FREE PARKING when staying ONSITE?? Driving vs Dis Buses w/a TODDLER??

[Gmouse]

I feel like a dummy asking this as many times as we have been. But we always use Dis transportation all over the "world". We park the car and never get back in til time to head home. I was reading on another site that we can park for free anywhere at Dis since we are staying onsite??? I can get a VIP (AAA) parking pass and be as close as we possibly can be, besides hanicapped parking.

With a toddler this time I am THINKING this MIGHT be easier than waiting for buses to a from the parks??? With a stroller, all her things and loading into and off the buses. What is your experience with parking instead of DIS transport??
The bus drivers can sometimes be pretty scary driving with a little one that's not in a car seat! AND trying to pack us all in on the buses. Standing there on a bus with her might not be so good
When it was just us 2 and our older son it's always been fine on buses. He could stand there on his own and not fall over people. Just trying to see what the best thing to do is.....
Is it a hassle getting out of the parks to the cars? Just haven't done it...don't know....
Staying at Jambo house and recently read they now pick up at Kadani BEFORE Jambo and buses are full by the time they get to Jambo The easy bus rides were the very reason we chose Jambo house again. It's supposed to be "slow" season when we go....maybe the buses won't be full when they get to Jambo....?

 

[DebbieB]

I feel like a dummy asking this as many times as we have been. But we always use Dis transportation all over the "world". We park the car and never get back in til time to head home. I was reading on another site that we can park for free anywhere at Dis since we are staying onsite??? I can get a VIP (AAA) parking pass and be as close as we possibly can be, besides hanicapped parking.

With a toddler this time I am THINKING this MIGHT be easier than waiting for buses to a from the parks??? With a stroller, all her things and loading into and off the buses. What is your experience with parking instead of DIS transport??
The bus drivers can sometimes be pretty scary driving with a little one that's not in a car seat! AND trying to pack us all in on the buses. Standing there on a bus with her might not be so good
When it was just us 2 and our older son it's always been fine on buses. He could stand there on his own and not fall over people. Just trying to see what the best thing to do is.....
Is it a hassle getting out of the parks to the cars? Just haven't done it...don't know....
Staying at Jambo house and recently read they now pick up at Kadani BEFORE Jambo and buses are full by the time they get to Jambo The easy bus rides were the very reason we chose Jambo house again. It's supposed to be "slow" season when we go....maybe the buses won't be full when they get to Jambo....?

I've stayed at both Jambo & Kidani and preferred to drive except for MK. When I stayed at Kidani 2 years ago, we got an early bus to MK and we did sometimes leave people on the curb at Jambo.

 

[chipscinderelly]

We stayed Jambo house last year with our 2.5 year old and rode the bus most of the time even though we had a car (we did not have AAA parking pass). Our toddler LOVED riding the bus and considered it part of the adventure each day. We also found that people would get up for me to sit with him if the bus was packed. Daddy often stood holding on to the stroller. When he was 12 weeks old we went and drove and discovered that trip that when the car is hot it makes for a miserable ride for the little one back to the hotel.

 

[Rabscuttle]

If renting a car is within your budget, I would go with the car. Since we are down here now with two other couples who didn't rent a car, we are using the Disney transportation more often. There are issues that are probably barely noticable when the sun shines that become huge issues when it rains. Leaving MGM by boat, the canopy was not big enough to accommodate people waiting to board. It could have been but there are those who leave their double wide strollers open, do not want people within their 3 feet of personal space and wouldn't consider moving in closer to each other so others don't get soaked. Some people stood under the exit side of the canopy only to elicit groans and grumbles from those who thought they were 'cutting'. On the boat on the way over, a father and a small child took up a seat that could have accommodated four people. He put his child on the inside, sat on the end of the seat. When he was asked to make room, he pulled his child closer to him leaving only about 8 inches of seat space and suggesting that I climb over both of them. With a toddler I would definitely want to come and go as I please, put him in a car seat, load the stroller and be on my way.

 

[john1928]

I've never been down there at peak times when the equation may change, but on our previous trips we've driven everywhere. On the last trip at POR my sister's family was staying at the next room over and usually took the bus. I would say that we beat them by 10-15 minutes on average, and by perhaps a half an hour at closing time. It also made it MUCH easier for cross connecting to dining options at non-park locations.

More space for a stroller, a well secured car seat, and room keep a change of clothes, rain gear, etc. relatively close at hand was an added bonus.

