AAA Diamond Parking Pass

[inkkognito]

Normally parking is 12 per car. The AAA parking pass allows AAA members to park closer to the park, in the handicapped area.

Nope, it doesn't allow you to park in the handicapped area. AAA is its own area, although usually close to handicapped. You are SIGNIFICANTLY closer at AK and Epcot. It's fair at the Studio, and ALL MK parking is lousy, but it's slightly less lousy than the rest. I am an avowed tram hater...lines and crowds inside the parks are bad enough without fighting them to board a tram too. I use the heck out of my AAA pass...best invention ever.

 

[Native NYer]

I called the the Manhattan AAA office yesterday. The woman I spoke to said the AAA Diamond Parking Pass will be included when I buy tickets next week.

I agree with Inkkognito. I hate riding the trams. If we can just walk to the entrance, I'll be VERY happy.

 

[kreed]

Inkkognito,
Do you find you have to arrive first thing in the morning to get a AAA spot? My teens may end up doing Water Parks first in morn and then heading to parks around 2 or 3. What do think the chances of using our AAA spot at that time would be?
Thanks for your insight,
Kathleen

 

[inkkognito]

It all depends on the park. AK has a very small AAA area, although they will usually let you park in the adjacent Peacock sections if it's full. Epcot, MK and DHS take longer to fill, and usually people who get there early and use 'em will start leaving so the the CM directing traffic if you can check even if he says it's full. I can count on my fingers the number of times we're been turned away (not counting special events), and that is out of dozens and dozens of uses.

 

[laughinplace199]

I ordered park passes online from AAA and when I received my passes, there was also a parking pass in the package.

Since we usually go to the parks right at opening, I didn't use the AAA pass often. However, it came in handy one night when I took my 3 kids to MK by myself. DH & my dad were golfing and we were all meeting at MK for dinner. My mom was supposed to come with me and the kids, but she wasn't feeling well, so she stayed at the hotel. Being able to park close to the T & TC was a lifesaver! I can't imagine how it would have been if I had to take the tram with 3 little ones and a stroller.

 

[kreed]

It all depends on the park. AK has a very small AAA area, although they will usually let you park in the adjacent Peacock sections if it's full. Epcot, MK and DHS take longer to fill, and usually people who get there early and use 'em will start leaving so the the CM directing traffic if you can check even if he says it's full. I can count on my fingers the number of times we're been turned away (not counting special events), and that is out of dozens and dozens of uses.

Inkognito,
Thanks so much for your insights. I really appreciate them.

 

[Brian Noble]

Remember that there really isn't any such thing as "AAA"---it's a loose confederation of several more-or-less-independent regional auto clubs. They jointly negotiate for disocunts, but each club is apparently allowed to set its own rules about when they do and don't hand out the diamond pass. For example, AAA-NY will give you one with as little as a single ticket. AAA-MI requires that you book a package.

So, the answer to this question depends on where you live.

 

[abc999]

I got the Diamond Pass when I purchased my tickets at an AAA office in Kissimmee.

Also, a native NYer

 

[MyMuse]

NativeNYer..FYI I called the AAA direct number and I was told that the parking pass is given to AAA member upon purchase of AAA tickets (as long as they are 3+ days) without question or problem. The gentleman said it is supposed to be honored at ALL AAA branches, and if not you can call the main AAA number and complain..

Hope this helps and I am humbled to admit that I was wrong

I bought 3 day P/H in May and nothing was said to me about the parking pass. But then again, my local/nearest branch are a little brain dead. I didn't really need one since i was staying on-site.

I have to buy more park tickets for my trip in December and I'm staying off-site, so it would come in very handy! I wonder if I can get a parking pass then? Hmm.....

 

[Brian Noble]

Depending on where you are in Northern New Jersey, you are not visiting a AAA-NY office. It could be AAA-Mid Atlantic, or AAA-NJ. They may well have different rules for handing out the passes than does AAA-NY.

 

[MyMuse]

Depending on where you are in Northern New Jersey, you are not visiting a AAA-NY office. It could be AAA-Mid Atlantic, or AAA-NJ. They may well have different rules for handing out the passes than does AAA-NY.

It would be AAA-NJ. My local branch tends to make up its own rules.

I called National HQ for another issue and got an immediate refund. Their travel agents are less then enthused about booking Disney trips. One would figure it's their bread & butter....

I'll see what they say when I go to check out the prices for December park tickets. I'll be checking if I can get better pricing somewhere else, but the parking pass would sure sway things.

 

[MyMuse]

I visited yesterday afternoon to get a pricing list. I asked if there prices were going up and I got a "what are you talking about?". They did not get any notice as of yesterday of any price increase, so .

I asked specifically about the parking pass and I was told I definitely can get one for buying only tickets, I do not have to purchase a package.

Of course, when I go back to buy, this may change.

I've been looking around and I do not see anyone else with better pricing than AAA, especially with the parking pass.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just remember, the parking pass has NO monetary value. If you're staying offsite, you still need to pay the same $12 as your fellow offsiters.

 

[kreed]

I visited yesterday afternoon to get a pricing list. I asked if there prices were going up and I got a "what are you talking about?". They did not get any notice as of yesterday of any price increase, so .

I asked specifically about the parking pass and I was told I definitely can get one for buying only tickets, I do not have to purchase a package.

Of course, when I go back to buy, this may change.

I've been looking around and I do not see anyone else with better pricing than AAA, especially with the parking pass.

The mousesavers link to undercover tourist made my ticket (6 day waterpark) about five dollars cheaper but I decided it was easier to get them at my local AAA office. Just wanted to pass this on in case you were interested in the cheaper price.

 

[MyMuse]

Just remember, the parking pass has NO monetary value. If you're staying offsite, you still need to pay the same $12 as your fellow offsiters.

Yes, this I know. I am staying off-site this time since my fam gave me a surprise timeshare condo, so I can't justify staying on-site when a free week is staring me in the face.

The mousesavers link to undercover tourist made my ticket (6 day waterpark) about five dollars cheaper but I decided it was easier to get them at my local AAA office. Just wanted to pass this on in case you were interested in the cheaper price.

In that case, it is cheaper, but I only want 5 day, which Undercover Tourist does not have.
Yes, they do it all there and you have it and you just have to walk up to the turnstiles. Sweet!
With the added plus of the parking pass, I think I'm going to go with AAA.

 

[MyMuse]

I visited yesterday afternoon to get a pricing list. I asked if there prices were going up and I got a "what are you talking about?". They did not get any notice as of yesterday of any price increase, so .

I asked specifically about the parking pass and I was told I definitely can get one for buying only tickets, I do not have to purchase a package.

Of course, when I go back to buy, this may change.

I've been looking around and I do not see anyone else with better pricing than AAA for a 5 day hopper, especially with the parking pass.

So, I went back today and indeed, no price increase (yet) and I did get a parking pass. I did have to ask for it several times, though. I hope I can keep it for all 5 days.

I'm not going until December, but I wanted one thing DONE.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, you can keep it for your entire trip. You show it, you don't hand it over to anyone.

 

[erinch]

if I go online for my AAA branch in western PA they only have 7 day passes. We need 10 day passes. does anyone know if these are upgradeable once you get to WDW, and what the price is?

also, does anyone know if there is anyway to get an annual pass at the AAA price (which our local branch doesn't sell) without physically going to an auto club south office? (We arrive on Saturday, and they're not open till Monday). we need one annual pass for DH, who doesn't go to water parks or DQ, for parking and for TIW.

thanks!