Leaving for College program with DD on the 4th!

My daughter turns 21 in Sept. :) Seems hard to believe my kids are getting older when I don't feel older.

CBR was the first resort we ever stayed at and has always been my favorite even when we stay somewhere else.
 
I did the college program too and basically the first day you dont even get your apt until the end of the day. you have to sit through all kinds of seminars and sign up for a bank account and find out where you will be working at and learning all the rules so dont come tired is my best piece of advice.
 
I told Marla before she left that she was going to have to get to a computer and tell us about PC!! Can we ban her from this thread? LOL!!!
 
It is 1:35 am and I am bumping this up so it is easy to find tomorrow when I can keep my eyes open to write! Had a great time and have several interesting stories to tell. Believe it or not.... I actually like the old Property Control, but maybe I missed something. We were there the first evening we arrived and then the next day was a big pin event for the cast which we got to go to....... after sneaking past security! Where is the stuff that is damaged?? The new building is neat, but there are a million shirts and I didn't think the prices were that great. I liked going through the odds and ends before. Maybe I just missed it. I did buy for gifts, these circular packages of crayons that are shaped like the Pooh characters..... still selling for 10.00 in the stores, but paid 2.50 there. Will continue tomorrow on the following topics......

DD and her new apartment
DD and her new roommates
Security blocking us from going to PC
Staying at a DUMP the first night of trip
Rental car upgrade fun

and last but not least........ THINGS ARE MUCH BETTER SINCE THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE PROGRAM FOR DD....... THANK GOODNESS! LATER GUYS..... MARLA
 

Marla,
Looking forward to your report. We leave in 8 days. DD has to check in for her college program on 8/20. We would appreciate any helpful hints you may have. Thanks

Jan
 
Can't wait for the updates. I agree that life seems to be settling down for my CP'er as well. I had to laugh that he had Wed. off this week and asked him what he was doing. He said he could'nt do anything fun because he was doing domestic stuff. CLEANING, going to the grocery, taking something that had to be fixed!. I thought I was not listening to MY Child! LOL.

Jan several suggestions for you and I am sure others will give you just the opposite ones! Is DD taking a car? If she is or not, I would recommend that she get to checkin about an hour before they say it opens. DS did in June and they opened early. Let her do that on her own. If you are taking her, drop her off and go get breakfast. DS said he wanted to do that on his own and got done in about 45 mins. I think they say they open at 9:00am and he got there before 8:00. After they do all the paperwork is when they will need your help and strong back to move them in.

If DD has someone she wants to room with, make sure they get there at the same time. If not she will be placed with whomever is standing behind or in front of her. (Female of course)

The first day is mainly paperwork, checkin and a meeting in the afternoon that goes over apt rules, security, etc. Security is tight!! Many of the kids without parents there go to the parks that afternoon or evening. We took a group to Steak& Shake for dinner that is about 1mile from Vista on 535. We then went to Walmart on 192 to get all the "stuff" they need or did not think of. I think they need to go with roommate if possible. Good Bonding session if they do not know each other.

A lot of the kids my DS came with knew each other by meeting online. Some, were already good internet friends!

I am sure many of the former CP'ers will be glad to answer any specific questions. I am sure I am taking a father's approach and some of the mom's like Marla, Safetymom, RweThereyet, can answer from their perspective.

I still say that if they go with the attitude that they are going for the experience, it can be the best time of their life. If they are going to stash money away and it is a 6 month vacation, they may be dissappointed. My DS continues to blossum as a young adult everyday and I could not be any more proud of him!!!! Or jealous!!!
 
Always fun to be welcomed by you guys, almost makes it worth coming home........ well, .......hmmmmm. Anyway,....

I agree that the kids want to be on their own and not surrounded by family. It took me awhile not to be bothered by my dd telling me that I could not go up to her apartment. She says that no one else's family comes and she wants to appear more independent. She wouldn't let us take her to Walmart to shop this visit because she said that she can take care of it. I tried to tell her that while I have a rental car there she can take advantage, but, no, she was insistant that she take care of her stuff.

