Your thoughts on AAA Diamond Pass

[ton80]

We will be going to WDW 6/27-7/1 and staying at the BWV.
Can anyone give me their opinion about the AAA Diamond Pass? How close do you get to the parks (AK and MK in particular). I was going to purchase one off of the internet.

 

[francie57]

We have always stayed at the BWVs and had the AAA parking pass. The only place that it will be of any help is at AK. For MK the resort bus will take you right to the entrance. If you drive to MK you will have to park at TTC and then take the monorail or ferry. You will get to park near the handicapp parking but you would still be wasting time compared to the bus. As far as AK, that is the only park we use it at. You will be parked next to the handicap lot and that is actually a shorter walk than the bus dropoff. We will be using it again for AK in Aug.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Passes are not suppose to be transferred, sold or exchanged, there have been reports of people being called out for buying "copies" of ones - which are most often the ones you see online.

Seriously, normal parking is not much worst then AAA parking for the risk/hassle.

 

[jasko5990]

We used it on our last trip staying at VWL and will have already bought one to use this summer while staying at BCV. With it you can park about as close as those with handicapped tags. I bought it for about $13.00 online, which I feel is a decent price to avoid waiting for and riding the trams. It probably saves us about 5 mins entering the parks, and maybe a little more when leaving. Plus it makes it much easier to find your car at the end of the day.

 

[dudspizza]

Is the AAA Diamond Pass a pass people can purchase or is it perk to being an AAA member?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Is the AAA Diamond Pass a pass people can purchase or is it perk to being an AAA member?

It's a perk for booking a vacation package.

Of course, since Disney doesn't "enforce" the rule saying "non transferable", abuse occurs.

 

[azdizzymom]

We had one about 2.5 years ago in September. It wasn't crowded at the parks but the spots were closer. IDK how they are now but we used one a friend had used in August of that year. It didn't have a date or any other information on it. We brought it back and someone else used it after us...know this is a 'no no' but I know so many people do this. I would think in busy months it would be nice. We would have been fine without it too!

 

[helenk]

We used our AAA parking pass this past May and we really liked the perk. It is great for Epcot, DHS and AK. We did not drive to the MK, but took the bus.
We got ours at our AAA store when we bought our park tickets there.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, the AAA parking pass will get you a bit closer to the parks vs regular parking. BUT....according to AAA, they are not for sale and are nontransferable. So, I'm not sure I would be buying one off the internet. I mean, in all reality, why not just park in the regular parking lot??? If you get there early enough it's just not that big a deal.
I drove to MK Easter morning..parked at the TTC and took the tram (first time for that) over to TTC. While it wasn't an awful experience, I sure did miss just getting off the bus and walking the 2 mins to the park entrance.

 

[Dr. J.]

We got ours with park ticket purchase and found that it was quite convenient.

 

[goofy4tink]

We got ours with park ticket purchase and found that it was quite convenient.

And that is the correct way to get the parking pass...part of a package or ticket purchase. This parking pass is a perk for those doing business with AAA. No one should be selling them on eBay, or anywhere else. Not ethical and probably illegal.

 

[kathie859]

The AAA pass is a perk to those buying tix or booking thru AAA--not tranferable and, frankly, it's irritates the heck out of me when people abuse it. Often, the AAA parking is full during the busier times in the parks---gee, I wonder why?

The Diamond pass parking is generally near the handicapped parking. It is not free parking--just slightly closer. Note that sometimes the Diamond parking area may not be available for one reason or another. Once there was some special event at DHS and it wasn't available and another time at AK we couldn't park in the Diamond area

Not to moralize, but please don't reward this unethical behavior by buying some used pass online. It's just wrong.

 

[goofy4tink]

It may be time for AAA to actually put dates and actual names on their AAA parking passes. Then, when parking, the pass name/date has to match what is on the room key..or license.

 

[MHSweb79]

Our office gives them to any AAA member who walks in and asks for one. We ended up buying tickets as well but we didn't have to in order to get the pass. Instead of buying one on the internet, which may be a copy and not pass muster (the CM's at the guard shacks always looked closely at ours before letting us in) why not check your local AAA office? Does anyone in your group have AAA?

As for the OP's actual question: Overall, the parking is closer at AK, Epcot and marginally the Studios. For MK it was pretty far away and not served by the tram at all. I don't know how all those folks in handicapped parking manage it- it was not very convenient there.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Our office gives them to any AAA member who walks in and asks for one. We ended up buying tickets as well but we didn't have to in order to get the pass. Instead of buying one on the internet, which may be a copy and not pass muster (the CM's at the guard shacks always looked closely at ours before letting us in) why not check your local AAA office? Does anyone in your group have AAA?

As for the OP's actual question: Overall, the parking is closer at AK, Epcot and marginally the Studios. For MK it was pretty far away and not served by the tram at all. I don't know how all those folks in handicapped parking manage it- it was not very convenient there.

We have found the diamond parking to be full most of the time we have tried to use it. And, it has marginal benefit except for AK.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It's full because people are selling them on ebay and reducing the value of the benefit for those who come by them legitimately.

We have found the diamond parking to be full most of the time we have tried to use it. And, it has marginal benefit except for AK.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's full because people are selling them on ebay and reducing the value of the benefit for those who come by them legitimately.

Have to agree. Once again, those who are trying to get something they aren't entitled to are going to make it a less terrific thing for those who are entitled.

 

[MEK]

I always end up buying at least someone's ticket at AAA which allows me the pass. The last few I've had have actually had dates on them.

Best parks for AAA pass:

AK and Epcot - you are in or near the handicapped lot in both these parks.

Worst parks for AAA pass:

HS
MK (I actually NEVER drive to MK, so I forget where the actually parking is)

 

[jacdolfin]

Let me start by saying that we stay offsite so are not able to use Disney transportation. That being said I like have the AAA pass because it puts you close to the gates at most all of the parks, and I dont have to mess with folding up my stroller and all my gear to load onto a tram with a sleepy kid at the end of the night. But thats my opinion.

It works really well at Epcot and Animal Kingdom. HS was pretty good to. MK is ok stil at the front of all the parking by the handicap spots but you do have to walk to the monorail or ferry to take you into MK.

We love it. We have used it the last 2 yrs and plan to this year as well. Have a great trip.

 

[Missytara]

Let me start by saying that we stay offsite so are not able to use Disney transportation.

Do you realize that you can use Disney transportation, even if you stay off-site???? You have tickets to the parks, so you ARE able to use any Disney transportation you wish.