College Program Parents Thread...

[carol-lamb]

Hi all. My son is currently a freshman at University of Florida and is planning to apply for the DCP this year for Fall Advantage and/or next year's Spring Advantage (as a sophomore). It has been a longstanding dream of his to work for Disney, and in fact, this was one of the reasons he chose UF - in hopes of optimizing his opportunities! (We live in NJ.)

The UF Business School requires him to take two 4-credit UF courses on-line during the program (while also receiving 4 credits for the internship by doing a few assignments). Naturally I am concerned about this, since he will be working full-time. Have any of your kids successfully taken school courses during the program? Were supervisors accommodating if he/she needed a certain window of time off to take an exam?

Any insight would be appreciated!

My daughter was in the Spring 13 program and extended twice - so just a couple of weeks short of a whole year. She took online classes two semesters and had no problems handling them plus her work schedule. She is now seasonal and went down this past summer for four months and also took online classes the entire summer.

I doubt she ever asked a manager for time off for an exam. I'm sure she would have given a shift away or exchanged with another cast member if she had a conflict. They do that all the time.

 

[mousestruck]

My daughter was in the Spring 13 program and extended twice - so just a couple of weeks short of a whole year. She took online classes two semesters and had no problems handling them plus her work schedule. She is now seasonal and went down this past summer for four months and also took online classes the entire summer.

I doubt she ever asked a manager for time off for an exam. I'm sure she would have given a shift away or exchanged with another cast member if she had a conflict. They do that all the time.

Thank you so much for sharing your daughter's experience! I'm glad to know that your daughter found it manageable.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

My Daughter checks in 2/2. I am debating leaving on 2/4 or 2/5. Will she have no use for me after 2/4? lol

We just moved our daughter in and I wish we had more time to stay. We had to leave Tuesday night - since my other kids had school.

Here was her week:

Monday: Check in at 8:45am
She had casting directly afterwards. She finished casting at
around 12:30pm. Then we moved her into her apartment.
Tuesday: 1pm until about 3pm was her dorm meeting.
Wednesday: Nothing
Thursday: 7am until around 2pm she had Traditions.
Friday: Nothing
Saturday: Nothing
Sunday: Will be her first training class.

We truly did buy a lot of stuff at home but knew we had to buy stuff down there. There were items that we couldn't find because they were all sold out everywhere - like bed risers, under-bed storage bins. We hit 2 Walmarts - 2 Targets plus other stores. She also found out that she needed black shoes/sneakers without any logos. That was hard also. We went everywhere and every store had several DCP students looking for shoes. Finally found 2 pairs at a Famous Footwear.

Our DD stayed with us at the hotel on the night she checked in - so did her other roommates stay with their parents. But all of them stayed there Tuesday night.

I hope that helps and I hope you daughter enjoys it.

 

[::Snow_White::]

Hi all. My son is currently a freshman at University of Florida and is planning to apply for the DCP this year for Fall Advantage and/or next year's Spring Advantage (as a sophomore). It has been a longstanding dream of his to work for Disney, and in fact, this was one of the reasons he chose UF - in hopes of optimizing his opportunities! (We live in NJ.)

The UF Business School requires him to take two 4-credit UF courses on-line during the program (while also receiving 4 credits for the internship by doing a few assignments). Naturally I am concerned about this, since he will be working full-time. Have any of your kids successfully taken school courses during the program? Were supervisors accommodating if he/she needed a certain window of time off to take an exam?

Any insight would be appreciated!

I took 12 hours during my CP. In the event guide you get at check-in there is a section for education where you email Disney a picture of your university schedule and you can choose a 4 hour time frame each week that you aren't scheduled ever so you can do your work. Mine was 8am-12PM on Tuesdays.

If he has to take an exam at a certain time and he's scheduled to work he will probably have to trade his shift with a coworker or give it away completely. In general managers don't have much if anything to do with scheduling other than letting you go early. However, I never had a problem with exams so I never asked. But definitely set up that block time via email. It was hard but I survived.

Quick question...my dd, a college junior, is planning on applying next year, for the fall program right after graduation. She has a very good friend who is there now, just starting her program. Her friend has a car..mom drove them down and is flying home. My question...is a car really helpful down there? My dd doesn't drive all that much at home. She's a very nervous driver. So, not sure if we would be comfortable with her having access to a car in such unfamiliar areas. Any advice from those of you who have been down this road?

I personally would take my car, I took it my first program in Fall 2013 and it was a huge blessing. I took the bus a few times thinking it wouldn't be so bad but it took about an hour extra each way just to get to work and the busses break down and are pretty unreliable. That being said a ton of CPs don't bring cars. Only 2 of us in my apartment brought ours. It's much easier to get groceries with a car. I'm a nervous driver but driving to work is a breeze and getting to Publix and Target from the apartments is super easy and hardly crowded. Disney property gets crowded at night during closing but it's mostly traffic, just avoid I4.

