Spring 2013 Professional Internships

[delmar411]

Originally Posted by DisneyGirlie

To people who have gone through that final Retail Management PI interview -

What was the response/last words of your interviewers? Mine said that I should be getting call within 2-3 weeks. I thought though that if you're rejected, they don't call, just email. I'm not naive enough to believe that they were telling me I did well and that I'd probably get it. They can't do that and plus they still had interviews to conduct, thus more people to examine and see if they were better than me! I just wonder if they're saying that everyone receives calls - rejected or not. Or maybe they meant IF offered the PI, you'll receive a call. Basically, it wasn't the response I was expecting. What did you all experience?

I thought they call if they are making an offer? DH's interviewers didn't say a time frame but they were F&B ppl so they probably just forgot and DH didn't ask.

BUT Dh just moved to post-interview stage! That could mean nothing or everything but there was movement on his dashboard! Gotta celebrate some movement!

[Lady V]

Originally Posted by delmar411

I thought they call if they are making an offer? DH's interviewers didn't say a time frame but they were F&B ppl so they probably just forgot and DH didn't ask.

BUT Dh just moved to post-interview stage! That could mean nothing or everything but there was movement on his dashboard! Gotta celebrate some movement!

Good luck!! I bet he gets it!! I can't wait to read the good news!!

[tggrbuny]

Originally Posted by morgymarie

WOW!!! Thank you soo much the advice!!! I too have looked into all of the ones you went to see, but I have yet to actually visit them. I am also thinking about Falcon Square, which is where the PI's are actually going to be housed but without roommates is pretty expensive. I have also looked into some apartments in Davenport, one is called Victoria Park and it looks amazing!!! I think I am going to follow your lead and go and look at all the places around the area to see what I can find

While looking did you find any that offer a Disney cast member discount? I know that a lot of the apartments in the area offer it, but I was just wondering what kind of discounts they give! Thank you soo much for everything!!!

Ok, so can we put a burden on you to post a review of the apartments that you see similiar to the one Disneygirlie has done. After you see the apartments of course. I will be in Orlando on Thursday and will try to add something worth while to this thread based on what has not yet be reported.

[tggrbuny]

Originally Posted by DisneyGirlie

This. Absolutely this.

I've browsed apartments near Disney on 2 different occasions and going to the properties, talking to the staff, seeing the apts, has made all the difference. I toured 3 complexes yesterday and it has narrowed down my housing decisions completely. I only toured a total of 5 because honestly those 5 were the only ones I was even considering because of location/price range. I'll give a brief review for the ones I've seen.

Cagan Crossings - I actually really liked this place. Good location as far as being surrounded by stuff (Walmart, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, etc.) and it is a newish community so everything feels/looks super nice. The office staff was great and the various communities within Cagan offers good options as far as price ranging. However, for my preference, it's a little too far out from Disney. If you have traffic patience/gas money, then whatever, move that far out. Some people don't even think it's far.

Alexandria Parc Vue - Location is okay, although I wouldn't prefer being on that side of the 535 area. The traffic congestion near Cross Roads is a little too much for me. The office staff was ok, not great. The actual property itself did not have a newish/luxurious feel. The buildings look a little older, so does the leasing office, etc etc.

Abaco Key - The woman who was speaking to me was acting like a used car salesman attempting to get me to sign now because they are always full and there's a waiting list, blah blah blah. I didn't appreciate that. Location wise, it's near Parc Vue so my feelings are the same on that. The apts look nice from the outside, but I was extremely unimpressed with the inside. They felt old, the ceilings felt very low (i know that sounds weird), there was no counter space in the bathroom, little storage space in general/small closet. Pool wasn't impressive.

