Disney College Program...

[kimmar067]

My DS will be spending the next 10 months at WDW doing the Disney College Program. We've already booked a flight the end of January [I'm accompanying him for 3 days to help him get settled in]. My question is this: does anyone know if WDW offers discounts for parents for this program to stay at one of the WDW resorts? (as much as I'd like to, we won't be visiting any parks - it's more of a 'business' adventure, rather than a vacation per se.

TIA!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Yes.

 

[kimmar067]

....oh, really? Thank you so much for your quick reply!

 

[bama_ed]

Yes there CAN be discounts. My daughter completed a semester of the DCP in 2018. Your son has to finish his first day or two of Disney training once he arrives and becomes a Cast Member officially. Then he accesses the WDW Hub Network (info for CM's) and it will show current discounts available to CM's (dining, resort, etc.). Like other discounts the number of rooms may be limited but of course if there is higher demand for rooms a resort does not offer a CM discount. I wanted to stay at a moderate on a discount but the only option was at CBR during its recent heavy construction period for the more expensive Pirate Themed rooms.

CM discounts are for whomever the CM directs it to (not parent only). The CM has to go by the resort on check-in day or up to 3-4 days in advance of that and show WDW CM ID to validate the discount. Also the discount is more if the CM says he's staying in the room with the guest (and less if he does not). I let my daughter make my reservation with the deposit on my credit card in advance and it worked fine for me. And she stayed in the room with me and her mother.

My advice is since discounts disappear as rooms fill up is to try to schedule your visits as far in advance as you can once your son can access The Hub. Get him to make your reservation thru the Hub which applies the discount. Also have him check for CM-dining discounts and work those into your plans. Again, not ALL restaurants offer a CM discount. Many were restaurants at the resorts and some are limited to lunch-and-dinner or lunch only etc. Best discount we got was 50% off for the Hoop Dee Doo dinner show (early or late show) at Fort Wilderness and we ended up with a front row table next to the pianist and banjo player. Now that was SWEET!

When he goes through his training he can get this info.

Good luck!

Bama Ed

PS - rereading your Original Post, you won't be able to use a CM discount on his/your arrival/move-in trip in late January since he won't officially be a CM yet. Once he passes his initial training, then he can book for you through the Hub and subsequent visits while he's working there could be eligible for a discount if you're willing to go to whatever resorts have the discounts (not all will).

 

[kimmar067]

PS - rereading your Original Post, you won't be able to use a CM discount on his/your arrival/move-in trip in late January since he won't officially be a CM yet. Once he passes his initial training, then he can book for you through the Hub and subsequent visits while he's working there could be eligible for a discount if you're willing to go to whatever resorts have the discounts (not all will).

....I didn't want a CM discount. I was just wondering if WDW offered a special rate to parents of candidates who accompany their children to assist them with moving into a dorm room....

 

[Deb & Bill]

You won't be allowed at the apartment and he will be pretty busy the entire time. Unless you plan to just sit in the hotel room or go to the parks, I would let him go by himself.

 

[kimmar067]

You won't be allowed at the apartment and he will be pretty busy the entire time. Unless you plan to just sit in the hotel room or go to the parks, I would let him go by himself.

...I planned on renting a car [we are arriving the day before check-in] so we could go to a Super Walmart or Super Target to get him some items. I wasn't planning on being a 'hanger-on-er'....maybe take him out to dinner on Tuesday night before I leave on Wednesday...

 

[bama_ed]

....I didn't want a CM discount. I was just wondering if WDW offered a special rate to parents of candidates who accompany their children to assist them with moving into a dorm room....

And I answered your question - "No, there is no special move-in rate".

 

[bama_ed]

You won't be allowed at the apartment and he will be pretty busy the entire time. Unless you plan to just sit in the hotel room or go to the parks, I would let him go by himself.

The DCP person CAN get parents in per the move-in instructions (I had lots of stuff for DD in my Suburban) at the security entrance to the apartments during the check-in day but the general point is true which is the DCP kid will be busy with their roommates and I watched some parents of my daughter's roommates act as if the event was for the parents. So I unloaded my contents, made the Target run for a couple needed items, and then got out of the way. Disney doesn't deal with the parents-they deal only with the DCP kids.

Bama Ed

PS - there were six girls moving into my DD's apartment and all six had their parents there helping to unload and move stuff in.

 

[BK2014]

It may just be different times, but when I did the college program in the summer of 2000, I remember very few if any parents being around on move-in day. I know for sure that none of the six in my apartment had parents help them move in. But then again, we ended up with 3 out 6 roommates having drove themselves down, so we had multiple cars. It might also have to do with the fact that it was a summer only program, so we were only going to be there for 2.5 months, rather than 10.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

My friend’s daughter just finishing up the program. Yes she got a hotel discount after a set period (don’t want to say a time frame and be wrong but at least 2-3 weeks). They tried to use discount on hotel for trip in October but there were no rooms at any resort (they limit the number). Then ended up staying offsite. She did get a bunch of discount coupons she could use when they visited in October- but she worked several of those days. She didn’t get vacation until the week after Thanksgiving- found out a week or two before.

At her move in they stayed at the Swan- cheapest place in August. Her move out- he HAS to be out by January 3- she doesn’t know when her last day is work is until this weekend so they haven’t been able to get plane ticket for get dad to go drive her home.

She met John Stamos- saw at Epcot. She was assigned food services and it was hard, long work. Clearing tables, taking out trash at the pizza place in HS before it closed. Now has been frying food at place in HS. This is someone who hasn’t worked before so complaining lots- let’s just say if they try to get reassigned for a medical reason (backache, rash from frying food) they need a doctor release and one they have never seen in Orlando wont write one!

