Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[wilkeliza]

Can the CMs earn good points?

They aren't really good points per say because they don't negate the bad points but any Four Keys Card that they receive from another CM or manager goes on your record as well. That's why it is very important to turn in the copy that goes back to the company.

 

[Wishes Count]

In addition while points will always be visible on your record card after 6 months they don't really count and aren't held against you in terms of promotion or transferring roles.

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[Ziggy]

They aren't really good points per say because they don't negate the bad points but any Four Keys Card that they receive from another CM or manager goes on your record as well. That's why it is very important to turn in the copy that goes back to the company.

This is good to know so they can see that the cast members are good and willing despite a small amount of sickness , I think DD got some kind of reward last week for good work.

 

[Ziggy]

Has anyone volunteered at Give Kids the World? It looks really good

 

[Mahwah]

Hey There!
Our daughter will be arriving August 19th with her car. We suggested to her to park her car and take advantage of using the bus system to and from work. It will save her gas money and also wear and tear on her car. She is arguing with us saying she has heard that she would have to leave hours before her shift to make sure she arrives to work on time. She also told us that the apartments are about 20-30 minutes away from the parks. She says she will "try" the bus system and if it doesn't work then she will drive her car to and from work, but we can see her just telling us this because this is what we want to hear!! Any parents out there that has experience this with their children?

 

[wilkeliza]

Hey There!
Our daughter will be arriving August 19th with her car. We suggested to her to park her car and take advantage of using the bus system to and from work. It will save her gas money and also wear and tear on her car. She is arguing with us saying she has heard that she would have to leave hours before her shift to make sure she arrives to work on time. She also told us that the apartments are about 20-30 minutes away from the parks. She says she will "try" the bus system and if it doesn't work then she will drive her car to and from work, but we can see her just telling us this because this is what we want to hear!! Any parents out there that has experience this with their children?

Just as a heads up when holiday traffic starts those that dive are given no leeway and get points for being late. If you can prove you were late because of the buses breaking down or hitting traffic then many managers will remove the points. This was the case this Christmas season on my Cp. I made a habit of always getting to work early because the bus was my only option and the one time the buses made me 2 hours late I didn't get a point. All my friends who drive that wait and were just as late or arrived closer to be on time all got points.

Even if you drive it is suggested you get to work 30 minutes early.

 

[Mahwah]

Just as a heads up when holiday traffic starts those that dive are given no leeway and get points for being late. If you can prove you were late because of the buses breaking down or hitting traffic then many managers will remove the points. This was the case this Christmas season on my Cp. I made a habit of always getting to work early because the bus was my only option and the one time the buses made me 2 hours late I didn't get a point. All my friends who drive that wait and were just as late or arrived closer to be on time all got points.

Even if you drive it is suggested you get to work 30 minutes early.

But....how far are the apartments to the parks???

 

[stitchlovestink]

But....how far are the apartments to the parks???

They are about 5 miles past DTD...over off of Little LAKE bryan Rd, next to the Prime (I think or it could be Premium) Outlets.

 

[wilkeliza]

But....how far are the apartments to the parks???

Not far at all. Usually took 10-15 mins on a regular day to get there from Chatham.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Not far at all. Usually took 10-15 mins on a regular day to get there from Chatham.

My DD lives in Chatham and works at the Contemp or BLT. I just talked to her...she said there is NO way she could get to MK that fast!! It takes her 25 min on a VERY GOOD day and can take her an hour on a heavy traffic day to get to work. When I have ridden with her it takes us 10 to 15 min just to get back to DTD depending on the # of lights you hit.

 

[Wishes Count]

It's not far distance wise, but it is in a very busy and congested area. If you are trying to go anywhere around 5 pm or when the huge church lets out (which is several days a week) It can easily take you 10 mins to go the 2 miles just out to the main road. Personally I think the buses are unreliable, break down often and have rude drivers. I found it much nicer to just get in my car and go at the end of a 12 hour shift not to fight with other CPs to get on a crowded bus or have to wait for a few because they were full.

Others are right that managers may remove points, but not all will. Also you didn't mention her role, but if she works at one of the resort properties those buses come less frequently and make many stops causing you to often need to leave hours before you work.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Hey There!
Our daughter will be arriving August 19th with her car. We suggested to her to park her car and take advantage of using the bus system to and from work. It will save her gas money and also wear and tear on her car. She is arguing with us saying she has heard that she would have to leave hours before her shift to make sure she arrives to work on time. She also told us that the apartments are about 20-30 minutes away from the parks. She says she will "try" the bus system and if it doesn't work then she will drive her car to and from work, but we can see her just telling us this because this is what we want to hear!! Any parents out there that has experience this with their children?

