Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[DCPmom2014]

Yikes! DD just got her email from DORMS that says she is being placed in a triple occupancy room even when we checked that we did not want that option. She is very bummed out but hopeful it will all work out. Anybody else want to share how the bunkbeds are working out? Are there extra dressers and night stands for that third person?

 

[tiggersmyguy]

Yikes! DD just got her email from DORMS that says she is being placed in a triple occupancy room even when we checked that we did not want that option. She is very bummed out but hopeful it will all work out. Anybody else want to share how the bunkbeds are working out? Are there extra dressers and night stands for that third person?

My DD is in Chatham currently. She is doing Spring Advantage until August. They moved the bunk beds into her 2 bedroom a few weeks ago. She is in the smaller of the 2 bedrooms, smaller closet and bathroom. The night stands were removed when the bunks came and the single bed has drawers beneath it. They have not gotten their 5th and 6th roommates yet. They did however get a 2nd refrigerator. That's the upside.

 

[DCPmom2014]

My DD is in Chatham currently. She is doing Spring Advantage until August. They moved the bunk beds into her 2 bedroom a few weeks ago. She is in the smaller of the 2 bedrooms, smaller closet and bathroom. The night stands were removed when the bunks came and the single bed has drawers beneath it. They have not gotten their 5th and 6th roommates yet. They did however get a 2nd refrigerator. That's the upside.

Glad to hear about the two refrigerators. I told my DD to just embrace it and go with it. Guess we were a bit surprised as their was a checkbox on her housing preference form that asked if you wanted to be placed in the value occupancy units (bunkbeds) and she said no. She will be turning 22 in August and was willing to pay the more expensive rate for a 1BR two people. I am thinking because she checked "I'm adventurous - place me with someone" that they took that to mean anything goes! Live and learn! Her move in date is May 19th! Super exciting! Who knows! She may be joining your DD!

 

[BadDad]

My S is doing Spr Adv now. He requested Chatham, Patterson, Commons (1 or 2 bedrooms) and got a 3 bedroom at Vista Way.

Then 3 weeks ago
He and 2 roommates were forced to go to other apts (2 guys were terminated 1 left - 3 remained)
When he arrived at the new apartment in Chatham. There was a sign on his bunkbed "Suck my d---". The current residents were not happy with the bunk bed.

This is his second program (both QSFB) first at ESPN second at the Tragic Kingdom. Loved the first one, hates the second. Now he's BOH and closing.
So, if your kid loves it or hates it. It depends on working and living.

PS: Plz no comments about "toughing it out" everyone's experience is different. His experiences were totally different and his work ethic and personality is the same.

 

[DCPmom2014]

My S is doing Spr Adv now. He requested Chatham, Patterson, Commons (1 or 2 bedrooms) and got a 3 bedroom at Vista Way.

Then 3 weeks ago
He and 2 roommates were forced to go to other apts (2 guys were terminated 1 left - 3 remained)
When he arrived at the new apartment in Chatham. There was a sign on his bunkbed "Suck my d---". The current residents were not happy with the bunk bed.

This is his second program (both QSFB) first at ESPN second at the Tragic Kingdom. Loved the first one, hates the second. Now he's BOH and closing.
So, if your kid loves it or hates it. It depends on working and living.

PS: Plz no comments about "toughing it out" everyone's experience is different. His experiences were totally different and his work ethic and personality is the same.

Thanks for your honesty! Good to know the good, bad and the ugly!! My DD who will turn 22 in August was hoping for a non "dorm like" experience as she is older but I told her just "go with the flow" and see what happens! We were willing to pay the most expensive housing option and she was even asked if she wanted the value/triple occupancy option and she said NO! Why even ask??? Oh well...all part of life's journey!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Thanks for your honesty! Good to know the good, bad and the ugly!! My DD who will turn 22 in August was hoping for a non "dorm like" experience as she is older but I told her just "go with the flow" and see what happens! We were willing to pay the most expensive housing option and she was even asked if she wanted the value/triple occupancy option and she said NO! Why even ask??? Oh well...all part of life's journey!

I can tell you a very ugly story about a horrible manager who picked on CP kids!! But I won't do it on the open boards. You really want to know pm me.