 

[HopperFan]

Quick question...my dd, a college junior, is planning on applying next year, for the fall program right after graduation. She has a very good friend who is there now, just starting her program. Her friend has a car..mom drove them down and is flying home. My question...is a car really helpful down there? My dd doesn't drive all that much at home. She's a very nervous driver. So, not sure if we would be comfortable with her having access to a car in such unfamiliar areas. Any advice from those of you who have been down this road?

It's a tough one. My DD is there now, has been since August with her car. She owns her car, she's is totally comfortable driving (she drove 8 hours home Christmas Eve to surprise us and drove back xmas day for work) and is almost 22. Last semester she had a roommate from CA and now she is living with an old workmate who is from UT - no cars. You truly do not need a car for a social life or errands there is always someone you are friends with, rooming with, working with or hanging with - with a car. Last semester my DD drove many workmates back to their apartments each night. She has tried the bus to her new position at EPCOT but it was too long to commute when she knew she had a car sitting there. Her roommate is now busing to MK. Work is the only time they might wish they had a car but it's not necessary. She will just have to add that extra commute time to her travels.

If it's not a long drive to get it there and she would be totally comfortable driving among the tourists I would take it. But if not, she will be fine there are lots there with no cars.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks guys!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Having a car can be useful, but at the same time, it's an extra cost, and there are a LOT of bad drivers in the Orlando area.

 

[reesecup]

I have not caught up on these pages yet but will soon.
I wanted to post my DD's experience with the program though. She was there from Aug. 11 until Jan. 5th.
She was assigned to Sci-Fi as a greater/seater.
Her overall experience with the program was fantastic. Her job was stressful many times (guests thinking Disney is supposed to make everything magically happen for them…..not sure if I should go into all of that but the big thing that happened was actually with one of her co-workers and Disney ended up handling it as it should have been handled), but she met the best friend she has ever had. She happened to be her roommate! She is from Indiana but the two hit it off and had the times of their lives. They now say they will be each other's maid of honor's for their weddings! It was a heart-breaking departure on their last day together which was spent at HS.
Our DD had 4 other roommates. Unfortunately, I can't give as positive feedback on the rest but it was mainly one girl who was kind of the thorn and caused issues. And she kind of got control of the other girls. I guess because our DD and her roomie hit it off so well right in the beginning.
They made it through though!
The apartments were not the best (they were in Chatham) but they liked the location of Chatham.
My dd took her car and I am SO glad she did! She was first a little scared to drive so she took the bus but soon, she realized she would much rather drive than depend on the bus and have to wait for it. It saved her so much time. Keep in mind, at certain times (Christmas and Thanksgiving weeks), they are not allowed to drive. The traffic is crazy but I was so impressed at how well she handled it (she drove us around when we went down to visit). It really taught her more defensive driving which is what I drill in her and her brother's heads all the time.
She got sick one time and work was wonderful about it. She went to the little urgent care there…down side…it took forever to be seen. It was nothing very serious but she was told to not return to work for another full day…again, they were great about it….which she was VERY responsible -- always on time, never missed, etc. Got to meet her co-workers and I was so proud at the comments they said about her. We went her last night and so many came from out of the back …several teary eyed and begged her to extend. Makes you feel good as a parent!!
She wants to do the program again! Either that or the professional one. But she misses everything about it. It was truly the most amazing experience of her almost 21 year old life. (ha). I have a feeling she will be back.

If anyone has questions, I'll gladly try and answer for you!


Oh, her roomie was assigned to AK -- at Restaurantosarus ---honestly, she HATED her job in the beginning. But, she stuck with it and ended up being upset about leaving her job as well. She made many good friends. There were a lot more CP's working there as opposed to my DD's work.

And if you think your child MAY come home with some extra $$$$ for working -- think again. haha.-- between merchandise, eating, (dd and her roomie got annual passes to Universal which was well worth the money…they loved going there just for a change of pace), etc. ….there was not much left at all. I do miss those discounts!!!! We were able to get a cabin at Fort Wilderness which we LOVED. We wanted to try it since we never had before and it came up for her as a discount for one of our times there.

Guest pass tickets --- They get 6 and then were given one in their holiday cast member book…so we got a total of 7 days in free. The CP has to be with you to get into the park. There were debates on whether they had to stay with you in the park but she always did so that never came into play with us.

