When to book 14 rooms at AKL through AAA to get discount

[stitchfan18]

Ok, this may be kind of an odd question, but I'm hoping someone can help me out. Next August DF and I are getting married at Disney, and my whole family (about 35 people) is coming to Disney for a family reunionish event surrounding my wedding. My DGM is taking care of the tab, and she's decided that she wants to book us all in Savannah View rooms at AKL. She doesn't know much about disney, so my DM and I have been helping her figure things out. We want DDP and MYW tickets along with the rooms. We have to book through AAA since we can't get DDP with the DFTW discount that is offered. How far in advance would we need to book through AAA in order to get 14 Savannah view rooms for a week in August? We're planning to wait until this August to book, but I don't want to wait longer if that is going severely jeopardize our chance of getting the AAA room package. Also, I've read that during the value season it is easy to get an upgrade to a savannah view room, so should we just book the 14 rooms as standard view rooms and hope for an upgrade? Thanks so much to anyone that can help!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
I would find a good AAA travel agent and have them start checking on what's available for your dates. AAA does not discount all room categories for all dates. We are going to WL in Dec. with my in-laws, and wanted 2 woods view bunk bed rooms. They only had discounts on courtyard rooms and only 1 avail for the bunk beds, so we booked 1courtyard BB & 1courtyard regular.If you go room only through AAA, there may be more options, but either way, I would start checking soon.
As far as upgrades, it depends on how important it is that your guests get Savannah View. I would be highly surprised if all 14 rooms were to bw upgraded for free. If you don't mind if some guests have standard view, then take the chance, but if you want everyone to get the Savannah view, then I would just book it that way.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

We booked 3 rooms with tix and DDP at AKL Savannah through AAA and did so about 11 months in advance. I remember waiting for the 2007 rates to come out, then booked right away. You will have to pay a deposit of $200 per room. We are traveling in July and I booked the rooms in August. Tell your TA you want to be a Grand Gathering. If you don't care about view, book standard, if you want Savannah, book Savannah. No guarantee on the upgrade.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

You may want to check through the Groups Dept. as well. I did a large gathering and if you book 10 rooms or more they give a discount, though I'm not sure how much.