They work hard but on her time off she did have fun.

 

[WEDWDW]

She was assigned food services and it was hard, long work.

I have always felt Food Services has to be the worst CP assignment(even worse than Custodial!)-in Food Services they never stop!!!!

And Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café has to be the worst of the worst!

Disney should give CPers who finish a Program at Ray's a "I survived Ray's" Medal similar to the WDW Marathon completion Medals!lol

 

[Ashley Marie]

My CP was 13 years ago, but unless things have changed, I agree with the above posts — no special resort rates for anyone just coming down to move in/start their program. I flew in alone the day before and stayed at Pop with a normal reservation I’d just booked through Disney. On move-in day, I took a cab to my apartment complex. I don’t remember many (if any?) parents being around. It is nice of you to take the time, though. Maybe it’s more common for parents to show up now... it’s been a while. But the apartments are fully furnished, so other than food, etc. there is probably not much you’ll need to help them get while you’re there. I didn’t have a car with me, but you make friends with roommates and neighbors pretty fast and tag along with them to do things like go grocery shopping. I was there before the time of grocery delivery being common, so I imagine things are even easier to handle on your own now!

I was able to book a room with the CM discount when my mom and sister came to visit, but that was months into my program. I think I stayed in the room with them for a night. I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time with them because I was working.

 

[KBoopaloo]

It may just be different times, but when I did the college program in the summer of 2000, I remember very few if any parents being around on move-in day. I know for sure that none of the six in my apartment had parents help them move in. But then again, we ended up with 3 out 6 roommates having drove themselves down, so we had multiple cars. It might also have to do with the fact that it was a summer only program, so we were only going to be there for 2.5 months, rather than 10.

I think it is very different now but I had the same experience as you did when I did the program in Spring 2000. When I moved into my apartment of 6 only two of my roommates had any family with them, one was the youngest of my roommates (she was still in her freshman year) and one had never been away from home. The rest of us all showed up on our own, 2 by car and 2 flew in and took a shuttle/taxi from the airport.

 

[BK2014]

I have always felt Food Services has to be the worst CP assignment(even worse than Custodial!)-in Food Services they never stop!!!!

And Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café has to be the worst of the worst!

Disney should give CPers who finish a Program at Ray's a "I survived Ray's" Medal similar to the WDW Marathon completion Medals!lol

This was me! But again, it was a summer only program in 2000. We worked long days, sometimes 10:00am until after park close (midnight/1am). I earned much more money (because of overtime) than my roommates, but had much less free time. It was definitely a character building experience made enjoyable by the amazing group of CMs, both CP and others that I worked with that summer. I honestly do not know if I would have the same fond memories if I had to do it for a longer program.

 

[BK2014]

She was assigned food services and it was hard, long work. Clearing tables, taking out trash at the pizza place in HS before it closed. Now has been frying food at place in HS. This is someone who hasn’t worked before so complaining lots- let’s just say if they try to get reassigned for a medical reason (backache, rash from frying food) they need a doctor release and one they have never seen in Orlando wont write one!

Food service is definitely hard, especially at Disney if it is a first job. I had worked at McDonald's in high school, so I had a little idea of what I was getting into. But nothing prepares one for the sheer volume of guests that you serve on a daily basis, especially at Cosmic Ray's where I worked. It was billed as one of the busiest fast food places in the world. I am guessing it probably still is.

 

[WEDWDW]

This was me! But again, it was a summer only program in 2000. We worked long days, sometimes 10:00am until after park close (midnight/1am). I earned much more money (because of overtime) than my roommates, but had much less free time. It was definitely a character building experience made enjoyable by the amazing group of CMs, both CP and others that I worked with that summer. I honestly do not know if I would have the same fond memories if I had to do it for a longer program.

WOW!What a memory that must be for you!

Ray's is even bigger now since they expanded the outdoor seating!

I always thank the CMs when we eat at Ray's for their hard work and they always tell us that all the Ray's CMs develop a real close bond because they are the only ones who understand what they go through working there!

I bet you still have "dreams"(or nightmares!lol) about Sonny Eclipse!lol(We had a group of female CMs one time tell us they were the Space Angels!lol)

Let me give you a belated "Thank You" for your hard work at Ray's-we have enjoyed many a meal there(LOVED the chicken/rib Combo!)!

 

[BK2014]

WOW!What a memory that must be for you!

Ray's is even bigger now since they expanded the outdoor seating!

I always thank the CMs when we eat at Ray's for their hard work and they always tell us that all the Ray's CMs develop a real close bond because they are the only ones who understand what they go through working there!

I bet you still have "dreams"(or nightmares!lol) about Sonny Eclipse!lol(We had a group of female CMs one time tell us they were the Space Angels!lol)

Let me give you a belated "Thank You" for your hard work at Ray's-we have enjoyed many a meal there(LOVED the chicken/rib Combo!)!

Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok...I believe I have answered this before, someplace. No, you won't be offered a WDW discounted room until your child goes through Traditions. But...I believe it's the ClarionLBV that will offer a DCP discount. You have to call them directly and then possibly have to show your child's paperwork when checking in.
As far as being in the apartment, yes, you'll be able to go there, as long as your kiddo is with you. We actually stayed in the apt when our dd was at Casting and drug testing, but that was two years ago and they may have tightened things up. But as long as you are there with a CP, you should be fine getting in.
Basically, you can't get company discounts until you're an employee....your child isn't an employee until they go through Traditions, which is usually about 4 days after checkin.

 

[TracyH68]

Hi everyone! Just accepted to DCP and will be arriving in January. Merchandising is my assignment. Any thoughts, advice? Anyone else accepted? Looking to make some connections!