worth joining AAA for resort discount?

[lissiesmum]

I've read a few posts that people have saved up to $300+ dollars using their AAA discount. How much is it yearly to join? Can you quit at any time, or is there a length of time for which you pay? DH and I have our hearts set on a Savannah View room at AKL, but it's a little pricey...and it will be our first Disney vacation together with our DD...do they discount rooms such as this? Anything you can share would be really helpful...I'm doing my research way ahead of time so I can try to make this happen

 

[Mousema]

A membership with AAA is about $45 - $50 a year. I'm going to be saving about $500 on a package in October. AAA has different discounts on various packages plus perks that you get with the packages. You can also book a room only through Disney with AAA discount.

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks Marilyn! So do you only have the option of ordering their specific package deals, or can you tell them what you want and they just take off a discount???

 

[brandt79]

The discount depends on the time of year you go - I believe value season the discount is about 15% on deluxe (AKL), and it's about 10% for the other seasons. This is for a room-only reservation, but I think the same would apply to the room portion of a package.

The AAA discounted rooms are somewhat limited, but since you're thinking ahead, you shouldn't have a problem getting them. And you only have to show you AAA card when you check in, so I think you could book the rooms now and join sometime before you go.

 

[stephaniebatesjones]

this may be a stupid question, but when you talk about joining AAA for the discount are you joining AAA travel or the department that deals with car towing and stuff like that. Or is it all the same. For $50.00 I would gladly join if it ment that I could get great rates at disney & universal.

Thanks,
Stephanie

 

[ribbot]

this may be a stupid question, but when you talk about joining AAA for the discount are you joining AAA travel or the department that deals with car towing and stuff like that. Or is it all the same. For $50.00 I would gladly join if it ment that I could get great rates at disney & universal.

Thanks,
Stephanie

Yes. it's AAA--American Automobile Association----car towing is included with membership. They have a travel department. I paid $46 to join and it saved us $245. Plus percentages off other things too, along with the road assistance. Check your phonebook for local listing.

 

[beth_cam]

Run some number. I think people have said they paid as much as 60 (we pay 79 for both me and hubbie .... for signing up the first time though I had a mailer with 2 free months and my part free...great deal if you come accross something like that). you pay for the year. The agreement for the deal I got was to allow them to auto renew meaning we dont get notified we just get billed to our cc automatically 30 days before membership expires. So I guess otherwise at the end of the year it just expires. Rooms are limited, if you are buying just for that reason, you might want to see if they can atleast get you a ressie on hold before you buy just incase you buy just to find out there is no availability.

So discounts are 15% value season, 10 % regular and peak. According to mousesavers Holiday season is excluded.
Assuming availibilty discounts for standard rooms should be approximately as follows.

Value season Savannah View ($285) = 242.2
Regular season Savannah View ($335 ) = 301.50
Peak season Savannah View ($400) = 360

 

[rie'smom]

I've saved almost 1000.00 with my AAA membership this year. Discounts for hotels,food,gift shops,etc-it's the closest you can get to a for sure discount at WDW. The hotel savings have been all around the US: Louisiana,FL,VT,Quebec-
I definitely think it's worth it.

 

[unicorn1]

Yes! It's the only reason I join. Keep in mind that you don't need to book through AAA to get the discount - just let the CM know your're a AAA member. In fact, call Disney and get a quote on your desired dates, then ask the CM what it would be with a AAA discount. Compare the rates and you'll have your answer.

 

[beth_cam]

If you want a package you must book thought aaa. If you are looking to purchase your room and tickets separately you can do it through Disney.

 

[jamounger]

I saved around 1000 for the package I booked plus we end up using the road service at least a couple times a year. My husband drives 50 miles each way to work and has needed road service a few times. It has been well worth the yearly fee.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

I've read a few posts that people have saved up to $300+ dollars using their AAA discount. How much is it yearly to join? Can you quit at any time, or is there a length of time for which you pay? DH and I have our hearts set on a Savannah View room at AKL, but it's a little pricey...and it will be our first Disney vacation together with our DD...do they discount rooms such as this? Anything you can share would be really helpful...I'm doing my research way ahead of time so I can try to make this happen

I had my mother, who has AAA, call about AKL availability with the AAA rates for late August. My plan was to join AAA if rooms were still available.

It turned out that savannah rooms were still available at a 15% discount, but we couldn't get a discount on pool view. So, I advise you to book soon to make sure what you want is still open!

paying "rack rate"

 

[clkelley]

I have gotten AAA for the last two years mainly for the Disney discounts. We pay about $100 a year, but that is for four of us.

I save $117 just on my 14-night campground reservation last December. The year before it didn't get us any Disney savings because we eventually always got Passholder rates, BUT I have two teenage boys with older cars and they are away at school.

I have probably saved 500-600 in towing costs, even better when they call and say I have a flat tire, or my car won't start, I say "call AAA"!!

AAA - $100

Disney savings $150 year
Towing savings $600
Time saved solving the young uns problems - PRICELESS!!!

 

[themudd4]

IMO...Yes it is worth it. I suggest booking through AAA instead of Disney because sometimes they will offer additional perks for booking with them. Think in Januaray they gave a $25 Disney credit or something. I think the PP was on the money when they said if you are booking a package you will need to go through AAA anyway.
FYI, I saved roughly $200 just on my trip to Pop this March. I also just renewed my AAA today and for myself and my DH it was $94. We usually are also able to get a discount on our room on the way down and way home. Plus while at Disney we can shop at World of Disney @ DTD and get 10% off with our AAA Diamond card they give us with our package.
Have fun planning!

 

[Yzerbear19]

AAA also has discounts at a lot of other places. I've lost track of how much money I save a year on hotels using my AAA discount. Though I will say that Disney has been the only one to ever ask to see the AAA card. I always book using the AAA discount, but have never been asked except at Disney. IMO joining AAA is worth it. There are a lot of other discounts you can get with it. Check with your local branch.

 

[kldmom2000]

I've always done room-only AAA discount reservations in the past and have saved quite a bit... this year I did the pkg with them for 7 nights @ the YC and I'm saving $300 off the Disney rate But if free dining comes out, I'll nix that to get the free dining

I use my AAA membership to get discounted movie tix and discounts at the local outlet mall among many other things.... so it's not JUST for Disney

 

[jamounger]

I know where you are coming from with kids. The year my son took auto shop and did his own repairs we used our limit of tows.

 

[noname70]

Are the AAA discounts about the same $ amounts as the AP discounts on room only resv??

 

[lissiesmum]

I just can't get over how helpful everyone is on this website! You are all helping me make our family's Disney dreams come true! Thank you all for your advice and I will be sure to contact AAA with tons of questions

 

[clkelley]

It varies with the resorts. Usually AP rate is a bit more of a discount than AAA rate.

However, this last December for partial hookup sites at Ft. Wilderness AAA rate was actually the better discount!!