Daughter got accepted to CP. Now the questions!

[divehard]

Needless to say, I'm proud that our DD was accepted in the CP for Spring 2012, as a FSFB. I'm sure that she will have the time of her life, but I want to make it extra special. We have a family trip planned for mid January at BWV and she will be arriving about 4 days before our family to start the CP.

How soon does orientation begin? Is she able to select her apartment complexs? If so, any recommendations will he appreciated. She's 21 but prefers a wellness unit. Will she need to purchase a ticket to join us when she is not working or will she already be considered a "cast member"?
Thanks for any help that you can provide.

 

[taigirl87]

Shell get her room assignment the day of check in, and she if she gets there earlier in the day, she should definitely be able to pick the apartment complex and number of roommates she wants. If she wants to be in wellness, she just needs to tell them at check in, when she chooses her apartment.
If you're for sure going to be there 4 days after she checks in, she should definitely have her cast member Id to get into the parks. She won't have her blue main entrance pass though to get others in for free, that takes about a month to get.
Do keep in mind though that she will be training when you are visiting her so she may be pretty busy!

 

[KCMiller]

Also, she may want to rethink the wellness apartments. First of all, those are where anyone under the age of 21 lives, so she could potentially be living with a much younger crowd. Secondly, they are in Vista, the oldest complex - do a search of this thread to see what CP's have to say about the complex. And finally, and most importantly - if anyone, and I mean anyone in her apartment (even a guest dropping by) gets caught with ANY alcohol, they can terminate the entire apartment. Anyone, even if they are over 21, because these are wellness apartments. Which means 'see ya, don't let the door hit you on the way out, pack up and leave within 24 hours, bye bye'. Even if she personally did nothing wrong. And they are VERY strict about this.

I suggest she join a FB group of CP'ers coming in that class, meet up with some folks online and the night before check in, and get into one of the other complexes. My DD is in Chatham, and loves it - yes, there's liquor, but it's not like there are wild parties, or anyone is being forced to drink (it's not like a sorority or something).

Just my two cents.

KC

 

[divehard]

THANKS, Point well taken KC! I will try to get her to reconsider that decision.
She's a very responsible young lady who enjoys a drink on occasion, but being a RA at her dorm and subject to dealing with others overindulgence has left it's mark.

Thank you, Taigirl as well for the great information. We are DVC members and current AP holders, so park admission is no biggie, but I may not need to renew her AP this November. That covers the CP registration fee and leaves a little bit towards airfare.

Next question.
Will she be able get transportation right from the airport to check-in with her bags and get settled or do I need to escort her and get a room until she gets settled in?

 

[Traveliz]

THANKS, Point well taken KC! I will try to get her to reconsider that decision.
She's a very responsible young lady who enjoys a drink on occasion, but being a RA at her dorm and subject to dealing with others overindulgence has left it's mark.

Thank you, Taigirl as well for the great information. We are DVC members and current AP holders, so park admission is no biggie, but I may not need to renew her AP this November. That covers the CP registration fee and leaves a little bit towards airfare.

Next question.
Will she be able get transportation right from the airport to check-in with her bags and get settled or do I need to escort her and get a room until she gets settled in?

I totally agree with the above poster that your daughter should go to an over 21 apartment. She may not want to drink (and that is fine) but she might end up with a partying group of underage CPs (and there are those) that will make things really difficult for her. At least in an over 21 apartment the drinking actions of others in her apartment will not affect her.

Additionally if she enjoys a drink on occasion she will need to be far away from the apartments when she does so if she is staying in a wellness apartment.

If you can help her move in I would recommend that; that said there are many who manage without help but she will have to arrange her own transportation from the airport (or at least that has how it has worked in the past).

Liz

 

[taigirl87]

Also, she may want to rethink the wellness apartments. First of all, those are where anyone under the age of 21 lives, so she could potentially be living with a much younger crowd. Secondly, they are in Vista, the oldest complex - do a search of this thread to see what CP's have to say about the complex. And finally, and most importantly - if anyone, and I mean anyone in her apartment (even a guest dropping by) gets caught with ANY alcohol, they can terminate the entire apartment. Anyone, even if they are over 21, because these are wellness apartments. Which means 'see ya, don't let the door hit you on the way out, pack up and leave within 24 hours, bye bye'. Even if she personally did nothing wrong. And they are VERY strict about this.

I suggest she join a FB group of CP'ers coming in that class, meet up with some folks online and the night before check in, and get into one of the other complexes. My DD is in Chatham, and loves it - yes, there's liquor, but it's not like there are wild parties, or anyone is being forced to drink (it's not like a sorority or something).

Just my two cents.

KC

That's why my roommate and I who don't drink for religious reasons decided on non wellness. Luckily our roommates weren't big drinkers, and when they did it was outside the apartment.
I do need to clarify that there are wellness and non wellness in all the complexes.

