cast member ddp discount for guests

[pinkerbell]

I am not a cast member but am goinng to disney with one
Three families are going and the cast member (ESPN) was able to book a room discount for all of us!!! (I think it was called be our guest or something) YEA!!!
When I called about dining I was told it wasn't open at the cast member discount YET, but to call back in a few weeks. I have called back and it has not been open so I asked today and the CM told me the info was wrong and there was no dining plan discounts - it is already discounted and gave me the regular prices.
We are going in April and I am wondering if anyone knows what if any discount there are for cast members or their guests who want to do the dining plan - we are looking to get the quick service plan -
TIA

[6disneykids]

I am a former Walt Disney Company CM but not a WDW CM, often times CMs who are not WDW CMs can't get the exact same discounts. I know when my former boss booked her WDW trip, she was able to get a discounted room but was told she wasn't eligible for a discounted DDP. This may be the case with the ESPN CM that you are traveling with.

[6disneykids]

I forgot to add, I was always able to get TS discounts and merchandise discounts with my company ID, even though I did not work at Walt Disney World.

[TDC Nala]

Sometimes they allow CMs to get a discount on the dining plan and sometimes they don't. Looks like the time you are going, they don't. There's no permanent discounted price for cast.

[gilesmt]

Hi, my only experience was in 2008 so may not be true anymore. We decided last minute to go visit a college student working down there for several months. I would say we may have had about a two week notice, that's all. Well we booked our hotel at the 40 % off and there was free dining for everyone but not for cast members.so I said fine and started booking the few ADRs I really wanted and thought just counter food from then on. A few days later when checking on the ressies DDP came up for cast members it was like 50% off the deluxe plan, one table, one counter and one snack. So we paid $20.98 a great deal.

But first let me tell you, your friend as far as I know has to be the one working the system as the CM, at least that was true for us, but since we were going because her mom died and she was having a very hard time away and so young she gave me her password and I got in, but this is frowned upon, and normally I would not have done it but we were trying to lower her stress and just making the ressies was stressful to her. I have to also say, disneys computer systems suck and it was difficult, so even with the codes and into the system it took me calling and getting three others to help set it up.

Lastly you do have to order and pay for everyone in the party so my understanding is all three rooms of people would have to want the DDP even the CM. the good thing is if the CM is not going to eat with you then her credits can be used by the others, I know not suppose to be, but when they are working all the time and are asked to work overtime they can't use them so we were able to do hoop dee doo with her credits.

Lastly I will say the hotel is very strict that the CM is in oNe of the rooms, or it was for us, they even came to check on 2 occassions during our stay to make sure she was with us, I guess Disney has enough police to watch there cms that well that they show up at 9 pm at night to ask for the CM and make sure she is in the room with you.

Also, the CM has to be with you if using complementary tickets. She does not have to stay with you, but she did have to be there to sign you in with I'd each morning to enter the park.

A very fun time, saving tons of money, but definately lost the magic moments when she could not be there right at 8 to let us in since she was working, or when the security showed up at our room to double check that she was actually sleeping there, for us to get the discount.

Oh DDP did not go on sale to cms until 6 days before we arrived. So keep checking or asking her to check.

[TDC Nala]

There is a type of cast member guest ticket that can be used without the cast member being present.

I do believe that it is true the cast member would have to be the one to purchase the discounted dining plan when they do have it. If you are not the cast member, they might not tell you about it. Have your cast member friend call.

[pinkerbell]

Thanks for the great info - here is what may be a bit of an update
As for Tix's we have ap's so no worries there
Our CM friend had to make the ressie, but that was all - I am now able to make any adjustment to the ressie I want to.
Our CM friend has to provide his ID to the desk (he can fax it as we arrive before him) and that will get us the dscount we are all staying at the same resort so maybe this is why - but it sounded like he could get us the discount even if he wasnt going - but he is so I am not sure on that one.
I am glad to see the plan may open up closer to our arrival - I will chill on the calls then. I thought we had to pay 45 days in advance, but it is a room ony ressie so we can wait to pay until the day we arrive - I am use to having to pay 45 days in advance - this is way better.. get another cycle on the CC!!
Laslty, we will all get the counter service plan if it opens up but I can add it seperately. Each reservation is treated as it's own once he booked them. SOunds like they have lightened up a bit.

We did free dining way back when up until our trip last sept and when we started out the dining plan was 1 TS 1QS 2S and included tip and appetizer for TS and we paid less per night than we are this trip for just our room. We also got a preffered room and stayed at a value!

SO glad we did it when we did... there will be less trip in our future even with our friends discount. So thankful he is sharing!

[rivey]

It's not available yet, the dates for the CM offers are only through 3/23. Unless there are special promo offers opened up- there is NO CM dining plan normally and they cannot book(add) a dining package on.

It us usually only during the very slow times of the year that they open up the CM dining plan offer.

[aaarcher86]

Originally Posted by rivey

It's not available yet, the dates for the CM offers are only through 3/23. Unless there are special promo offers opened up- there is NO CM dining plan normally and they cannot book(add) a dining package on.

It us usually only during the very slow times of the year that they open up the CM dining plan offer.

They changed that for 2013. You can add any of the DPs at full price with the regular discounts.

Discounted DPs only come out with the deeper discounts at smaller intervals.

[rivey]

Cool! That's great to know in case we ever make it back. We already had it on when I last called in January but they sure didn't mention it to us. That's a great change.

[BoyMom81]

That is great to know! We are going in Sept with a CM discount and I've been stressed about not having the ddp.

[aaarcher86]

Originally Posted by rivey

Cool! That's great to know in case we ever make it back. We already had it on when I last called in January but they sure didn't mention it to us. That's a great change.

Definitely easier this way than having to wait and wonder!

[grandmomhop]

We also booked our room through a family CM. We called to pay our deposit and added the dining plan, but weren't allowed to add the tickets to our room, we would have to buy them straight out. We were wondering if we should just book the whole thing without the CM discount, in case the free dining plan becomes available.

[__disneygirl]

I'm having similar worries... We're going May 13-22 with a CM discount, and there is no Dining Plan discount available for that time yet. She said that a DDP discount may come out, but she has no idea how likely that is. Does anyone know if there was a discount last year around this time? Or the likelihood of one happening around that time? I'm nervous about it and I just want to know if it's going to happen or not, b/c if not I *definitely* have to budget things differently.

[pinkerbell]

We leave in april and The current promo ends in march. I have been told not to expect anything until the current promo ends. SO i guess you have to wait from promo to promo.