College Program Parents Thread...

[::Snow_White::]

Thank you SO much for the map! It is greatly appreciated and I'm sure others on here will appreciate it! I am so glad she will not really need to get on I4. That was what I was most worried about, especially if she had to come home late at night. Once we know where she will be living and working, we will drive it with her before leaving.

One other question that I think has been asked before but we are kind of confused on, is what work documents they need to bring for check-in. Also, I see it is recommended to go ahead and go by the Urgent Care and register so if she should have any health concerns, it will be much easier on her. Is there only one place, they get picked up to be taken to? Thank you so much for all of your help and guidance!

Of course.

I believe the only thing you need is your I-9 documents: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboarding/fl/pre-arrival-information/i9-documents/

http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboarding/fl/pre-arrival-information/overview/

And I assume that she's already filled out her new-hire documentation: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboarding/fl/pre-arrival-information/hire-documentation/

If not that'll be sent to her in an email.

It's been almost a year so I can't remember 100%. If you're bringing a car make sure that your DD brings insurance that is under her name or at least where her name is listed on the insurance. My name was not listed on mine so I was in a mess trying to get my car registered just to stay on Patterson property.

And I never visited the Urgent Care so unfortunately I cannot help you on that one.

No problem, hope others can answer your questions.

As a semi local I totally agree that the way to go is to use 536/World Drive over 535 or I4. Also traffic on 535 can vary greatly due to time of day/tourist season where 536/World Drive never really backs up (enough lanes).

Also it is true that the CPs can now ask for time off before they start the CP. My niece got that email and immediately asked off for three days for a family wedding in Oct/November and got it. I don't know how she did it exactly but I thought the directions were right there in her email.

Liz

Dang, I sure wish I got to do that! One of my friends left for her CP in May and never received an email about it or at least didn't tell me. Lucky ducks.

 

[poison ivy]

Originally Posted by reesecup

One other question that I think has been asked before but we are kind of confused on, is what work documents they need to bring for check-in.

I wrote about this in detail for my son in our trip report last year. Here's the section regarding the first week for participants.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51046297&postcount=209

specifically, on what they need for check in:

Here's a great day by day recap of what to expect your first Week (courtesy of the Disney Website)
http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboa...irst-few-days/


Quote:
Your First Few Days

Check-in Day

You will receive your housing assignment and also set up payroll deduction for your weekly housing payments.

You will also have your photo taken for your Housing Property ID.

****It is extremely important that you are within Disney Look Guidelines in regards to hair, makeup, jewelry, and body modifications when you arrive so that you are not delayed with taking your photo****.

Please also be sure you are not wearing a sleeveless shirt.
Your photo will be taken for your ID, so your shoulders must be covered.

Background Check
For the safety and security of all of our guests and cast members, all new cast members must undergo a criminal background check.
As part of the background-check process, it will be necessary for you to be fingerprinted. The fingerprints are then submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for further processing. On your application, you authorized this process and agreed to undergo a criminal background check prior to the start of your employment. This authorization also allows us to use this process to conduct a criminal background check on you at any time during your employment.

Drug Testing
To ensure a safe and healthy environment for our guests and cast, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free of the influences of drugs. For specific roles, an offer of employment is conditional based on a satisfactory result of a drug test result for illegal substances. The company also has a policy of drug and alcohol testing on a random basis or under other circumstances during the course of employment.

Employment Eligibility Verification
You will need to have your employment eligibility documents with you so that we can verify your I-9 Work Authorization Form. These must be the originals. Photocopies of these documents will not be accepted. If you do not have the proper employment eligibility documents with you, you will not be able to begin working.

Housing Welcome Session.
This mandatory meeting will be scheduled when you receive your housing assignment and will take place either in the late afternoon/early evening of your arrival day, or the following day in the morning or early afternoon.

Disney Traditions Schedule
You will receive the date and time of your Disney Traditions class. Disney Traditions is your company orientation class and your first day of work. It is a program that introduces each new generation of cast members to the culture and heritage of the world-famous Disney organization.

