Getting ready to book a December stay at POR through AAA. Does anyone have any last minute tips, this is the first time I am booking through AAA, just reserving the accomodations and park hoppers. I'll do the airplane tickets at a later date. Can AAA be trusted to make a building request when booking? I was going to request building 14,15 or 18 in the Alligator Bayou section. Then follow up directly with POR a week before my trip? Does AAA provide you with a reservation number that I can use to reference my reservation when I deal directly with WDW? Last question, at POR when hitting the bus depots in the morning I have read the south depot is the most crowded, but is that where they start the run? So the best shot at getting a seat? Thanks.
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Booking through AAA
- Thread starter joesupra
- Start date
Ariel484
Well-Known Member
I can't really help with the building requests and anything with POR, but we booked through AAA as well for our trip (less than 2 weeks!!!). Like you, we did the flights ourselves and called AAA to give them the information. They sent us a receipt in the mail with our confirmation number, which is what I used to make our ADRs. Our DME tags came into the AAA office and we picked them up this past weekend...but yeah, long story short, they do give you that confirmation number.
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mickey7879
Member
We've booked with AAA many times and have only done it over email. I email the same person everytime I need info on Disney or wheverever else we're traveling. I booked the room through them and then just bought the tickets when we were at another AAA office. She emailed me all the info she receieved from Disney that they emailed her, (confirmation, room requests, etc) Then she also sent me a hard copy and also sent anything else she received from Disney. If I had any questions, she responded right away. It was so easy to book with her. And never had any problems. She can request rooms just like you'd be able to. You could also follow up with Disney and make sure your requests are correct. Good luck and have fun!
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kitten2299
New Member
I believe that if you book through a travel agent even with telling WDW your confirmation number they will only talk to the travel agent about your reservations. When you put in your request just ask again when you check in. I was told that is the best thing to do since when checking in they can overlook a room request by accident. But the confirmation number is good for when booking ADRs.
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Yep. Calling the resort won't do any good. It's actually a call center that answers all front desk calls and for ABC and other Disney properties.
They'll bounce you straight to the reservation center as long as you aren't currently registered or trying to reach a registered guest.
The department they send you to might not be able to even help you as it's the incorrect department. Even if you get to the right department, depending on the cast member they will likely tell you to call your travel agent as legally it's their booking not yours.
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AGentlRose
New Member
Instead of booking through AAA, I have called Disney directly and asked for the AAA rate, and made my specific requests known to the CM reservationist.
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figmentisgreat
New Member
I booked through AAA last trip and would never do it again.
The service was fine, the woman took care of everything...
but you cannot do any changes or anything through Disney. If you want to change your hotel, you have to go through the agent, if you have any questions about your trip, you cannot just call Disney.
I am too much of an -retentive control freak!
The service was fine, the woman took care of everything...
but you cannot do any changes or anything through Disney. If you want to change your hotel, you have to go through the agent, if you have any questions about your trip, you cannot just call Disney.
I am too much of an -retentive control freak!
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AGentlRose
New Member
That's why I make go through Disney and ask for AAA rate. You get the discount and the ability to access and/or modify your own reservations.
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DizneyPryncess
Well-Known Member
There's pros & cons to AAA. I always book with them, because I get to deal with one person. They've always been great about getting me the room I want, at the best rates. They put in requests on my honeymoon, and Disney received them because we had surprises in our room from our resort. So I do think you can trust them w/your requests. They make their business from repeat customers, so they will strive to make you happy.
The con is that your confirmation number is AAA's confirmation number, not Disney's, as others have said. When I wanted to make ADR's 90 days out, plus 10, I didn't have a confirmation number to give them that they would have on file. So that is kind of annoying. All in all though - I do think the pros outweight the cons.
The con is that your confirmation number is AAA's confirmation number, not Disney's, as others have said. When I wanted to make ADR's 90 days out, plus 10, I didn't have a confirmation number to give them that they would have on file. So that is kind of annoying. All in all though - I do think the pros outweight the cons.
