Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[carol-lamb]

Would love info on shipping a car -
How much is it?
What company's do this?
Can you pack all the "stuff" in the car?
Is the arrival date "really guarranteed"? Our concern is that it wouldn't arrive on time.
Is it "to your door" service or how would the owner get to the location?
How would the DCPer know what date & time to arrange since they won't know their schedule?

We had my daughter's car shipped from Michigan to Florida. We paid $800. They shipped it in an enclosed truck. Her car arrived a few days before we did so we took a cab from the airport to the shipping company to get the car. They allowed us to pack the car with anything we wanted.

 

[carol-lamb]

Some questions please -
1. Our DGD got Attractions job. We know cast members cannot go to the dining spots in their customes. Where do they eat/drink during their shifts? Are there food places in the Cast Tunnel area?

2. How much resort reservation discount will we get? Does it vary by resort category - value, moderate, etc.? Am I correct to assume she does not have to be staying with us since she will be in a DCP apartment?

3. How much dining discount will we get? Is it only for TS, or QS too. Must she be with us - I assume so. If not, do we have some sort of ID?

4. DDP - Do we get a discount on that with our resort reservation?

5. Park Tickets - do we get a discount on an AP or any other park tickets?

6. How soon after her checkin day does she receive her park pass & visitor passes, & dining/resort discounts?

Cast members can purchase discounted tickets and annual passes at a Company D store.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thank you so much for your responses - such a big help in planning.

Summertime, thanks for your info - we'll pass on the car transport - just drive it down.

The following questions are for trying to plan our time. Please give me your opinions - Is it best to leave the young ones alone after shopping & setting up apartments on 1st day so they can get acquainted, or should we plan dinner together on nights 1 & 2?

How about the 1st day's schedule? Is this about right?
--early a.m. checkin at Vista Way
***Parents taken separately - how long? What do? When join back up?
--to Casting for paperwork - Have parents rejoined by then?
--to Apartment - about what time is this? late afternoon/early evening?
--to shopping for apartment items.

2nd day? - Traditions? Is this early a.m. & all day? Or is there free time?

3rd day? - What happens after 2nd day - more Traditions/training?

Thanks again everyone.

 

[poison ivy]

Thank you so much for your responses - such a big help in planning.

Summertime, thanks for your info - we'll pass on the car transport - just drive it down.

The following questions are for trying to plan our time. Please give me your opinions - Is it best to leave the young ones alone after shopping & setting up apartments on 1st day so they can get acquainted, or should we plan dinner together on nights 1 & 2?

How about the 1st day's schedule? Is this about right?
--early a.m. checkin at Vista Way
***Parents taken separately - how long? What do? When join back up?
--to Casting for paperwork - Have parents rejoined by then?
--to Apartment - about what time is this? late afternoon/early evening?
--to shopping for apartment items.

2nd day? - Traditions? Is this early a.m. & all day? Or is there free time?

3rd day? - What happens after 2nd day - more Traditions/training?

Thanks again everyone.

I did a write up on this in my trip report with photos linked below.
Just follow the Disney College Program segments from the index page.

here's a direct link for info I posted on the week 1 schedule.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51046297&postcount=209

 

[stitchlovestink]

Some questions please -
1. Our DGD got Attractions job. We know cast members cannot go to the dining spots in their customes. Where do they eat/drink during their shifts? Are there food places in the Cast Tunnel area?

2. How much resort reservation discount will we get? Does it vary by resort category - value, moderate, etc.? Am I correct to assume she does not have to be staying with us since she will be in a DCP apartment?

3. How much dining discount will we get? Is it only for TS, or QS too. Must she be with us - I assume so. If not, do we have some sort of ID?

4. DDP - Do we get a discount on that with our resort reservation?

5. Park Tickets - do we get a discount on an AP or any other park tickets?

6. How soon after her checkin day does she receive her park pass & visitor passes, & dining/resort discounts?

2. If she doesn't stay with you she is limited to making 5 reservations for friends and family per year. If she stays with you, it does not count against those 5. The CM discount is available for pretty much every hotel but certain hotels only allow a few rooms and they get taken quickly so it appears that it is not available but that isn't really the case. If she doesn't stay with you , you will get at least 40% off and possibly 50% if they are doing a special. If she stays with you, you will get 50% off and possibly 60%. Last year I got 60% EVERY TRIP. I spent 38 nights on property!

3. Dining discounts are slim to none... She will find them on the Hub.... there will be a handful of less popular TS restaurants that give a modest discount but they automatically bill an 18% gratuity (not optional). And it does NOT matter who pays a FOOD bill but you will only get it when she is with you. In the retail stores, the CM must pay or yes, They can lose their job. NOT true at the restaurants. I paid all the time. All the restaurants we ate at said it was fine. AND I WAS THERE ALOT!!