Bella - The concept of this place is great. They really are a luxury community. The pool is fabulous, the jogging trail has special rubbery bouncy mulch on it, the clubhouse is beautiful, the gym is great (technically 2 gyms), they offer free fitness classes to residents, the buildings have elevators, the apartments are gorgeous inside (GREAT walk in closet, nice sized bedroom, pretty bathroom but little counter space, nice kitchen, built in desk in kitchen, etc), and very large patio areas. The location is doable although not the closest to Disney (I just really don't like the road it is off of with all the traffic lights and stuff haha personal preference). My only qualm about this place is the pricing. It is already pricey for monthly rent, but this place tacks on fees anywhere they can. I forgot all the additional fees she told me about, but I know for a fact that depending on what floor you're on, there is an additional fee. It's like an extra $20 per month to be on 1st floor, an extra $40 to be on fourth floor. Then if you wanted an apartment with all tile floors throughout, that's extra. There were more extra fees too (I just forgot them).

Cumberland Park - Location is great. Right across from CP Housing (Chatham Square and Patterson Court). Beautiful clubhouse. They have an indoor basketball court, nice gym, and game room. The feature that really struck me is their movie theater. It is absolutely precious. It looks like a real movie theater and they show movies in it every Thursday night. Pretty neat. They have a beach style entry pool. Their apts have screened in patios. The apt floor plans are really nice. I read some reviews online though that they were having crime problems? Whattt?

Personally, I've narrowed my choices down to Cumberland Park and Bella. Bella is a bit more pricey and I'm unsure how I would handle all those fees, but I really liked those 2 complexes.

WOW and THANK YOU. I only have a few days in town next week and you have made my trip have much better focus. I will be certain to add anything I learn of value after my driving around. In the mean time I have a few questions about Cagan Crossings. I like the location because I like coming into the property on Western Way. Did they have screen in porches too? Did you feel that the four different groups were progressively nicer? I was wondering other than the washer dryer situation why the apartments were so much higher for The Glen and The Loft versus Aurora and Ridgepointe?

Again, thanks for all the time you spent driving around. I know that you did it for you, but it really helps me too.

[DisneyGirlie]

Originally Posted by tggrbuny

WOW and THANK YOU. I only have a few days in town next week and you have made my trip have much better focus. I will be certain to add anything I learn of value after my driving around. In the mean time I have a few questions about Cagan Crossings. I like the location because I like coming into the property on Western Way. Did they have screen in porches too? Did you feel that the four different groups were progressively nicer? I was wondering other than the washer dryer situation why the apartments were so much higher for The Glen and The Loft versus Aurora and Ridgepointe?

Again, thanks for all the time you spent driving around. I know that you did it for you, but it really helps me too.

I actually don't know that much about Cagan. I just didn't personally get to tour all the different communities and stuff there but I have a friend who lives in the glen. He really liked it and it did seem fancy but he chose to transfer and move down to ridgepointe because it was cheaper. Honestly other than the glen being newer, I'm not sure there is a real difference. If I were going to live at Cagan, I think I would 100% go with the loft. Aren't those the ones that are above stores, include elevator access, and a garage? I could be mixing that up, but if that's the case that's a really good value for the rent they charge for the loft for all you get. Especially compared to other places haha.

[morgymarie]

Originally Posted by tggrbuny

Ok, so can we put a burden on you to post a review of the apartments that you see similiar to the one Disneygirlie has done. After you see the apartments of course. I will be in Orlando on Thursday and will try to add something worth while to this thread based on what has not yet be reported.

Yes of course, its no burden at all! I went to a few places yesterday around the area my parents live (Seaworld and Universal area) If you would like I can write comments about them, but I think they are a little far from where you would like to stay... Today I will be going to places near Millenia, Lake Buena Vista, and Davenport so I will tell you about those Although Millenia is a little farther it is on the I4 corridor so it makes the time traveling a little less stressful!!! If you would like the a review of the apartments from the area I visited yesterday, i.e. Seaworld and Universal, let me know I would be more than willing to help!

[morgymarie]

Originally Posted by DisneyGirlie

Everywhere I went, I told them about being a cast member and some piped up with discount information and some didn't. I'll assume those that didn't don't offer a discount. Abaco Key and Cagan Crossings had a discount but only on application/deposit fees. Bella has a 3% discount on rent for cast. That's all I know of.

I also wanted to say that I really really really wanted to live at Victoria Park just from looking at their website. But then I realized that the one bedrooms only have walk in showers and no bath tubs which I simply cannot live without so I gave up that dream might be perfect for you though if you only like showers!

