I'm a WDWCP alumni from Spring 2010 and have already submitted my application for Fall 2011 at Disney World but I'm also considering applying to
Disneyland, just to get a different experience. Anyone else who did a Disneyland Program, please post! Blogs would be especially helpful! Thanks!
I would absolutely recommend the DLR CP. I had a blast during the entire 7 months I was there. Here are some honest pros/cons so you know what you're signing up for:
PROS:
-Plenty of hours. You will be given 30-40 hours a week, with the option of up to 50+ during peek times. This is optional based on your preferences, but you will be given 5 days a week. The issue with hours that people tend to complain about is when you "ER" (early release from work for that day.) If you walk into work, depending on your location, you can be given the option to clock out right after you clock in. This is optional and the only real issue is that it's very tempting. Let's face it; after working 40 hours a week, no one WANTS to work another full shift, so sometimes you give in and leave early. However, Disneyland will not schedule you for anything less than that. They know you are CP and have a rent to pay.
-Amazing apartments. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but entering the CP at 19 and being given a key to a 2 year old apartment with granite counters, hardwood flooring and stainless steal appliances isn't exactly the worst thing in the world. Every apartment also has a washer/dryer. Depending on the side of the complex you live on, you can see the fireworks every night.
-Close to everything. The apartment is in Downtown Anaheim, and you are in walking distance (5 to 10 minutes) from a grocery store, pharmacy, Subway, Starbucks, nail salon, Jack in the Box, every major national bank, and a massive park (tennis courts, basketball courts, bbq areas, etc.)
-You will know everyone. One thing I like about the DLR CP is that the program is so small, you will know/recognize almost everyone who you house with. There are only about 350 people in the housing portion of the CP, and I found it comforting to know who everyone was, or at least knew there face.
-Farmers Market. Once a week, the local farmers market is right outside of the complex!
-Cheap events exclusive for CPers. There are many events that will pop up for CP students. For example, the housing office organizes backstage tours of attractions and shows, as well as very cheap tickets to other theme parks and events. They also organize a studio tour of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and make groups to go the game shows and television tapings.
CONS:
-Transportation: If you don't bring your car, you rely on the bus. The apartment is only about 5 miles from the parks, but riding the bus alone at midnight isn't ideal for an 18 year old female. Nothing bad has ever been reported, but just the idea isn't as comforting and having your own car. However, if you do bring your own car, be aware that there is only ONE parking space per apartment in the underground, secured parking lot. This means, that if you have more than one person in your room with a car, chances are, they are parking elsewhere. The other lot for the remainder cars is across the street in a business parking structure. The best advice I can give is to keep nothing expensive in your car, visible or not. Cars do get broken into. The lot requires a card key with entrance by vehicle, but anyone can access the cars through the stairwell and elevators.
-Roommates suck...sometimes. Everyone, including you and including me, will have roommate issues. It's part of the process. Living with someone you don't know is bound to have it's issues. Simple things from 'who drank my milk' to 'who used my laundry soup' will become a problem. The truth is, if you have a serious roommate issue, you can switch rooms. The downside is that since there is limited housing, you may have to wait a couple weeks to switch rooms.
-It is very expensive. Rent is around $540 a month, no matter how many roommates you have, even if people are removed, kicked out, or added to your apartment. I had the one of the lowest paying jobs, at $9.05 and hour. Depending on your wage/department/unions you will end each week with an extra $150-250. This is not exactly the job to save up money, but it is possible.
-Up to 5 roommates. The apartments have studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms. Studios have two people, one bedrooms have three people and two bedrooms have five people. This means someone in your apartment will be in a bunk bed. And it sucks. Not so much the bunk bed, but three people to a room.
-You are given no preferences on check-in day. Everything has been predetermined on your check in day. Your roommates, your apartment, your parking space(if you have a car) and your job location. So you don't need to worry about rushing to check-in early and scoping out the people around you in fear of future roommates. The only pro of checking in early is first dibs on a bed, mainly not the top bunk.
I think I have covered everything, for the most part.
I hope you do decide to do the DLR CP! It is tons of fun.
