Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[dizagain]

Your really not supposed to link them to your MDE. They are supposed I h to be linked to the CM's MDE because additional days will be loaded onto those same cards and once they have been linked, they cannot be unlinked. They are told to link them to their accounts and not to let others put them on their own MDE. I was there and heard the instructions with my own 2 ears.

I guess this is another one of those things that you get different answers from different people at Disney.

My DD has received three sets of plastic guest passes-one at each milestone. They were not re-used. The pre-2016 passes operated the way you stated, but the instructions online say they may be linked and FP' s made by others although of course the CM must accompany guests to the parks. We have used guest passes on two trips this way with no issues. I love this way so much better even with fewer passes.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I guess this is another one of those things that you get different answers from different people at Disney.

My DD has received three sets of plastic guest passes-one at each milestone. They were not re-used. The pre-2016 passes operated the way you stated, but the instructions online say they may be linked and FP' s made by others although of course the CM must accompany guests to the parks. We have used guest passes on two trips this way with no issues. I love this way so much better even with fewer passes.

Yes, well this was just this May we were told that and it was a manager in charge of the ticket sales. I feel pretty confident they know the rules.

 

[dizagain]

Yes, well this was just this mayy we were told that and it was a manager in charge of the ticket sales. I feel pretty confident they know the rules.

I totally respect your desire to follow the rules and use your passes correctly. My DD' s are the same way! Many times different Disney high-ups give different info......it's so confusing! I'm just saying that I know for sure that the passes may be linked to guest MDE and FP' s made by the guest or CM. We have spoken with Guest Relations several times, most recently two weeks ago when we had issues with one pass and verified this. The issue was not caused by linking- the new passes still have some kinks. You will receive a set of three passes with Chip and Dale on them as you reach each milestone. I have 6 of these at my house since we save them. DD has the last set she received in June in her apartment.

Many,many people miss out and think they can't use these CP passes when the blockout calendar is red..... My main hope is that our info will help!

I hope you are having a great time!!

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

The new Chip & Dale guest ticket cards can be linked to the MDX account of whoever will use them. There's a FAQ on the Hub that talks about it.

They don't work the same as the reusable Guest Passes that FT/PT CMs get.

 

[stobaugh6]

My DD was accepted into the CP spring 2017 program. Her check in date is January 17. She and I, along with a friend and my two youngest DDs are flying in on the 15th to help her get settled. I am not familiar with the Orlando area and would love some recommendations on places to stay. We will be staying offsite the 15-21 and then moving onsite 21-31. We already had a trip planned the 21-31, so we are just arriving a few days early. Thanks for the help!

Heather

 

[goofy4tink]

My DD was accepted into the CP spring 2017 program. Her check in date is January 17. She and I, along with a friend and my two youngest DDs are flying in on the 15th to help her get settled. I am not familiar with the Orlando area and would love some recommendations on places to stay. We will be staying offsite the 15-21 and then moving onsite 21-31. We already had a trip planned the 21-31, so we are just arriving a few days early. Thanks for the help!

Heather

Congratulations to you all!!! My dd just started her program on Sept 6!! She's loving it. Most of the hotels/resorts in the Disney Springs area will meet your needs. Dd's boyfriend is coming down in Nov...I think he's going to be staying at the Holiday Inn on rt 535..I think it's actually in Lake Buena Vista. It's fairly inexpensive, and close to the areas your dd will need to be. Vista Way is right across the street, the other complexes are fairly nearby.

 

[Boopuff]

January is a low(er) time of year at WDW. Disney may also be offering really nice deals for on-site stays. Which may be comparable to off site.

 

[dizfamily4]

My DD was accepted as well for the 2017 spring semester and she too will arrive on Jan 17th! Wasn't sure how it works, would she just go down or should I go and help her settle in ?? Exciting all around and hoping for a positive experience!

 

[goofy4tink]

My DD was accepted as well for the 2017 spring semester and she too will arrive on Jan 17th! Wasn't sure how it works, would she just go down or should I go and help her settle in ?? Exciting all around and hoping for a positive experience!

