College Program Parents Thread...

So it really depends on what type of kid you have and how they money will be spent. Disney does take rent out of the paycheck. This rent includes electric, water, cable, and internet. You will need to pay for laundry. I don't know what it costs now but it was pretty reasonable from what I can remember. You also need to buy all your own groceries. If they have a car, they need to pay for gas, but if you take Disney provided transportation to work, then there is no fee there. Also we bought a TV, toaster oven, basic dishes, pots, pans, etc for the apartment as it does not come with a lot of stuff.

I did not save any money because you are not getting paid a whole lot. Disney is required to give you at least 30 hours a week to work. My first program I consistently worked 40. My second program it was more 30-35 hours. I was no gourmet chef so I bought basic grocery but did eat a lot with my friends. We had a season pass to Universal as well that we bought. My first program most of my money went to food, especially no off days when we went to the parks. My second program I was 21 so you can imagine where some money went. I do know people who saved money, but they basically worked and that's all. All my friends (and we were not crazy party people) came home with little money. However, I had enough to live off of and never asked my parents for money and didn't need to touch my savings. I was fine not saving anything as it was more about the experience than the money.

I didn't realize rent included pretty much everything. That's great information.....Thank you!!!!
 
I know this can vary depending on role but do the kids make enough money to LIVE and possibly even save while on the program? I know rent is automatically taken out and they will never see it. What other expenses should we expect? Electric, water, cable, internet, laundry, groceries, gas, general spending, fun?

Our DD just started the Spring Advantage program, and she is on Day 2 of her actual job (Rockin' Rollercoaster!) in the parks. I drove down with her and she does have a car with her in Orlando.

A couple of things that I noticed from my time with her moving her in:

All utilities are covered in the rent, which comes right out of their paycheck. This includes cable and internet. Laundry you must pay for, but cost is reasonable.

Understand that a "furnished" apartment is deceptive. There is basic furniture provided; beds, dressers, couch, dining table, etc. Some of it may be in rough shape when they move in, but it's all servicable.

There is VERY basic kitchen "stuff" provided (butter knives, forks, spoons, dishes, etc.), and there is a stove/oven, dishwasher, refrigerator(s) and a microwave, and likely one (1) pot, and one (1) fry pan. All of this stuff is "well used" and very generic.

Things you will NOT find supplied in the Kitchen (which many parents bought at Target or Walmart while in town):
  • Toaster
  • Coffee Maker
  • Tea Pot (for boiling water)
  • Sharp Knives
  • Cutting Boards
Things you wouldn't necessarily think of...but you will likely want/need:
  • non-slip mat for the shower
  • over-the-shower racks (for holding shampoo, soap etc.)
  • "nice looking" shower curtain (a very basic white plastic liner is provided)
  • rugs for the bathroom floor (therewise your standing on tile)
  • BATHROOM CLEANING SUPPLIES (w/ Bleach)...trust me...you're gonna need 'em...
  • Shoes and socks (uniforms are supplied; "dress code compliant" shoes and socks are not)
Bottom line...this is like moving your kid into an apartment, for the first time, with nothing...if you think they may need it, they probably do!

Is DD gonna save any money when she's down there? Too soon to tell, buy we are optomistic...

The car she has is paid for, and she is on "mom and dad's" auto insurance, so she doesn't have those monthly expenses. But she will have to put gas in the tank.

She is NOT getting a monthly stipend from Mom & Dad, so she is on her own from a money management perspective. And she is not off the hookfor paying for her part of her college tuition, so she is motiviated to be conservative.

We moved practically every piece of clothing she owns (except for the winter stuff) so there shouldn't be much of that expense beyond "wear and tear" necessities and souvineers.

She will have food expenses, but she is already bringing lunch with her every day (so as to not minimize buying food in the parks), and she has also been meal planning with her roommates to hopefully lower some expenses there as well (always easier and cheaper to cook for mulitples than just one).

Anyways, hopefully you find some of this helpful...if you have questions, please ask!
 
