Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Getting from Point A to Point B: Traveling to Check In
I'm in the 30's until my check in day! 38 days from right now I should be relaxing in my hotel waiting for check in the next day, very excited!
One of the things I get asked a lot about is how to get to check in. I'm from New Jersey, not exactly a hop skip and a jump from Florida. You are on your own in regards to getting to Florida, Disney just tells you what time to be at Vista Way, the rest is up to you. But it's not as stressful as you think! Here is how I recommend starting your journey:
When to Arrive
The day before, at least that's what I strongly recommend. Check In is usually in the morning, I believe it's either 8 or 9 until 12. I believe in being there when they start, the sooner you show up, the sooner you get done. You may also have more housing options available. and plus, if you're late, that's not good. It pushes everything back. I would rather be in Florida the night before knowing all I had to do in the morning was wake up and walk over. I don't want to be at the airport and find out I have this problem or the shuttle service get stuck or anything else that Murphy's Law would throw my way. I just strongly advise getting there the night before and staying in a hotel for the night, it will take away some stress and give you time to relax!
Where to Stay
This is easy. The reviews for this hotel when I was doing my research said this should be considered the official hotel for DCP Check Ins. I'm talking about the Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista on Apopka Vineland Road (click the link to go to their website) I thought the hotel was REALLY nice, heck, even Disney level nice. It's where a lot of people go when they can't stay on property and they definitely make sure it isn't just a bed where you sleep at night. They were clean, spacious and had an Applebee's inside for dinner and breakfast. Looking for my date in July, a standard room for me is $134
Now, here s the real kicker as to why I recommend staying at this particular resort.
It is directly across the street from Vista Way, where check in is. You walk out the door, cross a street, and there you are. Done.
How to Get to Florida:
Driving: If you have a car and want to bring it with you, make it a road trip! Granted, each person has a different trip since you are driving from your home but you can make it fun along the way! For instance, if I were to drive down I'd be driving through the Carolinas and I've always wanted to go to Georgia, you can go at your own pace and see sights along the way! Just be sure that if you are driving down with a car you intend on using throughout your program that you have all your proper documentation with you.
Flying: One of the common methods of transportation, flying right into Orlando International Airport. Like I said, I recommend arriving the day earlier so your arrival to and from the airport isn't as hectic.
Train: Amtrak has a station in Orland using their travel trains. Depending on the location, you can also take you car on the train so you don't have to do the drive to Florida. For example, someone I know drives from New Jersey to Virginia, checks her car onto the train and then takes the train down to Florida.
Getting to Vista
Whether you arrive the day before or the morning of, you need to get to Vista! If you don't have a car, how do you do it? Mears Transportation! You can put your reservation in online where you select your route. *Edit: I previously stated Vista wasn't an option as a destination based on my experience last year but a follower just corrected me and told me that they are! I was picked up at my apartment my last day but didn't know they could drop you off there too!* Using my date as an example, a one way trip for an adult is $21 using a shared shuttle. It is shared so it may not go immediately to your hotel, they may make drop offs along the way.
You make your reservation online and when you land, there is a Mears desk at the lower level of the airport. They give you one of the flashing pagers that will vibrate and flash when your van has arrived. They make it very easy. Mears is actually the company behind the Magical Express so they are very Disney dependable.
Hopefully this took away some stress about figuring out how to get down there! My dad came with me last year but this time I'm going on my own, it is easily manageable to do it on your own, nothing too scary. As usual, please rate this post and leave any questions in the comments!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
What to Do: Your First Night
The magic can start the very first night of your program if you want it to! You wont' get your ID for the parks on check-in, but your housing ID gets you on the bus and that can take you to non-park area of Disney property to give you that first dose of pixie dust to start off your program!
You will get a break between check in and casting to bring all your stuff to your new apartment. I pretty much just dumped it and left to go back to Vista to be with my dad until he had to leave. Casting for small groups is quick and once you're through there, you're done and free to do what you please. This is a good time to put you pictures on your cork board, unload you toiletries and put your clothes in your drawers, start settling in!
But, what do you do after?
Grocery Shop
If the buses are still running, you can use this time to go to Publix or Wal-Mart to start loading up on your first set of groceries and picking up any odds and ends such as your bed linens if you didn't bring them with you and anything you forgot. Some things to keep in mind as you grocery shop during your DCP:
*Buy reusable bags. I had about 2 bags for Publix and 2 bags for Wal-Mart. You can also buy refrigerator reusable bags to hold your dairy and frozen food. It is much easier carrying 2 or so fabric bags than 5 plastic bags. Plus, you won't have to worry about bags potentially ripping on you!
*You can buy a caddy. If you don't want to physically carry your bags, put them in a rolling caddy, You can't take them on the bus but the bus driver will pop open the storage underneath.
*Circulars. These will help you see what's available and at what price for the week, they even include coupons.
*Rewards Programs. Publix already gives you automatic discounts but it's always good to scope out if where you shop has a frequent shopper card or some type of rewards or points program.
Resort Hop. See Wishes! at the Polynesian!
Hop on a bus to a resort! This is a really good idea if you're location is in a resort, it gives you a chance to go and visualize it a walk around before you even get to training. and they are great photo opportunities! If you go to one of the monorail resorts (the Polynesian <3, the Grand Floridian, or the Contemporary Resort) you can ride the monorail and hit up 3 in 1 night! and if you go to my beloved Polynesian, you can watch Wishes! from the beach on your very first night! Resort hopping is one of my favorite activities, I'll definitely post more about it later!
You will get a break between check in and casting to bring all your stuff to your new apartment. I pretty much just dumped it and left to go back to Vista to be with my dad until he had to leave. Casting for small groups is quick and once you're through there, you're done and free to do what you please. This is a good time to put you pictures on your cork board, unload you toiletries and put your clothes in your drawers, start settling in!
But, what do you do after?
Grocery Shop
If the buses are still running, you can use this time to go to Publix or Wal-Mart to start loading up on your first set of groceries and picking up any odds and ends such as your bed linens if you didn't bring them with you and anything you forgot. Some things to keep in mind as you grocery shop during your DCP:
*Buy reusable bags. I had about 2 bags for Publix and 2 bags for Wal-Mart. You can also buy refrigerator reusable bags to hold your dairy and frozen food. It is much easier carrying 2 or so fabric bags than 5 plastic bags. Plus, you won't have to worry about bags potentially ripping on you!
*You can buy a caddy. If you don't want to physically carry your bags, put them in a rolling caddy, You can't take them on the bus but the bus driver will pop open the storage underneath.
*Circulars. These will help you see what's available and at what price for the week, they even include coupons.
*Rewards Programs. Publix already gives you automatic discounts but it's always good to scope out if where you shop has a frequent shopper card or some type of rewards or points program.
