Pros/Cons of Apartments

[OCgirl]

I have never done the CP in WDW, but I have done the CP in DL. One of the biggest differences has to be the complex options. What are the pros and cons of each apartment complex? When do you get to preference the apartment you want? Thanks!

 

[AllisonMak]

When you check in they'll ask you if you know how many roommates you want, which complex, etc.

I had a 4-bedroom in Chatham and it was huge! I loved the space. My roommates were slobs, but that isn't necessarily something I didn't like about the complex. lol It sounds like I had no friends, but I actually never went into any other apartment but my own while I was down there... Everyone just always ended up coming over to our place lol.

 

[Meg13]

I, too, lived in Chatham while I was there, and I absolutely loved it. The apartments were huge and clean. Patterson Court is the newest complex, so of course it's the nicest; it's only con is that it does not have it's own bus stop. You have to walk to the one in front of Chatham. It's not a hugely long walk, but if you're lazy (like me) it's something to think about.

Vista Way... kind of has a bad reputation. I've heard people who like it, and those who don't. The apartment I went to over there was smaller than mine, but it wasn't trashy. Apparently it's a much louder complex, where most of the socialization goes on. Chatham and Patterson are the quieter of the three.

Everybody has different opinions, of course, but those are what I heard/experienced while I was down there.

 

[BabySimba]

So Vista Way is party central? Hope they don't put me there! I mean don't get me wrong I like parties but I also like my sleep.
What about the Commons?

 

[kenziekinz09]

I think the commons are only for international students.

 

[BabySimba]

I think the commons are only for international students.

That's me.

 

[BethEJo]

I think the commons are only for international students.

Yeah it's for the Internationals doing the cultural rep program. The international students doing the ICP/summer work experience stay in Vista Way/Chatham/Patterson

 

[OCgirl]

So I'm guessing the issues are more with the roommates than the apartments?

 

[ladypage]

I have never done the CP in WDW, but I have done the CP in DL. One of the biggest differences has to be the complex options. What are the pros and cons of each apartment complex? When do you get to preference the apartment you want? Thanks!

How were the apartments in DL? Do you mind if I message you with some questions? It seems I'm the sole wanna be DL CPer here.

 

[BigDreamer]

I'm currently in a 3 br in Vista and I really like it. We are right in the center of things. There's a Chick-fil-a next door, as well as a Walgreens, the gas station, and Applebee's and CiCi's is right across the street. There are many more restraurants in walking distance, while Chatt and Patt are in like a neighborhood and you can't walk anywhere.
Our appliances are older (white, not stainless steel). The downside with a 3 br in VW verses Chatt or Patt is that we have two bathrooms, while over there each bedroom has it's own bathroom. Here, one bedroom has an attached bathroom, while the two other rooms share one (but so far we haven't had any issues at all with sharing).
There can be parties, but so far I would say that it's not some crazy frat house. I have been to some parties, but you have to be careful of who you're with and how loud everyone is. You will be termed if underagers are drinking at the party you're also at (just be smart). I don't stay if anyone is underage, as I don't want there to be any questions at all.
In short: I like Vista, you can walk tons of places, not a frat house.

 

[OCgirl]

How were the apartments in DL? Do you mind if I message you with some questions? It seems I'm the sole wanna be DL CPer here.

Absolutely! and I have tons of pics of the apartments as well.

 

[OCgirl]

I'm currently in a 3 br in Vista and I really like it. We are right in the center of things. There's a Chick-fil-a next door, as well as a Walgreens, the gas station, and Applebee's and CiCi's is right across the street. There are many more restraurants in walking distance, while Chatt and Patt are in like a neighborhood and you can't walk anywhere.

Did you pick Vista? I love the idea of a big, newer apartment (who doesn't?) but I have a feeling I would prefer the closeness to stores and restaurants. Do you think it's worth it to have an older apartment if it's closer to stores?

 

[BigDreamer]

Did you pick Vista? I love the idea of a big, newer apartment (who doesn't?) but I have a feeling I would prefer the closeness to stores and restaurants. Do you think it's worth it to have an older apartment if it's closer to stores?

There were a group of us who had met on FB and decided we REALLY wanted a 3 br, hopefully in Chattham. But we had a later arrival date (like 2nd from last) and when we got up there there were none left. There were some in Patterson but while we did want the newer/nicer rooms, we decided that it was definitely worth being really close to everything. Two of the roommates have cars, but those of us that don't liked being close to stuff. We all just felt that Patterson (which is across the street from Chath) was in the middle of nowhere. It seems like if you wanted to go buy something but missed the bus, you would be stuck until the next rotation. So we feel it's totally worth it.

 

[piratechick]

This is what I wrote on another thread and I hope it helps...

