Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[DCPmom2014]

Well, my DD has survived her first week in the DCP. She had her first day "on the job" at Pizza Planet and said it was "long". She is exhausted as many are so I am sure me pestering about checking the hub for resort reservations is not helping. She said she is too busy and exhausted to even think about that.

Does anyone know if parents can look into these things given our kids crazy work schedules? If I call the resort, will they be able to tell me if there is a cast member discount available? My son and his grandma want to visit her on July 6th and 7th. They would like to stay someplace close to Disney Studios so in case our DD is working she wouldn't have far to travel. We also want to stay a week from December 20-27 at the Wilderness Lodge. Is it too early to look into that?

Any way, I guess I have to be patient and eventually she will check out the hub!!

 

[ejcraft]

Well, my DD has survived her first week in the DCP. She had her first day "on the job" at Pizza Planet and said it was "long". She is exhausted as many are so I am sure me pestering about checking the hub for resort reservations is not helping. She said she is too busy and exhausted to even think about that.

Does anyone know if parents can look into these things given our kids crazy work schedules? If I call the resort, will they be able to tell me if there is a cast member discount available? My son and his grandma want to visit her on July 6th and 7th. They would like to stay someplace close to Disney Studios so in case our DD is working she wouldn't have far to travel. We also want to stay a week from December 20-27 at the Wilderness Lodge. Is it too early to look into that?

Any way, I guess I have to be patient and eventually she will check out the hub!!

just have your daughter give you her sign in to the hub, that was how I did it last yr

 

[jenniy122]

just have your daughter give you her sign in to the hub, that was how I did it last yr

good way to get termed. i wouldn't suggest it.

 

[BadDad]

good way to get termed. i wouldn't suggest it.

True. The Hub is only for cast members.

I had to give my CP my credit card info over the phone.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Our DGD had Traditions on Friday. Instructions re: Hub access was that it can only be accessed via the puters in the dorms' computer room, not on individual puters. She got a lot of info & could be mistaken, but this is what she understood.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Gdaughter checked in on Monday 5/19 - 8am - Fall Advantage. She planned to checkin, then NOT ride the bus to Casting & instead drive to apartment & claim a non-top bunk bed & then drive to Casting. Best plans & all of that - riding the bus to Casting was mandatory. DH, I, & DD (DGD's mother) went with her to checkin - including waiting during the Casting trip she took. We were there 3 hours - no food provided, but there was a pay for food truck. I don't drink coffee so I don't remember if free coffee was provided. We enjoyed chatting with the other parents, families, & friends. The weather was good that day - not too Florida hot. Shade was provided. A tour of a "model" Vista Way apartment was given, but we declinied since she had already texted us that she got Chatham.

Upon her return from Casting to Vista Way, we drove to her Chatham 2 bedroom (her first choice) apartment. Only beds left were the 2 top bunks & 1 lower bunk - she was thrilled to grab the lower bunk bed!

She likes her roommates & is thrilled that everyone there leaves the thermostat at 72 degrees (lowest it will go!). She didn't take a lot of clothes & stuff, so she has enough space for everything. She went to Walmart & bought a floor fan & a few other things. Also bought a small & cheap computer table - fits in the empty space in the living room behind the couch - she brought her desktop, laptop, tablet, & smart phone (desktop because she is a "gamer", but I don't think she will have much time for that!). She's not into TV, but her bedroom-roommate brought one. She brought her coffee pot from home - don't know how many others were added to the kitchen!

We emptied her car into her apartment space & then went to lunch, with Walmart trip afterwards. Back to the apartment with the Walmart treasures. Enjoyed meeting the roommates & their families.

Oops - Edit - Had drug testing on Tuesday. Didn't take long so we enjoyed family time.

Had Welcome Session on Wednesday - took about 2 hours. Covered dorm & apartment complex rules & info.

Thursday free.

Traditions on Fri. 2pm - lasted will 9pm. Included a "10 minute power walk thru MK in the 95 degree heat!" - her words! She loved seeing the "corridors". Discovered no fridge provided for cast members sack lunches. She plans to take something not requiring refrigeration & then check out the cafeteria food & time required. She discovered that her job will be in MK Tomorrowland, but not which attraction(s).

Sat & Sun free. Her Mom left on Wed. to go back to work & we left on Sun.

She has 2 or 3 "Orientations" (is that key word for training?) this week. Haven't talked with her yet about these.

Her BIG concern now is hoping to get an inside job. She's really worried about making it thru the summer heat without getting sick, because she definitely plans to stay, hopes to extend if can't get into the Professional Intern Program.

She is excited about this adventure & we are excited for her.

 

[carol-lamb]

True. The Hub is only for cast members.

I had to give my CP my credit card info over the phone.

No way would I as a parent go on the Hub. I would never take the chance, especially with what seems to be Disney's zero tolerance policy. I always give my daughter my credit card number too and she makes the reservation.

