DCP Housing?

[NHSchool2012]

What does everyone have to say about the housing offered for the program? I was accepted a few days ago and I'm really excited, but the only thing holding me back is the housing. I'm not a partier at all; my idea of fun is hanging around playing cards or something, and I've read a lot online about how people are always partying and going crazy, and I really don't want to be around that.

I've heard that Vista is the party building, with Patterson opposite, and Chatham somewhere in the middle. I'm not doing the program for the credit because my school doesn't accept any, so really I'm just doing this for the experience and any money I make is just for fun, and I'm thinking that I'll just spend it on rent at Patterson so I can be away from most of the partying and also get to live in the newest building since I'll be there for so long.

Also, is there even a guarantee that I can choose Patterson if I want to? I was accepted a couple of days ago but I haven't paid yet, so I don't know my arrival date, but is there even going to be room, or am I going to be stuck in Vista by default?

If any of you have gone through the program before, what are your opinions on the housing? Should I spend the extra money on Patterson, or is it really not as bad as everyone says?

 

[raionheart]

Heya
The following is based on my 2009 experience, things might have changed since..

Visa - Pretty old, dirty and moldy, and noisy. As you have heard where most of the parties are here, almost every night in fact. But the cheapest of all the apartments. Many friends that I have met in Vista had their things stolen as well and eventually asked to be transferred to the other apartment complexes. The bus goes inside the apartment complex.

A song was even made about Vista lol: youtu.be/rGzgwiAng7I

Chatham- smack dab in the middle, this is where I lived. Great experience! It has been mostly pretty quiet and the complex is pretty nice with the bus stop in front of the apartments. Conveniently right across from Mickey's Retreat as well.

Patterson - The newest and cleanest and a dollar or so more than Chatham in terms of cost. However if you do not have a car you would need to walk to Chatham for the bus stop. But the apartments are very very nice.

Usually you are able to get your first choice apartments given that you do not arrive late during the first day. So make sure to arrive early to ensure your first choice!

I hope that helped!

 

[aznshents]

Heya
The following is based on my 2009 experience, things might have changed since..

Visa - Pretty old, dirty and moldy, and noisy. As you have heard where most of the parties are here, almost every night in fact. But the cheapest of all the apartments. Many friends that I have met in Vista had their things stolen as well and eventually asked to be transferred to the other apartment complexes. The bus goes inside the apartment complex.

A song was even made about Vista lol: youtu.be/rGzgwiAng7I

I lived in Vista spring 2011, and I was bothered by none of these things- sure, the place was old, but I lived in an apartment that wasn't bothered by any noise, and didn't have any mold, and we kept things clean. And I'm not a partier either. I never had anything stolen, and never heard of anyone on my program in Vista who did. YMMV.

 

[Andtototoo]

I lived in Vista spring 2011, and I was bothered by none of these things- sure, the place was old, but I lived in an apartment that wasn't bothered by any noise, and didn't have any mold, and we kept things clean. And I'm not a partier either. I never had anything stolen, and never heard of anyone on my program in Vista who did. YMMV.

My dd's experience and my family friend's experience at Vista in spring 2012 mirrored yours, aznshents. They both thought the Vista reputation for partying and yuckiness far exceeded the reality. She's going back for Spring 2013 and she said that while she'd prefer C/P, she wouldn't turn down the program for the fear of Vista because it's a non-issue in terms of affecting her decision to be in the CP.

There are no guarantees about what housing you will get. It all depends upon what's available at check-in. Also, keep in mind that Vista is the largest complex by far and therefore, most people end up there. So you need to be prepared that you might get an apartment that is less desirable to you or you might not. My dd had the last day of check-in for Spring 2012. There were apartments in C/P available, which she turned down because they were all 2-person apartments. For her, the critical living issue was a compatible roommate -- she thought the odds of finding a compatible roommate were higher if she had more than less, so she chose Vista. So part of it is luck, part of it is your spot in line and part of it are your dealbreakers.

Were the Vista rooms as nice/new as Chatham and Patterson? No. Were they some sort of pit? No. All of us parents thought the Vista apartments were much nicer than the dorm rooms the kids had left behind. I also visited my dd more than once and I'm allergic to mold, so I would have definitely noticed mold and I did not. Naturally, if the people in the apartment don't keep it clean, then it won't be. A lot of it is a matter of choice.

Did some CPers at Vista get termed for partying? Sure. Did CPers at Chatham and Patterson get termed for partying? Sure. In fact, all of the CPers my dd knew personally who got termed for drinking/drug use were at Chatham and Patterson, so it's not like those two complexes are free of that behavior. Like she said, she was at Vista and she and her friends were "partying" by making cupcakes while having an all-night Gossip Girl marathon. And some of those friends were girls from C/P who didn't want to be in their apartments because their roommates were partying in them.

My dd's only caveat to Vista was that she was glad she didn't have an apartment near the basketball courts because she saw people playing basketball there when she'd come home from MK at 3/4am. The only thing she had stolen was food by her roommate, but that could have happened at any complex. I mean, it's not like Disney assigns people to Vista based upon some psychic knowledge that the person is a partier, thief, and pigpen -- so you have just as much chance of meeting those people at any complex.

 

[meganDCP2010]

My friend lived in Vista and only lasted there a few weeks before she came over to Chatham. She told me her roommate's boyfriend (I think?) broke a window in their apartment and was really drunk. Aside from that, she had some other issues with Vista and her roommates.

I lived in Chatham. We had a bug problem, which I guess is common in Florida. Chatham had some ugly dark green carpet and really white walls. The decor wasn't the best. There were some partiers/weird people in Chatham. During my program, I heard that some people ran around the complex butt naked.

I had another friend who lived in Patterson, and her apartment was really nice. The walls were painted with warm colors, unlike Chatham. It looked more like home. At the same time, Patterson seemed pretty quiet compared to the other complexes.

 

[disdude89]

I lived in Vista and Chatham.

 

[AnimalKingdomDVC]

I think that no matter where you put college aged kids, there is going to be partying...that is just a given! I am a middle aged adult doing the program, and yes...there are many of use!! Lol... But I hope to get into Patterson... Just seems a bit nicer for me!

 

[angelbear425]

I think that no matter where you put college aged kids, there is going to be partying...that is just a given! I am a middle aged adult doing the program, and yes...there are many of use!! Lol... But I hope to get into Patterson... Just seems a bit nicer for me!

What do you mean by "middle age"? I am only asking because I thought I was "old" to do it. I just turned 30 last weekend (I am in grad school) and I was so worried that people wouldn't want to room with me because I am much older than most in the program lol.

 

[TiffanyLynn]

Are we required to live in Disney housing? My boyfriend and I were wondering if we can get an appartment down there so he can come with me or am I required to live on the grounds?

 

[angelbear425]

Are we required to live in Disney housing? My boyfriend and I were wondering if we can get an appartment down there so he can come with me or am I required to live on the grounds?

I feel like I read on dcp.com that you aren't required to live in their housing, but if you don't then you would have to drive to work and cannot take advantage of their bussing.

 

[AnimalKingdomDVC]

What do you mean by "middle age"? I am only asking because I thought I was "old" to do it. I just turned 30 last weekend (I am in grad school) and I was so worried that people wouldn't want to room with me because I am much older than most in the program lol.

I am 50! mentally 25, physically 70! lol

 

[AnimalKingdomDVC]

Are we required to live in Disney housing? My boyfriend and I were wondering if we can get an appartment down there so he can come with me or am I required to live on the grounds?

you can live anywhere you want, but if off property you cannot be part of like the disney parties I guess. or bussing