Okay, I am the parent of a CP. I have spent 38 days this year on disney property (yes I am a disney freak!!) Visiting DD and the like. My take on it is if you are going to let her drive her car there, then let her use it! Don't make her a hostage to the bus service. It doesn't work like the ones for the resort guests do. They don't run as frequently and the like. Some of these kids have to leave two hrs before their shift starts because of the bus schedule just so they'll get to work on time. That's crazy! Esp if she has a car!! And then there's that lovely situation of getting scheduled for what the CMs refer to as a 'clopening' which is where they work the closing shift one day and the opening shift the next. If they have to use the bus system some of those poor CMs barely see 4 hrs of sleep that night! DD has had suitemates that have experienced this multiple times. When DD had a clopening, she was grateful she had her car as she was able to get more sleep as she got home quicker and could leave later in the morning. she had a 5am shift that she could leave at 4:30 For but Those using the bus had to catch the 3:30am bus!! So while it's up to you, I would let her use the car if you're going to let her drive it there. It will make her life SO much easier!!!

 

[BadDad]

My S did his CP in Spring 2011. He was assigned to ESPN WWOS. It was one of the last stops on the bus route. The resorts like MK, DHS, Epcot, DAK arrived first. The H20 parks, ESPN, and hotels arrive later. It took sometimes 45 minutes to get to work by bus.

If he missed the bus, he had to take a taxi $18. to get on time. A tough lesson but he had to learn. But $18 t 1-2 a month was cheaper than gas...

 

[leeg229]

Hey There!
Our daughter will be arriving August 19th with her car. We suggested to her to park her car and take advantage of using the bus system to and from work. It will save her gas money and also wear and tear on her car. She is arguing with us saying she has heard that she would have to leave hours before her shift to make sure she arrives to work on time. She also told us that the apartments are about 20-30 minutes away from the parks. She says she will "try" the bus system and if it doesn't work then she will drive her car to and from work, but we can see her just telling us this because this is what we want to hear!! Any parents out there that has experience this with their children?

Paying for gas in order to avoid the horrid bus system is worth EVERY PENNY. Especially working at MK, the buses tend to be jammed with people who were playing in the parks sitting and you have to stand after working 8+hours. Not to mention you could end up waiting 20 mins for a bus to show up that you may not fit on because there are so many people trying to get on. Many of the bus stops have no shelter so you could also end up getting rained on while waiting. I honestly could not imagine going to work without my car. It saves me so much time over the buses, I don't need to fight for a spot on the bus, and I can offer other people rides home and spare them from the agony from the bus. They joke that I'm creating a "magical moment" for them.

 

[jobro912]

This is all really concerning me. So my son has no license, no car. Checks in August 12 for DCP...apparently his experience is going to be miserable because of transportation? That's what I'm hearing here.

 

[Traveliz]

My daughter did the College Program for two semesters (August-May) and did not have a car at all that entire time. She then went part time, finished school and went full time and for that time she did have a car (she lived at Rosen for two years and drove to work and now we have a condo behind MK).

She worked at Epcot on her college program and honestly although the buses weren't her favorite thing she did not really complain. I know though that she left an hour or more before work (actually I am pretty sure she left for work more than an hour early) to account for any delays.

She now lives probably the same distance from work only coming the opposite direction and leaves over an hour early to get to work as well. There are so many things that can "trip" up the timing...car accidents, marathons (those seem to be her biggest problem), finding a decent parking spot at work, etc.

I do not believe the bus is a make it/break it for the student. If there is a car available then sure take advantage of it; if not don't make it be a huge focus.

She did have friends with cars who drove sometimes and used the bus other times.

Liz

 

[mickey'sbud]

Does anyone know if CPs get a discount with free dining in Sept?

 

[wilkeliza]

Does anyone know if CPs get a discount with free dining in Sept?

If you get free dinning you won't get a room discount. CM discounts can not be combined with public discounts. Usually the CM discount plus the DDP discount are still cheaper than rack rates with free discount.

 

[mickey'sbud]

Thanks one can only dream

 

[Mahwah]

This is all really concerning me. So my son has no license, no car. Checks in August 12 for DCP...apparently his experience is going to be miserable because of transportation? That's what I'm hearing here.

No worries...I have heard many of the college kids do not have their own cars, but must depend on the bus transportation. It might be a pain at times, but he will figure it out. He will have to get into a routine and he will be fine!