The Disney College Program - Pros and Cons

[kimmar067]

Chatham Square, and it is very nice

...I think they're newer, right?

 

[kimmar067]

I have another question:

...soooo, this my seem stupid, but did your parents/guardians accompany you to help you 'settle in'? None of my DS's have gone to 'away' college (they were both commuters) so I don't know....

 

[metalis4ever]

I have another question:

...soooo, this my seem stupid, but did your parents/guardians accompany you to help you 'settle in'? None of my DS's have gone to 'away' college (they were both commuters) so I don't know....

Probably not directed at me but I am in Disney College Program mode since posting on this thread so I am going to answer anyway haha November can't come soon enough!!!

My father drove with me because he refused to let me drive all the way from Massachusetts to Florida by myself, he was there while I signed in, helped me move my things into the apartment, then jumped in a cab to the Airport....He was awesome about it, he wanted me to get settled in on my own with little to no safety net, which for me was a huge step but it ended up working out great because I was instantly forced to break my anti-social chains

 

[frndshpcptn]

I have another question:

...soooo, this my seem stupid, but did your parents/guardians accompany you to help you 'settle in'? None of my DS's have gone to 'away' college (they were both commuters) so I don't know....

When I did my CPs in 1998 and 1999 I went down to FL on my own (from New York). I stayed the night before check in that first summer at the Holiday Inn and then got to Vista Way for check in bright and early. I wanted to be first there so I got to pick the bedroom with the bathroon in it That way, I was only sharing my bathroom with one other person.

My second summer, I met up with a few of my friends from my first summer a few nights before our program started and we all went over to Vista Way together for check in so we could room together again.

That said, my first summer, one of my roommates parents did come down with her b/c she drove. Not wierd at all and we hung out with her Mom at the parks a few times that first week.

 

[LisaR]

When I did my CPs in 1998 and 1999 I went down to FL on my own (from New York). I stayed the night before check in that first summer at the Holiday Inn and then got to Vista Way for check in bright and early. I wanted to be first there so I got to pick the bedroom with the bathroon in it That way, I was only sharing my bathroom with one other person.

My second summer, I met up with a few of my friends from my first summer a few nights before our program started and we all went over to Vista Way together for check in so we could room together again.

That said, my first summer, one of my roommates parents did come down with her b/c she drove. Not wierd at all and we hung out with her Mom at the parks a few times that first week.

So did you only do the program in the summer? I wondered if that was a possibility. How many weeks was the summer term?

 

[Traveliz]

So did you only do the program in the summer? I wondered if that was a possibility. How many weeks was the summer term?

I am pretty sure summer only is not a possibility. It used to be that CP ALUMNI could apply for summer CP programs but when the economy tanked they pulled that program. I don't think Summer Alumni programs have been reinstated but of course its worth a check.

There is alot of information on the Disney website regarding the CP so that would be a good place to check.

Liz

 

[frndshpcptn]

So did you only do the program in the summer? I wondered if that was a possibility. How many weeks was the summer term?

Back in 1998 and 1999, when I did the CP, yes - you could work just the summer. There was a Spring, Summer and Fall CP.

I don't think they do summer-only programs anymore, though.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I have another question:

...soooo, this my seem stupid, but did your parents/guardians accompany you to help you 'settle in'? None of my DS's have gone to 'away' college (they were both commuters) so I don't know....

Yep, my family did!

 

[dakcp2001]

...can you elaborate a little more on the 'living conditions'? Do the participants of the CP live in dorms? Also, would they need transportation to get back and forth to work?

I lived in Chatam. There were 6 girls, 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. It is a full apartment, very nice, but shared.

They say you do not need a car, I needed a car. My work shifts started much earlier than most of the other parks, I worked at Animal Kingdom. It would have been very difficult for me to take the bus, and made my long day much longer. Also having a car was much better for lugging groceries and allowed me to go a little further to avoid tourist prices grocery stores. SO a car is not necessary, they do offer bus service, but having a car is really really much nicer and makes things easier.

I agree with Metalisforever, this was a life changing experience for me. It is a great way to start being independent and responsible for yourself. And all that while living the dream!

 

[dakcp2001]

I have another question:

...soooo, this my seem stupid, but did your parents/guardians accompany you to help you 'settle in'? None of my DS's have gone to 'away' college (they were both commuters) so I don't know....

Nope, my parents who have never been to Disney, thought my decision was a terrible choice and they refused to support it. They are singing a different tune now! There were lots of parents at check in! I wish mine would have come to visit at least once. lol.

 

[LisaR]

I am pretty sure summer only is not a possibility. It used to be that CP ALUMNI could apply for summer CP programs but when the economy tanked they pulled that program. I don't think Summer Alumni programs have been reinstated but of course its worth a check.

There is alot of information on the Disney website regarding the CP so that would be a good place to check.

Liz

Yeah, it looks like just the summer doesn't exist anymore. I got excited when someone posted they did the summer but that was long ago. Oh well.

