If a CM is getting you in for free...

[Not2L8]

The ex of a friend has graciously offered to bring me into MK one day on my upcoming vacation. I know that I'll get more info closer to the date, but can somebody describe the procedure for me? Will I be able to leave the park and come back later the same day? I plan to bring him a little gift from my home state; that's acceptable isn't it? I don't want it to look like a bribe, it's just a little token of thanks, but I wouldn't want it to look bad for him in front of any other CMs.

Thanks for any info! I feel a little weird about this since I don't know him personally. What a nice treat, right?

 

[PCFriar80]

The ex of a friend has graciously offered to bring me into MK one day on my upcoming vacation. I know that I'll get more info closer to the date, but can somebody describe the procedure for me? Will I be able to leave the park and come back later the same day? I plan to bring him a little gift from my home state; that's acceptable isn't it? I don't want it to look like a bribe, it's just a little token of thanks, but I wouldn't want it to look bad for him in front of any other CMs.

Thanks for any info! I feel a little weird about this since I don't know him personally. What a nice treat, right?

From what I have seen and this observation is somewhat dated and occured a couple of times for sports guests at ESPN, the CM in this case used what appeared to be a "guest key/ticket" to allow the guest to enter EC via IG. It didn't appear that they (the guest) and their family actually had physical tickets. I know there are daily comp tickets available and I'm sure they have re-entry features, but not hopping features. It really depends on the mode that your friend is planning on getting you access.

 

[brentalex]

A few years ago ( probably about 10 years ) my DW's aunt got us in for free because her husband had worked for years at disney. We had to go the the furthest left turnstile, and I believe that we got a special stamp on our hands when we entered. This was to get us back in if we needed, although we did not try this. We spent as much time as we wanted in the park, and then left. Of course this whole procedure could have changed, since it has been a while.
I would not be too concerned about giving the friend something. The place is so crowded and everyone is busy doing something, I doubt that anyone would even notice, or care.

 

[TAKitty]

I did this last year for a week in July. You will enter the turnstyle and the CM will say he wants to let you in on his pass. The "ticket" CM will run a plastic card in the machine and you can enter. You will get a ticket that you will more than likely have to sign. Most of the parks made us sign, some didn't It is a hopper ticket, so you can visit other parks.

 

[MikeL1515]

We just had a CM get us in to DL last week for free. All he did was sign a paper and he was able to get 3 of us in for free + my DS who is under the age limit. At DL it was a plain blue paper ticket with no writing on the front and a bar code on the back. And we were able to 'hop' between DL and DCA all day no questions asked. Even when the CM was no longer with us. I assume it will work the same way in DW.

 

[southernbella]

HI, We had a CM get us in a few weeks ago. You get your own ticket issued to you. You can use it just like a regular ticket. Sbella

 

[loriandmatt]

there are different grades of CM's and they have different types of entrance privilidges. we have a few family friends who are ride assistants, counter service and such. they have different privilidges/rules that apply to getting guests into the parks as the other friends that we have that are more upper level CM's.

in some cases the CM has to actually accompany you into the park (there is nothing keeping them from ditching you 10 feet past the turnstiles and heading off to wherever they want in or out of the parks - but as far as entry goes, they have to be with you) in other cases they can just give you passes that get you in no matter if they are there with you or not. It all depends on what bennies they get and what type of admittance they can give to you. if you can, contact the person who will be getting you in and ask your specific questions. they can either answer you or get the answers you need.

as far as the gift is concerned - i don't think that would look like a bribe at all. just don't make it out like "how much do i owe you and do you take personal checks" and it won't seem to anyone that it is anything other than a token of friendship.

 

[mjmcca]

I have some very close freinds who work at WDW. I have personally used their admission myself inthe past and recently they have brought their kids and I have kept them all day while they are at work and I am on vaccation. AFAIK, General CM get a certain number of entries a year on their CM IDs. I think it is 12 for the year. At each entry they can get 4 people in other than themselves. The CM at the gate scans their ID and gives each entering guest a one day hopper ticket. The person getting you in does not have to enter the park with you but they have to be at the gate.


