Pre-planning: Is it worth it to join AAA

[portocall]

We aren't going until June of 2010, but I am biting at the bit to be able to reserve our package, so now that I have the details, now I am trying to figure out the best way to get a discount...

I am obviously not looking for any code, as it is summer season, and popular already without giving a discount. Are you able to get a AAA discount even in the summer. I would want to book this the day it is available. How far out can it be booked? Is it one year, or 499 days? We will need a one night (2)room only at ASSports and 6 nights at the Polynesian. The value resort is negotiable, the Poly is not, I am prepared to pay rack rate if push comes to shove, I just hope not to have to.

Is it better to have a travel agent? I really don't know how this stuff works... can anyone help me understand the ins and outs of discounts at the World? Thanks in advance!

 

[brentalex]

We aren't going until June of 2010, but I am biting at the bit to be able to reserve our package, so now that I have the details, now I am trying to figure out the best way to get a discount...

I am obviously not looking for any code, as it is summer season, and popular already without giving a discount. Are you able to get a AAA discount even in the summer. I would want to book this the day it is available. How far out can it be booked? Is it one year, or 499 days? We will need a one night (2)room only at ASSports and 6 nights at the Polynesian. The value resort is negotiable, the Poly is not, I am prepared to pay rack rate if push comes to shove, I just hope not to have to.

Is it better to have a travel agent? I really don't know how this stuff works... can anyone help me understand the ins and outs of discounts at the World? Thanks in advance!

You can make room only reservations 499 days in advance. Since the rates for the room will not be available at that point, you will be charged a one night deposit based on the peak rate for the current year. Then when the real rates and packages come out, for 2010 it will probably be August 2009, you can change to a package. If you do, they will cancel the room only reservation, refund your deposit and make a new reservation requiring a new deposit.
AAA rates are offered for the summer months. The only time they are not offered are the last few weeks in Dec. If you want a package with a AAA discount on the room, you need to book this with a AAA travel agent. A room only reservation with the AAA discount can be booked directly with disney. The AAA discount rates will be offered in August 2009 when the real 2010 rates are released. You can make a room only reservation 499 days in advance, then when the real rates get released, can call and have them apply the AAA discount. The discount is between 10 and 20 percent.
So, if you are not interested in a package for any of the nights, I would call around the 499 day point ( it is 499 days from your last day in the resort ) and make 2 room only reservations. Then when the real rates come out, call and get the AAA discount.

 

[portocall]

Thanks Brentalex, that was very informative. I appreciate it!