Fall CP - Dealing with the Holidays

[ladypage]

I really would like to apply for the DW CP, but I'm worried about the holidays. There is no way that my family could afford to come see me, and neither could my boyfriend. I know a lot of you would be in the same situation, so what are your thoughts on it?

For the people who have done it before, what was it like if you couldn't see your family and all that?

 

[Tigger1234]

I really would like to apply for the DW CP, but I'm worried about the holidays. There is no way that my family could afford to come see me, and neither could my boyfriend. I know a lot of you would be in the same situation, so what are your thoughts on it?

For the people who have done it before, what was it like if you couldn't see your family and all that?

I have appplied for Fall Advantage and my family wouldn't be able to afford it either neither would my boyfriend. I think there would be other people like you and me that wouldn't have family visiting and we could get together . I know there are foreign exchange people that probably wouldn't have family there either.

 

[robinsonsfan]

My family and my girlfriend cannot afford to come down during the holidays, I am gonna miss them most during that time, because the one thing I love about the holidays, is being around my family. However, I know I am not going to be alone on Thanksgiving or Christmas, I'm sure other people will be in the same boat as myself.

 

[BabySimba]

I have appplied for Fall Advantage and my family wouldn't be able to afford it either neither would my boyfriend. I think there would be other people like you and me that wouldn't have family visiting and we could get together . I know there are foreign exchange people that probably wouldn't have family there either.

Foreigner right here! My family would be in a whole different country while I'm in Florida!

Pretty difficult to get through, but I would probably spend lots of time with friends/roommates and use Skype with my parents a lot.

 

[tink774]

It was pretty hard being away from loved ones during the holidays of my Fall CP. At times it could be rather depressing to see so many happy families/friends enjoying their holidays together and be away from my own. Luckily there was no shortage of things to do so that helped fight the sadness.

If you get along well with your roommates, you all can def. keep each other company and try to arrange holiday stuff together. Even neighbors can get together and try to organize a fun potluck or something. Early in the holiday season you can enjoy the park/resort decor, MVMCP at a discount in Nov. (also available for MNSSHP in Sept. and I can only assume they will offer it this year), CP events like the Thanksgiving dinner, getting together with CMs from work, and many other options. If it helps, you could try to keep one or more of your holiday traditions going and even share them with your friends. And I know that it may not be the cheeriest option for everyone but you will definitely have several opportunities to pick up extra hours to keep yourself busy and even make more $$. It can be hard to force yourself to do something if you are feeling sad about the holidays, but you will have plenty of unique/interesting ways to enjoy your CP time and I encourage you to find what works best to keep your spirits high.

 

[Kilayi]

While this is the first time I'm doing the CP, I've not been home for the holidays in a couple of years. My family does try their best to come see me at least one day, but they didn't get to come for Thanksgiving (I was home for 1 day a week before Christmas, then my boyfriend and I had to hurry back for work). I was alone on Christmas day, and it was A-OK.

I feel like it's just a part of growing up, personally. I have a couple of close friends that also didn't go home, so we all spent time with each other. And if you're like me, maybe it's a good time for some much needed "Me Time".

I think it would be a great oppurtunity to get closer to your friends you've made while on the CP, by having your own parties and festivities! Disney is even more magical at the holidays! How could you not enjoy it?

Just think positively about it, and it will fly on by!

 

[YesIStillLoveDisney]

That was the one thing I was really worried about before my FA 2009 program but it really wasn't that bad You are going to be working those days so it isn't as if you will be just sitting around alone and a lot of areas throw there own little holiday things. My managers always had food and games for us on the holidays and over the semester I had my little work "family" that I because really close to so that helped.

Like everything else with the CP, it is completely what you make of it. For Thanksgiving I had a roommate from Beijing so she invited over some of her friends and I made a big Thanksgiving dinner from everyone. That was a lot of fun because none of them had experienced that before and wanted to know all about why we did everything.

My family also left our tree up and kept a bunch of family gifts separate so that we could have a mini-Christmas all together when I got home. We also set it up so that I could call home on my lunch break Christmas Eve and talk to all of my family.

It was a different sort of holiday celebration than my families traditions but that made is special in its own right because it was my last celebration with a lot of people who I either won't see again or won't see for a long time.

Talk with your family and see what you are going to miss the most about the holidays and try to find ways to make due. Set up and decorate a tree with your roommates or try to have everyone pick a favorite family tradition and do them together, even if it means getting up early Christmas morning before work or making Thanksgiving dinner the Wednesday before so that you can reheat everything when you are done with work.

 

[boundfordinsey]

Ya famiyl is extremely important to me during the holidays. I accepted my CP, but have 4 PI's possible right now. Being away from my family will be hard but it is only for 4 months. We do get huge discounts on family members to stay at the resort and go to the parks. However, just like you, they want to be with family too. Mine won't be up for the holidays because we usually have big gatherings (were italian) so that will be hard. There are a lot of people there who won't necessarily have family up for the holidays so you can always find someone to hang out with. Go tot he parks (if youre not working) and enjoy the holiday festivities which you may never again experience.

 

[Dreamstuff]

Maybe I'm the odd one out but I didn't miss my family at all...
I mean there were moments when I saw things I wish I could show them but I had a blast and Disney World holidays are amazing, I didn't even have time to remember to miss them, after all it's only 5 months it's not like I wasn't ever going to see them again.

 

[figmentsuperfan]

I know this is going to be the first time I will be away from my family and friends making it even harder is my birthday is the two days before thanksgiving this year But I know that this is a great change and we well talk on phone and email and that there is going to tons of people who are in the same boat as I am.

 

[Adpi<>Belle]

Skype is a great thing to use to keep in contact with family!! My DBF's brother is down there now and we skype him like 5 times a week! Its really fun and you feel like you arent missing out quite as much!! Make time for fun with the family in different ways- play an online game together or read your younger sibling/niece/nephew/cousin/child a book over skype... theres so much to do these days with all of our techonology!!

Ps. I just updated my blog today. feel free to check it out, follow me and leave comments. looking for feedback to make it better!!

http://alyssasdreamcometrue.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-7.html

 

[mrsbicewdw]

I did Fall Advantage 2009, and part of Spring 2010 (I had to leave early). My family was not able to come see me, and I had to work all the holidays (trust me, you will too). So really, even if they had come down, I would have been too busy to see them anyway.

You just have to grin and work through it. I was blessed with great roommates, and we had our own holiday celebrations (My 21st birthday, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's). I have lots of memories from that, even though I am used to being with my family and husband.

 

[t-ho]

The great thing about Disney is that you get to have a lot of fun with the families on vacation, so for starters, you won't be lonely or low on Christmas cheer. You really do get to share the holidays with all the CP's - you're temporary family.

Secondly I suggest meeting a CP from Florida who can drive home for holidays and sorts. I say this because I live about 1.5 hours from WDW and I got to go home Christmas day with my roommate. So if you meet the right person ( or me ) theres a way to get the family experience.

 

[ashleykay89]

I'm very lucky and my family only lives about an hour away. I'll be having thanksgiving with them and christmas not sure it will be the right day but I plan to have friends I make over to celebrate with us

EDIT: We will be celebrating at my house **I'm living off site**