Occasionally Disney gives hard tickets to CM as a bonus these are subject to the rules on the back of the ticket. In this case the CM does not ahve to go with you tot he gate. These tickets are pretty rare. DH used to get them ages ago when he worked at TDS. I am talking nearly 10 years ago. I know as recently as 4 years ago my friend in Fla got a ticket similar to this one.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

One of the guys I work with has a connection with someone who works at wdw. A few years back when they went they got them a 'deeply discounted' (although I think he said it was ASM for about $70 a night) room rate and free admission to the parks. He told me that a van actually came and picked them up at the hotel every day to get to and into the parks for free. I asked him what his CM friend (its actually a friend thru his DFiance) did at wdw and he wasn't sure. It seems like his fiance does most of the planning and knows more details. Has anyone heard of such a treatment for friends of CM's?

 

[mjmcca]

One of the guys I work with has a connection with someone who works at wdw. A few years back when they went they got them a 'deeply discounted' (although I think he said it was ASM for about $70 a night) room rate and free admission to the parks. He told me that a van actually came and picked them up at the hotel every day to get to and into the parks for free. I asked him what his CM friend (its actually a friend thru his DFiance) did at wdw and he wasn't sure. It seems like his fiance does most of the planning and knows more details. Has anyone heard of such a treatment for friends of CM's?

I have gotten even better rates at hotels it depends on the season, the van comming to pick you up is a new one they CM they know must be someone important.

 

[PKK/MJK]

My DD is currently a WDW CM. The majority of the above info is correct. Basically there are two ways for a CM to get you in for free.

ONE: Most full-time CMs are allowed to use their CM ID cards to bring in guests for free 12 times a year. Each of these 12 times allows the CM 3 free guests (it says 4--but if there is a 4th person, it must be the CM--which is ridiculous). The CM must be with you to get you into the park. Their ID card is scanned and you are issued a one-day HOPPER ticket.

TWO: The CMs do get bonus tickets as rewards. They receive several as Holiday gifts at Christmas time. They used to receive them as 'thank yous ' for performing in the CandleLight Processional--don't know if that is still true. Anyway, they do still get this kind of ticket--not many, but some. If a CM gives you this type of ticket, he/she does NOT have to be with you to enter the park. You receive a one day hopper as above. These tickets have expiration dates on the back. If you receive one of these, you might want to check to be sure the ticket is still valid--not that a CM would purposely give you a bad ticket but sometimes the CMs lose track of the dates.

I'm sure the CM would be thrilled with a little token of thanks! You'd be surprised how many people forget to say thank you!



The CMs do get discounts on room rates--sometimes they are very significant discounts but it depends on the time of year and availability. I've never heard of a van picking anyone up, taking them to the park and getting them in free. WOW!! That must be one very important CM!!

 

[doombuggy]

ONE: Most full-time CMs are allowed to use their CM ID cards to bring in guests for free 12 times a year. Each of these 12 times allows the CM 3 free guests (it says 4--but if there is a 4th person, it must be the CM--which is ridiculous). The CM must be with you to get you into the park. Their ID card is scanned and you are issued a one-day HOPPER ticket.

Actually, this is incorrect. I can only get into a park on my id; you cannot get in with me. A maingate or silver pass allows the passholder to admit, with them, up to 3 guests. The number of admits depends on your status - temporary, perm. p/t or f/t, management & executive.

The part about the comp passes is correct. My uncle came to visit me in Nov. 2004 and he had 2 comp passes from an exec at our home offices (they were trying to lure him away from Ceasar's, but he went to CIGNA instead). You can use the comp passes on your owne, without the CM.

To the op, have fun on your trip!

 

[PKK/MJK]

Sorry--I guess I stated that somewhat incorrectly!! Next time I'll re-read my post more carefully. Yes, technically the actual ID card only admits the CM to the park. The Silver/Maingate-type pass actually determines the number of people the CM can admit free and the type of pass the CM possesses depends on the CMs status--full-time/part-time/seasonal etc etc; however , as I stated, most full-time CMs can admit "up to'' 3 people--12 different times during the year. CMs with a LOT of seniority or position have different rules.

All technicalities aside, to the OP--either way--Yes, you can park-hop-- and yes you can give a thank-you token to the CM if you want to do so.

Have a GREAT time!!

 

[Not2L8]

I really appreciate all of the responses. I'm now DOUBLY excited about my trip! I had no idea that I would be able to hop along with getting into MK free (looks like I'll get a chance at EE after all)!