 

[edk35]

Needless to say, I'm proud that our DD was accepted in the CP for Spring 2012, as a FSFB. I'm sure that she will have the time of her life, but I want to make it extra special. We have a family trip planned for mid January at BWV and she will be arriving about 4 days before our family to start the CP.

How soon does orientation begin? Is she able to select her apartment complexs? If so, any recommendations will he appreciated. She's 21 but prefers a wellness unit. Will she need to purchase a ticket to join us when she is not working or will she already be considered a "cast member"?
Thanks for any help that you can provide.

HELLO!!! Our dd also got into the program. She just got her acceptance email yesterday. We TOO are DVC members!!! Our dd turns 21 on Oct. 4th. She too is not a drinker, but she wants to stay in the 21 and older dorms. I have so many questions too. I keep posting stuff too. She has to decide on her arrival day as well. I might just PM you!!!

 

[Riku]

It's good to get some opinions about 21 and up in wellness dorms. I was thinking of doing that, but after reading what you guys have said, I'm reconsidering. I'm not a big drinker, but I do like to cook with wine and stuff...

 

[Traveliz]

It's good to get some opinions about 21 and up in wellness dorms. I was thinking of doing that, but after reading what you guys have said, I'm reconsidering. I'm not a big drinker, but I do like to cook with wine and stuff...

No cooking with wine in the wellness apartments.

Liz

 

[divehard]

EDK35 I got your PM and sent you one back

Congratulations to you and your DD as well

If DD wants to FB my daughter let me know. I will have her look for it!

 

[Riku]

No cooking with wine in the wellness apartments.

Liz

Yup, I do realize this.

The thing I had originally planned was to make friends in non-wellness so I could stash my booze there and cook there, and then bring it back to my room, but now I'm just thinking it would be easier to live in non-wellness.

 

[Traveliz]

Yup, I do realize this.

The thing I had originally planned was to make friends in non-wellness so I could stash my booze there and cook there, and then bring it back to my room, but now I'm just thinking it would be easier to live in non-wellness.

Honestly I think it would because if you live in wellness when you are over 21, you have to constantly worry about what your roommates are up to. Granted there are many apartments of CPs that do not abuse the rules, but there is enough to keep track of while a CP that worrying about illegal drinking in your room is one thing you can cross off your list just by living with over 21.

Liz

 

[Riku]

True that. I have to play nanny enough with my little brothers and their shenanigans.

 

[lilmissdisney216]

I still have my disney handbook they give you at check-in with the information they write on the sticker as you go through the process. I'll try and take a picture of it for you and post it on here when I have a second ( I kept all that stuff along with copies of the paperwork you have to fill out). Its a pretty hefty handbook that looks like those handbooks you get in High School with the rules and stuff of the school in one part and then its a planner in another. Its actually really convenient and came in handy during those times when I had to write down something in a training session or traditions and I didn't want to carry a bigger notebook. Trust me, this "Disney bible" will be your DD's best friend. It also has numbers for housing, call in numbers for work, and useful info such as clubhouse hours for each complex, local libraries, hospitals, and some other goodies. Congrats to your DD!!! Feel free to inbox me with any questions you may have!

Meredith

Spring Advantage 2011 Alumni Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess

P.S. When I did my CP I had just turned 22 and I lived in a non wellness apartment til about June (my CP was til August; started in February) and then moved to a wellness apartment. You can do this however when you do move you have to sign a form saying that you will NOT engage in the consumption of alcohol inside of your apartment and so on and so forth. I moved and everything was just fine. A few of my roomies were 21 or had turned 21 during their CP while living in Wellness housing and they signed a form on their 21st birthday with the same clause and then they could stay in their apartment. But really, I had no problems while living in wellness and non wellness.

 

[vickalamode]

Needless to say, I'm proud that our DD was accepted in the CP for Spring 2012, as a FSFB. I'm sure that she will have the time of her life, but I want to make it extra special. We have a family trip planned for mid January at BWV and she will be arriving about 4 days before our family to start the CP.

How soon does orientation begin? Is she able to select her apartment complexs? If so, any recommendations will he appreciated. She's 21 but prefers a wellness unit. Will she need to purchase a ticket to join us when she is not working or will she already be considered a "cast member"?
Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Orientation began for my roommates and I between 4 and 7 days of moving in.

Yes, she is able to select her apartment complex. From your previous posts, it seems like your daughter is more the quiet type than a party girl, so I would recommend Patterson Court, which is where I lived. There is definitely fun to be had there, but it is pretty quiet most of the time. If not Patterson, then Chatham Square. She will probably want to avoid Vista Way.

