Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[Donnaksmj]

Anyone else have a child in the program that is completely miserable???? I feel bad,.....

 

[kikiq]

Anyone else have a child in the program that is completely miserable???? I feel bad,.....

Is your child miserable? Somewhere back a few pages, there was a post that referenced Lee Cockerell's blog and his letter to CPs. One of the CP or college DISers posted it and I forwarded it to my DD. He also had a later blog entry that she sent back to me that she said really helped her.

http://www.leecockerell.com/blog/index.cfm/dopost/yes/id/261/Keep-Your-Promises

I say my DD loves it now, but even she will admit that the first month was hard work and a learning experience for her. She started in June, so she's been at it for 3 months. My youngest DD is our homebody and WDW CP is a big step for her. She's had some rough spots and being 3000 miles away certainly was hard for both of us.

Hang in there!

 

[tlynk]

Anyone else have a child in the program that is completely miserable???? I feel bad,.....

My DD isn't miserable- now that she is over the homesick part. I think she is having the time of her life. On her days off- she manages to always do something fun like go to the beach, etc... With that said she does not like her hours (very grueling), but I guess that is why she got hired- to work her tail off. I think she is learning a great deal about responsibility from the program. It is good for her to learn to not have mom or dad bail her out all the time. She keeps telling my DH how much she misses his cooking, and let me tell you- his head is swollen now!

 

[swissfamilyrobinson]

I've been reading around on the CP Board, but can't seem to find out what I need to know. I hope someone can help us!!

Our situation:

My DD20 just completed her Associates Degree in Music at the local community college this summer. This fall she couldn't decide what to do, so she didn't enroll anywhere. After some career testing/counseling, she had decided to go on to a four year school in the spring to continue her education. However, when we contacted a couple of the schools she was interested in, they said their scholarship money wouldn't be available for spring - she would have to wait until fall (for the department scholarships - not Phi Theta Kappa, etc.)

So, she has now decided to apply for the Spring 2010 CP at WDW. (Very weird, that she and I thought of it on the same day, unbeknownst to the other!) From what I can gather, you have to be enrolled either FT or PT to enroll in the CP. And it's too late to apply for full term fall semester courses.

Our questions:

1. Would she be eligible to apply for Spring 2010 CP if she enrolled in a Term II Internet Class at the community college (which begins Oct. 8)?

2. Does she have to be enrolled anywhere for Spring 2010 (college wise) or can she wait until Fall 2010 to continue her studies at a new college?

I know our situation is convoluted - please let me know if I need to clarify anything! Any help anyone could give us would be most appreciated!!

 

[NicoleRose]

I'm not the most qualified person to answer this, but i'm pretty sure that you just have to be enrolled during the time of application. so if she just enrolled in some term II internet courses at a CC and applied while she was enrolled, that should be fine.
the website does say "Those who have taken college courses, but are currently taking "time off" from school are not eligible to apply." but if she did enroll in a class she should be fine since it also says "Students must be currently enrolled and taking classes in an accredited college or university in the United States and have completed at least one semester."

good luck!

 

[cp'ersmom]

Is there a program recruiter at the Community College your daughter can contact? They will certainly have the answer.

 

[cp'ersmom]

I have a concern about the hours. Disney promised at least 35 to 40 hours per week. So far my daughter has not been schedualed for more than 32 hours. Yesterday she was cut after only working 2 hours (she spent more time on the bus than at work). I know the economy and all but these kids have to support themselves while they are there and came to the program with a certain expectation (and promise). Lucky for her she was able to pick up extra hours elsewhere but being cut negated any extra money she would have earned.

Anyone else's kids experiancing this? Any concerns?

 

[Pure_Imagination]

I have a concern about the hours. Disney promised at least 35 to 40 hours per week. So far my daughter has not been schedualed for more than 32 hours. Yesterday she was cut after only working 2 hours (she spent more time on the bus than at work). I know the economy and all but these kids have to support themselves while they are there and came to the program with a certain expectation (and promise). Lucky for her she was able to pick up extra hours elsewhere but being cut negated any extra money she would have earned.

Anyone else's kids experiancing this? Any concerns?

Actually, according to the Disney website:


If they are not participating in any learning component, they will be scheduled 30 to 50 hours per week during non-peak periods.

Right now is not really a peak season so Disney probably cannot afford to schedule everyone more than that. There's not a demand for it. However, since your daughter is there during Fall she'll be working plenty of peak seasons and holidays. There should come times when she gets way more than that.

 

[glendalais]

I have a concern about the hours. Disney promised at least 35 to 40 hours per week. So far my daughter has not been schedualed for more than 32 hours. Yesterday she was cut after only working 2 hours (she spent more time on the bus than at work). I know the economy and all but these kids have to support themselves while they are there and came to the program with a certain expectation (and promise). Lucky for her she was able to pick up extra hours elsewhere but being cut negated any extra money she would have earned.

Anyone else's kids experiancing this? Any concerns?

Yes, with the exception of Walt Disney World Co.-employed Cultural Representative Cast Members, most Walt Disney World Resort College and International Program Participants are only guranteed to be scheduled a minimum of 30 hours/week, according to Business Needs.

