Has anyone else heard that AAA discounts may no longer be an option ?

[RJmurphy]

I just had a conversation with a AAA travel agent and inquired about the discounts available. She told me that AAA is in negotiations right now with Disney and that it appears Disney does not want to keep a relationship with AAA. Either that or it is a bargaining tool. We should know by the end of the year if Disney is still working with AAA. That is resort wide !! Her words not mine !! I hope it is the later because I know a lot of people use AAA to get a discount.

 

[skriegerjr]

I just had a conversation with a AAA travel agent and inquired about the discounts available. She told me that AAA is in negotiations right now with Disney and that it appears Disney does not want to keep a relationship with AAA. Either that or it is a bargaining tool. We should know by the end of the year if Disney is still working with AAA. That is resort wide !! Her words not mine !! I hope it is the later because I know a lot of people use AAA to get a discount.

I would find that very hard to believe, given the thousands of people that AAA books for Disney Vacations annually. Going to email our AAA agent right now and ask her...

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Hmmmm,,very interesting.
With Disney, ya never know.

Many years ago, it was even rumored at one time that Disney thought about closing the Fort due to lack of bizz,,however, over the years (specially) with 9/11 happening, the times have changed. Disney no longer need to give discounts to get folk to the Fort. Now days the Fort is always fairly busy, just not quite as busy as other times.
Just my opinion.

 

[bama_ed]

Bob, I hadn't heard this but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Think about it: the discounts on room rates (sites and cabins for us) are in place to stimulate attendance. It's to get people who wouldn't go at full price to go at a discounted price. And discounts aren't that available at the busy times - only the slower times.

But Disney may think that folks are going to come anyway, they're just trying to get in at the lowest available rate. Consider a 10% discount. It would take 10 sites with a 10% discount to equal the 100% cost of one site. Those 10 sites would produce 90% of the gross revenue. But if Disney thinks 9 out of those 10 will come anyway, they can get 90% without the discount. And at the 20% discount rate, those 10 sites produce 80% gross revenue so they only need 8/10 to come to break even.

This would be down the same line of thinking why they got rid of the Settler's discount rate nearly 10 years ago. It was a discounted long-term/snow bird rate but it was discontinued and the long-term/snow bird folks keep coming.

Bama Ed

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I am fence-sitting on this rumor.
2) I can truly see both sides.
. . . does WDW really need to discount campsites to fill them
. . . does AAA demand a discount due to the business they steer, plus having the car care center
3) I guess we need to see how it plays out.
4) Although we get the CM discount (HUGE!), I still wish others can keep the AAA rates.

 

[BMLM807]

I work for Disney and it is true. We just got the notification that it will start in January.

 

[RJmurphy]

That stinks

 

[bama_ed]

I work for Disney and it is true. We just got the notification that it will start in January.

Can you share any details? I know some folks on this board already have room-only discounts at the Fort for their 2014 stays. Is that the last of them?

Any more particulars you can share would be helpful, BMLM807. This would not be good news but we need to know it all the same.

Thanks in advance,

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Well that settles my debate about about joining AAA.

Sent from my Desire HD using DISBoards

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I work for Disney and it is true. We just got the notification that it will start in January.

1) Hadn't heard.
2) BUMMER.

 

[North of Mouse]

Well that settles my debate about about joining AAA.

Sent from my Desire HD using DISBoards

Oh No!! Joining AAA was 'only' for the FW discount! Never used or wanted it, but we more than paid for it with our discounts - like you, no more!

 

[Tiggerkmp]

Does this mean discounts we've already gotten for our upcoming trip in January will not be honored?

 

[2goofycampers]

Does this mean discounts we've already gotten for our upcoming trip in January will not be honored?

I'm hoping they will.

 

[LindaG4458]

Phooey! I was just waiting to buy my Florida resident annual pass until the first time we were going to use it in January.

We have to go to Orlando in late December anyway for a medical appointment, so I guess there will be an additional stop at WDW to get the pass with the AAA discount.

Thanks for the "heads up".

 

[skriegerjr]

I would find that very hard to believe, given the thousands of people that AAA books for Disney Vacations annually. Going to email our AAA agent right now and ask her...

Just got email back from our AAA agent, she has been on vacation. She said it is correct, that AAA and Disney were in negotiations for the 2014 package, and somehwere along the way, the negotiations were called off, it's unclear by which side.

It's sad, I really enjoyed the AAA benefits, and still loved having her handle everything for us, she was so great, our last few trips have been handled by her, to a T.

I wonder if Disney just felt like they no longer needed to offer discounts in order to fill rooms/drive traffic to the parks...

 

[kazlac4]

I'm very sorry to hear this. It's not like Disney was handing out the discounts left and right. Only a few selected number of sites were able to get the discounts at certain times of the year. I have only been able to snag the discount one time. We then spent the money saved on taking one of the Disney tours. Either which way Disney usually gets their money back!. So disappointed by this decision.

 

[I Love Pluto]

AAA will lose a lot of business. Disney travel was a money-maker for them.

I don't know who is at fault here - but - either Disney or AAA - needs to learn how to negotiate better!
Goodbye, AAA parking lot!

Why? ??? ???