**NOTE:** If you do not have the proper employment eligibility documents with you, you will not be able to attend Disney Traditions or start your location training.

Work Location
A representative from the work locations will give you information about your role and your training schedule.

Lifeguard Swim Test
Lifeguards typically take their swim test the first day of check-in. Details will be distributed during the check-in process. During your swim test you will be tested on the following:

• 200-yard swim
• 2 minute tread without the use of hands
• Retrieving a 10 lb brick from deep water using a feet-first surface dive
• Vision test
________________________________________





Also:
1) Bussing for participants only is provided from Vista Way to Casting to Apartments
2) Paperwork is filled out to either have your Paycheck Direct Deposited into your own bank account or be issued a payroll debit card. Mark brought his checkbook to set up direct deposit.
3) Check In Day = Move In Day
4) Apartment Keys are Issued
5) Vehicle Registration Form/Sticker Issued – Must have the policy page that shows the CP’s name as a listed driver if on parents Auto Ins..
6) Both the Check In Day and Housing Meeting Day are not official work days. They are unpaid information sessions.

 

[DCPmom2014]

Just wanted to get advice from fellow DCP moms/grandmas/dads, etc. My DD had her first visit from family this past weekend (her grandparents and 17 year old brother). I wasn't able to go as I chaperoned 15 teenagers on a mission trip to Haiti!

My mother in law and I moved her into Chatham mid May. She did not get her first pick of # of roommates (she wanted 1 ended up with 5). Well, my MIL called me and said how sad she was about the state of the apartment. Apparently nobody takes out the trash (several bags of it in the kitchen), the place was a disaster, etc. She didn't want to overstep but was really disappointed as we spent a long time getting her set up, buying things for everyone in the apartment - a vacuum, shelves for their utility room (which I am told looks like a war zone now)! Anybody else experiencing this? As a mother, I just want to go in there and help them clean but of course I can't do that!!!

Our daughter is not a neat freak by any stretch but even she is started to get annoyed and disgusted!!!

 

[dizagain]

Just wanted to get advice from fellow DCP moms/grandmas/dads, etc. My DD had her first visit from family this past weekend (her grandparents and 17 year old brother). I wasn't able to go as I chaperoned 15 teenagers on a mission trip to Haiti!

My mother in law and I moved her into Chatham mid May. She did not get her first pick of # of roommates (she wanted 1 ended up with 5). Well, my MIL called me and said how sad she was about the state of the apartment. Apparently nobody takes out the trash (several bags of it in the kitchen), the place was a disaster, etc. She didn't want to overstep but was really disappointed as we spent a long time getting her set up, buying things for everyone in the apartment - a vacuum, shelves for their utility room (which I am told looks like a war zone now)! Anybody else experiencing this? As a mother, I just want to go in there and help them clean but of course I can't do that!!!

Our daughter is not a neat freak by any stretch but even she is started to get annoyed and disgusted!!!

I know how you feel! After moving my DD into and then out of her 4-person dorm for two years, I am still disgusted every time I see it! She is in an 8-person apt. at Chatham now and I'm sure it is awful. I actually get to see for myself in two days! I'm sure that's why they gave the crazy inspections...at least the kids are forced to do a good monthly clean.

My DD' s are both pretty messy......they honestly don't notice! I think that is pretty normal. Mine did say she was grossed out by their kitchen sometimes so that must mean it's pretty bad! HA!

And you are nicer than I am.....I wouldn't volunteer to clean it!

 

[wilkeliza]

Just wanted to get advice from fellow DCP moms/grandmas/dads, etc. My DD had her first visit from family this past weekend (her grandparents and 17 year old brother). I wasn't able to go as I chaperoned 15 teenagers on a mission trip to Haiti!

