Do I Book With CAA or Disney?

[KandL]

I got quotes from CAA and Disney. CAA was approx. $80 more than the Disney quote! CAA told me that with them I would get added benefits of Storytimes and CAA diamond card (which gives discounts on meals, merchandise etc.) Are these benefits worth the extra and does anyone know where this diamond card can be used. She told me there were no CAA rooms available at this time?! I'm not worried about the parking privilages as we plan on using the buses even though we are driving to Florida.

 

[tmli]

It is possible that there are no CAA rooms available....however the prices should be identical. I would check that everything was exact....type of tickets, room view etc.

 

[bababear_50]

I remember someone mentioning that you can get 20% discount in DTD with the CAA.
Most people who I've seen post about CAA seem very pleased with their service.
Hugs Mel

 

[rewok]

CAA charges a booking fee per person on top of Disney's price, that's where the price difference comes from. Plus in Quebec province you have to pay the compensation fund fee as well (like TICO in Ontario, do you have to pay for this one?).

Technically they'll tell you you're paying the same, and if the CAA rate is available it makes it cheaper, but at "normal" rate, you're paying for nothing. You have to contact someone to make the reservation either way, so just make it with Disney directly if it's a simple reservation. For information, you've got the Disboard, better than any agent!

FYI, rate is 22$ per adult if you're not a CAA member, and 15$ if you are. Sorry, no idea for kids. And they charge sale tax on that as well. For me, it was 57$ on top of Disney, no thanks, you're very nice, but I can do I myself.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

We booked through CAA last year and again this year. There should not be a price difference between the CAA price and the Disney price as long as you are a CAA member. Members can book for free, but non-members have to pay a fee. Booking through CAA was so easy and there are extra perks...as someone already mentioned you get the diamond discount card. We used it downtown disney and got 20% off everything!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I remember someone mentioning that you can get 20% discount in DTD with the CAA.
Most people who I've seen post about CAA seem very pleased with their service.
Hugs Mel

I read that too and I pretty sure that it was World of Disney in DTD. I'm planning on trying it in August.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

I shopped at World of Disney @ DTD in April and used my regular CAA to get the discount. The lady at the cash asked my husband if we had a qualifying discount cards and my husband asked what qualified and they mentioned AAA among others. So, I don't "think" that you have to book a package to get the discount.

 

[nosnobunny2006]

I did it both ways for our trip next month. First I booked through Disney directly. Then at a later date (I think it was a couple of months later), I switched the reservations complete with park passes for some, to CAA. I got 10% off the entire bill. Works for me!

Beth

 

[Capt'n RC]

So if you buy something in Disney can you just show them ur CAA card and get a discount? Or how does it work?

 

[surfer_ed]

We had a thread on this last year. I always call Disney and get the CAA rate, it is always cheaper for room only than a CAA rep can give you.

BUT I don't hink you can do packages that way you musty go through the travel agent.

Thier prices with the service charge on top is usaully better than the rack rate so most people don't give it a second thought...plus if you need some advice the reps provide good service.

I use my CAA Card at DTD and get all the other perks that booking thru CAA gives you. I think it is the membership that gives you the perks not booking thru them.

 

[tmli]

This is not true at all CAA's. We DO NOT charge a service fee to book Disney.

CAA charges a booking fee per person on top of Disney's price, that's where the price difference comes from. Plus in Quebec province you have to pay the compensation fund fee as well (like TICO in Ontario, do you have to pay for this one?).

Technically they'll tell you you're paying the same, and if the CAA rate is available it makes it cheaper, but at "normal" rate, you're paying for nothing. You have to contact someone to make the reservation either way, so just make it with Disney directly if it's a simple reservation. For information, you've got the Disboard, better than any agent!

FYI, rate is 22$ per adult if you're not a CAA member, and 15$ if you are. Sorry, no idea for kids. And they charge sale tax on that as well. For me, it was 57$ on top of Disney, no thanks, you're very nice, but I can do I myself.

 

[rewok]

This is not true at all CAA's. We DO NOT charge a service fee to book Disney.

Sorry, I thought it was standard for all CAA office.

 

[P&L@WDW]

I recently booked my trip through AMA (Alberta's CAA) for my trip this coming Sept (yay free dining!). The total cost (not including airfare) through AMA was 1747.00$ US for 9 nights with 9-day park-hopper plus water tickets at ASMu for 3 adults...with exchange rates, it comes in at less than 1900$ CAD. When I looked at the same package through Disney, the quote came in at over 2500$ US for the exact same dates, room, and tickets!

Even more than the money I saved, though, I love the service. My rep at AMA called and made all of my ADR's, and then went and re-booked them all for me when we added the 3rd person to my party. That likely saved me over an hour of my own time to do. Plus, the ADR's are going to be listed in all the paperwork I get through AMA.

 

[drag n' fly]

I recently booked my trip through AMA (Alberta's CAA) for my trip this coming Sept (yay free dining!). The total cost (not including airfare) through AMA was 1747.00$ US for 9 nights with 9-day park-hopper plus water tickets at ASMu for 3 adults...with exchange rates, it comes in at less than 1900$ CAD. When I looked at the same package through Disney, the quote came in at over 2500$ US for the exact same dates, room, and tickets!

Even more than the money I saved, though, I love the service. My rep at AMA called and made all of my ADR's, and then went and re-booked them all for me when we added the 3rd person to my party. That likely saved me over an hour of my own time to do. Plus, the ADR's are going to be listed in all the paperwork I get through AMA.

I would love to know where you found an AMA agent that knows a flyin hoop about anything Disney. Every single one I have ever dealt with sucked. I would like to book room only at the GC for an upcoming trip to DL and would like the AMA discount if I can find an agent that works for me not the opposite.

 

[P&L@WDW]

I'm in Edmonton, and I went to the AMA on 170th St. The agent was great...as soon as she heard I was going to WDW, she got so excited for me. Apparently, they're her favourite type of trips to book, so maybe I just got lucky.

 

[Starr_DJ]

CAA is great for booking the hotel and tickets. We got a good deal with them for the past 2 years - cheaper than the WDW website. I will never book a flight with them again though!!! Their rate was over $200 more than what I could have gotten if I had booked the flight directly with the airline. Of course I forgot about this little fact until I had already had the CAA agent book my non-refundable flight! Oh well!