Depending on when her orientation is, she would probably need to purchase a ticket to join you since I didn't get my CM ID until a few days after I was already down there, IIRC I got my CM ID during Traditions and I remember going to the MK immediately afterwards.

Honestly, though, and this is just my opinion, she will be SO busy during the first week that you probably won't really get any quality family time with her, and that time might be better spent for her to spend the time getting to know her roommates. If she is gone most of the first week she's there, she could end up being the odd one out because nobody got a chance to know her. Just my opinion. A visit might be much more appreciated about 2 months after she checks in. I know that about 2 months in was when I was really missing my people from back home and would have loved a visit! And that way she will already be working for a while and be able to request for days off and she will be able to use her pass to get her family in for free etc. Just my .02

 

[divehard]

Thanks Meredith for the info. anything that you would like to share would be greatly appreciated.
I'm still not sure about the transportation from MCO. I read somewhere that the CP dashboard had a link to Mears transportation and a coupon. DD could not find it last night.

 

[lilmissdisney216]

I know a few people that used Mears to get from MCO and they did mention a coupon being involved for CPs. Not sure if it goes "live" or is availible before the arrival date of the new program but I'll see what I can find out. Might take some asking around but lemme see what I can dig up . Another good thing if you're deciding to fly is that once you are checked in at the Welcome Pavillion (which is at the Vista Way apartment complex) they have a space to store luggage for those who flew so that way there's a place to keep bags while your DD goes over to Casting to find out her work location and go through background checks, payroll, and other things as well.

Have you looked at any hotels to stay at leading up to her check-in? I would reccomend the Holiday Inn Sunspree, that's where I stayed with my family for my CP and there's a lot of CP'ers who stay there as well. The hotel has an Applebees connected to it and also there's Chic Fil A and Wendy's within walking distance across the street (along with Golden Corral, Bahama Breeze, Longhorn, and I believe a Cici's Pizza isn't too far either). Also what was good about that is that the Vista Way housing complex is also within walking distance from the hotel as well. On check in morning I walked over to Vista Way with my roommate and we got our housing assignment and everything together (cause the rest of the people we were rooming with weren't there yet) and sure enough they placed all of us in the same apartment [which was the time of my life]. Check in morning runs relatively smoothly and then by the time I was through the line my parents were already at the welcome pavillion with my car and then we could proceed on to moving into my apartment (btw forgot to mention, this was after the stop at casting).

there is also a facebook group for Spring/Spring Advantage 2012 and there's alot of people that are looking for roommates and some of us alumni post on there about our experiences to try and help out the new CPs that are curious just like we were. Its so exciting!!!

 

[poison ivy]

Our son completed the Spring 2011 CP. We too had concerns about flying him down and opted to drive instead. We're glad we did.

It is very difficult for anyone flying as they are limited in what they can bring. Also, if you arrive alone on the day of check-in and are planning to spend the first night in the apts., you will have to lug all your belongings with you to Vista Way where they are stowed during orientation. However, they are not delivered to your apt for you. You must collect them and board the bus to your apt once assigned. Parents can be a big help here.

Because the apts are offsite, you are also limited in terms of transportation if you do not have a vehicle. If you need anything that first day it can become logistically difficult to coordinate timing with the bussing which doesn't run on a continuous cycle to Walmart etc... Most kids who fly tend to need bedding and food as first priorities.

Your daughter should get her ID by day 3 which will allow park access. We didn't really join our son when he hit the parks as he went with his roommates - which is what they tend to do.

We stayed onsite for 4 days while he was in training and helped him set up, stocked the fridge/closet, had dinner one night and provided a vehicle when needed. All of them were hanging out, so we did our own thing for the most part. It was great.

I'm hoping he will consider it again for the Fall 2012.

 

[divehard]

We might have to revisit the whole driving vs. flying thing again. We were thinking that she would fly down and get situated then we would drive down and bring anything she forgot or was too cumbersome/restricted for the flight.

 

[poison ivy]

Divehard,

It's a tough call, and depends on who your daughter rooms with. Some may have a car, others may not. If nobody drove, then they will have very little upon arrival in the apt - which is empty! We were the only family who drove in my son's case. He had a two bedroom apt in Chatham w/ three roomates all of whom had brought virtually nothing but clothes and a laptop. One had flown in with his family who rented a car to shop. The other two needed assistance.

Also, If she partners up with a roomate in advance, they need to be together when checking in as there is no guarantee they will be placed together otherwise. Disney needs to fill the apts and will not hold a spot for someone who isn't present when your daughter arrives.

Case in point happened to one of my son's roomates. He partnered up on Facebook to room with a colleague whose flight was delayed several hours. Rather than wait, he went ahead to orientation by himself. Disney paired him with whomever was nearest in line at the time he checked in and kept the line moving. He was told he could put in for reassignment later on but they never bothered.