My mother in law and I moved her into Chatham mid May. She did not get her first pick of # of roommates (she wanted 1 ended up with 5). Well, my MIL called me and said how sad she was about the state of the apartment. Apparently nobody takes out the trash (several bags of it in the kitchen), the place was a disaster, etc. She didn't want to overstep but was really disappointed as we spent a long time getting her set up, buying things for everyone in the apartment - a vacuum, shelves for their utility room (which I am told looks like a war zone now)! Anybody else experiencing this? As a mother, I just want to go in there and help them clean but of course I can't do that!!!

Our daughter is not a neat freak by any stretch but even she is started to get annoyed and disgusted!!!

I would tell her to take pictures, clean it, and then get housing involved. However, from my cp experience when an apartment got that bad it meant nobody was doing anything not just a few of the CPs not cleaning and everyone else cleaning up after those people.

 

[dnswalker]

Yes, CMs can buy APs with their discount. I just didn't mention it because the PP didn't mention APs.

The discount is only 10%, so very possibly a better discount can be found using other companies. I know we used Undercover Tourist years ago, but I haven't checked lately so I'm not sure of their prices.

In the past there were longer day ticket options available but they discontinued those (I think last year), so now the only options are 1-5 days or AP.

Yes, the CM must use their own credit card (or cash) to pay for the tickets, and they must be purchased at Company D, not at the gates. However, they can also be purchased over the phone and either mailed to the recipient or picked up at Will Call.

Thanks for the info. I have just a few more questions. My CP seems to busy to bother with getting the info on these annual passes for me.

So, the discount for the AP is 10%. If my daughter purchase the tickets for my husband and myself, does she get some sort of ticket to get started making my FPP reservations? My biggest question, and I apologize if this has already been answered, when does the one year countdown start? When we she purchases them, when they are validated, when you first enter the parks?

We are going down (from CA) in Sept/ Oct, January, and hopefully early next September. We are just trying to squeeze as much magic out of these annual passes as possible and if we can wrap them around to next fall that would be AWESOME!!!

 

[Mahwah]

Thanks. Doesn't look like visiting over the holidays is going to work! Am assuming getting a resort using her discount will be next to impossible as well

We stayed at the Grand Floridian last Christmas for 3 nights and my daughter used her 60% discount...it was GREAT! We even got a discount on the dining plan!

 

[DCPmom2014]

We stayed at the Grand Floridian last Christmas for 3 nights and my daughter used her 60% discount...it was GREAT! We even got a discount on the dining plan!

How far in advance did you daughter make the reservations? I can't get my daughter to access the hub to check. Says she is way too busy with her job. Frustrating as I am a planner and would love to have all of this booked. We are going twice - first time is October 11-14 - taking my mom and son; then going again December 20-27 - whole family. Still have nothing reserved!! Afraid we are not going to get anything!

 

[Traveliz]

How far in advance did you daughter make the reservations? I can't get my daughter to access the hub to check. Says she is way too busy with her job. Frustrating as I am a planner and would love to have all of this booked. We are going twice - first time is October 11-14 - taking my mom and son; then going again December 20-27 - whole family. Still have nothing reserved!! Afraid we are not going to get anything!

The 60% discount won't be out until they get their holiday books. She is probably way busy but she does get at least one day a week off? right? Get her on the phone and have her bring up the Hub and tell you your options right then...you can give her your credit card info and you are good to go.

I believe there is also a number she can call if she prefers to do it that way.

Liz

 

[mccreel]

The 60% discount won't be out until they get their holiday books. She is probably way busy but she does get at least one day a week off? right? Get her on the phone and have her bring up the Hub and tell you your options right then...you can give her your credit card info and you are good to go.

I believe there is also a number she can call if she prefers to do it that way.

Liz

When do they get the holiday books for the discount? Also, when in October does it start? We have an anniversary trip planned in October and our son will be working there during fall. Is the 60% if they stay in the room with you or is it just family without cast member staying? Thanks in advance.
Melissa

 

[Traveliz]

When do they get the holiday books for the discount? Also, when in October does it start? We have an anniversary trip planned in October and our son will be working there during fall. Is the 60% if they stay in the room with you or is it just family without cast member staying? Thanks in advance.
Melissa

They come in the mail about the third week of October...sometimes the fourth week and the discount usually starts right around the end of October/first of November.

