DCP Housing

All the Fall CP's will be starting their programs in August. Exactly a year ago, I was in the same place. I remember having so many questions running through my head because I had no idea what to expect. For example, where am I going to live?! When the time comes closer to the start of your DCP, you will be able to rank the top three complexes you would like to live in. Here, I will do my best of giving a brief run down on all the possible places you can live at the WDW College Program.

Patterson Court
This is where I lived, so naturally I know the most about it. It is quiet, calm, and there is never anything too crazy going on. Like all the other apartments, it has a nice pool and gym. I lived in a three bedroom with six girls total. The apartments are very spacious, have a full living room and kitchen, and all the bedrooms have their own bathrooms and walk in closets, which I loved! The only part that sucks is that you have to walk across the street to Chatham Square to catch the bus to work or the parks. It's only a 4-5 minute walk, but sometimes that makes all the difference when you're about to be late. Also, when it comes to groceries, I always went to Publix, which is about a 15 minute walk from Patterson or Chatham - probably 20 from the Commons. This kind of sucks because of the fact that you then have to carry all your groceries back, but the security office does rent out small wagons if you'd like to take that. You could also take the Walmart bus - it's more time consuming, in my opinion, but it's good if you want to buy a ton of stuff.

Chatham Square

Though I didn't live here, most of my friends did, so I spent a decent amount of time in this complex. The apartments are set up the same and are just as spacious. It also has the field where all the Housing Events take place, so that's convenient. It is right across from Mickey's Retreat, where you can take your family and friends to play games, go kayaking, or just hang out (I never went, which I regret, so I don't know a lot about it). And, like I mentioned before, the buses stop right in front of this complex, which is nice. If I could do the program again, I would definitely cross my fingers for Chatham, though Patterson would be a close second.

The Commons
This is the newest of all the complexes, as well as the most expensive. This is where the housing orientation/welcome meeting takes place. Other than that, I never went here often. Originally, this housed only International College Program participants (ICP's), but it recently opened up to everyone. However, because of this, it is still ICP's that live here. It has it's own bus stop, but some routes do not stop at the Commons, so you may have to make the 8-10 minute walk to Chatham in that case. A huge plus is that they have washers and dryers in the units, while the other complexes have a public laundry room. Also, it is right across the street from the outlet mall (which is where much of my paychecks went on more than one occasion). Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Starbucks, Papaya, Coach, Fendi, North Face, Saks Off Fifth Ave. You dream it, they have it.

Vista Way
I know that this is the most infamous complex, but I will admit that I do not know much about it. This is where some of the classrooms are if you take a class through the DCP (the other classrooms are at Patterson). It has its own bus stop, but while the other three complexes are clustered together, Vista Way is farther away from the rest. However, it is right across the street from Walgreens and a couple restaraunts, which is convenient. I heard the hot tub (which I would never step foot in, judging by the stories I heard) was recently taken out, which sucks for them. But yes, this is where the youger, wilder CP's stay, from what I've heard and seen. I went into a VW apartment once, and it definitely was not as nice as the other complexes, though that can be attributed to the fact that this is the oldest complex. This will be your first stop of the DCP, though, because this is where you check in and find out where you will be living and working!

5,000 Views!

Thank you to everyone who has supported this blog. I just barely celebrated the one year anniversary of All Roads Lead To Disney, and now we are celebrating 5,000 views. Thank you, and I look forward to continuing to post content about all things Disney!

As May comes to an end, that marks the time of year when all our Fall Advantage college program participants are settling down in either Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Congratulations to you all for making it this far - your journey is just beginning! I remember my first week as a CP. I got thrown into an apartment with five strangers, and we all ventured off to resort hop since we had not yet received our main gate passes that get us into the parks. This adventure brought us to Beaches and Cream at the Disney Yacht and Beach Club. Our group of six had grown to ten, then twelve, then fifteen. It was the perfect size group to devour two famous Kitchen Sinks.