OK….that's all I can think of at the moment…Ask away, if you wish

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have not caught up on these pages yet but will soon.
I wanted to post my DD's experience with the program though. She was there from Aug. 11 until Jan. 5th.
She was assigned to Sci-Fi as a greater/seater.
Her overall experience with the program was fantastic. Her job was stressful many times (guests thinking Disney is supposed to make everything magically happen for them…..not sure if I should go into all of that but the big thing that happened was actually with one of her co-workers and Disney ended up handling it as it should have been handled), but she met the best friend she has ever had. She happened to be her roommate! She is from Indiana but the two hit it off and had the times of their lives. They now say they will be each other's maid of honor's for their weddings! It was a heart-breaking departure on their last day together which was spent at HS.
Our DD had 4 other roommates. Unfortunately, I can't give as positive feedback on the rest but it was mainly one girl who was kind of the thorn and caused issues. And she kind of got control of the other girls. I guess because our DD and her roomie hit it off so well right in the beginning.
They made it through though!
The apartments were not the best (they were in Chatham) but they liked the location of Chatham.
My dd took her car and I am SO glad she did! She was first a little scared to drive so she took the bus but soon, she realized she would much rather drive than depend on the bus and have to wait for it. It saved her so much time. Keep in mind, at certain times (Christmas and Thanksgiving weeks), they are not allowed to drive. The traffic is crazy but I was so impressed at how well she handled it (she drove us around when we went down to visit). It really taught her more defensive driving which is what I drill in her and her brother's heads all the time.
She got sick one time and work was wonderful about it. She went to the little urgent care there…down side…it took forever to be seen. It was nothing very serious but she was told to not return to work for another full day…again, they were great about it….which she was VERY responsible -- always on time, never missed, etc. Got to meet her co-workers and I was so proud at the comments they said about her. We went her last night and so many came from out of the back …several teary eyed and begged her to extend. Makes you feel good as a parent!!
She wants to do the program again! Either that or the professional one. But she misses everything about it. It was truly the most amazing experience of her almost 21 year old life. (ha). I have a feeling she will be back.

If anyone has questions, I'll gladly try and answer for you!


Oh, her roomie was assigned to AK -- at Restaurantosarus ---honestly, she HATED her job in the beginning. But, she stuck with it and ended up being upset about leaving her job as well. She made many good friends. There were a lot more CP's working there as opposed to my DD's work.

And if you think your child MAY come home with some extra $$$$ for working -- think again. haha.-- between merchandise, eating, (dd and her roomie got annual passes to Universal which was well worth the money…they loved going there just for a change of pace), etc. ….there was not much left at all. I do miss those discounts!!!! We were able to get a cabin at Fort Wilderness which we LOVED. We wanted to try it since we never had before and it came up for her as a discount for one of our times there.

Guest pass tickets --- They get 6 and then were given one in their holiday cast member book…so we got a total of 7 days in free. The CP has to be with you to get into the park. There were debates on whether they had to stay with you in the park but she always did so that never came into play with us.

OK….that's all I can think of at the moment…Ask away, if you wish

 

[stitchlovestink]

Rules are CMs do not have to stay with family but CMs are supposed to stay with friends. If a CM gets someone in and then leaves them and that CM's guest causes trouble in the park, that is grounds for termination. So outside of family, one should choose their guests wisely!

 

[reesecup]

Yes, I believe that is what we were told (you would just have to stay in the same park) but it didn't matter to us because she was able to be with us the whole time! There was only one time that she was working that I wish we had gone on to EPCOT since that is where we went that night and we kind of were rushed AND it was during the Food and Wine Festival so I wish we had gone on there earlier and my husband and I been able to take a little more time.

 

[Goofycampers]

Hi all I have some questions for those that have kids in the program. My DD has just started, we checked her in about a week ago. She wants our family to visit for vacation when our youngest DS gets out of school for summer break. I understand we will possibly get 3 passes (depending on our dates). Does anyone know about room discounts? I'm not sure if we will stay on site or in a condo nearby.

 

[dizagain]

We were able to visit DD twice last year during her 7 month DCP. In July she was able to get us a Savannah room at AKL for around $199. We could not get a discount on a room we could afford in December so we just booked ourselves. Your DD can check the Hub and call about available discounts. She has passes for 6 days that get up to three people in each day. I hope she has a wonderful time- my DD is back at school missing her Disney life!

 

[mynameisnobody]

Friends and Family discount for resorts booked through the CM are 40%. If the CM stays in the resort the discount is 50%. During specials the discounts can be higher at 50% and 60%. There are also occasionally discounted dining plans available to the CMs.

 

[Goofycampers]

Thanks for the info. Our DD mentioned we could potentially get a 50% discount if she stays with us. That's awesome. We are limited as far as places though because we are a family of 5.

 

[pigget74]

So excited! My son got the his email on Friday that he will be doing Fall Advantage. He will arrive on May 26th. We already have a trip planned for March. Now we get to plan for Christmas time as well. His plan is to try and extend for the Spring as well.

 

[phoenixphantom]

Does any one know if your child gets selected as a performer of some sort, character or parade, if they make a bit more money?

 

[pigget74]

Another question for those of you who have had your child extend. How hard is it to extend, and do they have to go through the same process all over again?

 

[HopperFan]

Another question for those of you who have had your child extend. How hard is it to extend, and do they have to go through the same process all over again?

DD extended as did three of her friends. They do not go through the same process as before and it was an easy process. One opted to stay where he was, three asked for new positions. They stayed within the "job" they were trained for but moved to new locations.

 

[Bobsmom]

I know that the cp has to be with you to get into the park using their maingates, but what about leaving for a while and 're-entry? We are going back to the resort on our HS day and coming back for fantasmic, how does that work?