College Program Parents Thread...

[1955girl]

The Wal Mart has everything and is very reasonable! DD lived in both Chatam and Patterson, but she did have a car.
Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions about the program from a parent's perspective.

 

[Praise2Him]

DD lived in both Chatam and Patterson, but she did have a car.

What are the differences between Chatham & Patterson, and which one did she like the best? I've heard that Patterson is the newest, but the rooms at Chatham are larger.

 

[1955girl]

What are the differences between Chatham & Patterson, and which one did she like the best? I've heard that Patterson is the newest, but the rooms at Chatham are larger.

Patterson is newer, and yes the rooms are larger at Chatham, but the biggest plus for Chatam is the bus stop! Patterson doesnt have one, and on rainy days, late nights, and grocey trips, it's much more convenient!

 

[Sandi]

Not a CP mom yet, but DD15 is bound and determined to do the CP. She had me watch the on-line introduction to it over the weekend.

Do any of you parents or alumni have suggestions for a high school student to lay a good foundation for eventually being admitted to the program? DD is an excellent student, participates in extra-curriculars, cross country, band, etc. She is an outgoing "people person" but really wants to major in hard sciences in college. Seems like most of the CP kids are business and fine arts types.

Looking forward to any suggestions. Thanks

 

[Tigerlily724]

Not a CP mom yet, but DD15 is bound and determined to do the CP. She had me watch the on-line introduction to it over the weekend.

Do any of you parents or alumni have suggestions for a high school student to lay a good foundation for eventually being admitted to the program? DD is an excellent student, participates in extra-curriculars, cross country, band, etc. She is an outgoing "people person" but really wants to major in hard sciences in college. Seems like most of the CP kids are business and fine arts types.

Looking forward to any suggestions. Thanks

I would encourage her to get work experience in the area she is interested in if possible. If you dont live near an amusement park it might be hard to get attractions experience but if she coud get a retail or resturant job that would be great for her. Disney has a high standard of customer service so if she can learn the basics of that it will be easier to transition into a Disney job. If she is interested in being a character I would recomend at least taking an acting class and a dance or movement class. Its not necessary to have any experience but it certainly helps

Also make it clear to her that she will be working 30 or more hours a week. While it is a fun program, too many kids go down thinking its going to be a vacation and they end up hating the program and leaving or getting kicked out.

 

[Sandi]

I would encourage her to get work experience in the area she is interested in if possible. If you dont live near an amusement park it might be hard to get attractions experience but if she coud get a retail or resturant job that would be great for her. Disney has a high standard of customer service so if she can learn the basics of that it will be easier to transition into a Disney job. If she is interested in being a character I would recomend at least taking an acting class and a dance or movement class. Its not necessary to have any experience but it certainly helps

Also make it clear to her that she will be working 30 or more hours a week. While it is a fun program, too many kids go down thinking its going to be a vacation and they end up hating the program and leaving or getting kicked out.

Thanks. She has taken dance classes for years and she is trying out for the school musical this year. The only character she is interested in being is Snow White (would have to be a face character since she likes to talk too much to be otherwise). Love the suggestion for retail or restaurant work. That kind of experience can't be beat.

 

[mebbradley]

Not a CP mom yet, but DD15 is bound and determined to do the CP. She had me watch the on-line introduction to it over the weekend.

Do any of you parents or alumni have suggestions for a high school student to lay a good foundation for eventually being admitted to the program? DD is an excellent student, participates in extra-curriculars, cross country, band, etc. She is an outgoing "people person" but really wants to major in hard sciences in college. Seems like most of the CP kids are business and fine arts types.

Looking forward to any suggestions. Thanks

I'm an elementry education student who has a physical sicence and math concentration for middle school I'm a hopefull CP for 2011

My mom has know I had plans to do this program since I was 7

 

[Sandi]

I'm an elementry education student who has a physical sicence and math concentration for middle school I'm a hopefull CP for 2011

My mom has know I had plans to do this program since I was 7

That's excellent. So during what year of college will you be doing the CP? (Middle school was what clinched the science and math for my DD. She had excellent teachers.) Good luck in your studies and with getting into the CP.

 

[mebbradley]

I will be doing the program in my junior year, the second semester

Make sure when she goes to apply for college that she talks to them about the Program and that they will allow her to do the program, if not she will have to do what I am having to do which is to take a "leave of absence" and take 12 credits online.

 

[merlib]

Question for those of you who have had someone do the college program who took a car with them. Our DD will be checking in on Jan. 25th and will have a car throughout the program. We can't seem to get a clear answer as to what kind of paperwork we need to provide her so that she gets clearance to have the car in the apartment complex. Some have said her name needs to be on the insurance card (which it isn't) and others have said she just needs to have proof that she is covered by our insurance. Can someone clear this up for me?