Got to Orlando Airport and went to Dollar to get the car...(picked a compact to save cash) What a mistake...... the Neon seemed okay until we got out of the parking garage, and then in the light I could see the seats had stains all over, car was making noises, yuk. Too late to turn around so I called while I was driving to hotel. Told to go to another location on 192. (mileage on the car was over 50.000) Anyway, man was very nice and skipping over the time we spent getting a different car...(vacuum wasn't working and all the cars were gross!) He offered us a convertible Mustang. We took it and had a blast zipping around. Not good for luggage, but we dealt with it. Not something that I would get at home so it was alot of fun. Of course, dd hated it since it messed up her hair. Mine was a mess anyway so I really didn't care! Son and I had fun with it. I was told that I never should have gotten the original car as it was not in renting condition! So, we paid for a Neon but got a Mustang Conv.

Reservations were at All Star Music, but we went a day earlier so I needed a place to stay the first night. Used one of the Orlando travel guides and called numerous places. We stayed at the Magic Castle for 23.00 including tax. I thought that with a price like that, maybe I would cancel reserv. at All Star and save some money! Boy am I ever glad that I didn't. Yikes.... what a dump! Looks okay from the outside, but then you drive to the room. It was like in an alley! I swear, and I am not kidding, that we pushed some chairs in front of the door for safety when we went to bed. The dresser drawers were hanging out and were broken. I felt like I was on skid row. Boy, do I ever have a new appreciation for All Star. I read comments about this place and many others the night before, but since I also read some bad stuff about a place that we liked, I figured that it was probably okay. One comment said they have fleas. I asked, if you can believe that, and the response from the person at the desk was...."Well, sometimes people slip their dogs in and we can't do anything about it...." Couldn't she just say that they don't!!

Daughter's move......... well, she was ready to move on the 30th which was the first day that they were told was available. The night before there was a meeting about moving and I guess there were alot of complaints. Anyway, dd was very unhappy because she had been told that if she moved in with 4 girls who had been there and were leaving in Aug. (already bonded), she could get 4 or 5 new roommates in Aug. allowing her a new chance to meet new kids. Instead, she was told things like...... you don't think we're going to let you stay in your apartment alone until the new cpers come, do you? ........who told you this, if it wasn't me than I can't do anything about it.........etc. She was told that she was moving into a place that had 5 girls who have been there since June. Again a situation like being the outsider. Let me just say....... she was so upset, after having a bad roommate situation, she was really looking forward to this new opportunity. The original plan was that she would either room with totally new kids, or would room with others who were also moved out of their apartments. Neither was happening. I just told her that in either situation, it can work out good or bad and so she should just move past this. She got her new room assignment and chose to go a introduce herself before she moved in. Up to the third floor she went, entered, introduced herself to two girls who were best friends, and then when dd said that she was getting her stuff to move in, they said....."DO YOU HAVE TO MOVE IN TODAY? WE REALLY CAN'T MOVE OUR STUFF OFF THE BED RIGHT NOW! Now that was a great welcome! DD had taken off the day to move and this is what she was told. She went to the main office to say that she needs to move today, and they moved her elsewhere. She was moved into a 4 person rather than a 6 person room. She is paying more, but it was worth it! Everyone seems to be nice, she has socialized and gone out with the girls, and she is HAPPY! That is all I care about! What a relief! She gave in and let us drive her stuff over to the new place. I stayed in the car ....... so I wouldn't embarrass her. DS carried things up and down the stairs. When it was all over, she appreciated the help, but it took her a while.
Talk about embarrassment....... Found out that DS said something that totally bothered dd during the move......get ready for this....
Son was walking out of the new apartment and noticed that on his shoe he had accidentally dragged out a girl's THONG! Does he ignore this??? No, of course not..... he holds it up and announces.."I think that this belongs to someone in here!" DD was mortified as it belonged to her new roommate who wanted to know if he always acts like this! DD was so mad at her brother, of course, silently laughing, I did think that he could have just tossed it back in the room without saying anything.....but then he wouldn't be her creepy 15 year old brother!

