College Program Parents Thread...

[Wishes Count]

I disagree with the PP about celebration health. Perhaps her child didn't have insurance but I and my roommate had to be admitted there on separate occasions. Hospitals are expensive so you shouldn't use their ER for things you should visit a clinic for. My roommate ended up needing surgery to remove her gallbladder and I had to be admitted because my blood pressure was 180/155. The hospital provided excellent care.

Basically your child should be aware if they have insurance where it is accepted or they will be responsible for the costs.

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[stitchlovestink]

I disagree with the PP about celebration health. Perhaps her child didn't have insurance but I and my roommate had to be admitted there on separate occasions. Hospitals are expensive so you shouldn't use their ER for things you should visit a clinic for. My roommate ended up needing surgery to remove her gallbladder and I had to be admitted because my blood pressure was 180/155. The hospital provided excellent care.

Basically your child should be aware if they have insurance where it is accepted or they will be responsible for the costs.

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Yes we do have health insurance and they were in network! So know of what you speak before you make a statement such as that. There was actually just an investigative TV show that investigated some hospitals in Florida for charges such as this and basically it is they can charge what they want. The hospitals could be very close to one another, provide the same exact service and the charges can be thousands of dollars different! And the investigators could get no explanation as to why one was so much higher priced than the other. Other than because they want to charge more because they said they could! And there wasn't anything stopping them!
I have heard of other cases similar to ours. Seems to happen to the people who don't truly reside in Florida full time or permanently. So again I shared my experience so others could be forewarned!
And since you seem to know so much about her circumstances...She was referred there by a Dr from the Disney Health care facility that is available to CMs that is on property (not sure of the official name of it) so that is why she went there and not a clinic as you think she should have done.
My regret is the ER she used. I have talked to friends and other CMs who live there and they have told us where to go in the future! They agree, they also will not use Celebration for this reason.

 

[photos_101]

I disagree with the PP about celebration health. Perhaps her child didn't have insurance but I and my roommate had to be admitted there on separate occasions. Hospitals are expensive so you shouldn't use their ER for things you should visit a clinic for. My roommate ended up needing surgery to remove her gallbladder and I had to be admitted because my blood pressure was 180/155. The hospital provided excellent care.

Basically your child should be aware if they have insurance where it is accepted or they will be responsible for the costs.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Yes! I told my DD that under no circumstance (unless dying) should she go to any ER. They have so many urgent care facilities (CVS clinic for instance) there is no need for ER. We talked extensively about such situations, what to do, what to avoid, how to handle these situations. You can only be taken advantage of, if you allow yourself to be taken advantage of. Knowledge is power and I told her if she questions anything then to call me first. Make sure you all discuss all possible situations before you send them because more than likely something will come up. A lot of virus sickness goes around the CP apartments.

 

[BadDad]

This poster is not kidding!!
If your kids get sick....do everything you can to avoid the ER at Celebration Hospital!!!!! We got a bill from them for $14,500. for an ER visit for a virus... She was there 3 hrs!! They did a CM scan, and a bunch of other unnecessary tests. I had my Dr look at the paperwork and he thinks they took advantage of the fact that she was basically a *kid who didn't know any better* and they did a bunch of stuff to run the bill up. GRRRR..... So consider yourself warned!

Centura Care is an urgent care center that picks up from the apt complexes (CPers plz confirm the pick-up locations)

My S got sick during Spr Adv 2011. He is returning along with my D's first CP.
Alot of guests come to WDW sick, they pay for unrefundable plane tickets, etc. Their interact with guests, roommates who got sick from guest will result in them getting sick. My S got the flu and racked up some pts for missing work.

Nevertheless, if you are going down with your young'un have medical release forms from you Docs, insurance card and payment information with you. Then after check-in, move-in, shopping, go to Centura care and register.

My S had strep throat and was waiting for me to call back with his healthcare info. Centura Care requires immediate payment since tourist most likely get treated, fly (in and out of the country) away without paying.

