Perks being reduced for some CMs

[PhotoDave219]

Yes I am. why is that surprising? I really didn't know what the word meant in this context. I am not a CM, and don't know any CM's so didn't have a reason to know.

I just assumed you did.

Anyways it is the Main Entrance Pass that CMs are issued that gets 3 guests in X number of times per year. This pass is blocked out occasionally, unless it's the MK and this year it's been blocked 55% of the entire year.

 

[Eckert]

Yes I am. why is that surprising? I really didn't know what the word meant in this context. I am not a CM, and don't know any CM's so didn't have a reason to know.

It's always so surprising to see fans of the parks who have been going to Disney for years and post frequently on forums like these having no idea about the employee culture of the parks that they go to. Not taking the on you or anything, but it's interesting to see that there's still a veil of mystery behind how theme park employees live.

A maingate is the pass that CM's use to get into the parks. It's not their Disney ID, and it's coupled with 3 other guest passes. They can bring up to 3 guests with them at a time, but no more.

 

[Eckert]

I don't think it's bonkers to have some blackout dates. I think it's bonkers MK has been blocked out from main gates almost half the year, but that's about the extent of my quarrels.

I can understand guests, but Cast Members having blockout dates for MK? C'mon now. I think that's a bit silly.

 

[Andrew C]

I can understand guests, but Cast Members having blockout dates for MK? C'mon now. I think that's a bit silly.

The blockouts for just CMs is a lot less.

 

[Bolt]

I suppose the trade off if cast weren't blocked out on particular dates, we'd see a new thread of 'oh my god, food and wine was so much busier today!!!' Mad house every Saturday and that's WITHOUT MainGates.

 

[Eckert]

I suppose the trade off if cast weren't blocked out on particular dates, we'd see a new thread of 'oh my god, food and wine was so much busier today!!!' Mad house every Saturday and that's WITHOUT MainGates.

You might be overestimating how many CM's actually use their maingates on a regular enough basis to affect crowds...I just think it'd be if nice after a long day's work, the workers would be able to go in and enjoy the park if they wanted to.

 

[Flalex72]

You might be overestimating how many CM's actually use their maingates on a regular enough basis to affect crowds...I just think it'd be if nice after a long day's work, the workers would be able to go in and enjoy the park if they wanted to.

It's very rarely that the employee self-admission passes are blocked out, and usually only at one park. This summer it was MK for the 4th of July and I can't think of any other dates. The next blockout is December 25-31, at Magic Kingdom. HS and Epcot also have self admission blockouts December 31st. Any CM who was hoping to go to the parks on those days to "relax" after a day's work would sure be in for a surprise.

 

[Tom]

I fully believe in employee perks, but there certainly needs to be limits.

What are there...30,000 CMs? If they all went to a park at once, that's a "slow day's" attendance by itself. If I'm paying for a premium party ticket, I certainly don't want it open to all the off duty employees for free. Partially defeats the purpose of a premium event, which includes lower crowds and shorter lines.

The guest maingates policy is horribly abused. I've seen it first and second hand. CMs letting anyone in, merely meeting a random person at the gate to clear them, and so on.

Again, just like McDonald's workers get free meals while in the clock, Disney employees should benefit some from the fruits of their labor. But there's a line where everything stops.

 

[ford91exploder]

I fully believe in employee perks, but there certainly needs to be limits.

What are there...30,000 CMs? If they all went to a park at once, that's a "slow day's" attendance by itself. If I'm paying for a premium party ticket, I certainly don't want it open to all the off duty employees for free. Partially defeats the purpose of a premium event, which includes lower crowds and shorter lines.

The guest maingates policy is horribly abused. I've seen it first and second hand. CMs letting anyone in, merely meeting a random person at the gate to clear them, and so on.

Again, just like McDonald's workers get free meals while in the clock, Disney employees should benefit some from the fruits of their labor. But there's a line where everything stops.

With the current crew in Burbank you can be sure that if they can make the numbers LOOK better for the 'Street they will do so and I think the maingate pass will soon fade into Yesterland because it's elimination will help boost PCGS.

