Leaving for College program with DD on the 4th!

[mirmatt]

Just thought I would start a new thread. I can't believe the time is here. Time to put all her stuff in the suitcase (s). All you experience folk...... help me with this. Arrive at the airport in Orlando at about 10:00. Getting rental car. Then taking daughter to Vista Way. Taking friends who are coming with, to our hotel (all stars). Should I go back to Vista and wait with daughter or should I wait to hear from her? Is there a benefit (be of some help) if I am there with her? (I don't want my friends to hang around, but I am going to help out my daughter.) Any suggestions? I figure that at some point that day, we'll go shopping or something. How do the kids (especially rooming with a large group) work out their meals? Are they on their own, usually? Just thinking of last minute questions, now. Thanks, Marla

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Marla, I don't remember, what is her arrival date? My son is to be there on the 18th. I think maybe you are the week before, not sure. Too much to try and remember right now.

I feel like I should be doing a lot ot get him ready, but I don't know what it is. Already put a new engine in his car, found a computer desk that we will take with us, and other than clothes, I think the rest can be purchased down there. He has to do all his computer/electronic stuff himself.

So, what all should I be doing?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

And now that I re-read the title of your post, the dates become totally clear. JI will look forward to all your tips and suggestions for the best way to get everything accomplished on check-in day. Have a safe trip.

 

[jimmybop]

Parents dont really have much to do while the students are checking in, but they are a big help and moving into the appartment, and going to the store to get food after words

Most of the time everyone in my appt. asked before takeing someone else's food, but its up to them, most of us had our own stuff, and we each had our own shelf, cubbard in the kitchen to put our food in.


if you do go back to the hotel, she can call you as soon as she gets in her appartment. the phone system is the same as in the hotels, she just has to pick up the phone and dial 0 for the disney operator, and ask for All Stars and your room. (same the other way around too, just ask for vista way and the appartment number, or the extention number).

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Hey Jimmybop, are you back to 100% after your fall from the ladder?

Love your monorail audio. I click on it everytime I see one of your posts.

 

[jk1]

The day is almost here, Mirmatt. Such an exciting time for your daughter!

Unless you and your daughter have cell phones to call each other on, I would go back to meet your daughter at Vista Way after checking in at the All-Stars. Your room most likely will not be ready yet so your daughter would not be able to reach you in your room. I'd go back and she might be done with the check-in process, or close to it. Then you could help her move into her apartment.

My daughter did like jimmybop, they each had their own food and were on their own for meals. Work schedules had a lot to do with that.

Good luck to your daughter. Keep us updated on her experience.

 

[jimmybop]

Originally posted by jk1

My daughter did like jimmybop, they each had their own food and were on their own for meals. Work schedules had a lot to do with that.

Yes, very true, i cant remember to many times that everyone in our appartmnet (there were 6 of us) were all there at the same time and awake.

also, you might want to find her before she is done because she might be assigned housing over in one of the other two housing complexes, (but they are only about a half mile away across 535).
Check-in at VW will take about an hour to an hour and 1/2. Which should leave you enough time to drive over to All star, check in and go back to vw


also i want to add, that fist night she wont have her work ID, but some people went to the parks any ways. SO if she wants to (others like the stay at the appartmnet and get to know their roomates and nebiors next door and up stairs, which i recremend because they more then likely all not be home at the same time again, just tell her to bring her houseing ID pluse her carbon copy housing/work contract to the gate with her and they SHOULD let her in (I didnt know this, but others told me they did that).

any last min questions, please please ask me I will be as helpful as i can

 

[safetymom]

I would wait at your hotel. Once they go through the doors there is nothing for you to do. I hung around but I didn't need to.

My daughter wanted to go off to her apt. by herself and I met up with her later in the day.

Very rarely were the roommates all together.

Good luck to you and your daughter. She will love the program. The time passed quickly even though my daughter did the program twice.

 

[mirmatt]

So much to do, guess I'll be pulling an all nighter. Maybe I'll just give my daughter to opportunity to call me if she wants me to come there. I'll just make sure that I'm available. So, if I understand correctly, usually the kids just do their own thing for meals so they have their own area in the refridge or something? Like they would each have their own stuff, not shared?