We've used the AAA parking each time, but I think it's only saved us perhaps a couple hundred feet of distance in September, October, and early December. Again at busier times that could be a bigger deal.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I drive everyplace but the Magic Kingdom where by the time you park, walk or tram, wait for the monorail or boat, get to the park etc... it's twice as long.

Not to mention that the "monorail" will probably spend 10 minutes "holding for clearance" or some other issue and that if the weather is bad the boat may not run..

NIGHTMARE! I had a friend who took 90 plus minutes to get back to her car after MNSSHP last weekend!

 

[Gmouse]

I've never been down there at peak times when the equation may change, but on our previous trips we've driven everywhere. On the last trip at POR my sister's family was staying at the next room over and usually took the bus. I would say that we beat them by 10-15 minutes on average, and by perhaps a half an hour at closing time. It also made it MUCH easier for cross connecting to dining options at non-park locations.

More space for a stroller, a well secured car seat, and room keep a change of clothes, rain gear, etc. relatively close at hand was an added bonus.

We've used the AAA parking each time, but I think it's only saved us perhaps a couple hundred feet of distance in September, October, and early December. Again at busier times that could be a bigger deal.

We'll be there during early Dec...which we thought and HOPE to be NOT BUSY!! But you never know sometimes. I think I'll go ahead and get the pass and just have it on hand incase we do see the buses are rediculously full. We'll have a party of 8 to load for the 1st 5 days of the trip, just us 4 for the last 5. So the 1st 5 may be even more difficult for us to ALL get on at once if it comes around from Kadani slam full.
And I didn't even think about being able to keep extra clothes in the car incase we need them....that would definately save me from lugging bags full of baby clothes and things in the park!

 

[Gmouse]

I drive everyplace but the Magic Kingdom where by the time you park, walk or tram, wait for the monorail or boat, get to the park etc... it's twice as long.

Not to mention that the "monorail" will probably spend 10 minutes "holding for clearance" or some other issue and that if the weather is bad the boat may not run..

NIGHTMARE! I had a friend who took 90 plus minutes to get back to her car after MNSSHP last weekend!

90 MINUTES!?!?! I think I would have just started walking! Oh I hope and pray we don't run into something like that. We are thinking about going to MVMCP...I guess we'd BETTER drive that day!!
So no driving to MK huh? We spend most of the time there. But I guess I would rather wait a little while for a bus to MK than to AK park that is right around the corner almost. I wish I had know about Kadani stops before we booked this. We love the pool and restaurants at Jambo-so hopefully it will still make up for not being picked up first...and having to drive

 

[Gmouse]

If renting a car is within your budget, I would go with the car. Since we are down here now with two other couples who didn't rent a car, we are using the Disney transportation more often. There are issues that are probably barely noticable when the sun shines that become huge issues when it rains. Leaving MGM by boat, the canopy was not big enough to accommodate people waiting to board. It could have been but there are those who leave their double wide strollers open, do not want people within their 3 feet of personal space and wouldn't consider moving in closer to each other so others don't get soaked. Some people stood under the exit side of the canopy only to elicit groans and grumbles from those who thought they were 'cutting'. On the boat on the way over, a father and a small child took up a seat that could have accommodated four people. He put his child on the inside, sat on the end of the seat. When he was asked to make room, he pulled his child closer to him leaving only about 8 inches of seat space and suggesting that I climb over both of them. With a toddler I would definitely want to come and go as I please, put him in a car seat, load the stroller and be on my way.

I've seen many of selfish people like that there Doesn't make sense to me-we're all going to the same place -where ever that boat or bus is going to land! So let's pack in there and get going People can be so rude-even ad Disney....sometimes I think they are worse than anywhere!

 

[gmeh1]

I feel like a dummy asking this as many times as we have been. But we always use Dis transportation all over the "world". We park the car and never get back in til time to head home. I was reading on another site that we can park for free anywhere at Dis since we are staying onsite??? I can get a VIP (AAA) parking pass and be as close as we possibly can be, besides hanicapped parking.