The larger discount is when the cast member is in the room.

Liz

 

[Jenny-Rebecca]

When do they get the holiday books for the discount? Also, when in October does it start? We have an anniversary trip planned in October and our son will be working there during fall. Is the 60% if they stay in the room with you or is it just family without cast member staying? Thanks in advance.
Melissa

My daughter's CP was in 2011, but she is a full-time cm now. The 60% discount runs at different times of the year and is not just tied in with the holiday discounts that are offered. It , or something like it, seems to run at least once every season. It usually doesn't come out long before the discounted time frame begins....I don't know exactly how far in advance, but it has never seemed to be more than maybe a couple of months. (There is a summer discount running now through mid-August that offers Pop rooms starting at $58 per night and says ask for pricing at other resorts.) If the CM doesn't stay in the room with you, the discount can be as much as 50%. Availability is usually limited for this discount and you, sometimes, have to be flexible about your resort choice. For this discount, the CM typically has to call for pricing, as opposed to the usual discount that can be booked online. (The usual discount is 40% for friends & family, and 50% when the cast member is staying in the room with you.) There is usually a code they have to ask for to get the extra discount pricing that is found on the offer page on the Hub. My daughter was really difficult about getting prices at first, but worked front desk for her extension, so got much better about it! Good luck!

 

[mccreel]

My daughter's CP was in 2011, but she is a full-time cm now. The 60% discount runs at different times of the year and is not just tied in with the holiday discounts that are offered. It , or something like it, seems to run at least once every season. It usually doesn't come out long before the discounted time frame begins....I don't know exactly how far in advance, but it has never seemed to be more than maybe a couple of months. (There is a summer discount running now through mid-August that offers Pop rooms starting at $58 per night and says ask for pricing at other resorts.) If the CM doesn't stay in the room with you, the discount can be as much as 50%. Availability is usually limited for this discount and you, sometimes, have to be flexible about your resort choice. For this discount, the CM typically has to call for pricing, as opposed to the usual discount that can be booked online. (The usual discount is 40% for friends & family, and 50% when the cast member is staying in the room with you.) There is usually a code they have to ask for to get the extra discount pricing that is found on the offer page on the Hub. My daughter was really difficult about getting prices at first, but worked front desk for her extension, so got much better about it! Good luck!

Thank's so much. He checks in on the 4th of Aug. We already have our dates booked for October since it is our 25th wedding anniversary but thought if he could get a good discount, we could change. We will be going down for a few days around Thanksgiving, because his birthday is also on the 29th of Nov. And just a couple of days around Christmas. Probably the 23erd to 26th or 27th. We know he will be busy that time but was hoping to be able to see him a little bit. If nothing else, he will be working attractions so we could go ride the ride he is working. He has been away from home pretty much the last year for college, just home for breaks and a weekend every now and then, But was able to be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This will be the first time he will be away from home on those holidays, so to make it easier on him, (and of course us...) we will be doing the holiday visits. Thanks again for all your help.
Melissa

 

[Jenny-Rebecca]

Thank's so much. He checks in on the 4th of Aug. We already have our dates booked for October since it is our 25th wedding anniversary but thought if he could get a good discount, we could change. We will be going down for a few days around Thanksgiving, because his birthday is also on the 29th of Nov. And just a couple of days around Christmas. Probably the 23erd to 26th or 27th. We know he will be busy that time but was hoping to be able to see him a little bit. If nothing else, he will be working attractions so we could go ride the ride he is working. He has been away from home pretty much the last year for college, just home for breaks and a weekend every now and then, But was able to be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This will be the first time he will be away from home on those holidays, so to make it easier on him, (and of course us...) we will be doing the holiday visits. Thanks again for all your help.
Melissa