 

[carol-lamb]

Our DGD had Traditions on Friday. Instructions re: Hub access was that it can only be accessed via the puters in the dorms' computer room, not on individual puters. She got a lot of info & could be mistaken, but this is what she understood.

I don't think so. You don't even have to live in Disney housing when you are in the College Program and you have to be able to access the Hub.

 

[Mitch_in_GA]

Our son reported on the 19th as well. He arrived right at 8:00 (his assigned window was 8-9). He was immediately directed over to another section of the Vista Way complex while we mingled with other parents and grandparents. There was complimentary coffee, and a station where you could write your participant a special wish to be delivered to them a few days later. By 9:00 he was on the bus to casting. We then took the opportunity to head to Wal-Mart (a quick and easy trip). At 10:45 he texted saying that he was on a bus back to Vista Way. He's a lifeguard and was assigned to the All Star resorts for now. I guess by 11:45 we were moving him into a two-bedroom, six person apartment at Chatham. I tell you what, he was one excited 18-year-old. In fact, he's still walking on air. Last Friday, he texted that he wakes up early every morning and tries to go back to sleep but can't "because I'm too excited to be down here". We left on Tuesday morning, but so far so good with his roommates. One is really big on Facebook and that's been a great way for us to stay somewhat up-to-date. Traditions for him was also on Friday afternoon. I haven't yet asked about the hub or the MK tour -- I need to do that. This week he's been in training, and says it's a lot more rigorous that the Red Cross certification he obtained when he was 16. He's been at MK twice, and raved about the new Mine Train coaster. Obviously, he's eager to start work and to begin receiving a full paycheck. I've told him that at some point there will be some grueling stretches of long hot days, and to remember that fall and winter are incredible times to be at Disney. His first class doesn't start for another week or two, so for now it's just getting acclimated to everything. One last thing - if anyone needs a suggestion on where to stay when dropping off their son or daughter, we loved the Hilton Grand Vacation Suites on International Drive. It basically sits directly between (and within easy walking distance of) an upscale outlet mall, some good restaurants, a Publix supermarket, and Chatham/Patterson apartments (though there isn't direct access to the apartments). Without the availability of CP discounts, we decided to forego the parks and just spend a few days by the pool with our son. For once Dad made a good choice.

 

[DCPmom2014]

Gdaughter checked in on Monday 5/19 - 8am - Fall Advantage. She planned to checkin, then NOT ride the bus to Casting & instead drive to apartment & claim a non-top bunk bed & then drive to Casting. Best plans & all of that - riding the bus to Casting was mandatory. DH, I, & DD (DGD's mother) went with her to checkin - including waiting during the Casting trip she took. We were there 3 hours - no food provided, but there was a pay for food truck. I don't drink coffee so I don't remember if free coffee was provided. We enjoyed chatting with the other parents, families, & friends. The weather was good that day - not too Florida hot. Shade was provided. A tour of a "model" Vista Way apartment was given, but we declinied since she had already texted us that she got Chatham.

Upon her return from Casting to Vista Way, we drove to her Chatham 2 bedroom (her first choice) apartment. Only beds left were the 2 top bunks & 1 lower bunk - she was thrilled to grab the lower bunk bed!

She likes her roommates & is thrilled that everyone there leaves the thermostat at 72 degrees (lowest it will go!). She didn't take a lot of clothes & stuff, so she has enough space for everything. She went to Walmart & bought a floor fan & a few other things. Also bought a small & cheap computer table - fits in the empty space in the living room behind the couch - she brought her desktop, laptop, tablet, & smart phone (desktop because she is a "gamer", but I don't think she will have much time for that!). She's not into TV, but her bedroom-roommate brought one. She brought her coffee pot from home - don't know how many others were added to the kitchen!

We emptied her car into her apartment space & then went to lunch, with Walmart trip afterwards. Back to the apartment with the Walmart treasures. Enjoyed meeting the roommates & their families.

Oops - Edit - Had drug testing on Tuesday. Didn't take long so we enjoyed family time.

Had Welcome Session on Wednesday - took about 2 hours. Covered dorm & apartment complex rules & info.

Thursday free.

Traditions on Fri. 2pm - lasted will 9pm. Included a "10 minute power walk thru MK in the 95 degree heat!" - her words! She loved seeing the "corridors". Discovered no fridge provided for cast members sack lunches. She plans to take something not requiring refrigeration & then check out the cafeteria food & time required. She discovered that her job will be in MK Tomorrowland, but not which attraction(s).

Sat & Sun free. Her Mom left on Wed. to go back to work & we left on Sun.

She has 2 or 3 "Orientations" (is that key word for training?) this week. Haven't talked with her yet about these.

Her BIG concern now is hoping to get an inside job. She's really worried about making it thru the summer heat without getting sick, because she definitely plans to stay, hopes to extend if can't get into the Professional Intern Program.

