Should I NOT book through AAA?

[barefootMom]

I've read some negative postings about AAA but always thought they were pretty reputable. I currently have a reservation (for next Dec.) that I did over the Walt Disney site but the rate the AAA TA has is almost $300 less. What is the deal with packages and AAA? I have booked WL for 7 nights with park hopper and dining plan. Should I go through AAA or keep things as they are? I'd like to save a few $$ but now my DH is skeptical...help!!!

 

[SkipperBubba]

I think as with anything, there are good AAA TAs and bad ones. DW and I use AAA for our trips to the world and there has never been a problem. Again, we deal with only one agent (can be a long wait in the office, since she doesn't take appointments) but I'd rather wait now and have things done by someone I trust.

For $300, I'd at least give them a try... you have over a year if I read your post correctly, so if you aren't satisfied, you can always rebook your package yourself.

Just my $0.02.

 

[WDWBetsy]

I agree with SkipperBubba.

While I don't like losing total control of my reservations, I still think it was worth the $300+ we're saving by using AAA (and also getting the dining plan).

If you are interested in using AAA, just remember that you don't have to use your local AAA - but can use any state's. I'm using one in SC because our local Indianapolis area ones didn't have a clue. And I tried 3 of them here. I was working with a AAA agent in Southern California, but kept having trouble getting a hold of her. Not to say she wasn't helpful.

Then here on the DIS, I read about others having great experience with Michelle Shears of AAA Vacations in SC, so I switched over to her. What a wonderful gal she is! She gets right back with me, she's familiar with the resorts, and knows her stuff! She has also been a sweetheart when dealing with my constant resort-changing. She also faxed me a confirmation every time I made a change or special request, and sent receipts of my payments.

So I guess it is best to get referrals when so many of us know more than some regular travel agents. If several DISers have had good experience with an agent, I have more confidence in how my experience is going to be.

Best of luck in planning!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We were able to get a AAA rate for our trip last week simply by telling the WDW CM that we were AAA members. Can you not do this?

We had a horrible experience using AAA to book our Disney trip a number of years. Of course, this was before I knew about the DIS and other helpful internet sites. Our agent had us convinced we were getting a "super" rate. Yeah, super for her. We payed rack for things we could have gotten much less in a package from WDW. To make matters worse, our hotel ressie was completely screwed-up. Talk about a stressful trip!!! Never again.

 

[WDWBetsy]

We were able to get a AAA rate for our trip last week simply by telling the WDW CM that we were AAA members. Can you not do this?

Yes - you can do this for a room-only discount. But if you want both the AAA room discount and the dining plan, you have to book directly through a AAA travel agency.

 

[Manon]

We are currently booked with AAA for our January trip, and so far so good . Our TA is very nice, and patient! She always takes the time to answer my questions, and makes shure, by double checking with always before she does something!

We saved around 300$, and with the special that will be annonced for january ( free hopper option + water parks on a magic your way ticket) it will be an even bigger saving for us around 400$ more!!

Good luck on your decision!!

 

[triplefigs]

I've had a horrible experience with our local AAA branch this weekend (see this thread). However, as I stated in my update, I would book through AAA again if I go with someone who is a Disney Specialist like Michelle Shears. Unfortunately, we booked this trip before I even knew about the DIS. Next time, I will still likely book through AAA as we saved $615 on our package. I'll just be smarter about which AAA agent and office I use!

 

[WyndyB]

We booked our trip with AAA . Everything was perfect. We saved about $400 dollars with there package. No problems whats so ever. Highly Recomended!

 

[heather360]

We have a package w/dinning booked with Michelle in the AAA South Carolina office and I couldn't be more pleased with her. We ended up saving about $400 so it was worth it for us to give up some control in exchange for the savings. She is a Disney specialist and I've always felt that she was up to date on the little changes that Disney is always making.

 

[Hope73]

We have used AAA for our last two trips and are doing so again. I agree you need to be informed with your own trip. We just use them for rthe discount then I am the one that plans all of the trip and meals.

