College Program Questions Thread Pt 2

[Fantasmic1]

i have an account with Chase bank that I intend to use for direct deposit. I went onto the chase website to locate ATM's in the Orlando area. Some came up as ATM's in Walgreen's stores. Does anyone know if Chase ATM's are in most Walgreens like the one near Vista?
Hoping to cut out those surcharges.
Last winter, I saw a Chase ATM near the Hospitality House at OKW also.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I had an account with chase when i did the CP. They are all over the place onstage in the parks and there is at least one atm in each resort onstage. The only problem i had was any other types of transactions besides withdrawing money. Even though the atm's are everywhere, there are no actual branch's if you need to deposit a possible check from the parents, discuss a problem...etc. Because of this i had half of my money put in my chase account and half into a VISTA account that i opened for the duration of my program...Hope this helps!

 

[kandeebunny]

I'm not sure if the have Bank of America's (BOA) where you are from, but there are 5 within about 7 miles of Vista Way and a bunch more ATM's. I opened a BOA account when I first went off to school as my Mom had access to one in NH and I did here in Florida.

Just another option for you!

 

[Amber Leigh]

How does the picking or placing in apartments go? I mean do you arrive and they say "Here is your key, you don't have a choice."

Also, I am over 21 and while I would like to be in a non-wellness apartment so I can still have a drink every now and then if I so choose, is the only place for non-wellness apartments Vista Way? Cus I am NOT a party person and I'm trying to decide now is I am going to ask to be placed in a wellness to avoid the parties I have heard so much about at Vista. I really would like peace and quiet, where is the best place for me?

 

[Sehsun]

Hi Amber Leigh,
to the DISboards!

If you have a specific apartment complex in mind, I recommend arriving there as early as you can on your arrival date and request the apartment that you have in mind.

There are non-wellness apartments at both Chatham and Vista. I would guess that Patterson Court (the new one opening this fall [?]) would have both wellness and non-wellness, but that is a very wild guess, as I know very little about it.

Vista Way has been commonly known to be more "social," but I'm sure Chatham can have parties too. I never saw any around my apartment while I was there, though. I enjoyed staying at Chatham, it was pretty quiet around my building when I was there.

 

[RyanS]

I didn't see this answered anywhere else, or I did and I am blind, but anyway for the cast member discounts, is there a discounted rate for La Nouba? I've never seen it before and I've been to WDW at least 10 times since it's been there, so I'm thinking during my CP it might be a good time to actually get to doing that.

 

[Joanna71985]

How does the picking or placing in apartments go? I mean do you arrive and they say "Here is your key, you don't have a choice."

Also, I am over 21 and while I would like to be in a non-wellness apartment so I can still have a drink every now and then if I so choose, is the only place for non-wellness apartments Vista Way? Cus I am NOT a party person and I'm trying to decide now is I am going to ask to be placed in a wellness to avoid the parties I have heard so much about at Vista. I really would like peace and quiet, where is the best place for me?

When you get to check-in, they ask you what your preferences are. I have always gotten what I asked for (luckily). And no, there are both wellness and non-wellness at both Chatham and Vista

I didn't see this answered anywhere else, or I did and I am blind, but anyway for the cast member discounts, is there a discounted rate for La Nouba? I've never seen it before and I've been to WDW at least 10 times since it's been there, so I'm thinking during my CP it might be a good time to actually get to doing that.

Yes, there should be a discount for that.

joanna, you said previously that meal discounts were listed on the HUB.
What is the HUB?
thanks.!!!!

The HUB is a CM website. You get logged in Day 1 of check-in.

