AAA Diamond Parking Pass

[BigDopeyMom]

I read somewhere on the DISboards that AAA members can obtain a Diamond Parking Pass from their local AAA branch even if they did not book their Disney trip through AAA. I just called two local branch locations and was told that in order to receive the Diamond Parking Pass I had to either book my package through AAA or buy Park tickets through AAA.

Has anyone been able to get the Diamond Parking pass without purchasing their trip/park tickets through AAA????

 

[CalvaryMike]

It varies by region.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

I called several branches in Michigan and no luck.

 

[CarolA]

My AAA is the book a package deal.

I think that the standard is you have to spend SOME money and I fully understand that!

 

[BigDopeyMom]

My AAA is the book a package deal.

I think that the standard is you have to spend SOME money and I fully understand that!

Yes I understand the spending money part. I booked my Free Dining package online directly through Disney...then recently decided to rent a car - just thought I could get the parking pass as an AAA "Plus" member. If I try to rebook the ressie through AAA I might lose my free dining. If AAA cancels my ressie and then tries to rebook it I am screwed since the free dining promo is over. Disney said that I could have AAA do a "takeover" of the ressie by faxing them permission to do so, but I am too afraid that AAA will cancel my existing ressie.

We are renting a car because we are going to do a few days outside WDW (Universal, Seaworld, etc...) Not even sure we will use the car to drive to Disney Parks, but wanted to have the parking pass in case we did take the car.

What is everyone's opinion of driving vs. Disney bus to the parks. I read that some people prefer the bus to MK because when you drive you have to then get on the tram and monorail.

We have been to Disney every year for the past 3 years and have always used Disney transportation to/from parks. So we aren't really sure which we will prefer....

 

[goofy4tink]

It does differ by agency. But I have to agree with others. Why would AAA feel they needed to just hand out perks to someone who didn't use them to book their trip. But, that is neither here nor there.
A AAA pass only gets you a closer parking spot. In most cases, it is a bit closer than the bus stops, at MK it is further away because the parking lot makes the guest take either the monorail or the ferry to MK proper. And you have to take a tram from the parking area to the TTC to get either the monorail or ferry.

The buses are pretty much okay. If it's easier to take a car, then go for it. But I wouldn't obsess over whether or not I couldn't get the AAA pass.

 

[mickey2000]

Don't forget it also gets you a discount card!

 

[gaffney09]

Thanks for posting the brochure (even though on my computer, it didn't fully load). Do you happen to know if you can 1st book a room only reservation with AAA, then add the dining plan and park hopper tickets later? Also, when you book with AAA, how much is due up front? Is it just the one night's stay as a deposit? Any info you can give me about booking with AAA would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[imthatgirl]

i have gotten it the past 3 years. i dont call, i just show up at the office and say im there to pick up a pass. i dont know if they assume ive called before and was told to come in, but they always have given it to me. and theyve never checked my AAA card.

 

[son3disfan]

I get a pass at our local office ( in Ontario) every year we go, without booking through them , or buying tickets.
It does depend on which office you are dealing with.

Have you thought about making a trip into the office , asking for some Florida maps ( maybe a trip tic map too..) and that might help. They do have some behind the counter in the office I deal with.

The passes are not as useful as they have been in past years. The lots have been full on our most recent trips in the spring.At MK , we were told the lot was closed for the week. We ending up being able to park closer on the left hand side of the lot.. .
Maybe they are making some changes.....or maybe they were just painting.

Good luck.

 

[Anjelica]

Per AAA's own website you just need to purchase park tickets through them.

 

[Brian Noble]

It is important to remember that there isn't just one "AAA", there are several different clubs that together form the association. For example, AAA-Michigan is not the same as AAA-West Penn. Different clubs have different rules about what you need to do to get one of these.

AAA-MI is one that requires a package booking. The club that covers NYC only requires that you buy a ticket. Every once in a while, you might find a branch that hands them out to just anyone, but that would be the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Inkmahm]

I had the AAA parking pass for our trip last December. It wouldn't have mattered one way or the other, the parking benefit isn't that great IMHO. Most of the time, you do just as well parking with the "regular" people and taking the tram in. I won't bother to get it again. Of course, I don't need the discounts as I have an annual pass and DVC membership with the DDE card already.

 

[Anjelica]

It is important to remember that there isn't just one "AAA", there are several different clubs that together form the association. For example, AAA-Michigan is not the same as AAA-West Penn. Different clubs have different rules about what you need to do to get one of these.

AAA-MI is one that requires a package booking. The club that covers NYC only requires that you buy a ticket. Every once in a while, you might find a branch that hands them out to just anyone, but that would be the exception rather than the rule.

Correct - however there is a reciprocal agreement between the clubs which allows for any member of another AAA to receive member services from any club that has the reciprocal agreement. Now - whether the AAA you go to would honor say what your local AAA guarantees - guess it depends. It is my understanding they are supposed to honor any and all services you have with say your local AAA BUT it appears not all of them do so.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You can transfer your existing reservation to an AAA travel office. This is what I've done in the past. I get my freedining package AND my AAA benefits, including the parking pass. Very simple, actually.

Yes I understand the spending money part. I booked my Free Dining package online directly through Disney...then recently decided to rent a car - just thought I could get the parking pass as an AAA "Plus" member. If I try to rebook the ressie through AAA I might lose my free dining. If AAA cancels my ressie and then tries to rebook it I am screwed since the free dining promo is over. Disney said that I could have AAA do a "takeover" of the ressie by faxing them permission to do so, but I am too afraid that AAA will cancel my existing ressie.

We are renting a car because we are going to do a few days outside WDW (Universal, Seaworld, etc...) Not even sure we will use the car to drive to Disney Parks, but wanted to have the parking pass in case we did take the car.

What is everyone's opinion of driving vs. Disney bus to the parks. I read that some people prefer the bus to MK because when you drive you have to then get on the tram and monorail.

We have been to Disney every year for the past 3 years and have always used Disney transportation to/from parks. So we aren't really sure which we will prefer....

 

[gaffney09]

I just stopped in to my AAA office (in OH) today and picked up some info about booking through them. All they had to give me was a little magazine, but it did list some of the discounts and perks that they offer (if booking through them)- here are just a few-
1) 10-20% off rooms (depending on season and resort)
*I'm staying at the WL in 2nd wk in Dec. so I'll get 15% off
2) Certificate for an additional 30 minutes on a SeaRaycer watercraft rental when you purchase 60 min.
3) $15 certificate to Planet Hollywood for food and a souvenir merchandise keepsake (in Downtown Disney)
4) Preferred Fireworks viewing (one viewing per theme park; voucher required; available when you purchase the Magic Your Way Premium or Magic Your Way platinum packages through AAA)
5) Up to 30% off the dining plan
6) 10-20% off Park tickets
7) 20% the Richard Petty Driving Experience
8) 10% off purchases at World of Disney store (with a purchase of $50 or more- some exclusions on merchandise apply)
9) AAA Diamond Parking pass for preferred parking at the theme parks

Those are just a few! Which definitely make having a AAA membership completely worth it! Hope this helps some of you!

 

[pipervali]

I picked up our Disney tickets and Universal ones today at our local AAA branch. I asked about the Diamond Parking Passes, and the counter woman was more than happy to give me one. So no package purchase needed.

 

[abeyst]

We had a pass last week, and we only found it helpful at HS and Epcot - both had very close parking and short walks. AK and MK were HUGE walks to the entrance.

after our first rental car last week, I'll never go back to riding a bus. Having a car was heaven!