My biggest concern is how this factors in with scholarships. I've looked online but haven't found the info I need yet. If you take a semester off to do this, will the scholarships still be there when you head back? I know this is considered an internship but because it isn't connected to the school, I'm not sure how that works. My DD is away right now but I wanted to discuss this as a possible option for her. If her scholarships go away if she isn't in school, I won't even address the subject because there is no way she is losing those.

 

[dakcp2001]

Yeah, it looks like just the summer doesn't exist anymore. I got excited when someone posted they did the summer but that was long ago. Oh well.

My biggest concern is how this factors in with scholarships. I've looked online but haven't found the info I need yet. If you take a semester off to do this, will the scholarships still be there when you head back? I know this is considered an internship but because it isn't connected to the school, I'm not sure how that works. My DD is away right now but I wanted to discuss this as a possible option for her. If her scholarships go away if she isn't in school, I won't even address the subject because there is no way she is losing those.

You can do it at the end of your college degree, the following semester. One of my roommates did that. SHe was done with college and took a semester to do the Cp. She would have graduated in December, so she did the CP and walked in May at the graduation.

 

[LisaR]

Another question I just thought of. Someone mentioned earlier that they were flat broke when they were done with the program. How was the money situation for others? It seems like there should be a little savings to come out of this especially if you are working 40 - 50 hours a week.

 

[LisaR]

You can do it at the end of your college degree, the following semester. One of my roommates did that. SHe was done with college and took a semester to do the Cp. She would have graduated in December, so she did the CP and walked in May at the graduation.

DD is planning to graduate in May (three years from now, though). Her master's degree program only allows an August start date. So if she did the CP at the end of her undergrad, she would have to postpone grad school for a full year. I'd be okay with that if she was truly interested but I am not sure she would be.

 

[dakcp2001]

Another question I just thought of. Someone mentioned earlier that they were flat broke when they were done with the program. How was the money situation for others? It seems like there should be a little savings to come out of this especially if you are working 40 - 50 hours a week.

I was flat broke and I worked far more hours than that. I mean Ramen noodles broke, because I had car insurance and gas to pay for. They deduct rent from your check, and you live in a tourist trap making minimum wage. My first paycheck was under 2 dollars. It is like the company store. You enjoy the perks of free access to the parks, but of course you want to see universal (I had never been) and Seaworld. I could not afford the 50 bucks to get in. You want to go out to eat with your friends once in awhile. I was no way spending like crazy I was on a very tight budget. I left flat broke. Most of my roommates had their parents supporting them, and giving them gas and spending money, I did not.I was the living paycheck to paycheck and my car was on its last leg, it had 216K miles on it. I was praying it didn't break down. So save up before you go and hope to break even, this is not a money making deal or way to save up at ALL. Think how much a drink costs in orlando when you want a water.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Another question I just thought of. Someone mentioned earlier that they were flat broke when they were done with the program. How was the money situation for others? It seems like there should be a little savings to come out of this especially if you are working 40 - 50 hours a week.

I had plenty of money when I got out. In fact, I had enough to not have to work my senior year of college and still pay my rent, bills, and for all of my books. Plus, still had some left over for after graduation and my transition to the real world.

 

[kimmar067]

Nope, my parents who have never been to Disney, thought my decision was a terrible choice and they refused to support it....

....awwww....

[...sorry, the mom in me just came out! ]

 

[kimmar067]

I was flat broke and I worked far more hours than that. I mean Ramen noodles broke, because I had car insurance and gas to pay for. They deduct rent from your check, and you live in a tourist trap making minimum wage. My first paycheck was under 2 dollars. It is like the company store. You enjoy the perks of free access to the parks, but of course you want to see universal (I had never been) and Seaworld. I could not afford the 50 bucks to get in. You want to go out to eat with your friends once in awhile. I was no way spending like crazy I was on a very tight budget. I left flat broke. Most of my roommates had their parents supporting them, and giving them gas and spending money, I did not.I was the living paycheck to paycheck and my car was on its last leg, it had 216K miles on it. I was praying it didn't break down. So save up before you go and hope to break even, this is not a money making deal or way to save up at ALL. Think how much a drink costs in orlando when you want a water.

....WOW! I certainly appreciate your honesty....

 

[tar heel]

We went when our son checked in. They had tents with fans set up for the parents. There were TVs playing and water, but I don't remember any food. Some characters visited for a while. Parents received a packet of information, but there was no formal program. It was August and crazy hot.

It seems like our son was gone about three hours (might not have been that long). We then helped him get his stuff to the apartment and took him to Walmart to buy a couple things. He had stuff scheduled for later afternoon/evening.

We treated our trip to take him as a vacation. We came down early and spent two days at (dare I say it) Universal. Our two younger sons also went there on CP check-in day. We came back twice during the CP, taking advantage of his deep resort discounts and free passes. The second time was at Christmas so the whole family coudl be together even though he had to work. We brought virtually all his stuff home that time and he flew home without even a checked baga few days later.

 

[kimmar067]

I had plenty of money when I got out. In fact, I had enough to not have to work my senior year of college and still pay my rent, bills, and for all of my books. Plus, still had some left over for after graduation and my transition to the real world.

...I'm guessing that you did NOT have an auto...did your parents supplement your $$ ?