Hi all!! We were on PCC 2.0 and 3.0. I am not sure of all DIS names of all we met, but we sure had a blast! I wanted to say HI to you all, PCC peeps and DIS peeps!! Yes I am soooo excited!!! Our daughter Khalee, for anyone who met her... is starting the college program on Feb 4th she is already signed up to do the extended program and will be staying through the summer too. Watch out for her in the parks and say HI. She will be a PhotoPass Photographer!! She will get her location assignment when she checks in. So we are doing yet another mother/daughter trip the week before, like I am not going to take advantage of this opportunity lol. We will be there on Jan 28th. I am staying a few days after she starts so I can get her all settled in... so I am there until Feb 7th. If any of you know anything about the college program that you can share, we would love it. She has been doing her homework on it, so we know the key stuff... just in case there is any more inside info Can't wait to get there!!!
Lisa- our son did the College Program in the fall of 2010, and then was extended through the spring of 2011. Then, he just stayed and is now full time in the Magic Kingdom! Our son started as a life guard at Blizzard Beach, and is now in his 3rd role at WDW. He has found ways to enjoy each of them, but LOVES what he is doing now. DH & I are thrilled he is doing something he enjoys, with good people in a safe environment. Nick loves that there are so many other people like him there to hang out with. Moving in was an experience. My son did not do any homework ahead of time on facebook or the boards- so he didn't know anyone going in. It seems like that was the norm for most of the boys, but many of the girls already knew each other from facebook groups, they had roommates picked out and more! I did read a lot on the College Board here on the DIS. There is a thread specifically for PARENTS which was terrific. If you haven't already found it- head on over and see what other's have had to say. Is your daughter going to have a car during her program? If so, there won't be too much for you to do once they move in. If not, you may get to take her out once or twice for odds and ends for the apartment. When you get there on move-in day, the parents are directed to a tent and the kids go on to register and find out where their apartment is. I really enjoyed our "parent time" and even made a very good friend that morning. Amazingly, her son ended up being one of my son's roomies, and now, 2 years later, they are roomies again! We still stay in touch and hope to be neighbors in Celebration very soon (she already moved there in 2012, we will get there in 2013!) Once she gets her key- she will have a little time to find the apartment, check it out and meet her roommates. Then they are off again to get IDs and costumes! During this time, the parents all helped one another with moving their kids' belongings in and starting to assemble the apartment a little. Then they had a dinner and pool party planned for them that night- so I headed back to WDW to enjoy the parks by myself. About 2 months in, I took another solo trip down for a few days. I got a 1 bedroom at OKW and cooked up a storm for Nick and his roommates! I made them lasagna, chicken cutlets, cookies, brownies, etc! They were very appreciative and I felt better knowing I was able to give them at least one good meal! It's great that you are spending a few days together before she starts. Once she checks in- she will be off to the races! Making new friends, training and working and having a blast! I wish your daughter all the best! It is a memorable adventure! Enjoy!!
My daughter did the CP twice and loved it. It was amazing to see the change in her. She didn't have a car here and took the CM bus everywhere. I took advantage of the fact that she was here and came to visit 9 times in a year. I just did long weekends.
I did the college program twice. It was the most wonderful experience of my life. I have a few tips to a successful and enjoyable college program. 1. If it is possible to bring a car, bring a car. It makes it so much more convenient. I had a car both times and had many friends who did not. The buses will take you every where you need to go, but it can really take a long time. If she is at MK, the bus line at night is very long and sometimes you have to wait for a bus or two before you get one. 2. Make a point to go out with your roommates. I had very good roommates for both of my programs (very rare for 6 girls who don't know each other to get along). However, in my first program my roommates and I made a point of doing something once a week (we called it family night). We would watch a y.movie, play games, go to dinner, etc.it was always family friendly activities that allowed us to bond. We are all still really good friends. The second program, we all got along, ut didn't take the extra step. Now we talk, but aren't really good friends. 3. When you check in, bring a jacket. The tent is not insulted and it gets chilly (there is a draft of air). Also, if you have a car make sure to have registration and insurance info. You also need to make sure you bring the correct documents. On my second program, I forgot to bring my SS card. To fix it, I had to get up super early the next day (like 5) to catch a bus to go to the SS office. You get to go in front of the line from other people who are waiting (which upsets them) and you order a new card. Your training days end up being postponed and you start work later than others. In the end, it is a fixable situation and they are very willing to work with you, but it is more convenient to double check that you have the documents that you need. 4. Enjoy every last minute! The tome goes by really really fast. 5. It is best to go to the Walmart on Turkey Lake and not the one on 535. It is nicer, the stuff is cheaper, and it is a little less touristy. 6. Experience Florida while you are there. There is a really good pancake place called the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. It is an hourish away at a state park, it is fun and you can swim in the natural spring. Also if it is cold, go to Blue Springs State Park. The manatees go there and on really cold days, you can see wild manatees and it is pretty cool.
She's in for the time of her life! I did the cp in 2008 and still talk to my roommates weekly! We're all over the country but we do girls weekends and visit each others hometowns. Although none of us stayed in Orlando (terribly hard to get a well paying job) we all visit a few times per year. I'm also still very close to all the full-time CMs from my work location. Before I went down, one of my friends who was a CP alum told me this: "The friends you meet on the college program are going to be the best friends you'll ever meet. These will be the girls you ask to be bridesmaids one day." She was totally right. Even though we all came from different states, families, and backgrounds, somehow we all clicked perfectly. I made many close friends in college, but none of them compare to my CP friends. Oh, and if she's under 21, make sure they have a roommate talk the first night about alcohol. She can get termed if one of her roommates has alcohol and she doesn't report them. One dumb move and they'll kick you out!
OMG you all are awesome for replying and with such great information!! My daughter knows a lot more than I do since she investigated for years now lol. I am jusy starting to get myself on it. I'm on my phone so I'll write more later but wanted to thank you guys!!! Oh can anyone confirm if she has a choice what goes on her name tag? Hometown or college? She wants her hometown not the college.... is that a choice?