We flew down with our dd. We spent a few days in the parks, then on her check in day, we got to see her complex and her apt. Got to meet her roommates, which was nice. Then we made a trip to Target to get her food and other stuff...comforter, pillows, foam mattress topper, other stuff we didn't want to pack and fly down with.
When it was time to say goodby, we left feeling good that we knew where she was staying and with who. It made flying home without her a lot easier. And I don't worry too much having seen the security they have.

 

[HopperFan]

My DD was accepted as well for the 2017 spring semester and she too will arrive on Jan 17th! Wasn't sure how it works, would she just go down or should I go and help her settle in ?? Exciting all around and hoping for a positive experience!

Depends on your DD and also how easy it is for you to go, and will it impact you being able to go again while she is there.

My DD had no plans for us to go with her. She was driving down on her own. We ended up doing a beach trip she wanted to go on, so we rode with her, beach, then Orlando where DH worked and I took DS to parks ... then we flew home.

DD went to check in on her own, went to her apartment with her roommates and then they went shopping together for what they needed. She did end up having dinner with us a couple nights because roomies had family down but we never saw her apartment. Her days were spent doing all the "stuff" and she had very little time for us. It was fine because we are regulars and have APs .....

But had we been from farther and not regular I would rather have come back when she had hotel discounts for us and she had time to spend with us. They really don't need any help, the roomies will be getting to know each other and they have so much they have to do. It was more like about 6 weeks when she was looking for some family time with us.

 

[stitchlovestink]

My DD was accepted as well for the 2017 spring semester and she too will arrive on Jan 17th! Wasn't sure how it works, would she just go down or should I go and help her settle in ?? Exciting all around and hoping for a positive experience!

Both of mine have done the DCP. The younger one has done it TV twice and plans on returning.

As far as it being a positive experience, I will say it is what they choose to make of it. It isn't going to be all fairytales and pixie dust. There will be negative things, long hours, nasty guests, frustrating roommates, not so nice bosses, possible homesickness... but if they look for the negative, they will clearly find it and then some. If they look for the positive, they will find the positive.
Mine didn't necessarily like their roles but they loved other aspects of it...lifelong friendships, the various experiences.... and One loved 2 out of 3 roles she worked, already having worked at the Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom!!

 

[HopperFan]

Both of mine have done the DCP. The younger one has done it TV twice and plans on returning.

As far as it being a positive experience, I will say it is what they choose to make of it. It isn't going to be all fairytales and pixie dust. There will be negative things, long hours, nasty guests, frustrating roommates, not so nice bosses, possible homesickness... but if they look for the negative, they will clearly find it and then some. If they look for the positive, they will find the positive.
Mine didn't necessarily like their roles but they loved other aspects of it...lifelong friendships, the various experiences.... and One loved 2 out of 3 roles she worked, already having worked at the Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom!!

All very true. DD was there a year in 3 roles at Disney Springs and Epcot. Two apartments (the "most popular" and the least). Her plan was to stay forever and doing DCP was a great insight. She opted to go to graduate school rather than stay but wouldn't trade the experience for anything for so many reasons. She learned so much about herself and her goals, and is succeeding in ways she never could have imagined. I think the DCP helped her realize her potential.

The key to remember that one DCP is what, 4 mos? They can handle a less than perfect apartment, roommate, job or boss. The knowledge is that it will end. SO enjoy every bit of it, take advantage of every bit of it .......... the time will go by very very fast.

 

[dizagain]

My DD is also arriving 1/17 for her second program. My other DD is there now and leaves in December. This is a wonderful opportunity and they have both really enjoyed their time there. As others have said, it is what you make of it and attitude and work ethic are huge factors. In the end, the positives far outweighed the negatives for mine. When they complain, I remind them that they are at Disney World and I am not and to suck it up-ha. I'm mean like that....

 

[Panotchr]

My 19yo DD will be arriving on 1/23. She turns 20 on 1/24! She will be part of the Spring Advantage program. She has looked forward to this since middle school. She's been assigned the role of concierge/merchandise. We are so excited for her!

 

[stitchlovestink]

All very true. DD was there a year in 3 roles at Disney Springs and Epcot. Two apartments (the "most popular" and the least). Her plan was to stay forever and doing DCP was a great insight. She opted to go to graduate school rather than stay but wouldn't trade the experience for anything for so many reasons. She learned so much about herself and her goals, and is succeeding in ways she never could have imagined. I think the DCP helped her realize her potential.

