Disney specialist travel agent or AAA travel agent?

[poohfan]

Last year we used a Disney specialist travel agency (Small World vacations) and were very happy. Our agent kept an eye out for discount codes and was able to add free dining for us and keep the same room reservation we had originally asked for.

But last year I didn't have AAA and now we do.

We want to plan a vacation for late Aug 2007 (last week of Aug) and now I'm torn between using a Disney specialist or AAA. I don't think the Disney specialist agencies are also AAA (please let me know if any are).

If there are no other discounts offered the last week of Aug 2007 then the AAA discount for our room would work out best. But I'm wondering if using the specialist gives me other advantages that would make giving up the AAA discount worth it.

And what if Disney offers free dining again next year? Is there a risk that the AAA agent wouldn't be able to get the free dining w/ the hotel and type of room we want? Last year our Small World agent told me that if she hadn't acted as quickly as she did we would have had to switch hotels. She said some hotels only offer set # of rooms with the free dining.

 

[MarksMom2006]

There actually are AAA TA's out there that ALSO have the designation of being Disney Specialists.

Keep in mind that the package rates for next year will not be out for another month or so.

 

[Kristie36]

Can anyone recommend a Disney Specialist TA that is also AAA?

 

[Joan1]

Last year we used a Disney specialist travel agency (Small World vacations) and were very happy. Our agent kept an eye out for discount codes and was able to add free dining for us and keep the same room reservation we had originally asked for.

But last year I didn't have AAA and now we do.

We want to plan a vacation for late Aug 2007 (last week of Aug) and now I'm torn between using a Disney specialist or AAA. I don't think the Disney specialist agencies are also AAA (please let me know if any are).

If there are no other discounts offered the last week of Aug 2007 then the AAA discount for our room would work out best. But I'm wondering if using the specialist gives me other advantages that would make giving up the AAA discount worth it.

And what if Disney offers free dining again next year? Is there a risk that the AAA agent wouldn't be able to get the free dining w/ the hotel and type of room we want? Last year our Small World agent told me that if she hadn't acted as quickly as she did we would have had to switch hotels. She said some hotels only offer set # of rooms with the free dining.

If you plan on booking just a room only with the AAA discount for the time being then any travel agent can book that for you and you can still use your current travel agent. If you plan on booking a regular package with dining and still want to get the AAA discount on the room then you have to go through the AAA office

If Disney releases any discounts then the discount, if better, will take the place of the AAA discount. They won't let you combine the two
Of course this is up to you or your travel agent to keep checking for the discounts

 

[poohfan]

Can someone recommend a Disney TA that can also do AAA bookings?

We used Small World Vacations last year but I don't think they do AAA.

 

[CarolA]

I am pretty sure Dreams Unlimited can book the AAA discount (don't know whay Small World couldn't?)

Personally based on the HIGH number of problems I have read about with AAA TAs I have decided not to risk them. There seem to be far fewer overall problems with the Disney specialist firms...

 

[ga9497]

Can someone recommend a Disney TA that can also do AAA bookings?

We used Small World Vacations last year but I don't think they do AAA.

Small World Vacations can book the room only with the AAA discount just like any other travel agency can.

You can only book a PACKAGE with dining and still receive the AAA discount on the room through AAA ONLY

 

[Quinn222]

Small world booked my room only with AAA for December. Not a package though.

 

[poohfan]

So that means if I want a MYW package for tickets and room then I can't do that thru a Disney TA and get a AAA room discount? But if another deal like free dining comes out next year I wouldn't be able to get the free dining and AAA room discount? Just making sure I understand... thanks for your input.

 

[Gillian]

I liked my AAA travel agent. When the free ticket upgrade came out for the end of April, she knew about it and switched a bunch of people (if they wanted). They lost the AAA room discount but gained free park hopping and pluses. They got to keep the other AAA package perks.

 

[Joan1]

So that means if I want a MYW package for tickets and room then I can't do that thru a Disney TA and get a AAA room discount? But if another deal like free dining comes out next year I wouldn't be able to get the free dining and AAA room discount? Just making sure I understand... thanks for your input.

If you don't want the dining right now your TA can book the room only with AAA discount and add on the park tickets onto the reservation. Same as the package with tickets, no dining, but booked as a room only with tickets, the price will come out to the same amount before the AAA discount. Did that make sense?

If free dining becomes available for 2007 or any other package discount it will be that discount OR the AAA room discount. NOT both. Disney doesn't allow combination of discounts. It is one or the other

 

[MEK]

I like using the same AAA agent to book my trips. Why? Because it's the exact same price as if I booked from Disney and I get to speak to the same person each time I call. I think this helps with continuity.

I always use AAA because I have their credit card. All my $50 rebate certificates go right to the final price of my trip. I have already saved $125 on my August trip, just through rebates. I plan to have another $50 rebate certificate before my final payment is due.

If you book through AAA you also get a certificate that can be used towards another package. Mine had expired, but my agent allowed me to use for this trip because I am a frequent customer.

If special codes/rates/packages come out after your book your trip, the AAA agent will change your reservation for you.

______________________________________________________

Max is my favorite cat!