4. IF you want to do the DDP. HAVE HER STAY WITH YOU!!!! If she books it as a friends and family ressie you'll save something and maybe get it for $47 or $48. But if she stays with you and they are running the CM special (not a guarantee but a got it most of the time) you can get the DDP for probably $23pp. YEAH BIG DIFFERENCE! Sometimes I got it as cheap as $20pp!

5. She can get a discount on park tickets or APs at I believe it is called Company D. It is over in Disney University behind MK. They have somewhat limited hours and she must pay with cash or a credit card with her name. And it's a fairly small discount between 5 and 10%. I can't remember exactly. I did better buying prior to the rate increase.

6. She has to complete Traditions before she can access the parks herself. Apparently they have changed how they access them though. My DD used to use her Blue badge to get in. She got her blue badge at Traditions. She used her blue badge for any CM discounts retail or food. And to check in to the hotel. As soon as she has access to the Hub, she will be able to make resort reservations. There is a special link on there just for that. Count on it taking at least 2 weeks for her to get her guest passes. They get mailed. It could be a bit longer.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Replying to last two entries and answering some of the questions - not all. As for shipping a car - try to get a referral from someone that had a good experience. I called many brokers, but in the end did not end up shipping my DD's car as it was too expensive as it would have been shipped from the Northeast when all the snowbirds were shipping their cars so the price was high. I believe around $800 one way. I was told different things about putting stuff in the car to be shipped - some said it is not allowed and others said as long as you couldn't see it from the windows - and nothing expensive because they would not pay for anything that was stolen. They can't guarantee an exact time so if someone says they can - don't believe them. They do try to give you an "approximate" day/time and if all goes well then all is good. Not door to door - even if they advertise that. They try to get as close to the address as possible, but those big car carriers can't go down smaller roads/parking areas. You have to bring your car to the agreed upon location and they call you and tell you when to bring it there - I think they give you a timeframe once they know it. As for dropping the car off in Florida - they'll call you again and you meet them in the parking lot that is close to the apartments. What you need to think about is that when the kids move in to the apartments, they then have scheduled training etc. and you don't know those times until they move in and I know someone has to be there when the car gets delivered. If you are going to be in Florida for a few days, try to have it scheduled to be delivered before move in day so it's there before you (parents) head home. If your DD/DS can't be with you when the car arrives, then just leave it in the parking lot where it's dropped off (you'd need to be there) and get it when he/she is available later that day. That is the information I received when I did my research. You deal with brokers and then they put your information out to bid and a driver accepts it so you have no clue who these people really are -- that is why getting a referral of a broker that someone had a good experience with would help as it is a bit nerve wracking. As for the next set of questions - I just came back from visiting my DD and I stayed at a moderate and paid $110 a night - she had to make the reservations and there were only a few resorts that I could pick from. Yes - prices vary depending on resort. She does not have to stay with you, but I think the price goes up a bit if she doesn't stay - but who would know that she wasn't sleeping there. My daughter was told that she needed to be there when I checked in, but that was not true. She was working and the front desk didn't care. Your daughter will get the dining discount - and it's 20% before 5:00 pm for TS and nothing for QS at any time. Your daughter needs to pay and show her ID for any discounts. That is true even in the stores - my daughter had to use her credit card to get the 20% off of merchandise. I know after they move in there is a couple of weeks that they get a 40% discount for merchandise. If your daughter is not the one paying - there is no discount. My daughter told me that if I took out my credit card to pay - she could get termed if a manager saw so she used her card for all purchases. After they "earn their ears" they get their discount cards for family/friends to use for getting into the parks, but they 100% need go in the park with you. Two times I put my card on the new entry system at the same time my daughter used hers and was told that I needed to wait until she was done - maybe so the computer knew she was there to? Very strict. They can't even go into the park for free right away. They have to go through training first. No other discounts on any park tickets. I think it's a bit more than a week before they get their passes. Hope that helps a bit.

If your daughter just arrived in January....the reason she was getting a 40% discount was because Disney gives its CMs a 40% discount off of retail purchases from sometime in October until February 13. It is their "Holiday CM discount" and they just give it to them for an extended period of time! It has absolutely nothing to do with her arrival. The kids arriving in January just happen to luck into the benefit of that 40% off when they first arrive.

 

[Summertime]

carol-lamb - any chance you can let us know the name of the broker and driver you used to ship your daughter's car. I called many brokers and never heard about being able pick up the car at the shipping company (and I always asked tons of questions)......that would make it a bit less stressful not having figure out how to meet the driver at a certain time in some parking lot. Asking for the truck drivers name too as I was told that you deal with a broker and they put your information out to bid and any driver can accept it so even using the same broker won't give the same driver and assume that all drivers don't have access to this shipping company that you picked up your car from so names would be a big help! Thanks.