Resort Hop. See Wishes! at the Polynesian!
Hop on a bus to a resort! This is a really good idea if you're location is in a resort, it gives you a chance to go and visualize it a walk around before you even get to training. and they are great photo opportunities! If you go to one of the monorail resorts (the Polynesian <3, the Grand Floridian, or the Contemporary Resort) you can ride the monorail and hit up 3 in 1 night! and if you go to my beloved Polynesian, you can watch Wishes! from the beach on your very first night! Resort hopping is one of my favorite activities, I'll definitely post more about it later!
Downtown Disney
This is what I ended up doing because my roommates who had been there since January invited us to go see The Lorax at the DTD Disney theater. I kept falling asleep not because the movie was bad (it was rather cute!) but because the seats were so comfy and I was so tired! If you've never been to DTD before, it's the closest you can get to WDW experience without going into the parks. You can dine at great restaurants (Earl of Sandwich would be a good one for your first night!) and you can shop at countless stores, you can even pick up some pins to start trading! You can even get Disney treats! It's a lot of fun to walk around and give you that reality check of "gee, I'm really here!"
I've always said you should do something everyday of your program whether it's work (obviously!) or making memories at the parks, don't just lounge around. and what better way to kick it all off than your first night!
Don't forget to leave your questions in the comments sections and rate the posts!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Disney Earning
I've been answering some questions regarding Disney and pay lately so thought this would be a good time to make a post about earning in the Disney Culinary Program. From what I understand, the regular College Program pays varies but follows the same principle.
How Much?
The rates for pay in the Disney Culinary Program are as follows:
-$8.45/hour with $12.68/hour OT for parks and resorts
-$9.10/hour with $13.65/hour OT for Magic Kingdom locations.
Additional Hours
A typical shift is 8 hours. But what happens if you work more than 8 hours? This is very common in the food industry where we often may work doubles and a lot of overtime. The following is an example that we often use during our DCP Presentations to give you an example of what your pay may be like:
Monday: You work your normal 8 hour shift, earning $8.45 an hour.
Tuesday: You're off today. Go enjoy the parks!
Wednesday: Today you are scheduled for a 10 hour shit. Your first 8 hours are paid at $8.45/hour. When you reach your 9th hour, you get bumped to $12.68 for hours 9 and 10.
Thursday: Today you are working double (16 hours). For the first 8 hours you get pad $8.45/hour. At the 9th hour you get bumped to $12.68/hour. At hour 14, you get bumped to $16.90 for the remainder of your shift. You closed the dinner shift and clocked out at midnight.
Friday: You are scheduled for the breakfast shift at 6 AM, this is less than 8 hours between shifts. When you come in, you are automatically clocked in at $16.90 for your entire shift.
Not too shabby huh? You are guaranteed at least 30 hours and can sometimes work upwards of 50 hours a week. My location was a bit overstaffed and I was still bringing in about 34 hours/week.
Bonus, no state taxes are taken out in Florida!
How Do I Get My Money?
You will be paid every week. If you bring a void check or your routing numbers with you, you can opt for direct deposit. Your first 2 paychecks however, or all of them if you opt for this option, will be put onto a visa-like card given to you by casting on your check-in day. This card acts like any other credit/debit card, can be used at ATMs, and gives you online access to check your balance. All your paychecks will directly go to this card, no paper needed.
Rent Payments
If you do your payroll calculations in your head and you see hm, I'm shore $80 something bucks, don't sweat! It's your rent! Disney directly takes your rent out of your paycheck every week, you don't have to write a rent check out to anyone!
Did I Make Money?
Yes, I did. I honestly cannot imagine anyone blowing all of their earnings before they come home. This is the real world, you have to watch your money. I budgeted my groceries at about $50 a shop and I always stayed within budget or around it. I've found that I stayed within my budget more in Florida than in Rhode Island. And pace your purchases. Yeah I ate in the parks and got my souvenir popcorn buckets and mickey bars, but not all in one shot! You're there for months at a time, you can buy popcorn this week and go to Be Our Guest next week. I did this with souvenir shopping as well, don't wait until right before you leave to buy EVERYTHING, it's much easier on the eyes to see it taken out over time than in one big withdrawal at the end.
Company D and Cast Connections will be your best friend, they offer discounted items to Cast Members. I got a WDW sweatshirt for $11 instead of $45 because there was a little blotch on the sleeve, you honestly wouldn't even see it unless I pointed it out to you, it took me ages to find it myself!
As long as you watch your money and balance your spending, I assure you you will come back with some pixie dust in your pocket and money in the bank!
How Much?
The rates for pay in the Disney Culinary Program are as follows:
-$8.45/hour with $12.68/hour OT for parks and resorts
-$9.10/hour with $13.65/hour OT for Magic Kingdom locations.
Additional Hours
A typical shift is 8 hours. But what happens if you work more than 8 hours? This is very common in the food industry where we often may work doubles and a lot of overtime. The following is an example that we often use during our DCP Presentations to give you an example of what your pay may be like:
Monday: You work your normal 8 hour shift, earning $8.45 an hour.
Tuesday: You're off today. Go enjoy the parks!
Wednesday: Today you are scheduled for a 10 hour shit. Your first 8 hours are paid at $8.45/hour. When you reach your 9th hour, you get bumped to $12.68 for hours 9 and 10.
Thursday: Today you are working double (16 hours). For the first 8 hours you get pad $8.45/hour. At the 9th hour you get bumped to $12.68/hour. At hour 14, you get bumped to $16.90 for the remainder of your shift. You closed the dinner shift and clocked out at midnight.
Friday: You are scheduled for the breakfast shift at 6 AM, this is less than 8 hours between shifts. When you come in, you are automatically clocked in at $16.90 for your entire shift.
Not too shabby huh? You are guaranteed at least 30 hours and can sometimes work upwards of 50 hours a week. My location was a bit overstaffed and I was still bringing in about 34 hours/week.
Bonus, no state taxes are taken out in Florida!
How Do I Get My Money?
You will be paid every week. If you bring a void check or your routing numbers with you, you can opt for direct deposit. Your first 2 paychecks however, or all of them if you opt for this option, will be put onto a visa-like card given to you by casting on your check-in day. This card acts like any other credit/debit card, can be used at ATMs, and gives you online access to check your balance. All your paychecks will directly go to this card, no paper needed.
Rent Payments
If you do your payroll calculations in your head and you see hm, I'm shore $80 something bucks, don't sweat! It's your rent! Disney directly takes your rent out of your paycheck every week, you don't have to write a rent check out to anyone!
Did I Make Money?
