FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER...I'm NOT GOING HOME!! UPDATE DEC.30 PG 74

[PrincessCaitlin]

Congratulations Caitlin!

Thanks for sharing your experience so far, what a great read.

Good luck with your move, you're very brave. I'm 29 and still live at home, I'm a big baby! Have a wonderful time.

Thank you!

Glad you're enjoying it!

Thank you! I was gone for a couple months last summer so I am familiar with the home sickness but I am intimidated by leaving for 8 months

Subbing on here too! I can't wait to hear all about the DCP. I was considering it, but my BF and I are buying a house so this isn't the time for me. I will live vicariously through you though!!

Welcome!

Congrats on the house!

 

[dgthree]

I am familiar with the home sickness but I am intimidated by leaving for 8 months

Hopefully being in such a happy place will help with the homesickness... and being a CM will give you such enticing discounts that home won't be able to resist coming to visit you, either.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Hopefully being in such a happy place will help with the homesickness... and being a CM will give you such enticing discounts that home won't be able to resist coming to visit you, either.

True going on the Haunted Mansion as many times as I want in a day may help

True my parents already have a trip planned!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

So you got into the DCP now what?

You got your postcard and you are anxiously counting down the days till you go but what now? I thought for this update I would try and give some helpful tips about how I am getting ready for the DCP!

1.) Get your money together!

When you first accept your position there is a $300 fee for your program, you have to worry about living expenses and living on a budget (some people for the first time) and you know living at Disney you will want to spend some money! I am currently working two jobs trying to save up! I am used to living on a budget so I am not too worried about that although I was a bit shocked when I found out that the housing fee comes out of each paycheck

Not only do you have these things to consider but there will be some things you need to take with you and will have to get as well. I had to get a comforter and bed sheet set and bought a bunch of clothing organizers to help out with the lack of space there will be.

Of course I had to get a disney comforter!



2.) Join a DCP Facebook Group

By doing this you will be able to find people who will also be going through the program and you can start playing the "Find a Roommate Game". This is a lot like a dating game although at the end you are going to be with these people for 4-8 months. I found some really cool girls I will be rooming with and am looking forward to meeting them!

This is also a place where you can post any questions you may have about the program and there are a lot of alumni that can help you out.


3.) Pack!

For once how cold Michigan is comes in handy! I was able to pack all of my stuff early since there is no way I will be wearing shorts before I leave! This also helped me figure out what I still needed to get. Disney has a very good packing list available on the website and it helped out a lot! The only thing I have left to get is some tattoo cover up!

4.) Make a Disney Bucket List

I am a planner and with that, I had to make a bucket list. It really helps when it comes to how much I need to save as well. It's also a really good way to up the excitement!

So My DCP Bucket List (in no particular order)

Watch a Detroit sports game at ESPN- I am a huge sports fanatic and will miss cheering on my teams and being able to watch the games whenever I can. I am pretty sure this will be something I do more than once! To add in some pictures here is my dad and I from the Tigers game yesterday!



Do karoake at the Atlantic City Dance Hall
Eat at Sanaa or Jiko
Go to Harry Potter World- I will be in August when mom and dad come to visit!
Go to Halloween Horror Nights
Eat at Le Cellier
Go to Splitsville
See some of the Christmas Parade taping
Do as many Run Disney Events as possible- I am running the Halloween 5k!
See Fourth of July fireworks at every park
See all of the Christmas decorations at the hotels
Watch every storyteller in Epcot
See Neil Patrick Harris do the Candlelight Processional


So I am asking for your input! Most of you are familiar with my past trips so I feel like you all know me pretty well. What are some of your suggestions for my list? What would your own list look like?

5.) Spend as much time with the people you will miss as possible!

I feel like this is very self explanatory! Whenever I am not at work I am trying to be with my parents and my pups. I know I am gonna miss them a ton!

6.) KEEP CALM YOU'RE MOVING TO DISNEY!

If something doesn't go your way with work or school just remember you won't have to put up with it soon. Post your acceptance letter in your cubicle, keep a countdown, do whatever you have to that will help you relax and get through the time until you move. Enjoy the people around you and the time you have on campus and with your friends. You won't be back for a while so be sure to cherish the small things.

That is my advice! I think I have some DCP alumni/ CMs reading this so anything I left out?

