New to US...VERY cheap....Can you help me?

[rutgers1]

We are going to US for the first time in August of 2009. We are splitting our Disney trip - heading to US for two nights mid trip. We have never been to US before and would like to stay at the Hard Rock if possible. From skimming over this board for the past few minutes, I see a lot of talk about AAA rates. Any tips with that? Any other suggestions for getting the lowest possible rate?

Will they allow me to wash dishes for a lower rate

 

[francie57]

We have stayed at the HRH in August for several years now. We do two nights at HRH and then go to Disney for the rest of the week. We have always booked our rooms through AAA. They offer a percentage discount on standard rooms. Not sure if there are better discounts out there or not. We have no complaints about using AAA. You can check the rates on their website - AAA.com. The rates are on-line through Aug. 12. Each day gets further into the month. After getting the rates through their website you can get the rates through Universal and compare the savings. We usually book two connecting rooms and love the convenience to the parks and the FOTL that comes with the room keys.

 

[minniejack]

Go to Disney 1st--once you experience FOTL, you will hate to stand in line at Disney or even have to go fetch your fastpasses.

Also, book your room through Loews, you always apply the best rate when you get it. Ask for Supersaver rates--these are generally the cheapest.

RPR is the cheapest of the 3 hotels usually and will get you FOTL which you might need for your time frame

AAA can also get you 10% off food and merchandise at most locations--if not all.

Also, I found some really good coupons out there at orlandocoupons.com

Also, try to do the booking yourself and not through a travel agent--so that you can apply the discounts when you have them w/o having to do with an agent. Once an agent books for you, you cannot change anything on your ressie by yourself--not even adding a fridge or requesting a nonsmoking room.

 

[dizplanner]

While the AAA rates are out for 2009, I think you still have to call to get them. I just looked at aaa.com and the rates there are still rack rates (at least for my dates in March). I could not get AAA on the Loews web site either.

I think the discount varies. I only got 10% off for a March Fri/Sat night stay. One person has noted that there is no AAA on July 15 at her hotel due to being too booked up. Others discounts seem to be more than 10% - I think you have a better chance for a bigger discount in August.

 

[rutgers1]

Thanks for all of the replies! When you say to book through Loews, how do I do that? Also, if I do that, then I shouldn't worry about AAA? I assume that you mean that Loews will offer a better discount than AAA, right?

 

[d4est]

No, Loews won't give you a better price than AAA. But you have to call Loews to get the AAA prices as they haven't been loaded up on the AAA website. Try this number and ask for AAA rates or any other special rates that might apply. 888-464-3551

 

[rutgers1]

I just booked it! $187 a night. It was like $50 cheaper than the rate on the web site. Nice!

Thank you to everyone for the help!

 

[luvsvacations]

Can I ask your dates - was this in Aug and if so did you book thru AAA. I tried my dates Aug 21-23 and can get no ifno. Thanks

 

[rutgers1]

I called the number in this thread...for the same days as you....and I got the rate I stated above. All I had to do was tell them that I was a AAA member.

 

[luvsvacations]

Thanks for the info