Yes, I did. I honestly cannot imagine anyone blowing all of their earnings before they come home. This is the real world, you have to watch your money. I budgeted my groceries at about $50 a shop and I always stayed within budget or around it. I've found that I stayed within my budget more in Florida than in Rhode Island. And pace your purchases. Yeah I ate in the parks and got my souvenir popcorn buckets and mickey bars, but not all in one shot! You're there for months at a time, you can buy popcorn this week and go to Be Our Guest next week. I did this with souvenir shopping as well, don't wait until right before you leave to buy EVERYTHING, it's much easier on the eyes to see it taken out over time than in one big withdrawal at the end.
Company D and Cast Connections will be your best friend, they offer discounted items to Cast Members. I got a WDW sweatshirt for $11 instead of $45 because there was a little blotch on the sleeve, you honestly wouldn't even see it unless I pointed it out to you, it took me ages to find it myself!
As long as you watch your money and balance your spending, I assure you you will come back with some pixie dust in your pocket and money in the bank!
Sunday, May 26, 2013
This blog is for YOU
Hey everyone!
Just stopping by to remind you that this blog is for YOU. I write these posts hoping I can give you a better and personal understanding about the DCP. I have been very fortunate for my tumblr to be successful and reach nearly 1200 followers and I answer tons of questions, I've formed friendships over it and absolutely adore the interaction with my followers.
The reason why I created the blogspot form of disneybakerdcp is to have a dcp only blog, my other tumblr became clogged with my various fandoms and information got lost amidst the 27,000 posts that I have. Needless to say it was a bit messy. So I came here to make it cleaner.
but I really want to stress that this blog is just as much yours as it is mine. you can rate my posts, tell me if they are interesting, tell me if they are boring. most importantly, you can ask me questions! you can leave your name, they can be anonymous, you can leave 1 question, you can leave 100 if you like. My mom always told me, if you have a question, chances are other people have that same question too but are too shy to ask it. Please feel free to ask any questions in any of the comment sections, old or new, I'll find them believe me. With this I get to help you and make a Q&A tab to keep them together and tag the information of the question. So ask away, anything you've got! If you speak another language, type it up and I'll use a translator (if it's Italian I may not have too! haha)
I'm here for you. The reason why I started blogging about the Disney Culinary Program is because I had no one to talk to. I don't want that for you no matter if you're doing culinary, college or international. I'm here to prep you for you interview, guide you along the way, and answer your questions, it's what I love to do. I can't ever shut up about Disney!
So don't be shy, ask away and ask it all!
Meg
Just stopping by to remind you that this blog is for YOU. I write these posts hoping I can give you a better and personal understanding about the DCP. I have been very fortunate for my tumblr to be successful and reach nearly 1200 followers and I answer tons of questions, I've formed friendships over it and absolutely adore the interaction with my followers.
The reason why I created the blogspot form of disneybakerdcp is to have a dcp only blog, my other tumblr became clogged with my various fandoms and information got lost amidst the 27,000 posts that I have. Needless to say it was a bit messy. So I came here to make it cleaner.
but I really want to stress that this blog is just as much yours as it is mine. you can rate my posts, tell me if they are interesting, tell me if they are boring. most importantly, you can ask me questions! you can leave your name, they can be anonymous, you can leave 1 question, you can leave 100 if you like. My mom always told me, if you have a question, chances are other people have that same question too but are too shy to ask it. Please feel free to ask any questions in any of the comment sections, old or new, I'll find them believe me. With this I get to help you and make a Q&A tab to keep them together and tag the information of the question. So ask away, anything you've got! If you speak another language, type it up and I'll use a translator (if it's Italian I may not have too! haha)
I'm here for you. The reason why I started blogging about the Disney Culinary Program is because I had no one to talk to. I don't want that for you no matter if you're doing culinary, college or international. I'm here to prep you for you interview, guide you along the way, and answer your questions, it's what I love to do. I can't ever shut up about Disney!
So don't be shy, ask away and ask it all!
Meg
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Do you have questions? I've got answers!
It’s a Friday night, only one more day of work until my holiday weekend.
So I’m lounging around watching one of my favorite live action Disney
films, Newsies, and ready to take any questions you have about the DCP!
Fill up my blogspot with anything you’ve got!
Fill up my blogspot with anything you’ve got!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
A Guide to DCP Transportation
Ask any former CP about the DCP buses and you will get good reviews and bad. Ask me, and you will get a good one! Obviously if you have a car, bring it. But if you are like me and your invisa-mobile is constantly in the shop, don't sweat it!
I still have my bus schedule so I will use my commute to work as an example. I lived in Patterson and worked at the Polynesian Resort. To get to the bus stop, I walked over to Chatham's bus stop that we share and caught the bus there. The bus schedule will group certain stops to letters. For example, to get to the Polynesian I took bus B which also stopped at the Grand Floridian, West Clock (a place for CMs) and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Say I was working the breads shift which went from 13:30-22:00 (yes, Disney uses military time) That means I have to be clocked in and upstairs in the kitchen dressed and ready to go at 1:30. There is a bus that gets me there at 12:20, 12:50 and 13:27. Obviously, the 13:31 bus gets me there too late. The 12:54 is doable. But for me I would rather get there at 12:24. This gives me a chance to guarantee that I am there on time, if there is an issue with my costume I can walk over to costuming and get a new one, and go through social media one last time before work. I would always recommend taking the bus before the bus that gets you there on time, just to be safe.
Now, the bus that gets me there at 12:24 shows that it leaves Chatham at 11:50. Once the bus pulls away, they cannot stop. If you try to wave them down they will legitimately just wave back and continue driving, they cannot stop. So always try and be there 5-10 minutes before the scheduled time. So I would have to be sitting at the Chatham bus stop at around 11:40. Once you take the route a few times you will see its trend, does it tend to come 5 minutes early and park there or come right on time? Just make sure you are there on time.
I will have more information about dcp buses coming up in future posts such as what happens if you are scheduled to work before your bus runs, but be sure to leave any questions about transportation or any aspect of the dcp in the comments below!
What are the DCP Buses?
Part of your rent goes towards the transportation that can take you to and from work, the parks, Publix (a grocery chain in Florida) WalMart, the post office, and the Florida Mall. The buses are not the Disney transport buses that you take as a guest in the parks, when I was there they were run by American Coach but I believe we have switched companies. The buses have trolley or public transport style seating on the inside (the front half has seats that line the bus and the back has rows) and a ticker on the front of the bus will flash what stops the bus makes.
