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I’ve just returned from a fabulous long weekend in Walt Disney World.  My husband and I brought our daughter to Orlando to begin her Disney College Program session.  As you know from my previous posts, I think the Disney College Program is a great opportunity for college students.  I’ve seen how the time my son spent in the program has helped shape his character and guide him further on his career path.  The Disney College Program has opened doors for my son and has exposed him to people from all over the world.  People who have remained his friends and people who have become business contacts.

I recently wrote a post entitled, The Disney College Program, Packing and Arrival Tips, but having just returned from bringing our daughter, I wanted to add a few additional points to help parents in planning for this new adventure.

We arrived in Walt Disney World a few days before my daughter’s actual check-in date.  We stayed for two nights at the Disney All Star Movies Resort and then switched hotels to the Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

On check-in day, we arrived at Vista Way apartment complex at around 8 AM.  There were already a large number of College Program participants in line.  Even though the registration actually opens at 9AM, people arrive early.   There is a very nice waiting area with light refreshments for the parents in another part of the apartment complex.  In this area, you can sign up to be on the email list for the parents of CPs, ask questions about the program and talk to representatives of the Disney Vacation Club.

Disney College Program Parents Waiting Area Arrival Day

You can expect a long wait.  We waited about 4 hours for our daughter to finish.  You can either stay at the apartments and wait (which we did when we brought our son) or go off do something else.  My husband and I chose to go back to our hotel and walked over to EPCOT for lunch.

Another option would be to visit Downtown Disney.  There are shops and restaurants to visit and Downtown Disney is very close to Vista Way, so you won’t have to go far.

At check-in, the College Program participants turn over all the paperwork Disney requires along with their forms of identification.  They can request which apartment complex they want to live in, either Patterson, Chatham or Vista Way.

Then, the participants take a bus over to the Casting Building.   Disney will run background checks, issue their company ID’s and most importantly, the participants will find out where they will be working.

The participants are then brought back toVista Way and can move into their apartment. Parents are welcome to help with the move-in.

Either later that day or the next, the participants will be required to attend a Housing meeting which will outline the rules and regulations of living the the Disney housing and will give them information about the apartments. Remind your new CP that Disney requires that rules must be followed.  My son knew several individuals that were terminated for breaking housing, alcohol and work rules.

It’ll be a busy next few days for these new CP’ers.  They’ll be meeting new friends, exploring the Disney Parks and learning about their new jobs.  It’s such an exciting new adventure they’ll embark on and one that will surely provide them with wonderful memories.