College Program Parents Thread...

[IrishTink]

My DD has a friend doing the program right now, but she leaves on Jan. 5th, I'm wondering if she can book a room for us with the CM discount now (while she's still working) or if it has to be while she's still there. If not, we are eligible for the military discount, which would probably be just a few dollars more. We're DVC members too -- but I think we'll just stay at a value since it will only be the two of us.

I think we'll use Magical Express to and from the resort, and hire a taxi to get to Vista Way in the morning. Rental car rates are really high for our arrival as it's during a big marathon weekend.

I believe these options will be less expensive overall that staying at the Holiday Inn across from Vista Way and have to pay for transfers.

 

[AnnaS]

Mt DS is planning on bringing a wireless router...it's kind of a "staple" item these days for home, dorm, anywhere if you plan on any length of time. Just helps alleviate frustration (hopefully) and yes, I htink they need their own t.v. if they want them...and extension cords,,, never can have too many!

Thank you.

 

[vellamint]

We are flying with Southwest and between my two daughters and me and my husband the girls can have 3 suitcases each...maybe more since we are staying in a one bedroom and can pack less clothes for US since I can run the laundry easily.

I have rented a car to be picked up at a DTD hotel and then returned to the airport. This way Magical Express will deliver the 8 suitcases for us yet my husband and I wont have to deal with them on the way home....

I dont even think the condos have a television in the main living area right? Same thing with the router .... the apartments only need one on the desk in the living area right? So do the kids all chip in for one? My girls are going to have to do without in the bedroom as I am not buying a 2 tvs and cable wire and dealing with hooking them up...they will have laptops and can entertain themselves with that.

I dont know about the friend and family discounts in regard to it being AFTER the castmember leaves although Im pretty sure I have seen that exact question asked already on the Facebook pages.

 

[Andtototoo]

We are flying with Southwest and between my two daughters and me and my husband the girls can have 3 suitcases each...maybe more since we are staying in a one bedroom and can pack less clothes for US since I can run the laundry easily.

I have rented a car to be picked up at a DTD hotel and then returned to the airport. This way Magical Express will deliver the 8 suitcases for us yet my husband and I wont have to deal with them on the way home....

I dont even think the condos have a television in the main living area right? Same thing with the router .... the apartments only need one on the desk in the living area right? So do the kids all chip in for one? My girls are going to have to do without in the bedroom as I am not buying a 2 tvs and cable wire and dealing with hooking them up...they will have laptops and can entertain themselves with that.

I dont know about the friend and family discounts in regard to it being AFTER the castmember leaves although Im pretty sure I have seen that exact question asked already on the Facebook pages.

The apartments do NOT come with a tv. You have to buy one. As far as I remember the only cable hook up was in the apartment living room.

The way my dd and her roommates handled it was each person bought something outright so there would be no fights at the end about who it belonged to. So one girl bought the router, one girl bought the tv, one girl bought a dvd player and had a Netflix instant streaming account. My dd had brought her Wii down, so they all felt she had made her contribution by bringing that with her. When the season was up, they all just took their belongings home with them.

(The only problem was that the girl who brought the router got termed a few days before the end and took her router with her and my dd still had an online college class to finish. She had to go over to the center to use their internet which was a problem because she got off of work after midnight and the center was no longer open. So this time, my dd is just going to bring her own router to avoid that problem.)

 

[Traveliz]

The apartments do NOT come with a tv. You have to buy one. As far as I remember the only cable hook up was in the apartment living room.

The way my dd and her roommates handled it was each person bought something outright so there would be no fights at the end about who it belonged to. So one girl bought the router, one girl bought the tv, one girl bought a dvd player and had a Netflix instant streaming account. My dd had brought her Wii down, so they all felt she had made her contribution by bringing that with her. When the season was up, they all just took their belongings home with them.

(The only problem was that the girl who brought the router got termed a few days before the end and took her router with her and my dd still had an online college class to finish. She had to go over to the center to use their internet which was a problem because she got off of work after midnight and the center was no longer open. So this time, my dd is just going to bring her own router to avoid that problem.)

I would definitely not share costs over an item with anyone and I would also not count on the same group of roommates being from the beginning to the end of the program. I know this will sound unbelievable but my daughter did a Fall/Spring CP and had over 37 different roomates during that time. The first group she was in was all culinary but her and they are on a staggering type release schedule, as they left new ones came in, she had ICPs who were temporarily (a month) placed in her apartment until ones in the ICP area could be found for them, she had roommates who came and then self termed, she was in an apartment where three were termed over the course of a weekend (all unrelated reasons), it was just a revolving door...and aside from the problems of shared items each time a roommate leaves the locks are changed so she might get home from work at midnight and find she can't get into the apartment and have to search down security. As much as she loved the CP I have to say the housing situation was not the best.