So excited I just had to share! DD applied today for Fall Advantage and passed the web-based interview immediately and has her phone interview on Thursday! It all happened so fast!! She had already been working on the work experience section for a few days so when applications dropped right before 10 am hers was practically ready. By noon she was doing the web interview and after it was accepted within 20 minutes the phone interview was scheduled. Fingers crossed!!!!!!

That's so exciting! Very happy for all of you!
So if someone applies and doesn't hear right away even for the web based interview, does that mean they won't move on? My poor friend hasn't heard yet from her application. Last time she got to the web based interview but didn't make it to the phone. I'm kind of surprised she hasn't heard from the application.
 
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That's so exciting! Very happy for all of you!
So if someone applies and doesn't hear right away even for the web based interview, does that mean they won't move on? My poor friend hasn't heard yet from her application. Last time she got to the web based interview but didn't make it to the phone. I'm kind of surprised she hasn't heard from the application.
From what I understand, the applications can sit for awhile before moving on. Some get “chosen” quickly to move through the process while others seem to wait for some reason. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. As long as they do not receive an email informing them they are no longer in consideration or “NLIC” then they are still being considered.
 


Parents of Fall Advantage kids from years past: what approximate dates did your kids check-in? It seems as though check-in is always on Monday so a Fall Advantage program check-in should be in May or perhaps early June. Is Memorial Day excluded from these dates? Do they find out their check-in date when an offer is (hopefully) extended?

This is so hard because all my co-workers are beginning to ask off around this time and if DD gets accepted, obviously I will need a few days off to help her move and I am totally a planner and I CAN'T PLAN MY LIFE UNTIL WE FIND OUT UGGGGHHHHH
 
Parents of Fall Advantage kids from years past: what approximate dates did your kids check-in? It seems as though check-in is always on Monday so a Fall Advantage program check-in should be in May or perhaps early June. Is Memorial Day excluded from these dates? Do they find out their check-in date when an offer is (hopefully) extended?

This is so hard because all my co-workers are beginning to ask off around this time and if DD gets accepted, obviously I will need a few days off to help her move and I am totally a planner and I CAN'T PLAN MY LIFE UNTIL WE FIND OUT UGGGGHHHHH

My daughter just got her acceptance for Fall Advantage on Wednesday. The three options she was given were May 21st, 28th, and June 4th. Because of her school schedule, she has to go June 4th. She's annoyed that she will be last ;)
 
Parents of Fall Advantage kids from years past: what approximate dates did your kids check-in? It seems as though check-in is always on Monday so a Fall Advantage program check-in should be in May or perhaps early June. Is Memorial Day excluded from these dates? Do they find out their check-in date when an offer is (hopefully) extended?

This is so hard because all my co-workers are beginning to ask off around this time and if DD gets accepted, obviously I will need a few days off to help her move and I am totally a planner and I CAN'T PLAN MY LIFE UNTIL WE FIND OUT UGGGGHHHHH

UPDATE: DD was accepted for Fall Advantage in Attractions!!!! Woohoo!!! She was given the option of checking in May 14th, May 21st or June 4th. She didn't want to miss her brother's high school graduation on May 16th, so she chose May 21st. Let the planning begin!
 


Updating**Since there is not officially a thread for parents of CP participants, here goes. This unofficial thread will hopefully be a guide for us as parents to have access to as accurate information as possible with areas we're not so familiar with and to ask questions to those who are more knowledgeable having been through this experience before. We could really learn a great deal about how the program runs, what to expect, and maybe even give a little support to each of us as we go through this experience together. I for one am going to miss my daughter terribly and although I know this is the experience of a lifetime for her, it's going to be a huge adjustment for us as a family having her so far away and not seeing her every day as it will for all who's son or daughter is also participating.

Below there are already a few posts with great information. Remember, no question is a "dumb" question. If it's something you need to know, just ask or if you have some info you may think will be helpful to someone else, pass it along. Someone is bound to have an answer to your question. I'm looking forward to learning all I can!!

Rebecca
Never knew in all the years I've belonged that this was here! My daughter is in the CP right now. I am going to read these posts!
 