The Schedule and My Example Route
I remember getting my schedule for the first time and glancing over it I thought that I was going to get so lost because it looked complicated. But it's not. Once you sit down and read it, it will make sense, promise!I still have my bus schedule so I will use my commute to work as an example. I lived in Patterson and worked at the Polynesian Resort. To get to the bus stop, I walked over to Chatham's bus stop that we share and caught the bus there. The bus schedule will group certain stops to letters. For example, to get to the Polynesian I took bus B which also stopped at the Grand Floridian, West Clock (a place for CMs) and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Say I was working the breads shift which went from 13:30-22:00 (yes, Disney uses military time) That means I have to be clocked in and upstairs in the kitchen dressed and ready to go at 1:30. There is a bus that gets me there at 12:20, 12:50 and 13:27. Obviously, the 13:31 bus gets me there too late. The 12:54 is doable. But for me I would rather get there at 12:24. This gives me a chance to guarantee that I am there on time, if there is an issue with my costume I can walk over to costuming and get a new one, and go through social media one last time before work. I would always recommend taking the bus before the bus that gets you there on time, just to be safe.
Now, the bus that gets me there at 12:24 shows that it leaves Chatham at 11:50. Once the bus pulls away, they cannot stop. If you try to wave them down they will legitimately just wave back and continue driving, they cannot stop. So always try and be there 5-10 minutes before the scheduled time. So I would have to be sitting at the Chatham bus stop at around 11:40. Once you take the route a few times you will see its trend, does it tend to come 5 minutes early and park there or come right on time? Just make sure you are there on time.
Car .vs. Bus
The reason why people suggest bringing a car is because it will save you time. For example, the Polynesian driving from Patterson court is about 15-20 minutes away. Not too bad. My time from pulling out of Chatham to the Polynesian is already 30 minutes because we have to stop at Vista Way as well. The commute back if I catch the 22:16 out of the Poly gets me into Chatham at 22:53, nearly 40 minutes later. My friend with a car could have already been back to her apartment and starting to eat her dinner when I would still be on the bus. Although we are the same distance away, the DCP buses make stops that eat up time. but in my opinion, if you just bring your iPod or a book, you will be all set. I used to take some really good cat naps on the bus back from work!I will have more information about dcp buses coming up in future posts such as what happens if you are scheduled to work before your bus runs, but be sure to leave any questions about transportation or any aspect of the dcp in the comments below!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The DCP: 1 Year Later
So it has been a year, 52 weeks, 365 days. 1 year ago from right now, my friend and I were sitting in Orlando International Airport waiting to catch our flight back to Newark Airport and home to New Jersey. It was all over, done.
I had already clocked out of the Polynesian for the last time.
One of my roommates had to leave a day early so on the same night as my last shift at the Polynesian, my other roommates threw us a going away party. We "Bernie"d in the living room, danced to One Direction (I successfully converted all my roommates into Directioners!) dressed up in our sombrero, planked, you name it, we just went crazy. They gave us each a card and my Aussie roommate gave us an Australian postcard, of course I still have both. The real kicker was that they made us a brownie cake iced with "Have A Magical Day!"
Maybe they could have taken over in the kitchen!
The next day was my last day with park access, I hit up all 4 in one day. Each on progressively got harder to say goodbye to. I went to DAK first and it was sad riding my favorite Expedition Everest for the last time. I got upset saying goodbye to DHS because that was where we came for our first night as Cast Members. Then I went to Epcot, not knowing it would be my home later this year. I walked around the pavilions, met up with my friend to say goodbye, then headed over to Magic Kingdom.
Oh how I cried. My roommate came over and we got Casey's Corner during Wishes! We walked around, rode rides, went shopping, and then came time to say goodbye. I remember us sitting on the border of the partners statue and just sobbing. There's a little thing at the end of the night where the castle turns blue and Mickey comes over the loudspeaker to say goodnight and wish you safe travels if you're going home and for 3 months I never paid attention to that sentence, and now it applied to me. I cried because I was sad yes, but not because something hurt me or that I was mad, I was sad because I didn't want to go.
I had to come home and pack because as per usual, I left everything to the last minute (my baking structure leaves as soon as I leave the kitchen!) and then I woke up to say goodbye. I had to say goodbye to my apartment, I had to say goodbye to my roommates. Surprisingly I didn't cry, I don't think there was anything left TO cry. My friend and I wheeled our stuff out, turned in our housing IDs, and boarded the shuttle to the airport.
Those who fly will know you have a 50 lb. limit for your checked in bag. I picked mine up with no problem so I thought it was within limit. Well, constantly picking up bags of flour must have given me some muscle because my bag was really 68 lbs. Yeah. I spent about a good hour and a half trying to condense it down. I was throwing out old white shirts from my costume, flip flops, you name it. and I got it down to 51 pounds thinking maybe I can bat my eyes and have them let it go. Thankfully they did, with some added sass of course and it had to be checked by security, but it went on the plane. and so did I.
Life has not been the same since I've been back. I didn't want to come back partially because of the shitty summer I had in store because we were moving out of my home of nearly 18 years. but my work in Disney got me a job that I love here. School was a bit hard because I really just wanted to be back in Disney and I was going through my own things like depression and just losing all of my motivation for anything and everything. But Spring came around and I applied for the program and here I am, it's been a year since I left but it's only 50 days til I go back :)
I had already clocked out of the Polynesian for the last time.
One of my roommates had to leave a day early so on the same night as my last shift at the Polynesian, my other roommates threw us a going away party. We "Bernie"d in the living room, danced to One Direction (I successfully converted all my roommates into Directioners!) dressed up in our sombrero, planked, you name it, we just went crazy. They gave us each a card and my Aussie roommate gave us an Australian postcard, of course I still have both. The real kicker was that they made us a brownie cake iced with "Have A Magical Day!"
The next day was my last day with park access, I hit up all 4 in one day. Each on progressively got harder to say goodbye to. I went to DAK first and it was sad riding my favorite Expedition Everest for the last time. I got upset saying goodbye to DHS because that was where we came for our first night as Cast Members. Then I went to Epcot, not knowing it would be my home later this year. I walked around the pavilions, met up with my friend to say goodbye, then headed over to Magic Kingdom.
Oh how I cried. My roommate came over and we got Casey's Corner during Wishes! We walked around, rode rides, went shopping, and then came time to say goodbye. I remember us sitting on the border of the partners statue and just sobbing. There's a little thing at the end of the night where the castle turns blue and Mickey comes over the loudspeaker to say goodnight and wish you safe travels if you're going home and for 3 months I never paid attention to that sentence, and now it applied to me. I cried because I was sad yes, but not because something hurt me or that I was mad, I was sad because I didn't want to go.
I had to come home and pack because as per usual, I left everything to the last minute (my baking structure leaves as soon as I leave the kitchen!) and then I woke up to say goodbye. I had to say goodbye to my apartment, I had to say goodbye to my roommates. Surprisingly I didn't cry, I don't think there was anything left TO cry. My friend and I wheeled our stuff out, turned in our housing IDs, and boarded the shuttle to the airport.