 

[mander01]

[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] Hey My name is Amanda and I am soo new to this whole thing well i was wondering alot of things till i read some of the stuff and you guys all cleared a few things up. Well somethin i was wondering if someone could pretty say how ure first day goes?? Like just explain in thorough detail how u go abt ure day? when u first check in to meeting ure roomies and then figuring out how to eat and what not...? I dont know it sounds a lil dumb butttt I never lived on my own before and this is all new to me. HAHA sorry ... Thank You tho!!! Amanda

 

[CelticBelle]

[/I][/SIZE][/FONT] Hey My name is Amanda and I am soo new to this whole thing well i was wondering alot of things till i read some of the stuff and you guys all cleared a few things up. Well somethin i was wondering if someone could pretty say how ure first day goes?? Like just explain in thorough detail how u go abt ure day? when u first check in to meeting ure roomies and then figuring out how to eat and what not...? I dont know it sounds a lil dumb butttt I never lived on my own before and this is all new to me. HAHA sorry ... Thank You tho!!! Amanda

Sorry im not an alumni so i cant explain the details, but in the future would you mind spellling things out and using actual words. It makes it a lot easier for everyone on the board to read. thanks! and welcome to the boards.

 

[Zoso2005]

Totally worth it!

 

[Zoso2005]

Yeah, I think there is.

 

[csaribay]

Hey My name is Amanda and I am soo new to this whole thing well i was wondering alot of things till i read some of the stuff and you guys all cleared a few things up. Well somethin i was wondering if someone could pretty say how ure first day goes?? Like just explain in thorough detail how u go abt ure day? when u first check in to meeting ure roomies and then figuring out how to eat and what not...? I dont know it sounds a lil dumb butttt I never lived on my own before and this is all new to me. HAHA sorry ... Thank You tho!!! Amanda

The arrival process is pretty seamless. As soon as you arrive, you'll be directed to the Vista Way pavilion (towards the back of the complex). At that point, you'll store any luggage (if you don't have a car) and begin filling out the first part of paperwork- the back of your program guide.

After you finish that, the next step is apartment selection. If there's any choice in housing the day you check-in, you can make requests and Price Management will attempt to accommodate it. At this point, if you haven't done online roommate selection, look around you before you collect your keys- it's likely that the people you're standing next to will be your roommates. You'll also sign related paperwork relating to housing rules, and an authorization to directly deduct rent from your weekly paychecks. You'll also take a photo for your property ID immediately after this.

Next you'll be evaluated for Disney Look, to make sure you're within compliance. They're looking at hair, nails and any visible body modifications (only) at this point. The final steps include submitting your fingerprints and information for a full background check, and registering for 'The HUB' company portal. After this, you're free to to head to your apartment and start to get things setup until your housing welcome session, which is a two hour orientation to housing.

The whole process takes about one hour to complete, though depending on the number of participants, it may take longer. Arrive early in the day if possible.

If you have extra time, you can get something to eat between. During check-in, they've been giving coupons for a free sandwich at the Chick Fil-A next to Vista Way. There's also a Wendy's next door, and a Walgreens (with a small selection of food items) across the street.

Hope this helps!

 

[CheshireSmile]

Are the CP busses going to be running on check-in day? Since we all get checked in at Vista, I'm not sure how else we'd get to Chatham or Patterson if we get placed there. I certainly don't want to have to drag my suitcases all the way to another complex, unless I have to! I'm guessing they've planned for this though?

 

[wenzdae]

any one who has come on as an alumni, as well as being a current seasonal cast member at the time, know if we have to do the background checks or anything else we will not have to do to avoid repetition. Not that I am worried about not passing a background check or n e thing. It is just one less thing to have to wait through.

 

[csaribay]

Are the CP busses going to be running on check-in day? Since we all get checked in at Vista, I'm not sure how else we'd get to Chatham or Patterson if we get placed there. I certainly don't want to have to drag my suitcases all the way to another complex, unless I have to! I'm guessing they've planned for this though?

There are special motor-coaches near the Pavillion that'll shuttle back and forth between Chatham and Vista, and you'll be able to take all your luggage in one shot by loading it under the coach. I think they leave every 30 minutes. The nice thing about these coaches (unlike normal CP busses) is that they're allowed inside the streets of Chatham, and they should drop you off right in front of your building.

At Vista, CP housing staff has a couple passenger pargos (extended golf carts) where they may be able to give you a lift w/ your luggage. Vista isn't terribly spread out though.

