DD accepted to DCP

[xoxodisney]

So excited about my daughter’s acceptance to the DCP!! I have many questions though. Mainly to get started if her arrival date is a Monday, when should we arrive in Florida and how long should I plan to stay? Just not sure what the move in looks like and how soon she begins work. Didn’t know if we may have a day or 2 to enjoy the parks.

 

[Geomom]

Arrive at least the day before. Move in is that Monday, your CP will be assigned a move in time, should be sometime between 8-11am. She will get in line to check-in, get a pic taken for her ID (should follow Disney look book from shoulders up), get her apartment key/room/bed assignment. The community centers have a video playing for parents to watch while waiting. At some point that day she'll have a background check. There is also a 1 hr class on how to make the most of your program. When moving in, allow your daughter to go into apt by herself first to see if other roommates are sleeping or getting ready for work. You should not be in the apartment without her.

By Tuesday she should be given a 3 day park hopper ticket to use for herself within a week. Usually, first paid training is Friday/Saturday (Traditions parts 1/2). But, depending upon role, that Wed/Thur, they might have lifeguard training/testing or the POET test to see if they can physically accomplish their role (usually for custodial.). My DD was quick service and had food and beverage training the Sunday after traditions, then park orientation Monday, then role training after that. The Friday/Sat/Sun training was at Flamingo Crossings East, about 4 hrs/day.

Our DD was a CP from 1/8/24-1/9/25. We arrived the Sat before (partly because it's winter and we're coming from MA), We all had annual passes, so we did a park Sunday, move in Monday (took forever as she was in the biggest move in group they ever had, over 2000 people.) We had time to go shopping for cleaning supplies/groceries before her background check. Tuesday we met her at a park (she took FCV bus to practice) and said goodbye from there (worked well, not as emotional as move in day) then we flew home Wednesday afternoon. That worked well for us, we wanted to be there Tuesday in case more shopping was needed as she doesn't have a car. We flew Southwest, the 2 free checked bags each was great for moving.

And Congrats!

 

[migirl]

How exciting for your family - congratulations! My child arrived on a Saturday last year and move in day was a Monday. She flew there so didn’t have too much stuff but she picked up a few more things at Target stores on move in day. Also the Flamingo Target is really small and has limited supplies but other nearby Targets have much more inventory. We didn’t do any park time during the move in trip. There’s plenty of time for that during the program and we did a family trip a couple months later and by then she had earned us free park tickets. If you have any downtime use it to relax and enjoy a nice meal together.

 

[AnnaS]

Congratulations! I hope she is happy and loves it. My dd did the program 21 years ago so I won't comment since I am sure a lot has changed. My dd loved it so much, she extended and even got seasonal (that did not work out due to some error on Disney's part). Just tell her to follow the rules and all will be great!!

 

[Ariel-Rocks]

So excited about my daughter’s acceptance to the DCP!! I have many questions though. Mainly to get started if her arrival date is a Monday, when should we arrive in Florida and how long should I plan to stay? Just not sure what the move in looks like and how soon she begins work. Didn’t know if we may have a day or 2 to enjoy the parks.

Congrats to your daughter !!

 

[Ariel-Rocks]

Arrive at least the day before. Move in is that Monday, your CP will be assigned a move in time, should be sometime between 8-11am. She will get in line to check-in, get a pic taken for her ID (should follow Disney look book from shoulders up), get her apartment key/room/bed assignment. The community centers have a video playing for parents to watch while waiting. At some point that day she'll have a background check. There is also a 1 hr class on how to make the most of your program. When moving in, allow your daughter to go into apt by herself first to see if other roommates are sleeping or getting ready for work. You should not be in the apartment without her.

By Tuesday she should be given a 3 day park hopper ticket to use for herself within a week. Usually, first paid training is Friday/Saturday (Traditions parts 1/2). But, depending upon role, that Wed/Thur, they might have lifeguard training/testing or the POET test to see if they can physically accomplish their role (usually for custodial.). My DD was quick service and had food and beverage training the Sunday after traditions, then park orientation Monday, then role training after that. The Friday/Sat/Sun training was at Flamingo Crossings East, about 4 hrs/day.

Our DD was a CP from 1/8/24-1/9/25. We arrived the Sat before (partly because it's winter and we're coming from MA), We all had annual passes, so we did a park Sunday, move in Monday (took forever as she was in the biggest move in group they ever had, over 2000 people.) We had time to go shopping for cleaning supplies/groceries before her background check. Tuesday we met her at a park (she took FCV bus to practice) and said goodbye from there (worked well, not as emotional as move in day) then we flew home Wednesday afternoon. That worked well for us, we wanted to be there Tuesday in case more shopping was needed as she doesn't have a car. We flew Southwest, the 2 free checked bags each was great for moving.