Those who fly will know you have a 50 lb. limit for your checked in bag. I picked mine up with no problem so I thought it was within limit. Well, constantly picking up bags of flour must have given me some muscle because my bag was really 68 lbs. Yeah. I spent about a good hour and a half trying to condense it down. I was throwing out old white shirts from my costume, flip flops, you name it. and I got it down to 51 pounds thinking maybe I can bat my eyes and have them let it go. Thankfully they did, with some added sass of course and it had to be checked by security, but it went on the plane. and so did I.
Life has not been the same since I've been back. I didn't want to come back partially because of the shitty summer I had in store because we were moving out of my home of nearly 18 years. but my work in Disney got me a job that I love here. School was a bit hard because I really just wanted to be back in Disney and I was going through my own things like depression and just losing all of my motivation for anything and everything. But Spring came around and I applied for the program and here I am, it's been a year since I left but it's only 50 days til I go back :)
Friday, May 17, 2013
Q&A!
Hello Everyone!
Thanks for checking out my blog :) Be sure to leave your questions in the comments section! I know I have not addressed everything there is to know yet so ask whatever is on your mind! It can be about any and every aspect of the DCP, whatever you want!
I will answer each question, tag them with a related label, and make a Q&A tag.
So send them in! I can't do it without your questions!
Thanks for checking out my blog :) Be sure to leave your questions in the comments section! I know I have not addressed everything there is to know yet so ask whatever is on your mind! It can be about any and every aspect of the DCP, whatever you want!
I will answer each question, tag them with a related label, and make a Q&A tag.
So send them in! I can't do it without your questions!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Thank You and Mahalo
1 year ago at this time, May 16 at about 10ish, I was in tears. I was crying because I had just clocked out from being a Polynesian Cast Member for the last time. I had just finished my last breads shift, my last time mixing Kona bread, my last time making pans of Ohana Breakfast Bread, my last time helping out on Graveyard. My last shift at work with the ohana.
I can tell you it was pouring rain in Florida that night because I remember sitting on the little benches outside waiting for the bus and it just kept pouring and pouring. I was sitting there crying on the phone with my mom talking about how I didn't want to go (although she couldn't wait for me to leave because it meant seeing her again after 3 months) but I just cried. I had smuggled a cup of the Ohana Bread Pudding in cup, but even that didn't make me feel better.
That night didn't just mark the end of my chapter at the Polynesian, it marked the end of a chapter where amongst those pages, I learned a lot about myself. I learned what kind of environment I want to work for, I want to work in the places with high expectations and morals, I want to work in a place where you make people happy, I realized that I didn't just want to do an internship but that I wanted to work here for the rest of my life. I opened up more, I actually talked to a guy (what? I know) and I let my personality shine. It is a lot easier to showcase your Disney obsession in Disney World than college. Wearing mouse ears on campus may cause a few head turns...
Yes, I learned how to make bread but I learned how to make A LOT of bread and how to do it right. My first rack of bread wasn't perfect but overtime I got the hang of it. On dessert bar I was so scared of it the first day because I always said I was not made for tickets and made to order dishes, but I conquered even the busiest of my shifts. I learned a lot about the industry in the kitchen, and a lot about myself outside of it. Even though Peter Pan would be upset to hear it, I grew up even more.
At the end of the night, I cried because I didn't want to leave. but I told myself it would not be the last time I stepped inside of a Disney kitchen and put the culinary costume back on. ad here I am, with a countdown to my second internship and a dream of making it my career.
The Disney Culinary Program, any program, will change your live. Yes you will work and you will play, but you will also learn and grow. Maybe your role won't relate to your major, but you will learn about yourself. and this internship can open so many doors, I got my job through this, Disney on a resume just screams 'wow'. So go for it, dream, work for it and learn from it and I promise, you won't regret it.
I can tell you it was pouring rain in Florida that night because I remember sitting on the little benches outside waiting for the bus and it just kept pouring and pouring. I was sitting there crying on the phone with my mom talking about how I didn't want to go (although she couldn't wait for me to leave because it meant seeing her again after 3 months) but I just cried. I had smuggled a cup of the Ohana Bread Pudding in cup, but even that didn't make me feel better.
That night didn't just mark the end of my chapter at the Polynesian, it marked the end of a chapter where amongst those pages, I learned a lot about myself. I learned what kind of environment I want to work for, I want to work in the places with high expectations and morals, I want to work in a place where you make people happy, I realized that I didn't just want to do an internship but that I wanted to work here for the rest of my life. I opened up more, I actually talked to a guy (what? I know) and I let my personality shine. It is a lot easier to showcase your Disney obsession in Disney World than college. Wearing mouse ears on campus may cause a few head turns...
Yes, I learned how to make bread but I learned how to make A LOT of bread and how to do it right. My first rack of bread wasn't perfect but overtime I got the hang of it. On dessert bar I was so scared of it the first day because I always said I was not made for tickets and made to order dishes, but I conquered even the busiest of my shifts. I learned a lot about the industry in the kitchen, and a lot about myself outside of it. Even though Peter Pan would be upset to hear it, I grew up even more.
At the end of the night, I cried because I didn't want to leave. but I told myself it would not be the last time I stepped inside of a Disney kitchen and put the culinary costume back on. ad here I am, with a countdown to my second internship and a dream of making it my career.
The Disney Culinary Program, any program, will change your live. Yes you will work and you will play, but you will also learn and grow. Maybe your role won't relate to your major, but you will learn about yourself. and this internship can open so many doors, I got my job through this, Disney on a resume just screams 'wow'. So go for it, dream, work for it and learn from it and I promise, you won't regret it.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
I feel like I could get myself in deep waters here by going into different languages but I want everyone to feel welcome!
I've noticed that this week I have gotten a spike in readers, from Russia! You probably can't even pin point little Rhode Island on the map and there are people reading my posts in Russia and New Zealand now too!
So, privyet!
I guess it's a good thing I've put the google translator tool on here!
I've noticed that this week I have gotten a spike in readers, from Russia! You probably can't even pin point little Rhode Island on the map and there are people reading my posts in Russia and New Zealand now too!
So, privyet!
I guess it's a good thing I've put the google translator tool on here!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Rate & Comment!
Don't forget, this blog is for YOU! I love helping people learn about the Disney College Program and its divisions and sharing my passion for all things Disney. Over the past few years my tumblr blog has grown to 1,145 followers and I have answered hundreds of questions and would like to carry on here as well.
You can rate my posts here to degrees such as informative or boring to help me see what direction I should go in. And most importantly, there is a comments box! Here, you can leave questions, comments, suggestions, anything you wish!
If I receive a question, I will copy it and make it into a post. It will be tagged to it's respective tag and also tagged into a Q&A tag. So bring in your questions, I love answering them!
I really hope for this blog to grow and be interactive. I have formed friendships on my tumblr and answer questions on a regular basis, it is a lot of fun! So don't be shy, ask away!
