Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[Mahwah]

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!!!

Thank you so much!! Well.....I guess she will be driving her car to work then she will not have to worry about dealing with the buses!

 

[Mahwah]

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.

Well...you just convince me that allowing her to drive her car to work would be the right decision! My daughter will thank you!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Well...you just convince me that allowing her to drive her car to work would be the right decision! My daughter will thank you!

Honestly, she will be POPULAR for having her own car! If I were you I would sit down with her and have a good talk about what rules you have regarding the car. Even though DD's car is titled in her name, we paid for it and paid her ins for her so we made it VERY clear she was not to let anyone else drive it under ANY circumstances nor was she to loan it out. And she was to protect her keys like CASH!! We also talked about her driving others around. I wasn't really a big fan of this because if they are in an accident, it does set up the potential for any passenger to sue the driver and You (if it's your car). Too often people see car accidents as a way to 'make some free money'! Later as she developed a best friend friendship, she would take her places with her. They even went to BFF's home for a weekend visit since she only lived about 70 miles away. But within a couple days of arriving, everyone in the suite (except the other girl who had her own car) was pestering DD for rides somewhere (walmart, target, the grocery store, work, etc...) so they didn't have to wait for the bus. I stayed for the first 12 days so I KNOW what I'm talking about...LOL. DD would call me to complain! and better yet the rare ocassion she did help someone out, they didn't even offer her any $$ for gas!!! I guess they figure she gets it for free??!! And it wasn't like she was going there and they were tagging along. One girl needed a ride to a Dr's appt! I told her after that, she needed to give them the number to the local cab company!!

 

[Mahwah]

Honestly, she will be POPULAR for having her own car! If I were you I would sit down with her and have a good talk about what rules you have regarding the car. Even though DD's car is titled in her name, we paid for it and paid her ins for her so we made it VERY clear she was not to let anyone else drive it under ANY circumstances nor was she to loan it out. And she was to protect her keys like CASH!! We also talked about her driving others around. I wasn't really a big fan of this because if they are in an accident, it does set up the potential for any passenger to sue the driver and You (if it's your car). Too often people see car accidents as a way to 'make some free money'! Later as she developed a best friend friendship, she would take her places with her. They even went to BFF's home for a weekend visit since she only lived about 70 miles away. But within a couple days of arriving, everyone in the suite (except the other girl who had her own car) was pestering DD for rides somewhere (walmart, target, the grocery store, work, etc...) so they didn't have to wait for the bus. I stayed for the first 12 days so I KNOW what I'm talking about...LOL. DD would call me to complain! and better yet the rare ocassion she did help someone out, they didn't even offer her any $$ for gas!!! I guess they figure she gets it for free??!! And it wasn't like she was going there and they were tagging along. One girl needed a ride to a Dr's appt! I told her after that, she needed to give them the number to the local cab company!!

Wow....that is the one thing I am concerned about...everyone begging her for rides and not offering any gas money! I will tell her NOT to get into that habit. Once in awhile is ok, but that is it!

 

[wilkeliza]

Wow....that is the one thing I am concerned about...everyone begging her for rides and not offering any gas money! I will tell her NOT to get into that habit. Once in awhile is ok, but that is it!

You can ask for it but at the same time tell her not be a jerk about it. I would offer up gas money when I specifically asked if my friends would take me somewhere (or I bought the Starbucks or cooked them dinner etc) but if they called me and were like hey I'm going to Wal-Mart want to come? I didn't expect to pay because they were already going.

Some people I knew were very particular about their cars, I.e. never taking any one home or to the store, and they were always seen as jerks. Same went for people who demanded gas money that was disproportionate to what was going on. I had someone say I owed them a full tank to be taken 5 minutes to Wal-mart and back 1 time. Needless to say I never rode with that person again because ill deal with the buses or a cab over filling a $45 tank of gas.

 

[Mahwah]

You can ask for it but at the same time tell her not be a jerk about it. I would offer up gas money when I specifically asked if my friends would take me somewhere (or I bought the Starbucks or cooked them dinner etc) but if they called me and were like hey I'm going to Wal-Mart want to come? I didn't expect to pay because they were already going.

Some people I knew were very particular about their cars, I.e. never taking any one home or to the store, and they were always seen as jerks. Same went for people who demanded gas money that was disproportionate to what was going on. I had someone say I owed them a full tank to be taken 5 minutes to Wal-mart and back 1 time. Needless to say I never rode with that person again because ill deal with the buses or a cab over filling a $45 tank of gas.

My daughter wouldn't be a jerk about it! Besides, she hates asking for gas money! I just don't want her to be taken advantage of!

 

[wilkeliza]

My daughter wouldn't be a jerk about it! Besides, she hates asking for gas money! I just don't want her to be taken advantage of!

I don't think she'll be taken advantage of if she sets rules with her suite mates at the beginning. Simply say if you ask for a ride you have to chip in for gas but if I offer you don't. That's all it takes. The people I thought were jerks were ones who weren't up front but then would talk about how we were all awful for not giving enough gas money. I was always up front that I don't know what you expect from me if you don't let me know.