And Congrats!

What happens on the check out date ? Do they have to work on the last day of the program or is that the day they have to check out of their apartment ? Thanks for such a great breakdown on check in.

 

[Geomom]

What happens on the check out date ? Do they have to work on the last day of the program or is that the day they have to check out of their apartment ? Thanks for such a great breakdown on check in.

Tuesday "should' be the last work day. (Possible exceptions for holidays, etc). They need to be out of the apt by 10am on Thursday, turn in key at the flamingo desk. Their bedroom/bathroom needs to be completely emptied, not even hangers left behind. If everyone is moving out of the apt, anything not originally included needs to be removed and fridge/cabinets emptied of personal items. If there are items left, you may be fined by Flamingo. I think leaving it broom swept is ok.

We flew in late Tuesday night (she worked 4-10 that night), moved her out Wed, and she turned her key in that day. We used her guest passes for the parks that Thurs/Fri and she used her self admit pass which is good at Disney World for 30 days after a completed program. (Park reservations required for guest passes and self admit.)

Note that we brought stuff home our previous couple visits and she had started packing on her days off the week before, including giving friends some food/cleaning products, etc. And we still had 6 suitcases, 3 backpacks, a violin, a duffel bag, and a tote bag... She was there for 1 year.

 

[Ariel-Rocks]

Tuesday "should' be the last work day. (Possible exceptions for holidays, etc). They need to be out of the apt by 10am on Thursday, turn in key at the flamingo desk. Their bedroom/bathroom needs to be completely emptied, not even hangers left behind. If everyone is moving out of the apt, anything not originally included needs to be removed and fridge/cabinets emptied of personal items. If there are items left, you may be fined by Flamingo. I think leaving it broom swept is ok.

We flew in late Tuesday night (she worked 4-10 that night), moved her out Wed, and she turned her key in that day. We used her guest passes for the parks that Thurs/Fri and she used her self admit pass which is good at Disney World for 30 days after a completed program. (Park reservations required for guest passes and self admit.)

Note that we brought stuff home our previous couple visits and she had started packing on her days off the week before, including giving friends some food/cleaning products, etc. And we still had 6 suitcases, 3 backpacks, a violin, a duffel bag, and a tote bag... She was there for 1 year.

Thank you so much ! That really helps me know what to book for a stay her last week.

 

[Geomom]

Thank you so much ! That really helps me know what to book for a stay her last week.

One more thing, rent will still be taken out of that last paycheck to cover that last week. If they don't work enough hours, they'll get a bill. My DD managed to work 21 hrs that final Sun/Mon/Tues, so she had no problem covering the rent. When we visited her in December, she only worked 2 days (5 days off to stay at our resort with us and do parks/Christmas early with us) and ended up owing $30 in rent, which she paid with her debit card

 

[Ariel-Rocks]

One more thing, rent will still be taken out of that last paycheck to cover that last week. If they don't work enough hours, they'll get a bill. My DD managed to work 21 hrs that final Sun/Mon/Tues, so she had no problem covering the rent. When we visited her in December, she only worked 2 days (5 days off to stay at our resort with us and do parks/Christmas early with us) and ended up owing $30 in rent, which she paid with her debit card

Thank you so much for the heads up on that also. Your information is really helpful!!

 

[DL1WDW2]

This is very helpful. My grandson wants to apply after his freshman year.
Congrats to your family .
I still remember how happy I was when my son was accepted in program many years ago.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My daughter was accepted last week and starts in June.

Our plan is to take the auto train down since she wants to take her car and arrive Sunday morning. Her uncle/godfather lives in the area so we will visit with them and stay there Sunday night. Monday I will move her in, leave the car with her and then I will stay at ASM resort that night. I will fly home Tuesday evening. I will be available to her if she needs anything, that’s why I chose to leave later Tuesday.

We plan on hitting DS Monday night for dinner. She said we could hang out Tuesday before I leave but I don’t want her to miss out on hanging out with new roommates and friends especially since she’ll have park passes. But we will play it by ear for that day. I have no issues hanging alone!

We aren’t doing the parks because we have a 8 night trip booked mid May so I don’t want to pay for a one day pass. The trip is booked on rented DVC points so I can’t move the dates but I don’t know if I would want to do a big trip with move in, especially traveling by auto train. Just seems very stressful.