You can rate my posts here to degrees such as informative or boring to help me see what direction I should go in. And most importantly, there is a comments box! Here, you can leave questions, comments, suggestions, anything you wish!
If I receive a question, I will copy it and make it into a post. It will be tagged to it's respective tag and also tagged into a Q&A tag. So bring in your questions, I love answering them!
I really hope for this blog to grow and be interactive. I have formed friendships on my tumblr and answer questions on a regular basis, it is a lot of fun! So don't be shy, ask away!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Pomp & Pixie Dust
For each session there is a graduation ceremony at Chatham Square. You get a bunch of freebies, I still have my Mickey wind chime, Snow White china box, and my DCP poster on display on my DCP shelf back home. There is free food, a DJ and of course you get your complimentary Mickey Graduation Ears and your certificate.
I had already gone through my high school graduation and I face my college graduation next year, but this graduation has to me my favorite because of what it stands for.
I worked long and hard for this and I was blessed with the opportunity to live with wonderful roommates, work in a wonderful kitchen with excellent cast members, while working for the company I have dreamed of working for because of the impact they have had on my life. Standing with Mickey and Minnie was more dignifying to me than standing with principals and Deans. Mickey and Minnie have been a part of my life since the day I was born, there was a Minnie "It's a Girl!" balloon when I was born, I got my first Mickey and Minnie dolls when I turned 1. and Now here I was, grown up and living out my dream with them. What more could I ask for?
I can't believe it has been a year since this moment and I am more than ready to head back down and start this journey all over again!
Patterson Court!
During my first program I lived in Patterson Court, room 6307 to be exact. That means I lived in building 6, on the 3rd floor in room 7. I really loved it, it felt so luxurious! I'm a small town girl from New Jersey who sees horses when I go for walks and lives for country falls and now I had a palm tree right outside my bedroom window, pretty surreal if you ask me!
I lived with 5 other girls, one of my roommates had to leave due to health issues about a month into my program so for a while it was just me and the 4 other girls. In your apartment you can live with people from all over the world doing different roles. I actually ended up living with 2 other culinary cast members who actually go to my school and I see them all the time which is really awesome. I had a roommate from Indiana who was a Great Movie Ride CM, one from Wisconsin who worked for Caribbean recreation and my roommate from Australia who did Emporium merchandise and Coronado concierge.
So since we were a 6 person apartment we had 3 bedrooms. Each bedroom came with: 2 twin beds, 2 bed side tables, 1 mirror, and 1 dresser (3 drawers per roommate) Each room also had their own bathroom and large closet. Inside the closet are 2 lockers for you to store any valuables, you just need to supply your own lock. All you need to provide for your bedroom are your bed and shower linens.
*Tip* What a lot of people do is buy their linens when they get down there. You can buy a bed sheet set at WalMart and donate it to the Red Cross when you leave. It saves you room in your suitcase and you get to donate to those in need!*
I know it is a rather bad photo but this is what my little corner looked like. The room is actually really spacious, I shared it with my roommate from Australia who was great. You can't hang anything on your walls but you do get a cork board to fill up!
Aside from your personal room, the rest of the apartment is called common space. You have a kitchen, living room, eating area and patio.
The kitchen is stocked with enough cups and pans and plates and anything else you need to cook for the amount of roommates. For example, if a 2 bedroom apartment had 4 cups, a 4 bedroom would have 8, a 6 bedroom would have 12, etc. Included in the kitchen are:
Kitchen Appliances
You obviously have to supply your own food. There are buses that take you to Publix (grocery store chain in Florida) and WalMart. Some other things you may find yourself needing: coffee maker, tin foil, cling wrap, and tupperware. You will also need to get dish washer detergent, sponges, towels/oven mitts, paper towels, napkins and sponges. When you first get to your apartment, see what you have and think about what you personally use at home and see if it is something you need to get!
Either way, you could give me a cardboard box to live in if it meant being back to work for Disney! Don't forget to leave questions in the comments and suggestions for future posts in my housing series!
I lived with 5 other girls, one of my roommates had to leave due to health issues about a month into my program so for a while it was just me and the 4 other girls. In your apartment you can live with people from all over the world doing different roles. I actually ended up living with 2 other culinary cast members who actually go to my school and I see them all the time which is really awesome. I had a roommate from Indiana who was a Great Movie Ride CM, one from Wisconsin who worked for Caribbean recreation and my roommate from Australia who did Emporium merchandise and Coronado concierge.
So since we were a 6 person apartment we had 3 bedrooms. Each bedroom came with: 2 twin beds, 2 bed side tables, 1 mirror, and 1 dresser (3 drawers per roommate) Each room also had their own bathroom and large closet. Inside the closet are 2 lockers for you to store any valuables, you just need to supply your own lock. All you need to provide for your bedroom are your bed and shower linens.
*Tip* What a lot of people do is buy their linens when they get down there. You can buy a bed sheet set at WalMart and donate it to the Red Cross when you leave. It saves you room in your suitcase and you get to donate to those in need!*
I know it is a rather bad photo but this is what my little corner looked like. The room is actually really spacious, I shared it with my roommate from Australia who was great. You can't hang anything on your walls but you do get a cork board to fill up!
The kitchen is stocked with enough cups and pans and plates and anything else you need to cook for the amount of roommates. For example, if a 2 bedroom apartment had 4 cups, a 4 bedroom would have 8, a 6 bedroom would have 12, etc. Included in the kitchen are:
Kitchen Appliances
- Refrigerator w/ ice maker
- Stove, oven, & microwave
- Dishwasher
- Assortment of pots & pans w/lids
- Mixing bowl set
- Measuring cups
- Cutting board
- Spatula
- Can opener
- Cutting knife
- Ladle
- Tea kettle
- Serving spoons
- Cookie sheets
- Dinner plates
- Salad plates
- Cereal bowls
- Drinking glasses
- Coffee cups
- Set of knives, spoons and forks
- Kitchen wastebasket
- Recycling bin
You obviously have to supply your own food. There are buses that take you to Publix (grocery store chain in Florida) and WalMart. Some other things you may find yourself needing: coffee maker, tin foil, cling wrap, and tupperware. You will also need to get dish washer detergent, sponges, towels/oven mitts, paper towels, napkins and sponges. When you first get to your apartment, see what you have and think about what you personally use at home and see if it is something you need to get!
There is also a dining area that will come with enough chairs for the roommates.
The living room in the open floor plan includes: a couch, chair, 2 end tables, desk table, and a coffee table.
The blanket was my roommate's so that obviously isn't included! Those couches are surprisingly comfortable after a long day of work or going to the park! You also get a jumbo cork board to hang up any calendars or memos. What did we hang up? A sombrero.