Thanks in advance!

Mary R.

 

[glendalais]

Question for those of you who have had someone do the college program who took a car with them. Our DD will be checking in on Jan. 25th and will have a car throughout the program. We can't seem to get a clear answer as to what kind of paperwork we need to provide her so that she gets clearance to have the car in the apartment complex. Some have said her name needs to be on the insurance card (which it isn't) and others have said she just needs to have proof that she is covered by our insurance. Can someone clear this up for me?

Thanks in advance!

Mary R.

She will need a US Driver's License, Vehicle Registration as well as Proof of Auto Insurance valid in the United States with her name on it.

 

[merlib]

She will need a US Driver's License, Vehicle Registration as well as Proof of Auto Insurance valid in the United States with her name on it.

So will a copy of the insurance policy work? In our state only the person paying the insurance is on the little card that is in the car so that wouldn't work.

Thanks for your help with this!

 

[my3pauls]

Ok, so it's getting closer to my daughter's Jan 11th check in date, and I'm getting nervous...She was considering Patterson, but now that I see there's no bus stop there, I'm concerned for her...We're in Ohio, and her car isn't road worthy enough for the drive, so I'm planning on flying down with her to help her get settled in, and flying back a day or two later. Just don't have the $$ to book the flight.

So, I have a few questions for parents or CPers that can help..

1. If she doesn't register her car at check-in, can she do that a few weeks later? (I'm thinking of driving it down after I can afford to repair it at the end of Jan/early Feb)

2. Is there still no bus stop at Patterson? How long is the average bus ride to/from housing?

3. She knows her job is attractions, so I'm wondering if any alums know what kind of shoes she'll need. I see that it varies based on their job, and we'd like to get them before she leaves if possible. If it's tennis shoes, I'd like to get her a reliable, comfortable pair for Christmas...

4. Can anyone give tips/hints of what she really needs to take with her? I'm concerned about transporting her things if she's not driving....

Any other suggestions? THANK YOU!!!

 

[kikiq]

Ok, so it's getting closer to my daughter's Jan 11th check in date, and I'm getting nervous...She was considering Patterson, but now that I see there's no bus stop there, I'm concerned for her...We're in Ohio, and her car isn't road worthy enough for the drive, so I'm planning on flying down with her to help her get settled in, and flying back a day or two later. Just don't have the $$ to book the flight.

So, I have a few questions for parents or CPers that can help..

1. If she doesn't register her car at check-in, can she do that a few weeks later? (I'm thinking of driving it down after I can afford to repair it at the end of Jan/early Feb)

2. Is there still no bus stop at Patterson? How long is the average bus ride to/from housing?

3. She knows her job is attractions, so I'm wondering if any alums know what kind of shoes she'll need. I see that it varies based on their job, and we'd like to get them before she leaves if possible. If it's tennis shoes, I'd like to get her a reliable, comfortable pair for Christmas...

4. Can anyone give tips/hints of what she really needs to take with her? I'm concerned about transporting her things if she's not driving....

Any other suggestions? THANK YOU!!!

2. There is no Patterson bus stop. My DD says the bus rides to and from the job sites is about one hour because the buses make several stops on their routes. Lesson learned was to have a book and ipod or make new friends. My DD met several international students that ride the buses the same times she does and practices her French and Chinese.
3. Getting shoes is chancy if she ends up in Animal Kingdom she will need hiking boot type shoes. I was very concerned about this and was planning to get shoes when we got there but I had to return home right after I dropped the girls off for check in so had to leave the shoe purchase to my DD. Shoes for Crews comes to each complex for the CPers to get shoes.
There is time for her to buy shoes before she starts.
4. Electronics, don't forget charging cords. Favorite books, blanket/pillow/animal, pictures, comfy clothes to hang out in. Remember she will be in costume most of the time. Don't forget her professional clothes that she has to wear for her Disney orientation. My DD brought 3 outfits that could be interchanged. She did start in June when it was so hot and she didn't want to do laundry every day. They will have a chance to shop after their first day's meeting. There is a bus to Walmart and my DD said that even some of the other CPers parents who weren't their roommates offered to help them out.

My DD comes home Jan 2 and has had a wonderful time even with a couple of days of homesickness (Being 3000 miles away from home was a first for her. She did surprise us the weekend after my oldest had her baby, something she had planned when she first was accepted into the program) Her advice to all new CPers is to experience as much as the Disney program offers in programs, classes AND networking.

 

[Traveliz]

In attractions there are several types of shoes but black tennis shoes are what my daughter has needed for all the attractions she has worked at (Mission Space, It's Tough to be a Bug and Soarin'). She gets the Sketchers ones and there is a Sketcher's outlet at the Prime Outlets not too far from Patterson.