My pleasure! I understand because when my daughter did the internship, she was actually just out of high school in the Career Start program. That was so strange because she had NEVER been away from home for really any days and, then, was away from September until the end of May. And we lived in MA then, so we got down a few times but no holidays. She and her friends were working like crazy anyway and had the craziest hours, so they did their own Christmas celebration at their apartments and we Skyped for that when we opened presents. But it was very hard on all of us to be away during the holidays! And hard explaining it to people who figured she could just "ask for those days off"...it wasn't that easy to get those days off! My daughter and son both are working in Attractions...my daughter is FT at Mine Train and my son is starting PT in Tomorrowland on Thursday. Does your son know which park yet? I know when my daughter did her program, she only knew MK until Traditions, then she knew Tomorrowland, and then found out her actual role at Once Upon A Time is Now training. My son only knows Tomorrowland right now and will find out his attraction on Thursday. Good luck to your son!!

 

[mccreel]

My pleasure! I understand because when my daughter did the internship, she was actually just out of high school in the Career Start program. That was so strange because she had NEVER been away from home for really any days and, then, was away from September until the end of May. And we lived in MA then, so we got down a few times but no holidays. She and her friends were working like crazy anyway and had the craziest hours, so they did their own Christmas celebration at their apartments and we Skyped for that when we opened presents. But it was very hard on all of us to be away during the holidays! And hard explaining it to people who figured she could just "ask for those days off"...it wasn't that easy to get those days off! My daughter and son both are working in Attractions...my daughter is FT at Mine Train and my son is starting PT in Tomorrowland on Thursday. Does your son know which park yet? I know when my daughter did her program, she only knew MK until Traditions, then she knew Tomorrowland, and then found out her actual role at Once Upon A Time is Now training. My son only knows Tomorrowland right now and will find out his attraction on Thursday. Good luck to your son!!

He does not know yet. He has received his link to do his paperwork and has been doing that. Got his W4 done, and has been working on other things. All he knows is attractions. I,or I should say we were so elated when we found out he had been accepted and offered a position. He has been wanting to do this since he found out about it in Jr. High. When he was accepted to Troy University, he started talking to advisers and others about what would need to be done if he did get this and took time from school to do it so that was all worked out by time he applied. He wanted a year of Troy behind him and he has about 1 1/2 years left when the program is over. (he did a couple of years at a local community college to get the basics behind him). His major is marketing so he is taking a couple of training classes connected to that. He is already talking about trying to extend to at least May of next year then his last semester of college, apply for an internship. I have heard it's a little easier to get an internship if you have done the college program and had a good working record with the company. He actually hopes he gets night time hours, especially if he works Magic Kingdom. We have always loved Magic Kingdom at night. He is pretty much nocturnal anyway. He will find out which shoes he needs for his costume when he arrives, Does the program have a company to buy from or do they just tell you what you need and you go in search? We have got his business attire purchased, a few ties etc. The shoes will be the last thing we need to buy for clothing. We drive down on the 3erd of Aug., he checks in on the 4th, go that evening and get things for apartment he needs, then we leave for home the 5th, probably late that evening. We live in Alabama and can drive down in 1 day but coming back, we are always tired and stop half way and finish the drive the next. So we can stay later on the 5th if needed, if not, that works too.
Again, thanks.

 

[Jenny-Rebecca]

He does not know yet. He has received his link to do his paperwork and has been doing that. Got his W4 done, and has been working on other things. All he knows is attractions. I,or I should say we were so elated when we found out he had been accepted and offered a position. He has been wanting to do this since he found out about it in Jr. High. When he was accepted to Troy University, he started talking to advisers and others about what would need to be done if he did get this and took time from school to do it so that was all worked out by time he applied. He wanted a year of Troy behind him and he has about 1 1/2 years left when the program is over. (he did a couple of years at a local community college to get the basics behind him). His major is marketing so he is taking a couple of training classes connected to that. He is already talking about trying to extend to at least May of next year then his last semester of college, apply for an internship. I have heard it's a little easier to get an internship if you have done the college program and had a good working record with the company. He actually hopes he gets night time hours, especially if he works Magic Kingdom. We have always loved Magic Kingdom at night. He is pretty much nocturnal anyway. He will find out which shoes he needs for his costume when he arrives, Does the program have a company to buy from or do they just tell you what you need and you go in search? We have got his business attire purchased, a few ties etc. The shoes will be the last thing we need to buy for clothing. We drive down on the 3erd of Aug., he checks in on the 4th, go that evening and get things for apartment he needs, then we leave for home the 5th, probably late that evening. We live in Alabama and can drive down in 1 day but coming back, we are always tired and stop half way and finish the drive the next. So we can stay later on the 5th if needed, if not, that works too.
Again, thanks.

