Do Disney Store CMs get discounts at WDW?

[angey77]

I was wondering, thinking about trying for a job there during the holidays. Do DS CMs get good discounts like WDW CMs? Tickets? Resorts? Merchandise?

 

[luvmk]

I was just at DS and the manager and I were talking about going to WDW. She said she gets 50% off room rate and free park tickets. I don't remember how many park passes she receives, but I know it was more than enough for her family of three. That would definately be an incentive for working there!

 

[eeyore0062]

Disney Store castmembers can't discuss their specific benefits and perks... sorry

Suffice it to say that management has VERY nice perks, permanent CM 's have nice perks, and temporary, or seasonal castmembers have some perks as there is really not time to take advantage of most of them.

Working for Disney is a lot of fun, but also very hard work. 1st and foremost, you have to WANT to work for Disney, not just work there for the perks...

 

[TLinden16]

I have a friend who works for Disney publishing. She is a manager, so she gets awesome perks. Her employee ID is good to get four people in the parks. She gets 50% off room rates, and awesome discounts on merchandise and dining.

One thing about the discount on merchandise is that cast members aren't supposed to buy things with your money. They can buy things and give them to you as a gift, but they are really strict about buying stuff with another person's money.

Karen

 

[Michelemouse]

I am no longer a TDS cast member but I was both a regular CM and an assistant manager at one point. At that time regular CMs got 2 free park tickets twice a year, plus they could get into the parks for free with their ID (just them though...everyone else needed a ticket). Managers got a Silver Pass which was good 365 days a year (some holidays blacked out) and was good for the CM and up to 3 additional people. They also got park tickets twice a year for the number of dependents they claimed on their W2. All permanent CMs were eligible for up to 50% off hotel rooms if there was availability.

If you are thinking of doing seasonal work you will not get the free park tickets or a regular ID (which would be needed for park admission). You will get the store discount on merchandise.

Hope this helps.

 

[Pammy jo]

How long do you have to work there to become considered permanent rather than seasonal? Do you have to work a certain amount of time prior to getting any discount? Not planning on working at a store, just curious.

 

[eeyore0062]

It depends on the time of the year you are hired. If you are hired in the fall, you will automatically be considered seasonal... and if they need castmembers after Christmas, and you and the store are interested, you may be asked to stay on as a permanent CM. Otherwise they do periodically hire permanent CM's during the rest of the year, as needed, and benefits are available after completing orientation... however it may take a while to receive your permanent ID.

Hope this helps!

 

[Pammy jo]

Thanks for the info. I might want to consider it when my DS is a little older.

 

[gonga]

Or you could become a Travel Agent. I get 50% off rooms, parks and packages. I get discounts everywhere but Disney really discounts for TA's. Going to GF/Dlx conc RPC, Ultimate Park hopper pass, And Silver plan (3n/4d) for $1800.00. Not bad considering the accommodations and package for 2 people.

However, I do not make much money - espically now. commissions are meger and can be as low as $2.00. We do travel often, so what we save in travel expenses is like money in the bank.

 

[Kurry]

gonga,

I am extremely interested in becoming a Travel Agent, not really for the perks(although those would be nice as well) but because I love to plan, vacations especially. Can you tell me how to become certified? In addition, any other information you could provide would be very appreciated.

Thank you!


Ps. If you do not want to post info here on the board, feel free to PM or email me at Kelly_Hamm@hotmail.com

 

[angey77]

Same for me gonga. I'm used to not being paid anything (I work for the state!) and everyone tells me I'm a natural for planning vacations, especially on budgets.
Geesh, interested in the Disney Store, being a travel agent, can you tell I don't care too much for my job?

 

[gonga]

It's easy to get spoiled that way. I used to pay full fare for everything. We do not have kids and we LOVE to travel. So the money I save on travel expenses is like a part time jobs' wage! the less it costs, the less comes out of the bank!