Liz

 

[sanddune]

Parent of a new CP. He starts in Feb.. I was looking for what to pack. Any discounts for rooms in late January.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Parent of a new CP. He starts in Feb.. I was looking for what to pack. Any discounts for rooms in late January.

Here's the packing list I made when i went down for Spring Advantage 09

CP Packing List
Bedroom/Closet
1. Bedding (twin size)
a. Comforter
b. Blanket
c. Sheets ( a couple sets)
d. Pillow (s)
e. Pillow cases
2. Bed Risers
3. Organizing stuff for under your bed
4. Decorations
5. White board and markers (for roommate messages, etc)
6. Extension Cords (2)
7. Fan (helps drown out sound from roommates and cooling down in summer months)
8. Garbage can/bags
9. TV Tray Table (helps a lot… in more than one way)
10. Clothes (business, casual, etc)
11. Shoes (business, athletic, etc)
12. HANGERS!
13. Laundry basket/hamper
14. Laundry soap, etc
15. Swimming Suit, beach towel, etc.
16. Calendar of some sort
17. Curtains
18. Something to wear for spring/winter formal

Bathroom/Linen Closet
1. Shower curtain
2. Shower organizer
3. Toilet seat cover/ Floor mat
4. Air freshner
5. Shampoo, etc anything you use to get ready with
6. Towels (bath and face)
7. Wash cloths
8. Straightner/curling irons
9. Medicine, if any

Kitchen/Living Room
1. Towels and wash cloths
2. Cookie cutters!!
3. Magnets to decorate fridge
4. Masking tape/duct tape/sharpies to help label food
5. Tupaware/paper plates/plastic silverware (trust me!)
6. Sandwhich maker/quesadilla maker, coffee pot
7. Curtains
8. Bean bag chairs
9. Lawn chairs for patio/deck
10. Decorations

Misc
1. Tool set/screw driver
2. Check in paper work
3. Insurance (car, health, dental)
4. Car registration
5. Passport/license/birth certificate
6. DVDs
7. DVD Player
8. Ipod/head phones
9. Computer/charger for laptop (printer if you think you need it)
10. Cell phone/charger

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Ok, so it's getting closer to my daughter's Jan 11th check in date, and I'm getting nervous...She was considering Patterson, but now that I see there's no bus stop there, I'm concerned for her...We're in Ohio, and her car isn't road worthy enough for the drive, so I'm planning on flying down with her to help her get settled in, and flying back a day or two later. Just don't have the $$ to book the flight.

So, I have a few questions for parents or CPers that can help..

1. If she doesn't register her car at check-in, can she do that a few weeks later? (I'm thinking of driving it down after I can afford to repair it at the end of Jan/early Feb)

I believe she can. She will just need the proper paperwork with her and then go to the front office of her complex

2. Is there still no bus stop at Patterson? How long is the average bus ride to/from housing?

True that there is no bus stop at patterson, however... the chatham bus stop is literally right across the street. It's really not that big of a deal for most people. And... it depends on the location she will work in. I believe DAK is the farthest away so that bus ride would be the longest... I worked in the resorts, and the 2 resorts closest to the apartments (saratoga springs and old key west) and to get to work it would take about... 1/2 hour or so... to get back it would take about an hour because my specific bus would stop at Vista first and I lived in chatham. The whole bus schedule is crazy as some stop at vista first and some stop at chatham. When she arrives, they will give her a bus schedule so she will be able to find out exactly what's going on. Personally, i was not a fan of getting to work 45 minutes early or 2 minutes late (and therefore racking up 1/2 a point) so that's when i was glad i had a car!!!


4. Can anyone give tips/hints of what she really needs to take with her? I'm concerned about transporting her things if she's not driving....

Is shipping some stuff to her an option once she arrives? Or ordering stuff online and doing a site to store option? Check out my list i posted above this of items to pack. I drove, so i could fit a lot more than i would if i was flying. (space savor bags may help you a lot!!!)

Any other suggestions? THANK YOU!!!

Check out my blog about my entire experience!!! You may have to scroll to the bottom and click on "older posts" a couple times to get to the CP related stuff, but people have said they found it helpful, so feel free to check it out!!!

http://crissadcp09.blogspot.com/

Oh, and good luck to your daughter!!!

 

[sanddune]

Thank You! Love the packing list. Now if I could get my son to bake. I would pack the cookie cutters!


Does anyone know if there is a paintball field close by to WDW? ( son loves paintball)

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Thank You! Love the packing list. Now if I could get my son to bake. I would pack the cookie cutters!


Does anyone know if there is a paintball field close by to WDW? ( son loves paintball)

hahaha. I looked EVERYWHERE for them while I was down there and couldn't find any. My roommates and I had stocked up on jello and were going to make jello jigglers, but... it was hard with no cookie cutters