From our experience, they told you what you need and you go get it. We are waiting on where my son gets so he can go buy his shoes too. For my daughter's program, she worked Speedway first and needed steel toed shoes. We went to the Walmart on 535 and they had a decent selection. There is a Target on 192, but they don't seem to have many shoes that would fit the Disney Look for work shoes. My daughter had looked there as recently as May for work shoes and ended up going to a shoe place on 192...I forget the name, but it was not too far down from Target. I think a lot of CPs get there shoes from the Walmart...it is the Walmart their bus takes them to as well. We love MK at night too! My daughter rarely worked days at MK...mostly closing shifts.

 

[mccreel]

I have another question on the depressing side. My mother in law has been ill and in a medical facility for a couple of years. The kind of deal where they are surprised she is still here and could go at any time. What is the bereavement policy for the DCP? Or do they even have one? If his Grandmother does pass what we thought is since it is only a couple hours flight from Orlando to Huntsville, fly him up the day before the funeral and he can fly back the evening after the funeral so he would only be gone for 2 days. Don't know what the process is. We may not need to but would like to be prepared if we have to..Thanks

 

[Traveliz]

I have another question on the depressing side. My mother in law has been ill and in a medical facility for a couple of years. The kind of deal where they are surprised she is still here and could go at any time. What is the bereavement policy for the DCP? Or do they even have one? If his Grandmother does pass what we thought is since it is only a couple hours flight from Orlando to Huntsville, fly him up the day before the funeral and he can fly back the evening after the funeral so he would only be gone for 2 days. Don't know what the process is. We may not need to but would like to be prepared if we have to..Thanks

So sorry...I have a similar situation with my father right now.

There is no policy for DCP and so it would likely be the easiest thing for him to do is give away his shifts.Typically there are people who will take them and more so for a reason such as this. You are right in making his visit a quick one.

Liz

 

[goinghometodisney]

I have another question on the depressing side. My mother in law has been ill and in a medical facility for a couple of years. The kind of deal where they are surprised she is still here and could go at any time. What is the bereavement policy for the DCP? Or do they even have one? If his Grandmother does pass what we thought is since it is only a couple hours flight from Orlando to Huntsville, fly him up the day before the funeral and he can fly back the evening after the funeral so he would only be gone for 2 days. Don't know what the process is. We may not need to but would like to be prepared if we have to..Thanks

Hi, my daughter is currently in the college program. (Fall advantage 2014) One of her roommate's grandfathers passed away a week ago. She spoke with her manager and was able to have her schedule changed so she could fly home for the funeral. They were very nice about it. Hopefully your son will not have this experience. If you have any questions about the current check in process, apartments, shoes... We have just gone through it. Our daughter is very excited because she is "deploying" to Magic Kingdom this week to work at the new Fantasyland.

 

[Jenny-Rebecca]

I have another question on the depressing side. My mother in law has been ill and in a medical facility for a couple of years. The kind of deal where they are surprised she is still here and could go at any time. What is the bereavement policy for the DCP? Or do they even have one? If his Grandmother does pass what we thought is since it is only a couple hours flight from Orlando to Huntsville, fly him up the day before the funeral and he can fly back the evening after the funeral so he would only be gone for 2 days. Don't know what the process is. We may not need to but would like to be prepared if we have to..Thanks

So sorry to hear that. I am glad others had the answer because we haven't had a situation like that. I agree that giving away shifts would probably be the best bet. And, then, speaking to your manager. From my daughter's experience, most of her managers have been really great.