College Program Parents Thread...

[Joanna71985]

For insurance at my school, I just have to be a FT student. So I had to get credits for my CPs (I got 11 my first, and 8 my second).

[Traveliz]

Originally Posted by Joanna71985

For insurance at my school, I just have to be a FT student. So I had to get credits for my CPs (I got 11 my first, and 8 my second).

Gosh to be full time for my daughter she would have had to get 12 credits each semester -- that is great it worked out for you though.

On the other hand we were able to take her off the family insurance at work and realized a savings there and then bought a separate policy (not as good though but doable) for about a wash so it worked out.

Liz

[ro80]

This is actually for Joanna - how did you get so many credits for your CP's? Did your school give you credit for them, how did that work? Was it the classes you took during your CP??? I'm just trying to understand...

[Joanna71985]

Originally Posted by ro80

This is actually for Joanna - how did you get so many credits for your CP's? Did your school give you credit for them, how did that work? Was it the classes you took during your CP??? I'm just trying to understand...

The CPs were considered Independent Studies for my school. For my first, I also took one of the Disney classes to get the extra credits (I took Hospitality Management, which was really interesting).

[ilysespieces]

i still have no idea about insurance and credits and how my school works, i guess i need to find someone who knows about this when i go to class tomorrow.

[Joanna71985]

Originally Posted by ilysespieces

i still have no idea about insurance and credits and how my school works, i guess i need to find someone who knows about this when i go to class tomorrow.

Good luck!!

[AlaskaBigMomma]

Howdy folks - I have been a DIS lurker for a good 2 years but only just registered as I am having major anxiety over my daughter leaving me for WDW Careerstart in August She is SOOO excited and I am most of the time but well...
First let me say we are from a small rural Alaska town of about 1100 and this will be the first time she will have a "big town" experience - come to think of it this will also be the longest we have ever been apart ( she was homeschooled) - now I know that this is a WONDERFUL opportunity and she is going to 18 and I have to let go but I'm working on it!
Ok - now for the big question - she leaves in August and we have NO family on the East Coast so I was thinking of going down a few days early with the family and spending some time with her there before her check in. Then I wanted to spend another week or so making sure she got settled in. For those alumni out there - is this a good plan or is it too smothering? ( Oh let me say that my daughter is so twitterpaited that she is not as anxious as Mom here)
Also- which resort is closer to Vista Way ( that's her 1st choice of dorms)?
Can she get from a resort to the dorms on a bus or do we have to get her a taxi?
Thanks for letting me vent some jitters and for all info you can give

[Joanna71985]

Originally Posted by AlaskaBigMomma

Howdy folks - I have been a DIS lurker for a good 2 years but only just registered as I am having major anxiety over my daughter leaving me for WDW Careerstart in August She is SOOO excited and I am most of the time but well...
First let me say we are from a small rural Alaska town of about 1100 and this will be the first time she will have a "big town" experience - come to think of it this will also be the longest we have ever been apart ( she was homeschooled) - now I know that this is a WONDERFUL opportunity and she is going to 18 and I have to let go but I'm working on it!
Ok - now for the big question - she leaves in August and we have NO family on the East Coast so I was thinking of going down a few days early with the family and spending some time with her there before her check in. Then I wanted to spend another week or so making sure she got settled in. For those alumni out there - is this a good plan or is it too smothering? ( Oh let me say that my daughter is so twitterpaited that she is not as anxious as Mom here)
Also- which resort is closer to Vista Way ( that's her 1st choice of dorms)?
Can she get from a resort to the dorms on a bus or do we have to get her a taxi?
Thanks for letting me vent some jitters and for all info you can give

Welcome to DIS!!

I don't think it's too smothering. My dad has come down with me for each of my 3 programs (and will be coming back down with me in May). Unfortunately I don't know about Disney resorts. But there is a hotel right nearby Vista (the Holiday Inn Sunspree). And no. Unfortuntely there are no resort buses that go to Vista. You would need to get a cab.

[Traveliz]

Originally Posted by AlaskaBigMomma

Howdy folks - I have been a DIS lurker for a good 2 years but only just registered as I am having major anxiety over my daughter leaving me for WDW Careerstart in August She is SOOO excited and I am most of the time but well...
First let me say we are from a small rural Alaska town of about 1100 and this will be the first time she will have a "big town" experience - come to think of it this will also be the longest we have ever been apart ( she was homeschooled) - now I know that this is a WONDERFUL opportunity and she is going to 18 and I have to let go but I'm working on it!
Ok - now for the big question - she leaves in August and we have NO family on the East Coast so I was thinking of going down a few days early with the family and spending some time with her there before her check in. Then I wanted to spend another week or so making sure she got settled in. For those alumni out there - is this a good plan or is it too smothering? ( Oh let me say that my daughter is so twitterpaited that she is not as anxious as Mom here)
Also- which resort is closer to Vista Way ( that's her 1st choice of dorms)?
Can she get from a resort to the dorms on a bus or do we have to get her a taxi?
Thanks for letting me vent some jitters and for all info you can give

Hi! Mom here not an alum but we ended up doing something similar last summer. I took my daughter down and we had a few fun days before she checked in - mainly because there was a Pirate and Princess Party we wanted to attend that was a few days before her arrival date.

