"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[Grandma Bonnie]

I am so glad we wore our matching swimsuits in Vegas. That was an awesome idea! An homage to Mom...

Well, how nice! At least you thought about paying homage to me while I'm still alive and "young" enough to realize it! Now, where's the picture?

 

[dddisrunner]

Hi Susan!

I can help.........a little! If you want the AAA discount and you want to have dining and tickets added in, you MUST book it all through AAA. You cannot book a AAA room only discount through disney and then add a package (dining & tickets) to it. If you are going during "value" season, you will receive a 15% discount off the room portion of your package. If you are considered "regular" season than the max you would get off is 10%. If you are more than 45 days out I believe Disney will give you a full refend on your deposit. When you rebook through AAA and you are inside of 45 days, you will need to pay in full, you cannot use your initial deposit towards the balance still owed. The other thing that you could do if you weren't interested in the dining plan is to book a room only AAA rate room through Disney and then get your tickets through AAA or one of the reputable ticket brokers, undercover tourist or maple leaf. They provide a discounted price on their tickets. I would visit or call a AAA agent ASAP though because once 45 days out gets here, you will start to lose a portion of your deposit! I hope I helped! Good Luck!

 

[Charleston Princess]

You MUST do a mini-TR on Vegas! I am dying to hear all about it!

 

[swwake]

Well, how nice! At least you thought about paying homage to me while I'm still alive and "young" enough to realize it! Now, where's the picture?

we didn't really have matching swimsuits.

Hi Susan!

I can help.........a little! If you want the AAA discount and you want to have dining and tickets added in, you MUST book it all through AAA. You cannot book a AAA room only discount through disney and then add a package (dining & tickets) to it. If you are going during "value" season, you will receive a 15% discount off the room portion of your package. If you are considered "regular" season than the max you would get off is 10%. If you are more than 45 days out I believe Disney will give you a full refend on your deposit. When you rebook through AAA and you are inside of 45 days, you will need to pay in full, you cannot use your initial deposit towards the balance still owed. The other thing that you could do if you weren't interested in the dining plan is to book a room only AAA rate room through Disney and then get your tickets through AAA or one of the reputable ticket brokers, undercover tourist or maple leaf. They provide a discounted price on their tickets. I would visit or call a AAA agent ASAP though because once 45 days out gets here, you will start to lose a portion of your deposit! I hope I helped! Good Luck!

Thanks - this really helped. Read my next update below. I knew you would be the "knowledge girl"!

You MUST do a mini-TR on Vegas! I am dying to hear all about it!

Hmmm....I am trying to decide if I have time to do one. I think I'll try. If so, I'll set it up in the CBs and link it here, so as not to go too far on this PTR.

 

[swwake]

Ok here's the update. I tried to call AAA last night but was "outside of normal business hours". So this afternoon I called and spoke to a very nice local AAA TA. She is helping me get the reservation switched over from Disney's travel department to her. Once that is done, she will be able to apply a discount. I don't know yet how much, but I saving money!!

In other news, I have to go to DC this week for business. I speak at 8:30am this Friday. Well, I thought that we traveled Wednesday and did the conference on Thurs/Fri. This morning I found out that we travel tomorrow and the conference starts at 3pm on Wednesday. Having just returned from Vegas, now I have to go home tonight and pack again! Can you believe it?

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

In other news, I have to go to DC this week for business. I speak at 8:30am this Friday. Well, I thought that we traveled Wednesday and did the conference on Thurs/Fri. This morning I found out that we travel tomorrow and the conference starts at 3pm on Wednesday. Having just returned from Vegas, now I have to go home tonight and pack again! Can you believe it?

Well, such is the life of a "jetsetter."
Meanwhile, I'm trying to decide whether to cancel my trip to Colorado which is just a few days after we return from WDW.
Decisions, Decisions, and Changes and more changes......What a life we lead!!!!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

In other news, I have to go to DC this week for business. I speak at 8:30am this Friday. Well, I thought that we traveled Wednesday and did the conference on Thurs/Fri. This morning I found out that we travel tomorrow and the conference starts at 3pm on Wednesday. Having just returned from Vegas, now I have to go home tonight and pack again! Can you believe it?

Oh, and while you're there, tell those politicians to do something about this economy!!!!!