Never knew in all the years I've belonged that this was here! My daughter is in the CP right now. I am going to read these posts!
Two specific questions.....when did your DD find out her location and role? Seems as though in years past they did not get this information until check-in but recently they receive an email about a week prior? (I'm watching alot of vlogs on YouTube) Also, did your DD have check-in and Casting on the same day? What about a housing meeting? Oops that was three questions. We are trying to plan a mini-vacation around her move-in, which is May 21st!!!
 
Our daughter is part of the spring program and shares housing with five other girls...they were complete strangers six weeks ago and have become fast friends. We went down for a few days before her move in date to have a family vacation and then took her on her initial grocery run and to her first appointment after moving her in. She is having the time of her life in attractions at Animal Kingdom. She is a saver...so she is on the track to be bringing some money home. Most of her free time is spent hanging out with whatever roommate(s) are available at the apartment or one of the parks/Disney Springs. She doesn't have a car, but has plenty of friends that do and while it can take a bit of time to get to/from work via Disney bussing, she says it's not that bad.
 
My son was just accepted into the CP for Fall Advantage. So excited for him! He hasn't accepted yet, he wants to talk to a few people at his college first. Of course it gets me thinking about when the rest of us might be able to visit him. :) Can anyone share information about what, if any, discounts he would get on tickets and hotel rooms? I've read that he should get some free day tickets. Is he also able to purchase any tickets at a discounted rate? Would he be able to get hotel discounts for long holiday weekends - Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day? I work in a school system and we have a daughter in college and another son in high school, so we'd have to take advantage of long, holiday weekends for trips. Thank you for any information!
 
Our daughter began in January...once she completed Traditions, she received her ID and could use her employee discount. She had 40% off merchandise and some dining because the holiday discount was still in place...typical is 20%. She just booked a value room for us when we return in May to bring her home at a 50% discount. She receives comp admission for herself and for every so many hours she works, she gets a certain number of passes that can be used when she is with the guest. It's my understanding that once her contract is up, the benefits expire.
 
Two specific questions.....when did your DD find out her location and role? Seems as though in years past they did not get this information until check-in but recently they receive an email about a week prior? (I'm watching alot of vlogs on YouTube) Also, did your DD have check-in and Casting on the same day? What about a housing meeting? Oops that was three questions. We are trying to plan a mini-vacation around her move-in, which is May 21st!!!
My dd found out the actual spot at Casting, but had a general idea a week before, via email.
 
woohoo, daughter was just accepted into Fall 2018 for attractions, hoping the arrival dates works so I can drive down with her before I start work in the new school yr. this will be daughter #2, and her best friend is currently down there working her extension in quik service at AOA, and hopes to go full or part time in May, so will be staying down there, so happy for her, they were supposed to both have gone last fall, but school and jobs got in the way, now they will be together again.
 
My DD got accepted into the Fall 2018 DCP. It was actually quite a whirlwind experience. She put in her application, immediately - seriously, less than 1 hour - got set up for the 2nd part of the online application and within 2 days was notified that she was selected for a phone interview. She was accepted to the DCP 5 days after her phone interview in the first wave of hires for Fall 2018! She is an experienced water park lifeguard (and life guard supervisor for 2 years) She listed lifeguard as her first choice. She also has experience as a research analyst for a think tank and as a building supervisor at her university. I really think it was her life guarding experience that caught Disney's eye. Her acceptance letter said she was hired for life guarding, but she has no idea which pool or water park she will work at this point. For those looking for ways to make their application stand out, I suggest working the summer as a lifeguard for a local water park.

She has accepted the position and is hoping that it will lead to a follow on internship and hopefully a permanent job within Walt Disney World corporate offices after she completes her remaining 2 semesters. She is a communications/political science double major. What are the chances her dreams will come true?

On another issue, how many parents go with their DCP kids to help get them settled in. My DD has been away at college for 3 years and can certainly take care of herself, but I can't help but want to go down and see the situation for myself and make sure she has all she needs. Will I be out of place if I go with her?