The period immediately proceeding the Labor Day holiday is historically a very slow time for the Walt Disney World Resort, and Cast Members are being scheduled accordingly.

Please also note that, in order to ensure that all C&IP Participants get their minimum hours while maintaining efficient operations of our Parks and Resorts, that the Company may find it necessary to deploy Participants to other work locations at any time during their programme, including into other roles outside their statused position.

It is not the aim of the Walt Disney World Company to deploy Participants, and is only done so as dictated by labor needs. This is an opportunity for Participants to learn a new role/position, meet and network with a new group of Disney Leaders and Cast Members and learn about another aspect of our multifaceted operations.

 

[Berlioz70]

I have a concern about the hours. Disney promised at least 35 to 40 hours per week. So far my daughter has not been schedualed for more than 32 hours. Yesterday she was cut after only working 2 hours (she spent more time on the bus than at work).

As mentioned, the minimum they are to be scheduled is 30. If she is going home early from shifts that is her choice. During slow periods my managers may ask if I'd like to go home early, but they cannot make me - I ALWAYS say NO because I want the hours. Make sure she knows she can stay if she wants in order to hit the 30 hours!

 

[kikiq]

I have a concern about the hours. Disney promised at least 35 to 40 hours per week. So far my daughter has not been schedualed for more than 32 hours. Yesterday she was cut after only working 2 hours (she spent more time on the bus than at work). I know the economy and all but these kids have to support themselves while they are there and came to the program with a certain expectation (and promise). Lucky for her she was able to pick up extra hours elsewhere but being cut negated any extra money she would have earned.

Anyone else's kids experiancing this? Any concerns?

My daughter has been working more than 40 hours during the summer(She started in June). And I can tell you she worked some LONG grueling hours in the summer. Be careful for what you wish for .

She called today and this last week was the first week she has worked less than 40 hours, just enough to pay rent and buy food. She fully expected this to happen once September began and the second group of CPers started in August. But she now has time to deal with her college stuff, making connections and the Disney classes start soon. I don't know that anyone should expect to earn extra money in the program. My daughter hopes she will be able to pick up extra hours later this fall and during the holidays but knows there's no guarantee.

 

[merlib]

My DD just found out that she has been accepted for the College Program for Spring 2010. We are excited for her, but need to make some decisions since that will mean she will not be enrolled in college. My work will not let me carry her on my health insurance once she is no longer enrolled in college full-time, so we need to find something else for her. Can some of you who have kids currently in the CP give me some guidance as to my choices?

My health benefits person says I should look for insurance from a Florida company, but I'm in Connecticut! Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks for any advice/help you can give me

Mary R.
Merlib
OKW '93

 

[dnoyes]

My DD just found out that she has been accepted for the College Program for Spring 2010. We are excited for her, but need to make some decisions since that will mean she will not be enrolled in college. My work will not let me carry her on my health insurance once she is no longer enrolled in college full-time, so we need to find something else for her. Can some of you who have kids currently in the CP give me some guidance as to my choices?

My health benefits person says I should look for insurance from a Florida company, but I'm in Connecticut! Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks for any advice/help you can give me

Mary R.
Merlib
OKW '93

You might ask them if it would make a difference if she enrolled in summer school when she returned. If she is full time this term she should be able to use her "break" during the spring term. With most insurance you are allowed one break a year (summer) and stay covered. She would just be using her break in the spring.

We had the same problem so my DD took 12 credits this summer before she left.

 

[Praise2Him]

I just finished reading this whole thread and there's lots of great information in here!

My DD was accepted for Costuming for Spring 2010 She will be arriving on Jan. 6.

Any other parents out there with Spring 2010 CP kids? Let's get this thread going again!

 

[tiggeraholic]

My daughter was accepted for Spring 2010 as a lifeguard. She has a character audition in Austin on November 4th also. Megan has to be in Orlando January 25th.

 

[merlib]

My daughter was accepted for Spring 2010 as a lifeguard. She has a character audition in Austin on November 4th also. Megan has to be in Orlando January 25th.

My daughter will be doing her checkin on Jan. 25th also! She accepted the role of attractions and is very excited. She and I will be driving to Virginia and then taking Amtrak's Autotrain from there. Her dad is flying down the next day (Saturday) and we'll have the rest of Sat. & Sunday to "play" before she checks in. We will be staying at the BCV since we are DVC'ers.

 

[DisneyWatchMan]

My daughter Emily will be checking in on January 25th also. She will be working in merchandise and is really excited to be going. We will be driving down and will arrive on Sunday the 24th. We will probably stay at the Holiday Inn Sunspree across the street from Vista Way.

 

[Praise2Him]

Wow, it sounds like we should've chosen Jan. 25!

 

[Lindamary123]

My son has been accepted for Spring Advantage and he checks in Feb. 1. We are driving from Baltimore on Sat. and staying 5 nights at BCV; we are DVC as well. He checks in on Monday and we will move him in that day so I guess his Traditions class is Tues. or Wed. I wonder if we will get some park time with him before we go home on Thurs. His pass expired so he won't be able to go to the parks until he gets his ID. My DH and I still have days left on our AP's. We'll see.
I think I am more excited than he is!

Linda

 

[rhw]

What is traditions? I think I read this whole thread, but can't figure this out. thanks.