College Program Questions Thread Pt 2

[M.I.C.]

Sorry for all the questions lol but what about the discount? I thought I read somewhere that family members get a discount on things, anyone know what exactly that is and if your family could book a discounted vacation for AFTER your program?

 

[tinyt396]

Sorry for all the questions lol but what about the discount? I thought I read somewhere that family members get a discount on things, anyone know what exactly that is and if your family could book a discounted vacation for AFTER your program?

To get your discount you would need to show your cast member ID which you have to give back at the end of your program. If they come down before you leave your program they can get it. Merchandise you get 20% discount which again you need your cast member ID for.

 

[csaribay]

Sorry for all the questions lol but what about the discount? I thought I read somewhere that family members get a discount on things, anyone know what exactly that is and if your family could book a discounted vacation for AFTER your program?

Like tinyt396 mentioned, you need a current valid ID in order to receive your discount. There is no zero discount on resort stays, packages, tickets or otherwise after you leave the company.

If your area allows you to, you may be able to convert your status to seasonal after you successfully complete your program. So long as you keep your status current by working the number of shifts your area requires per year, you will retain all the benefits and discounts you will have enjoyed on the program.

 

[Joanna71985]

Jusy what I wanted to hear.

Thanks you two!

You're welcome.

 

[M.I.C.]

Like tinyt396 mentioned, you need a current valid ID in order to receive your discount. There is no zero discount on resort stays, packages, tickets or otherwise after you leave the company.

If your area allows you to, you may be able to convert your status to seasonal after you successfully complete your program. So long as you keep your status current by working the number of shifts your area requires per year, you will retain all the benefits and discounts you will have enjoyed on the program.

Indeed, how IS the discount on passes and resort stays?

 

[Joanna71985]

Indeed, how IS the discount on passes and resort stays?

The resort discount is very nice. It is up to 50% off (with the CM staying there). If the CM is not staying there, it is less (only up to 40%).

Tickets are a lot less. I think it isn't even 15% off.

 

[jpod523]

yet another question about buses: Where exactly do they take you, non-parks wise. I heard wal-mart, but is there a sams club near, or any other stores? Also, where exactly are the housing complexes located? I think i found them on google earth (is chatham near the outlet mall?), but I just want to be sure.

 

[tinyt396]

yet another question about buses: Where exactly do they take you, non-parks wise. I heard wal-mart, but is there a sams club near, or any other stores? Also, where exactly are the housing complexes located? I think i found them on google earth (is chatham near the outlet mall?), but I just want to be sure.

They have a Wal-mart bus that goes to the Florida Mall one day (at least in 2005 they did) but thats about it. Everywhere else is parks and resorts. Chatham and Patterson are walking distance to a Publix, Walgreens (if you don't plan on getting too much stuff). There is an outlet mall across from the Wal-mart but the buses don't go there.

 

[lindz0625]

hey guys so i got here the other day !! and OMG its amazing im living in chatham. yeah theres buses to the mall, walmart and the beaches. we got our main gate passes today, and are getting our company ids tomorrow. im so excited i got what i wanted. working at the yacht and beach club resort, doing marina dock ops. im recreation. i cant wait. for everything, its a little surreal. it hastn really hit me yet that were here. see you guys soon@!@@

 

[csaribay]

For non-Disney destinations, buses are available on a regularly scheduled basis to Walmart, the Publix Supermarket, Crossroads (which is a strip mall complex near the Downtown Disney/535 entrance to Disney property- they have numerous chain restaurants and a Gooding's Grocery Store) and the Post Office (this is housed in a less popular strip mall). These buses are available every day (or almost every day).

Weekly trips to the Florida Mall are scheduled on non-arrival months. There's also a weekly trip to Give Kids the World (a complex heavily affiliated with the Make a Wish Foundation) on Thursdays, in association with housing's Disney VoluntEARS program. Reservations are required for the latter.

Special excursions to the beach(es), Busch Gardens and sporting games are scheduled sporadically. Keep you ears peeled for these trips- reservations (and sometimes a small fee) are required. They'll be mentioned in bulletin boards near the bus stops, the Communicator and other areas.

Also keep in mind that there are numerous things within walking distance of housing, including the Orlando Premium Outlets (within walking distance of The Commons [across the street], Chatham Square and Patterson Court).

