Questions about Cast Member Discounts for Resorts and Tickets

[SureAsLiz]

My little brother was accepted for fall advantage program (June-Jan.). My DH and I want to visit him but since I work a school district I am very limited on when I can go visit him. Right now we are looking at either end of August or during winter break, what I am wondering is when would be more cost efficient. Would his discounts be really worth it to go in the winter or is it better to just go during the summer?

The discounts are pretty standard - Friends and Family is usually around 40% year round. I have only used mine during the summer, but had no problem finding what we wanted (AOA faimly suite). I do know someone who was able to get a discount over New Years as well

While the overall savings are pretty consistent, the problem you may run into is availability. Not many rooms are released (they have been getting better about this though) so you want to be flexible on when/where you stay

Once your brother is in the system, he will be able to log into the Hub and check to see what dates/rates/hotels are available for you

 

[mickey2minnie1]

My DS was accepted and begins Jan. 23rd. We already have reservations for Jun/July for a family vacation. How many weeks in can he check and re-book at his discount? Thanks!!

 

[goofy4tink]

My DS was accepted and begins Jan. 23rd. We already have reservations for Jun/July for a family vacation. How many weeks in can he check and re-book at his discount? Thanks!!

When he is able to access the Hub, after he gets through Traditions and is an actual CM, he should be able to check and see what is available. But, here's the thing. He may not be able to get a discount for the exact time and resort you are already booked at. They can only book what's available when they look. If the resort you want isn't available for a CM discount at the time you want, you can't get a discount.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

When he is able to access the Hub, after he gets through Traditions and is an actual CM, he should be able to check and see what is available. But, here's the thing. He may not be able to get a discount for the exact time and resort you are already booked at. They can only book what's available when they look. If the resort you want isn't available for a CM discount at the time you want, you can't get a discount.

Great, thank you. If summer works, great, if not, I will be happy with my current reservation.

My daughter and I want to go down one weekend in March or April, so we are flexible to whatever is available for that.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

If going to a park with a CP intern, do u just forego fast passes?

 

[wilkeliza]

If going to a park with a CP intern, do u just forego fast passes?

No as CPs do not get main gates in the traditional way any more. If he has main gate credits and he is on the reservation then he can prebook the FPs at 60 days. However they don't get credits until after a certain amount of hours are worked. I would not rely on their tickets if FPs is important.

 

[bizeemom4]

Is there a limit to how many weeks at the F&F discount? We average a trip every month or 2. Just wondering how many of those trips can now be made with the CP discount.

 

[dizagain]

No as CPs do not get main gates in the traditional way any more. If he has main gate credits and he is on the reservation then he can prebook the FPs at 60 days. However they don't get credits until after a certain amount of hours are worked. I would not rely on their tickets if FPs is important.

Actually, using their guest passes is very easy- I promise! They earn three 1-day park hoppers at 150, 300 and 600 hours worked. They get a total of nine. Once they have the passes (plastic tickets with Chip n Dale on them), they can give you the numbers and you can link them to family/friends on your MDE. You can then make FP' s as early as 60 days out if you have resort reservation.

We have done this three trips this year. Yes, on occasion there is an issue at the gate so always have hard tickets with you even if using magic bands just in case. We have not had any problems.

Also, the tickets are valid every time CM' s can enter parks which is all the time pretty much. Christmas week will have some days that are blocked but that's been it for 2016. They are so much easier to use than the passes regular CM' s receive.

 

[wilkeliza]

Actually, using their guest passes is very easy- I promise! They earn three 1-day park hoppers at 150, 300 and 600 hours worked. They get a total of nine. Once they have the passes (plastic tickets with Chip n Dale on them), they can give you the numbers and you can link them to family/friends on your MDE. You can then make FP' s as early as 60 days out if you have resort reservation.

We have done this three trips this year. Yes, on occasion there is an issue at the gate so always have hard tickets with you even if using magic bands just in case. We have not had any problems.