With a toddler this time I am THINKING this MIGHT be easier than waiting for buses to a from the parks??? With a stroller, all her things and loading into and off the buses. What is your experience with parking instead of DIS transport??
The bus drivers can sometimes be pretty scary driving with a little one that's not in a car seat! AND trying to pack us all in on the buses. Standing there on a bus with her might not be so good
When it was just us 2 and our older son it's always been fine on buses. He could stand there on his own and not fall over people. Just trying to see what the best thing to do is.....
Is it a hassle getting out of the parks to the cars? Just haven't done it...don't know....
Staying at Jambo house and recently read they now pick up at Kadani BEFORE Jambo and buses are full by the time they get to Jambo The easy bus rides were the very reason we chose Jambo house again. It's supposed to be "slow" season when we go....maybe the buses won't be full when they get to Jambo....?

If memory serves, and sometimes it does not, you have to either purchase a package or select tickets from AAA to get the Diamond parking perq. I have read that sometimes the local chapters of AAA just give them out, but, usually (and mine is included in this) you have to do what I mentioned above.

 

[Gmouse]

I've stayed at both Jambo & Kidani and preferred to drive except for MK. When I stayed at Kidani 2 years ago, we got an early bus to MK and we did sometimes leave people on the curb at Jambo.

I'm just wondering if it would be worth a shot to switch to Kadani? It looks so unbeleivably HUGE....alot of WALKING to and from rooms??? We couldn't see much of it when we were there before, but looking at the maps a little while ago It looks so BIG and sooo far from the Jambo-with all the restaurants, the AMAZING pool....I dunno....did you prefer Kadani? Did you have studio or BR's? We would have to have a studio (that's as much as we can AFFORD) We don't care about view so much. We do have standard/pool view. I have no clue how those are at Kadani....or if we could even get one...probably too late.......

 

[Gmouse]

If memory serves, and sometimes it does not, you have to either purchase a package or select tickets from AAA to get the Diamond parking perq. I have read that sometimes the local chapters of AAA just give them out, but, usually (and mine is included in this) you have to do what I mentioned above.

Well........I actually found these on an auction website (not sure if I can call out the name of the site on here, but you can probably guess it in one try.........There are a MULTITUDE of them on there. All say that anyone can use them at anytime, just that they expire Dec. 31, 2011. That they are new, unsigned, unregistered, no names. I am a little nervous about it, but I have bought our park tickets on there before too. This pass is really cheap-like $10. So I wouldn't be going in the hole over it too bad if it didn't work when we got there...I would just be mad!

 

[maxiesmom]

One thing to keep in mind is that if you drive you will probably still have to ride the parkinglot trams at some point. So you will still need to do some juggling if you have a lot of stuff. The AAA parking spots are limited in number, so depending on how busy it is, you may not be as close to the front of the parks as you think.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

90 MINUTES!?!?! I think I would have just started walking! Oh I hope and pray we don't run into something like that. We are thinking about going to MVMCP...I guess we'd BETTER drive that day!!
So no driving to MK huh? We spend most of the time there. But I guess I would rather wait a little while for a bus to MK than to AK park that is right around the corner almost. I wish I had know about Kadani stops before we booked this. We love the pool and restaurants at Jambo-so hopefully it will still make up for not being picked up first...and having to drive

DO NOT DRIVE! That's what the issue is! The monorail quits running by the time MVMCP ends.... so.... LONG lines for the boats. Buses were running non stop and the lines were clearing VERY quickly. (I talked to some others who were there took the bus to Pop Century and were home and in bed by the time my friend got to her car!!!!)

 

[goofy4tink]

Well........I actually found these on an auction website (not sure if I can call out the name of the site on here, but you can probably guess it in one try.........There are a MULTITUDE of them on there. All say that anyone can use them at anytime, just that they expire Dec. 31, 2011. That they are new, unsigned, unregistered, no names. I am a little nervous about it, but I have bought our park tickets on there before too. This pass is really cheap-like $10. So I wouldn't be going in the hole over it too bad if it didn't work when we got there...I would just be mad!

Just to give you the official AAA policy regarding these parking passes...they are not for sale and they are not transferable.
So, with that in mind, can you use them? Probably. Is it AAA's intent that you use them? No, it is expressly against their policy. The parking spots for AAA Diamond Pass holders is limited. With these darn things being auctioned off, there are many using these spots illegally (and no, that probably isn't the absolute correct term), so when someone who is entitled to use it arrives, and finds that the spots are taken already, well...not so cool.

So, it is up to you as to what you want to do. Should you drive? Sure, if that fits your needs better. Driving to MK is not the best idea. As others have mentioned, you have to drive there, park the car, if using the AAA pass, you then walk over to the TTC area, if not using one you either walk or take the tram, depending on how far out you are in the lots. Then, you either use the monorail or ferry over to MK. It is time consuming. Busing it to MK is almost always quicker.

