How can the price be that much different?

[amashstat]

We were going to just book a package through AAA, staying at the Poly in January with tickets and dining, lagoon view.

Well, then I called yesterday and put on hold a room-only reservation on a lagoon view. I got a AAA room discount. The agent told me it would be a much better deal to just book a package, but then I would lose the AAA room only discount. But when I do the math, it's not the case....not even close. With my room and tickets, the total is under $3,000. Then the package rate is nearly $3,900. The only difference is the dining....and since there are only three of us on the dining plan, it doesn't seem worth the $900.

It seems best to keep my AAA room-only discount and skip the dining this year. Anyone have an opinion?

 

[CanadianGuy]

You're losing the AAA discount and paying for the dining. You don't say how long the stay is.. Can you elaborate?

Knox

 

[amashstat]

We're staying for 5 nights. I realize I lose the AAA discount on the room, but I thought the package rate was still supposed to be the best. ? I guess not. They must just try to sell you on packages. But in this instance, if I snagged a AAA discounted rate for room-only, that seems to be best.

 

[Maxie86]

We were going to just book a package through AAA, staying at the Poly in January with tickets and dining, lagoon view.

Well, then I called yesterday and put on hold a room-only reservation on a lagoon view. I got a AAA room discount. The agent told me it would be a much better deal to just book a package, but then I would lose the AAA room only discount. But when I do the math, it's not the case....not even close. With my room and tickets, the total is under $3,000. Then the package rate is nearly $3,900. The only difference is the dining....and since there are only three of us on the dining plan, it doesn't seem worth the $900.

It seems best to keep my AAA room-only discount and skip the dining this year. Anyone have an opinion?

How did you get the AAA discount? I called yesterday and also have a room at the Poly on hold, but the CM said the AAA rates weren't out yet. Maybe it is because we aren't going until April? I also did the math yesterday and booking the room only and tickets seperate was a lot less, and that didn't even include dining. We aren't interested in the dining plan, so a room only works best for us.

 

[CanadianGuy]

3 adults dining plan for five nights = 643.93 (tax in)

So it would appear that AAA discount is saving you about 250-280$.

They do try to push packages but there really isn't significant savings to be had in a package purchase. There is convenience for some people, but not usually a ton of savings vs. purchasing everything separately.

Knox

 

[CanadianGuy]

How did you get the AAA discount? I called yesterday and also have a room at the Poly on hold, but the CM said the AAA rates weren't out yet. Maybe it is because we aren't going until April? I also did the math yesterday and booking the room only and tickets seperate was a lot less, and that didn't even include dining. We aren't interested in the dining plan, so a room only works best for us.

Call again - the CM you told you that was misinformed.

Someone earlier today pushed the issue with the CM on the phone and they checked and then determined that yes, indeed, AAA rates WERE out.

Knox

 

[GoingtoSeeRella]

I got AAA room rate today for POR, for our 1/1-1/5 ressie...so keep trying. They are out.

 

[amashstat]

3 adults dining plan for five nights = 643.93 (tax in)

So it would appear that AAA discount is saving you about 250-280$.

They do try to push packages but there really isn't significant savings to be had in a package purchase. There is convenience for some people, but not usually a ton of savings vs. purchasing everything separately.

Knox

Actually, Room only is $2,103 for 5 nights and a 5-day park hopper is $744 (2 adults, 2 children, though 1 child is infant). Brings total to $2,847

Package they quoted me for the same room at the Poly is $3,820.

Sure, I lose the AAA room discount in that scenario, but it seems like a big difference to me. Even adding the dining separately to the $2,847 would bring the total up to $3,277. So, still about $600 in savings.

I just thought I would break it down in case anyone else is interested.

 

[Maxie86]

Call again - the CM you told you that was misinformed.

Someone earlier today pushed the issue with the CM on the phone and they checked and then determined that yes, indeed, AAA rates WERE out.

Knox

Thanks, I'll call again and try to get the AAA rate.

 

[Kanga1]

We were going to just book a package through AAA, staying at the Poly in January with tickets and dining, lagoon view.

Well, then I called yesterday and put on hold a room-only reservation on a lagoon view. I got a AAA room discount. The agent told me it would be a much better deal to just book a package, but then I would lose the AAA room only discount. But when I do the math, it's not the case....not even close. With my room and tickets, the total is under $3,000. Then the package rate is nearly $3,900. The only difference is the dining....and since there are only three of us on the dining plan, it doesn't seem worth the $900.

It seems best to keep my AAA room-only discount and skip the dining this year. Anyone have an opinion?

Why not book a package through a AAA TA? That way, you will get the AAA discount on the room only part and have the package too. The package that you will get through AAA will be (should be) the "exact" same price as what Disney would charge if you book through them.

I booked a package this morning with my AAA TA and saved almost $700 on the room portion!!

 

[amashstat]

Excellent advice. Thanks.