 

[barefootMom]

I also read somewhere that AAA may have additional benefits in 2006 for Disney packages--has anyone else heard this or know what they are?
Also, I have no idea if it even works this way, but are the rooms that AAA gets assigned to give out the "less wanted" rooms and going direct through disney.com would get me the better view?? Is there any reason to think that I would get preferential treatment upon checkin if I keep my ressie direct instead of AAA?

 

[thelittlemermaid]

I just received a quote from the AAA TA that we used for our 2004 trip. When I read it, I thought it seemed pretty high. I went to WDW website and what WDW quoted me was sixty some dollars cheaper.

Now I wonder how much more we paid for our package back in 2004.

On another note, I found a AAA TA that is on The DIS and have been talking to her through emails. She has sent me a quote for POP which was alot cheaper then what the other AAA TA sent me. Since I got the go ahead from DH to stay at POFQ {if the price is right} I have sent off for a quote from the AAA TA that I am talking to. Which I am sure will be alot cheaper from her then the old AAA TA.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

As a teacher, graduate student, and member of AAA Plus, I figured I'd give AAA a shot at booking our vacation this past March. It could not have been easier or more convenient. I, like many of you, are planner fanatics and was concerned about losing control over my trip reservations, but that never happened. It was seamless and worth it! We will book every vacation AAA from here on...Disney or not!

 

[Ilovestitch]

I worked for AAA for five years and now that I don't work there anymore, I can talk about them on here

There are some AAA travel agents that know more about WDW than others. Like at our office, one TA had been there over 100 times and another who was new had never been yet so she could pretty much just tell you what was in the brochure. The AAA agents book stuff for all over the world so its hard to be an expert on EVERY destination.

I would use them if I was booking a package and the AAA rate was the best- AAA also sometimes has little bonuses that come w/the package.

Otherwise, I use a disney specialist (Your Magical Journeys) and they are awesome at constantly checking to get the best possible price.

 

[eblack0409]

DH and I will probably book through AAA for our trip in May unless Disney does the free dining again..then we will book through Disney since AAA won't save us anything then.

From what I understand if you use a Disney Specialist for your booking, you shouldn't have any problems.

Good Luck!

 

[petchie]

I prefer to stay with one of the Specialist agencies. There are a few, but the big three are Dreams Unlimited (sponsor of this site), Magical Journeys (sponsor of Intercot.com) and Small world (sponsor of Mousesavers).

Even though I have AAA, I normally get a better discount down the line than the original AAA package rate. Since my AAA office doesn't even open until 9am, and we like the WL, I don't like to take the risk of not getting the better discount when it is released. My online agent has it discounted before AAA even opens for the day.

We usually travel in Sept, and only one year were there limited discounts (they released AP rates for about an hour!) Luckily my online agent had it secured in that hour! and I bought an AP. AAA was still in bed.

 

[Hope73]

I just booked through AAA. OUr famil of 4 and my mom are going. Since my mom is paying for her room we booked 2 vacations. I know you get special parking, reserved seating at Fantasmic, discounts at restaurants at downtown disney, one admission to teh vip lounge in the MK, Plus all of the bennefits of booking through Disney. A bonus that is printed on our reservations if a meeting and reading of a story at the vip lounge in Disney and one meal for free at planet Hollywood in downtown Disney. I thought those were good bonuses. I saved a little over 200 per room. We went last year and these are a bit better than the bennefits we recieved.

Friends or ours just got back and were on the dining plan and ate at Wolf Gang Pucks restaurant. It was theri most expensive meas and wonderful. For desert my frind ordered Creme Brule. THere were four little dishes with 4 different flavors and she said it was the best she has ever had. THis was the most expensive meal they had and it was all zeroed out and counted as a dining plan.

Mamma Melrose: These people also ate a Melrose for the special seating and this worked well for Fantasmic.

 

[WDWAurora]

We had a fabulous honeymoon with help from AAA. We got everything we had asked for in a room (even some things that we had told them weren't so important) and a great location. Thrilled with the service from AAA and Disney.

 

[twostep]

WDW Betsy how do you contact Michelle Shears? Thanks

 

[WDWBetsy]

WDW Betsy how do you contact Michelle Shears? Thanks

I just sent you a PM.