DL retired employee passes

[crazymomof4]

Hi! there probably is no clear cut answer to this question but Im fishing for as much info as possible. Here goes..... We are going to DL in Nov. My moms cousin (we call him Uncle) worked as an artist at DL (and traveled to work on all the other Disney parks). When I contacted my Aunt to tell her we were coming, she graciously offered for us to stay at their home (close to DL) AND she said "I can get all of you (4 of us) in for free". The only thing she mentioned was that she has "block out days" but she said that mid-week, as early in Nov as we will be there, she didnt forsee our days being blocked. Soooo.... I'm wondering what type of pass(es) she might have? Im sure its part of my Uncle's retirement benefits. What is typical? Under the "dont look a gift-horse in the mouth" etiquette, I dont want to ask her for details until the subject comes up again. But the planner in me wants to know... Will we have actual tix, to get FPs with? Will we have park hopping privileges? Will uncle/aunt need to be there at the gate to get us in (we usually rope-drop parks, but i wouldn't want to drag them out of bed at the crack of dawn).

 

[ashley0139]

Hi! there probably is no clear cut answer to this question but Im fishing for as much info as possible. Here goes..... We are going to DL in Nov. My moms cousin (we call him Uncle) worked as an artist at DL (and traveled to work on all the other Disney parks). When I contacted my Aunt to tell her we were coming, she graciously offered for us to stay at their home (close to DL) AND she said "I can get all of you (4 of us) in for free". The only thing she mentioned was that she has "block out days" but she said that mid-week, as early in Nov as we will be there, she didnt forsee our days being blocked. Soooo.... I'm wondering what type of pass(es) she might have? Im sure its part of my Uncle's retirement benefits. What is typical? Under the "dont look a gift-horse in the mouth" etiquette, I dont want to ask her for details until the subject comes up again. But the planner in me wants to know... Will we have actual tix, to get FPs with? Will we have park hopping privileges? Will uncle/aunt need to be there at the gate to get us in (we usually rope-drop parks, but i wouldn't want to drag them out of bed at the crack of dawn).

It's probably similar to cast member tickets. If so, yes they would need to be there with you to get you in. They'll be actual tickets that print out at the gates and will work exactly like any other ticket. Yes, you can get fast passes and park hop.

 

[crazymomof4]

Thank you, Ashley!

 

[crazymomof4]

I've been reading about CMs getting something called a Silver Pass after 15 yrs of emoloyment. I wonder if this is what he has. He worked for more than double that!

 

[gigirl131]

We had a family CM help us with my brother and his family getting in it was for one park only. Not sure if that has changed but it has been quite a few years.

 

[hopemax]

I've been reading about CMs getting something called a Silver Pass after 15 yrs of emoloyment. I wonder if this is what he has. He worked for more than double that!

Likely. The Silver Pass grants admission to the holder + 3 guests. The tickets are park hoppers. At Disneyland, you will be given actual tickets which can be used for Fastpass. If you were at WDW, you would be given a temporary Guest Pass card that would need to be returned to your family member. Your family member must be at the gate with you to "sign you in" every morning. Alternatively, your family member may also have "Comp tickets." As a retiree, they would receive 2 tickets at the beginning of the year. These tickets are also park hoppers, but there are no blockout dates, and you may use these without your family member being present. All the rules are available on a "public" website: https://disneyretiree.com/admission/admission-to-disney-theme-parks-with-your-guests/

The blockout date calendar is also a "public" website, so you can check it before you go (you will need to select Main Entrance Pass, and the parks you wish to visit). Dates are released 3-4 months in advance for the US parks: https://blockoutdates.disney.com/en/home

 

[Nonsuch]

...The blockout date calendar is also a "public" website, so you can check it before you go (you will need to select Main Entrance Pass, and the parks you wish to visit). Dates are released 3-4 months in advance for the US parks: https://blockoutdates.disney.com/en/home

Unlike the AP blockouts, CM blockouts frequently change (sometimes even the day before).
Just something to be aware of

 

[PatMcDuck]

And the block out days are pretty extensive in September! I am waiting on October myself. Under normal circumstances, she would only be able to get 3 of you into the park, FYI. (exception made for CMs with more than 2 dependents + spouse). They may have some "comp passes" as well, to get you all in. And yes, either one of them has to be there to get you in each day. Technically, because you are not an actual close relative, they are supposed to stay with you as you tour the parks. ("Technically").

Have fun and I hope it works out for you, it would be a huge savings!