We are planning on making 2 visits to WDW while she is there - once in early September for my birthday and another trip in early December for her birthday. I need to figure out how to get rooms reserved at the DCP discounted rate. I'm guessing that I won't be able to make the reservations until she starts in August... I will probably get annual passes for DH and myself as we plan to go back later in the spring when my DH gets his PhD - his graduation will be held in Orlando - so we thought it was another good excuse to celebrate at WDW!

I'm so proud of my DD for her courage to apply for the DCP - and I hope her dreams come true with a corporate job with Mickey!!
 
Plenty of parents are there moving their kids in. My parents went both times to help me. I could have done it by myself but it is always nice to have help. We fly one time and drove the other.

If you are driving make sure to bring things like coat hangers and bedding from home. The Walmart close to the complexes get very picked over the first few days of the program as everyone is buying things.

In terms of professional internships after the program. I do know a few people who did them. They are very competitive much more so than the CP. the best thing she can do is network. The other thing is she will want to look at what is offered before hand because if I remember correctly you had to have certain majors to qualify. I was a history major so there was only like two I could do.
 
Thanks for the reply! I am planning to ride down with her and then fly home once she is settled in. Will she be able to drive me to the airport after move in or do activities begin right away?

Thanks also for the help regarding the Professional Internships. She initially was going to apply straight to that program, and as a Communications major, she had multiple positions to apply to, but they all wanted the DCP as a pre-requisite so that is why she has started there. She already has a friend who graduated in December who got a job in corporate based on her Communications major, so she is already starting the networking - and that is her primary goal in the DCP as well.

Again, thanks for the help!
 
Now it has been awhile since I was doing the CP - try January 2009, but from what I remember, she should be able to drive you to the airport. We had one day that was entirely dedicated to move-in and then we had a free day. We then had traditions which was a half day course. Some people started training the next day and others had a few days off. It really varied. But I don't think she will know her schedule until she gets there unless something has changed, which could have happened since it's been 9 years.
 
Hi Everyone! I apologize if this has been answered already but I was cross eyed from looking. Our DD got accepted for the Fall 2018 DCP - and her move in day is August 13. So proud of her!! Even though she is in her junior year of college, my husband and I are going to be taking her and helping her move in and get settled. We will be packing up her college apartment stuff and then travelling to Orlando. We were planning on driving down Sunday since her first day is Monday, the 13th. Couple of questions

1 - when can she reserve rooms with her discount - is it after check in on the 13th? Hubby and I trying to decide if we should book ahead of time or wait.
2 - will she have access to her park tickets after Traditions on the 13th? In case she has time to go to the parks after check in.
3 - will she have any free time after Traditions on the 13th to spend with us in/out of the parks, or will she be in training at that point?

Thank you all! We are looking forward to her experience (and living a little vicariously through her, haha!)
 
Hi Everyone! I apologize if this has been answered already but I was cross eyed from looking. Our DD got accepted for the Fall 2018 DCP - and her move in day is August 13. So proud of her!! Even though she is in her junior year of college, my husband and I are going to be taking her and helping her move in and get settled. We will be packing up her college apartment stuff and then travelling to Orlando. We were planning on driving down Sunday since her first day is Monday, the 13th. Couple of questions

1 - when can she reserve rooms with her discount - is it after check in on the 13th? Hubby and I trying to decide if we should book ahead of time or wait.
2 - will she have access to her park tickets after Traditions on the 13th? In case she has time to go to the parks after check in.
3 - will she have any free time after Traditions on the 13th to spend with us in/out of the parks, or will she be in training at that point?

Thank you all! We are looking forward to her experience (and living a little vicariously through her, haha!)

Generally you cannot book rooms discounts until after you start work. She will receive a company ID number and badge and she will need that to access the Hub. I would book a room ahead of time for the trip down.

When I did the program we did get our parks tickets on the day we checked in (so before traditions). However, I think this has changed. I heard that CP now receive the tickets as they work their hours. Someone who did the program more recently I’m sure can elaborate.

Traditions was a half day class and we did have time afterwards that day. However my parents left after I moved in.
 

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