Anyone have a family member in the College program....

[Katy]

May daughter my be participating in the college program this May - January. We would like to spend Christmas at one the Resorts so we could visit her. Do the college students get discounts on resorts? If so, what kind of discount might she be able to get for us. Just curious...we'll go anyway and will book as soon as we hear she's been accepted. Thanks!

 

[jk1]

My daughter was in the WD College Program spring, 2003. They can book resort rooms with the Family and Friends discount of 50% for most dates. During holiday times, the discount my only be 25% if it is offered at all. Once she gets her CM ID, she will be able to call and check on rooms for you.

 

[slimplaw]

My daughter is there now. They do get a room discount, but they can only book 30 days in advance. So, you will need to go ahead and book your reservation. At 30 days, your DD can call and check on availability. If it works out, they'll change your rate on your original reservation. They get rooms at 50% discount. I'm going to see my DD in 2 weeks. I had booked a room at PC and yesterday she called to see about her discount for me and they just changed the rate on my reservation. I kept the same confirmation #. They are not guaranteed a discount, only get one based on availability(from what I understand)

 

[Katy]

did (is) your daughters enjoying their experience? I hope my daughter is making the right decision to do this (if she gets chosen). What did you think of the program? Did you visit much?
How many students do they take each semester? Thanks if you can help me out with any answers - I'm very anxious about this.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=382519&highlight=+college++program

Here is a thread that many parents of CP'ers posted on. My daughter did the CP twice. She then worked as a Campus rep at her home college.

We ended up moving to FL and she works for Disney full time.

It is a great program. If you have any questions I am sure many of us can chime in with information.

 

[jk1]

To answer a couple of your questions...
my daughter loved the program. She still works as a seasonal CM, working a few days when we go down on vacation and is planning on working spring break.

How often did I visit? I went down and visited each of the months she was there! But I am always looking for an excuse to go to WDW!

 

[dlrhine]

I did the program back in 1995. I worked at Blizzard Beach as a deep water lifeguard and lived in VISTA WAY! I have to tell you this was the best experience of my entire single life. I met two of my best friends on the program who I still keep in touch with all the time and go to visit the one in WDW often. She is now working front desk at Pop Century and wouldn't leave for anything. We got a discount when I was there and it looks like they still are. Good luck and if you have any questions about the College Program you are more than welcome to PM me. I know it was almost 9 years ago but I remember it well. Now I am Married with two little girls 3 and 20months. Wow how things change.
Diane

 

[Kuzco]

I was also did the program. I did MK custodial in the summer of 2000! It is such a great experience. There may be times when your daughter isn't too fond of the work (I can attest to that!) and might be less than happy. But I guarantee that if she goes in with a positive attitude and is open-minded, it will be a great time. It has almost been 4 years for me and I still miss it and wish I could re-live it! Please PM me if you have any specific questions!

 

[MermaidsMom]

As you can see by my signature below, I've had 3 CP'ers. It is an awesome program! I am now having a hard time making reservations using codes after getting used to the CM discount. Our last one was there this summer and at that time you could make reservations way far out in advance, not just 30 days. Did that change? We have one who is planning to go back 2 semesters from now.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

This sounds like a neat program. Can someone give me some details. IE, how long do they do this program, do they want kids who are just starting college, in the middle of college, or who have graduated, etc? I have a daughter who is a high school junior and will pass the info to her.

T&B

 

[safetymom]

http://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/html_home/index-ie.html

Here is the official web site. It contains all the information about the program.

I am sure others will post the other helpful CP websites.

 

[katerkat]

I could have typed Diane (dlrhine)'s post! Except I was a BB lifeguard summer 1999, and I don't have two kids yet. The WDWCP was an AWESOME experience - I highly recommend it!

how long do they do this program, do they want kids who are just starting college, in the middle of college, or who have graduated, etc?

The program has changed since I was there - I think it's now six months long for everyone. I wouldn't be able to do this because I couldn't have missed a semester!

You need to be enrolled in college, so the earliest you could do it is halfway through the freshman year. I did it the summer between my sophomore and junior years, and I think that was perfect timing. I didn't quite need to get a "real" job to look good on my resume, but I had fully adjusted to college at that point.

 

[MermaidsMom]

I think it's better if the student waits until they have a few years of college under their belt. The program is a huge dose of being away from home and caring for yourself. And, there are many students who decide to stay on in FL and quit college altogether. Yes, they do frequently enroll at Valencia Comm. College in Orlando,etc, but it usually is easier for them to adjust to college life in small doses before entering the program and being gone over holidays, birthdays, and so on for a solid 6 months. There are alot of homesick kids there and the younger ones are usually the ones to go home early. Just our observations, I know it doesn't apply to everyone.

 

[slimplaw]

We will visit my DD for the first time in March. She had enjoyed most of her time, I think she misses BF at times but not moping about it. They had one room mate leave for another apartment, she could not stand any messes and with 6 in an apartment it does not always go smoothly. We were told they take 4,000 students for each session. Mine will be there Jan.-May. She has seen positives and negatives about the program and working for a big corporation.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks for the info on the program! I will read it over. Any idea if this counts as a work-study type program or do any student loans kick in when the students are there for so long?

T&B

 

[safetymom]

If your school approves it then it counts just like they were at home going to college. There are several schools listed on the site that you can "attend" to get credit for the classes you take at the CP.

It is explained on the website better than I can do here.

 

[jk1]

Tigger&Belle, the WD College Program is an internship. Some colleges will give you credit for doing the internship; others will not. You can take courses through your college online if they offer such or through other colleges and then transfer the credits back to your college. Your college also must agree to the internship and give approval in order for the student to do it.

Some students are unable to do the Disney internship because their financial aid is contingent upon no breaks in their school attendance. You will have to check with your student's college.

I hope this helps.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I guess my daughter needs to get into college first. lol This might be something that she would like and I bet that my 13yo would like it when he is old enough. He's already told me that he's moving to FL when he's older and has a collge picked out down there. I didn't remind him that he needs to go to a public MD college for us to help him financially.

T&B

 

[Imagineering or Bust]

The program is a great experience,a dn definitely a good resume adder. Also the number of students they take each semester varies dependent on the economic need, but no worries roughly half of the Walt Disney work force are college students. I was on the program back in 2001 and its a great experience but definitely not for everyone. And as most say it can make things change. I had finished 5 semesters of school when I did the program and then decided to move to Florida. And unfortunately like most people say I have not yet been able to return to school. Unlike many though I have not given up, It's just been hard to afford until now. I've been with the company for about 2 1/2 years now, and I love it. As far as the program goes, it is always running 365 days a year. And they run it on Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Well can think of anything else to say, so if you all have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[jk1]

I didn't remind him that he needs to go to a public MD college for us to help him financially.

Tigger&Belle, have you looked at the tuitions at MD state schools? They have increased dramatically over the past year and a half! My son is at College Park and it is costing us more out-of-pocket money than when my daughter went to a private school in Florida! Better brace yourself!