You also get a patio! You can look out and see all the palm trees and take your chairs out there.
Other amenities that come with your apartment include:
- All utilities, including water, electricity, waste disposal
- High-speed Internet access in all apartments (additional information below)
- Local phone service and one central phone
- Centrally located laundry facilities
- Maintenance of the apartments, including pest control
- Onsite security
- Cable television hook-up
- Computer labs
- Wireless Internet Lounge, Clubroom Thirteen501
- Swimming pools
- Weight rooms
- Tennis, basketball and racquetball courts
- Fully furnished apartment
- Bedroom
Either way, you could give me a cardboard box to live in if it meant being back to work for Disney! Don't forget to leave questions in the comments and suggestions for future posts in my housing series!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
2 Months til Check In!
2 months from now I will probably be passed out on my bed in my new Disney apartment.
Because 2 months from today is my second DCP check in!
I remember my first check in being tiring and exciting all at the same time. After I signed all my paperwork and dotted all my i's, I got my room situated by putting all my pictures on my cork board. I kinda sorta didn't have a pillow for about the first 3 days so it was a bit barren for a while, but it was homey!
That night, 4 of my roommates and I went to Downtown Disney to watch the Lorax and I remember nodding off throughout the film. Not because it was bad (what I do remember, it was cute actually!) but because I was so tired.
but 2 months from right now I will be getting ready to spend another night in Florida. I will have already confirmed my work location, moved in, and met my roommates. I will have my outfit hanging in my closet for Traditions, knowing me I will probably have already gone to DTD to load up on pins and start trading.
When I look at this all numerically, it's hard to believe how it all happened so fast. I realized my dream almost 3 years ago, I left for my first DCP nearly 14 months ago and I'm already coming up on my 1 year since I left, May 18th. and now I'm gearing to go back and do it all over again.
and I'm excited that you guys will be here to join me on my journey! You can always follow my personal blog (beware, it is multifandom so Mickey Mouse may be followed by Harry Styles and the Doctor) on tumblr but be sure to check back here for strictly DCP organized posts! Don't forget to rate my posts and leave you questions and suggestions in the comments!
Have A Magical Evening!
Because 2 months from today is my second DCP check in!
I remember my first check in being tiring and exciting all at the same time. After I signed all my paperwork and dotted all my i's, I got my room situated by putting all my pictures on my cork board. I kinda sorta didn't have a pillow for about the first 3 days so it was a bit barren for a while, but it was homey!
(a little tour of my Patterson apartment will come shortly!)
That night, 4 of my roommates and I went to Downtown Disney to watch the Lorax and I remember nodding off throughout the film. Not because it was bad (what I do remember, it was cute actually!) but because I was so tired.
but 2 months from right now I will be getting ready to spend another night in Florida. I will have already confirmed my work location, moved in, and met my roommates. I will have my outfit hanging in my closet for Traditions, knowing me I will probably have already gone to DTD to load up on pins and start trading.
When I look at this all numerically, it's hard to believe how it all happened so fast. I realized my dream almost 3 years ago, I left for my first DCP nearly 14 months ago and I'm already coming up on my 1 year since I left, May 18th. and now I'm gearing to go back and do it all over again.
and I'm excited that you guys will be here to join me on my journey! You can always follow my personal blog (beware, it is multifandom so Mickey Mouse may be followed by Harry Styles and the Doctor) on tumblr but be sure to check back here for strictly DCP organized posts! Don't forget to rate my posts and leave you questions and suggestions in the comments!
Have A Magical Evening!
Friday, May 3, 2013
The DCP, It's a Splash!
So I've decided to bounce around a bit and make a post about DCP Events. Yes you are there to work, but they let you play too! Recently, the DCP held their 2nd Starlit Splash at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. Last year I was able to go to the very first one and let me tell you, it was a grand time!
Disney usually hosts a formal dance, not like Prom but more kind of like homecoming in a sense. Except these are better because Disney characters are there! I don't remember Prince Eric and Ariel being at my homecoming...oh yeah, because I never went to them. Besides the point!
Last year however, they decided to spruce things up a bit. I was there during the spring and springtime in Florida is b-e-a-utiful. Especially at night. So instead of hosting the party indoors, we had it outdoors! I, like other people, was a little skeptic about the idea, we had all gone down anticipating the formal because it is a highlight of the program. We looked forward to dressing up and going dancing and thought the idea of a pool party would be silly. We were wrong, very wrong.
What the Starlit Splash is is a big beach party held after hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. The DCP rents the park out for the night so it is strictly CPs in attendance. They bus you there and upon arrival you get a free tshirt (Disney gives you a lot of free stuff, I still wear my shirt all the time!) and you get nearly the entire park to yourself. We got to go on rides super quick because there was no regular tourists in line, we got to do the snorkeling with the sharks and fishes in the reef, ride the lazy river, swim in the big pool with the tidal wave, we had a blast.
and there was free food! a buffet filled with hot food food and FREE MICKEY BARS! I mean, hello, do you know what those costs in the parks?
In addition, along the beach was the party. We had a DJ who played awesome music and threw free stuff into the crowd. Every now and then he would go "scream if you're in the disney college program!" "scream if you're in the disney international program!" "scream if you're in the disney culinary program!" and us culinary kids made sure we did. They were dressed up as pirates and threw eye patches and pirate footballs into the crowd and even announced the arrival of the best pirate off all, Captain Jack Sparrow! We even got a little firework show, just for us.
at the end of the night we were all proven wrong, it was a great time. It was a tad bit on the cooler side and it drizzled but you were wet anyway so who cares? It was great to spend time with friends on my day off having fun and going swimming. Disney really took care of us from the free handouts and t-shirts, food, and locker storage. It's a great way to show that they care. They know that we work and that we work hard so they let us have our own magical moments instead of just making them.
So not only your program do you have the opportunity to have fun on the job, but fun on your days off! You are not entitled to go just because you are a CP, you do have to request the time off if you aren't given it but they are usually pretty lenient about it. I recommend making the most of the housing events during your program because not only are they free, they're fun!
Disney usually hosts a formal dance, not like Prom but more kind of like homecoming in a sense. Except these are better because Disney characters are there! I don't remember Prince Eric and Ariel being at my homecoming...oh yeah, because I never went to them. Besides the point!
Last year however, they decided to spruce things up a bit. I was there during the spring and springtime in Florida is b-e-a-utiful. Especially at night. So instead of hosting the party indoors, we had it outdoors! I, like other people, was a little skeptic about the idea, we had all gone down anticipating the formal because it is a highlight of the program. We looked forward to dressing up and going dancing and thought the idea of a pool party would be silly. We were wrong, very wrong.
