College Program money questions

[carlwitac]

1) would a credit card be better then cash?

2) is there a bank i can deposit my paycheck in at wdw?

3) what is a good plan when concerning money while on the cp?

 

[csaribay]

1) would a credit card be better then cash?

It's a personal choice, but I think plastic is a lot more convenient than cash. I use a debit card on smaller purchases, since that'll directly come out of my bank account (less work for me to do in the end).

2) is there a bank i can deposit my paycheck in at wdw?

There are several banks in the area (most common external bank with branches is SunTrust), but if you don't already have an account with any of them, your best bet is to sign up with Disney's Partners Federal Credit Union, which you can do after you arrive. To go along with the last question, Partners will mail you a debit card a few weeks after sign up.

Regardless of the bank you use, you can enroll in direct deposit or cash your check every-week, it's your choice. You can also cash your check at Walmart (and some other area merchants) if you pay a small fee ($3-5).

3) what is a good plan when concerning money while on the cp?

Depends what you mean. At one point Disney recommended bringing between $350-400 in starter cash, and that seems like a good place to start. Keep in mind that your first paycheck will be modest, your second paycheck will be very minimal (if anything) and after that, your average paycheck (with rent and taxes deducted) will be around $140 for a 40 hour work week.

The best way to look at the program: it's a break even experience. You may be able to save some money and take it home with you, but otherwise, the costs of living coupled with the price of entertainment ends up turning the experience into a break-even one for most.

 

[JPTexan82]

At Vista Way there is a ATM on property for Vista Credit Union now Partners Credit Union, you can have your check deposited into the credit union, when you check in on day of arrival the credit union is there to sign you up.

 

[Jules76126]

1) would a credit card be better then cash?

2) is there a bank i can deposit my paycheck in at wdw?

3) what is a good plan when concerning money while on the cp?

1) depends on your preference. I always used my debit card for things like food, while out in the parks, anything like that. I only had cash when I went out to the clubs or took a cab.

2) Disney does have their own bank called Vista. However, remember that the only atms that wont charge you a fee are on disney property. I personally just did direct deposit into my own bank at home and used my debit card. When I needed cash I went to walgreens, bought something and got cash back.

3) haha. I personally didnt have a car so I didnt worry about that. I would say go down with a fair amount since it will be like a month before you have any money. Then it just depends. I spent ever dime I made but I was constantly out. I bought a season pass to Universal. I ate out a lot, went clubbing, I was always in the parks, it just depends on what you plan to do. Lets just say I went down with 1000 dollars to start and eight months later when I came home I had 300 lol. So i technically lost money.

 

[Tiffanova]

I remember a lot of people always complaining they were broke, but I went down with around $400-$500 and I returned 7 months later with around $2000, maybe a bit more. I still feel like I spent a lot, but everyone I know didn't come back with that much.

 

[JPTexan82]

Hey Tiffanova, I am not trying to be mean or nothing but, Mamn YOU ARE A LIAR!!!!. Dont sit here and try to fool people on here how you came home with money. The only way you may of had money is that your parents paid for every thing, didnt have a car to upkeep, mooched off other people for rides in their car, and never left Vista Way, didnt do laundry either.

By the time they took rent out, taxes take home for 40 hours might be $150for a person a week. So if you want to go to WDW and have a good time and see the sights you will break even might go in the hole. Thats the GOD's Honest truth I am not trying to blow smoke up any one.

 

[Jules76126]

Like if you are going Disney to make money you picked the wrong job. I do know people that came home with money. However, the tended to eat in all the time, never spent money in the parks, etc.. Its unrealistic to think you will make 2000 dollars. Between food and laundry alone you will spend money. Plus there is so much to do in the area you would be silly not to take advantage of it. I personally had the best time of my life, and yeah i came home broke but it was so worth it. Next Spring when I go back I am not bringing a car because I dont want to worrry about paying for it. I would rather go out and have fun, you only get to do somethign like this once in a life time. Enjoy it.

 

[Tiffanova]

I didn't say it was common to come home with that much, I just happened to be conscious about saving. I didn't have a car so I saved that way. I wanted to come home with savings, so I made it happen. Calm down...

 

[graygables]

I didn't say it was common to come home with that much, I just happened to be conscious about saving. I didn't have a car so I saved that way. I wanted to come home with savings, so I made it happen. Calm down...

The savings you (and my own 20yo DD) had amounts to about $50/week, so, yes, it is possible (she had her car, but people paid her for rides, so it was a wash there). Yes, she went out (not clubbing, though) and thoroughly enjoyed her time, but was also conscientious about saving and picked up extra shifts as much as she possibly could. My 22yo DD didn't come back with quite as much, but she's not as thrifty as 20yo.

 

[zulemara]

I didn't say it was common to come home with that much, I just happened to be conscious about saving. I didn't have a car so I saved that way. I wanted to come home with savings, so I made it happen. Calm down...

depending on your role and average number of hours, I believe it is :ossible:: to come back with 2k, but as you stated, rather unlikely. My roomie was in the parades in entertainment and he had a good amount saved because he was very careful with money. He went clubbing, but was under 21 at the time, ate at home most of the time, and even though he went to the park frequently, he didn't spend money in the park.

I don't really know exactly how I came out, but I'm pretty sure I came out in the hole. I also bought souvies, ate out a lot, and just in general spent money quite a bit. I lived it up and I don't regret it one bit!

 

[Whatalias]

1) would a credit card be better then cash?
Plastic the best thing to have debit it better then credit.
2) is there a bank i can deposit my paycheck in at wdw?
YES But i hate them. I had $300 in my account and my card got declined for buying a deal at wendys call the bank in the the next morning cuz it 1am and they said there server was down WHAT! THAT BS i pulled all my money out and just put the checnk into my account the went to the atm outside and took it all out. Screw that bank.
3) what is a good plan when concerning money while on the cp?
Spend it. pay your bills, then get some food, then go blow the rest have fun. try all the place to eat at epcot, buy t shirts. Just make shore you have money to get home cuz i didnt plan that far and i only had enough to buy a one way bus ticket home .

 

[Jules76126]

As far as money goes there will always be a difference of opinion. You have gotten responces from people who saved and those that didn't. It's honestly up to you. I should rephase what I said earlier. You can come home with money. It is possible, it just depends on how you live. I didnt live like that. I ate in Epcot a lot. I hate to cook. I had a season pass to universal. You know its all what you make of it and no matter what just remember to have fun. You might not get the chance to do this again.

 

[zulemara]

As far as money goes there will always be a difference of opinion. You have gotten responces from people who saved and those that didn't. It's honestly up to you. I should rephase what I said earlier. You can come home with money. It is possible, it just depends on how you live. I didnt live like that. I ate in Epcot a lot. I hate to cook. I had a season pass to universal. You know its all what you make of it and no matter what just remember to have fun. You might not get the chance to do this again.

That is exactly my philosophy. You can conserve when you're married and have kids. When you're working for Disney in Orlando, that's the time to have fun.

I don't mind cooking but A) I'm lazy and B) There's way too many awesome places to eat in orlando to waste a night cooking at home

 

[JPTexan82]

Lets talk a percent then that saved. My guess would be 2% and that is first hand being around Vista Way.

 

[crimsontide27]

The only people that I know that were able to leave the college program with more money than they started were the ones that had help from their families and had no car.

$110-$140 for a paycheck was about normal for everyone in my building. It was so bad that people would carpool to Walmart and buy Cup o Noodle soups and the ramen noodles assortments.