AAA Parking Pass worth it?

[jbbt]

I have ressies during Free Dining booked through Disney. I'm really debating about switching my ressies to AAA to get the parking pass. Is it worth it? My DH just wants me to leave everything alone. He is afraid something will get messed up, but I think he might thank me when we're walking shorter distances in the August and September heat.

BTW - sometimes we use our own vehicle and sometimes we use Disney's transportation system. We've been to Disney many times, but never with the pass and never in that kind of heat.

Any advice will be appreciated!!!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I LOVE THE AAA DIAMOND PARKING PASS!!!!

It's the BEST! You go to the Park Entrance and they wave you around with the disabled parkers and you get upfront parking, no trams necessary. The parking pass was an essential part of our 4-parks-in-one-day commando adventure.. never more than 8 minutes to any park from any spot in WDW.


I would send you mine for 2006, but I am saving it for the fall trip!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

To my knowledge you just have to be a member of AAA to get the pass, you don't have to book through them. Call AAA tell them you are visiting Disney and request the pass, and see what happens.

My dad is a member and when we traveled with him to Disney we used the pass, he did not book through AAA. This was over 8 years ago so the policy could have changed.

We just joined this year so I am curious, let me know what you find out.

 

[Kimberly815]

We used the parking pass in October and it was very nice to be able to drive up to the front of the park and hop out.

However, before you go and change everything, keep in mind that they do a stellar job with the tram service to get you to and from your car.

Also, I would be curious to know if I could get a parking pass just by being a member as well. I got it the last time because I bought my park tickets through AAA- but I don't think they sell just the tickets anymore.

 

[dianemb]

We found it was a much longer walk for the MK then if you use the bus because you still havew to cross the water. If yuu take the bus it lets you off near the entrance to the park.

 

[Love Tigger]

AAA still sells tickets. I got a parking pass when I bought some tickets last month.

 

[dis-happy]

Some AAA offices will give you the pass if you purchase a 5 or more day hopper from the, others require you do an entire package. As far as I know, none of them will give you a pass just for being a member.

My worry for the op---would you be at risk of losing free dining if you booked through AAA? That would be my concern (due to AAA room discounts), so check it out carefully before forging ahead.

IMO the pass is nice but not a necessity. A few times I've been when it was a low crowd day the AAA parking wasn't even open. Other times, when park hopping, it was already filled so we couldn't use it. And sometimes you walk a lot less just by doing regular parking and hopping on the tram. It's nicest at the end of the day after the fireworks and you don't want to fight the crowds waiting for a tram. But at MK we always take a bus from our resort anyway (faster to skip the TTC).

 

[webmomom]

I am one does not feel it worth it. Most of parks you a have longer walk to get in the parks than if used Disney trams. Especially when you leaving after long day at the parks. I sort got jealous over the ones using the trams when the left parks and we had walk to our car. Believe me it a much longer walk going back to your car than going to the parks.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Thanks for the info!

Have you found that AAA has better pricing on packages or room onlys?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I would rather walk to my car than wait in line for a tram that will take me to where I can walk to my car. Does that make sense?

You can book a package with free dining through AAA, but there is no AAA discount on the room portion. If you are paying for dining, the AAA discount applies.

I've booked all my trips this way.

 

[turnlisa]

We had the parking pass in February and can't imagine doing without it now. We absolutely loved it -- my DH said it made him feel special. At MK it is a walk, but I hate those trams and would rather walk any day! That's part of the reason I am booking through them again for my February trip.

 

[pdarrah]

We used AAA for our trip earlier this month (1st time using a travel agent & not booking it all ourselves) and had the parking pass. The first place we used it was MGM - BIG MISTAKE! We walked MUCH further than anyone using the trams. Yes, we were just behind the handicap parking - BUT you have to walk all the way to the left to the area behind the tram pickup/dropoff area and then walk in from there. You cannot get directly from the parking lot to the entrance since they have put big concrete barriers along the whole area.

We considered using the pass at Epcot, but we only drive (we stay on-site & just choose each day wether to drive or use the buses) to Epcot if we are getting there 1st thing in the morning. Since the "regular" parking was just as close, we didn't bother with the AAA.

We ALWAYS use the bus to MK - as others have stated, having to get through the TTC and across the water is NOT worth it!

The only place we didn't use it and it might have been worthwhile was at AK. There we did use the trams and did not need to walk that far. The trams run very efficiently, so we didn't feel like we were wasting a bunch of time with that. I'm not sure where the AAA parking is at AK, so maybe it is good there.

Personally, if the parking pass is the only reason - I wouldn't mess with reservations just for that...

pdarrah

 

[Firebug]

You can sometimes find a AAA diamond parking pass on ebay.

FB

ps five for sale on ebay right now.