Question about College Program Benefits from a Mom

[tar heel]

My son is doing the CP fall 2007. He arrives August 13.

We're trying to figure out when his free admission to the parks will begin. Because his younger brother has to head to college later that week, we can't stay but a day or two after dropping him off. My DH is having trouble wrapping his mind around being there and not doing parks, but I can't see paying $$$ for DS to go to parks the weekend before his CP begins. I'm thinking further ahead to the two-three additional trips we'll be making in the fall.

So, does he have to wait until he's finished training to get into the parks free or does he get that when he checks in? I would sure love to hear that he gets it when he checks in.

 

[Joanna71985]

My son is doing the CP fall 2007. He arrives August 13.

We're trying to figure out when his free admission to the parks will begin. Because his younger brother has to head to college later that week, we can't stay but a day or two after dropping him off. My DH is having trouble wrapping his mind around being there and not doing parks, but I can't see paying $$$ for DS to go to parks the weekend before his CP begins. I'm thinking further ahead to the two-three additional trips we'll be making in the fall.

So, does he have to wait until he's finished training to get into the parks free or does he get that when he checks in? I would sure love to hear that he gets it when he checks in.

Hi there. He does not get to get in the parks for free until after Traditions, which is on the third day.

 

[Traveliz]

Hey tar heel - I hear you - my daughter is checking in the 15th (but we mght get it changed to the 13th)...I am bringing her down early as she and I are going to do the Pirate and Princess party on Friday.

I have an AP but hers will have been expired and obviously I am not going to renew it so I think I am just going to go ahead and buy her 3-4 day pass that she will use up before her perks start. I just can't see hanging out and not going to the parks - especially since we are staying all All Stars this trip.

I also have a few fall trips scheduled. It's going to be fun! I finally have an excuse to have to go to WDW!

Liz

 

[tar heel]

Thanks, Joanna. I was pretty sure that was the case.

Traveliz -- we may end up doing that, too, but I sure hate to spend the $. The rest of the family wouldn't be happy unless it was a hopper, and the current ticket structure certainly doesn't encourage short stays. I'm trying to make this a cheap trip, so we can have more expensive ones later. I've not told DH yet, but I think we're going to stay off-site this first trip! There are five of us, so we can't do a Value. I also threw out the idea of going to Universal instead of Disney since we'll be going back to WDW during fall break.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[minniecrazy22]

Hey... for what it's worth, I would recommend doing the Universal thing because by the time you come back in October, your son will have his blue pass so 3 of your family members will get into Disney for free for 6 days! It seems kind of silly to pay for him to get into the parks when he'll have unlimited access for 4 months... I did a CP last year and I'm heading back to do a professional internship in June... that's what I would recommend, but good luck with it!

 

[Laurennyy23]

Thanks, Joanna. I was pretty sure that was the case.

Traveliz -- we may end up doing that, too, but I sure hate to spend the $. The rest of the family wouldn't be happy unless it was a hopper, and the current ticket structure certainly doesn't encourage short stays. I'm trying to make this a cheap trip, so we can have more expensive ones later. I've not told DH yet, but I think we're going to stay off-site this first trip! There are five of us, so we can't do a Value. I also threw out the idea of going to Universal instead of Disney since we'll be going back to WDW during fall break.

Decisions, decisions.

Go ahead and buy the 10 day park hoppers if you can, that's what my parents did. The blue pass is only good for 3 family members, so each time you come someone's going to need a ticket, and it's only good for 6 days, so if you're doing multiple trips, you'll probably need more than that anyway. Disney ticket prices are never going to go down, only up, so look at it as an investment. As long as you pay for the no expiration option, they're good forever, so when you come back in the future you'll have those extra days at a set price that's lower than whatever they'll cost down the road. My family came several times during my CP and this worked out well. Plus, as you said, the more days you buy, the cheaper they get (not that they're cheap!) ...but at a certain point adding additional days is only a few dollars, as opposed to the hundred dollar one day park hopper.

 

[LarryKeith]

My son will start CP june 20th. We are going in august to see him and again in Dec. My ? is about the pass. Does he have to accompany us into the park when we go in, is it a park hopper, and if so would he have to be with us to reenter another park. I kinda figured the 3 people thing was per day not that he can't take a different person in on a later date if he dosn't use up the 6 days? Not sure, if you could answer it sure would help in the planning of the trips. Dining plans especially. Also when he is done with the program will they expire? We are DVC members so I know we will be back.

 

[Joanna71985]

My son will start CP june 20th. We are going in august to see him and again in Dec. My ? is about the pass. Does he have to accompany us into the park when we go in, is it a park hopper, and if so would he have to be with us to reenter another park. I kinda figured the 3 people thing was per day not that he can't take a different person in on a later date if he dosn't use up the 6 days? Not sure, if you could answer it sure would help in the planning of the trips. Dining plans especially. Also when he is done with the program will they expire? We are DVC members so I know we will be back.

1) Yes, he has to accompany you to the first/only park, because he has to get you in with his Main Gate. The way it works is that it gets 3 people into the parks for 6 days. And it is a park hopper. So let's say he gets you into, say, the MK. If you want to go ride Soarin at Epcot, you can just use the same ticket.

2) the 3 people don't have to be the same people. He can take any 3 people he wants into the park for 6 days. So that is up to 18 people in all.

3) I believe it expires after Dec 31st.

 

[LarryKeith]

1) Yes, he has to accompany you to the first/only park, because he has to get you in with his Main Gate. The way it works is that it gets 3 people into the parks for 6 days. And it is a park hopper. So let's say he gets you into, say, the MK. If you want to go ride Soarin at Epcot, you can just use the same ticket.

2) the 3 people don't have to be the same people. He can take any 3 people he wants into the park for 6 days. So that is up to 18 people in all.

3) I believe it expires after Dec 31st.

thank you for info, His last day there will be Jan 4th 2008, so will they be good till 12/31/08? I plan on driving down for that last week he is there to drive him back. Will they still be good his last few days there?

 

[Joanna71985]

thank you for info, His last day there will be Jan 4th 2008, so will they be good till 12/31/08? I plan on driving down for that last week he is there to drive him back. Will they still be good his last few days there?

No unfortunately, 2007. When I did the Fall Advantage 2006 CP, my pass expired Dec 31, 2006.

 

[DJFLuFFKiNS]

FYI, the way I remember it, I got my bluepass practically the day I got there... if not the day after. I had my bluepass before I had my ID. CPs are arranged specially to get their blue pass RIGHT AWAY instead of the usual 2 weeks for most cast members. There is a good chance that you would be able to use it the first couple days there. At least that's what I remembered when I did Spring Advantage 06. If someone remembers more recently... ya...

 

[Joanna71985]

FYI, the way I remember it, I got my bluepass practically the day I got there... if not the day after. I had my bluepass before I had my ID. CPs are arranged specially to get their blue pass RIGHT AWAY instead of the usual 2 weeks for most cast members. There is a good chance that you would be able to use it the first couple days there. At least that's what I remembered when I did Spring Advantage 06. If someone remembers more recently... ya...

You would not be able to use the Main Gate until after the third day. Because that is when you have Traditions, and that is when you receive your ID (which is what you need to get yourself into the parks, and use the Main Gate).