Free tickets from CMs

[sbkline]

It is my understanding that CMs are allowed to get people into the parks for free. I just have some questions on how that works. Are they only allowed a certain amount of people per year that they can get in for free? Is it only relatives? Do they have to personally show up at the turnstyles with their guest to get them their free ticket?

There is a woman in our church whose grand-daughter is soon going to be going to WDW for an internship and I was just wondering what our chances would be of getting some free tickets from her. Obviously, I don't want to do anything dishonest or get her in trouble. But if CMs are indeed empowered to give out free tickets, and if that is open to non-relatives, I thought it may be worth asking her. But I wanted to find out the facts here before I risk putting her on the spot.

 

[Tom]

They're limited on quantity and must be present when you enter the park. Can be quite a hassle for both parties.

They can't just hand out free tickets.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

And since the main gate system has changed, the cm now needs to collect the main gate passes back at the end of the day (because they get reused and you're charged if you lose them..not to mention having to trek over to Celebration Place to get them replaced).

They're limited in quantity (depending on your status- full time gets more than seasonal, obviously) and subject to blackout dates. You do get a few actual comp tickets that aren't subject to blackouts, but it's not many.

I personally find it a bit tacky when someone just asks me unsolicited if I can get them into the park for free.

 

[sbkline]

Thanks for the info, guys. As the old saying goes, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". LOL I figured there was probably more to it than having someone's grandma give them a call, then I get tickets in the mail for a family of four. That's why I figured I would get on here and check before I do something "tacky". The trip in question would be a 4 or 5 day trip over Christmas next year, and it sounds like too much of a hassle to have someone leave work all 4 days just to escort us into the park each day. I thought it was probably not that simple, but no harm in getting on here and inquiring, right?

 

[Thatsmee]

depending on your ranking as a castmember IE. how high up you are determines how many guests you are allowed to bring in and how often. most internships will be on the lowest pass (think its blue or something) which will grant them so many entries (normally around 12 maybe less) and to immediate family.All castmembers are only suppose to bring in immediate family eg. parents, brothers and sisters. you are then still supposes to stay with them in the parks and facilities throughout your visit as all responsibility is on you.The new system makes it easier for Disney to track who cast members are entering the park and this has led to many jobs being terminated especially roles like internships and the college program.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Thanks for the info, guys. As the old saying goes, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". LOL I figured there was probably more to it than having someone's grandma give them a call, then I get tickets in the mail for a family of four. That's why I figured I would get on here and check before I do something "tacky". The trip in question would be a 4 or 5 day trip over Christmas next year, and it sounds like too much of a hassle to have someone leave work all 4 days just to escort us into the park each day. I thought it was probably not that simple, but no harm in getting on here and inquiring, right?

If it's over Christmas it's a moot point, anyway. Main gates are blacked out Christmas week.

 

[Tom]

If it's over Christmas it's a moot point, anyway. Main gates are blacked out Christmas week.

Good point. Not only awkward and rude, but not allowed during that time frame.

I'm surprised someone still wants to book a Christmas trip to WDW after the hundreds of posts on here today showing pics of the crowds, insane wait times, and phased park closings.

 

[sbkline]

I didn't mean Christmas week itself. I just meant during the general Christmas timeframe, so we could do MVMCP, Candlelight Processional and see the Osborn lights. Probably the first 4 days or so after Thansgiving, as we work in retail and would not be able to get the time off before Thanksgiving, and would want to go during that time frame when all of the above mentioned activities are still available.

 

[GeneralKnowledge]

A friend of mine that we always link up with when we're at WDW has a friend in management that always gets her tickets to the parks so she can join us while we're there. The friend has to meet us at Epcot's International Gateway where she meets her friend who gives her tickets. It always seems like a substantial hassle for her, so I wouldn't ask a CM for the favor personally.

 

[marni1971]

You probably need to make very good friends with a CM.

 

[luv]

I could be wrong. I'm not sure and probably shouldn't even say it. But I think people who have worked there longer have different maingate plans/rules or something.

It doesn't hurt to ask, IF you're friends. People with main gates will usually offer to help (without you giving so much as a hint) if they can.

