1. Am I correct to assume that if you do the roommate notification, you get to choose the person you share a room with? I'm doing the program with a friend of mine who is the same gender and age. Is this a guarantee that we'll be roomed together if we do the notification?
Assuming that you have the same arrival date (and this date offers roommate notification), yes, you can choose your friend. You'll need to have your friend's applicant number (located on the role offer letter) in order to be paired together.
If you do the roommate notification, as I understand it, you don't get to choose the complex or apartment size, so its either choose your roommate or choose your apartment?
There's mixed information here, but my understanding is that the first roommate who checks in will be able to make requests as to which complex and apartment size they would prefer. After that person decides, the paired roommate can either take what the first person chose, or decline and be unpaired.
Sehsun has more info on this, hopefully she can respond.
Is it rare to request a size and complex on arrival (and having done roommate notification) and your request get honored or should we not hope for that?
There's always hope, but you're basically limited to what's available that day. Not all arrival dates will have availability for every single complex, or every single apartment size. In that, requests aren't guaranteed. They do their best though to try and keep it even between arrival dates.
2. Outside of the one roommate you choose on your roommate notification, can you be put in contact with your other roommates ahead of time (perhaps a few days) so you know who brings what?
Nope.
3. In choosing your other roommates, is there some sort of questionnaire you do to be put with people you are compatible with or do they just fill it up as they get acceptances?
Nope. Other rooms in your apartment will be filled with simple criteria: same gender, same departure date and whether the person is over or under 21.
4. What exactly is provided in the apartments? We're driving so we can bring whatever we need. I've heard there isn't a TV. If someone else also brings a TV, can we use the one we brought in our room? What would you suggest (small furniture/appliance wise) to bring? Side tables? Bath rugs? Shower Curtains?
Basic furnishings are included- this includes beds, nightstands, a sofa, a chair, two end tables, a dining room table w/chairs, a single large desk (or built in desk at Chatham), kitchen utensils, pots, pans, plates, glasses, etc.
Beyond that, the rest is left to you - bedding, shower curtains (a liner is included), personal lamps, bath rugs and other touches. Also TVs and other electronics are not included - someone will need to buy/bring one if that's something you'd like to have.
5. Does each apartment have a patio and patio furniture or do we need to bring some as I understand you cannot have apartment furniture on the patio?
Not all apartments have patios/balconies, and none that do have furniture for them. If you'd like to have furniture out on the balconies, that's fine, but it will need to be your own (included furnishings can't be left outside overnight).
6. What is Mickey's Retreat and whats in it?
Mickey's Retreat is a cast recreation area across the street from Chatham Square. Just think of it as a park - it has several athletic fields, a pool etc.
7. Are you allowed to live offsite?
Offsite housing requests are handled on a individual basis. Since housing is an integral part of the program, it is not recommended. You can ask about the possibility of such with your recruiter, but again, it is handled on an individual basis. If not approved, you can live off-property, but you may not be able to stop the housing payments that are directly deducted off your paycheck.
- DBF might come and if so, we'd like to live together. Is this a possibility?
Not unless you're going be getting married between now and the time you head off for the College Program ;-). Individual apartments aren't co-ed as far as assignments go, and the only way around that is to be a married couple living in a one-bedroom apartment. On the other hand, if you both live in the same complex, you will have unrestricted visiting privileges at any time, so that's something to consider. If you live at separate complexes, you won't be able to visit each other at the complexes between the hours of 1 AM and 7 AM nightly.
- Or is there a way for us to request a specific building so our apartments are close (in a CP complex)?
You can ask during check-in, and they'll do their best.
- There is a very high possibility we'll be engaged at the time of our CP
bride: !!!!) but the wedding would be after the program ends. Is there any exceptions to the boy/girl rule if you're engaged?
Unfortunately, not to my knowledge. If there is, you will only be allowed to live together in a one-bedroom apartment.
8. On the CP website, it says CP's participate in "unique holiday celebrations". What does that mean?
Housings has an event planning team, and they have several events every season. To be honest, I never gave too much credit to the events, they can be fun, but they're not elaborate productions most of the time.
9. What kinds of events are held at the complexes? Are they different for each complex? How often are they? Are you allowed to go to an event at a different complex than your own?
To go along with what I said above, they are held at every complex, and yes, you can attend an event happening at any complex.
10. I know cable is provided. Can you add DVR onto your cable? The Brighthouse website says its $6.95/mo to add DVR. Would you need a cable box to do this? Do you think you'd pay Disney or Brighthouse the difference? Would Disney add it to your rent?
I believe you can add additional services from Bright House networks, which is billed directly to you for payment. You will need to order digital service with your DVR package, as Disney's cable service through Bright House is analog. I just priced it out, and it comes out to $22.89/month with a $41.95 setup fee. You can set it up after you arrive at
Bright House's Connection Center website.
Alternatively, many networks do offer programming online for free, and that may be something that may work for you instead...saving you some money in the process. Check out
Hulu and individual network sites for more info.
