Looking for advice about AAA reservations

[Tigger2252]

We have always used a travel agent to make our Disney trip arrangements, but after being on the DIS for the past several months, I just figured I would make my own reservations directly. However, we are also members of AAA and I'm hoping all you seasoned DISers can advise me if there is any benefit to making arrangements through AAA vs. doing it myself. I gather there are some "special perks" available by having AAA make the arrangements. I do know that if I go to the Disney website and put in my dates, etc. the price is higher than what AAA has quoted. Is that because of the AAA discount? And if so, can I get the discount if I call and make reservations? Any input you can give me will be appreciated.

 

[mom2of2]

You can call Disney and ask for the AAA discount and make reservations.

 

[dizcrazee]

I bought my tickets through AAA and saved a substantial amount of money. They only have certain types of tickets available - we got a 5 day w/hopping, 14 day expiration. When you go to the AAA website, click on "theme park tickets" and "WDW" and they will show you the ones they have available for a discount. If you then click "see more tickets", it will take you to the AAA section of the WDW site, and the tickets there aren't discounted. You are limited to the tickets listed on the actual AAA site in order to get the discount. Also notice that the price listed is including tax. We actually bought our tickets at our local AAA office for the price listed on the website.

I also made my reservations for our campsite at FW through AAA and saved on that as well. You can make your own hotel reservations through WDW and ask for the AAA price, then you show them your AAA card when you check in. We figured that we are saving at least $150.00 overall by using AAA; it will more than that if you are staying in a WDW hotel (the campsites are less expensive, obviously). Have a great trip!

 

[bubba73]

I used AAA last year and this year and have saved good money by doing so. I even checked with the dreamsunlimitedtravel.com and saved $100 off of it by using AAA. Plus, you get the AAA benefits.

 

[Chrisypoo]

I just made a 7 night ressie at POFQ with 7 day park hopper tickets and the dining plan for myself and my under 9 son...the AAA price was approximately $200 cheaper than Dreams Unlimited!

 

[Tigger2252]

Well, I called Disney directly to get pricing and told the CM I was a member of AAA and inquired about the discount. I was told that in order to get the AAA discount I needed to book the trip through AAA. The CM was very nice and said that he would price out my trip for me to see if it was the same as the price AAA would give me. Well, it was the same price that I got when I looked it up on the website. I guess I will just call AAA and see what they have to offer.

 

[MzDiz]

I just booked my trip the other day at AAA and got a bag of stuff. I got a nice canvas backpack, a clock, and some other stuff. Freebies are good!

 

[Ilovestitch]

AAA discounts the myw packages, you cannot call and get the discount on your own. PM me if you want more info

 

[Servants of Evan]

So to recap: If all you want is a AAA room discount you can book this yourself through Disney. Disney can give you the AAA rate, when you check in simply show your membership card and you'll then get the discounted rate. Forget the card and you're paying full price.

If you want to add the popular Disney Dining and/or tickets, this instantly becomes a "package" and by contract, you must book through AAA if you want the AAA discount. Disney can not help you -- it must be booked through AAA. You're actually paying full price for the dining plan which Disney doesn't typically discount, and for your tickets -- but you're still getting the AAA savings on your room.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

When I called AAA yesterday, they said I would get a AAA discount card to use at the parks, stores, etc...
Does anyone know if this card is any good?

 

[crazyj4488]

My vote is in for simply calling ressies and booking a room with your AAA number in hand. It's simple and efficient. You're going to get around %15 percent off the room...a decent deal.

Good luck!!