As to your other point the maingates are only good for what 3 admissions per year I believe so it's not an unlimited benefit, Is there abuse yes there is but I think the cure is worse than the disease in this case.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

It's very rarely that the employee self-admission passes are blocked out, and usually only at one park. This summer it was MK for the 4th of July and I can't think of any other dates. The next blockout is December 25-31, at Magic Kingdom. HS and Epcot also have self admission blockouts December 31st. Any CM who was hoping to go to the parks on those days to "relax" after a day's work would sure be in for a surprise.

My #1 thing to do either before or after work when I was a CP was to go to a park. I worked at downtown Disney and I went to EPCOT & MK several times a week

 

[Bolt]

I fully believe in employee perks, but there certainly needs to be limits.

What are there...30,000 CMs? If they all went to a park at once, that's a "slow day's" attendance by itself. If I'm paying for a premium party ticket, I certainly don't want it open to all the off duty employees for free. Partially defeats the purpose of a premium event, which includes lower crowds and shorter lines.

The guest maingates policy is horribly abused. I've seen it first and second hand. CMs letting anyone in, merely meeting a random person at the gate to clear them, and so on.

Again, just like McDonald's workers get free meals while in the clock, Disney employees should benefit some from the fruits of their labor. But there's a line where everything stops.

72,000 in Orlando

 

[BrerJon]

If I'm paying for a premium party ticket, I certainly don't want it open to all the off duty employees for free. Partially defeats the purpose of a premium event, which includes lower crowds and shorter lines.

CMs can come and go from the parks during regular hours, but they don't get premium party tickets as part of that deal. If you want to go to MNSSHP as a CM, you have to buy your ticket just like everyone else, with the only perk being a discount on some of the quieter nights, but those always sell out fast.

 

[mcrgw29]

As to your other point the maingates are only good for what 3 admissions per year I believe so it's not an unlimited benefit, Is there abuse yes there is but I think the cure is worse than the disease in this case.

FT/PT Maingates are good for 16 admissions/year, IIRC. CPs only get 6.

discount on some of the quieter nights, but those always sell out fast.

Especially when the only nights that are discounted are the first month. All MNSSHP and MVMCP CM discount nights are only September and November respectively.

 

[French Quarter]

You're not serious, are you?

I didn't know what it was either.

 

[Rob562]

Even with a guest pass, I believe the CM must be present at the gate when being used.

Unlike the Maingate passes, the extra tickets that CM's get the CM doesn't have to be present. I used three 1-day tickets from a CM friend this past June. They were pdf's that she e-mailed me. Even linked them to my MDE account to make FP+ ahead of time, and since I already had MagicBands on my account from previous trips I didn't have to stop at Guest Relations to exchange the paper pdf for a physical RFID card.

-Rob

 

[TyrantBoss]

With the multitudes of paying guests that go to Disney parks throughout the year and the millions that Disney makes off of those guests, I'm sure they could afford to allow CM's to get in for free and bring in a small number of family members.
....But Disney is a flawless organization and they do everything right. There is no reason to correct them because every decision they make is fair and sound.

 

[Bolt]

With the multitudes of paying guests that go to Disney parks throughout the year and the millions that Disney makes off of those guests, I'm sure they could afford to allow CM's to get in for free and bring in a small number of family members.
....But Disney is a flawless organization and they do everything right. There is no reason to correct them because every decision they make is fair and sound.

Not sure what part is sarcasm, but Cast Members do get in free.

 

[Figment2005]

We do have access to free admission for both ourselves and up to three Guests. Our Guest Main Entrance Passes are subject to block out dates at various times of the year. Our Self-Admission Pass is only subject to block outs (typically) during the week of Christmas and New Year's Eve. I've never worked here during the springtime, so I'm not sure if there are any self-block outs during the Easter period. The only thing we have to pay for are tickets to the Halloween and Christmas parties (which we get discounts on) and the two water parks.

Even the water parks are free for us during the off season.

 

[the-reason14]

Well I will say thanks to a friend who now works for Disney I was able to go back and will only go back if I can get those discounts. It's not worth the money any more, Disneyland yes, Disney World, no.

 

[Duke of Disney]

72,000 in Orlando

That is magically insane.