"Preferred" Parking?

[MikeyP]

Do the parks offer any preferred parking options (at an added fee, of course) when you visit and pay for parking?

If it's offered, I'm considering it for our trip; we're not staying in the World and we'll have a toddler (2.5yo daughter) who will NEED to take a break every day, but an 11yo (and us 2 adults) who won't want to miss a thing. To help keep the balance, the quickest entry and exit possible will likely be super helpful.
We picked our second choice resort for this same reason (as it's a lot closer to WDW than our first choice).

Our trip is 9/5 - 9/13, so it will be hot and breaks will be essential.

Thoughts?
Strategies?

THANKS!

[SurferStitch]

I have to say, getting to and from your car isn't bad at all, no matter where you park. The tram system they have is very efficient, and we've never waited more than a couple minutes for one to take us to our parking section the few times we've driven from our WDW resort to a park.

You shouldn't have any issues with the parking at WDW theme parks.

I've read about AAA Diamond Preferred Parking, but I don't know if they still have that at the parks. All of the info I've found is from 2003 and earlier. I did see a recent blog about getting this preferred AAA Diamond parking when they booked a Magic Your Way package through CAA.

[Mickey91]

I don't think so. At one time there was AAA Diamond parking for those who booked their vacations through AAA. But I don't know if that is even offered now.

To keep from wasting time going back and forth, get the toddler a comfy stroller and find a nice secluded spot to help her "rest" in the shade or in a cooler building. Even sitting in Cosmic Rays (MK) can be a nice respite. You and your spouse can take turns running around with your 11 year old. Not the best solution, but much less stressful than trying to go in and out of the parks with a tired two year old and irritated 11 year old. Just food for thought.

[ILoveLegos]

In the 15 years that I have regualrly driven to WDW, all I can say is the early bird gets the best parking spots. They generally fill from front to back. Also though, for parking lots with huge walking hikes like TTA at MK - use the trams (as another poster pointed out). In AK I've never parked as far away as the bus stop pick-up is located, but I also start out very early (from 70 miles away I might add) and arrive early in the lot and stay quite late.

Taking in little park rests (naps) is essential for me, since my home is so far away from WDW, leaving is not an option. Some of my favorite cozy nap places include:
Hall of Presidents
The American Adventure
The Movie in France
People Mover
The WDW Railroad (if you can sleep through the horn toots).
The Steam Boat Ride (if you can sleep through the Twain Marking, ha-hah)
Any of the 3-D movies & shows - especially Little Mermaid - cool, dark and relaxing.
Sound Dangerous (a particular favorite w/o the headphones on).
Any nice shady bench

For me 15-23 minutes is enough to refresh - then I'm on my way again!

Hope this helps!

[DizneyRox]

When I drove, I always followed the green line! Shhh....

[MikeyP]

When I drove, I always followed the green line! Shhh....

What's that all about?

[ILoveLegos]

When I drove, I always followed the green line! Shhh....

Don't you mean the BLUE line?

[DizneyRox]

It's been so long since I drove, maybe it was blue... It got to be I knew where I was going, so I just went, didn't pay attention to the stripes on the ground.

[Strmchsr]

Don't you mean the BLUE line?

The blue line is the one for handicapped and AAA parking, so don't follow that one unless you have the right document (Diamond Parking Pass or handicapped card).

[Strmchsr]

I don't think so. At one time there was AAA Diamond parking for those who booked their vacations through AAA. But I don't know if that is even offered now.

They do still have the diamond parking with AAA. However, it's not all that great. At MK and DHS it's a pretty good walk, even though the parking is "close." It's actually a good bit faster to take the tram. Epcot and DAK is a little better but it's still not all that much better than taking the trams which drop you off right at the front gate.