 

[Joanna71985]

hey guys so i got here the other day !! and OMG its amazing im living in chatham. yeah theres buses to the mall, walmart and the beaches. we got our main gate passes today, and are getting our company ids tomorrow. im so excited i got what i wanted. working at the yacht and beach club resort, doing marina dock ops. im recreation. i cant wait. for everything, its a little surreal. it hastn really hit me yet that were here. see you guys soon@!@@

That's awsome!!

 

[Board57796]

If you extend, do you get a new set of Maingate Passes for that Program? Example: I extend from August 08 to Spring 09, do I get 6 more passes for 3 guests again in January?

And if you extend, do you get to keep your same role?

 

[er3465]

If you extend, do you get a new set of Maingate Passes for that Program? Example: I extend from August 08 to Spring 09, do I get 6 more passes for 3 guests again in January?

And if you extend, do you get to keep your same role?

You will not get another maingate, and probably will not get another job, however you can request one.

 

[graygables]

And if you extend, do you get to keep your same role?

When my DD extended, she kinda put her foot down for another role and they gave it to her (her manager was really pushing her to extend, but she did NOT want to continue where she was).

 

[Board57796]

You will not get another maingate, and probably will not get another job, however you can request one.

Aww bummer (about the Maingate) but good about the job if I get Monorails (I would want to extend that job).

Why don't you get another Maingate if you extend? You get the same perks like discounts, etc so why not that one?

 

[csaribay]

I actually have known the new role request to go both ways, so if you really wanted something different and you were eligible for a transfer (essentially a pretty good record card), you had a reasonable shot of moving around. This is a decision that ultimately has a lot to do with labor availability in the current location and the location where you might want to transfer to.

The Maingate thing is just how the rules are laid out- it's one Maingate per year, even if you extend. Something I'm unclear on is if you were an extension of 2008 and get a Maingate in 09', if your 'used' entitlement count would carry over or not. It doesn't appear to me that the system does that- it seems like it clears each calendar year (so technically, you could be given a Maingate for 2009 that has six additional admissions). Since my extension was self contained in one calendar year, I'd be interested to find out how it works if you're between two calendar years.

 

[meederman]

Hey there again.

Now if I don't bring my car. My sister says that Orlando has an Excellent Mass transportation system. Is that true?

And do Disney provide transportation to places like Universal?

 

[csaribay]

Hey there again.

Now if I don't bring my car. My sister says that Orlando has an Excellent Mass transportation system. Is that true?

And do Disney provide transportation to places like Universal?

Lynx is pretty reliable, but I wouldn't liken it to a massive transportation network like you'd find in major cities such as San Francisco. You can check it out for yourself at GoLynx.com. I used Lynx a couple times to get to the Florida Mall when the housing busses weren't offering runs that worked with my schedule. My personal experience here involved an hour to and from the Florida Mall, which is only nine miles away- it's not necessarily the most convenient option, but it exists.

Disney doesn't offer regular, scheduled transportation to competing entities, like Universal Studios. On occasion housing sets up excursions for interested participants, but the park-oriented ones were all to Busch Gardens during my time on the program.

 

[graygables]

Hey there again.

Now if I don't bring my car. My sister says that Orlando has an Excellent Mass transportation system. Is that true?

And do Disney provide transportation to places like Universal?

My DDs brought their cars on their programs and were very popular girls. Even if you can't get public transport, chances are, you'll make some friends who have cars and are willing to go fun places with you. Be sure to help pay for the gas and everyone will be happy!

 

[Traveliz]

I actually have known the new role request to go both ways, so if you really wanted something different and you were eligible for a transfer (essentially a pretty good record card), you had a reasonable shot of moving around. This is a decision that ultimately has a lot to do with labor availability in the current location and the location where you might want to transfer to.

The Maingate thing is just how the rules are laid out- it's one Maingate per year, even if you extend. Something I'm unclear on is if you were an extension of 2008 and get a Maingate in 09', if your 'used' entitlement count would carry over or not. It doesn't appear to me that the system does that- it seems like it clears each calendar year (so technically, you could be given a Maingate for 2009 that has six additional admissions). Since my extension was self contained in one calendar year, I'd be interested to find out how it works if you're between two calendar years.

I am almost positive my daughter who did Fall 2007 and then Spring 2008 had two separate maingates. She was saying something about it when we left -- I will ask her later.

ETA: She said she had a different one for each year -- she was able to keep the 2007 one but had to turn in the 2008 one at the end of her program.

She also transferred roles as well alot of her friends, although I know she said a few were denied transfers.

Liz