In both programs, I had continuously heard the complexes given theses nicknames by most of my fellow cps:

Vista Way: the ghetto (a lot of parties, drinking, drugs, very noisy and busy because of the buses, the oldest apartments and also the only apartments that does not have balconies, the least expensive, and close to a lot of stores and restaurants)
Chatham Square: the suburban ( a mixture of quiet peaceful days with a couple of parties happening every so often, the second oldest but still seems new and clean, Publix is only a ten minute walk away, the outlet stores are only a fifteen-twenty minute walk away-right across the street from the Commons)
Patterson Court: the retirement home ( quiet and calm almost every day, the newest apartments, no bus stop-you have to take a 2-3 minute walk to Chatham to catch the bus, the most expensive, same walking distance from Publix and the outlets like Chatham, and a nice pool with a fireplace lounge)
The Commons (for ICPs): party city (only for ICPs, some of the apartments are two stories, each apartment have their own washer and dryer for laundry, there is a lot more parties happening here than at Vista, it's the most expensive out of all four complexes only because of the free laundry)

I always laugh when I hear theses nicknames. I stayed in both Chatham and Patterson and personally I prefer Patterson. Chatham was great, but I thought Patterson was nicer only because they were newer. I love peace and quiet most of the time, so that is why I picked Patterson. I'm not the party type, so I tended to stay away from Vista. I was also stalked and harassed by a bunch of drunk guys twice while walking through there. Vista also doesn't have any apartments with balconies which I didn't like because sometimes I like to sit outside on the balcony and read or watch the beautiful lighting storms. If you are lucky, you might get the apartment in Patterson where you can actually watch the fireworks at Disney from your balcony. I was lucky enough to get that apartment. It was amazing! If I get accepted, I am going to chose Patterson again.

 

[Haveamagicalday!]

I LOVED Chatham! I had a 4 bedroom and we got really lucky. Our apartment was awesome because we had an entryway, and then stairs leading up from the entryway to the actual apartment. It made it feel really spacious and homey.

I would like to stay in Patterson too, thought that walk to and from the bus stop may feel long after a long day at work. Plus, Patterson wasn't completely finished during my CP in 08 and I didn't want to have to deal with construction noise.

As for Vista, it is party central. Some people really enjoy it, but I was always thankful for the solitude of Chatham. Of course, I can't explain Vista without thinking of the Vista Way remix video. hahaha

 

[DLMalmberg]

I stayed in both. I started in Vista in 3 bedroom. One bedroom has its own bath, other two rooms (4 people) had to share one. It was never a problem because our schedules are so different. I never had a problem sleeping there. There were parties but people will be quiet if you ever need to sleep. You can either ask them or call security if necessary but I never had to do that. Our shower curtain rings had mold on it but we brought new ones anyways so we just stored it until we had to leave. Yes the floors and appliances are a little older, but if anything is broken or chipped they will repair it. They replaced our kitchen tile when one had a crack. The bus stop is so convenient I cant even describe it. So many times I was running late and wouldnt have to worry because another bus was always coming soon.

After two roommates moved out, and I started dating someone in Chatham, my roomie and I moved to Chatham. We had a four bedroom, two bedrooms sharing a bathroom, and it was never a problem for shower time. THe kitchen is very nice and they are white and bright and clean. The soccer fields and lake are right across the street at the little employee camp. Bus stop is outside the complex but still convenient. Not as many bus times. Downside to Chatham.. the traffic to get out onto the main street from the road back into Chatham can be challenging if you drive. Either go the back way or do not drive during traffic hours. Also very quiet. Almost creepy quiet sometimes. But good if you are wanting it quiet 24/7.

As far as the guys hollering at Vista like someone mentioned.... I had a guy hitting on me in the laundry area at Chatham too. They live in all the apartments lol. There are just more in Vista. Most of the guys wanting to party and whatever. Vista is more laid back that's why. It just depends all on who you live with. You can make the experience what you want. Vista is not disgusting it's just more outdated. If you want a bright new apartment choose Chatham or Patterson. If you just want a cozy home with close proximity to things, good bus service, and a laid back attitude then live in Vista.

 

[BabySimba]

I have a few questions about the buses.
So only Vista and Chatham have bus stops?
And how long (approximately) does it take to get from one of those bus stops to EPCOT?
AND if we're travelling to the parks for just a day of fun and not actually working, can we still take the buses at the complexes? Will they drop us off by the park entrances or something rather than backstage?
Thanks!

 

[Meg13]

My bus rides from Chatham to EPCOT lasted around 30-45 minutes. I'm not entirely sure; it's been a while. But I would get on there, (usually it had already been by the Commons) and we would go to Vista Way, where we would sit for a while. Sometimes I caught the bus where the drivers would switch, sometimes the driver would disappear for a while... We sat at Vista Way for a good ten minutes at least most of the time. From there, the ride to EPCOT was maybe five minutes at the most.

Yes, you can use the buses to get to the parks on your days off. They'll drop you off backstage, and you'll usually have to make your way to the entrance and enter from onstage, through the turnstiles just as if you had driven.

 

[BigDreamer]

What Meg says still stands. The bus goes from Chat to the Commons to VW to Epcot. So I am the last to get on before heading to epcot, but also the last to get dropped off after work. An example of the schedule is as follows:

Leave Chat @ 6 -> Leave Commons @ 6:03 -> Leave VW @6:17-> Leave Epcot@6:32.

Also, as a side note, VW is the only place that has hot tubs.

 

[BabySimba]

Aha! Thanks for the answers. Very helpful.