College Program Parents Thread... - Page 3 - The DIS Discussion Forums

Traveliz · 05-04-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyJersey

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..

Although you can't actually tour the apts when my daughter and I knew she was interested we did drive over and past the different complexes so she could get a feel for the neighborhoods the apartments were in.

Also we would look at the name tags of the CMs and those with colleges were either carreer start or college program and we would strike up conversations.

Liz

tiki23 · 05-04-2008, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the replies!

DisDRw · 05-05-2008, 10:40 AM

So I have a daughter starting this summer, going thru Jan 09 on the College Program.

Some questions we have...

How often do the kids get enough time off to come home? It would be cheaper for her to come home than for us to go see her. I am thinking if she had 3 or 4 days in a row, it would be worthwhile.

She is not planning on bringing her car. Are the buses adequate?

Banking? Can she direct deposit in an out of state account, or will she need a local bank.

She is going to be a character handler. Do they work at the same location, or do they rotate around frequently?

How does check in day normally go, schedule wise? Will she be occupied all day or is finished earlier? How soon after check in do they go to work? Will she start the next day? Will she have any time to go to the parks with the family who will be there also? We are flying down the night before check-in and will be around for the week.

We hope to get there early so she can get her choice of location for room. She has a friend whom she want to room with. Does that person have to be there at the same time?

Any other advice appreciated!

Berlioz70 · 05-05-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

How often do the kids get enough time off to come home? It would be cheaper for her to come home than for us to go see her. I am thinking if she had 3 or 4 days in a row, it would be worthwhile.

It is generally expected that they will not have time to go home. Typically, students will get two days off a week - but that varies greatly based on job, location and season (I'm afraid I can't speak for entertainment). The weeks run Sunday-Saturday, so she might try to request a Fri-Sat off for one week and then a Sun-Mon the next, to get 4 days off in a row.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

She is not planning on bringing her car. Are the buses adequate?

Many students rely on the buses so they are quite good. The only thing would be preparation and making sure she doesn't miss the bus. Sometimes they will put you to work much earlier then a shift starts, so she has to be wise with her time, maybe wonder around the parks if she wants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

Banking? Can she direct deposit in an out of state account, or will she need a local bank.

She can back from home, out of state.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

She is going to be a character handler. Do they work at the same location, or do they rotate around frequently?

Are you referring to a Character Attendant? In that case, she'll be working all over the resort, at all parks, and maybe some of the restaurants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

How does check in day normally go, schedule wise? Will she be occupied all day or is finished earlier? How soon after check in do they go to work? Will she start the next day? Will she have any time to go to the parks with the family who will be there also? We are flying down the night before check-in and will be around for the week.

There are two housing meetings on check-in day, so she'll be required to attend one. If you get there early (which it sounds like you're planning on), then her housing meeting will be earlier in the day and she'll have the late afternoon and evening off.

On the second day there is another meeting to talk about work locations and to sign up for classes, it is my understanding that this meeting is only offered in the morning, then she'll have the afternoon/evening off.

Day three is when she'll start traditions (work) which runs for about 4 hours, then her training from there will branch off into her actual job and varies based on positions. Keep in mind that she will not get free access to the parks or access to her hotel discounts until day three.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

She has a friend whom she want to room with. Does that person have to be there at the same time?

If they do not do the roommate notification then yes, they'll have to arrive together. If they do the roommate notification then they do not have to, but it is still generally recommended.

Joanna71985 · 05-05-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

So I have a daughter starting this summer, going thru Jan 09 on the College Program.

Some questions we have...

How often do the kids get enough time off to come home? It would be cheaper for her to come home than for us to go see her. I am thinking if she had 3 or 4 days in a row, it would be worthwhile.

She is not planning on bringing her car. Are the buses adequate?

Banking? Can she direct deposit in an out of state account, or will she need a local bank.

She is going to be a character handler. Do they work at the same location, or do they rotate around frequently?

How does check in day normally go, schedule wise? Will she be occupied all day or is finished earlier? How soon after check in do they go to work? Will she start the next day? Will she have any time to go to the parks with the family who will be there also? We are flying down the night before check-in and will be around for the week.

We hope to get there early so she can get her choice of location for room. She has a friend whom she want to room with. Does that person have to be there at the same time?

Any other advice appreciated!

It is not common getting 3-4 days off that much. Typically it is 2 days off a week, but during really busy times it may even be just 1 day. You may be able to get 4 days off in a row by requesting a Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon (2 weeks worth), but there is no guarantee.

Yes. You can get by with the buses. I have done 3 CPs, and have not had a car for any of them.

Yes, she can direct-deposit into a bank.

Character attendants work everywhere. They can work in all 4 parks and also in the resorts for dining (though that is not very common). It is the best job ever!!

Check-in runs from 9am til 1pm. They usually allow people to start earlier (last summer I started at 8, and was done by 8:45am). After the housing meeting (done in the afternoon), you are all done for the day. You will not start training right away. You find out your work location on Day 2, have Traditions on Day 3 (this is where you get the work ID, which means you can't get into the parks for free before this), and training usually starts around Day 4-6. It depends by area. If she is not doing the roomie notification, and there is someone she wants to room with, they have to be in line together.

DisDRw · 05-06-2008, 08:04 AM

Thanks Berlioz and Joanna! We are getting excited!

Joanna71985 · 05-06-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisDRw

Thanks Berlioz and Joanna! We are getting excited!

You're welcome.

Joanna71985 · 05-22-2008, 10:06 AM

Has anyone else's DD/DS checked in yet? I am in FL, and in Patterson!! I find out my work location today!

onehotdisneymama · 05-22-2008, 10:10 AM

Congrads on getting into Patterson. My DD arrives on the 28th. Good luck with your work location. Waiting to hear how it works out for you.