The day of the pin event at property control....... we had been told the night before that dd could bring us in but we could not buy the special pins. Not a problem. We walk up to the gates and two security guards are there. They tell DD that only she can come in. They said that College program students do not have the same privileges as do the other employees and that they are not allowed to bring anyone else in. We tried to tell them that we have never had a problem before and all they could say was that the others were wrong. They wouldn't even let me talk to anyone. DD went in, and we waited in the car. Man, was a bummed. We drove to the side and I felt like a stalker because we were just watching to see if the guys would leave. We left and went to Disney Univ. to check out the store. As we left, DS suggested that we drive back to PC to see if they were still there. Oh yeah, did I say that I tried to see if they would let us go in with someone else....but was told that it can only be their family. Anyway, dd went back in as we convinced her to go play the games to win pins. (they gave two tickets for that) While we waited, we saw the security guys leave. We jumped out of the car and went in! When we left, they were back and we really avoided looking in their direction so that they wouldn't see us. It really felt like Mission Impossible! Can you hear the music? I LOVE DW...... I LOVE DW ........ I LOVE DW. Also went on the new Mission ride at Epcot. It was neat, but the force that presses against you comes from fast spinning. You can't see it but you are spinning. I was worried about feeling sick but was told not to shut my eyes and just look forward. It worked. I know that this post is way too long, so I will write more as I think about it later.
Talked to other College program kids,,,,,,, based on their comments I would say, make sure that you can just roll with the program and deal with stuff that you wouldn 't normally want, because they don't really get involved with the kids' feelings, they just need them to work and get new exeriences, and that they will do. I am going back on Labor Day Weekend. Anyone else? Talk to you later. Marla
 
Marla, I am so glad to hear that your daughter finally has a living situation that is good for her. Is everything still working out ok with her job location?

I can't tell you the number of times I have gone to PC with a WDWCP CM. Nothing was ever said about them having different rules for them. I wonder if it was because of the opening of the new PC?

I am going to be at WDW for Labor Day weekend too! I would love to meet you if you would like to get together sometime.
 
than I am Marla, I would have told DS to get over himself and would have gone to new apartment. I greatly applaud your DD for wanting to "Take care of if herself". DS does that as well in many ways, but his DM finds ways to slip him help. Moms are like that.

The story of your DS is a hoot. I remember being 15 with an older sister, only she would have inflictied bodily harm to me. I am sure it embarassed DD more than the others.

We also have never really had trouble at PC before getting in. It was not too long ago, however, that everyone could only take one guest with them at a time. There would be people standing at the gate to wait their turn. Maybe they are cracking down with the new building. DS has not even been there yet! I am sure the "tent" stuff is still there... They are probably just putting out the new stuff at first.

I will also be there on labor day. I even think DW might come too. It would be great to meet you and JK1. Where are you both staying? We will be at CBR. Maybe we can all meet at PC!!!!!!

Great to hear things worked out for DD with her room. DS's roommate started a new job this week. He was really unhappy where he was and Disney did work with him to help out. I really think they are willing to help those that want the help.



Glad you got the Mustang. DW has a reall knack of getting cool rentals. Our last three rentals have been a PT Cruiser, a Toyota Matrix, and a Pontiac something little and cool. Our last rental was from Hertz. While things went well, it was far less convienient for us than an airport onsite rental. We very much got the feeling of being 2nd and 3rd class citizens withou Hertz's club membership. We also thought the people were not as nice. Also really nice with National to drop the car and walk to the airport rather than wait for the bus! We would reuse Hertz, but the savings would have to be pretty good.

Cannot wait to hear the rest of the stories, and hope to maybe share some in person!!!
 
Yesdear, I have a site for Hertz that is for #1 Gold membership. That allows you to bypass the counter. I have it and it is great.

