Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[tlynk]

Honestly I think it would be very difficult - I think a full load of classes would be impossible - one to two would be doable but she won't be able to get time off for them - she has to have complete availability for the CP.

Depending on where your daughter is placed she might be working lots of hours. One semester my daughter worked a busy attraction at Epcot and many weeks she worked 50 plus hours. Her second semester she worked at AK which has shorter park hours and didn't work as many hours. That said she always did have two days off a week so if you are really disciplined you could spend your days off doing the school work but then you would miss out on alot of what else the CP has to offer.

My daughter returned to college after returning home but there was no problem with having to maintain an enrollment status so I can't comment on that but she did get right back into the swing of college after being off for the two semesters.

Liz

Thanks Liz for your feedback. DD might have take only 1-2 fairly easy classes, but I'm still not sure if she would have much time off to do the work. I imagine her schedule will be demanding due to the role she was offered. One class might be all she can handle?

 

[Traveliz]

Thanks Liz for your feedback. DD might have take only 1-2 fairly easy classes, but I'm still not sure if she would have much time off to do the work. I imagine her schedule will be demanding due to the role she was offered. One class might be all she can handle?

What role is she in?

One class I am sure would be manageable assuming there is no time they have to be on the computer all at the same time. Two is probably doable depending on the whole self discipline issue.

I have a MS and I would have a difficult time taking online courses while doing the CP -- not to say there aren't plenty of personalities out there that can handle it - I just know it would not be ideal for me to have done something like that.

Liz

 

[razzery]

Thanks Liz for your feedback. DD might have take only 1-2 fairly easy classes, but I'm still not sure if she would have much time off to do the work. I imagine her schedule will be demanding due to the role she was offered. One class might be all she can handle?

I have heard of people taking up to 4 online classes and being fine with it. I plan on taking 3 online classes. I remember someone saying that you can register your classes with the recruiters once your down there so you can get certain times every week off to do homework.

 

[tlynk]

What role is she in?

One class I am sure would be manageable assuming there is no time they have to be on the computer all at the same time. Two is probably doable depending on the whole self discipline issue.

I have a MS and I would have a difficult time taking online courses while doing the CP -- not to say there aren't plenty of personalities out there that can handle it - I just know it would not be ideal for me to have done something like that.

Liz

She'll be doing QSF&B- it looks like if she goes college might have to be on the back burner for 1 semester.

 

[tlynk]

I remember someone saying that you can register your classes with the recruiters once your down there so you can get certain times every week off to do homework.

This is good to know- if she decides to take 1-2 classes I will have her register with her recruiter. Thanks.

 

[Traveliz]

She'll be doing QSF&B- it looks like if she goes college might have to be on the back burner for 1 semester.

So that could be hit and miss on hours depending on where she is placed - of course there are tons of opportunities for extra hours in that role also.

Liz

 

[phred52]

oh boy, DD, 19 got word she's accepted into the CP starting Jan.09.

I've been scrambling, figuring out medical insurance. Now that that's done (yes, she'll be covered ) I'm thinking about the issue of DD having a car...or not ....while there.

Reading the comments, it seems like the thing to do...for her. Which brings me to two questions.

Is there any cost for parking? At the apartment complex or at work?
Can you bring your parents car if they'll let you borrow it for a few months?

I've loved reading this thread Thanks for all the help!!

 

[Joanna71985]

oh boy, DD, 19 got word she's accepted into the CP starting Jan.09.

I've been scrambling, figuring out medical insurance. Now that that's done (yes, she'll be covered ) I'm thinking about the issue of DD having a car...or not ....while there.

Reading the comments, it seems like the thing to do...for her. Which brings me to two questions.

Is there any cost for parking? At the apartment complex or at work?
Can you bring your parents car if they'll let you borrow it for a few months?

I've loved reading this thread Thanks for all the help!!

Nope, CP parking is free.

And the car has to be in their name. It can't be anyone else's car.

 

[crazylena]

actually that's not true. My daughter Anna is currently using our car while in the program and the car is not in her name. However we did have to provide proof of insurance and proof that she is a valid driver under our insurance. Our insurance company had to fax them the proof.

We are from MN and I drove with her down to Florida and helped her check in, then flew home. It has been great not only for the convenience but I can even see that her confidence and sense of direction has improved greatly.

Congratulations on your daughter making it into the program and I hope it will be a wonderful experience for her!

God Bless, Kim

 

[wdwfam]

Our DD's car is not in her name either. When she checked in, she just handed the CM a copy of our car insurance (again in our name) with her name as principal driver for the car. No problems. I was like crazylena. I drove down with her and then flew home. She would not like to have to rely on the busses at 1:30 am. It's been great for her to have her car. She even gives rides home to people so she isn't driving by herself that late.

 

[phred52]

Thanks for all the answers. Makes it a bit easier knowing what to expect since you've been through it already. I'll have the paperwork from insurance ready when we get down there.

 

[zulemara]

actually that's not true. My daughter Anna is currently using our car while in the program and the car is not in her name. However we did have to provide proof of insurance and proof that she is a valid driver under our insurance. Our insurance company had to fax them the proof.