Joanna71985 · 05-22-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onehotdisneymama

Congrads on getting into Patterson. My DD arrives on the 28th. Good luck with your work location. Waiting to hear how it works out for you.

Thank you!! Safe trip for your DD.

looo33 · 05-25-2008, 06:06 PM

My dd checked in on the 19th and is living in Chatham. So far she is loving it! She has one apartment mate that is going home already....it wasn't what she expected. So they are down to 5 of them in the apartment. Will they fill that opening with someone else?

csaribay · 05-25-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by looo33

My dd checked in on the 19th and is living in Chatham. So far she is loving it! She has one apartment mate that is going home already....it wasn't what she expected. So they are down to 5 of them in the apartment. Will they fill that opening with someone else?

Most likely, although it may take a while for someone to move in. There are several arrival dates coming up, so it's possible they'll have someone new move in (next one is this coming Wednesday).

Joanna71985 · 05-26-2008, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by looo33

My dd checked in on the 19th and is living in Chatham. So far she is loving it! She has one apartment mate that is going home already....it wasn't what she expected. So they are down to 5 of them in the apartment. Will they fill that opening with someone else?

Where is she working?

looo33 · 05-28-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joanna71985

Where is she working?

She is in Fantasyland working between Pooh, Snow White and the Tea cups. She is having a blast!

DisDRw · 05-28-2008, 01:53 PM

Dropped off my DD. She is staying at Chatham, and is in one of the 4 bedroom units. Its still very early, but so far she seems to really be enjoying it. We are still learning about her schedule, etc. One good thing I learned is what EPCOT really stands for. Its "Employee Paychecks Come On Thursday".

05-04-2008, 09:37 PM	#32
tiki23 Able to leap a double stroller in a single splat A hot glue gun was my best friend Join Date: May 2005 Location: Des Moines WA Posts: 2,757	Thanks for the replies! __________________ 1st Trip! 11/06 POP!~ Christmas Time W/Mom 12/07 POP!~ Solo Trip DL 3/08~ Mom-Son FD 8/08 POP~Family & Friends 10/08 DLR~Family Reunion FD 9/09 ASMU~Sisters! FD 9/10 POFQ~ 311 w/DD's choir! ASMu~ May 2012 EE Challenge w/Sis POP! ~Milestone Celebration w/DH 9/12 AoA!

05-22-2008, 10:06 AM	#38
Joanna71985 Characters are my friendsSuper CP to the rescue! I was mostly in Fantasyland Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mickey's backyard (Orlando, FL) Posts: 13,598	Has anyone else's DD/DS checked in yet? I am in FL, and in Patterson!! I find out my work location today! __________________ Aug 1998- POR March 2003- HS band trip (offsite) Aug 2003- POR Jan 12-Aug 5, 2005: CP Jan 1-5, 2006: AS Sports (solo) May 24, 2006- Jan 5, 2007: CP Jan 31-Feb 3, 2007: Solo (offsite) March 1-3, 2007: Dad+me (offsite) May 16-Aug 10, 2007: CP Aug 10-12, 2007: GF May 21-Aug 15, 2008: CP Aug 15-18, 2008: AKL March 25-29, 2009 (offsite) Aug 10, 2009-Jan 2, 2010: CP Jan 3-May 14, 2010: CP May 16, 2010~ FT Dream: Feb 12-16, 2012 Fantasy: Oct 20-27, 2012 (East) Dream: Sept 8-12, 2013

05-22-2008, 10:10 AM	#39
onehotdisneymama Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 355	Congrads on getting into Patterson. My DD arrives on the 28th. Good luck with your work location. Waiting to hear how it works out for you. __________________ -ME -Pat -Becky -Chris -Shaun & Alison Anna, Ella and Aiden "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten."

05-25-2008, 06:06 PM	#41
looo33 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central NY Posts: 115	My dd checked in on the 19th and is living in Chatham. So far she is loving it! She has one apartment mate that is going home already....it wasn't what she expected. So they are down to 5 of them in the apartment. Will they fill that opening with someone else? __________________ Please.... Share your decision about organ donation with your family..... waiting for a kidney transplant

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05-05-2008, 10:40 AM	#33
DisDRw Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 26	So I have a daughter starting this summer, going thru Jan 09 on the College Program. Some questions we have... How often do the kids get enough time off to come home? It would be cheaper for her to come home than for us to go see her. I am thinking if she had 3 or 4 days in a row, it would be worthwhile. She is not planning on bringing her car. Are the buses adequate? Banking? Can she direct deposit in an out of state account, or will she need a local bank. She is going to be a character handler. Do they work at the same location, or do they rotate around frequently? How does check in day normally go, schedule wise? Will she be occupied all day or is finished earlier? How soon after check in do they go to work? Will she start the next day? Will she have any time to go to the parks with the family who will be there also? We are flying down the night before check-in and will be around for the week. We hope to get there early so she can get her choice of location for room. She has a friend whom she want to room with. Does that person have to be there at the same time? Any other advice appreciated!

05-06-2008, 08:04 AM	#36
DisDRw Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 26	Thanks Berlioz and Joanna! We are getting excited!

05-28-2008, 01:53 PM	#45
DisDRw Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 26	Dropped off my DD. She is staying at Chatham, and is in one of the 4 bedroom units. Its still very early, but so far she seems to really be enjoying it. We are still learning about her schedule, etc. One good thing I learned is what EPCOT really stands for. Its "Employee Paychecks Come On Thursday".