What happens if I book Aug 27-Sept3 through AAA with dining and

[frankiemom]

then Disney offers free dining during that time---will AAA refund me for the dining? I believe they offered the free dining this time last year?

 

[d4est]

If they were to offer the dining, your AAA TA would have to try & have that "special" applied to your ressie. I say "applied" because there are only so many rooms per resort set aside for any given "deal." If the TA could get it, you would get some kind of a refund. The thing is, the price would be different for the room portion because you would technically have to "lose" your AAA rate on the room. You can't get more than one discount & the free dining would be your discount.

So, you would get some $$, but they would adjust the amount so that you would be paying rack rate for your room. IF, IF, IF they ever come out with free dining again.

 

[denman007]

then Disney offers free dining during that time---will AAA refund me for the dining? I believe they offered the free dining this time last year?

I don't think you're going to have to worry about that problem.

 

[mommykds]

I don't think you're going to have to worry about that problem.

 

[BlakeNJ]

I think that was a one-time offer--when the first introduced the dining program. I guess it's always POSSIBLE if bookings seem really slow at that time.

 

[beth_cam]

That is hurrican season isnt it? so I think probably the most likely season for specials to come up. However I agree that Dining Plan free was probably to draw interest in it and wont be repeated. But depending oh your group size and hotel it wasnt necessarily the best deal, since you revert to having your room at rack rate.

I also think that the ability to change your AAA ressie booked with aaa my depend a lot on your agent. The day after I booked, ap rates came out. And I was withing my 45 days so I had already PIF. I called my agent and asked her about specials and if I decided that the ap or another discount might work for me better how would we go about things. She told me there wasnt anything she could do with the ap discounts and gave the impression it didnt matter what kind of discount she wasnt going to do it. Okay so normally I could cancel my ressie...but being withing my 45 days it'd cost me 200 (100 to disney and 100 to aaa) to cancel. I'm happy with my price and dont forsee anything else better. Ap at value hotel wasnt enough to warrent paying for an ap. So whatever but after all the positive I'd heard here about how easy you can change things...just thought I'd put out the warning. Be sure you discuss changes with your agent before you book/pay.

 

[pooch]

we're also going, actually 8/25 thru 9/3 and are booked thru AAA. Although my agent assured me she would watch for codes, I'm going to watch myself & CALL her immediately when I see one. We currently have a MYW package w/dining for WL. Where are you staying?

Pooch

 

[frankiemom]

we're also going, actually 8/25 thru 9/3 and are booked thru AAA. Although my agent assured me she would watch for codes, I'm going to watch myself & CALL her immediately when I see one. We currently have a MYW package w/dining for WL. Where are you staying?

Pooch

Pooh,

I called my AAA agent and she said the same thing but I will be watching codes just in case. We are staying at the All Star Sports.

 

[IDoDis]

we're also going, actually 8/25 thru 9/3 and are booked thru AAA. Although my agent assured me she would watch for codes, I'm going to watch myself & CALL her immediately when I see one. We currently have a MYW package w/dining for WL. Where are you staying?

Pooch

Intersting because the AAA agent I talked today said that if I book a package with park tickets, I can't add any codes that might come out later. She said I'd have to cancel and start over which means I'd lose the deposit (which for me was $160) unless I purchased the insurance. She said the only way to be able to apply a code without losing my deposit was if I booked "room only" reservations and not a package.

 

[DisneyDreams4me]

Intersting because the AAA agent I talked today said that if I book a package with park tickets, I can't add any codes that might come out later. She said I'd have to cancel and start over which means I'd lose the deposit (which for me was $160) unless I purchased the insurance. She said the only way to be able to apply a code without losing my deposit was if I booked "room only" reservations and not a package.

Our most recent trip (last month) we applied a code to our package approximately 50 days prior to our trip with no problem and it allowed us to add another day to our trip.