Also, the tickets are valid every time CM' s can enter parks which is all the time pretty much. Christmas week will have some days that are blocked but that's been it for 2016. They are so much easier to use than the passes regular CM' s receive.

It was more about the hours that makes it difficult. It is relying on them getting the number of tickets you need before your 60 days that makes it harder to rely on them.

 

[dizagain]

It was more about the hours that makes it difficult. It is relying on them getting the number of tickets you need before your 60 days that makes it harder to rely on them.

Gotcha. They earn first 6 really fast. Mine checked in 2/1 and had 6 for us to link for FP's long before early June trip. Last set came soon after our trip. Having experienced both the old and new temporary CM guest passes, I much prefer these to the old way.

 

[Praise2Him]

[

Actually, using their guest passes is very easy- I promise! They earn three 1-day park hoppers at 150, 300 and 600 hours worked. They get a total of nine. Once they have the passes (plastic tickets with Chip n Dale on them), they can give you the numbers and you can link them to family/friends on your MDE. You can then make FP' s as early as 60 days out if you have resort reservation.

We have done this three trips this year. Yes, on occasion there is an issue at the gate so always have hard tickets with you even if using magic bands just in case. We have not had any problems.

Also, the tickets are valid every time CM' s can enter parks which is all the time pretty much. Christmas week will have some days that are blocked but that's been it for 2016. They are so much easier to use than the passes regular CM' s receive.

Is each 1 day pass good for 3 people like before, or only 1 person per pass?

 

[guerns17]

Hi! We plan to use a cast member discount for our trip in May 2018. I know DIsney is releasing 2018 packages on Tuesday the 20th. Will the cast member booking system open their 2018 dates as well that day?

 

[Ronferr80]

Hi! We plan to use a cast member discount for our trip in May 2018. I know DIsney is releasing 2018 packages on Tuesday the 20th. Will the cast member booking system open their 2018 dates as well that day?

Were you able to book with the cast member discount? A friend of ours had offered to use their CM rate for our Apri 2018 trip but didn't want to start bugging them if the rates are not available yet. Thanks in advance!!

 

[guerns17]

Were you able to book with the cast member discount? A friend of ours had offered to use their CM rate for our Apri 2018 trip but didn't want to start bugging them if the rates are not available yet. Thanks in advance!!

Apparently cast member discounts were supposed to be released on July 16, but the Hub online booking for cast members has not updated yet. The cast member I know let's me log in to her account so I can check and book the room myself. I've been checking multiple times a day to see if they have opened the dates, but still not yet. It's driving me bonkers.

 

[Ronferr80]

Apparently cast member discounts were supposed to be released on July 16, but the Hub online booking for cast members has not updated yet. The cast member I know let's me log in to her account so I can check and book the room myself. I've been checking multiple times a day to see if they have opened the dates, but still not yet. It's driving me bonkers.

Your friend is nicer then my friend!!! Lol thanks for responding and if you do happen book it I would love to know when if you remember... thanks again!!!!

 

[guerns17]

Your friend is nicer then my friend!!! Lol thanks for responding and if you do happen book it I would love to know when if you remember... thanks again!!!!

I will definitely try to remember to post once they release 2018. I really hope it's soon! I would assume it would be before August because as of now you can only book an arrival day of Dec 31 through the month of January departure days. Starting August it will be 6 months until February..many people will want their reservations before they book dining
At 180 days.

 

[guerns17]

Cast member online booking through 2018 is open!! Yay!

 

[maiinstreetmagic]

Hi! I know this topic has already been touched on but I just wanted to clarify so I could start planning I'm becoming a cast member as part of the cultural exchange program next summer and I was wondering if I could book a resort with my discount to stay there 2 weeks after my program ends as I'd like to go travelling and come back for the MNSSHP if possible? I was also wondering when the blue badge expires? I've heard that some people can still get park entry a few weeks after their program has finished but I wasn't sure if that was true for everyone or if it just happens by chance.

Thanks guys!