NO BATHTUBS!!!! Oh Oh that may not work, maybe I will look at the 2 bedrooms and find a roomie because that is a must have! Thanks for letting me know

[tggrbuny]

Originally Posted by DisneyGirlie

I actually don't know that much about Cagan. I just didn't personally get to tour all the different communities and stuff there but I have a friend who lives in the glen. He really liked it and it did seem fancy but he chose to transfer and move down to ridgepointe because it was cheaper. Honestly other than the glen being newer, I'm not sure there is a real difference. If I were going to live at Cagan, I think I would 100% go with the loft. Aren't those the ones that are above stores, include elevator access, and a garage? I could be mixing that up, but if that's the case that's a really good value for the rent they charge for the loft for all you get. Especially compared to other places haha.

That helps, I will plan a tour of Cagan next week. I had already rejected the lowest cost neighborhood division (Aurora?) because no washer/dryer hook ups in unit. I have managed to work in three days of residence hunting in to the upcoming trip, that should be enough to have a picked a place.

[tggrbuny]

Originally Posted by morgymarie

Yes of course, its no burden at all! I went to a few places yesterday around the area my parents live (Seaworld and Universal area) If you would like I can write comments about them, but I think they are a little far from where you would like to stay... Today I will be going to places near Millenia, Lake Buena Vista, and Davenport so I will tell you about those Although Millenia is a little farther it is on the I4 corridor so it makes the time traveling a little less stressful!!! If you would like the a review of the apartments from the area I visited yesterday, i.e. Seaworld and Universal, let me know I would be more than willing to help!

I commute 20+ miles to work every day now, so this would not be a big change.

My intention is to stay permanently and I want to live somewhere that is comfortable and worth staying a couple of years. If you think it is too much for the thread, just PI me. Thanks so much for the info.

[Lady V]

Originally Posted by cindy17

Has your daughter been stuck in "interview stage" all this time? My son is going for an Engineering PI and has heard nothing since mid-September. His must be one of the last ones interviewing also. Hopefully good things come to those who wait!!

Don't know which type of engineering he applied for but I know of at least one person who has received an offer

[Lady V]

Originally Posted by DisneyGirlie

To people who have gone through that final Retail Management PI interview -

What was the response/last words of your interviewers? Mine said that I should be getting call within 2-3 weeks. I thought though that if you're rejected, they don't call, just email. I'm not naive enough to believe that they were telling me I did well and that I'd probably get it. They can't do that and plus they still had interviews to conduct, thus more people to examine and see if they were better than me! I just wonder if they're saying that everyone receives calls - rejected or not. Or maybe they meant IF offered the PI, you'll receive a call. Basically, it wasn't the response I was expecting. What did you all experience?

I could swear mine said there would be decisions within a week. Of course, my mind was in a jumble at this point since they'd just said they were only taking seven total people
I know in one of my prep meetings my mentor said they would notify people and then in case someone decided not to do the program they still had time to notify replacements by Dec 7. Who knows? It seems like everyone gets different answers so I guess all we can do is wait.
On a side note-I don't know what I'll do if I actually do get chosen. I've convinced myself to go back to TN in January and I have a job lined up if I do go back. I always thought I wanted this so bad but the closer the decision comes to getting here the more I want more time to figure it out.

[cindy17]

Originally Posted by Lady V

Don't know which type of engineering he applied for but I know of at least one person who has received an offer

I think there were about 5 engineering positions that he applied for (they were all under the engineering umbrella - you didn't pick what you applied for. You automatically were in the applicant pool for all 5 by applying once). Unfortunately, one of the preferred qualifications was "fluent in Mandarin", so maybe he's waiting so long to hear from them because they are waiting for all those "fluent in Mandarin" applicants to show up! He's so busy with school right now, he's kinda put this whole thing behind him. If they call, they call, is his attitude. I'm the one who's freaking out about it!!

