DCP, Must Do Disney, Off-Property, Other Adventures

Fun Things to do with Friends & Family as a CM

Posted by Kacey on

Many people who do the Disney College Program somewhere down the line have someone coming to visit them. Whether that be Friends or Family, when you find out you have been accepted you will probably have a ton of people telling you that they are going to come visit you.ย This post is all about all the cool places you can bring Friends & Family who are visiting during your program whether that be actually taking them to the parks or going off property.

1. Cast Connection

This warehouse is a must do for any fan of the Disney Outlets! Cast Connections is a CM exclusive outlet store that is also home to a mini grocery store in the back, a wing that has old resort furniture for CM’s to purchase, and Mickey’s Treasures. Mickey’s Treasure is a CM exclusive store where they sell gently used Disney Parks merchandise that is 75% off the retail price.

CM’s bringing friends and family just have to be there with them when they go into the store because you have to show your blue ID to enter.

2. Company D

Company D is a Cast Member store that sells Cast Member merchandise. Items include CM lanyards, shirts, laptop stickers, magnets, frames for your name tags, pins, journals, etc! There are 3 locations onย property, however, 2 of them are backstage at EPCOT and at Hollywood Studios so Friends & Family can’t access the store. But the 3rd location at Disney University is open to the general public!

3. Housing

Another great location that you can bring friends and family is your DCP apartment complex! Just make sure everyone in your party has an ID upon entering because you have to sign them in and security has to document on who is visiting. My mom joked that it’s easier to go through border control than it is for visitors to get to the apartments.

4. Disney Springs

Also, a must do for any Disney Trip is Disney Springs! Disney Springs is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex that is home to over 150 shops and restaurants. You can spend an entire afternoon or night here and still have more to see.

CM’s receive 20% off Disney Merchandise and have discounts at all the other cool shops there. See my Discounts & Perks post for more information about which stores offer deals.

 

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5. The Parks

Another perk of being a CM is that you get Complimentary tickets for friends and family to enter the park! Every 150 hours worked CP’s get 3 Park-hoppers to give away to their guests (up to a max of 10 passes). These tickets are valid for one day for your guests and you are able to go from park to park with them, you just have to make sure you are with your guests when you enter each park.ย 

6. The Outlets

If you and your family have already hit up Disney Springs and are looking for somewhere else to shop and saveย money look no further than to one of Orlando’s various outlet malls. My family and I have been going to the outlets ever since I was little, and as a college student now I have found more of an appreciation for them, especially when most stores offer a CM discountย on top of their deals to Disney employees.

Some personal favorites include

Orlando Premium Outlets

The Premium Outlets are also host to the Disney Character Outlets where you can score some deals on overstocked or retired Disney Parks merchandise from both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland. These stores are hidden treasures for Disney fans who never venture outside the parks and over the years I have acquired a lot of great stuff from here!

7. ESPN Wide World of Sports

As I had previously posted, another great option if you are here on the Spring Program is going to a Major League Baseball Spring Training game! Florida is home to the Grapefruit League which includes teams like the Tigers, Yankees, and the Phillies who make Florida their home for Spring Training. If you can’t make it to any of the various stadiums in the state you can look no further than the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex on Disney Property to catch a game.

2018 Atlanta Braves Spring Training Schedule

Disney is host to the Atlanta Braves for their Spring Training and tickets start at just $15 for CM’s to come watch a game. You can find out more information on the HUB for discounted tickets or by going to the ESPN WWS website here for more information about their schedule.

8. Resort Hop

Another option for those who want to experience the Disney Magic without having to go the Parks is to Resort Hop! Walt Disney World is home to 25 uniquely themed resorts each with their own design and story. You can spend an entire day just exploring each resort and finding little details and things about each that you love! If don’t know where to start you can sometimes break up the resorts into chunks based on their location. Some options include

  • The Monorail Loop Resorts (Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary)
  • The Boardwalk (Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club)
  • Pop Century & Art of Animation
  • Port Orleans Resorts (French Quarter & Riverside)

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