Liz

 

[Andtototoo]

I would definitely not share costs over an item with anyone and I would also not count on the same group of roommates being from the beginning to the end of the program. I know this will sound unbelievable but my daughter did a Fall/Spring CP and had over 37 different roomates during that time. The first group she was in was all culinary but her and they are on a staggering type release schedule, as they left new ones came in, she had ICPs who were temporarily (a month) placed in her apartment until ones in the ICP area could be found for them, she had roommates who came and then self termed, she was in an apartment where three were termed over the course of a weekend (all unrelated reasons), it was just a revolving door...and aside from the problems of shared items each time a roommate leaves the locks are changed so she might get home from work at midnight and find she can't get into the apartment and have to search down security. As much as she loved the CP I have to say the housing situation was not the best.

Liz

Wow, 37 roommates? That's horrible!

My dd had the same girls the entire time. For better or worse...

 

[Bribrittmom]

I just got some great rates for DD's check in dates.My DD and I are driving down from Ohio so she can keep her car w/ her.We will be arriving on Jan. 20 for her check in the next day.I booked Pop Century for $100 the first night and $71 the next four nights.Agent was able to find much cheaper price than on line.Hoping for even lower rates possibly when passholder rates are released.I got a tremendous deal on my flight home.Nonstop from Orlando on Airtran to Akron-Canton,OH for $74.80 total.We're all set to go!Southwest was $168 one way for same date with a connection.Hope to meet some other parents down there.Good luck with your travel plans.

 

[Eyepga]

In need of advice ... we're in California, have never been to Orlando. I currently have a room booked at a local Hampton where I'll get Hilton points. Equivalent room at Pop Century is about the same cost. We'll have a car. Is there any real advantage to staying at Pop? We're driving up from Ft Lauderdale early on Sunday Jan 13th after seeing family. Daughter checks in on Tuesday, the 15th. I'm wondering if I should go with the loyalty program or do the Disney property, even though it's a value property. Any suggestions/input?

 

[mamabunny]

In need of advice ... we're in California, have never been to Orlando. I currently have a room booked at a local Hampton where I'll get Hilton points. Equivalent room at Pop Century is about the same cost. We'll have a car. Is there any real advantage to staying at Pop? We're driving up from Ft Lauderdale early on Sunday Jan 13th after seeing family. Daughter checks in on Tuesday, the 15th. I'm wondering if I should go with the loyalty program or do the Disney property, even though it's a value property. Any suggestions/input?

Hi!

We have stayed at Pop Century - it's a Value resort, so the rooms are comfortable, but they may seem smaller to you than the rooms at an average Hampton Inn.

Having said that, Pop Century is tons of fun - we love it - and it is our second favorite resort after French Quarter. Pop Century tends to have lots of families with little kids (all the Value resorts do) so that may factor into your decision, if you want a bit more peace and quiet.

Our daughter checks in on Jan 15 as well; we will be driving in a couple of days before, and are debating between French Quarter & something closer (off-property) to the DCP apartments.

If you want to really get in to the Disney spirit - stay at Pop Century! You'll have a lot of fun, and you'll really enjoy it.

If you prefer to have the continental breakfast & accumulate the loyalty points towards future stays (might be important!) then go with the Hampton.

 

[Eyepga]

Hi!

We have stayed at Pop Century - it's a Value resort, so the rooms are comfortable, but they may seem smaller to you than the rooms at an average Hampton Inn.

Having said that, Pop Century is tons of fun - we love it - and it is our second favorite resort after French Quarter. Pop Century tends to have lots of families with little kids (all the Value resorts do) so that may factor into your decision, if you want a bit more peace and quiet.

Our daughter checks in on Jan 15 as well; we will be driving in a couple of days before, and are debating between French Quarter & something closer (off-property) to the DCP apartments.

If you want to really get in to the Disney spirit - stay at Pop Century! You'll have a lot of fun, and you'll really enjoy it.

If you prefer to have the continental breakfast & accumulate the loyalty points towards future stays (might be important!) then go with the Hampton.

Thanks for the input, mamabunny. I think we're probably going to stick with Hampton. Turns out that my 19 yr old is coming with us for the few days so the little bit of extra room might be nice. I haven't seen too many checking in on the 15th ... what role did your daughter get? Mine is in Concierge - Spring Advantage.

 

[AnnaS]

My dd is one also checking in on the 15th - I keep telling her to get on-line or on FB...........hopefully soon - between work an school........

Would love to do a poll on many kid will have their cars - she keeps bugging me about it but I doubt I will give in.

 

[Fargoman2]

My daughter will be doing DCP Orlando Jan. 2013. She will be checking in solo (flying in). She will most likely spend one night at SSR, which according to mapquest is 3.34 miles from check in at Vista Way..