 

[jobro912]

The End...son finished his last shift tonight. Spending the day in the parks tomorrow, then headed back to school in Texas via NY with girlfriend he met on CP on Friday. All in all I think he had a good program. Didn't so much like his role. He was custodial in Epcot Future World and a good 90% of his time was spent in restrooms...which he actually came to not mind. He loved his class...He took Entertainment and Production, and was also able to attend a puppetry workshop. He was in the parks almost constantly when he was off, and found Steak n Shake to be quite a bargain. No sickness...well, to speak of. He called out twice. He took 6 hours online in order to maintain enrollment and scholarships; a literature class, and music appreciation. Pulled A's in both, but it wasn't easy. Got to go down the second week in December. Used the holiday discount for CMs friends and families. Got a great rate on resort, and dining plan. Went do visit DVC the last day before we left and ended up with 150 points at Animal Kingdom Kidani Village at a 15% CM discount. I think he has mixed feelings over the end. He would have extended for Character Performer, but nothing else. I am pretty sure it won't be his last program though. We'll see.

 

[AnnaS]

The End...son finished his last shift tonight. Spending the day in the parks tomorrow, then headed back to school in Texas via NY with girlfriend he met on CP on Friday. All in all I think he had a good program. Didn't so much like his role. He was custodial in Epcot Future World and a good 90% of his time was spent in restrooms...which he actually came to not mind. He loved his class...He took Entertainment and Production, and was also able to attend a puppetry workshop. He was in the parks almost constantly when he was off, and found Steak n Shake to be quite a bargain. No sickness...well, to speak of. He called out twice. He took 6 hours online in order to maintain enrollment and scholarships; a literature class, and music appreciation. Pulled A's in both, but it wasn't easy. Got to go down the second week in December. Used the holiday discount for CMs friends and families. Got a great rate on resort, and dining plan. Went do visit DVC the last day before we left and ended up with 150 points at Animal Kingdom Kidani Village at a 15% CM discount. I think he has mixed feelings over the end. He would have extended for Character Performer, but nothing else. I am pretty sure it won't be his last program though. We'll see.

Good luck to your son and glad his overall experience was great! My dd was custodial at CBR for the first part and the second part (extended) she was working in Splash Mountain. She loved both. She finished in August 2013 (seems so far away now) and also met a young man there. He just finished his in 12/13 and came home (DE) - not too far from us.
Wanted to say congratulations on your DVC purchase too. We have owned for over 13 years and love it. Sure helped with all the trips down with dd in the CP program and in two weeks. She is going to work 10 days part of her seasonal hire. Not sure she will keep this up though. Maybe if we lived closer

 

[katybugsmom]

Hi everyone! My DD, soon to be 15, wants to make Disney her career and is interested in applying for the DCP during her first semester of college for her second semester. I am a planner so I already have a few questions even though we are several years away from making this a reality! Here goes:
1. I know there isn't a cost for the program if your child is accepted and housing costs are taken out of paychecks, but what upfront costs do parents have?
2. How much time do parents need to spend helping their child get settled in?
3. What extra things should you take for your child's stay? Extra kitchen supplies, vacuum cleaner, etc.?
Thanks for helping me out with these questions! It's going to take me a while to read through all the posts in this thread, but I am grateful the thread was started for parents like me! Thanks again!

 

[Pancakes]

Hi everyone! My DD, soon to be 15, wants to make Disney her career and is interested in applying for the DCP during her first semester of college for her second semester. I am a planner so I already have a few questions even though we are several years away from making this a reality! Here goes:
1. I know there isn't a cost for the program if your child is accepted and housing costs are taken out of paychecks, but what upfront costs do parents have?
2. How much time do parents need to spend helping their child get settled in?
3. What extra things should you take for your child's stay? Extra kitchen supplies, vacuum cleaner, etc.?
Thanks for helping me out with these questions! It's going to take me a while to read through all the posts in this thread, but I am grateful the thread was started for parents like me! Thanks again!

1. There's a $300 fee (it's $800 for Disneyland) to pay after accepting your role...it covers first weeks rent and other housing events and whatever.

2. Parents usually have a waiting area in Vista or they take the car and hang until the kids get back from casting. However, this may be different because a lot has changed with checking in lately. When I did it all our paperwork was done at casting and it could take 2-4 hours. Now that the paperwork is done online and before you go down, the trip to casting is much shorter. I think I finished everything in about 2 hours. Then maybe a couple hours unpacking their stuff after that. It shouldn't really take more than a day depending on how early you get there.

3. and yes! The apartments are empty when you get there so you will need everything! cleaning supplies, toiletries, a ROUTER!, vaccums are rentable but it's a lot more convenient to have your own. I also recommend bringing some silverware. My apartment only had about 3 spoons when I moved in.

