AAA Parade viewing

[Princess Sleepy]

I have my package booked through AAA and just found out that I can reserve preferred parade seating for the afternoon parade at MK. Has anyone done this? I guess the seating is on the second floor of the Town Hall and I am wondering if it is worth it. Can you just go right before the parade starts and avoid an hour on the curb? Can you see just as well as being at street level? We have always watched from the curb right across from Casey's.

 

[mariepapa]

You could go right before, but you won't get front row. You would probably get 5 rows back. And the AAA parade viewing sounds wonderful. I would do it.

 

[helenk]

I'm not sure where the AAA special viewing is, but if you want to see the parade from Main street generally you need to get your spot well before the parade starts.
I prefer to watch the parades from Frontierland. I've been able to get a good spot just a half of an hour before the parade starts.

 

[toymom10]

I'm not sure where the AAA special viewing is, but if you want to see the parade from Main street generally you need to get your spot well before the parade starts.
I prefer to watch the parades from Frontierland. I've been able to get a good spot just a half of an hour before the parade starts.

Is this option open to any AAA memeber, even if you did not book through them? Thanks for the info

 

[curseofcurves]

I'm curious who this applies to, as well. Do you have to book your entire package from them to get this? Or will just booking tickets give you the ability?

 

[dsnymoners]

its open to any who book a package with a AAA travel agent. viewing is at the rail road station.

 

[ginnymack]

I believe you have to book a package *with the dining plan* to take advantage of the parade viewing. It looks like this does not start until next month. My guess is to how good your seats are depends on how many take advantage of this perk and how early they get there. You also need to make a reservation...

 

[BradyBz12]

If this works anything like the AAA Diamond Preferred Parking Pass you should probably check with your local AAA office. The policies for the parking pass differ from one office to the next. Some give them out to any AAA member, and others require you book a package with them.

 

[MissionMouse]

Here is a cut and paste of the information right from a AAA site:

"Exclusive! Viewing of the day time Parade at the Magic Kingdom® Park beginning April 5, 2010 - When you purchase select AAA Vacations® packages that include a Disney Dining Plan, you may enjoy special parade viewing of the Magic Kingdom® afternoon parade. Viewing is located on the second level of the Main Street Train Station. You can proceed to the Magic Kingdom Main Street Train Station - 2nd Floor where a AAA Representative will direct you to the designated viewing location. You should also obtain a Magic Kingdom Park "Times Guide and New Information" card which lists times for the special activities taking place at the park that day. This voucher is valid for the Afternoon Day Parade at the Magic Kingdom Park only.

Advance reservations, Reservation voucher and valid Theme Park admission required; subject to availability; operates on select days of the week and certain block-out dates apply. Inclement weather conditions may affect outdoor entertainment. Entertainment is Subject to change. Afternoon parade scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Available one time. Must be redeemed during the Package Validity Dates. Not valid for admission to any park. Voucher is non-transferable. Lost or stolen vouchers will not be replaced. Voucher may not be redeemed for cash in whole or in part."

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

Bump!

I'm wondering if anyone has done this and what their thoughts where? OP, did you end up taking advantage of this? I hope I'm not way too late in reserving a spot for the three of us for next week for this special area viewing but I wanted to get some thoughts about it before I called. Thanks!!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Our only reason for not using the parade voucher was that we kept forgetting to bring it with us!!!!!

 

[lamchop]

I made a reservation for the AAA parade viewing at the train station. Where/When did you get the voucher? was it included in the packet of documents you get before you go? I know i was told to check in with someone at the train station before the parade to get some sort of tag/badge that would allow us to get up to the 2nd floor. To anyone who has done this..... Was it worth the view? like another poster said, if i happen to be at say Thundermountain and have to run back to the front of the park just to get a so-so view, then maybe I won't go crazy trying to get there. But then again, I did make a reservation, so I will probably try it anyway.

 

[MHSweb79]

I've viewed the fireworks from the train station and if you are in the front row, the view is fantastic. However, if you are further back, your view is partially blocked by the ceiling overhang. There are very few seats so I would think making reservations AND getting there early would be crucial.

We get this with our package in December, but I didn't see any instructions on how to make reservations. I'll ask my TA.

 

[texasmousketeer]

According to my documents, you can make reservations by calling 407-939-7946. This is only available for the 3pm parade on Monday - Thursday. And according to the documents you have to make reservations at least 24 hours in advance.

FWIW, I called 2 months ago (3 months before my trip) only one time was available for the whole week I am going to be there.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I tried to call and reserve it for our vacation and the phone number in my AAA packet had been disconnected. I was bummed.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

I made a reservation for the AAA parade viewing at the train station. Where/When did you get the voucher? was it included in the packet of documents you get before you go? I know i was told to check in with someone at the train station before the parade to get some sort of tag/badge that would allow us to get up to the 2nd floor. To anyone who has done this..... Was it worth the view? like another poster said, if i happen to be at say Thundermountain and have to run back to the front of the park just to get a so-so view, then maybe I won't go crazy trying to get there. But then again, I did make a reservation, so I will probably try it anyway.

Yeah, the voucher came with my MYW packet when I made the final payment and that was about a month ago. I know I definitely dropped the ball a bit but I didn't want to make a reservation, not show up for whatever reason and then have some kind of issue or whatnot.

According to my documents, you can make reservations by calling 407-939-7946. This is only available for the 3pm parade on Monday - Thursday. And according to the documents you have to make reservations at least 24 hours in advance.

FWIW, I called 2 months ago (3 months before my trip) only one time was available for the whole week I am going to be there.

Yeah, that number has been sitting on my desk to call for weeks hahaha

Hmmm alrighty thanks for the heads up. We just don't want to be tied down to one particular spot at one particular time. However, this is DS's first time and he's only 2 so I definitely want to make sure he gets a good view. Eh, I've always found a decent spot on my own so I suppose we'll just try our luck.

 

[Haley]

You can make reservations 180 days in advance and after that it's HARD to get-- I think there's only like 30-40 spaces for everyone booked with a AAA package nationwide. So, yeah it goes fast. It's only for certain days of the week, too.

No sitting- the spaces are for standing only.

 

[RWilcox91]

My wife booked this for our July trip. We had a nice front row seat and the parade was cancelled due to inclement weather. It would have been a great place to see the parade but the weather didn't cooperate.

I know it is only available on select days. I don't know what number she called to book it but she also booked the special Storytime AAA offers at the same time she booked the parade viewing.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

That is an absolutely wonderful veiwing area!! I've watched the parade there several times. What's even better was the time my family was chosen to be in the Parade. Priceless!