 

[DisneyKrazyKel]

True my parents already have a trip planned![/B][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Congratulations! My daughter is also doing fall advantage. Do your parents just have their first of several trips planned? lol. I am going to be missing my daughter and a little discount will be all it takes to talk me into a few extra trips Enjoy every moment!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hmmm, watch your roommates Caitlin. They may want to steal that comforter, lol.

Ooooh I like your bucket list. Harry Potter times TWO by that point. And Horror Nights!!! YES!!!! I did it once and LOVED IT!! OMG! Since you'll be living there the Xmas parade taping is a great choice. It can be pretty boring though, but since you've got all the time in the world to visit the parks, spending the extra time doing that won't be a big deal. On a trip though, it can be a bit of a time waster. Still a pretty unique time waster.

You gotta do MNSSHP!!! Multiple times!

Maybe one thing to add is to spend a day (or many days) at the parks but not doing any rides at all, just immersing yourself in all the Disney-ness. Maybe spend a day just meeting characters and nothing else. Oh, and watch Wishes a bazillion times.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Congratulations! My daughter is also doing fall advantage. Do your parents just have their first of several trips planned? lol. I am going to be missing my daughter and a little discount will be all it takes to talk me into a few extra trips Enjoy every moment![/QUOTE]

Thank you!

They are planning a trip in August and my mom is hoping to come back with my grandma and my aunt in November for my birthday. Considering we already have a family trip in May 3 trips is enough

I plan on it!

Hmmm, watch your roommates Caitlin. They may want to steal that comforter, lol.

Yeah it's pretty awesome for a 23 year old

Ooooh I like your bucket list. Harry Potter times TWO by that point. And Horror Nights!!! YES!!!! I did it once and LOVED IT!! OMG! Since you'll be living there the Xmas parade taping is a great choice. It can be pretty boring though, but since you've got all the time in the world to visit the parks, spending the extra time doing that won't be a big deal. On a trip though, it can be a bit of a time waster. Still a pretty unique time waster.

Thank you!

We always say we are going to go over to the dark side but never make it there! In August we are spending a couple nights at Cabana Bay to make sure we get there!

I was supposed to go in 2012 but I was too sick so I really want to go!

With my work on movies I just thought it would be a very cool experience! Plus if Neil Patrick Harris hosts again I would be in heaven

You gotta do MNSSHP!!! Multiple times!

Maybe one thing to add is to spend a day (or many days) at the parks but not doing any rides at all, just immersing yourself in all the Disney-ness. Maybe spend a day just meeting characters and nothing else. Oh, and watch Wishes a bazillion times.

I am planning on going to one with Katt when she is there! We will see how many I make it to/How good the discount is for the tickets

That is a good idea! I plan on just enjoying the parks as much as possible and with my new camera I will be taking tons of pictures as per usual!

I plan on trying to meet as many characters possible at the 24 hour party!!!

 

[Imbri]

I love the first thing on your Disney bucket list! I was just there in Feb for the Princess Half, and on our last day, we saw some people waiting for the bus for ESPN and asked what they were heading there for. Turns out, it was a Tigers game, and I was reeealllly tempted to go over too! We had to catch a flight that day, though, so I was worried about time. Boo!

 

[racheldelle]

ill be heading down for the dcp on may 19th too!!!! =)

hopefully we can meet up while we're down there!!

 

[disbugsdaddy]

Congratulations! I have to admit I'm a little jealous, I passed up the chance to do DCP when I was in college and have always regretted it! We will be down in September so maybe we'll see you again. Funny that we live so close but have only met at Disney!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

I love the first thing on your Disney bucket list! I was just there in Feb for the Princess Half, and on our last day, we saw some people waiting for the bus for ESPN and asked what they were heading there for. Turns out, it was a Tigers game, and I was reeealllly tempted to go over too! We had to catch a flight that day, though, so I was worried about time. Boo!

Yeah they practice at ESPN during their spring training! I have always wanted to see them do that!

ill be heading down for the dcp on may 19th too!!!! =)

hopefully we can meet up while we're down there!!

Congrats!

That would be great!

Congratulations! I have to admit I'm a little jealous, I passed up the chance to do DCP when I was in college and have always regretted it! We will be down in September so maybe we'll see you again. Funny that we live so close but have only met at Disney!

Thank you! Well you get to hear about it now anyway

That would be awesome!

