Parents: Tips on Moving student in for DCP

[Zippa D Doodah]

DD has landed a role in attractions for the spring. Our whole family is going down to have a vacation several days before she moves in on January 22. DW and DS will be leaving for home a couple days before, and it will be just me helping DD move her stuff in. A few questions...

1) How much or little help should I plan to provide without being an overbearing parent?
2) What time of day does the moving in typically begin, and how long does the process take?
3) Do parents take their DCP student out to supper that night?

Also, I'm flying home the next morning 1/23 and would be interested in recommendations for a motel for one night near the airport.

 

[Ensusieasm]

DD has landed a role in attractions for the spring. Our whole family is going down to have a vacation several days before she moves in on January 22. DW and DS will be leaving for home a couple days before, and it will be just me helping DD move her stuff in. A few questions...

1) How much or little help should I plan to provide without being an overbearing parent?
2) What time of day does the moving in typically begin, and how long does the process take?
3) Do parents take their DCP student out to supper that night?

Also, I'm flying home the next morning 1/23 and would be interested in recommendations for a motel for one night near the airport.

I can't help with the first three questions, but I can recommend The Hyatt at Orlando International Airport, where you can wake up already in the terminal.

 

[HopperFan]

For us, DD wanted no help with moving her in. She had her car, with her stuff, met up with her roommates and they all checked in together and moved in together. They went to the Walmart and grocery shopped together so they could coordinate some things they would be sharing, like didn't need 4 gallons of milk in fridge.

That night DD was up for being with roommates or us, but all the roommates were having dinner with their families so she joined us too. Luckily I was hanging around to go to parks (while Dad worked in Orlando office) because her schedule was totally different from roommates, they were starting to train, she had a couple open days before she started. So we hung out together.

 

[Monykalyn]

My DD program is ends 1/4/18
Her brother and I drove down day before (well 2 day road trip from Midwest). DD got her schedule of what time to check in week before and where- your DCP will check in at their housing complex (used to be all check ins at Vista Way-that changed). The rest of week schedule is handed out- they will have the physical for their role (if needed), housing meeting (mandatory), Traditions scheduled and a few other things. Usually first week has lots of downtime- but their housing complex will have welcome events and roommates want to shop and hangout to get to know each other.
I waited in car while my DD checked in first day- went to her apartment, unloaded and she claimed her bed. Then we did some shopping -not much food as the roommates were all planning a big shop together. She then went to settle in and her brother and I went to parks. We did take her to dinner that first night. She also had a meeting that first day.

We did the vacation thing her first week. She was pretty busy with stuff but hung out when she could. After traditions she had some time to come to parks with us too. DH and her other sis came down midweek, then we all flew home together.

We got APs when DD was eligible for her discount. DH and I are flying down in 12 days to spend NYE in the world, then helping her pack up for drive back.

It's been an overall great experience for my DD. Your DD is gonna have a blast. If you haven't already- join the the DCP Facebook group for parents (Disney college program parent group-to infinity and beyond). Tons and tons of up to date info and files for when the inevitable questions on illness, housing, car issues, discounts etc come up.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd started in Sept '16. We arrived 3 or so days prior to her checkin. Played in the parks, etc. She had been given a checkin time of 8:40. We ate a good breakfast, then drove over. We had a rental car. She checked in, we waited in the car. Took her about 5 mins to get her key and get checked in. Drove to the apt, started unloading stuff. She had Casting around 9:30, so she headed to the bus area. We stayed behind. We had no trouble staying an unloading the car, but I've been told that parents aren't supposed to be in the apts without their kiddo. She got back, her stuff was all in the apt. That was about 90 mins after she left. We then drove to Target where we bought the stuff she would need but didn't have room to fly down with us, and a ton of groceries and paper goods. Figured she could provide the first paper towels, napkins, tp, etc. She went to drug testing. All of her roommates had shown up at this point. She had one roommate, that she didn't know, who arrived to find that the space in the room with her friend had been taken by someone dd did know. I told her to go ahead and move the stuff to the other room, I was pretty sure the young lady wouldn't mind since she didn't know any of those three girls..wouldn't matter which one she shared a room with. Drama averted. Dd returned, we said goodbye. Well, I thought it was goodbye. Seems she had forgotten wrapping paper or gift bags for her roommate gifts, would I get some and drive them over to her. Sure, I was only 8 mins away. Well, security didn't want to let me into the complex!!! Seems that even though I had the parking pass in my window, I still needed dd to be with me, in the car. They let me through, just this one time, gave the stuff to dd, then said goodbye. It was about 4pm by this time.
She had no interest in seeing us again...it was time to settle in and get to know the roommates. We flew out the next morning.

 

[DonnaL]

Im sure there have been some program changes since DS did the CP during Spring 2011. I believe his check-in was 1/10. He wanted to have his car while there so DH and I drove from PA with him, leaving on 1/4, arriving in Orlando on 1/6. We spent the next few days enjoying our mini-vacation until the morning of 1/10 when it was time for him to check-in and get his housing assignment. He was assigned to Patterson Court in a 3 bdrm. At that time, you could have chosen to be matched up with a roommate request or randomly matched at check-in. Don't know if they still do under 21 and over 21 apartments, but, they did at that time. Since he had turned 21 a few months prior, he was in an over 21 apartment. He chose random match so didn't meet his roommates until they all began showing up at the apartment. I believe a few checked in the same day he did and a few within a few days afterward since arrival dates were staggered. It worked out ok that way........it seemed none of the roommates were on the same shifts ever.....so they really never spent a lot of time together. Anyway, he was the first to get his keys and we just helped him carry everything inside and get settled. He then had some type of orientation meeting to go to, so DH and I just made plans to meet up with him later that evening. I believe we then flew home the next day. He became friends with several other CP'ers who worked pretty much the same shifts he did and they did a lot of things together on their time off. About a month or so into the program, one of his roommates was terminated and another CP'er who DS was friends with applied for that spot since he had turned 21 a few weeks after he started his CP.

