Went to AAA today...

[annieb727]

Hey there...I went into our local AAA office to find out about WDW packages. I had phoned, and the lady was really nice, but not very knowledgeable. So I thought going into our local office, might be better.

Ummm...NOT EVEN CLOSE! Holy cow! This woman was NOT friendly. She didn't even ask us many questions. At first she said the All Star Movies was not available, but then it was. She didn't ask if we wanted standard or preferred view, we want preferred, and when she was on the phone, she just automatically said standard. She didn't even ask us about the dining plan. Then she came back and said that staying 14 nights is an awfully long time. And the price? For a STANDARD view, at the All Stars Movies resort with a 10 day park hopper - she quoted me $3600!!! WHAT - This is for SEPTEMBER?

I go to the Disney website...I can get preferred room PLUS basic dining for $3900 - with room and tix. I also have a res on hold with the AAA agent that I talked to - have to put down the deposit by the 20th...and THEY quoted me $3600 - and that INCLUDES the dining plan. Not sure what she was smoking

~annie~

 

[loopner67]

Hi Annie.... I learned this last year by mistake... you can call Disney direct and ask for the AAA rates. You don't *have* to go through a AAA agent. Based on your experiences so far, it wouldn't hurt to call Disney tomorrow and see what prices they can give you. Don't forget to ask about the AAA rates. Good luck!

 

[bubba73]

Annie, I have used the same AAA TA for the last three years and have loved every minute of the experience. She is as much a Disney nut as I am. So, if you are interested, I will be happy to pm you her information to see what she can do for you.

 

[nicoleakr]

I feel bad for everyone who has had a bad experience with AAA . I am from Ohio and the one who I am working with is just so nice. Best of luck.

 

[beth_cam]

Hi Annie.... I learned this last year by mistake... you can call Disney direct and ask for the AAA rates. You don't *have* to go through a AAA agent. Based on your experiences so far, it wouldn't hurt to call Disney tomorrow and see what prices they can give you. Don't forget to ask about the AAA rates. Good luck!

Actually the op was looking at packages and for that you absolutely do have to go through aaa. You can get room only aaa rates through Disney, but not packages.

 

[Connors_Dad]

I actually had the opposite experience as the OP. I initially booked a package directly through the Disney web site and then joined AAA. My agent was very helpful and even though I only save a few hundred total, every small saving adds up. Never had AAA before so I was pleasantly surprised. Plus you get preferred AAA parking at all of the parks.

 

[Tam1067]

I'm using AAA for the 2nd time. We were really happy with the service last year and we're happy with it this year. We're saving close to $400 this year on 8 days at the Polynesian (for 5 people) in July.

And just to clarify, you do need to go through AAA if you want to get the AAA discount and the DDP. If you want a room only reservation, you can call CRO directly and apply the AAA discount.

 

[MEK]

Maybe I'm confused, but your package with AAA is $300 cheaper and includes the same components. Did I miss something? That sounds about right. Remember, your AAA discount is on the room portion of the package. $300 for 14 nights is probably a 20% discount.

If you the AAA visa, you should pay with that. You will get some nice rebates that you can apply to the final payment of future trips. If you don't like your AAA agent, there are plenty more out there. I found a nice one through these boards and I switched to her.

Remember, not every TA gets the Disney thing.

 

[d4est]

Maybe I'm confused, but your package with AAA is $300 cheaper and includes the same components. Did I miss something? That sounds about right. Remember, your AAA discount is on the room portion of the package. $300 for 14 nights is probably a 20% discount.

If you the AAA visa, you should pay with that. You will get some nice rebates that you can apply to the final payment of future trips. If you don't like your AAA agent, there are plenty more out there. I found a nice one through these boards and I switched to her.

Remember, not every TA gets the Disney thing.

I think the OP was saying that the TA at the AAA office she visited gave her that quote--$3600--withOUT dining.

She was able to get the quote of $3600 from a AAA TA over the phone that did include dining & yes, that does beat the disney quote by $300.

I think she was amazed at how little the TA (the one in person) knew about Disney or asked the OP about what she wanted from her vacation.

I agree, there are some great AAA agents out there. You just have to find them. I had an awful experience with a local AAA agent last year, ended up cancelling & re-booking with an awesome AAA TA who gets lots of referrals here on the boards. I would give her name, but I think that is against a rule.
OP, you can pm me if you are interested in her name.