Disney & AAA....?

[Izzy Pooh]

This past weekend I attended a Bridal Show and one of the events was on Destination Weddings and there was a rep from Disney there who talked about how Disney and AAA are teamed up together and that I could get a AAA rep to work with me on planning a Disney Wedding...

This was the first time I have heard about that. Has anyone teamed up with AAA for their Disney wedding or know someone that has? I have a meeting set up with the AAA rep but I'm wondering if I should just go solo with Disney.

 

[BecBennett]

I'd just go straight through Disney... What benefit would there be to having a middle man?

 

[hiwaygal]

I think the benefit to going through AAA might be for getting their discounts for their room/ticket packages. You might save some money on that part.

I would NOT, however, trust them to work through DFTW. I've read too many horror stories from UK brides who have used Virgin and gotten bad/wrong information (or worse).

 

[figmentfan814]

We didn't use AAA for the actually wedding planning, but did use them to set up a discount for our guests. Since I was an AAA member, I was able to go to my local branch and speak to one of the travel agents. Then my guests were able to contact her using my name and were eligible for AAA package discounts which worked out better for many of our guests than the wedding discount. After reservations were made she passed along their reservation numbers and I gave them to my coordinator to add to our room block. It was great because the AAA agent was able to give us a lot more Disney travel brochures, etc. for our guests who were planning their trips compared to what Disney will give you. Again though, we did not and I probably would not have used them for any of the wedding planning itself.

 

[Izzy Pooh]

I'd just go straight through Disney... What benefit would there be to having a middle man?

My problem is that I am always so indecisive and get a bit confused when it comes to planning an occasion. I met with the AAA rep today and even now I am not sure what to do still but he was very helpful because he provided me with a few Walt Disney World brochures I can send to my guests and he stated he will contact me as soon as he hears back from someone at Disney. So I guess I will wait and see what happens.

I think the benefit to going through AAA might be for getting their discounts for their room/ticket packages. You might save some money on that part.

I would NOT, however, trust them to work through DFTW. I've read too many horror stories from UK brides who have used Virgin and gotten bad/wrong information (or worse).

From what the AAA rep stated to me it looks like that might be the most useful service they can provide; room/ticket packages. What would be the process when it comes to booking flights for my guests? Would I go with Disney for that or would I have to search airlines myself?

We didn't use AAA for the actually wedding planning, but did use them to set up a discount for our guests. Since I was an AAA member, I was able to go to my local branch and speak to one of the travel agents. Then my guests were able to contact her using my name and were eligible for AAA package discounts which worked out better for many of our guests than the wedding discount. After reservations were made she passed along their reservation numbers and I gave them to my coordinator to add to our room block. It was great because the AAA agent was able to give us a lot more Disney travel brochures, etc. for our guests who were planning their trips compared to what Disney will give you. Again though, we did not and I probably would not have used them for any of the wedding planning itself.

I think I am starting to get the hang of it now. So I should keep in touch with the AAA rep when it comes to the room/ticket packages but I should go ahead and contact Disney myself for the ceremony location, reception, dessert party?

 

[Izzy Pooh]

Many Thanks so far

 

[lurkyloo]

I think I am starting to get the hang of it now. So I should keep in touch with the AAA rep when it comes to the room/ticket packages but I should go ahead and contact Disney myself for the ceremony location, reception, dessert party?

Yes, just know that - if you decide on a Wishes wedding - you will need to have guests book a certain number of room nights directly through Disney in order to receive a free night for the bride and groom. If guests book through AAA instead, the nights will count toward the minimum required to hold a Wishes wedding (after you call Disney with their reservation numbers and have them manually added to your room block) but they will not count toward the free night. Confusing!