Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[carol-lamb]

I am wondering if there is a facebook group for parents of students participating in the college program? Thanks in advance!

 

[jmqidoc]

Hi my daughter and myself started a Parents FB for Spring/Advantage 2013.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430218563680184/

 

[carol-lamb]

Hi my daughter and myself started a Parents FB for Spring/Advantage 2013.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430218563680184/

Thanks for replying. I went ahead and requested to join the group. My daughter reports on January 29th for the Spring College Program. Her role will be attractions.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

My daughter just finished her Fall 2012 CP stay and is extending until May 2013. Her experience was wonderful and I thought I would just post a little about her experience. She ended up working attractions at Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safari. She really liked the people she worked with but the attraction itself was high stress sometimes because I guess a lot of people get removed or fired for safety violations while driving the trucks. However, she managed to make it through without any safety violations and really liked all of her managers. The only part she didn't like were rude guests. I can't believe some of the things people say to the cm's. She actually had someone tell her on Christmas day that she ruined their kid's Christmas because she wouldn't let them in the FP line when they didn't have a FP and told her if she refused, they were going to call a manager and "get her in trouble"! Luckily her manager was right there and overheard everything.

She had a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson with 5 other roommates. Amazingly, they all got along really well and no one left early. She has had such a great experience, she wants to stay. She is actually considering living there permanently after she is done with the cp program. She wants to establish residency and then finish college in Florida. I guess we will see if that changes in May. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[DianeV]

I'm curious about something as I have seen others extend too. Does that mean no college for a year basically? I just wonder about it being a 'college' program but some kids end up not going for a whole year (unless they are doing some online classes)

I assume they will add extra credits along the way or graduate a little late?

My daughter just finished her Fall 2012 CP stay and is extending until May 2013. Her experience was wonderful and I thought I would just post a little about her experience. She ended up working attractions at Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safari. She really liked the people she worked with but the attraction itself was high stress sometimes because I guess a lot of people get removed or fired for safety violations while driving the trucks. However, she managed to make it through without any safety violations and really liked all of her managers. The only part she didn't like were rude guests. I can't believe some of the things people say to the cm's. She actually had someone tell her on Christmas day that she ruined their kid's Christmas because she wouldn't let them in the FP line when they didn't have a FP and told her if she refused, they were going to call a manager and "get her in trouble"! Luckily her manager was right there and overheard everything.

She had a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson with 5 other roommates. Amazingly, they all got along really well and no one left early. She has had such a great experience, she wants to stay. She is actually considering living there permanently after she is done with the cp program. She wants to establish residency and then finish college in Florida. I guess we will see if that changes in May. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I'm curious about something as I have seen others extend too. Does that mean no college for a year basically? I just wonder about it being a 'college' program but some kids end up not going for a whole year (unless they are doing some online classes)

I assume they will add extra credits along the way or graduate a little late?

I believe most kids who extend just end up taking the year off and graduate a year later. In her case, she took an online class this fall and could again through the spring but she is going to take a break because she wants to establish residency in Florida and transfer to a college there. She wants to be a zoologist and they have a great program in Gainsville I believe that she wants to attend but it's not affordable if she is not a resident. If she continues going to school here, she won't be able to establish residency. Her plan right now is to continue in the cp for now, then in May try and work PT or FT for Disney or wherever she can find a job until she can establish residency. I believe she will have to work at least a year, not in the cp before she can establish it. After she does, she will attend school and work PT. She has always wanted to live in Florida and her boyfriend is there with her so my guess is once she graduates, her and her boyfriend will get married and stay there.

 

[AnnaS]

My daughter just finished her Fall 2012 CP stay and is extending until May 2013. Her experience was wonderful and I thought I would just post a little about her experience. She ended up working attractions at Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safari. She really liked the people she worked with but the attraction itself was high stress sometimes because I guess a lot of people get removed or fired for safety violations while driving the trucks. However, she managed to make it through without any safety violations and really liked all of her managers. The only part she didn't like were rude guests. I can't believe some of the things people say to the cm's. She actually had someone tell her on Christmas day that she ruined their kid's Christmas because she wouldn't let them in the FP line when they didn't have a FP and told her if she refused, they were going to call a manager and "get her in trouble"! Luckily her manager was right there and overheard everything.

She had a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson with 5 other roommates. Amazingly, they all got along really well and no one left early. She has had such a great experience, she wants to stay. She is actually considering living there permanently after she is done with the cp program. She wants to establish residency and then finish college in Florida. I guess we will see if that changes in May. Let me know if you have any questions!

I am happy to read that your daughter had a great experience. I hope my dd does too since she is so looking forward to this. I also hope none of the kids get sent home because of anyone else's action - from I read. I hope they are not homesick and everyone has a great experience because not all the stories I hear are rosy.

We leave soon to drive her down!!!

Some people on the fb list are asking if someone does not have a car, where do the "kids" leave their luggage while checking in? Does anyone know. TIA.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am happy to read that your daughter had a great experience. I hope my dd does too since she is so looking forward to this. I also hope none of the kids get sent home because of anyone else's action - from I read. I hope they are not homesick and everyone has a great experience because not all the stories I hear are rosy.

We leave soon to drive her down!!!

Some people on the fb list are asking if someone does not have a car, where do the "kids" leave their luggage while checking in? Does anyone know. TIA.

Most of the issues at AK, and the safari ride in particular, are driver issues. They all know the rules. The rules are in place for a reason...guest safety. I know of one very good CM that got moved from that job because she 'broke' the rules, but she felt that her guests' safety was more important than the 'rule'. But, she was removed from that job and placed elsewhere.
I also have heard horror stories from CMs about guest behavior. It is just mind boggling what guests will say and do. My dd is looking forward to doing the CP right after she graduates...at least she has been going to WDW since she was 5, and knows a lot of CMs (gotta love the social networking sites!!), so she knows full well what guests try to get away with.