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partyoffour
New Member
It all depends on the AAA agent u have taking care of u. Mine was horrible all 3 times I used them so I booked myself this year thru Disney . It was much easier for me to put in all my requests instead of relying on someone else to do it. I found that Disney and AAA have the same discounts like free dining . I cannot get my 10% or whatever the discount rate is with a Disney special it has to be one or the other. It just was horrible every time I used them. One year I requested and paid for a preferred room got there and was in the way back of the resort. Then last year I had to call to remind the agent that free dining was during the time of my stay, she was like "Really ? I never heard of that" I almost lost it cause she had been an agent for 5 years just doing disney how do u not know the discounts. Ugh the stress it caused before my trip was crazy. So after 3 times of having people that kept messing up i decided to do it on my own. I will let you know if after my trip I will be firing myself !! LOL
How do u get AAA discount thru Disney?? I was told u have to call AAA to get that discount that they do not give it?? i am curious do you call a differ # ???
How do u get AAA discount thru Disney?? I was told u have to call AAA to get that discount that they do not give it?? i am curious do you call a differ # ???
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AGentlRose
New Member
I called the regular 407-W-DISNEY number, when I get the CM for resort reservations, I ask if there is availability at the resort for a AAA discount.
There are a certain amount of rooms set aside for it and depending on the season, it might be 20%, sometimes it's only 10%. I've done it both with WDW and Disneyland, and got the discounts every time.
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Yep. Just ask about AAA discounts or free dining or whatever discount you hear about.
You can't just ask are there any discounts available. You have to get to a targeted phrase/general vicinity to get them to say anything or offer.
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Tiggerfanatic
Well-Known Member
I just got off the phone with Disney, and the CM I talked to said she could not apply my AAA discount, that I had to go through my agent. Like others have said, I'd rather deal direct with Disney so I can make any changes, but it looks like I'll be stopping at the AAA office on way home tonight.
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AGentlRose
New Member
I've done it three times at WDW and twice at Disneyland. I would call and hope for another CM. They will not combine discounts (like AAA and Free Dining) A lot does depend on the CM you get, speaking from experience. I called in December for our November trip and the first CM I spoke with told me that there was no availability at the Poly except for Club Level/Lagoon. This wasn't Thanksgiving weekend, so I couldn't fathom why there would be no availability. I hung up and called back, got another CM, who showed availability in EVERY room category at the Poly.
I've read about others experiences with the Disney Reservations and they've had similar problems, one CM will say "can't do", they call back and get someone who can.
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AGentlRose
New Member
Just a note to clarify: When I booked through Disney to get the AAA discount, it was "room only", not a package. I have never tried for any packages because we have APs.
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If you already have a reservation made through a travel agent, any possible discount/change to the reservation must be made through that travel agent.
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magiconmainstrt
New Member
Yep, this is how we book every year. Call WDW direct and ask for the AAA rate-
also, I am not sure what the discount is for the park hopper at AAA compared to other Disney supported discounted tickets online or the advance purchase rate at Disney Stores nationwide, might be worth comparing.
Have a magical time!
also, I am not sure what the discount is for the park hopper at AAA compared to other Disney supported discounted tickets online or the advance purchase rate at Disney Stores nationwide, might be worth comparing.
Have a magical time!
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Tiggerfanatic
Well-Known Member
I didn't have a reservation - I called Disney to make one and was told they could not give me the AAA discount. However, I did stop last night at the AAA office, and got the exact same price from them as I did from disney, so apparently there is no AAA discount with this particular free dining promotion. I decided to call Disney again and book thru them, as the CM I spoke to gave me a choice of dining plans to choose from - figured I might as well go for the Deluxe, then I could eat where ever I want.
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You cannot combine discounts. That's the reason then. You can't combine a AAA discount with the free dining. You have to choose which you would rather have.
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