[DisneyGirlie]

Originally Posted by Lady V

I could swear mine said there would be decisions within a week. Of course, my mind was in a jumble at this point since they'd just said they were only taking seven total people
I know in one of my prep meetings my mentor said they would notify people and then in case someone decided not to do the program they still had time to notify replacements by Dec 7. Who knows? It seems like everyone gets different answers so I guess all we can do is wait.
On a side note-I don't know what I'll do if I actually do get chosen. I've convinced myself to go back to TN in January and I have a job lined up if I do go back. I always thought I wanted this so bad but the closer the decision comes to getting here the more I want more time to figure it out.

You sound so determined to leave! Why did you even put yourself through this stressful process then? Well, maybe the whole process is more stressful to me because I know it could be the start to my whole life. I plan to work for Disney for my whole life and live there obviously. I know if I don't get it, I can work my way up other ways, but this would mean so much to my future.

[Dani_H]

Hey Morgan-

I did a PI fall 2010, and lived in Disney housing when it was at Cumberland park apartments. Disney housing was very expensive, especially since I shared a apartment with three others. I would suggest opting out of Disney Housing.

Check out the facebook group for PIs I know a lot of them have been looking for room mates!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/237173299722218/?fref=ts

[morgymarie]

Originally Posted by tggrbuny

I commute 20+ miles to work every day now, so this would not be a big change.

My intention is to stay permanently and I want to live somewhere that is comfortable and worth staying a couple of years. If you think it is too much for the thread, just PI me. Thanks so much for the info.

Well Orlando is an amazing city, so as long as you stay within 20 mins from Disney it well be perfect for you!!! So I have looked all weekend long and I even though I have lived here my whole life, with the exception of college, I never knew how many apartments and communities there are around the Disney area...

Here are a few apartments I looked at over the weekend, but there are still soo many more to come because I too want to make sure I end up in the right community and place for the long haul!!

The Palms Club - Located off of Kirkman, near Millenia and Metrowest Blvd, and about 5 mins from Universal and about 20 mins away from Disney <--- In traffic this will diffidently be a little more. I really liked the community and prices! One bedroom's are priced from 825 to 975 and two bedrooms from 975 to 1050, but there are several discounts right now that made some of those prices about 25 to 75 dollars less... They did not give any discounts for Universal or Disney employees, so thats a con... The community is humongous and offers every amenity that you could ever WANT!!! BUT, my friend and I noticed a lot of high school students that were being somewhat disruptive while we were there, not by doing anything illegal, but they were all by the pool making a lot of noise! SO this one I will not be choosing because of this reason. Technically apartment complex's cannot disclose demographic information, but if you go at the right time, like I did, you can see really what the apartment complex is all about. I know every complex will have it's pro's and con's, but annoying teenages are very big con for me! LOL

Cross Water at Lakeside Village - Located in Windermere and about 10 mins from Disney... All I have to say is WOW!!!! This was by far the best place I have looked at so far... It is a brand new community and has yet to even open all the units, but construction is on the other side of the complex so it wasn't loud at all!! The amenities are perfect and is on a Lake, it just was soo serene and gorgeous!!! It's a little pricer, with one bedrooms from 960 to 990 and two bedrooms from 1190 to 1300. They do give a Disney discount that is applied to the application and security deposit, which is half off. The complex is running a special for the security deposit at ONLY $50 dollars, so between the application and security deposit it will be ONLY $50 dollars. Bad part there is an Administratve fee of $250 that is non refundable, but I am noticing more and more most apartment complexes are now requiring these so I guess it's the trick of the trade. SO overall this place is amazing, modern, and in the perfect location!!!

Alexandria/Park Vue @ Lake Buena Vista - I know that this was already reviewed, but I thought I would just add that their pet fees are outrageous, so if you have one just beware! I was not a fan of this community!

Falcon Square - This is the apartment complex that will house the professional interns this Spring... I decided to look at it for the purposes of being close to the other PI's, but I was unable to look at anything due to the fact the office staff were out on property for over 30 mins and I didn't have time to wait... The community is amazing! It is located in Independence, very similar to Celebration, and the houses surrounding the apartment complex are super adorable! It's kind of far, but it's really amazing so I am going to go look at it again and I will let you know

That's all for now, but I will give you an update once I go to other places