MT>    Several people asked about the differences between the MKC free card 
and
MT> the MKC Gold Card.  All the basic benefits are exactly the same (discouts
MT> at Disney Stores and Catalog, Reduced admission to parks, discounts in
MT> certain restaurants, discounts on rooms, etc.).           For the price 
you
MT> pay (currently $65 for two years, $50 for seniors age 55 or older) you
MT> receive a subscription to "The Disney Magazine" which is regularly 
16.95,
MT> a "Personalized" membership card, a tote bag and a luggage tag.  I
MT> understand it also includes a toll-free (800) number to WDW Central
MT> Reservations.        I hope this information is useful
MT>
The magazine that comes with the standard MKC card has all the same
information as the "Disney Magazine" that comes with the "Gold Card".
Having your name imprinted on a plastic card, a tote bag, and a luggage tag
may not be worth $32.50 a year (we are not talking about a "top of the line"
tote bag).
The toll-free number to WDW Central Reservations is also listed in the 
ooklet
you get with your standard MKC card.
So besides a plastic card, a tote bag, a luggage tag , and a magazine that may be a little fancier than the
magazine you get for free if you fill out the "registration card" that is
attached to your standard MKC card.  But I for one do not think that it is
worth the cost.  The discounts are identical.
If your employer or credit union does not offer the standard MKC card... and
they are unwilling to send a letter to Guest Services at any of the parks on
company letterhead requesting the FREE materials (the cost to the employer or
credit union to be a part of the MKC program is nothing.  Just the cost of 
he
letterhead, the stamp, and the time for a person to write the letter), that 
s
the only time you should "buy" into the "gold card" membership.  If you take
the costs of the magazine (and subtract the cost of the free magazine you get
with a standard MKC card), the cost of the totebag, the luggage tag and the
"vanity card" with your name embossed on it...(which cost a total of about 
20
combined) you are still paying $45 too much.
If you are looking for travel discounts, store discounts, ticket discounts,
catalog discounts, resturant discounts... then you get that all for free with
the standard MKC card.  If your employer or credit union does not offer the
card, have your personell benefits person contact Guest Relations department
at any of the parks (Disneyland has the best department and are the fastest 
t
getting the materials back to your company) on company letterhead... and they
will sign your company up immediately.
If you are wealthy and would like to throw away $65 of your "hard earned"
cash, please feel free to do so.  The same "upgraded" magazine you get with
your "Gold Card" membership is available for under $20 on a card that is
attached to your standard MKC card (there are three cards that are all
attached together.... the MKC card, your registration card, and an offer for
the Disney Magazine (not the free one you get with your MKC standard
membership but the one that has the same information.... but is a little
fancier that comes with your "Gold Card" if you want it>).
Hope this helps,
John
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