WOW - AAA vs. Disney website

[HayGan]

Since the Disney website now has 10 day tickets available and since others have been reporting getting better deals with the site, I thought I would price out my 4 night December package on the site. The Disney site is almost $650 MORE than we are paying for the same thing thru AAA!!! Plus, since I booked in January I'm getting $25 Disney dollars at check-in plus the other usual perks!!!! I can't believe it!!! That AAA membership is definately paying for itself!!!

For those of you are interested in the specifics, 4 people (2 adults, 2 kids - 5 & 3), 10 day no-exp MWY premium (park hop & magic plus), dining option at the Poly GV.

Disney site = $3,670

AAA= $3,025

 

[bballdiva]

I saved with AAA to almost $250.00 bucks . The 50.00 membership already paid for itself.

 

[ncbyrne]

I also saved with a AAA package (2 adults, 8 nights CSR, 8 day hoppers, dining plan), but not nearly as much as you. My total savings is $129.04. However, I also booked in Jan. so will be getting $25 Disney Dollars, and I also purchased trip insurance which made a small difference. In any case I'm happy for ANY savings, and I will be happy to park in the Diamond Parking at Epcot!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I also saved with a AAA package (2 adults, 8 nights CSR, 8 day hoppers, dining plan), but not nearly as much as you. My total savings is $129.04. However, I also booked in Jan. so will be getting $25 Disney Dollars, and I also purchased trip insurance which made a small difference. In any case I'm happy for ANY savings, and I will be happy to park in the Diamond Parking at Epcot!

I have AAA - what is Diamond Parking at Epcot? Thanks in advance!!

 

[HayGan]

I have AAA - what is Diamond Parking at Epcot? Thanks in advance!!

You get a special pass when you book thru AAA (although some report getting it when you buy tix at AAA) that you can park in the special "Diamond" area. It is the closest parking area to the parks (other than the handicapped parking.)

 

[RichNKatHolly]

You get a special pass when you book thru AAA (although some report getting it when you buy tix at AAA) that you can park in the special "Diamond" area. It is the closest parking area to the parks (other than the handicapped parking.)

Thanks for the speedy reply! We didn't book through AAA so I guess we'll just have to park regular or take the bus.

 

[PaulaSue]

do tell how did you get the disney dollars, was that special thought AAAs deal or by using the Disney CC?

 

[disneysnowflake]

Does each AAA branch charge their own rates when it comes to pricing vacations?

In 2004 our AAA only saved us less than $50 if we booked a package with them. I saved more money booking a room only at POFQ using the AAA discount and buying hoppers at AAA.

This year AAA could have saved us only a few dollars per person when I wanted to book a 7 night vacation at POFQ with the dining plan over what WDW website was charging. I even asked the travel agent to doublecheck.

I decided to book a room only with AAA discount for POFQ in early Oct. and go from there.

Then the MYW with free dining came out for the same dates we originally planned.
I had a quote for this package through Disney.
I then went to AAA to get a quote with free dining. AAA was $10 per person more because there was a $10 per person charge to book it for me. With AAA I'd have to pay in full up front at the time of booking, too. There were no disney dollars, no nothing. They did offer to let me buy a guidebook for $10 though.

Maybe it's just our AAA office. I've heard others getting great deals booking with AAA, but not at our office.
I'm still a AAA member though. You never know when you might need them.

 

[cruzin2paradise]

I've already booked for May 27, 2006 but I booked direct with WDW. I do not have a AAA membership, but would be willing to purchase it if I knew for certain that I'd actually be saving $$$$. I guess my question is could someone run my info through their site with their membership just to see what it would actually cost?

We are going May 27, 2006 - June 4, 2006. We've got a room at CSR. 8-day premium pass with the dining option. I also purchased the insurance. There are 4 of us, 2 adults, 10-year old and a 15-year old. If someone would be so kind as to run this I would be more than appreciative!

Thanks.

 

[HayGan]

The $25 was a special promo that they were offering if you booked by January 31st.

I don't know why the deal is so good (and I didn't know how good it was until today ) I wouldn't think that different offices would be able to get different prices but who knows.

As far as payment, my package payments were due just like a booking directly thru Disney - $200 deposit at time of booking and balance is due 45 days before arrival.

 

[HayGan]

I've already booked for May 27, 2006 but I booked direct with WDW. I do not have a AAA membership, but would be willing to purchase it if I knew for certain that I'd actually be saving $$$$. I guess my question is could someone run my info through their site with their membership just to see what it would actually cost?

We are going May 27, 2006 - June 4, 2006. We've got a room at CSR. 8-day premium pass with the dining option. I also purchased the insurance. There are 4 of us, 2 adults, 10-year old and a 15-year old. If someone would be so kind as to run this I would be more than appreciative!

Thanks.

I don't know of any AAA site that will be able to price a package for you. Call your local office and ask them to price it. I don't have a membership yet and it was no problem for me to book my vacation with them. I'll actually get my membership shortly before I make my final payment!

 

[cruzin2paradise]

Oh - ok, thanks! I was trying to access their website to get a quote, I didn't think about calling even though I didn't have a membership.

thanks again.

 

[OntFamily]

With the exception of the $25 in Disney Dollars (where AAA is kicking back some of their commission from Disney), CRO will apply the same rates as any AAA office (as long as you ask CRO for the AAA rate).


Disney's website will not give quotes on AAA rates -- you have to call them and request it (pretty silly actually -- you'd think they'd want more sales via the web to save money).