No more free passes for Disney Store CMs

[OnWithTheShow]

College Program campus reps are WDW Cast Members they are just in an unpaid role. They hold a WDW Cast Member ID which entitles them to entry. I think the whole comp admission thing was a little unorganized when perks were given to some divisions but not to others. I didnt think it was fair when I was rejected admission and discount at Disneyland, and rejected for a discount in the Disney Store when cast members from both those groups get admission and entry to WDW.

 

[manning]

Ei$ner is really scrambling to get that stock price up.

More than likely, the CMs will not go to the parks as often if at all and Disney will lose their dicounted purchases.

 

[Another Voice]

In the past the parks would keep track of how many people from other business units would get "free admission" and send out a charge. No real dollars changed hands, but the expense would show up back at the cast member's business as an expense.

Basically every part of Disney treated every other part as just another customer - they have to play to pay. On the flip side, each business could choose whether is was going to "pay for" park admission by their employees. Some did, some didn't.

I did hear rumor a long time back that the Stores decided not to pay Attractions (as a cost savings measure), but that WDW began to eat the charges because those cast members brought a lot of additional revenue with them (one night's hotel stay basically makes up for the price of admission).

I don't know how things are working at the moment, but a speculation is that WDW (or the Stores if the above rumor is false) have decided not to cover that expense anymore.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by JimmyMartin
It is a mistake for Disney to make this change. Castmembers will go more often with the free admission, take people with them and spend more money.

I don't think that's a fair argument. If that were truly the case, WDW would simply throw open the gates to all free of charge and assume that they would make their money off of food and souvenirs. It just doesn't work that way.

I'm as sympathetic as the next guy over this change, but you'd be hard pressed to convince me that WDW is actually LOSING money by eliminating this perk for their employees.

 

[caseymaureen]

tjkraz,
I'm going to have to disagree with your statements... As a former WDW CM, I know that I never would have been able to afford to go to the parks on the money they paid me without free admission, much less buy anything while I was there. TDS CMs are really not paid any better than workers at other retail stores, or WDW CMs at the resort, usually minimum wage or close to it. When you can barely afford to go on a vacation, free park entry is the icing that gets you to go to WDW time and time again, because you can afford it. And hey, since you got in free maybe you'll let the kids pick out a few souveniers or have a nice lunch. The thing is, Disney knows how much they pay their "worker bees" both at the parks and at TDS, and they know we couldn't afford to go or spend any money without discounts or free passes. I think this was an equation of either making no money, or little money, off the employees, or making the money they'll spend on the discounted hotel rooms, souveniers, and snacks. But if you can't afford to get into the parks, and therefore don't go on that vacation, they're not going to be making any of that money.
Very true that there are other people, non CMs, out there who cannot afford to go to WDW, but there are also many who can, and many who do, to make up for them. Disney knows that TDS and resort employees love Disney and would be happy to give back some of their pay dollars if they could afford it.

 

[tjkraz]

caseymaureen:

I think it's wonderful that you were able to take advantage of those benefits and still return additional dollars to Disney. But I don't necessarily agree that every individual who received the same free admission was using it in the same manner that you did. This benefit was previously extended to not just TDS employees but many other peripheral business units.

It's great that you were willing to stay, eat and shop on-site at WDW. But how many folks might have stayed at off-site resorts, didn't eat much at WDW and/or chose to not purchase many souvenirs? How many people living in and around the Florida area would use their passes for dozens of park days each year while returning home at the end of the day?

As a DVC owner and AP holder, believe me when I say that we spend a LOT of money at WDW each year. And I hope that this doesn't come across sounding like sour grapes, because it really isn't. More than once I suggested my wife take a job at our local Disney Store just to get some of these perks.

But generally speaking, the type of business model that was suggested simply doesn't work if you're looking to turn a profit. Would a movie theater really sell more $8 bags of popcorn if you didn't have to pay $9 for a ticket?

That's not to say that it was ineffective as an incentive for employees. Everyday benefits like health insurance and 401k have an (often significant) expense attached to them for the employer. So perhaps it's not even fair to assume that this decision was driven by whether or not they were turning a profit from employee theme park visits.

