update to my previous questions and to fill in gaps others might be questioning (things I wondered myself!):
My DS 22 was accepted into the Fall advantage program (June 4-Jan 3, 2018). He just finished his sophomore year in college (he spent two years playing jr hockey in canada so his college start was delayed).
- He met roommates on facebook, and one was a CP return so he arranged everything which was very convenient. They got a 4 person (two bedroom) apartment in Vista Way (over 21 area). Vista Way is not the newest of residence offered, but most have been redone. Nicer than his college dorm room! The facility has a guard at the gate, pool, gym, tennis courts, laundry and a computer center. It is not the most expensive of apartments but seemed nice and simple.
- I drove down with him, we arrived a couple days early, enjoyed the parks and I helped him move in. I was the only parent who was there of his roommates (he was fine with it, appreciated the help up three floors of steps with all of his junk).
- He was given a move in time. Once we moved him in we went and picked up food and some kitchen items needed (he then went later with roommates and got shared room essentials and stuff). I said goodbye, went to hang at my resort until ME picked me up for the plane ride home.
- Since then: he loves his job...Blizzard Beach. Two roommates left(self termed): one got a job offer back home he was waiting for, the other decided the hours (he was merchandise in one of the parks) were too crazy, he was unhappy, he literally left in one day. Now two new roommates will be moving in next week (regular fall program attendees) He is hoping they are going to fit in ok.....
- The hotel discounts have been a huge bonus for us and family. He saved my nephew approx. $2,000 on his honeymoon! We are going to Disney alot this year which is a bonus for us! Park tickets come in slow, they need to work a certain amount of hours to earn single day/park hopper tickets. I think 150 hours for 3 tickets? They get a list of restaurants that have discounts up to 40%, but some are only breakfast or lunch or all meals, they need to keep track of that. It was really great when we visited him last. As a CM they get alot of other discounts, again they need to keep track of that.
- He now wants to extend his time! I have read that some students wait until graduation to do the disney program...I sort of recommend that. My son is now looking at schools in florida, or going to an audition for Disneyland Tokyo and is all about Disney (more than he was before which is hard to believe). The funny thing is, his major is nursing.
So at this point I can say it has been a very positive experience for him. We also have been enjoying it, however it is sending him in a different path than we expected. He was an independent and responsible kid who had lived on his own for two years in a different country, so that was something he did not need to learn, however I would think it is a great learning experience for a kid out on their own for the first time.
If you have any other questions as a parent, fire away....I had so many as well.
You're so right about waiting until after graduation!!! My dd knew it would be an issue. She has known since she was 12 that she wanted to work for Disney. So, it would have been really hard for her to leave there and return to college. So, she waited until Jan of her senior year. It was doubly stressful because she had only one shot down the road if she got rejected. She could have applied in August for the spring, but those were her only two options. She was, happily, accepted. This is her experience...
We arrived the Sat of Labor Day weekend, and played in the parks. I bought her a 5 day hopper so she could play with us, and then have a few days to go during her first week before Traditions. On Tuesday, her checkin time was 8:40 (got there 10 min early, had to leave and come back, so don't arrive early!!!). Checkin took about 7 mins, dad and I waited in the car. Drove to the apt, she was the first to arrive so got her choice of bedrooms and bed! That was a plus. We started unloading the car. She had Casting at 9:20ish...so she headed to the bus, while we kept unpacking. Many say that you can't stay without your kiddo, but we had no issue. She was at Casting for about 2 hrs. While she was gone, the next girl arrived. Then another one, with her mom in tow. When dd got back from Casting, we headed to Target, and loaded up two carriages with supplies...food, paper goods, cleaning supplies, bedding (didn't bring it from home). Returned, got that stuff into the apt, and she left to get drug tested. It was a good thing we were still there since she had forgotten something she needed so I could bring it to her vs her losing her spot in the very long line. We said goodbye to her around 3pm. Flew home the next morning. The girls bonde that night, went to the beach on Thursday. Dd had Traditions on Sat, started work on Monday. She worked Jedi Training Academy at DHS.
She applied for, and got, an extension. So, on Jan 5 she moved out of Vista Way and into an apt with a friend for a few weeks. She and a friend were staying in Orlando so had found an apt but it wouldn't be ready until the middle of Jan. Her dad had driven down her car on NYE, so she got that the day she moved since she didn't have a parking permit for VW.
She applied for pt/ft on the Hub when it was appropriate (early April I think). She was denied due to excessive points. She was sick a fair amount of time and when her boyfriend moved down, she tended to call out to be with him. Bad choices. She applied at Universal and was hired on the spot for pt. She loved her time there!!! But, it was very difficult to make ends meet on her pay, so we had to step in. Still in the apt with the boyfriend. Her girlfriend moved out in November to be with her fiance.
In November, she started the application process with Disney. She had a not returned costume belt issue with Disney....make sure your kids return their entire costume!!! That mistake slowed the process down a lot. She interviewed for a few jobs, but they didn't pan out. And they should'nt have...they weren't really right for her. She finally heard back in Jan, and was offered pt! She started in Main St Ops in late Jan, and immediately applied for ft!! She loved her time on Main St. She worked for both Disney and Universal.
In May, she got the word that she was going ft..over in AdventureLand. She was thrilled!!! At this point, she had broken up with the boyfriend (in late April) and moved in with three other girls, in a house in Kissimmee. She loves it there, happy to be single again!!! She started ft over Memorial Day weekend. She is in heaven. It has been hard for her to make the jump to ft work...this is a first for her. But, she is doing better with it. She has some wonderful friends down there, she isn't coming home any time soon. She has no idea where the next five years will take her at Disney but she's willing to find out.
So, for you that are just starting this journey, know that it will be very hard for your kids to come home and go back to school! But, they must. Disney wants to see a BA!!! It's hard work. Those in the College Program can get a ton more hours than they want...it can be grueling. And dealing with personalities can be tough. Dd didn't leave with great friendships from her roommates. They got along fine but wouldn't have been friends outside of WDW. This is a great program as long as you know what you're getting into. Kids can't get time off...they can ask, but the pt/ft CMs get first dibs, and even they don't always get what they want!!! Leaders may not be wonderful. My dd was really lucky, her leaders were all terrific. In fact, she's going to one of her leader's wedding in four days!!! But other kids have had bad experiences with their leaders. They may not like the job/position they are assigned. But if they go into it with a good attitude, they may very well find that they come to love where they are.
I sometimes wish I was just starting out on this journey..it was so exciting!!! Good luck to all of you!!!!