Annual Pass versus AAA Parking

[nkjzmom]

Our family will have Annual Passes and we are also AAA members...where should we plan on parking? I don't remember there being special parking places for AP holders, just that it was free parking. But there is the AAA parking area, right?

 

[Karlzmom]

if I understand correctly, there is a special parking option for people that book an AAA package for their trip. There is not special parking for general AAA rabble, I mean members

 

[Tara]

The AAA parking is for people holding a Diamond Parking Pass. You'll have to get that from your AAA agent. Some only provide it if you book a package, some will give you a pass if you buy Disney theme park admission from them, and some will give them to any member who asks.

The AAA areas at the parks are basically just behind the handicapped parking areas. They are all easy walking distance to the entrances, and in general the parking lot trams do not stop at these sections.

 

[tkldisney]

Your AP will give you free onsite or offsite parking. If you are AAA member, some require package purchase and some just require you to purchase a ticket. Mine just requires you to purchase ticket which I did yesterday for DH (I have AP) and got my AAA Diamond pass. Ask your local office what the requirements are. I have just walked in and have them give me one.

 

[Elmo007]

Are the AAA lots always open? I have a recollection that they are not always available but I am not certain of this.

 

[Tara]

Are the AAA lots always open? I have a recollection that they are not always available but I am not certain of this.

I've never seen them closed.

 

[tkldisney]

They don't close the lots, but they do have block out dates that AAA parking is not available.
2011 dates:
MK - 1/1/11; 4/17-4/30/11; 7/4/11 and 12/25-12/31/11

Epcot - 1/7-1/9/11; 7/4/11 and 12/31/11

DHS - 7/4/11; 12/25-12/31/11

AK - None

For remainder of 2010:
MK 12/24-12/31/10
DHS 12/24-12/31/10
Epcot 12/31/10
AK None

 

[CPT Tripss]

On occassion, the AAA lot at EPCOT is not available if there is set up for a special event. They seem to use it for marshalling supplies and equipment.

 

[atigeg]

the lot at DHS closes

 

[AlexDurrani]

This last trip a week ago I found that Disney has a tendency to overflow Handicap into the Diamond lot a lot.

 

[mollybeasley]

Are the AAA lots always open? I have a recollection that they are not always available but I am not certain of this.

I was there this last week and some of the Diamond lots were nearly empty. We had no problems finding a good spot even late in the day. They usually tell you to follow the Blue line on the road to the lots, because they are right next to the handicapped lots. The Diamond lots are not all clearly marked though, so make sure you don't park in a space outlined in blue (handicapped space).

At AK, we asked where the diamond lot was and we were told it was full already. This didn't sound right to us, so we followed the blue line and found that the lot next to the handicapped lot was totally EMPTY! It wasn't clearly marked with a diamond, but it was a legal lot so we parked there and walked right up to the park.

At Epcot, it might have been a green line.

 

[mamasha]

Can you use the pass thoughout the day? My family can't be there early

 

[goofy4tink]

Can you use the pass thoughout the day? My family can't be there early

Yes, if there are empty spots. There are a set number of available Diamond spots, so you could get there late morning and find no spots open. Most likely won't happen, but it could.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Your AP will give you free onsite or offsite parking.

offsite? meaning where??

 

[tkldisney]

That was error on my part. Nothing to do with offsite parking.