer for this fall on mousesavers that said you could combine the disney room discount with a package I felt like I would take the chance with CRO and I won't really be losing anything by using them instead of AAA.

 

[the Fidge]

In April when we went, had the MYW plus dining. My tickets were upgraded with a promo to be parkhoppers and incldued the water parks. The TA did it without me having to ask. Also added bonus was the parking pass right up front Dh loved me for that one. Happy PLanning!

 

[MarksMom2006]

Don't forget about the AAA (exclusively) Story Time. It is great for kids and you can not get it unless you book directly with AAA.

Also, no, you cant stack discounts with AAA and DIsney but you can't do it anywhere else either. Yes, if a better deal comes out and you have booked with AAA, it can be changed to the better deal.