Check-in and Walmart

[littlewitch34]

Hey all!

I am going to be checking in on 2/21. I am going to have a whole lot of trouble packing a lot to bring down with me, so I'm trying to figure out what to eliminate. Number one thing I want to eliminate is bedding and a pillow. I don't mind buying new stuff when I get down to Orlando.

Is there time that first day for me to get to a Walmart/Target/somewhere (preferably Walmart) to buy that stuff so I'm not sleeping on a bare mattress with a sweatshirt as a pillow? I do not have a car but have high hopes that my roomies will!

 

[jlg263]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure on check-in day you just check in and then there's a housing meeting in the afternoon. So you should be done with everything by about 3 or 4 (depending on which housing meeting you attend)

 

[littlewitch34]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure on check-in day you just check in and then there's a housing meeting in the afternoon. So you should be done with everything by about 3 or 4 (depending on which housing meeting you attend)

Thank goodness. I was so afraid that I wouldn't have time to get bedding, and I'd be all curled up, shivering, on a bare mattress, with a hoodie as a blanket and pillow!

 

[jlg263]

haha, nah they give you plenty of time on the first day to settle in and do some roommate bonding Then you have to wake up and do part 2 of check-in, ugh.

A word of warning though, walmart is CRAZY on check-in days and they have a bad habit of running out of a lot of stuff(especially shoes and pantyhose, haha). I think they probably stock up on bedding and stuff for check-in though because I've never really heard of anyone having a problem getting any. I think hangers run out a lot though too.

If you have a car I would suggest going to a walmart a little further away. I took the CP bus to walmart once and after that I always just waited until my roommate went because it can get pretty crazy with everyone trying to fit all of their purchases on the bus. And the bus only comes to walmart once an hour i think so if you get stuck in the checkout line and miss your bus...well...you have to wait an hour. It sucks. So if you take the bus just make sure you're prepared. It can be mentally and physically exhausting, haha.

 

[_givealittlewhistle_]

I just want to throw this out there, and I know that not everyone can afford to bring this, but here goes...
Consider bringing a mattress topper. I brought a good memory foam, and I am thankful I did. If that is out of range, think about an eggcrate mattress topper. The mattresses are like college...not high end.

 

[jlg263]

I just want to throw this out there, and I know that not everyone can afford to bring this, but here goes...
Consider bringing a mattress topper. I brought a good memory foam, and I am thankful I did. If that is out of range, think about an eggcrate mattress topper. The mattresses are like college...not high end.

Definitely agree with this. The mattresses are the kind that have that crunchy plastic sound to them....if you know what i mean, haha. And I also found that without a mattress topper the sheets will just slide around everywhere!

 

[littlewitch34]

I just want to throw this out there, and I know that not everyone can afford to bring this, but here goes...
Consider bringing a mattress topper. I brought a good memory foam, and I am thankful I did. If that is out of range, think about an eggcrate mattress topper. The mattresses are like college...not high end.

Definitely agree with this. The mattresses are the kind that have that crunchy plastic sound to them....if you know what i mean, haha. And I also found that without a mattress topper the sheets will just slide around everywhere!

Already planning it! I just can't pack it, so I know I may have to go a little while without one until I can find one. I hear these sell out quick.

I feel like I'll be able to find a set of twin sheets and a pillow and pillowcase somewhere, whether it's Walmart, Target, or otherwise lol. I just got two Walmart giftcards for graduation so I want to do as much shopping there as I can!!

 

[AllisonMak]

The mattresses are like prison lol. My bed in my dorm room is comfier. I honestly don't even remember what you do on the first day.. I know that you'll have free time... because I checked-in, took a bus over to Chatham and then didn't know how to get back to Vista and had a new friend take me over there to get my car and things... I actually think I DID go to Walmart on my first night... ok I'm rambling. Yes, you'll have time.

 

[Dreamstuff]

If I remember correctly there are not only buses to Walmart running but EXTRA ones on arrival day. At least when I went there were.

 

[polymerpig]

Are the mattresses regular twins or XL twin like many colleges have?

 

[Elenadc]

Are the mattresses regular twins or XL twin like many colleges have?

Regular twins, so sheets will be easy to find.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

Lindsey you're probably going to be busy most of that first day (too busy for a bus) because you'll have check in at 9 and then you'll have to go to casting took about 3 or 4 hours for me to get out. Then you'll have to go to the housing meeting took about an hour or so. I'm not sure how late the buses run that day. I would really encourage you to find someone with a car who will help you go that night!

Maybe I didn't pay attention to the bus though since I had my car but we seemed WAY to busy that day. I went to Walmart at like 8pm...not sure if the bus to there runs that late.

 

[piratechick]

Lindsey you're probably going to be busy most of that first day (too busy for a bus) because you'll have check in at 9 and then you'll have to go to casting took about 3 or 4 hours for me to get out. Then you'll have to go to the housing meeting took about an hour or so. I'm not sure how late the buses run that day. I would really encourage you to find someone with a car who will help you go that night!

Maybe I didn't pay attention to the bus though since I had my car but we seemed WAY to busy that day. I went to Walmart at like 8pm...not sure if the bus to there runs that late.

Oh don't worry about how late the buses run. If I remember correctly from my last program, the last bus to pick you up from Walmart was around 1am. Also, I was done with everything by 3pm (casting and the housing meeting), but that's because I checked in early. My advice is to arrive early, like around the time they start check-in, so you can be done early.

 

[jlg263]

hmmm... Why do you have to go to casting? This is new to me! haha

 

[Dreamstuff]

hmmm... Why do you have to go to casting? This is new to me! haha

Me too, I never had to visit casting.

 

[piratechick]

It's something new that they started. It started in Fall 2009, so I was part of the first group to do it. The only thing they do at Vista now is assigning apartments and signing up for classes. Everything else is done at Casting. After you are assigned your apartments and get settled in, they have buses to take you to Casting where you do all of your background checks, and employee paperwork, as well as checking your Disney Look. it's also where you get your payroll debit card.

 

[jlg263]

It's something new that they started. It started in Fall 2009, so I was part of the first group to do it. The only thing they do at Vista now is assigning apartments and signing up for classes. Everything else is done at Casting. After you are assigned your apartments and get settled in, they have buses to take you to Casting where you do all of your background checks, and employee paperwork, as well as checking your Disney Look. it's also where you get your payroll debit card.

hmmm... interesting! Thanks! So do they even have a second day of check-in now?

 

[piratechick]

hmmm... interesting! Thanks! So do they even have a second day of check-in now?

Hmm, I don't even remember if we did anything on the second day except get settled in and rest. The third day I know is when we did traditions.

 

[AllisonMak]

Mmm, I dunno, I think it depends.

Because on my first day I think I attended the hour-long housing meeting, but definitely didn't go to casting that day. They scheduled like 3 different times the following morning. I went at like 6 a.m. or something ridiculous. My roommates went at different times than me...and then Traditions was the NEXT day after that. They really stretch it out.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

Mmm, I dunno, I think it depends.

Because on my first day I think I attended the hour-long housing meeting, but definitely didn't go to casting that day. They scheduled like 3 different times the following morning. I went at like 6 a.m. or something ridiculous. My roommates went at different times than me...and then Traditions was the NEXT day after that. They really stretch it out.

They fit everything into one day now so that yo can have the day before Traditions off unless you get there late for check in...worst case scenario is you would have to go to your housing meeting the day before traditions.