 

[Summertime]

As for check-in day - it is at Vista and everyone's schedule is different. They get a time to arrive for check-in, but many arrive way before their scheduled time anyway. For us anyway - it didn't take very long. Stood in line about 20-25 minutes before check-in opened and then once my daughter got to the building, they had the parents go to an outside area and there was coffee/cookies for us and we all chatted. I don't think I was there for more than 1 1/2 hours before she was done. From there we drove to her apartment and she moved in. My daughter didn't have anything else that day, but some of her roommates did - they scatter days/times for meetings/traditions. After moving in, my daughter and I went to lunch and then went food shopping. All the parents were there helping all the girls move in to the apartment. Oh - we then had to run out and buy some modem thing in order to get better internet service. My experience anyway - one girl stayed with her parents for a few nights after moving in, I picked up my daughter for dinner the next night and did some errands - things she decided to get to decorate a bit (Wal-Mart and Target are pretty close by). I think one other girl was on her own as her parents left and the other met her mom for dinner too - I kind of forget, but parents are around and everyone is different whether they spend time with their parents after moving in. My daughter didn't have Traditions for a few days after moving in - I think like 3. She did have a couple meetings, but nothing big.

 

[Summertime]

stitchlovestink - where did you stay for such a cheap rate? When my daughter called to find out prices for me, she was given three options. One at a value resort, the modest resort where I stayed and then at Saratoga Springs for $250 a night. Tell us more about how to get the super cheap rates you get. Thanks.

 

[BadDad]

stitchlovestink - where did you stay for such a cheap rate? When my daughter called to find out prices for me, she was given three options. One at a value resort, the modest resort where I stayed and then at Saratoga Springs for $250 a night. Tell us more about how to get the super cheap rates you get. Thanks.

Did she book through the Hub?
My moderate CBR is $95 Sun-Thurs $108 Fri-Sat

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Would love info on shipping a car -
How much is it?
What company's do this?
Can you pack all the "stuff" in the car?
Is the arrival date "really guarranteed"? Our concern is that it wouldn't arrive on time.
Is it "to your door" service or how would the owner get to the location?
How would the DCPer know what date & time to arrange since they won't know their schedule?

I haven't arranged anything yet but this is what I have found out so far.

There are several companies that do this. I have been getting quotes for several different companies that I have found on line and researched. Right now, the two front runners are National Car Transport and Road Runner Auto Transport. The quotes have ranged from $575 to $1,200. The $1,200 was a quote for an enclosed trailer. My son's car is a 1998 Nissan. It doesn't need to travel enclosed. This price is going from central Illinois to Orlando. Both of these companies pick up the car at my home and deliver it to the address that I indicate. All the ones I have researched have been door to door. I am sure there are some that deliver it to a designated wharehouse and you have to go and pick it up there.

You can pack stuff in the car but there are limits. The additional weight packed in the car has to be under a certain limit, I think it was 500 pounds. You can not pack anything in the front seat area and can only pack stuff in the back seat area on the floor. Nothing can be up on the back seat.

In regards to the arrival time, I am having the same concern. I am going to call and speak to someone directly regarding pick up and arrival dates. We will be driving him down so I am going to need it picked up the day before we leave and then arrive the day after we get to Orlando. I also need to know if this is guaranteed since I do plan on packing some of his stuff in the car.

I am going to arrange for it to be delivered to me, at our hotel, on his check in day with the hopes of getting that taken care of while he is doing check in and casting. We may be getting down there a day early. If we are, I am going to arrange for it to be dropped off the day before his check in, if I can. Of course, I have to have our hotel reservations made before I do this so that I know where to have it shipped to.

I am going to have his car completely tuned up before hand. I have a mechanic that has worked on my cars for 20 years. I will ask his opinion about driving it down or not before I make my final decision, but I am still leaning towards shipping it down.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

carol-lamb - any chance you can let us know the name of the broker and driver you used to ship your daughter's car. I called many brokers and never heard about being able pick up the car at the shipping company (and I always asked tons of questions)......that would make it a bit less stressful not having figure out how to meet the driver at a certain time in some parking lot. Asking for the truck drivers name too as I was told that you deal with a broker and they put your information out to bid and any driver can accept it so even using the same broker won't give the same driver and assume that all drivers don't have access to this shipping company that you picked up your car from so names would be a big help! Thanks.

carol-lamb - I would like to know as well. All the ones I have been referred to are the 'door to door'. I would like to find on that picks it up and then delivers to a wharehouse that I could go and pick it up at when I get down there. I think that would be so much less stressful because I could have it picked up a little sooner and I think it would increase the chances of it being there when we get down there.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Did she book through the Hub?
My moderate CBR is $95 Sun-Thurs $108 Fri-Sat

Are these all prices you can get before they start or are these after they have started?