 

[swwake]

I started a mini-TR for our Vegas trip. Hopefully Jo will tag-team with me. The link is in my signature.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Headed over there right now to check it out!

 

[swwake]

Jackie - sorry there's not much there yet - but keep checking. I will try to post more later today or tonight. We have some great pictures too.

 

[Charleston Princess]

That's fine! I just wanted to make sure I subscribed so I don't miss anything!

 

[stagemomx3]

Alright I'm all subscribed for the vegas mini report.

 

[swwake]

One Disney Trip - Paid In Full!!!!!

 

[stagemomx3]

Congratulations!

 

[Charleston Princess]

One of my favorite feelings in the world -- the satisfaction of having paid off a Disney trip!

Congratulations!!!

Does that mean you are only 45 days away?

 

[dddisrunner]

YAY!! Congrats Susan, that is the best feeling in the world!! I am so glad AAA worked out for you!

 

[swwake]

Congratulations!

Thanks!

One of my favorite feelings in the world -- the satisfaction of having paid off a Disney trip!

Congratulations!!!

Does that mean you are only 45 days away?

Well, it is quite a relief. But it is still on the credit card, so it's not truly paid for yet.
And yes, we are 45 days away!

YAY!! Congrats Susan, that is the best feeling in the world!! I am so glad AAA worked out for you!

Well, there's a story there. I think I'll post that next. It is almost the best feeling in the world. I think the best feeling will be going under those WDW gates.

 

[swwake]

So here's the scoop on AAA.

I knew our final payment was due today. Monday, we (the AAA TA and I) sent over the "permission slip" authorizing Disney to release my reservation to AAA for them to manage. Kathleen (the AAA agent) said that it usually takes 1-2 days for Disney to transfer the reservation.

Since I'm in DC at a conference, I was a little worried that I would forget to check the status and/or make the payment today. I knew it was due today, as this is the 45 day mark. I am surprised WDW didn't email me a reminder note.

Well, I woke up this morning and panicked about the payment. I had not heard from AAA and I was worried that I might lose my reservation and my deposit if I didn't make my final payment today. So I emailed the AAA agent asking about it.

She called me later in the day and said that the reservation got transferred and that she could now manage it. But she had checked, and WDW only allows a certain number of rooms to be booked at AAA discount rates. For our hotel, room type and travel dates, all the AAA rooms were already booked. So she couldn't help me with lowering the price.

But - we do get some extras!! Now, that sounds exciting, doesn't it?

Here's what we get:
Diamond card - provides special savings on meals, merchandise and entertainment options at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort, like food at Planet Hollywood (wasn't planning to eat there)
Mini golf discount (doesn't the MYW package come with a free mini golf for each person?)
Preferred parking (but we won't have a car)
Free upgrade on rental car (but we aren't renting)
Free Storytime for everyone in the family (but we are all over 14 years old)
Free car seat in the rental car (what??)
Exclusive! AAA Vacations® Luggage tag (one per person) (oh my goodness, I will so treasure this!)

Anyway, I guess we get nothing for switching over. And I can no longer longingly (obsessively?) view our reservation online at the WDW website. All together now - awwwwwwwwww

But the good news is - we budgeted for the trip at the originally booked rate, so not getting a discount didn't hurt us at all. So at the end of the day it really makes no difference and all I have really lost is a little bit of time in working with the AAA agent.

I'm just relieved that the trip is paid off now and I don't have to worry about that. I also think it might go through after the CC cut-off date, so I will get an extra month to pay it!

 

[stagemomx3]

That's kind of a bummer about switching over to AAA and not getting a discount.

 

[swwake]

That's kind of a bummer about switching over to AAA and not getting a discount.

Yeah, but I am an optimist. The trip is paid off!

The only thing I wonder is if it would have been a more magical, Disneyesque experience had we left it with WDW reservations. Now when I log onto the Disney sight, is says "Your reservation has been canceled. We hope to see you again soon."

I don't know, for some reason in my unrealistic world, I think that Disney might treat the "purists" who book through them and pay full price a little better. But reality says that we will likely be treated no differently from anyone else. Especially because Disney is known to treat everyone like a VIP.

I am sure we will have a great vacation anyway. I'm not worried about it. This is going to be so much fun and it's only 45 days away!!