Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[graygables]

She says asking for time off has to be done months in advance. I can't believe this is so, since she wouldn't be getting paid for it. It would be basically her regular two days off plus three or four days.

What's the procedure for asking for time off? She seems to think that decisions are made in a very arbitrary way; I think that even if her immediate managers are sticklers for procedure, there must be someone at a high management position who she could appeal to.

Any suggestions?

She does have to put in for it on the Hub. It's not as arbitrary as it seems. There are usually a limited number of vacation "slots" open for each day and location and once those are taken, the time off is denied (which is why putting in as soon as you know is best). Also, if it is expected to be a busy time, there may not be any availability for vacation. If it comes back denied, as the PP said, it's her responsibility to find someone to take the shifts from her, but she won't know what those are until a week or so out, so she needs to be finding seasonal people or part timers who can use the extra hours and would be willing to help her out. Last resort, she can ask her managers for ADOs (approved days off), but some areas, by rule, don't grant them.

 

[mickmom728]

So if they want to ask for days off should they do it under "vacation days" or "personal days"? My DS just put in for some days in Oct. and Dec. when he will have visitors and he wasn't sure if they were actually vacation days?

 

[Joanna71985]

So if they want to ask for days off should they do it under "vacation days" or "personal days"? My DS just put in for some days in Oct. and Dec. when he will have visitors and he wasn't sure if they were actually vacation days?

It doesn't really matter which one (as CPs don't get vacation or personal days), so either should be fine. When I put in for days off on the CP, I put down days off without pay

 

[Blueline]

It doesn't really matter which one (as CPs don't get vacation or personal days), so either should be fine. When I put in for days off on the CP, I put down days off without pay

yup they dont pay you to take off lol.

 

[1955girl]

My daughter is planning on applying for 2011 spring. She would like to know more about the costuming role. Does anyone have any info on this role? Any words of advice would be great! Thanks

DD worked as a CP in costuming and is now there as a full time coordinator! She worked at MK during her CP, but is now at the Studios. The previous poster is correct, there is a lot of heavy lifting, running around, getting in harnesses and going up on floats.... that's if you work parades. The hours can be crazy and you are outside a lot! But you get a view of WDW that most people NEVER see! And yes, you do have to do laundry. Costumers are a dedicated bunch of VERY hard workers that often don't get much recognition for all the work they do, but they are a crucial part of making the magic!
PM if you want more info!

 

[kt-scarlett]

He's actually referring to the Cast Member discount on Disney Vacation Club memberships, which as a courtesy is extended to the parents of Disney Internship Programs Participants.

It's actually a pretty nice discount - currently 20% off as of the time of this post. And you can continue to receive discounted hotel rooms even if your child does not remain with The Walt Disney Company and Affiliated Companies after their program ends.

Hi! My DD is a CPer and I had hoped to buy a small add-on to my DVC contract while she is there this fall. However, according to my guide, the CM discount (15%) can only be used towards purchases in 'new' properties such as Bay Lake Tower, Grand Californian, Aulani (sp?), and Animal Kingdom Lodge. I want to add on at Wilderness Lodge so no CM discount for me! Oh well.

Just thought I would give a heads up on this six month old topic. Have a great day.

 

[westjones]

I am sorry, I am sure this information is someone but I was hoping someone could answer my question here. My DD wants to go this program in a couple of years (after her first year of college is complete), and I was wondering:

1. Do they earn enough money to pay their expenses there, or is there a "cost" to parents for them to be in it?

2. Do they actually earn some college credits while there? Or is it a complete semester (or two ) off from college?

Thanks!

 

[Berlioz70]

I am sorry, I am sure this information is someone but I was hoping someone could answer my question here. My DD wants to go this program in a couple of years (after her first year of college is complete), and I was wondering:

1. Do they earn enough money to pay their expenses there, or is there a "cost" to parents for them to be in it?

2. Do they actually earn some college credits while there? Or is it a complete semester (or two ) off from college?

Thanks!

1 - Depends on the person. I made enough to self sustain, but I did not really go out, do a lot of social events, and I always purchased cheap groceries.

2 - Depends on the college. I did not. But there is an option to earn credits if the institution supports the program and your DD starts talking to her adviser now to set up those requirements. Some will take on-line classes, others earn internship credit, those are just a couple of options.

 

[westjones]

1 - Depends on the person. I made enough to self sustain, but I did not really go out, do a lot of social events, and I always purchased cheap groceries.

2 - Depends on the college. I did not. But there is an option to earn credits if the institution supports the program and your DD starts talking to her adviser now to set up those requirements. Some will take on-line classes, others earn internship credit, those are just a couple of options.

Thanks that helps a lot.

 

[Itinkso]

I am sorry, I am sure this information is someone but I was hoping someone could answer my question here. My DD wants to go this program in a couple of years (after her first year of college is complete), and I was wondering:

1. Do they earn enough money to pay their expenses there, or is there a "cost" to parents...

Thanks!