Once she checked in I stayed in town a couple of more days because I had a car and could help her if needed - I really didn't hover but she needed black shoes and she wanted to get Sketchers rather than the Walmart brand so I took her there, also took her to get her banking set up - -that sort of thing --just to make it easier for her.

I then left for a couple of weeks but was only an hour and a half away at my inlaws empty condo in St Pete. I really didn't hear from her much during that time - she was so busy. But she had gotten tickets to see the Jonas Bros and didn't have anyone that knew of them at that time so I came back over and went with her, took her out to dinner and then back to the apt.

My husband came at the end of that time for a week because we had gotten a free dining pkg before all this transpired - and he wanted to see her actually working so that week we spent some time with her as well.

As far as getting around she can get everywhere using the Disney CP bus system combined with the Disney system. Of course in costume she can't be on the regular guest buses.

I had a car because we drove.

Later in the year I flew down for a visit and rented a car so I could help her get groceries and do some errrands. You might consider that.

Vista is close to the different resort areas by way of different transportation routes. I would say its really closest to the DTD resorts and then Saratoga Springs but I stayed at All Stars and via 1-4 it is pretty convenient also.

I would say the MK resorts are furthest away.

Often if we are meeting her we just meet her at the parks or wherever rather than having her come to the resort. Although when the extended family came in Dec she met us all at the resort.

If you have anymore questions ask away.

Liz

[Joanna71985]

Originally Posted by Traveliz

As far as getting around she can get everywhere using the Disney CP bus system combined with the Disney system. Of course in costume she can't be on the regular guest buses.

Actually, I don't think that's true. I have see CMs in costume riding the WDW buses.

[Traveliz]

Originally Posted by Joanna71985

Actually, I don't think that's true. I have see CMs in costume riding the WDW buses.

Wow really! I just assumed no to that! Although now that I think about it - my daughter's culinary roommates did use the monorail to get to work from the TTC so I guess they do use the transportation. And I know I have seen transportation CMs using Disney transportation to get around.

My daughter is in attractions and I am pretty sure she doesn't get on the Disney guest buses in her costume - but rather changes first if she is headed to a resort.

Liz

[Joanna71985]

I wouldn't have been allowed to wear my costume on the bus (character attendants can't take the costumes home), but I had days where I started at one park and had to take the guest bus to another park for a second shift (this was mostly AK-MK).

[onehotdisneymama]

Originally Posted by AlaskaBigMomma

Howdy folks - I have been a DIS lurker for a good 2 years but only just registered as I am having major anxiety over my daughter leaving me for WDW Careerstart in August She is SOOO excited and I am most of the time but well...
First let me say we are from a small rural Alaska town of about 1100 and this will be the first time she will have a "big town" experience - come to think of it this will also be the longest we have ever been apart ( she was homeschooled) - now I know that this is a WONDERFUL opportunity and she is going to 18 and I have to let go but I'm working on it!
Ok - now for the big question - she leaves in August and we have NO family on the East Coast so I was thinking of going down a few days early with the family and spending some time with her there before her check in. Then I wanted to spend another week or so making sure she got settled in. For those alumni out there - is this a good plan or is it too smothering? ( Oh let me say that my daughter is so twitterpaited that she is not as anxious as Mom here)
Also- which resort is closer to Vista Way ( that's her 1st choice of dorms)?
Can she get from a resort to the dorms on a bus or do we have to get her a taxi?
Thanks for letting me vent some jitters and for all info you can give

Hi! and welcome. I am a parent of a first time CPer. My daughter starts May 28. Yes, I am stressing over it. But what an opportunity these kids have. I have to admit we are Disney junkies. My first trip was in 1975 for Grad nite and my husband was first at WDW in 1972. My kids grew up with Disney and now my grandchildren are enjoying "the Mouse". Even though I live in Florida, love WDW and can be in Orlando in less than two hours..........doesn't help. Smothering is what mothers (and fathers) do best. My daughter checks in on a Wednesday and my husband took the whole week off. (Daddy's girl). I will be anxiously watching as my daughter goes off into 'the World'. (just not too closely so that I get caught watching. ). If I can be a help to anyone, please let me know. We are all fixin' to jump into the same boat. Good luck. Diane

[tiki23]

Thanks for starting this thread!

My son wants to be in the Career Start program next year and I'm reading all of the info I can get my hands on. He and I are taking a trip this year for free dining and are hoping to check some things out connected with the program.

Is there a student office or counselors office where we could talk to someone? Possibly tour the apartment/dorm areas?

Thanks.

[DisneyJersey]

Originally Posted by tiki23

Thanks for starting this thread!

My son wants to be in the Career Start program next year and I'm reading all of the info I can get my hands on. He and I are taking a trip this year for free dining and are hoping to check some things out connected with the program.

Is there a student office or counselors office where we could talk to someone? Possibly tour the apartment/dorm areas?

Thanks.

unfortunately, no you can't tour the apt/dorm areas, however, I suggest you go to the casting building, they have an office for college recruiting/career start, i suggest you go there..