Question about finding a AAA TA who knows Disney...

[AmyK]

(I'm cross posting this from another forum and if that is bad etiquette I apologize!)

Hi! I'm a newbie. And my trip is not until June of 2008 so I have lots of time and still have lots of questions.

I do NOT have a AAA membership now but, of course, am willing to get one if needed. With a June travel date, it looks like my only source for a discount will be AAA.

IF I want to go through AAA, how do I find a AAA TA that is Disney savvy? I've read so many posts on Disboards about TAs who didn't know what they were doing and recommendations to find a TA who knows Disney. Well, how do you do that?

My "local" office is an hour away from me anyway so I have no problem dealing with someone who is not local. I realize that I can get the AAA discount on room only by myself, but that isn't a significant amount of a discount to make the membership worth it. The TA I emailed with briefly said that I could get a discount on the tickets as well if I went with a package? I'm getting confused!


Thanks!

Amy

 

[Hope73]

I have booked 2 trips throughAAA. I even worked with a lady that goes to disney every year and claims to be savvy. I disagree!!!

Here is what I did. I priced the exact trip I wanted online through disney.com and went to my AAA office and said if you can beat this I will join. The first trip we stayed at the poly and booked 2 rooms. I saved a littel over 300 per package, since I was booking 2 rooms I just bought 2 packages.

They will be on the phone and say we have this room at this hotel. Check where the rooms are located they usually price pool view rooms which are more money. Ask for the garden view, AKA parking lot, which will save some money.

Another opinion i have formed is: I love the moderate level. Our first trip we did the poly and it just was not worth the extra money. I love the mod hotels and their pools, the transportation is always great as well. We last stayed at CSR and loved it.

 

[zdad]

I used AAA for our BIG trip in 2005 and for our upcoming one next month. 2 different TAs, but out of the same local office here. I found in both cases that they are efficient and knowledgeable in the ways of doing the bookings. When it comes to Disney itself and deals, options, "codes", etc. I was the more knowledgeable in both cases. Frankly, I think that will be the way most every time. If you are posting here, you are anal retentive enough to want to know the variables, options, etc yourself. Arm yourself with that knowledge, determine for yourself the best course, and then use AAA (if that's the best deal) to do the booking leg work .

I'm going to retire in 5 years, and I think I'm going to be a Disney TA. I think that's why Dreams Unlimited is so successful. They are into Disney just as much as you are. They aren't just TAs, they are tourists too.

If AAA is you best deal, don't hesitate to use them. IF they aren't DreamsU is a great option.

Z

 

[AmyK]

Thank you to you both. I think you are right that I will be around disboards or other sources of info enough to find out about any other discounts... I will just have to keep looking to see what my best options are and be proactive about it!

I appreciate your replies!