New Here - question about AAA discount

[Mushymom]

Hi everyone!

I don't want to book through a travel agency. I don't really have a reason other than I like to do the work myself, though if I can save some $$, I'll do it.

I booked a room today with Disney using my AAA discount, and he told me that if I want the dining plan (going in December, so it won't be free), that I'd have to rebook the room for regular price, then get the dining plan.

Would an AAA agent be able to get me the AAA discount AND the dining plan? If so, maybe we'll just go through an agent (though the CM told me that I got the last AAA discounted room at the Contemporary).

Also, is the dining plan really worth it? It's DH, Me, DD (8 - who eats like a mouse), DS (7 - little piggy) and DS (2 - touch and go with meals).

Thanks!

 

[Nemo14]

Hi everyone!

I don't want to book through a travel agency. I don't really have a reason other than I like to do the work myself, though if I can save some $$, I'll do it.

I booked a room today with Disney using my AAA discount, and he told me that if I want the dining plan (going in December, so it won't be free), that I'd have to rebook the room for regular price, then get the dining plan.

Would an AAA agent be able to get me the AAA discount AND the dining plan? If so, maybe we'll just go through an agent (though the CM told me that I got the last AAA discounted room at the Contemporary).

Also, is the dining plan really worth it? It's DH, Me, DD (8 - who eats like a mouse), DS (7 - little piggy) and DS (2 - touch and go with meals).

Thanks!

I believe he's correct about the AAA discount not being available with the Dining Plan too. You might want to check with Pam at Kingdom Konsultants about this - she's been known to work magic and get people the best deals!

 

[octoberbarry]

You can get the AAA discount on 'room only' bookings directly through WDW reservations. If you want a package with a AAA discount on the room, you have to do it through AAA. You'll still get the discount on the room alone, but the only way to tie it together with the meal plan is to go through your AAA agent. At least that's the way they explained it to me...

 

[shoppingnut]

Hi everyone!


Also, is the dining plan really worth it? It's DH, Me, DD (8 - who eats like a mouse), DS (7 - little piggy) and DS (2 - touch and go with meals).

Thanks!

Look at it this way you and DH are going to be eating no matter what. Considering how many dining reservations you are going to make for character meals and/or buffets because you get charged for the kids whether they eat or not across the board at these places per head. If you plan to do a few of these for dinners just check out the price for the kids which is more than the $11 per day you pay for the meal plan.

FYI - the 2 yr old is free at the buffet's.

Menu's and prices: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

 

[decbysteph]

You can get the AAA discount on 'room only' bookings directly through WDW reservations. If you want a package with a AAA discount on the room, you have to do it through AAA. You'll still get the discount on the room alone, but the only way to tie it together with the meal plan is to go through your AAA agent. At least that's the way they explained it to me...

That is how I understood it as well. I booked through AAA and was told I was getting a room discount and I got the dining plan added to our parkhopper pass package. I really looked into getting the best rates I could, and found that using the AAA agent was the cheapest way. Just for your info, if you do use AAA and they tell you about a special character storytelling available only for AAA guests, be aware that they aren't always available for your stay. We are going December 7-12, and they aren't doing those during that time because of MVMCP. I was a little bummed out to just find that out. Good Luck!

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Just FYI -- it is absolutely true that the only way you can get the meal plan included if you use AAA is to book it through AAA - that is one of their exclusive benefits...BUT...that being said (and I never use the meal plan) for my upcoming trip in September (late september off peak)
Booking directly through Disney Reservations - 5 nights plus 4 day park hopper option at a moderate resort for one person came to 840.00
Booking through AAA with the AAA discount for the exact same package at the AAA discount came to 839.00

In the past, I have gotten some good discounts through them, but in this case, there is no difference in booking direct vs AAA. Make sure you check both.

 

[Mushymom]

Thanks everyone - great information.

Rob - I love Ann Arbor - I'm "up north" in God's country.

Thanks again - I'll call AAA today and see what they have to offer.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Just FYI -- it is absolutely true that the only way you can get the meal plan included if you use AAA is to book it through AAA - that is one of their exclusive benefits...BUT...that being said (and I never use the meal plan) for my upcoming trip in September (late september off peak)
Booking directly through Disney Reservations - 5 nights plus 4 day park hopper option at a moderate resort for one person came to 840.00
Booking through AAA with the AAA discount for the exact same package at the AAA discount came to 839.00

In the past, I have gotten some good discounts through them, but in this case, there is no difference in booking direct vs AAA. Make sure you check both.

Also I would tell you to check through AAA and either through Disney or your travel agent to see what the best deal is. I have been told that because of the Free Dining offer, no additional discounts are being offered on that package regardless of where you book it through!!! Belle

 

[Mushymom]

Also I would tell you to check through AAA and either through Disney or your travel agent to see what the best deal is. I have been told that because of the Free Dining offer, no additional discounts are being offered on that package regardless of where you book it through!!! Belle

We are going in November/December, but I see your point in checking around. Thanks for the advice.

 

[JPVonDrake]

To clearify....

The AAA offer is not a member entitlement but a promotional Discounted Marketing offer available only to AAA members.

The AAA Room Only Discount Marketing Offer is currently offered for travel dates January 1 - December 19, 2006. This offer is available to book directly through Disney Reservation Center (phone only), AAA Travel Offices, or any Travel Agency (such as Kingdom Konsultants) based on availability of the discounted rooms. The Guest must provided a valid AAA membership number at the time of booking, and present a current valid AAA membership card upon check-in.