My other big suggestion would be make sure you check your mattress right away!!!! Bed bug outbreaks do happen in these complexs. So do scabies!!

Don't get me wrong!! I think the CP has some wonderful benefits but it is not perfect!

 

[ocalla]

Wanting to make a visit to see DD during Thanksgiving and was curious about the CP discounts on resorts? During that very busy week, how hard is it to get a certain resort? Are there ever any deluxe resorts available? She won't be arriving until August 4th, so I'm not sure how long it will take for her to be able to make the reservations for us.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[mobish]

Wanting to make a visit to see DD during Thanksgiving and was curious about the CP discounts on resorts? During that very busy week, how hard is it to get a certain resort? Are there ever any deluxe resorts available? She won't be arriving until August 4th, so I'm not sure how long it will take for her to be able to make the reservations for us.

Thanks in advance!!!

Difficult time to visit as there won't be many rooms in the CM discount pool of rooms
and most days will be blocked out on their her Main Gate pass.

 

[ocalla]

Mobish: The passes we will have already. I wonder if I will have to split our stay?

I'm just glad they don't block out the week for resort discounts

 

[tiggersmyguy]

Wanting to make a visit to see DD during Thanksgiving and was curious about the CP discounts on resorts? During that very busy week, how hard is it to get a certain resort? Are there ever any deluxe resorts available? She won't be arriving until August 4th, so I'm not sure how long it will take for her to be able to make the reservations for us.

Thanks in advance!!!

We visited for Thanksgiving week a few years ago when my oldest DD did her 1st PI. We were able to stay at Yacht club club level at 60 % off since she stayed in the room with us. We had a 50 % off that she booked when she first arrived in August. However, they offer Holiday discounts later in the fall and she was able to rebook us. It was our best stay ever!

 

[TedMosby]

Wanting to make a visit to see DD during Thanksgiving and was curious about the CP discounts on resorts? During that very busy week, how hard is it to get a certain resort? Are there ever any deluxe resorts available? She won't be arriving until August 4th, so I'm not sure how long it will take for her to be able to make the reservations for us.

Thanks in advance!!!

I did the College Program last fall and had no trouble booking a room for my family, but we stayed at Art of Animation and not a deluxe resort. It probably just depends, honestly. I don't remember Thanksgiving being particularly busy, it's more Christmas/New Years that would be an issue, but even then I also booked a room mid-December with no troubles.

She should be able to book the room as soon as she can access The Hub, which I believe is Traditions day. If not, it's during orientation which is shortly after. I'm not sure if you can book a room for November and then retroactively get the discount, but you can always cancel reservations so it might not be a bad idea to book the room ASAP and then try to get another reservation when the discount activates.

 

[Traveliz]

I don't think you will have any trouble. We have gotten rooms over that time frame before (Christmas too) and we don't book way out (this is CM discount I am talking about). Good luck. Liz

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

We visited for Thanksgiving week a few years ago when my oldest DD did her 1st PI. We were able to stay at Yacht club club level at 60 % off since she stayed in the room with us. We had a 50 % off that she booked when she first arrived in August. However, they offer Holiday discounts later in the fall and she was able to rebook us. It was our best stay ever!

Did your daughter take the week off or did she just come and go to work from hotel? Was just wondering since we are trying to decide about going down. Son's birthday is week of Thanksgiving but we weren't sure that we wanted to be down there that week. Figured he would be working a lot that week.

 

[Traveliz]

Did your daughter take the week off or did she just come and go to work from hotel? Was just wondering since we are trying to decide about going down. Son's birthday is week of Thanksgiving but we weren't sure that we wanted to be down there that week. Figured he would be working a lot that week.

My daughter always just left for work from the hotel (have to cover up the costume or not wear all of it to do that). If you are going down the days before Thanksgiving it won't be as busy as after Thanksgiving. It's hard to tell when they will be working honestly. When my daughter was a CP she actually had off Thanksgiving and the day after off as her regular days off.

Liz

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

My daughter always just left for work from the hotel (have to cover up the costume or not wear all of it to do that). If you are going down the days before Thanksgiving it won't be as busy as after Thanksgiving. It's hard to tell when they will be working honestly. When my daughter was a CP she actually had off Thanksgiving and the day after off as her regular days off.