Also I'm sure your daughter wouldn't be a jerk about it. I was just letting you know about experiences of people who were jerks.

 

[stitchlovestink]

My daughter wouldn't be a jerk about it! Besides, she hates asking for gas money! I just don't want her to be taken advantage of!

And there will be at least one who will try!! LOL!!
And she should make it clear upfront if she wants gas $$. You can't put a starbucks drink or cooking someone dinner in your gas tank. I think most of the time $10 is fair, but if they are going someplace a little further then maybe $15. I had an emergency once when I was down there (and needed DD's car to leave property) and DD's suitemate (that had a car) came and piclked me up at my hotel & took me to DD's car. It took her less than 15 miles R/T total I'm certain! I gave her $15. She was thrilled. LOL. She said she would have done it for free since DD did favors for her but I felt it was the right thing to do. Just teach her to say NO politely!

 

[stitchlovestink]

I don't think she'll be taken advantage of if she sets rules with her suite mates at the beginning. Simply say if you ask for a ride you have to chip in for gas but if I offer you don't. That's all it takes. The people I thought were jerks were ones who weren't up front but then would talk about how we were all awful for not giving enough gas money. I was always up front that I don't know what you expect from me if you don't let me know.

Also I'm sure your daughter wouldn't be a jerk about it. I was just letting you know about experiences of people who were jerks.

Sorry I disagree with you on this... if you ask for a ride somewhere...YOU should be footing the gas bill NOT CHIPPING in.
My DD didn't need to go to these places she was asked to take other people to so why should she incur ANY of the cost of the gas she used to take them there???

 

[wilkeliza]

Sorry I disagree with you on this... if you ask for a ride somewhere...YOU should be footing the gas bill NOT CHIPPING in.
My DD didn't need to go to these places she was asked to take other people to so why should she incur ANY of the cost of the gas she used to take them there???

By chip in I mean pay for what you used. I had someone demand I fill up their empty tank after one trip needless to say I never took a ride offered or not from them again. I was happy to give them 5 bucks as it was a ride that was less than 5 minutes and under 10 miles so definitely not even a full gallon of gas. It got around that this particular CP would wait until their car was on empty and then demand you pay to fill it up no matter how short the ride. I know many people just stopped going places with this person or asking them to hang out if driving was involved.
I never said don't ask for money I said be fair and open about what you expect.

 

[stitchlovestink]

By chip in I mean pay for what you used. I had someone demand I fill up their empty tank after one trip needless to say I never took a ride offered or not from them again. I was happy to give them 5 bucks as it was a ride that was less than 5 minutes and under 10 miles so definitely not even a full gallon of gas. It got around that this particular CP would wait until their car was on empty and then demand you pay to fill it up no matter how short the ride. I know many people just stopped going places with this person or asking them to hang out if driving was involved.
I never said don't ask for money I said be fair and open about what you expect.

Well that person is clearly unreasonable, but l still don't think $10 is unfair. Try getting a taxi for that price! Her time is worth something too. She could be doing something else much more productive besides hauling someone else's rearend around. That's why they have cab companies! Like the time DD was asked to take a friend to Walmart for a few things and then sat in the parking lot for AN HOUR while she grabbed those few things!!! DD gave her a 10 minute warning and told her that her return ride was departing in exactly 10 minutes with or without her in the car!! Now that to me is the epitome of selfcenteredness and rudeness! DD did not want to go in because she did not want to spend $ she didn't need to, so she said she'd wait in the car. That was the last ride that girl ever got from DD!!

 

[Wishes Count]

I had a car on both of my programs and each time the majority of my roommates did not. I never felt like I was being constantly asked or used. I never asked for gas money because usually I was going that way anyway. Or because honestly most of the time it wasn't that far of a trip and I didn't care. I also would take people home from my work location because we usually got off work at 2am and the bus came at 2:10. They had to literally run from our location to catch the bus. I guess it depends on the roommates but I found people to be very polite about asking.

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[leeg229]

I don't ask for gas money if I'm going to that particular destination anyway. For example, most nights after work I ask if any of my fellow CPs needs a ride to Chatham/Patterson/Commons because I'm going there anyway and it doesn't cost me any more gas than if I was going alone. If I'm going to walmart I'll mention it to a few of my friends and they are free to come if they want. BUT if you ask me to drive to Clearwater or Lakeland, then I'll ask for gas money. If it's one of my close friends that's asking for a quick trip downtown or something similar I usually just ask them to cook me some corn dogs or other quick warm food and I'm happy.

You do need to be wary about being taken advantage of though. There is one person who constantly asks for rides here there and everywhere and I've just been ignoring her texts. Except for this one person I haven't had any problems with people asking for rides, and everyone is usually very grateful.

 

[jking6]

My DD got home from almost months in the DCP in May. She extended in January when she was supposed to come home. She had 7 roommates the time and 3 the 2nd time. Her roommates never took advantage of her. If she was going to Walmart and they needed something they would go with her. (I liked her having someone with her) she never asked for anything NO Charge. There was few times she drove her roommates to the Airport or picked them up after a quick visit home. They always gave her money. She knew NO one was to drive the car but her and she had no trouble. Most of her roommates shifts varied so it did not happen often anyways.