DD is in the program right now and she nets between $150 - 200 per week after her Vista Way rent is taken out. She is in Entertainment and does receive some overtime on a weekly basis. Her car is still at home as she graduated from college in June and had to check-in two days later...so, she doesn't have to pay for gas and we did cover the registration costs for her when they came due. Other than that, we haven't had to send any money to her; she paid for her textbook for her HR class.

 

[westjones]

DD is in the program right now and she nets between $150 - 200 per week after her Vista Way rent is taken out. She is in Entertainment and does receive some overtime on a weekly basis. Her car is still at home as she graduated from college in June and had to check-in two days later...so, she doesn't have to pay for gas and we did cover the registration costs for her when they came due. Other than that, we haven't had to send any money to her; she paid for her textbook for her HR class.

Wait! So is this something they can do AFTER they complete college? I thought it was done during college but before graduation. That would be nice.

So if your daughter working on Graduate level courses there? Or more undergraduate classes?

And thanks, it is nice to know that for 1. they don't have to have a car and 2. they can actually do this without costing us more money.

 

[Joanna71985]

Wait! So is this something they can do AFTER they complete college? I thought it was done during college but before graduation. That would be nice.

So if your daughter working on Graduate level courses there? Or more undergraduate classes?

And thanks, it is nice to know that for 1. they don't have to have a car and 2. they can actually do this without costing us more money.

As long as you apply when you are still in school, you can do the CP after you graduate. That's what I did for my last CP

 

[Itinkso]

Wait! So is this something they can do AFTER they complete college? I thought it was done during college but before graduation. That would be nice.

So if your daughter working on Graduate level courses there? Or more undergraduate classes?

And thanks, it is nice to know that for 1. they don't have to have a car and 2. they can actually do this without costing us more money.

The courses aren't considered graduate level and she won't be using them for an post-grad degree. She wanted to take classes because they were available and will help her decide what she wants to do after her CP.

We have offered to ship her car to her but she has continually told us she does not need it for her CP. If she were to get accepted for a Professional Internship then we'll have to get her car to her. The CP interns have the best arrangements: housing, shuttles and extra activities.

 

[beautygirlsmom]

My daughter is also ending up with anywhere from $150 - $200 weekly after her rent is taken out. We send her $100 a month for gas for her car (she drives a little car), so her only real expenses are entertainment. She spends most of her time in the parks, which doesn't cost anything, and she might buy a bit of lunch or something, but she's managed to sock away more than $3000 since she started in May.

She is a UCF student, and she is taking online courses while she's at Disney, so she's gotten full credit for everything she's taken so far (two summer classes).

 

[DZMike]

My daughter is also ending up with anywhere from $150 - $200 weekly after her rent is taken out. We send her $100 a month for gas for her car (she drives a little car), so her only real expenses are entertainment. She spends most of her time in the parks, which doesn't cost anything, and she might buy a bit of lunch or something, but she's managed to sock away more than $3000 since she started in May.

WOW! She is doing great. My two DS were accepted for Spring Advantage. One is 21 and theother 18 so they probably won't be living together. Based on your post, I take it your daughter does not eat. That appears to be the biggest expense for a CP.
Mike

 

[beautygirlsmom]

LOL - well, she doesn't eat as much as if one of the mother girls were there! LOL But she is quite frugal when it comes to shopping - she shops mostly at WalMart for her groceries, and her grandparents live about an hour away, and they take her shopping once a week or every other week, so she really only buys food, and her grandparents buy toiletries and paper goods.

They also don't have a ton of storage, since in her unit there are 5 other girls, so she can't do bulk shopping on anything. She moved there from a 3 bedroom, 3 girl apartment on campus, so she's pared down on things that she buys each week just based on space.

 

[beautygirlsmom]

LOL - well, she doesn't eat as much as if one of the mother girls were there! LOL But she is quite frugal when it comes to shopping - she shops mostly at WalMart for her groceries, and her grandparents live about an hour away, and they take her shopping once a week or every other week, so she really only buys food, and her grandparents buy toiletries and paper goods.

They also don't have a ton of storage, since in her unit there are 5 other girls, so she can't do bulk shopping on anything. She moved there from a 3 bedroom, 3 girl apartment on campus, so she's pared down on things that she buys each week just based on space.

 

[Praise2Him]

LOL, she's probably not a big shopper for other stuff either. My DD did the CP last spring and I think she probably broke even...due to that darn CM discount! LOL Unfortunately she loves clothes, shoes, purses, etc. and those purchases add up quickly!

 

[kt-scarlett]

DD is in the CP right now and I wondered if anyone has had any experience or advice on ordering groceries to be delivered to the apartments? We've used a couple of these services when staying at WDW and I wondered if any of the CPers use them as well? I realize there is a delivery fee but with the hours DD is working, and the fact she has no car, it's been very difficult to keep healthy (OR ANY) food in the apartment.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Itinkso]

I sent a couple of cases of water from Costco and the delivery person actually carried the water up two flights of stairs; fortunately my DD happened to be home to accept the delivery. The only problem with grocery delivery is that someone would have to be home at the apartment to accept the delivery as there isn't any place for items to be refrigerated.