Questions about AAA package extras

[mjsagain]

We've booked packages at the Grand Californian for an upcoming trip (3/27-3/29) through the AAA Travel office here in Chicago, and I have a couple of questions for those of you who have previously used AAA for booking Disneyland packages.

Specifically, how and when should I expect to receive the extras that are supposed to come with the packages? I seem to recall from a previous WDW trip that we booked through them that the local AAA office gave us a bunch of things in advance of the trip (can't remember exactly what they were!). So far, all I've received from AAA is the 2-page faxed confirmation from the Walt Disney Travel Company. I'm a little concerned, because I'm pretty sure that the agent I worked with is clueless about the specifics of Disney-related trips. I pretty much had to hold his hand through the entire process to get things booked the way we wanted them.

Also, my credit card hasn't even been charged any kind of deposit amount, which seems unusual to me based on my previous Disney travel experiences. Should I be concerned?

 

[Friend_of_Piglet]

Hi

On a normal vacation through AAA/WDTC, the deposit on the reservation is $200 and due 10 days from the date you booked (or on courtesy hold). Full payment date is 30 days prior to your arrival date. Your Package is sent fedex to the AAA office 21 days prior to your arrival date.
Since your arrival date is soooo soon, it only would have held for 24-48hrs without full payment. So I would contact your agent to see what is going on.

Sooz

 

[mjsagain]

Sooz,

Thanks for the suggestion. I called WDTC directly rather than AAA, and they told me that no deposit is required since it's guaranteed with a credit card. I didn't think this was their policy previously, but I wasn't going to tell them that .

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

mjsagain,

The credit card guarantee is for room only reservations. You guarantee the first night, and they will charge you when you actually stay there. No documents are sent to you, but if you do not cancel 72 hours prior to arrival, they'll charge your card that first night.

Sooz has it right for packages.

Packages that include room & hoppers have a deposit of $200 to Disney 10 days after you make the reservation, then the balance must be paid by 30 days prior to arrival. They then send your documents & vouchers 21 days before your arrival. Or, if you book within 30 days, you need to pay right away & they will send your documents to you.

 

[mjsagain]

Mary Jo,

What you wrote is exactly what I thought the policy is. However, we booked 2-night packages at the Grand Californian w/3-day Park Hopper Bonus tickets for 7 people. I'm looking at the faxed copies of the confirmations, which look like they came directly from the hotel. The bottom section of each has the address and phone number of the hotel and a "Disney's Grand Californian Hotel" logo on it. They each show a deposit amount of $.00 Due 0/00/00. It's very strange, which is why I was concerned. Could it be that somehow the AAA agent booked it directly with the Grand Californian and somehow that makes it different?

Mike

 

[DisneyPete]

Another question.... do you get an extra AAA benefits not found elsewhere? I thought I heard something about unimited Fastpass, or is that just a rumor?

 

[Friend_of_Piglet]

Mary Jo,

What you wrote is exactly what I thought the policy is. However, we booked 2-night packages at the Grand Californian w/3-day Park Hopper Bonus tickets for 7 people. I'm looking at the faxed copies of the confirmations, which look like they came directly from the hotel. The bottom section of each has the address and phone number of the hotel and a "Disney's Grand Californian Hotel" logo on it. They each show a deposit amount of $.00 Due 0/00/00. It's very strange, which is why I was concerned. Could it be that somehow the AAA agent booked it directly with the Grand Californian and somehow that makes it different?

Mike

I know you directed this at Mary Jo, but I thought I'd answer.
That is a confirmation from CRO(Central Reservations).In other words, the hotel directly. Not through WDTC.

DisneyPete : Unlimited Fastpass is in pkgs Booked though AAA/WDTC.

Sooz