The key to remember that one DCP is what, 4 mos? They can handle a less than perfect apartment, roommate, job or boss. The knowledge is that it will end. SO enjoy every bit of it, take advantage of every bit of it .......... the time will go by very very fast.

Both of mine did the Advantage program so theirs were 7 month programs. The "regular" spring or fall program is 4 months on the short side and 5 months on the long side depending on what you select as your arrival date.
One of mine based on beginning/end date had one program that was over 7 and a half months. Basically, I would say the shortest is 4 months though.

The only thing mine wouldn't compromise on was apartments. We know there are serious mold problems at too many of the Vista apartments. They were not willing to live there. Luckily, there is an option to pay a fee for a voluntary move. We would have done that. Their health is far to important to live in an apartment with mold issues. That can cause serious long term health issues. Everything is they could figure out how to deal with.

 

[HopperFan]

Both of mine did the Advantage program so theirs were 7 month programs. The "regular" spring or fall program is 4 months on the short side and 5 months on the long side depending on what you select as your arrival date.
One of mine based on beginning/end date had one program that was over 7 and a half months. Basically, I would say the shortest is 4 months though.

The only thing mine wouldn't compromise on was apartments. We know there are serious mold problems at too many of the Vista apartments. They were not willing to live there. Luckily, there is an option to pay a fee for a voluntary move. We would have done that. Their health is far to important to live in an apartment with mold issues. That can cause serious long term health issues. Everything is they could figure out how to deal with.

Yes there are advantages, not sure the ratio of how many do that compared with the regular programs. My point was this isn't a long term commitment and many things can be dealt with in the short term. My DD had never shared a bedroom or bathroom in her life. At her college, dorms were private bedrooms with full beds and private baths in 4 bedroom apartments, and her last year she had her own 1 bedroom apartment. For her to share a room and bath in a small apartment plus a twin bed was a really big adjustment ... but she did fine.

DD was there a 2014-2015, August through May. Her second "semester" she was unhappily moved to Vista. Immediate issue with bedbugs. She is very independent will go to battle for what she believes and she went round and round with management. They were locked out for days with none of their things and she was very upset demanding they move them. They absolutely refused and said they would fix apartment. They didn't even offer temp housing, just coupons for dining and movies..... They said the program was completely full and there were no options for moving at all. So I don't think moving is always an option. It may depend from program to program based on how many participants there are.

She had seen some bad Vista apartments that friends were in (interesting all guys) but many had been rehabbed including hers. Note that none of the apartments are managed by Disney so they can promise nothing and resolve nothing. They are managed by Lincoln Properties.

 

[HopperFan]

My daughter had two apartments at Vista and never had a problem in either, thank goodness.

My dd is in Vista now. She was very disappointed to be put there when she got the notice. But, the apt was acceptably clean when she got there. No need to clean any further. Freshly painted. No sign of mold...yet. She's actually quite happy there.

DD had Commons her first round, great location and washer/dryer in unit. Since less than half of them were staying another round she had to move. She was upset when they told her Vista because she had visited several of the guys in her group and they had run down apartments. When she got hers she was pleasantly surprised it had been rehabbed. The bed bugs were a huge pain, especially when it made her homeless and trying to start training for her new position. This was really my only disappointment with the program - the disconnect between housing management and Disney.

Honestly I would think there is a health code in place that would make it illegal for them to place anyone in an apartment with mold, and to ask for a fee be paid by participant to move sounds very wrong.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

My daughter had two apartments at Vista and never had a problem in either, thank goodness.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd is in Vista now. She was very disappointed to be put there when she got the notice. But, the apt was acceptably clean when she got there. No need to clean any further. Freshly painted. No sign of mold...yet. She's actually quite happy there.

 

[pkelly6]

Hope this is okay to post here... there is a group for DCP parents on FB. Disney College Program Group - To Infinity! And Beyond. It's a closed group, so you have to request permission to be added. My DD was accepted to spring advantage and I've found lots of helpful information from the folks there.