Normal CP transportation will also be available on your arrival day. I remember heading up to the Contemporary after finishing the housing welcome session and getting something to eat there. Note that while you'll have access to transportation your first day, complimentary park access and cast member discounts won't be available until you collect your company ID, during Traditions.

any one who has come on as an alumni, as well as being a current seasonal cast member at the time, know if we have to do the background checks or anything else we will not have to do to avoid repetition. Not that I am worried about not passing a background check or n e thing. It is just one less thing to have to wait through.

Yeah, no kidding. As long as you're current, you should be able to bypass the background check requirement, but I would check on your arrival day just to make sure. I know for sure you'll be able to skip the second day benefits session, Traditions, and if returning back to your area, most of the OTJ.

 

[Joanna71985]

Hey My name is Amanda and I am soo new to this whole thing well i was wondering alot of things till i read some of the stuff and you guys all cleared a few things up. Well somethin i was wondering if someone could pretty say how ure first day goes?? Like just explain in thorough detail how u go abt ure day? when u first check in to meeting ure roomies and then figuring out how to eat and what not...? I dont know it sounds a lil dumb butttt I never lived on my own before and this is all new to me. HAHA sorry ... Thank You tho!!! Amanda

Hey Amanda. The first day isn't too bad. You get the apartment you'll be staying in, you get the housing ID, get logged into the HUB (cast member website) among other things. There will also be a housing meeting.

Are the CP busses going to be running on check-in day? Since we all get checked in at Vista, I'm not sure how else we'd get to Chatham or Patterson if we get placed there. I certainly don't want to have to drag my suitcases all the way to another complex, unless I have to! I'm guessing they've planned for this though?

Yes. The buses are running the first day.

any one who has come on as an alumni, as well as being a current seasonal cast member at the time, know if we have to do the background checks or anything else we will not have to do to avoid repetition. Not that I am worried about not passing a background check or n e thing. It is just one less thing to have to wait through.

Yeah, it's a pain. But alumni have to go through everything all over.

Funny story- when I went to get my housing ID last year, they still had my picture from my 2006 ID (when I got my 21+ ID). The guy was really surprised.

 

[wenzdae]

Yeah, it's a pain. But alumni have to go through everything all over.

I'd understand an alumni who hasn't worked in the last year, I'd understand having to update it. But I have worked this last year, still have my ID and everything. Why waste the resources and time on a current employee you have up to date info on, instead focus on those you don't. It makes a shorter wait time for all, expecially if there are a large number of seasonal cast members.

Heck, I can go ahead and pick up extra hours if I come to Orlando early - work for the mouse and work on more paperwork. Sigh. oh well. It could be worse I suppose.

I AM happy to be able to go and see the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT.

 

[Joanna71985]

Me too!

 

[kandeebunny]

I read the Attractions Costume thread, but didn't see this posted there.

For costumes...when do we get fitted? Do we have to arrive super early our first day? I saw they had pretty much sizes to fit everyone and I do hope so...I'm short and very very tiny, clothes for me are a nightmare in general lol.

 

[jpod523]

I read the Attractions Costume thread, but didn't see this posted there.

For costumes...when do we get fitted? Do we have to arrive super early our first day? I saw they had pretty much sizes to fit everyone and I do hope so...I'm short and very very tiny, clothes for me are a nightmare in general lol.

i hope they do have sizes for everyone. i'm at the other end of the spectrum. i'm tall, and nowhere near a size 2 (not even 22). do they really try to accomodate all sizes or should i not even bother trying (of course, i'm still in the waiting stage, so there's still that possibility i'm not going)?

 

[hogwartsdropout]

I read the Attractions Costume thread, but didn't see this posted there.

For costumes...when do we get fitted? Do we have to arrive super early our first day? I saw they had pretty much sizes to fit everyone and I do hope so...I'm short and very very tiny, clothes for me are a nightmare in general lol.

Same with me, I'm short, and my costume is going to have a long skirt, so I'm kinda worried that they'll all be too long!