In the end, it's too bad that they didn't offer some sort of heavily-discounted Annual Pass as a compromise.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Well, if Disney pay it's CM' so little, then they are actually doing you a favor by taking away the free passes. You can't afford to be in the parks, why should Disney tempt you to spend money you don't have anyway by letting you in for nothing in the first place ?

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I'M KIDDING !!!!!

 

[caseymaureen]

tjkraz,
I actually never stayed onsite while working for Disney, due to the fact that I lived in Disney apartments and worked at Disney resorts . Wouldn't have been too much of a vacation. I am also a DVC member and a former AP holder, so I know exactly how much money most people spend on their time at Disney. The point of my earlier post was more that this perk wasn't hurting the company, it didn't truly cost them anything to let CMs in for free, and it may have brought in some revenue that these people wouldn't have otherwise spent. It was also a perk that was part of the "Disney Difference" in employment that the company speaks so highly of.

KNWVIKING,
No, most of us probably shouldn't be giving the company back the few dollars we got, but since my CP rent came out of my check, leaving me in the red most weeks, it wasn't as if I had spending money for anything else... And....I didn't say all of the CMs went and spent money in the parks, but most probably did. And, to top it all of, everyone needs a vacation every once in awhile...

 

[doombuggy]

I don't think that's a fair argument. If that were truly the case, WDW would simply throw open the gates to all free of charge and assume that they would make their money off of food and souvenirs. It just doesn't work that way.

I am going to argue your comments, tjkraz. I took my grandma to WDw last May for her first real vacation in YEARS. Expenses were 2 plane tickets from DC/r/t, 5 nights at Riverside, a full size rental car, ECV for same 6 days (she has Parkinson's), meals 3xs per day, and souvies. I had a hopper pass for her, but I did not need one myself, since I got in on my id. The trip was easily $1200 - 1300. I did not count her ticket, as I did not buy it for her, so if I had to buy 2 admissions, no discount on food or purchases or hotel room, that amount would have been closer to $2000. In that event, we never would have gone b/c I can't afford that.

Before someone else makes this type of comment again

Well, if Disney pay it's CM' so little, then they are actually doing you a favor by taking away the free passes. You can't afford to be in the parks, why should Disney tempt you to spend money you don't have anyway...

let me explain that I have a f/t job too -

Everyday benefits like health insurance and 401k have an (often significant) expense attached to them for the employer.

- in this business, so I know who's spending what. FYI, sometimes employers pass on the expenses of the 401(k) plans to the participants of the plan, and do not pay plan expenses out of their pocket. The participants pay the expenses.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by doombuggy
I am going to argue your comments, tjkraz. I took my grandma to WDw last May for her first real vacation in YEARS. Expenses were 2 plane tickets from DC/r/t, 5 nights at Riverside, a full size rental car, ECV for same 6 days (she has Parkinson's), meals 3xs per day, and souvies. I had a hopper pass for her, but I did not need one myself, since I got in on my id. The trip was easily $1200 - 1300. I did not count her ticket, as I did not buy it for her, so if I had to buy 2 admissions, no discount on food or purchases or hotel room, that amount would have been closer to $2000. In that event, we never would have gone b/c I can't afford that.

Like I said, I have no doubt that this CM benefit has lead to many vacations that would not have otherwise occurred. But that doesn't necessarily mean that those trips ended up being profitable for Disney--particularly when evaluated across all employees and all business units. Of the expenses you listed, the airfare, rental car and perhaps some $$$ spent for food would not be going to Disney. They received your dollars spent on lodging, souvenirs and some (if not all) food purchases. Is the profit associated with those items sufficient to offset the free admission that was granted? I have no idea.

Furthermore, WDW CMs living within a 200-300 mile radius could have been using their free admission to make day trips which would result in little to no revenue generated by food, lodging or transportation purchases.

My first posting in this thread was a direct response to the comment that Disney is losing ancillary income by revoking the free pass benefit previously offered to CMs. While I have no doubt that this is true in some cases, it clearly is not accurate in other cases.

FYI, sometimes employers pass on the expenses of the 401(k) plans to the participants of the plan, and do not pay plan expenses out of their pocket. The participants pay the expenses.