Most places around the housing area are charging this for when he will be moving in. If we could get a room at a Disney moderate resort for the same price, I would prefer that.

My wife and I are planning on staying for a few days in case there is anything we need to take care of. Our plans are to help him get moved in on check in day and be available to help with Wal-Mart run if he wants. We will be there for a few more days but it will be up to him how much he wants to spend with us. Our only plans will be to relax around a pool and I wouild much rather do that at a moderate resort.

 

[carol-lamb]

carol-lamb - any chance you can let us know the name of the broker and driver you used to ship your daughter's car. I called many brokers and never heard about being able pick up the car at the shipping company (and I always asked tons of questions)......that would make it a bit less stressful not having figure out how to meet the driver at a certain time in some parking lot. Asking for the truck drivers name too as I was told that you deal with a broker and they put your information out to bid and any driver can accept it so even using the same broker won't give the same driver and assume that all drivers don't have access to this shipping company that you picked up your car from so names would be a big help! Thanks.

We used a company called Reliable Carriers. The car left from Canton, Michigan ( metro Detroit area). I don't know the name of the drivers but it was a Reliable Carrier truck. The morning we dropped it off, there happened to be an enclosed truck that was leaving for Florida so they loaded her car right away. We had called ahead of time to ask about putting stuff in her car and they had no problem. Her car had a bunch of stuff in it - bags of clothes, bedding, tv, feather bed, shoes, etc. Her car actually got there a few days before we did and when we went to get it, they had it in a huge building. It was about a 10-15 minute cab ride from MCO. Everyone at Reliable that I dealt with - at both ends- couldn't have been nicer. BTW - this was in January of 2013.

When we arrived in Orlando,

 

[carol-lamb]

Are these all prices you can get before they start or are these after they have started?

Most places around the housing area are charging this for when he will be moving in. If we could get a room at a Disney moderate resort for the same price, I would prefer that.

My wife and I are planning on staying for a few days in case there is anything we need to take care of. Our plans are to help him get moved in on check in day and be available to help with Wal-Mart run if he wants. We will be there for a few more days but it will be up to him how much he wants to spend with us. Our only plans will be to relax around a pool and I wouild much rather do that at a moderate resort.

I would bet that the prices BadDad gave for CBR are with the cast member discount. Unfortunately your son won't be able to get those discounts until he has completed Traditions. I came down with my daughter and stayed at Pop Century. I knew I would be by myself for the last few days so it was perfect for me. If you want to stay at a moderate, there are some room only deals right now that go through most of August. After my daughter moved in, she spent most of her time with her roommates. I stayed for two days after move in and she had lunch with me at the resort the day after and that was the last time I saw her. I left the next evening.

 

[Summertime]

Double check on the door to door because that really doesn't mean anything. What I was told it means is as close as they can get to the address you give them. I may be wrong, but I don't see any truck pulling into a hotel - it would more likely be a shopping center as close to the hotel as possible. I was also told that you can give them a date but remember you are talking to the broker. The broker then puts the information out for bid and then the trucker that will be in your area accepts it - if it is a price they are willing to do it for. Maybe I'm a bit wrong on this, but I was told that some brokers will tell you what you want to here so you give them the deposit. Ask what they mean by door to door. Ask how close to the day/time you want the car picked up that it will really be picked up and same on the delivery. Ask where they would deliver it. As I understand it - say the truck driver starts in Maine and has accepted four cars to pick up along the way to Florida. As he's driving - he may accept another pick-up that is an hour out of his way in Connecticut and he'll go out of the way for the car because that is $$$ in his pocket. That is why nobody should be able to give you an exact day/time that the car will be delivered. It's probably not at busy now because it's off season for them to have cars shipped to Florida as most are having them shipped away from there now, but ask many questions and even Google to get information on shipping cars. Good Luck.

 

[Summertime]

Thank you for the name of the company --- my daughter is thinking of doing the program again and I will call them, if needed! I love the idea of having the car arrive early and in a storage place until it can be picked up!

 

[Summertime]

I stayed at the Hilton right across the street from Downtown Disney and it was nice being able to walk over there. The cost was less than the Disney moderates. There are a few hotels right there. Check hotels.com. I also liked being there because it was really close to the apartments. Not that the Disney moderates are that much farther down the road.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Thanks for all of the replies. This is all great information.

 

[poison ivy]

We kept going back and forth on where to stay too.
The DTD hotels charge to park and may have other added fees.

we stayed at the Pop and Saratoga (rented pts) last year when our son checked in.
The prices were great and we loved being on property.

We also priced out shipping his truck but it was way too expensive compared to the auto train.

Good luck with everyone's plans.