The morning of January 10th we woke up bright and early and got ready to head to Vista Way for check-in. I was so excited! And even though I was super anxious to get there, I of course had to stop in the food court and get my oatmeal
After a quick breakfast, mommy and I drove to Vista Way and she dropped me off while she went to find a parking spot. The line was pretty long by the time that I got there but I quickly found the girls and jumped in line with them {last one there
whoops!} Pretty soon after I got there, they opened the gates and we were herded to the check-in area.
Right as we walked in, we were handed a program guide. The program guide was my lifeline for the first few days and I was excited to receive it because it felt like the first day of school in elementary school when you would get your agendas {school supply nerd here!}. We waited in line for a while they called groups up to small tables {about 5 at a time}. I honestly dont remember what they told us at that table
, I just know we signed some papers and were then told to proceed onto housing.
The housing section was fast, and a tiny bit stressful. The four of us really decided we wanted to room together ahead of time but it wasnt guaranteed. Before you arrive, you are given the option to sign up with one roommate so Belle and I signed up together and Lisa and Katie signed up together. Other than that one roommate, you are not guaranteed a spot with your other pairs. To better your chances on getting placed together, you need to be on the same page about what complex you are requesting and how many bedrooms.
There are three housing complexes for CP participants
Chatham Square, Patterson Court and Vista Way...
Vista Way is the oldest of the three complexes. I knew that I definitely did not want to live here. Has a reputation as the "party complex". Has it's own bus stop and is within walking distance to various stores and restaurants.
Chatham Square is where I wanted to live. Not the oldest, but not the newest. Apartments ranged from 1 bedroom to 4 bedrooms. Shares a bus stop with Patterson Court. Within walking distance to Mickey's Retreat. Has terrible green carpet (eww...you will see this later
)
Patterson Court is definitely the prettiest complex (and it is the newest). It is the most expensive of the three. Shares a bus stop with Chatham Square (but is farther away from it). Has a reputation of being "too quiet".
The all have their pluses and minuses but we all felt that Chatham was a good common ground. We wanted a two bedroom so it would just be the four of us but decided that we would do a three bedroom if it meant the 4 of us could get together
we werent down for the four bedroom though
wayyy too many girls in one space.
At the door to the housing section, we were asked if we had already done roommate matching. We answered yes and they sent one representative from each pair up to the housing desk. I went up for Belle and myself and gave my preferences.
When you tell them your preferences, they enter that information into the computer and the first apartment that matches is where you are placed
there is no time to tell them that you want to live with another pair. Luckily, Katie and/or Lisa (I dont remember who went up!) was right behind me in line so our apartment was open when they gave their preferences. Once you are placed, your roommate can meet up with you and they write your apartment number on your program guide and give you your keys. I was really anxious to find out what apartment Lisa and Katie got but when they came over we saw that we were in the same and were very excited! We were placed in a two bedroom, non-wellness (meaning we are all over 21) in Chatham, building 23
Tink must have sprinkled extra pixie dust on us that morning because a lot of girls in line with us did not get exactly what we wanted
After we got our keys, we headed outside and saw our parents! They had all been talking in the parent area and decided to head over to the check-in tent and wait for us
The next step was taking the bus to casting. I gave mommy my key to the apartment so she could move my bags from the POP while I was at casting since we had an ADR that evening
We hopped on the bus to casting and were on our way!
so glad you are sharing this experience! congrats on your maui wedding! how fabulous!
but I promise there will be lots of photos to come! 
Will you be posting pics of the casting building?? It's so pretty in there!