 

[Kaler131]

My DD has her car down there and it's been GREAT for her! She has had to go to Dr. appointments and it worked out really well for her having her own car to get around.

 

[GADaisy]

Hi,
I am driving with my son in his car to drop him off for his DCP this Sunday! His check-in is on Monday morning. We are staying in a hotel near Disney (haven't booked yet) and I will be flying home Monday.

I've read the Family Guide for the DCP, and as far as I can tell, parents who stay have the opportunity to speak with current cast members and sign up to be on an email list. It doesn't seem like a structured orientation like there would be at a college. Is it critical that I attend? Will I be missing out on something special if I don't stay?

DS lived in an apartment at his college last year. I helped him get it set up, but really it was more for my benefit. He feels confident that he can get settled on his own.

We live in Atlanta and I actually grew up and have family in Winter Park (just north of Orlando), so I KNOW we will be back to visit while he's there. My point is, we will have other opportunities to meet his roommates, see his apt., etc. BUT I am willing to change my plans if someone thinks I shouldn't miss out on this opportunity to take him to check-in. He's a very confident kid who never got homesick his first two years of college. And honestly, he's so excited to begin his DCP, I don't think he'd notice if I were there or not. Lol!

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Hi,
I am driving with my son in his car to drop him off for his DCP this Sunday! His check-in is on Monday morning. We are staying in a hotel near Disney (haven't booked yet) and I will be flying home Monday.

I've read the Family Guide for the DCP, and as far as I can tell, parents who stay have the opportunity to speak with current cast members and sign up to be on an email list. It doesn't seem like a structured orientation like there would be at a college. Is it critical that I attend? Will I be missing out on something special if I don't stay?

DS lived in an apartment at his college last year. I helped him get it set up, but really it was more for my benefit. He feels confident that he can get settled on his own.

We live in Atlanta and I actually grew up and have family in Winter Park (just north of Orlando), so I KNOW we will be back to visit while he's there. My point is, we will have other opportunities to meet his roommates, see his apt., etc. BUT I am willing to change my plans if someone thinks I shouldn't miss out on this opportunity to take him to check-in. He's a very confident kid who never got homesick his first two years of college. And honestly, he's so excited to begin his DCP, I don't think he'd notice if I were there or not. Lol!

Any advice?

Thanks!

I didn't go to check in w/ DD. Honestly at the hour she was lining up for housing!!! There was NO way I was going and standing (not physically able to!!) at that hour and then she went right from there... Many if not most CPer's don't have a 'parent' in tow at sign in. I think if anything the parents are there helping them 'move in'. I met DD's roommate. And then later met one of her other suite mates but that's it. They are (well MY DD was/is 20 while doing her program) adults, not little kids.
It sounds like he feels pretty confident...I wouldn't worry! I think he will do fine, esp since he's been off on his own!! Good Luck to him!

 

[GADaisy]

I didn't go to check in w/ DD. Honestly at the hour she was lining up for housing!!! There was NO way I was going and standing (not physically able to!!) at that hour and then she went right from there... Many if not most CPer's don't have a 'parent' in tow at sign in. I think if anything the parents are there helping them 'move in'. I met DD's roommate. And then later met one of her other suite mates but that's it. They are (well MY DD was/is 20 while doing her program) adults, not little kids.
It sounds like he feels pretty confident...I wouldn't worry! I think he will do fine, esp since he's been off on his own!! Good Luck to him!

Ha ha! I'm not worried about HIM at all! He's 20 and a big boy , I just wanted to know if *I'd be missing out if I left Monday morning.

 

[Ziggy]

Looking for some advice again, hope you don't mind . DD is sharing a flat with another five girls they had a flat inspection the other day and failed it. We were visiting for 12 days at the time and DD was staying with us, the room she shares with another girl passed but the rest of the flat failed. The state of the flat has really been getting DD down, she's no clean freak but it appears the others are a lazy bunch who can't be bothered to tidy up, if DD wants to eat she has to clean some dishes first. When we dropped DD back yesterday as we were going home I saw the flat yesterday and was surprised they didn't have ants or worse given the state of it. DD has been told that there is a further inspection within 72 hours and if the flat is not clean they'll all get fined and that a further inspection will be made with a larger fine or they'll be termed. These girls haven't attempted to clean up. They all go home in 9 days and the four messy ones have booked themselves into a hotel for the final night, I'm worried they'll go and leave DD with all their mess to tidy

 

[carol-lamb]

Ha ha! I'm not worried about HIM at all! He's 20 and a big boy , I just wanted to know if *I'd be missing out if I left Monday morning.

I didn't go with my daughter at check in. I actually didn't see her until early evening that day because she was assigned to a later time to go to casting. She picked me up at my resort and I helped her unpack. I did get to meet her roommates though. Since you have already read the parent booklet, you won't be missing anything other than actually seeing the apartment and his roommates. I probably was only at my daughter's apartment two hours -if even that. I had a late flight out the next day and I didn't even see my daughter that day. She spent the day with her roommates!