What the Starlit Splash is is a big beach party held after hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. The DCP rents the park out for the night so it is strictly CPs in attendance. They bus you there and upon arrival you get a free tshirt (Disney gives you a lot of free stuff, I still wear my shirt all the time!) and you get nearly the entire park to yourself. We got to go on rides super quick because there was no regular tourists in line, we got to do the snorkeling with the sharks and fishes in the reef, ride the lazy river, swim in the big pool with the tidal wave, we had a blast.
and there was free food! a buffet filled with hot food food and FREE MICKEY BARS! I mean, hello, do you know what those costs in the parks?
In addition, along the beach was the party. We had a DJ who played awesome music and threw free stuff into the crowd. Every now and then he would go "scream if you're in the disney college program!" "scream if you're in the disney international program!" "scream if you're in the disney culinary program!" and us culinary kids made sure we did. They were dressed up as pirates and threw eye patches and pirate footballs into the crowd and even announced the arrival of the best pirate off all, Captain Jack Sparrow! We even got a little firework show, just for us.
at the end of the night we were all proven wrong, it was a great time. It was a tad bit on the cooler side and it drizzled but you were wet anyway so who cares? It was great to spend time with friends on my day off having fun and going swimming. Disney really took care of us from the free handouts and t-shirts, food, and locker storage. It's a great way to show that they care. They know that we work and that we work hard so they let us have our own magical moments instead of just making them.
So not only your program do you have the opportunity to have fun on the job, but fun on your days off! You are not entitled to go just because you are a CP, you do have to request the time off if you aren't given it but they are usually pretty lenient about it. I recommend making the most of the housing events during your program because not only are they free, they're fun!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Not Disney related but what I love about Blogger is it shows me my audience that is reading my blog. because of that, I put the Google translate on here because I have international views, how cool is that! So:
To my fellow Americans: hello!
To my Canadian viewers: hello or bonjour!
To my UK viewers: hello, dia dhuit, halo, or helo!
To my Puerto Rican and Chilean viewers: hola!
and to my German viewers, hallo!
Fun fact: If I was not going to pursue a career in baking I would have become an Italian teacher. This blog is for everyone, all around the world!
To my fellow Americans: hello!
To my Canadian viewers: hello or bonjour!
To my UK viewers: hello, dia dhuit, halo, or helo!
To my Puerto Rican and Chilean viewers: hola!
and to my German viewers, hallo!
Fun fact: If I was not going to pursue a career in baking I would have become an Italian teacher. This blog is for everyone, all around the world!
Home Sweet Home-The Individual Complexes
Get ready for a long but informational post! This will not cover every detail to housing, this is a first post in a series related to housing. To see all posts labeled 'housing' click on the Housing tab to the right. Leave any additional housing questions in the comments and I will address them in my next housing post!
Coming up in the housing series I will cover: rent and how it is paid, what furniture and items are included in the apartments, transportation, clubhouse functions, hurricanes,alcohol, what to bring and what not to bring, inspections and the White Glove test, and a further look into the interior of a Patterson Court apartment, where I lived the first time!
On to the first post in the housing series: The Complexes!
You won't really need real estate agent to sell the fact that while participating in the Disney College, Culinary or International Programs that you will have a castle in your backyard. At your fingertips you will have all 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney, 2 water parks and all the resorts, right there. People save up for years to be able to spend a week in the place that you get to live. Some have only seen Cinderella Castle in a postcard or commercial but you can see it anytime you want, I use to get a glimpse every night on the ride home from work.
But what about where YOU live? I personally would make do with a cardboard box if it meant being back working for Disney but thankfully, they give you a bit more wiggle room (and structure!)
You have the choice of 3-4 Apartment Complexes (clicking on this link will take you to the official DCP page with access to a video tour!):
Vista Way (clicking on titles will take you to the source of the picture)
Vista Way is the oldest complex of the apartments but also serves as the central hub. This is where you will come to check in on your arrival date. This complex not only houses 40 buildings but also the Disney Service Center and Disney Learning Center. and Education office Amenities here include a tennis and basketball court, fitness center 2 pools, educational classrooms, security, a clubhouse, and the main bus hub. Like all the complexes you must enter through security. There is a mail area in the clubhouse and laundry rooms on the ground floor of each building. The Learning Center also has a computer lab.
Chatham Square
Chatham is a short drive from Vista Way. Chatham Square houses a fitness center, education classrooms, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a pool and a clubhouse in addition to its 30 buildings. Like all the complexes, you must enter through security. Mailboxes are broken into sections throughout the complexes and laundry rooms are located in designated buildings. The clubhouse also houses a computer lab. Chatham has a bus stop that is shared with Patterson Court outside of the clubhouse.
The Commons
This complex is commonly used to house those on the International Program (listen to all the different languages and accents!) It is not always a stop on the bus route but you can ask to be dropped off there if it is not. It houses 29 buildings, a tennis court, clubhouse, fitness center, pool, and the Disney Housing Operations Programs Office (this will be where your housing orientation is held after your check in, and also Grocery Bingo!) Like all the complexes, you must enter through security. Mail kiosks are located at various buildings and there are laundry machines in each building. A computer lab is also located in the clubhouse.
Patterson Court
Patterson, is the smallest complex with 16 buildings, and is also the newest. Patterson is located across from Chatham and shares their bus stop. Like all the complexes, you must enter through security. Patterson has a club house, education classrooms, fitness center, and pool. Mail kiosks are broken down throughout the complex. There are also 4 laundry areas located throughout. The clubhouse also houses a computer lab.
In a future post I will discuss rent, how it is paid, what it covers, and what your apartment will come stocked with when you arrive. Don't forget to leave your questions in the comments!
Coming up in the housing series I will cover: rent and how it is paid, what furniture and items are included in the apartments, transportation, clubhouse functions, hurricanes,alcohol, what to bring and what not to bring, inspections and the White Glove test, and a further look into the interior of a Patterson Court apartment, where I lived the first time!
On to the first post in the housing series: The Complexes!
You won't really need real estate agent to sell the fact that while participating in the Disney College, Culinary or International Programs that you will have a castle in your backyard. At your fingertips you will have all 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney, 2 water parks and all the resorts, right there. People save up for years to be able to spend a week in the place that you get to live. Some have only seen Cinderella Castle in a postcard or commercial but you can see it anytime you want, I use to get a glimpse every night on the ride home from work.
But what about where YOU live? I personally would make do with a cardboard box if it meant being back working for Disney but thankfully, they give you a bit more wiggle room (and structure!)
You have the choice of 3-4 Apartment Complexes (clicking on this link will take you to the official DCP page with access to a video tour!):
Vista Way (clicking on titles will take you to the source of the picture)
Chatham Square
The Commons
Patterson Court
In a future post I will discuss rent, how it is paid, what it covers, and what your apartment will come stocked with when you arrive. Don't forget to leave your questions in the comments!
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