Originally posted by marypopmom
What kind of YankeeFann are you, the NY kind?
Also what kind of perks do cast members get, like discounts on food, rooms etc. and what about the cast partys? Are they free or do you have to pay etc.
Benefits vary with pay status (full time, part-time, seasonal) but I believe the perks of food, merchandise and resort (capacity limited) discounts are available to all.
Each year, cast members get a small holiday gift plus additional passes to a holiday party in the park. The party is not after hours and exclusive as it was years ago, but includes more discounts than previously.
There is also a cast recreation area with a small lake, pools, and function rooms where some work teams hold picnics from time to time.
Water parks, golf, mini golf, Pleasure Island and DisneyQuest are not free to cast members most days... but discounts and occasional comp tickets are provided.
Also, most new attraction and resort openings are preceded by Cast Previews or "Open Mouse", a perk of getting that first look that many enjoy.
One benefit that must be appreciated with caution is the opportunity to "recycle your paycheck" (to quote another poster here) with cast-exclusive merchandise including limited edition pins, t-shirts, mugs, lithographs... whatever.
