Help-AP vs AAA vs DC?

[awatt]

I'm new to all of this and confused. Is AA discount better than Disney Club discount?
And what is an AP and where do I find it.
I'm looking to book for 11/03.
If there's a place on this site that explains this,please direct me.
Thank You!

 

[mark & sandra]

Hi awatt- AAA and the DC discount are pretty much the same % off. The AP discounts are usually much better. Problem is that the AP disc. codes are usually the last ones out, if you wait too long then the rooms allotted to the AP disc. are usally gone. I've found that if I book early enough, I can get the room and view that I want and then IF the codes for more discounts come out then I call to modify my ressie. Some advance knowledge is helpful, like, there usually is no AP disc. for rooms at the AllStar Movies. If you book at the other 2 AllStars and the AP disc. comes out you can modify to the cheaper rate, if you'd booked at the Movies you would need to change your resort, if they had not yet sold out. AP is the Annual Pass. It costs about the same as 8 days in park hopper tickets. If you plan on going again within 1 year or are going for more then 8 days it's worth considering. It looks like you're about 13 months out. It's too early for any codes or discounts yet, but by the time they are, you'll be an expert on how to use these boards for $avings.

 

[BethR]

Hello awatt! And Welcome to the DIS!!!
There may be a place on the site to explain these discounts, but I would be happy to do so for you.
The AAA discount tends to be just about the same as the DC discount, both on rooms and tickets. Different AAA offices carry different tickets, so call in advance to see which ones your local office carries. And on rooms - AAA discounted rooms must be booked through AAA - subject to availablity of course!
An AP is Annual Pass. This is very beneficial to you if you are going to be at WDW 8 or more days in 12 month span of time. Not only does an AP get you into WDW, but it also makes you eligible for some very nice discounts on WDW resorts. These discounts are usually announced several months in advance and, again, are subject to availability. There are also some other perks with APs - like free parking at all WDW parks, and discounts on admissions at the water parks, etc. APs are available at the Disney Stores, by phone orders, at your Disney Resorts, or at the parks of course. If you want to get your DC discount, you must purchase these over the phone in advance of your trip.
Hope that this has helped.
Again, Welcome to the DIS!

 

[takara]

My initial reservations were booked without going through the AAA office with the discount at POFQ and the regular Disney reservation #. When the AP rates came out we were going to change but decided to hang on for the Florida resident rates. AP/resident rates were definitely better than AAA.

 

[ripleysmom]

Do you know if you can use a AAA discount for the UHP? or does that need to be booked through AAA as well?

 

[tink2dw]

For Planning a trip to WDW!!
Now you can start deciding what are the things that are "must do's" and "must see's." and decide the length of your trip.

Then decide on the tickets you will need here.
http://www.mousesavers.com/tickets.html

To keep an EYE on All the discounts for on-site and off-site resorts check here often and sign up for the MouseSavers.com newsletter to get all the best news.
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

For Air fares sign up at all the Airline Web sites that fly out of your airport that fly to Orlando or MCO in airline speak. Then Check Expedia,Travelocity for airline deals. Also check out the Transporation Board air,car deals.
http://www.disboards.com/

Start a WDW change jar to save for your trip.[there are many tips here on this
board!!]

Also you can decide where you will want to eat and start making plans to make your food budget and check the Priority Seatings Calculator to know when you can make PS's some are as far out as 730 Days.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm

Also to help decide where to eat you can find menu's at Deb's wdw site,this works 2 ways to see where to eat, what,and how much it costs,and to finalize the food budget.
http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm

To keep all this info in one place,here is a computer Disney Vacation Planner.
It will print each day on a seperate sheet. Also check the pull down menu'sat the top for loads of info!!
http://www.intercot.com/planner/default.asp

Well,this should get you started on a thousand more Questions!! So,don't be shy!
Ask away!! The kind members here will share what they know! So,check back
often!!

tink2dw

 

[corvair]

I am confussed about the AAA. I thought I could book my own room and just apply the AAA discount. Can I not do this? I am getting ready to book my trip for May. thanks...amy

 

[PhillyDisnynut]

You sure can do that, I just did it for my son for senior week . He also has a AAA card . Got him a room at the All star sport for 94.26 tax incl. for june 8 to 14, 2003. Being that is regular season. that is pretty good, Also hoping for more codes to come out in the future

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by BethR
...APs are available at the Disney Stores, by phone orders, at your Disney Resorts, or at the parks of course. If you want to get your DC discount, you must purchase these over the phone in advance of your trip...

Beth, Beth, Beth. I'm getting the wet noodle ready right now.

AP's are not available at Disney resorts. And because there is no advance purchase discount on these, you can still get your DC discount when purchasing the AP at the parks. It is only the passes that were changed to either no DC discount (4 & 5 day PH's) or ones that now have advance purchase prices (PHP's, UPH's, etc) that you cannot get your DC discount on at WDW.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by GoldenOldie
Beth, Beth, Beth. I'm getting the wet noodle ready right now.

AP's are not available at Disney resorts. And because there is no advance purchase discount on these, you can still get your DC discount when purchasing the AP at the parks. It is only the passes that were changed to either no DC discount (4 & 5 day PH's) or ones that now have advance purchase prices (PHP's, UPH's, etc) that you cannot get your DC discount on at WDW.

Well, I KNEW that there was a good reason that we kept you around here GoldenOldie! To keep ME on the straight and narrow!
Thanks so much for all of your information, GO! When it comes to tickets, I don't think that we have anyone more knowledgable than you! Thanks for all of the information that you share here on the DIS!
Now, do you know if you secure the AAA discount when calling CRO, or must you book through AAA? I think that corvair is right and I am wrong (Twice on one THREAD! That wet noodle is going to see lots of action here! ).

Thanks again!

 

[awatt]

Thank you all SO much for your help!

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by BethR
...Now, do you know if you secure the AAA discount when calling CRO, or must you book through AAA? I think that corvair is right and I am wrong (Twice on one THREAD! That wet noodle is going to see lots of action here! ).

I'm sorry but I have to defer on this as AAA is not in my realm of personal experience or expertise. I could offer an opinion but it would be only that.

 

[disneymom3]

You can get the AAA discount when calling CRO, but you have to give them your membership #.

 

[BethR]

Thanks Julie!