 

[BERG1560]

My DD is leaving in 2 weeks for Disney college program. She is currently having an IBS flare up and needs a GI specialist asap near Disney that will work with her Doctor here in Rochester. This is not the best timing but I would hate to have her miss this opportunity! Thanks for the input.

 

[AnnaS]

Returning Work Uniform??
Hi,

Does anyone know or your CP daughter/son know if their uniform must be returned by them in person? Can someone else return it in person or mail it?
TIA.
_

 

[wilkeliza]

Returning Work Uniform?? Hi, Does anyone know or your CP daughter/son know if their uniform must be returned by them in person? Can someone else return it in person or mail it? TIA. _

Someone else can return it. I don't think by mail would work because if it isn't returned the day or two after your last shift they charge you for it and put you on the no hire list. The can return all garments after their last shift at after hours drop off except for garments with no chip those must be returned during costuming hours. Also there are drop off days at housing.

 

[AnnaS]

Someone else can return it. I don't think by mail would work because if it isn't returned the day or two after your last shift they charge you for it and put you on the no hire list. The can return all garments after their last shift at after hours drop off except for garments with no chip those must be returned during costuming hours. Also there are drop off days at housing.

Thank you. She called and spoke to her manager. She is home and we were going down next week for her seasonal hours. Just yesterday, she received a letter saying she was let go because she did not give in her summer availability on time. She says she did. Long story and a bit disappointed here. They are mailing her a return label since she is obviously not in the system. All the plans were set

Dh and I now need to decide if we should go down ourselves anyway without dd. We had 9 nights booked at SSR and will lose our points since we borrowed them into this UY (long story).

Anyway - thank you again.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thank you. She called and spoke to her manager. She is home and we were going down next week for her seasonal hours. Just yesterday, she received a letter saying she was let go because she did not give in her summer availability on time. She says she did. Long story and a bit disappointed here. They are mailing her a return label since she is obviously not in the system. All the plans were set Dh and I now need to decide if we should go down ourselves anyway without dd. We had 9 nights booked at SSR and will lose our points since we borrowed them into this UY (long story). Anyway - thank you again.

Interesting she should check on the hub and see if there is confirmation under view requests.

 

[AnnaS]

Interesting she should check on the hub and see if there is confirmation under view requests.

I don't think she can check the hub anymore. It's okay, we cancelled our trip down. DH and I will try to reschedule for end of March so we don't lose our points. Just want some warmer weather and we don't need to go down for so many nights (9 originally booked).
Thank you again.

 

[AnnaS]

Quick update - yesterday my dd manager called her again. Apparently what happened to her happened to someone else (who knows, there could be others) and she was put back in the system. A little late now

 

[stitchlovestink]

Someone else can return it. I don't think by mail would work because if it isn't returned the day or two after your last shift they charge you for it and put you on the no hire list. The can return all garments after their last shift at after hours drop off except for garments with no chip those must be returned during costuming hours. Also there are drop off days at housing.

Actually you are incorrect....
They will mail you a return shipping label for you to mail the uniforms back to them. and they Don't put you on the No Hire list you speak of... you are placed on a restricted rehire status until the uniform situation is resolved.
Those are the more accurate facts!
At least with the CP program....not sure how it works if you were a P/T or F/T CM but the other poster inquired about CP.

 

[mlaw]

Well my daughter is checking in right now for 2014 Spring Advantage. She will be a character attendant and just found out she got assigned to Magic Kingdom. It is a dream come true for her! I don't know how I am supposed to focus at work today. Husband is there with her. Wish I was there!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Well my daughter is checking in right now for 2014 Spring Advantage. She will be a character attendant and just found out she got assigned to Magic Kingdom. It is a dream come true for her! I don't know how I am supposed to focus at work today. Husband is there with her. Wish I was there!

Congratulations to her!!!
I hope you get to go and visit her during her program.

 

[mlaw]

Thanks! I have two trips planned. I am just waiting for her to get access to the HUB so we can get any good hotel deals.

 

[AnnaS]

Well my daughter is checking in right now for 2014 Spring Advantage. She will be a character attendant and just found out she got assigned to Magic Kingdom. It is a dream come true for her! I don't know how I am supposed to focus at work today. Husband is there with her. Wish I was there!

Congratulations!!! I hope she enjoys it as much as my daughter did!!!!