Does it not bother anyone that someone is taking these from AAA offices, and then selling them??? They pay nothing for them, it costs some AAA offices money since they give them out as a perk of buying either the entire pkg from them or just park passes. Now, someone can pay $10 and AAA gets nothing for it??? I'm sorry but that's pretty much stealing.....those who buy these passes, are enabling these thefts from AAA.

 

[Gmouse]

Just to give you the official AAA policy regarding these parking passes...they are not for sale and they are not transferable.
So, with that in mind, can you use them? Probably. Is it AAA's intent that you use them? No, it is expressly against their policy. The parking spots for AAA Diamond Pass holders is limited. With these darn things being auctioned off, there are many using these spots illegally (and no, that probably isn't the absolute correct term), so when someone who is entitled to use it arrives, and finds that the spots are taken already, well...not so cool.

So, it is up to you as to what you want to do. Should you drive? Sure, if that fits your needs better. Driving to MK is not the best idea. As others have mentioned, you have to drive there, park the car, if using the AAA pass, you then walk over to the TTC area, if not using one you either walk or take the tram, depending on how far out you are in the lots. Then, you either use the monorail or ferry over to MK. It is time consuming. Busing it to MK is almost always quicker.

Does it not bother anyone that someone is taking these from AAA offices, and then selling them??? They pay nothing for them, it costs some AAA offices money since they give them out as a perk of buying either the entire pkg from them or just park passes. Now, someone can pay $10 and AAA gets nothing for it??? I'm sorry but that's pretty much stealing.....those who buy these passes, are enabling these thefts from AAA.

Yeah...that doesn't sound like the right thing to do since you put it that way. I honestly didn't think about all that. I was just looking at it as someone who has AAA, selling a pass they don't need. Just like we bought our park tickets from an individual that didn't need them for personal or whatever reason. I dunno....I guess it could very well be someone taking them from an AAA office and selling them. I did see sellers that I checked their feedback and have been selling them all the time. But there are others that are just selling them as one they have not used. That's one I was looking at...

 

[Gmouse]

DO NOT DRIVE! That's what the issue is! The monorail quits running by the time MVMCP ends.... so.... LONG lines for the boats. Buses were running non stop and the lines were clearing VERY quickly. (I talked to some others who were there took the bus to Pop Century and were home and in bed by the time my friend got to her car!!!!)

Oh! I gotcha now-I misread that the first time I'll keep that in mind if we do MVMCP....DO NOT DRIVE The other parks are no biggie getting in and out of driving? We've never ever been in those lots, only been in MK lot waaaaayyyy back when I was little. I remember it being big but wasn't really paying attention for the excitement of being there!

 

[goofy4tink]

Yeah...that doesn't sound like the right thing to do since you put it that way. I honestly didn't think about all that. I was just looking at it as someone who has AAA, selling a pass they don't need. Just like we bought our park tickets from an individual that didn't need them for personal or whatever reason. I dunno....I guess it could very well be someone taking them from an AAA office and selling them. I did see sellers that I checked their feedback and have been selling them all the time. But there are others that are just selling them as one they have not used. That's one I was looking at...

Don't get me wrong....I don't really care what others do. I just want the official word, from AAA, to be out there. AAA gives these parking perks to those who have either bought the entire pkg or just park hoppers through their AAA office. There are a few offices that will just give their AAA members the parking pass just for asking. But, that is not a common occurence.
So, you have to ask yourself....where are all those AAA parking passes coming from??? I did check out eBay to see what was going on. It would seem that one person has a ton of them to sell. Again.....how are they getting them??

 

[Gmouse]

Don't get me wrong....I don't really care what others do. I just want the official word, from AAA, to be out there. AAA gives these parking perks to those who have either bought the entire pkg or just park hoppers through their AAA office. There are a few offices that will just give their AAA members the parking pass just for asking. But, that is not a common occurence.
So, you have to ask yourself....where are all those AAA parking passes coming from??? I did check out eBay to see what was going on. It would seem that one person has a ton of them to sell. Again.....how are they getting them??

Makes ya wonder If there taking them from the office they are bound to get caught. Is it really worth taking them and selling for just a few bucks?? not to me. I sell MY things on there and that's it, because they eat me up in fees and by the time I'm done I have very little left. I don't know why someone would want to do that for such a small amount.