 

[MrNonacho]

Most hourly CMs have a blue Main Entrance Pass which lets them admit at least 3 guests into the park, depending on their number of dependents. Full and part time CMs can use it 16 times per year and seasonal/CP/intern CMs can use it 6 times.

Silver Main Entrance Passes are given to hourly CMs after their 15th anniversary as well as to all salaried cast. They can let in the same number of guests as a blue pass but without a limit on the number of uses.

These can be used to admit ANYONE, but unless the guests include an immediate family member the CM must accompany them the entire time they're in the parks.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

A co-worker's Uncle's neighbor has a co-worker who's cousin's boss is on a bowling team with a guy who delivers mail to a person who's brother is a CM... I am going to ask him.

 

[Goofyernmost]

OK, I'm going to be upset now. I have been going to WDW since 1983. At last count 43 trips. According to my Quicken records I have spent over $45000.00 on Disney Vacations over the years. Know what? I have never, I repeat, never gotten anything given to me for all may troubles. Nothing, not even so much as a FP. What I think the problem is, is that I don't complain about anything. I go around to my favorite attractions, stand in line, watch it, enjoy it and then move on. At the end of my time I quietly pay my bill and go home, never even an upgrade. It just doesn't seem right does it?

 

[Tom]

OK, I'm going to be upset now. I have been going to WDW since 1983. At last count 43 trips. According to my Quicken records I have spent over $45000.00 on Disney Vacations over the years. Know what? I have never, I repeat, never gotten anything given to me for all may troubles. Nothing, not even so much as a FP. What I think the problem is, is that I don't complain about anything. I go around to my favorite attractions, stand in line, watch it, enjoy it and then move on. At the end of my time I quietly pay my bill and go home, never even an upgrade. It just doesn't seem right does it?

Shame on you for being willing to pay for the product you consume!

 

[75disney]

Please, please, please do not ask CMs who are not close relatives to get you in for free. My sister has worked at Disney for over 20 years and she hates it when people who she barely knows asks her to get them in. She feels used and it puts her in an awkward position. It really should only be there for the CMs close family and friends. Plus many of the CMs work crazy hours and the last thing that they want to do is go into the parks on their day off or on a break to sign in a stranger. I don't even ask my sister or my brother-in-law for their park passes or their to discounts because it is so difficult for them with their work schedules.

 

[Tom]

Please, please, please do not ask CMs who are not close relatives to get you in for free. My sister has worked at Disney for over 20 years and she hates it when people who she barely knows asks her to get them in. She feels used and it puts her in an awkward position. It really should only be there for the CMs close family and friends. Plus many of the CMs work crazy hours and the last thing that they want to do is go into the parks on their day off or on a break to sign in a stranger. I don't even ask my sister or my brother-in-law for their park passes or their to discounts because it is so difficult for them with their work schedules.

Great post, and I agree completely.

CMs don't get many benefits (beyond a small paycheck), and free admission doesn't cost Disney anything, so they extend that perk to CMs to help out their immediate families. The intent of the program is certainly not to give CMs the power to comp just anyone into the parks.

Everyone likes getting something for free, but it shouldn't be at the expense of someone else's free time or job.

 

[ryan1]

I have a friend who use to work in the attendance projection department (called something else I'm sure) and he was able to get up to 3 people into the parks but he had to be there with us at the gates to do so. He was suppose to stay with us the entire time but he didn't care to most of the time. This was 3 years ago or so and we would get a hard ticket printed at the turnstiles which were park hopper also. It was fantastic. He didn't mind getting us in since we didn't ask him very often. I think he got us in 3 separate times.

 

[SkipperButler]

When I worked at one of the Florida parks it was always very nice to get a phone call from someone I hadn't heard from in a while. I'd be excited to talk to them and then get the, "well, the reason I called is..." line.

Certain phone calls went unanswered after that....

 

[EOD K9]

A co-worker's Uncle's neighbor has a co-worker who's cousin's boss is on a bowling team with a guy who delivers mail to a person who's brother is a CM... I am going to ask him.

Is he a Disney Transport driver?