 

[codfishy]

How much or little help should I plan to provide without being an overbearing parent?
This one is up to you. We helped our DCPers (twins) move into their apartment and got out of the way. They spent the rest of their time shopping, gift exchanging, and resort hopping with their new apartment-mates.

What time of day does the moving in typically begin, and how long does the process take?
Our DCPers had an early check in at the Commons clubhouse. We were in their apartment by 8:30AM, then they had to go to some orientation event by 10:00AM and drug screening after that, so we stayed and continued unpacking and setting up their stuff.

Do parents take their DCP student out to supper that night?
You could, but it is also a good time for the DCPers to get to know each other. The first night was when the housemates decided to do their gift exchange.

The program has its ups and downs and while it is a good experience for most, it is not for all. 50% of our DCPers roomates self termed. I think some go into the experience not realizing that they are there to work first, and play later.

 

[softball chick]

I did the program Spring '16 and I had my mom and sister help me out quite a bit with the move in process. We arrived in Florida the day before check in and stayed at Pop Century. The morning of check in my mom drove me to Vista Way (where everyone used to check in) and I took care of check in and casting. When I was finished, she and my sister met me at my apartment and helped me move in my stuff and start to unpack. That first night I think they just brought me Chick Fil A because I needed food and didn't want to leave all the unpacking projects I was doing, but others in my apartment had dinner with their families. Some people didn't even spend the night with us, but instead in the hotel with their parents. In general, I'd say leave it up to your DD. Every person and apartment is different that first night. I know I liked spending time with my family the following few days (they stayed 3 more days) because I knew I was going to miss them. Other people say goodbye after you drop off stuff and that's that. See what she wants and kind of just go with the flow - it's a crazy day but also super exciting.

 

[lvthemouse]

Were the apartments clean, or do we/DD need to plan on cleaning her room,kitchen, and bathroom?

 

[Txshadow]

Were the apartments clean, or do we/DD need to plan on cleaning her room,kitchen, and bathroom?

When I moved son I for his program, the apartment was clean. Doesn't hurt to wipe down things with a Clorox wipe but did not need to do any deep cleaning.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

DD has landed a role in attractions for the spring. Our whole family is going down to have a vacation several days before she moves in on January 22. DW and DS will be leaving for home a couple days before, and it will be just me helping DD move her stuff in. A few questions...

1) How much or little help should I plan to provide without being an overbearing parent?
2) What time of day does the moving in typically begin, and how long does the process take?
3) Do parents take their DCP student out to supper that night?

Also, I'm flying home the next morning 1/23 and would be interested in recommendations for a motel for one night near the airport.

I'm responding as a CPer who also had one parent helping me move in.

1) I'd let your DD take control. Let her tell you what to do. For me, I like my parents to just bring in the stuff and let me take care of everything else after. I'm a bit anal about things having their place and organization. I can be lenient, but that depends on my mood or schedule so again it's best to stay out of the way especially considering for most CPs this is their first time being very independent. You know your DD best, but I think that's just generally how it works for most CPers. I promise they won't shove you out, you will get a nice goodbye.

2) Moving in can range from super early in the morning (as it was for me) to early afternoon. They have to check in first to get the apartment number, key and housing ID, which is usually very quick then you move in unless their schedule has them going somewhere directly after. Generally you'll still have time to get everything into the apartment.

3) Mine didn't, but we flew in the night before and had our farewell dinner at Disney Springs and my dad's plane ticket was for the following evening so he couldn't stay long after check-in. I also had made plans with my roommates many months ago to go to Beaches N Cream for the Kitchen Sink, which is a typical thing of roommates to go out for dinner or whatever their first night. I know some of my friends had dinner with their families though so it's not atypical.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Thanks for all the responses! I like to be prepared and know what to expect. It sounds like there are lots of similarities to a typical college move-in. DD checks in on 1/22. We are all headed down 1/14 but it will be just me and DD on 1/22. Gathering what I am reading here, I think it will be easy enough for me to do my typical Dad thing and be DD's on-call support staff that day. I'm good at schlepping suitcases and totes, and she is good at nesting (gets that from DW). I was originally wondering if I could fly out that Monday night, but DD has said all along she hopes I'll take her to dinner (I think she read that this happens with CPers and families). I'll stick around and fly out 1/23 and not be disappointed if she chooses to go to dinner with roommates instead of me.

 

[dsanner106]

I would add that you need to do a good walk through and note anything wrong in the apartment, note carpet stain, marred counter top, etc. Also if anything does not work, get a work order in to repair right away. That way at move out, there are no questions. Apartments are pretty clean but we still did a quick clean as well. We stuck around with all 3 of our kids and offered dinner and in the end, all 3 stayed to do things with the new roomates and one had a meeting that night, so have a backup for dinner on your own. We made one good shopping run with each after unloading clothing etc in the room and that was about it.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

My son is moving in RIGHT now. He had an 8:30 am check in time, which took 5 minutes (at Chatham). My husband was able to wait in the car for him. They then drove over to his building and he was thoroughly moved in an hour later. He had 2 huge suitcases, many bags from his shopping trip to Sam's Club, and all his bedding and towels. They are now on their way to Wal Mart to pick up all of his perishable goods. Tim has a 12:30 meeting he needs to be back for. While he's doing that, my husband is heading to DS to grab a bite and do some shopping. So far, everything has gone about as smooth as it could...