I think my daughter's biggest concern is who she will be rooming with. She will be in the larger grouping and of course hopes that she will have a room with some nice kids. ( I sure hope so, too) Wednesday will be just hang out until I hear, day. (Daughter wants to take 30 tops with her....."I won't need to do laundry, Mom!" Speaking of which, I think that I better show her HOW to do laundry, today! We haven't even put her things in a case yet. Oh yeah, do they need to bring pillows? I know about linens, but wasn't sure. Hmmmm, still thinking, but I have got to run to work.(Not literally) Write later, Marla

 

[safetymom]

My daughter kept her dried food things in her closet. At my daughters apt. everyone had their own shelf in the frig and freezer. When I brought some homemade food the roomies explained where in the frig to put it.

They were pretty good about not eating my daughters food. There were a few times she cooked for everyone.

I ended up shipping a few of my daughters pillows from home. Don't ask me why because she could have just gone an bought several down there. She wanted more.

As far as clothes my daughter took way too many clothes. So I would think 30 tops is to many. My daughter had 3 huge suitcases to go down. When she went to come home she donated a lot of clothes. Also once your daughter discovers property control she will be buying all types of discounted clothing.

Have fun.

 

[leslieh]

Last year we did this in August, its just like college, no linens, pillows etc. It is furnished but thats it. I heard through these boards that all people for the summer are going to vista way? So that should help where she will be. I took DD waited for checkin, about 60 minutes or so, then went to apt in Chatam (they have computer lines, vista doesnt) and started to unload the car, moved everything in, hung around, went to walmart etc. And went and bought a laptop, since there was not room for four computers. I stayed for five nights, we had dinner several times, one movie, and she thanked me for staying for her when I left. Its nice to have someone nearby if you need them. Remember who you are in line with are going to be your roommates, if you want/or dont a particular person, go to a different line. My dds worst problem was a couple of her roommates.

 

[jk1]

Yes, take pillows or buy them there at Walmart.

Yes, all WDWCP students will be in Vista Way this summer. All the Spring Advantage WDWCP'ers in Chatham have or are in the process of moving over to Vista. Chatham will not be used for at least the summer.

 

[YesDear]

When Your daughter wakes up tomorrow before you leave, hug her, blow some pixie dust on her and remind her that magic happens!

I am sure she will have a great time!!!!!

My son goes in leaves two weeks from today and he is really excited.

 

[mirmatt]

All right, that did it. The pixie dust comment just put me over the emotional scale. I am so excited for my daughter, but emotionally, I'm having a rough time. She is all set and raring to go, and I am so pleased with her. It's the fact that this is a new stage...... being gone for the 7 months, that is new to me. Phew, I feel better now. Tomorrow morning we are off. I think that I'll tell them that they made a mistake and forgot to send my paperwork....... I want to go too! Marla

 

[RweTHEREyet]

me, too, Marla, this is harder than when he first went to college. I promise it will all be o.k. I only promise because it has to be, for my sake, too.

 

[safetymom]

Good luck to both of you. Look at it as a new adventure for you and your child.

It will pass quickly these next months. Trust me.

Enjoy your trip to Florida. I am here for several more days.

 

[jk1]

mirmatt, the 7 months will go by so quickly. And I bet your daughter calls you so often telling you all about it, it will seem like you are there! No harm in scheduling trips down to WDW to visit her either! Now you have a great excuse!

Enjoy your trip to drop your daughter off. I'm right behind you (leaving this afternoon).

 

[safetymom]

I just came back from Chatham. It looks so empty compared to just several weeks ago. I am sure that Vista is really hopping with activity.

I am looking forward to hearing from jk1 and mirmatt. Mirmatt you had a lovely day to move your daughter in with the rain.

Hope the weather improves while we are both down here in WDW.

 

[jimmybop]

WHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I wanna go back!!!!

hope everything went/is going fine for you

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Hey to those of you down there now. Let us know how it is going. My turn comes up in 12 days. Would love to hear of anything you didn't send down that maybe you wished you had, especially if you had a car to pack it in as we will.