Disney friends and family discount questions

[Ashleybritton]

I posted this on the resort page, but wasn't sure if this might be a better place for these questions. I hope that's oaky.

We have a family friend that will be working at Disney from February to August not through the college program, but he intends to stay on through the end of the year. I understand he needs to be currently employed at the time of our check in. We would ideally like to go in October, but I'm worried he might change his mind and then we'll be stuck paying full price.

1. Are cast members limited to 4 friends and family discounts?

2. If so, is it per calendar year or per contract (in this case from Feb. To Aug., and in which case would it reset in September)?

3. I'm struggling to word this question, but does the use of your 4 discounts apply at the time they are booked or at the time of check in? I'm worried we might book a trip in October, but by the time we check in he will already have used his 4 friends and family discounts and well have to pay rack rate.

4. If we book a split stay will it count as one or two of his 4 discounts?

I'm a teacher on maternity leave with no more vacation days left this year so I can't really go anytime earlier and I'd really prefer to avoid the summer if at all possible.

 

[jenniy122]

1. Frankly, they've been changing the allotments constantly lately, and there's ways around the rules (if the CM puts themselves on your reservation, it's not a F&F and is a better discount, and they don't *actually* have to ever enter the room and they don't have a limit to self-discounts).

2. Calendar year.

3&4. Interesting questions and who knows. Would probably depend on who did check in.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

A coworker of mine who used to work at disney just got back from a trip where he used the friends and family discount. He stated he was really disappointed with the discount, and that discounts were restructured at the begginning of the year and are not nearly as good as in the past. You might be better off looking for a discount released to the general public.

 

[coolbrook]

A split stay would count as two of his four friends and family discounts I believe.

 

[Dashzap]

He stated he was really disappointed with the discount, and that discounts were restructured at the beginning of the year and are not nearly as good as in the past. You might be better off looking for a discount released to the general public.

It is the same this year as last year...either 40% or 25% off depending on availability.

 

[DrummerBoy523]

We got it this year for 40%. That was the same as last year and the year prior.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Just talked to a different ex CM friend today about this and she said his lack of a good discount was probably because it was "slow time" in January when hotels are already cheap. She said it might also be because of the specific resort he choose, and had he picked a different one the discount would have been better. Sorry to confuse you OP, looks like the previous posters are correct

 

[Kdbruin]

I too had questions regarding friends and family discount. Last April I was able to use the discount and I called Disney,booked the rooms and my CM friend provided me with vouchers to show at check in. We got 40% off at thr Grand Californian. Now I want to book for later in the year and when I called they said things changed as of sometime last year and the CM has to do it online for you. Curious as to how that works in regards to a deposit. Do they put it on their credit card? I was also informed by my friend that the discount at least at DL is getting harder to get. Wondering what other people's experiences have been in 2017.

 

[Dashzap]

Curious as to how that works in regards to a deposit. Do they put it on their credit card?

If the reservation check-in date is more than 30 days away, your CM could make the reservation and ask for a deposit extension....then you can call in to make the deposit.