 

[crazymomof4]

Likely. The Silver Pass grants admission to the holder + 3 guests. The tickets are park hoppers. At Disneyland, you will be given actual tickets which can be used for Fastpass. If you were at WDW, you would be given a temporary Guest Pass card that would need to be returned to your family member. Your family member must be at the gate with you to "sign you in" every morning. Alternatively, your family member may also have "Comp tickets." As a retiree, they would receive 2 tickets at the beginning of the year. These tickets are also park hoppers, but there are no blockout dates, and you may use these without your family member being present. All the rules are available on a "public" website: https://disneyretiree.com/admission/admission-to-disney-theme-parks-with-your-guests/

The blockout date calendar is also a "public" website, so you can check it before you go (you will need to select Main Entrance Pass, and the parks you wish to visit). Dates are released 3-4 months in advance for the US parks: https://blockoutdates.disney.com/en/home

Those links were VERY helpful. Thanks so much for posting!!

One part has me puzzled. The bullet point that says
"After the initial entry into an eligible Disney Theme Park, the following Guest(s) who are family members of the Retiree or the Retiree’s spouse/domestic partner and are at least 14 years of age are able to enjoy the parks unaccompanied by the Retiree or the Retiree’s spouse/domestic partner"
Then it lists certain specific family associations. Son/Daughter/Niece/Nephew/First Cousin.
Below that it reads:
"Passholders MUST accompany all Guest(s) not listed above throughout their ENTIRE visit, unless the Guest(s) are accompanied by a Family Member."

How do they enforce this? ie: how would they determine what the guest's exact relationship to the Retiree/Retiree's Spouse is as to whether or not they must be accompanied by the Passholder for the entire visit?

 

[crazymomof4]

And the block out days are pretty extensive in September! I am waiting on October myself. Under normal circumstances, she would only be able to get 3 of you into the park, FYI. (exception made for CMs with more than 2 dependents + spouse). They may have some "comp passes" as well, to get you all in. And yes, either one of them has to be there to get you in each day. Technically, because you are not an actual close relative, they are supposed to stay with you as you tour the parks. ("Technically").

Have fun and I hope it works out for you, it would be a huge savings!

Thanks. I didn't read your post until after I posted mine above. My "Uncle" and "Aunt" are both 80 so I can't imagine they would be able to stay with us and tour the parks with us for more than a few hours in the morning, maybe. When we spoke, and my Aunt said "I'll be able to get you all in free" she didn't mention any foreseable issues. I guess she has a plan. She's been the DL "tour guide" for many many family and friends who have visited Calif. over the decades. Going back to when my Uncle was still working there. She's very seasoned.

 

[ashley0139]

And the block out days are pretty extensive in September! I am waiting on October myself. Under normal circumstances, she would only be able to get 3 of you into the park, FYI. (exception made for CMs with more than 2 dependents + spouse). They may have some "comp passes" as well, to get you all in. And yes, either one of them has to be there to get you in each day. Technically, because you are not an actual close relative, they are supposed to stay with you as you tour the parks. ("Technically").

Have fun and I hope it works out for you, it would be a huge savings!

I was thinking maybe both the Uncle and Aunt would go and then they could get in everyone for free.

Those links were VERY helpful. Thanks so much for posting!!

One part has me puzzled. The bullet point that says
"After the initial entry into an eligible Disney Theme Park, the following Guest(s) who are family members of the Retiree or the Retiree’s spouse/domestic partner and are at least 14 years of age are able to enjoy the parks unaccompanied by the Retiree or the Retiree’s spouse/domestic partner"
Then it lists certain specific family associations. Son/Daughter/Niece/Nephew/First Cousin.
Below that it reads:
"Passholders MUST accompany all Guest(s) not listed above throughout their ENTIRE visit, unless the Guest(s) are accompanied by a Family Member."

How do they enforce this? ie: how would they determine what the guest's exact relationship to the Retiree/Retiree's Spouse is as to whether or not they must be accompanied by the Passholder for the entire visit?

They don't actively enforce it. But if you as a guest get in trouble and they find out you were a guest of a cast member/former CM then that person could get in trouble.

 

[crazymomof4]

I was thinking maybe both the Uncle and Aunt would go and then they could get in everyone for free.


They don't actively enforce it. But if you as a guest get in trouble and they find out you were a guest of a cast member/former CM then that person could get in trouble.

Not looking to get into any trouble, I'll just do whatever my Aunt tells me to do. She's a veteran. I don't mind paying for the tix, I just don't want to slap away her offer as if I weren't grateful for it.