Having worked in the employee benefits field for more than a decade, I am well aware of this fact. I'm not really sure what it brings to the discussion, but thanks for pointing it out.

 

[manning]

For all you CMs who got shafted, we thank you for making it possible for us who have money to indulge in our fantasies. After all who maintain the parks, take our tickets. serve us, seat us, drive us, deliver our luggage, valet park the car, take our reservation, check us in, clean the rooms.

If it wasn't for you, us spoiled ones wouldn't be at Disney. You deserve that free entry.


And more.

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by manning
For all you CMs who got shafted, we thank you for making it possible for us who have money to indulge in our fantasies. After all who maintain the parks, take our tickets. serve us, seat us, drive us, deliver our luggage, valet park the car, take our reservation, check us in, clean the rooms.

If it wasn't for you, us spoiled ones wouldn't be at Disney. You deserve that free entry.


And more.

 

[mitros]

You said it! God bless them, everyone!

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by manning
For all you CMs who got shafted, we thank you for making it possible for us who have money to indulge in our fantasies. After all who maintain the parks, take our tickets. serve us, seat us, drive us, deliver our luggage, valet park the car, take our reservation, check us in, clean the rooms.

What are Disney Store CMs doing delivering our luggage and valet parking our car?

 

[doombuggy]

Furthermore, WDW CMs living within a 200-300 mile radius could have been using their free admission to make day trips which would result in little to no revenue generated by food, lodging or transportation purchases.

It is the other business units that are being effected, so to speak, not the WDW CMs. I don't know what their admission policy is for those CMs, but whatever it is, has not changed.

FYI, sometimes employers pass on the expenses of the 401(k) plans to the participants of the plan, and do not pay plan expenses out of their pocket. The participants pay the expenses.

Having worked in the employee benefits field for more than a decade, I am well aware of this fact. I'm not really sure what it brings to the discussion, but thanks for pointing it out.

I have been in this field since early 1991, and my comments on your point, tjkraz, was that the employers don't always foot the bill, as I beleive you implied:

Everyday benefits like health insurance and 401k have an (often significant) expense attached to them for the employer. So perhaps it's not even fair to assume that this decision was driven by whether or not they were turning a profit from employee theme park visits.

In WDC business units such as DL, WDW and TDS, a majority of the CMs are part-time. As such, WDC does not give benefits like health and 401(k) to these people. As for the 401(k) plan expenses, for all you know, they pass those on to the participants.

 

[JimmyMartin]

You people got to get it in your head. It is not only DS castmembers but all other employees outside of Disneyworld. They work for about minimum wage to give you a Disney fix. Dancing bear, dont go to disney stores any more and maybe they will close then you can go to Walmart and get your fix there.

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... the loss of this perk is the result of recent contract negociations ? Years ago we sold a fleet of trucks to Bell Atlantic - now Verizon- which had no air conditioning. I thought this was very odd until I was informed that a/c was not included in the new contract with the lineman. Years later, the union must have conceded something because now all the new trucks have a/c. Generally, publically reported contract details only talk about pay raise percentages and healthcare benifits, not things like a/c in trucks.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
.... the loss of this perk is the result of recent contract negociations ? Years ago we sold a fleet of trucks to Bell Atlantic - now Verizon- which had no air conditioning. I thought this was very odd until I was informed that a/c was not included in the new contract with the lineman. Years later, the union must have conceded something because now all the new trucks have a/c. Generally, publically reported contract details only talk about pay raise percentages and healthcare benifits, not things like a/c in trucks.

AFAIK, the Disney Store CMs are not unionized.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I doubt they are unionized. But another union that may be giving up this perk may insist that no other group get it either.

Actually, I doubt may theory is accurate, I'm just sorta thinking out loud.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
I doubt they are unionized. But another union that may be giving up this perk may insist that no other group get it either.

Actually, I doubt may theory is accurate, I'm just sorta thinking out loud.

My experience with unions is that they tend to stick up for each other.

Since we're "just sorta thinking out loud", I am thinking that "insisting no one else get a benefit just because we don't" wouldn't do much for "brotherhood/union solidarity" or organizing efforts. But these days, who knows?