Dd has wanted to do the CP for years...has looked forward to going to college so she can add that. But, we won't let her do it until she is a senior!! If they ever offered her a job after completion of her stint, there is no way she would go back to school!!! So, she will apply in her senior year, and be ready to go right after graduation!!! Then, if she wants to, she can stay down there and work.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Most of the issues at AK, and the safari ride in particular, are driver issues. They all know the rules. The rules are in place for a reason...guest safety. I know of one very good CM that got moved from that job because she 'broke' the rules, but she felt that her guests' safety was more important than the 'rule'. But, she was removed from that job and placed elsewhere.
I also have heard horror stories from CMs about guest behavior. It is just mind boggling what guests will say and do. My dd is looking forward to doing the CP right after she graduates...at least she has been going to WDW since she was 5, and knows a lot of CMs (gotta love the social networking sites!!), so she knows full well what guests try to get away with.

Dd has wanted to do the CP for years...has looked forward to going to college so she can add that. But, we won't let her do it until she is a senior!! If they ever offered her a job after completion of her stint, there is no way she would go back to school!!! So, she will apply in her senior year, and be ready to go right after graduation!!! Then, if she wants to, she can stay down there and work.

You are correct about about most cm's losing their job or being transferred on the Safari due to driver issues. I know my DD said there are so many rules and it was hard to drive that big truck and get it perfectly lined up at the dock. My DD extended but asked to be transferred because she always felt nervous that she would do something wrong. She just found out she will be working right next door driving the train to the Pagani Forest. I would guess it is just as safety conscious as her first job but she thinks she was placed there because she didn't receive any safety violations.

I don't know about where they can keep the luggage. I would assume they have a place somewhere where they check in. We rented a car so I am not sure.

 

[Wishes Count]

Some people on the fb list are asking if someone does not have a car, where do the "kids" leave their luggage while checking in? Does anyone know. TIA.

If I remember correctly there is a large tent where you can leave your luggage while you wait in line to check in.

 

[AnnaS]

If I remember correctly there is a large tent where you can leave your luggage while you wait in line to check in.

Thank you - will pass the info. on.

 

[Andtototoo]

.

 

[AnnaS]

The kids my dd knew who were termed were for largely preventable reasons:

1. Showing up late repeatedly.
2. Showing up hungover and therefore not being "perky" enough.
3. Working in food service and eating the food (stealing).
4. Having alcohol in the wellness apartments.
5. Being on the "party bus" when the driver called Disney and complained about the behavior of the CPers on the bus. The head of the CP came out and fired everyone who was on the party bus. No exceptions. If you were on the bus and not drunk and not causing trouble, it was too bad so sad. So.. do not go on the party bus.
6. Not being able to handle the job. My dd worked with one girl who had been transferred from a job in Attractions to Custodial and for whatever reason, couldn't handle the work. She was terminated.
7/. Underage drinking.

I will say that the girls got away with underage drinking more than the boys because the security team was comprised largely of men. So my dd's roommate who was a very cute girl and who was caught coming home drunk as a skunk several times was never termed because security never reported her.

Thank you. Will pass this info. on to her.

 

[miss missy]

Hi all!!

Sub'in to this thread... my DD is doing the Spring/adv CP we are heading down for a week of Disney alone... then she checks in on Feb 4th

Now to read read read about this some more

 

[miss missy]

Hi my daughter and myself started a Parents FB for Spring/Advantage 2013.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430218563680184/

I requested to join this FB group DD starts Feb 4th.

 

[AnnaS]

Curious what the last check-in date is for this term.

 

[madge]

Curious what the last check-in date is for this term.

I think it's early February - 4th or 5th, maybe? DS is January 28, and I know he isn't the last group, but he's close.

 

[AnnaS]

I think it's early February - 4th or 5th, maybe? DS is January 28, and I know he isn't the last group, but he's close.

Thank you.

 

[Dizbabe]

My daughter just finished her Fall 2012 CP stay and is extending until May 2013. Her experience was wonderful and I thought I would just post a little about her experience. She ended up working attractions at Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safari. She really liked the people she worked with but the attraction itself was high stress sometimes because I guess a lot of people get removed or fired for safety violations while driving the trucks. However, she managed to make it through without any safety violations and really liked all of her managers. The only part she didn't like were rude guests. I can't believe some of the things people say to the cm's. She actually had someone tell her on Christmas day that she ruined their kid's Christmas because she wouldn't let them in the FP line when they didn't have a FP and told her if she refused, they were going to call a manager and "get her in trouble"! Luckily her manager was right there and overheard everything.

She had a 3 bedroom apartment in Patterson with 5 other roommates. Amazingly, they all got along really well and no one left early. She has had such a great experience, she wants to stay. She is actually considering living there permanently after she is done with the cp program. She wants to establish residency and then finish college in Florida. I guess we will see if that changes in May. Let me know if you have any questions!

Wow - I couldn't help but comment here - my DD was also a CP during the fall of 12. She also lived in the Patterson Apts. and she also worked at Disney's Animal Kingdom at the Kilimanjaro Safari. She loved being there and really enjoyed being a CP! I am sure our DD's would know each other working at the same attraction! So glad your DD had such a wonderful experience that she is staying! My DD had a tough decision to make but she signed a contract to go back and work this coming summer! We will see what happens! I hope all will go well with your daughter this semester as well!

 

[miss missy]

I think it's early February - 4th or 5th, maybe? DS is January 28, and I know he isn't the last group, but he's close.

My DD checks in Monday Feb 4th. I believe that is the last day.