 

[yellowfish78]

This is the AAA Diamond Card. It provided you discounts at the following:
10% off some DTD restaruants
15% Earl of Sandwich
20% off Garden Grove, Gullivers, Kimono's, Palio's, Spash, and Fresh and Cabana Bar and Grill at the Swan or Dolphin
10% off watercraft excursions at the Contemporary
15% off regular golf
15% off Sea Rays or Sea Raycers at select WDW Marina's
20% off Richard Petty Driving Experience
15% off Water Therapy or Body Treatments at Saratoga or GF.
10% off repairs and tires at the CCC.
10% off World of Disney store (this is the one I use most!)
Free charm with hair wrap
15% off select WDW tours

Other benefits of a AAA package are the Diamond Parking Card (if driving to the parks), Hertz rental car upgrade and complimentary child seat (if needed), and the Character Storytelling Experience if booked on the dining plan or above.
Your room discount is based on the season and which class of resort your booking into. It can be anywere from 10% during peak season up to 20% during value season.

Hope this helps!

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

I booked our trip with AAA today at POR 4 nights, w/ hopper tix and dining and I saved $119!!! Yeah! 36 more days to go!
What is Character Storytelling Experience???

 

[minniedisney1]

I changed my original ressie in Jan., but they considered it a brand new one. I got the goodies that AAA was offering in Jan. & saved $482 on my package!!

 

[DeterminedOne]

We got a AAA package in the mail yesterday and are thinking of joining. Does anyone know if we can book the Premium package through them, and if so can we still get the 0% interest if we use our Disney Visa?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

It's a nice thing to have. They can get you hotel discounts all over the place, the towing comes in handy on vacation, plus they have free travel maps. You just walk into the office, tell em where you're going and they have a convenient little flippy map. They also have travel guides for every state.
Plus, last year when the free codes came out and the Disney CM's hadn't a clue, then their system went down, My AAA agent saved me a full day of worries and hassle.

By the way, you don't have to be a member of AAA to go through the travel agency. But you do have to be a member when you check in. So we booked in June, and didn't join until September.

 

[yellowfish78]

mommyofthreeboys:
The Character Storytelling Experience is a "bonus" for those that book with AAA and book the Dining Plan or higher. You receive a voucher for an intimate storytelling experience at the MK. It takes place on Tuesdays or Thursdays and takes about 20-30 minutes. Someone tells a story (I've had one client tell me that the person that read their story was the Fairy Godmother) and then whatever story they read, one of the characters comes out for a photo op. Disney limits the experience to 20 people or less, and the characters vary.

Determined One:
You can book any type of package with AAA. Dining, Premium, Platinum, doesn't matter. When you use your AAA Visa to pay for your trip, make sure your agent "calls it in" to Disney and does not run it through their point of sale in the office. So long as they call it in you will get the 0% for 6 months. One way to make sure is to have your agent call your cc# in to Disney while your in the office in front of them.

Hope this helps!

 

[DeterminedOne]

mommyofthreeboys:
The Character Storytelling Experience is a "bonus" for those that book with AAA and book the Dining Plan or higher. You receive a voucher for an intimate storytelling experience at the MK. It takes place on Tuesdays or Thursdays and takes about 20-30 minutes. Someone tells a story (I've had one client tell me that the person that read their story was the Fairy Godmother) and then whatever story they read, one of the characters comes out for a photo op. Disney limits the experience to 20 people or less, and the characters vary.

Determined One:
You can book any type of package with AAA. Dining, Premium, Platinum, doesn't matter. When you use your AAA Visa to pay for your trip, make sure your agent "calls it in" to Disney and does not run it through their point of sale in the office. So long as they call it in you will get the 0% for 6 months. One way to make sure is to have your agent call your cc# in to Disney while your in the office in front of them.

Hope this helps!

Yes, it helped a lot! Thanks for such a thorough answer.

 

[cruislovin]

I just booked my trip the other day at AAA and got a bag of stuff. I got a nice canvas backpack, a clock, and some other stuff. Freebies are good!

Do you have to book a package to get the backpack, clock, etc.?

I need hotel and Magical Express but already have tickets for the parks. Is there way I can book to get the freebies?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm just chiming in to say I saved about $400 booking my package through AAA. I'm lucky I have a wonderful agent, which means she listens to me prattle on about all things Disney.

Just a shout out to Danielle my TA at AAA!