I assume Cab is the only reasonable way to get there. Any ideas how much that will cost her?

TIA.

 

[Andtototoo]

My daughter will be doing DCP Orlando Jan. 2013. She will be checking in solo (flying in). She will most likely spend one night at SSR, which according to mapquest is 3.34 miles from check in at Vista Way..

I assume Cab is the only reasonable way to get there. Any ideas how much that will cost her?

TIA.

Here is a taxi rate finder for Orlando:
http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Orlando

 

[madge]

Add me to the parents list!!


my DS just got his email ... he's coming home this weekend and we'll pick dates, etc.

Is there a Facebook group for Spring 2013? Did I see that somewhere?

 

[madge]

Would love to do a poll on many kid will have their cars - she keeps bugging me about it but I doubt I will give in.

we are going to encourage ours to leave the car here. we were at WDW last week and talked to a CPer who has her car there and regrets it. Everyone bugs her for a ride and she said it has to be easier without a car.

 

[mamabunny]

Thanks for the input, mamabunny. I think we're probably going to stick with Hampton. Turns out that my 19 yr old is coming with us for the few days so the little bit of extra room might be nice. I haven't seen too many checking in on the 15th ... what role did your daughter get? Mine is in Concierge - Spring Advantage.

Our daughter will be Merchandise; it was her second pick, but I wasn't surprised, since her previous job experience was all retail. She's SA as well.

If you get a chance, you should drive over to Pop Century, and just walk around. Pictures don't do it justice, and everyone gets a kick out of it.

I've never been to Disney in Anaheim - even though my brother lives in Cypress, we always seem to wind up at Knotts! So, I can't really compare and contrast the two parks, except to say that I know first-hand that Orlando is just stunningly HUGE. We were just there last March, and I am still amazed at how big each of the parks are... and how long it can take to get around by the Transportation system! The night we went out to the Hoop-De-Doo Revue, I think we had to leave French Quarter something like 90 minutes early to insure that we were on time!

If you can (and if they are offering it that week) try to book the "Pirates & Pals" cruise. You start at Contemporary, around 7 pm, where you get to meet Captain Hook, and have some light refreshments. Then, everyone goes out on the lake with one of Captain Hooks pirates (we had Patch in our boat) and there is all kinds of family-friendly silliness while you wait for the show. (Hint: brush up on your Disney trivia!) When we were there, they were running the electrical water parade during the cruise as well. The best part is that you get to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the middle of the lake - the view of the castle with the fireworks reflecting on the water was so beautiful. (You hear the same audio as it is played in MK) Truly stunning, and we really did enjoy it. Be sure to book ahead; I think that the night we went, every slot was filled, and there was no room for walk-ups.

I hope you'll find time to have some fun while you are there!

 

[mamabunny]

we are going to encourage ours to leave the car here. we were at WDW last week and talked to a CPer who has her car there and regrets it. Everyone bugs her for a ride and she said it has to be easier without a car.

We are still on the fence. Our daughter has a wheelchair; she doesn't have to use it all the time, but it will have to be with her there in case she needs it. I know (from our visit this past March) that most of the buses in the park have ramps or "kneel", but we don't have any info (yet) about the buses that pick up Cast Members at the apartments, so she may have to drive herself during those times when she has to sit down.

If it weren't for that, I would probably encourage her to leave the car at home. She has already decided that she is going to apply the same policy to everyone there that she used in high school - they can ride along with her, but it's her car, her rules, and they will have to chip in for gas, or the car won't move.

 

[Andtototoo]

we are going to encourage ours to leave the car here. we were at WDW last week and talked to a CPer who has her car there and regrets it. Everyone bugs her for a ride and she said it has to be easier without a car.

My dd had her car last time and is taking it this time. She found it made her life much easier in terms of going shopping and if they wanted to go someplace other than Downtown Disney for fun.

She had people ask her for rides and she just said no or she said she'd give them a ride if they gave her $. A LOT of people gave her money to drive them around -- she had a lucrative little side job going!

 

[AnnaS]

we are going to encourage ours to leave the car here. we were at WDW last week and talked to a CPer who has her car there and regrets it. Everyone bugs her for a ride and she said it has to be easier without a car.

I feel it's one less thing to worry about. I have no problem with her giving someone a few bucks for cash and ask them to pick something up. I only worry about perishable items. I am even thinking if anything - gardengrocer can probably deliver too.

 

[AnnaS]

My daughter will be doing DCP Orlando Jan. 2013. She will be checking in solo (flying in). She will most likely spend one night at SSR, which according to mapquest is 3.34 miles from check in at Vista Way..

I assume Cab is the only reasonable way to get there. Any ideas how much that will cost her?

TIA.

What day is she checking in?