Is AAA preferred parking worth $40?

[Shea&Van]

Good day to all!

We are set to purchase our 10day MYW tickets and it looks like going through our local AAA office is about $40 more than UT. However, the AAA office will give you the "preferred" parking pass for all four Disney parks. We have a rental car and are staying off-site for most of our trip in Windsor Hills. We have a 2.5 and 4.5 year old children and will probably be taking the double stroller.

What would you do? Is the $40 worth getting the parking pass. I realize it will still be $14 to park at the parks on the days were are not staying at the resort.

Natrually, I like to save every dollar I can, but this seems like a relatively small fee to pay for really close parking. I don't recall seeing this lot last year, but then again we stayed at the WL lodge the entire trip and I think we rode the boats/buses every day but one. Is it worth it to go with the AAA tix and parking passes?

Your expert advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much friends!
Best,
Erica
* 178 days to go *

 

[goofy4tink]

Only you can say for sure. At MK, the AAA parking is close enough that you don't need to use the tram. But, if you were to get there early enough, you would most likely be able to find similar parking outside the AAA lot area.
At the other parks, the AAA parking areas are somewhat closer to the entrances, but not by a huge amount.
$40 in the big picture doesn't seem like a lot of money for a 10 day trip.

 

[Lewisc]

Would they give you the pass if you only buy one (or two) tickets from AAA and buy the rest from UT?

Are they also giving you the AAA diamond card that you normally get when you book a package through AAA? That gives you a discount of 10-20% at some restaurants, shops, spa services etc.

I'd probably do it if I was going to get the diamond card. My understanding is if you get to the park early you can park just as close without the card. My understanding is if you get to the park late the AAA spots are already taken.

I don't think the AAA preferred parking would be worth $40 to me.

FWIW make sure your cost comparison includes tax. I think UT quotes prices with tax. I'm not sure about AAA.

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

Would they give you the pass if you only buy one (or two) tickets from AAA and buy the rest from UT?

Are they also giving you the AAA diamond card that you normally get when you book a package through AAA? That gives you a discount of 10-20% at some restaurants, shops, spa services etc.

I'd probably do it if I was going to get the diamond card. My understanding is if you get to the park early you can park just as close without the card. My understanding is if you get to the park late the AAA spots are already taken.

I don't think the AAA preferred parking would be worth $40 to me.

FWIW make sure your cost comparison includes tax. I think UT quotes prices with tax. I'm not sure about AAA.

Yes they will give you a pass if you purchase one ticket. That's what I did, and bought the rest @ UT. That was in STL.

 

[dis-happy]

Yes they will give you a pass if you purchase one ticket. That's what I did, and bought the rest @ UT. That was in STL.

That's what I do too. In NC.

 

[SpaceshipEarth]

In my limited experience, it has not been worth it. I would much prefer to use that money towards a nice sit-down dinner.

 

[4forMe]

Good day to all!

We are set to purchase our 10day MYW tickets and it looks like going through our local AAA office is about $40 more than UT. However, the AAA office will give you the "preferred" parking pass for all four Disney parks. We have a rental car and are staying off-site for most of our trip in Windsor Hills. We have a 2.5 and 4.5 year old children and will probably be taking the double stroller.

What would you do? Is the $40 worth getting the parking pass. I realize it will still be $14 to park at the parks on the days were are not staying at the resort.

Natrually, I like to save every dollar I can, but this seems like a relatively small fee to pay for really close parking. I don't recall seeing this lot last year, but then again we stayed at the WL lodge the entire trip and I think we rode the boats/buses every day but one. Is it worth it to go with the AAA tix and parking passes?

Your expert advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much friends!
Best,
Erica
* 178 days to go *

I would absolutely get the AAA parking pass. We brought our double stroller the last two trips and loved the AAA parking pass. You don't need to use the trams at all since you are parked near the front for Epcot, DHS and AK (AK not as close to the other parks). For MK, not much of a difference so we didn't even use it there our last trip.

Using the trams is a big pain with a double stroller. The AAA parking pass will allow you to just walk with the stroller from your parking spot to the front of the park. The Epcot location for AAA parking is especially close.

To me, it would be worth the extra money IMHO.

 

[Michael623]

(AK not as close to the other parks)

I have to to beg to differ here. I found the AK diamond are to be the closest of all 4 parks.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

With the stroller, I'd say do it. Especially now that some parking trams have doors.

I've annotated a map that shows where the AAA parking areas are. I've never parked at the MK lot, so I don't know where the AAA lot is there.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

IMHO, No.

I have seen those rows full quite often which means "no parking" and the Epcot rows are often closed when they use that lot of "Special Events"

 

[Anjelica]

There are blackout dates as well (i.e. Christmas -> New Years week) so take that into consideration.

 

[tkldisney]

I get one every year buy purchasing a tkt. It's great for AK, park closer than bus dropoff. DHS & Epcot are pretty close too. The longer walk is MK, but even if you have to take tram it's short ride and if early enough not bad walk. I usually opt for the walk.

 

[mickeygirl14]

It looks like you're going in late sept. We went last sept and loved the aaa parking card. Parks aren't as busy, so we never encountered the rows being full (and we never did rope drop). I'll echo what a PP said - it is nice with the stroller to not have to worry about getting on a tram. And we found no extra problems parking at MK. Yes, you park at the TTC and either take the monorail or the ferry over. On the ferry, you can wheel the stroller right on and if monorail isn't crowded, same there. My kids enjoyed the ride over and love seeing the MK from the ferry. Made the anticipation so much better.

 

[Shea&Van]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond. Your input is much valued and an extra thank you for the wonderful map.

I'm going to call my local AAA office and see about getting the pass with just one ticket and then go through UT for the others. What a great idea...never would have thought of that!

Hope all of you have a great day!