She is excited about this adventure & we are excited for her.

Hey there! I wonder if your DGD is my DD's roommate! She is also in 2 BR at Chatham - 6 total! My daughter is Katie from Ohio. I know that she has a roommate from Indiana! I remember a girl saying she was planning to buy a small desk! I was there along with her grandparents (who live two hours away in Venice FL and can be up there at the drop of the hat if the girls need anything)! My DD is working an inside job at Disney Studios - Pizza Planet!! Already having a blast - two full days on the job but had yesterday and today off. Spent yesterday with her roommates at the Animal Kingdom and the Studios - ended the night seeing Fantasmic!!

So happy for the girls and pray this is terrific experience for all!!

 

[Traveliz]

Our DGD had Traditions on Friday. Instructions re: Hub access was that it can only be accessed via the puters in the dorms' computer room, not on individual puters. She got a lot of info & could be mistaken, but this is what she understood.

That is definitely not true unless something for CPs has changed recently. She can probably even access it from her phone (if she has a smartphone). That said there are parts of The Hub that can o be accessed from Disney computers but for the most part anything a CM or CP needs to do through the hub can be done on any computer.

Liz

 

[DCPmom2014]

No way would I as a parent go on the Hub. I would never take the chance, especially with what seems to be Disney's zero tolerance policy. I always give my daughter my credit card number too and she makes the reservation.

Yes. Totally understand. I would never jeopardize anything! Actually talked to my DD today and said she would "try" to find time to check things out! Just wish we could call the resorts directly and ask if they are offering a cast member discount for the dates we want then let the cast member actually do the offically reserving through the hub. Guess I have to be patient!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Yes. Totally understand. I would never jeopardize anything! Actually talked to my DD today and said she would "try" to find time to check things out! Just wish we could call the resorts directly and ask if they are offering a cast member discount for the dates we want then let the cast member actually do the offically reserving through the hub. Guess I have to be patient!

There is also a phone number that the CMs can call but again has to be the CM.
The problem is the resorts don't know what is available. And whenever you call the resort's phone number, your call is really being sent to a call center. This is true even for phone calls made to the front desk of your hotel from your hotel room.... the call is leaving the hotel and being redirected to a call center. The only way to get a hold of the actual hotel is thru their back office and they protect those phone numbers pretty carefully. But that would not be of use because the hotel is not in control of these things. We have had to stand in the lobby and call to make adjustments to our reservations at times because the hotel could not make those changes.

Patience Grasshopper!

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Hey there! I wonder if your DGD is my DD's roommate! She is also in 2 BR at Chatham - 6 total! My daughter is Katie from Ohio. I know that she has a roommate from Indiana! I remember a girl saying she was planning to buy a small desk! I was there along with her grandparents (who live two hours away in Venice FL and can be up there at the drop of the hat if the girls need anything)! My DD is working an inside job at Disney Studios - Pizza Planet!! Already having a blast - two full days on the job but had yesterday and today off. Spent yesterday with her roommates at the Animal Kingdom and the Studios - ended the night seeing Fantasmic!!

So happy for the girls and pray this is terrific experience for all!!

I'm sure they are roomies! I remember the Grandma from Venice. It's a small world! Happy for Katie that she got an inside job. I'm still waiting to hear about my DGD's job.

 

[DCPmom2014]

Has anyone else heard from their child that there feet are killing them? My daughter has flat feet and the black tennis shoes they gave to her for her quick serve job don't have enough support. Can anyone recommend good inserts and where she can purchase them?

Thanks.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

Has anyone else heard from their child that there feet are killing them? My daughter has flat feet and the black tennis shoes they gave to her for her quick serve job don't have enough support. Can anyone recommend good inserts and where she can purchase them?

Thanks.

My son has flat feet as well. He can not wear any type of flat shoe for long period of time. Used to make him mad in junior high because the in style tennis shoes at the time were all flat soled and he couldn't wear them. I wish I could buy his shoes and inserts ahead of time but he will be in QSFB so he will be getting assigned his shoes by Disney.

 

[bethp1968]

My DD is QSFB also and she uses Dr. Scholls inserts Massaging Gel Work insoles. Walmart has them. She goes through a pair every. 4-6 weeks. She has wide feet and the shoes they provide are not comfortable and she says these insoles help alot!

 

[Summertime]

I ended up getting my daughter sneakers at The Walking Company. They may have inserts too.

 

[DCPmom2014]

Does anyone know the summer black out dates for cast members to get their family/friends in? My in laws and son are going to be visiting my DD on July 6-8. I'm pretty sure I read that MK is blacked out but didn't know about the other parks.

 

[Praise2Him]

MK - June 9-30, July 1-31, Aug. 1-8, 30-31

Epcot - None

DHS - June 6-8, Aug. 23

DAK - Every Saturday from July 5 - August 9