Yeah the power of the DISboards!

 

[cinderellaurora]

Hi Caitlin

I've enjoyed reading a few of your past trip reports & wanted to congratulate you on getting into the DCP!

I'm sure you will have a blast & I look forward to reading all about your Disney adventures!

Very best wishes,
Siân.xx

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Oops

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Congratulations Caitlin! That's so exciting!

We'll have to make sure that we meet up when we're down there in September!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Hi Caitlin

I've enjoyed reading a few of your past trip reports & wanted to congratulate you on getting into the DCP!

I'm sure you will have a blast & I look forward to reading all about your Disney adventures!

Very best wishes,
Siân.xx

Thank you!

I can't wait to share them with you!

Congratulations Caitlin! That's so exciting!

We'll have to make sure that we meet up when we're down there in September!

Thank you!

We will have to! I plan on meeting as many DISers while I'm there as possible! I kind of want to set a record

 

[Queenofallthings]

That comforter now has all the Frozen songs stuck in my head AGAIN

Love the bucket list! We are doing Sanaa for the first time and I can't wait! Our fingers are crossed that your parents are there at the same time as us in August, I mean really, we have to keep our new "tradition" of having a cocktail in Mexico...your drink of choice will be on me this time sugar!! You and Shanleigh being of age and all, we must!

I have to agree with Rob, just taking in the parks with no agenda was one of my favourite days I spent when my best friend and I went. We did not one ride, just wandered around, shopped a little, took in the sights and sounds and it was amazing!

 

[Angeejoe]

Your CP sounds so exciting, and I'm looking forward to reading along with you. I wish you a wonderful journey!

I love your comforter set!

I live down in Toledo & saw you said you're 10 min from Canton which has become the destination place for IKEA (I had to check it out when it first opened of course), lol .

 

[khaleesi]

Soak in as much Star Wars as you can!!! That would be on my list if I were going for an extended period of time!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I too have an extremely unhealthy addiction to Hot Topic Disney clothes...... I've been eyeing that Cheshire one for a while.

See, we have opposite DCP problems. If I want to be a character, I think the only one I fit into is Goofy because I'm 5'9".

Absolutely LOVE your Disney comforter.

Nice Disney bucket list! I think you've got some good stuff on there. I especially like the "do as many Run Disney events as possible".

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

That comforter now has all the Frozen songs stuck in my head AGAIN

Sorry!

Love the bucket list! We are doing Sanaa for the first time and I can't wait! Our fingers are crossed that your parents are there at the same time as us in August, I mean really, we have to keep our new "tradition" of having a cocktail in Mexico...your drink of choice will be on me this time sugar!! You and Shanleigh being of age and all, we must!

I have been meaning to Facebook you but we will all be there at the same time!!! My parents arrive on the 21st!

I have to agree with Rob, just taking in the parks with no agenda was one of my favourite days I spent when my best friend and I went. We did not one ride, just wandered around, shopped a little, took in the sights and sounds and it was amazing!

I can't wait to be able to do that!

Your CP sounds so exciting, and I'm looking forward to reading along with you. I wish you a wonderful journey!

I love your comforter set!

I live down in Toledo & saw you said you're 10 min from Canton which has become the destination place for IKEA (I had to check it out when it first opened of course), lol .

Thank you for joining along!

I do too! I feel like a little kid!

Nice! We have gotten a ton of stuff from Ikea over the years!

Soak in as much Star Wars as you can!!! That would be on my list if I were going for an extended period of time!

Already on my to do list! I am going to both Star Wars character meals and I plan on asking for the 5 and 6 of June off so I can go see Mark Hamill at SWW!

I too have an extremely unhealthy addiction to Hot Topic Disney clothes...... I've been eyeing that Cheshire one for a while.

See, we have opposite DCP problems. If I want to be a character, I think the only one I fit into is Goofy because I'm 5'9".

Absolutely LOVE your Disney comforter.

Nice Disney bucket list! I think you've got some good stuff on there. I especially like the "do as many Run Disney events as possible".

I try to stop myself by limiting my purchases to one tank top from each movie I did break it though because I had to get the Queen of Hearts one they got in and I already had the Cheshire Cat

I didn't realize how tall you are! I am going to be such a shortie in our DISmeet picture

Thank you! I am so upset all of the rest were sold out but I think instead of running them I may run the same distance on the same day