Here are some of the terms/conditions regarding disney packages:

For a cancellation made 44 to 6 days prior to arrival, there is a cancellation fee of $100 per package

For a cancellation made 5 days or less prior to arrival, there is a cancellation fee of $200 per package. No refunds will be given to no-shows.

For a change made 44 days or less prior to arrival or that results in a rate change, there is a change fee of $50 per package

No refunds will be made for unused admission tickets or features

Travel insurance is nonrefundable once deposit has been received. Upon any cancellation, the charge for travel insurance will be added to the other applicable cancellation fees.

I would check back with AAA, and speak with a different person. As long as you make your changes 45 or more days out, you should not pay a penalty to add a code.

 

[tinkerjo]

you have to sometimes watch aaa. I have it and love the perks, but they are a travel agency, and do recive commission. so its not in their best intrest to look for codes for you. I had an awful time getting our aaa office to apply a room only code to our ressies in 2003. They acted like they had no clue what I was talking about. I was able to get cabins at fw for $169 a night Hope to get something similar this year, but I made my own aaa ressies by calling myself!! Maybe nobody in our area have ever heard of mousesavers

 

[LovintheLodge]

we're also going, actually 8/25 thru 9/3 and are booked thru AAA. Although my agent assured me she would watch for codes, I'm going to watch myself & CALL her immediately when I see one. We currently have a MYW package w/dining for WL. Where are you staying?

Pooch

That was the same week we went last year. It's a great week to go...yes it's hot but manageable and the crowds are lower. Plus you're in and out of A/C visiting the attractions and we took advantage of the pool almost every day. We stayed at the WL and got the free dining. Even paying the rack rate vs AAA discount for the room, it was worked out to be a better deal. I think we paid for one meal, and that was lunch at Universal Studios. If they ever offer that free dining, we'll be there!!

 

[frankiemom]

Lovinthelodge~

We are going 8/28-9/4 but so worried about hurricanes! If hurricane season is anything like last year I guess there is a chance of one popping up anytime!

 

[sbecker086]

How many more people are planning to go that week. We have gone 2 out of the last 3 years and have loved it. We don't care about the heat and the crowds are very manageable.
Do any of you think there will be anything comparable to last years specials or do you think they might have the 7 for 4 or something else.

 

[RichieGraciemom]

we are going that week, first time in August. heard crowds are low and dont care about the heat, will swim in the afternoon. Hurricanes another story. was there for Frances, and dont want to do it again.

 

[mommykds]

We will be at the Beach Club 8/20-8/30 & I just booked officially today thru AAA (we had the room on hold for 10 days, then I was going to change & do a split stay but we decided on all 10 days at the BC!)

I was told that up thru 45 days before our trip that any codes that come out can be applied to the reservation. I will be watching here for anything that comes out.

Hoping for no hurricanes & decent crowds..

 

[hjic15102]

Mommykds, may I ask what type of room and your AAA rate you booked? I'll be at the Swan I'd love to move to the BC instead.

 

[mommykds]

Mommykds, may I ask what type of room and your AAA rate you booked? I'll be at the Swan I'd love to move to the BC instead.

I asked for a standard room, with a woods view (no parking lot please! )..the rate was in a package so I don't have the exact figure in front of me but it was value season $305 per night with a 15% discount on the room only...about $260 before tax. It's a lot for us but its our 15th wedding anniversary & we are economizing in every area at home before we go.

 

[IDoDis]

Did you book a "room only" or the package w/ tickets and meal plan? Also, did you book through an AAA office or through a TA?

 

[LovintheLodge]

Lovinthelodge~

We are going 8/28-9/4 but so worried about hurricanes! If hurricane season is anything like last year I guess there is a chance of one popping up anytime!

I totally understand how you feel as we felt the same way. We were very hesitant to book for the same reason, but in the end we went for it. In fact we booked only a week or so prior to the 45 day window. We would do it again. We enjoyed the pool almost every day and went to the water parks as well. Have a great time!