Liz

We are pretty much not making any firm plans for a trip until he has been down there a while and we see how things are going. But, I am a planner, so I have to get as much information beforehand as I can or my head will explode. Not a pretty sight.

 

[ocalla]

We visited for Thanksgiving week a few years ago when my oldest DD did her 1st PI. We were able to stay at Yacht club club level at 60 % off since she stayed in the room with us. We had a 50 % off that she booked when she first arrived in August. However, they offer Holiday discounts later in the fall and she was able to rebook us. It was our best stay ever!

I love hearing this!!! I told DH to just be happy with what we are able to get! We would BOTH LOVE either BC or YC. It's our favorite place to stay!!

 

[tiggersmyguy]

Did your daughter take the week off or did she just come and go to work from hotel? Was just wondering since we are trying to decide about going down. Son's birthday is week of Thanksgiving but we ren't sure that we wanted to be down there that week. Figured he would be working a lot that week.

It probably depends on what program and area your son is in. My daughter was doing an engineering professional internship, not the cp. She had to work days that week and she did have to work a few hours on Thanksgiving but we had gone down the Friday before Thanksgiving so she was off all weekend. My youngest DD is a current CP and we were just down visiting her for Mothers Day. She was able to take all but 2 days off while we in Orlando.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

It probably depends on what program and area your son is in. My daughter was doing an engineering professional internship, not the cp. She had to work days that week and she did have to work a few hours on Thanksgiving but we had gone down the Friday before Thanksgiving so she was off all weekend. My youngest DD is a current CP and we were just down visiting her for Mothers Day. She was able to take all but 2 days off while we in Orlando.

Thanks for the additional info. I am a planner so it is hard for me to sit back and wait and see. But, that is what I need to do in this instance. I figure once he gets down there and learns more and gets settled in, we can make a more informed decision. Who knows, he may be having so much fun , he might not want us to come down.

 

[DCPmom2014]

Just returned late last night from getting my 21 year old DD settled into her new apartment - 2BR, 6 person at Chatham Square. Definitely WAY MORE roommates than she wanted but hopeful that since they are 21-25 years old, that a certain level of maturity will be displayed by all!

Really looking forward to visiting a few times. Mid October (taking my mom and son) for Halloween celebrations and Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Also going back the week before Christmas. Did some resort hopping yesterday and LOVE the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge. We have always stayed at the Shades of Green due to military discount. Really hope we can try something new!! But saw that the cheapest, normal rates during the holidays are $500 a night at those hotels - even at 50% off, that is WAY more than we are used to spending!

Hoping everyone else checking in for Fall Advantage has an easy time of it!

 

[::Snow_White::]

Just returned late last night from getting my 21 year old DD settled into her new apartment - 2BR, 6 person at Chatham Square. Definitely WAY MORE roommates than she wanted but hopeful that since they are 21-25 years old, that a certain level of maturity will be displayed by all!

Really looking forward to visiting a few times. Mid October (taking my mom and son) for Halloween celebrations and Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Also going back the week before Christmas. Did some resort hopping yesterday and LOVE the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge. We have always stayed at the Shades of Green due to military discount. Really hope we can try something new!! But saw that the cheapest, normal rates during the holidays are $500 a night at those hotels - even at 50% off, that is WAY more than we are used to spending!

Hoping everyone else checking in for Fall Advantage has an easy time of it!

So exciting! I had a 6 person apartment at Patterson even though we only wanted 4 people. We ended up with two wonderful Australian roommates, so hope it turns out well!

My mom visited for our first Food & Wine, and Halloween Party (this was literally the best!), just book your resort asap to get the one you want.

Wanting to make a visit to see DD during Thanksgiving and was curious about the CP discounts on resorts? During that very busy week, how hard is it to get a certain resort? Are there ever any deluxe resorts available? She won't be arriving until August 4th, so I'm not sure how long it will take for her to be able to make the reservations for us.

Thanks in advance!!!

Should not be a problem. My mom visited in October, November, and December. The first two were values and in December before coming home I booked Yacht and Beach Club around September. I'd just book them ASAP, there will be at least some hotels open closer to the time, maybe not the one you specifically wanted.