[img2]During our recent visit to Walt Disney World we were able to use the AAA Diamond Parking Lots. I have noticed that on many WDW fan sites there are numerous questions about them.Allow me to share with you my insights/experiences.

To be able to use a AAA Diamond Parking Lot you must have a Preferred Parking Voucher issued from your AAA office as part of a vacation/ticket package.Simply being a member of AAA does not entitle you to use the lots. The Preferred Parking Voucher does not cover the current $ 9.00 parking fee for cars, or admission to the parks.

Recently, AAA has spelled out the proper use of the Voucher, albeit in small type, on the front of the Voucher.The parking lot Cast Members really appreciate it if display your Voucher with your park pass/ticket/resort key at the gate.They will direct you to follow the colored line (I had always wondered what the colored line was for), or signs, that lead to the Diamond parking lots.By all means, have your Voucher in your hand so that the CM in the parking lot can see it and direct you further.

Be aware that the lots are usually not close to the trams, with the exception of Disney/MGM Studios, and that will make for a rather long hike to get to a tram, or to the park entrances. This is especially important to consider if you have someone in your party with mobility issues.While Disney is beyond compare in their service to guests with special needs, there is often a long wait for a vehicle (usually a van) to transport your party from the designated pick up areas.

Depending on the time of year, the lots fill can fill up rather quickly and be closed (there is also a list of `Block Out´ dates on the back of the Voucher).The CMs, however, will do everything in their power to locate a parking space for you, usually in the handicapped parking area.If they do direct you to a handicap parking lot, be sure to place your Voucher on the dashboard of your vehicle.

All in all, the AAA Diamond Parking lots are a nice perk, but from my experience using the regular lots is faster and more convenient.