AAA and Free Parking-FL Resident

[twocat]

I have AAA and will probably make several day trips to WDW and am wondering how I can get the free parking associated with the AAA membership.

Some thinkgs to know:
I have a FL Resident Seasonal pass which does not allow free parking.
I will not be staying on-site. I'd drive back and forth from home to WDW in one day.

And maybe I'm all wet and there IS no free parking, just a designated area for AAA members.

Anyone know?

Donna

 

[Chuck S]

I'm not a AAA member, but I thought the AAA parking was only a designated area, the "Diamond Lot", usually located near the handicap parking areas and not a "free parking" thing. Not even DVC members are entitled to free parking when staying offsite, except for valet parking at DVC associated resorts that offer the service. I think free parking to offsite/local guests is only with a full annual pass.

I also believe that you need a Diamond Lot pass of some sort, and the rules for obtaining it seems to vary from AAA affiliate to affiliate...some have reported getting the pass when they buy park passes through AAA, other have reported only getting it when they make onsite ressies through an AAA office.

 

[lajones81]

I just got the pass, which, yes, is just to move you closer to the front of the parking lot. It is not for free parking.

 

[Twende]

I thought the seasonal annual pass included free parking?

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't think the seasonal pass does, from what I have read from others here.
My understanding is the AAA Diamond parking requires a parking pass that are provided only to guests who book WDW package through AAA.

 

[twocat]

Thanks for all your help!

I will try though to see if my Seasonal Pass works for parking. If not, oh well...Doesn't matter since it's such an incredible deal to begin with!

Donna

 

[Luv2Roam]

LOoking at the Disney web site, the Annual and Premium passes specifically lists parking as a perk. The seasonal does not.

 

[Twende]

We will have a member of our party that will be in a wheel chair. We were hoping to travel from our resort, the CR, to a few of the parks by car to avoid the hassle of putting a wheel chair on the Disney buses.

We have a handicaped parking sticker, the AAA Diamond pass and we will have a FL resident Seasonal pass. Will any of these allow free parking at the parks?

Also we wanted to check out the RainForest in AK before we try going there for a dinner. Just wanted to test the sound level and see if it was too much for a certain party member. I need to know if there is a separate parking lot for the resturant or do we need to go into the AK parking and possibly pay there? We will only need a few minutes inside to see how well it is tolerated.

 

[Chuck S]

We will have a member of our party that will be in a wheel chair. We were hoping to travel from our resort, the CR, to a few of the parks by car to avoid the hassle of putting a wheel chair on the Disney buses.

We have a handicaped parking sticker, the AAA Diamond pass and we will have a FL resident Seasonal pass. Will any of these allow free parking at the parks?

Also we wanted to check out the RainForest in AK before we try going there for a dinner. Just wanted to test the sound level and see if it was too much for a certain party member. I need to know if there is a separate parking lot for the resturant or do we need to go into the AK parking and possibly pay there? We will only need a few minutes inside to see how well it is tolerated.

Simply the fact that you are an onsite resort guest will get you free parking at the theme parks. You will be issued a parking pass to place on your dashboards when you check-in at the CR. It is not good for free valet-type parking.

You will need to park in the AK main lot for Rainforest Cafe.

Also, assuming you have a handicap placard (or the person on the wheelchair does?) be sure to bring it with you if you are flying in and renting a car. The handicap spaces are closer than the AAA Diamond lots at most locations. Also, the handicap placard will allow you free valet parking at Disney resorts (be sure to tip).

After you pass the toll plaza/entry for the theme park parking, look for a blue line inthe road and follow that to the Handicap parking.

 

[GoldenOldie]

...We have a handicaped parking sticker, the AAA Diamond pass and we will have a FL resident Seasonal pass. Will any of these allow free parking at the parks?

Sorry, none of those allows for free parking at the theme parks. But since you are staying at the CR, that will allow you to park for free.

Also we wanted to check out the RainForest in AK before we try going there for a dinner. Just wanted to test the sound level and see if it was too much for a certain party member. I need to know if there is a separate parking lot for the resturant or do we need to go into the AK parking and possibly pay there? We will only need a few minutes inside to see how well it is tolerated.

RFC does not have a separate parking area. You park in the regular AK parking lot.

 

[Twende]

Thanks for your answers! So the resort stay will give us free parking!

That is the last thing I expected to hear!

We just wanted the option to drive to perhaps AK instead of taking the bus.

 

[chyam]

Donna,
The seasonal pass does not give you free parking,I like you am in the Tampa area and make many day trips with my pass. You will love the seasonal pass, the black out dates are usually times "us residents" wouldn't want to be there anyways. As far as the AAA parking, it used to be all you had to do was show a AAA card to go to the diamond lots, but that has since changed. And in reality I don't think those parking lots are much better other than at EPCOT. The one at MK is close but you end up walking to the gates instead of catching the tram, and believe me at the end of the day that walk seems long. After your drive on I4 to WDW from Tampa you will want to relax It can be a thrill ride in itself with all the construction..........welcome to the area!