Marla, I remember the first time I went down after my daughter started the CP. She didn't want to stay with us and didn't want us to come to the apt.

That all changed by the next visit. She was back to herself.

That was strange with the pin event. Hope your next trip is better.
 
I even think DW might come too.
Yes Dear, you really think your wife would let you go to WDW alone? LOL

I will be staying at the All-Star Movies. I would love to meet up with whoever is there. PC will not be an option for me though. My daughter will not be with me. And I will not have a car this trip.
 
That would be great to meet..... whoever comes. Believe it or not, I don't have hotel reservations yet. I was waiting for annual pass rates. I think that you are only allowed so many cast discounts for a room so I was just going to use annual pass rates...... if they ever come out, that is! DD still likes her job. She is either seating at Chef Mickeys or she is a cashier for the photographer. She prefers seating, but seems to cashier more. Just found out that I accidentally put DD's credit card in my wallet when we were there and left her with none! Luckily she has cash. We put the card in the mail..... hopefully it won't get lost!! Later, Marla
 
As you know it is very hard to pharse something sarcastically. OF COURSE she is going. I feel fortunate she is letting ME come along.

Spoke to DS online last night and I said something like we would be there before he knew it. He actually said it seemed like forever since we had been there! Of course he then said time had little meaning down there!!!! I thought for a minute he actually missed us!!! LOL

DW and I will be at CBR for labor day. It is always nice when you can put faces with names! Just remember what my tag says. I look more like Sully!!! Hard to get that blue hair trimed these days as well!!!

Marla are you coming alone or is the "thong thrower" coming as well or the whole gang?
 
I am totally cracking up with the nickname for my ds! I will have to show him this! My dd does not find it so funny, though, as you might imagine! My ds still thinks it was so innocent, doesn't see the big deal! In answer to your question...... I am coming with my mom who wanted to visit dd. She usually comes with us each summer when we do our family trip, but thought it would be too much in the hot sun this year, soooo, I told her that we would go for a quick weekend, and this worked out for me. As a teacher, I have off the Fri. before and Monday. Still looking into room reserv. Also...... for the past two years, dd and I have gone for the Soap Opera Weekend in Nov. Great time as it is also the Art Festival and the Food and Wine Fest. Got reservations but not airfare yet. Marla
 
I'll probably be asking more questions, but my friend's daughter is on her way down the end of August for the college program. I read in an earlier message that its like a dorm room with no linens, that you need to bring your own. Now that you've been down there, is this true? My friend thought they give one set and you bring any others.

Also, she's supposed to be there by the afternoon, but due to flights out here, she won't be there until 7 p.m.....how big a problem do you think this would be?

I also have read that they may have a limited # of rooms they can get discounted in the park. I'll be down there in October, then again I'm down with the family again in December, we'd be looking for 4 rooms scattered at different places. I have another place booked, thinking she won't be able to get that many rooms!

I've also read along this that there is a "thread" (?) that other CPs write on...I've never seen it, am I not looking in the right places? I just go thru the same menu as I found this!

Thanks for any help!
 
The apt. comes furnished with pots, pans, etc. Everything else she would need to take. TV, bed linens, towels, etc. Just like you were setting up housekeeping for the first time. It isn't a dorm room but a 1,2,3,4 bedroom apt.

There are several message boards for the CP program. I will post links later when I have a chance to get them.

Disney also frowns on talking on boards like this the details of the discount program so I don't think you will find lots of written information about it. People may respond to those questions in a private email. People have been fired for talking about it on message boards.

As far as arriving late she should contact the College Program. They want you there during certain hours so that you can get registered into the program. Also by arriving at that time there might not be much of a choice in housing. If she is looking to room with a certain number of roommates it might be a little harder and cost her more because of the availability.
 
Thanks Safetymom for the information...and if you have the time on the other links, I would appreciate it!

I understand on the rooms...I'm new to this, so I apologize for not completely knowing all the rules!
 


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