The AAA Vacation Package Discount Marketing Offer is currently offered for travel dates January 1 - December 19, 2006. This offer is available to book ONLY through a AAA Travel Office, and again is based on availability of the discounted rooms. The Guest must provided a valid AAA membership number at the time of booking, and present a current valid AAA membership card upon check-in.

As with all discount marketing offers, there is a limited number of rooms available at each Resort, for each date during the offer period. Once the discounted rooms sell out for a given date or location, they are gone and do not come back. Guest cancellations will not increase the number of available discounted rooms. Resort Management may, from time to time, increase the number of available discounted rooms for any given marketing offer, but this is VERY RARE and normally only happens when large groups, conventions, or wholesalers release large quantities of un-used rooms back to Disney.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[DisneyMarg]

JP we love you!

 

[FlamingoLady]

I just booked a package with the dining plan thru my AAA agent. It is true you can't get the AAA discount on a package with the dining plan anywhere except thru the AAA travel agency. I had priced the same package thru several "Disney specialist" sites and my AAA agent beat their prices by $150.00 to $350.00. I think the dining plan is a great value if you want to eat in some of the better restaurants instead of doing the fast food/food court thing all the time. The last time we went we figured we came out about $400.00 ahead! Nest trip Dec 5 - 10 CBR:xmas:

 

[dzlandSr]

Do you get much of a discount on value or moderate rooms only being a AAA member? Didn't know if it was worth joining AAA to get room only discounts?

 

[eroyee]

AAA discount

:wave: We got 20% off our room at POP in February. I think they offered 15% off the moderates. WE thought AAA was a pretty good deal for room only. Actually, we called Disney later and ordered our tickets thru them anyway. Have a magical trip!! we are back Jan. 2007!:sohappy:

 

[wannabeBelle]

Do you get much of a discount on value or moderate rooms only being a AAA member? Didn't know if it was worth joining AAA to get room only discounts?

the correct answer for that is sometimes!!!! AAA has discounts on packages and room only reservations at a set rate the whole year through ( or just about) and they are announced all at one time for any calendar year, so planning is much easier. On the downside if Disney runs any package specials it is usually not announced until a short while before the promotional special is due to start, but the deals are usually far better than what you could have originally gotten through AAA. Annual Passholder rates are always better than the AAA deals however we arent always sure that AP rates will be released for any given portion of the year!!! Or the current Disney promotion of the Free Dining Plan, In that case AAA and Disney are charging the same rates as the discount is built into the free dining!! So as you see it really does depend on the circumstances!!! Sorry I couldnt be of more help, Belle

 

[Woody13]

The bottom line is that room reservations at WDW are a maze full of twisty dark passages. Sometimes, a travel agent can help find the best rate and sometimes they are way off the mark. WDW does not control all of the available room reservations. They sell blocks of rooms to AAA, PriceLine, Travelocity, etc. at reduced rates.

The discount room rates are limited based upon time of year, resort location and other factors. Most travel agents aren't going to help you in finding these discounts. You've got to look for them yourself. I have, once in a while, found a travel agent that could find a significant room discount for me. However, most of the time, I can find a better deal on my own because I've got a lot of experience.

My theory is that you should use all resources available including a travel agent because you have nothing to lose. If the travel agent finds you a good deal, it doesn't cost you a dime! The problem is that WDW (and others) inflate their room prices to cover travel agent expenses.:wave:

 

[FlamingoLady]

AAA Rates

I found that both the AAA web site and Disney Reservations were offerinf the same rates for room only. If you do reserve room only be sure to compare ticket prices also. AAA offers a pretty good price and you can purchase them at you home AAA office before you go. My great price was the package with dining - room, PH tickets and dining. My understanding is that the room and tickets may be discounted but no the dining plan - it's an add on after the discount.

 

[dzlandSr]

:wave: We got 20% off our room at POP in February. I think they offered 15% off the moderates. WE thought AAA was a pretty good deal for room only. Actually, we called Disney later and ordered our tickets thru them anyway. Have a magical trip!! we are back Jan. 2007!:sohappy:

We will be there in Jan. 2007 also!

Thanks for everyones knowledge and replies! :wave:

 

[JPVonDrake]

Just to clarify...

They sell blocks of rooms to AAA, PriceLine, Travelocity, etc. at reduced rates.

While it is true that Disney does sell discounted blocks of rooms to wholesalers, who then re-sell 100 % of them at a discount to their clients, AAA is not a wholesaler.

I found that both the AAA web site and Disney Reservations were offering the same rates for room only.

AAA Travel is the "official travel agency of the Walt Disney World Resort" and therefore has a special discount marketing offer for their members. While 100% of the rooms booked with a given wholesaler will be discounted, not so with AAA. As a discount marketing offer, the number of rooms available with the discount is limited. Once all the rooms on a given date sells out for a given Resort, the rooms are gone. AAA Travel can still book rooms for that date and Resort based on availability, but at current rack rates.

Do you get much of a discount on value or moderate rooms only being a AAA member? Didn't know if it was worth joining AAA to get room only discounts?

If available, the discount varies based resort, room category, and travel dates but is either 10%, 15% or 20% off current rack rates.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[Woody13]

While it is true that Disney does sell discounted blocks of rooms to wholesalers, who then re-sell 100 % of them at a discount to their clients, AAA is not a wholesaler.

Hi JP! :wave: The point I was trying to make is that many people come to this forum and lament that they can't get a room at WDW for a particular date. They state that "all the rooms are booked...".

In my experience, I have never found WDW to be completely booked. There are always rooms available, if not from Disney Travel or CRO, then from other sources.

Same deal applies to discounts. :wave: