Do Disney Store Employees get half off?

[Karista]

So what about resort employees? What sort of park entrance perks do they get? We are going next week with another family and she has been told by a friend (who works at one of the Epcot resorts) that he can get her family of 5 into the parks for free each day. This seems extreme to me, especially since it's a peak week and they aren't even related. I was starting to think that Disney just must be extremely generous to it's employees. I bought a 4-day hopper for my family of 5 and paid a little over $900, and this family is planning on going for 5 days for free. Are they mis-informed?

 

[JonetteA]

Doombuggy,

I am a TDS cast member. I will gladly tell you what I started out at last year. ...$5.25 an hr. Fabulous isn't it. When I had my yearly review, I made a 5% increase. Which btw, is better of % than I make in my full time job. I wish I started off at 6 bucks an hr. This may be true for some peeople (HI, NY, CA) but for the most part, we are all minimum wage.

 

[Steffi]

Karista...

I know that CMs at WDW are able to get in free, as are their guests, but I don't know if the number of guests they can bring for free is limited. My niece lives in Orlando & her boyfriend works at WDW...he has taken her to the parks for free several times...but I don't think he's ever brought in a large group of people.

If your friend IS that lucky, the CM that she knows will have to actually meet her & her family every day & accompany them at least until they get through the gates. This is sure to be somewhat of a sacrifice of the CM's time, given how long it can take to travel to & get into the parks. I sure hope she shows her gratitude. IMO, I wouldn't like to have my family's vacation plans in someone else's hands like that...I'd be worried that the person wouldn't show up, or would be late, or would just decide that it's too much trouble. But at that kind of savings, I guess it's worth it!

 

[cindyfan]

Karista,
It is a whole other set of rules for actual WDW CMs!
There are better discounts for WDW if you actually work at the parks or one of the resorts.
I think Steffi is correct about the CM has to be present to get them in. But if they work at, for example MK, they would just meet their guests at MK first thing, get them in and then their guests would hop to whichever park they wanted to go.
WDW CMs I think get much better of a discount on resort stays too. We had a former TDS CM that transferred to WDW, and he was able to get like a 70% discount for his family. He was there with them at check in. And I think it was non-peak season.

 

[doombuggy]

I believe certain WDW employees get a main gate pass, which can allow 3 or 4 people in with the employee. I beleve DL has this as well.

As for the wage issue, I can feel your pain JonettA and Cindy fan. Please note that when I started, I was making 50 cents more than min wage, which promptly got raised (min. wage) a month afterwards. I had 4 years experience at other retailers at the time. But then I transferred to another area that had a higher rate. The third time I transferred, the same thing happened. I don't get an automatic raise by the way. Now I have nearly 10 years of retail experience, and yet the starting wage at other places are more than what I make. The bottom line is that I work there for reasons other than money. But I would not work there for min. wage and do not. This topic is making me a bit hot, so I am going to sign off.

 

[DisneyFan09]

I'm so depressed after reading all of this. I have an interview tomorrow at TDS. I have been waiting for months for an opening, popping in at least once a week, getting to know all of the managers and other CM's and now finally I'm getting my chance. Do I even want it now? I wasn't necessarily looking for park discounts. I live in Iowa and discount or not I can't afford to go very often living this far away. I'm a stay at home Mom who needs some part-time income and loves everything Disney and thought what better place in the whole world (besides the world itself) to work? I can't believe that CM's are treated as shabbily as described above. What in the world is wrong with those people, how rich do the rich need to get? I'm so disillusioned about Disney, what would Walt say if he could see what has been done to his dream? I know I'm being melodramatic, but I'm just heartsick!

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

By all means go to the interview. Every store and management team is different. Guest will be guest but by and large they are a happy lot. Having said this if you have never worked retail before you will be in for an education.

Denise (posting under her daughters name)

 

[BostonTigger]

I'd have to agree with Bethsg. I worked at a Disney Store, and while I love Disney and loved the discounts I got while working there the problems associated with asking for time off was too much. I'm studying Voice Perfomance with an Opera Emphasis at a small Conservatory. With this degree, I usually will make a request for time off for about a two week period twice a school year for Opera rehearsals and performaces. And while I got the requests approved, it was tough to do so due the companies crack down of time off requests. And let's not even mention the fact that I go home to New Mexico for Christmas and I live in Boston....now that was fun asking for each year. I almost never had a problem asking for time off. In the three years I worked for the stores I called in sick three times, was never late, and would come in early if asked so I always got the time off I requested. Actually, I'll tell you who it was most hard on....my Store Manager. She had to defind the decisions to give me the time off with District Manager, which I loved her dearly for it. But with the recent crack down in time off requests and my stores closer I felt it was time to move on and get out of retail. There were other reasons, but those I listed were the maing factors for me leaving.


Steven

 

[JonetteA]

I think we have focused too much on the pay and benefits that are tangible. But not on the intangibles. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the store when I work. It is a great place to have fun, meet new people and get to play with the kids. I love Disney always have and always will, that is why I work at the store. To spread the magic to people who can't go to Disney World, Disneyland or on the cruise. It is the feeling of talking to people and helping them make plan for their trip.

Don't get discouraged about what the pay or benefits are, remember that you love Disney and that is why you are there.

 

[DisneyFan09]

Thank you JonetteA for putting things into perspective! I do love Disney and it would be a way for me to be a part of the magic. How else can someone from Iowa become a Disney Cast Member. I'm not looking to get rich or to go to WDW 10 times a year, so I don't think I should focus on the pay and discounts!

 

[Dagny]

Just want to throw my .02 in.... I am a former TDS CM.... I worked at TDS for 2 1/2 years and LOVED it..... our store managers were great, the Cast was great and our Regional Director was wonderful to work with. Did I get rich? Absolutely Not I probably spent twice as much as I earned, but I really enjoyed spreading Disney Magic to our guests. Work there because you LOVE Disney and for no other reason

 

[DisneyFan09]

Thank you for your .02 Dagny! I just got hired at TDS and I'm so excited!! I keep reminding myself that I AM A CAST MEMBER!!!!!!!! I know I won't get rich and I may never get to take advantage of the generous discounts at WDW but I don't care!!

 

[BostonTigger]

DisneyFan09, congrats. on becoming a Disney Cast Member. It's a great Company to work for, dispite what I may have said about asking for time off. I always felt as though I worked for a family. Since you are now a Cast Member, email webmaster pete, I think, and request for entrance into the Cast Member only area. Sometimes people can be a little negative, it comes from how the over all company treats the Disney Store, so don't let that get to you. Have fun and congrats once again.



steven

 

[DisneyFan09]

Thanks BostonTigger! I discussed time off issues with the manager at my interview and she says that policy varies by store and that at our store if it works out with all other cast members and there is enough coverage, that time off requests are generally granted! Even during the Christmas season. I haven't even worked a shift yet and I'm already receiving my discount and the additional % off that was being given to all CM's to celebrate TDS 15 year anniversary! I think a lot of what goes on behind the scenes depends on the store manager. Mine seems wonderful!