AAA Black Diamond Parking

[daveandlisat]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has booked through AAA and received:

AAA Diamond Parking - Convenient Preferred Parking spaces at all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks. (subject to availability, voucher required, block-out dates apply)

If so, where is it and it is worth it?

Thanks ~Lisa

 

[southcarolinagirl]

We had one last year & really enjoyed it at EPCOT, it parks you way to left by the kennels, you just walk to the inspection and into the park. We didnt find it very helpful at MK, it parks you over by the Handicapped parking and is quite a haul to the park (might be worth it if we had a stroller) same at AK. Didnt use it at HS. HTH

 

[SandrA9810]

It's really helpful at Studios. It parks you in the front lot, behind the bus area. Cross the tram lane, and there's a 2 person security check, and then you're right there. I find it a lot nicer than coming from the tram area.

MK is a joke when it comes to the prefered parking... the trams never stop at that lot unless they're using the dwarf side (party nights or really busy days). And that is a haul. I'd wait in line for three trams to get to my car than take that walk after a long day.

Epcot, I've entered from that parking lot before. With the new gate up, and the security checks on either side of the monorail, it's more of a haul. Before you just walk up to the turnstiles for bag check, and parking over there wasn't a hassle.

DAK, A lot of people tend to walk to their car. It's a hit or miss. If you have a stroller, it might be better to use it, so you don't have to take your little ones out to get to the car.

But if you don't like where you're parking, just pass by it, go through towards the exit and re-enter the parking lot. There's usually a turn around right before or after the toll plaza that puts you back with the flow of traffic. *guilty of doing that one a couple of times*

 

[dopeynme]

DH and I agree, it is worthwhile at all except MK.

 

[BradyBz12]

Last time we used this was a couple of years ago. The day we tried to go to AK the AAA spots were already full, so we couldn't use it (there are a limited number of spots per lot). We used it at EP a couple of times, and it does drop you in the first few rows of the lot, but if you end up at the far end of the row you still have a pretty long walk to the gates, and the trams don't run here.

 

[daveandlisat]

Thanks for the quick responses....how do you let them know you are parking for AAA parking??

 

[BradyBz12]

Just show them your Diamond Pass at the parking toll booths and they'll tell you where to go.

 

[standleyent1]

We have used the AAA Diamond parking for years and thought that all were great with the exception of the MK parking. I would rather take the bus from our resort because they drop you off, decently, close to the front of the MK.

The MGM (sorry can't get use to DHS) parking is the best because as one PP stated you get to park in the front of the lot and cross over the tram lanes and you get to use a semi private entrance that only has 2 security guards and everyone thinks that it IS a private entrance or employee entrance and are skeptical about using it.

The AK one can be good if you can get there before all of the very few spaces are gone. Its easy access straight to the gates.

When you pull into the MK just follow the green stripe on the pavement and the signs and then if there is an attendant just pull up to him and show him your pass and he will direct you to the Diamond parking area.

At Epcot you just follow the green stripe and the signs, usually there is not an attendant. Stay to the left and go all the way to the front of the parking where it says RV and Semi parking and turn right, then, go all the way down to the end of that row and you should find a place right there. You will be able to walk into the gate area by the kennel, keep in mind that the fence they have put there looks like you have to go around but if you look closely you will see a couple of gates that you can pass through.

DHS you just have to go with the others until you reach the attendant and then show him your pass and he will direct you to the Diamond parking area if there is any available.

Good luck, Have Fun!!

 

[Buckeye Princess]

Is this parking only available if you book through AAA or also if you are just a AAA member?

 

[BradyBz12]

Is this parking only available if you book through AAA or also if you are just a AAA member?

It varies by office. Some AAA offices will just hand out the passes to members, but others (like the one here in Southern NH) require that you book a package through them in order to get one. Give your local office a call.

 

[SandrA9810]

There are gates next to the kennel at Epcot, but as a guest you can't use them. That's strictly for CM's that use the front parking lot. They also park behind the RV spaces. Because after they enter through that gate, they have their own security check inside the door. There's usually a guard or two watching the gate to make sure no one comes in.

I went through the gate one time because I badly needed to go pee. I had just got done walking my dog and there was no way I was going to walk over to the monorail to walk all the way back to that end to use the restrooms. Plus I had nothing on me. The guard gave me heck, but I told him I was only going pee. I'm sure during busy season they might open those gates up with temporary tables to help keep the guests flowing through. But I usually find the guards bored on the east side of the monorail station (opposite of the tram drop off/monorail ramp exit).