We are from MN and I drove with her down to Florida and helped her check in, then flew home. It has been great not only for the convenience but I can even see that her confidence and sense of direction has improved greatly.

Congratulations on your daughter making it into the program and I hope it will be a wonderful experience for her!

God Bless, Kim

it helps that literally all roads lead to Disneyworld. If she ever gets lost, she just has to drive and evnetually there will be a sign for WDW LOL.

Having a car is a HUGE convenience and gas isn't all that unreasonable given the complexes are about 5 miles from MK parking, which is the back of property. I always advise people to take a car if they can

 

[Climber656]

She'll be doing QSF&B- it looks like if she goes college might have to be on the back burner for 1 semester.

Ehh there are somethings in life just worth doing; even if it pushes others back. I believe this to be one of them! Congrats to here!

 

[Joanna71985]

Having a car is a HUGE convenience and gas isn't all that unreasonable given the complexes are about 5 miles from MK parking, which is the back of property. I always advise people to take a car if they can

This is so true. I've wished that I had a car, on all 4 of my CPs. The buses are doable, but they can be a pain at times.

 

[crazylena]

Anna got her notice this past week about her upcoming graduation from the career start program. She said that she has to schedule the day off togo to it. I'm just wondering if any of you that have been in the program know if they're pretty good about working around the graduation days so that the kids can even go to it.

Kim

 

[Berlioz70]

Anna got her notice this past week about her upcoming graduation from the career start program. She said that she has to schedule the day off togo to it. I'm just wondering if any of you that have been in the program know if they're pretty good about working around the graduation days so that the kids can even go to it.

Kim

It varies based on where she works. Luckily, graduation is during a slightly slower week (compared to Thanksgiving and Christmas) so as long as she asks it off within the allotted time she should be fine. They usually only permit a certain number of people requesting off the same day - so she might get it denied if it's the same day that everyone else in her work area asked off.

In my case (Character Performer), I can't ask the day off - so I'm just hoping that I'll get one of the three days off by chance. If I don't, I'll try trading my shift with someone.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Anna got her notice this past week about her upcoming graduation from the career start program. She said that she has to schedule the day off togo to it. I'm just wondering if any of you that have been in the program know if they're pretty good about working around the graduation days so that the kids can even go to it.

Kim

During my program, the schedulers made sure you got one of the two graduation days off. They're pretty good about it and our location had a breakfast one day at Perkins and the schedulers made sure we could all attend that as well. Now getting the day off for a doctor's appointment for an injury caused by Disney, well that's another story lol.

 

[Joanna71985]

Anna got her notice this past week about her upcoming graduation from the career start program. She said that she has to schedule the day off togo to it. I'm just wondering if any of you that have been in the program know if they're pretty good about working around the graduation days so that the kids can even go to it.

Kim

I was lucky and got the day off last summer. But I know people who had to work both days (evening shifts). They were still able to go to graduation, but had to work afterward. I think it all depends.

 

[CJ]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question because my daughter isn't in the College Program. She's a Cultural Rep for Canada and is working at the Le Cellier restaurant at Epcot. But I'm hoping all you parents can help (I've also posted on the Canadian board and a separate post here as well):

DD22 is the baby of the family and Christmas is a HUGE deal for us. Her brother & his fiance are heading down at the end of this week, and myself, DH & her grampa will be there the week before Christmas. DD has stressed that it is an incredibly busy time for the CMs and not to worry about her missing actual Christmas at home here in Canada. Plus she insists that presents are not necessary!

I realize it's more my "mother" instinct that's causing me to be so upset and that she's a big girl now, etc etc. But I want to bring her some awesome gifts, darn it!! Clothes are not an option, cause she wouldn't be able to exchange them and the gift cards here can't be used down there. We're flying and won't have a car there........

I guess I'm looking for some magical suggestions!

 

[Traveliz]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question because my daughter isn't in the College Program. She's a Cultural Rep for Canada and is working at the Le Cellier restaurant at Epcot. But I'm hoping all you parents can help (I've also posted on the Canadian board and a separate post here as well):

DD22 is the baby of the family and Christmas is a HUGE deal for us. Her brother & his fiance are heading down at the end of this week, and myself, DH & her grampa will be there the week before Christmas. DD has stressed that it is an incredibly busy time for the CMs and not to worry about her missing actual Christmas at home here in Canada. Plus she insists that presents are not necessary!

I realize it's more my "mother" instinct that's causing me to be so upset and that she's a big girl now, etc etc. But I want to bring her some awesome gifts, darn it!! Clothes are not an option, cause she wouldn't be able to exchange them and the gift cards here can't be used down there. We're flying and won't have a car there........

I guess I'm looking for some magical suggestions!

Surely she has found things she wants there at Disney -- I would get her the Disney gift cards when you arrrive and let her use them to get what she wants - she will get so much more with her holiday discount than if you shopped for her separately.

Another idea might be food items from home that she can't get in FL.

My daughter took the bus and was always asking for books that she could read on the bus and on breaks.

I can't really think of anything awesome she might want but I do know my daughter finds plenty there at Disney she wants so I think I would go with that.

Liz