So to all you new CPs - get out! Explore! Meet new people and live a little. These six months will be over before you know it.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

One thing you notice while working for Disney is that holidays last at least a month. As soon as mid-November rolls around, it is Christmas during select nights in the park until the end of December. Pinocchio’s Village Haus was not open during the Halloween parties, so this was the first holiday event that I worked. If you saw MVM on your schedule – welcome to working Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party in the Magic Kingdom!

These shifts start later in the day, around 4 or 5 pm, and can last until after midnight. Lucky for us, PVH closed a little earlier than other food and beverage locations, so we were usually out by midnight. But the work is simple – after regular park hours are over, you hand out hot cocoa and cookies to guests that have bought tickets to this special event. It seems odd at first to be wishing people “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” in November, but after working a few parties you get used to it. Disney themed holiday music is played throughout the park, and the castle show is, as usual, amazing! But let’s not forget the lovely costumes that cast members get to wear:

Flattering, I know. But to be honest, I miss putting on that hideous tree blouse and candy cane striped apron and head bow every other evening! Though some nights are long and difficult to manage, there’s nothing that brightens your day more than being filled with Christmas spirit and sharing that with all the guests in the park! But be warned – you will be asked to pose for many pictures, or be caught off guard as the flash of the camera captures your laughable costume. And of course, my favorite question from a guest during the Very Merry parties:

Funny, tired, sarcastic old man: “Do you sell rum and coke here?”

My automatic, equally sarcastic response: “No, unfortunately, but let me know if you find somewhere that does!”

Universal Studios

As college students, we strive to spend the least amount of money possible. However, I strongly advise you not to stay completely true to this philosophy while participating in the Disney College Program. If you consistently stay at home in an effort to save every dime you make, you will not have a great time. I spent about 90% of the money I made on trips, concerts, and food. I don’t regret it one bit because I had the most life changing experience while on my DCP!

So buy next piece of advice to you: buy a Universal Studios annual pass! I know, we all love the Disney parks, but sometimes I felt like I just had to get away from it all and trade in Aladdin’s flying carpets for a roller coaster that makes your head spin! Not to mention the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Hulk, Halloween Horror Nights, Transformers, and so much more! The pass is only a little over $100, which sounds like a lot, but it pays for itself within two visits. I bought my pass halfway through my program in October, but I wish I had bought it sooner. I ended up visiting Universal about four or five times in the last couple months of my program.

With that said, buy the annual pass! Especially if you are an adrenaline/roller coaster junkie or a huge Harry Potter fan like I am, you will not regret this purchase. Actually, now that I mention it, I think I'll try to make another visit to Universal Orlando before my pass expires!

One Year Anniversary

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of this blog, and I can’t believe that it’s been that long since I first started documenting my Disney College Program adventure! It’s hard to think that just over two months ago, I was strolling happily through the parks and working hard at Pinocchio’s, ignorant that it would all come to an end so quickly.

To all of you who are applying for the upcoming fall season, I wish you the best of luck! To those who have already been accepted, do not take it for granted – document each moment. Instagram was my best friend on the DCP; it was a quick, easy, and creative way to display my day-to-day events for family and friends.

And to those of you who have already completed their final program, just remember – the magic never dies, no matter how far away you are or how long it’s been. One day, you’ll be home again.

New York, New York

If you recall from a couple of my previous posts, I had impulsively bought a plane ticket to New York City. I had already made it to Walt Disney World, why not live out another life-long dream while I was at it? There are three posts on my main blog that bring you along on this exciting journey that I took back in November, as well as a fourth post about my day trip to Philadelphia. I have linked these posts below. Enjoy!

New York, New York (Part I)

New York, New York (Part II)

New York, New York (Part III)

Philadelphia (will be posted soon...)

I've Done It Again

I've abandoned you all for two and a half months. Again. I'm sad to say that my Disney College Program has come to an end, but on the bright side, that means I have more time to sit in front of my computer screen and type until my heart is content! I'm not going to be able to catch up these last two months in one blog post, so I plan to periodically reflect back on the DCP and share my adventures with you all. Although I last left off on November 6th, a week before I left for New York (exciting!!), I am instead going to quickly share with you my reflection on my program. This is the same reflection that I posted on my main blog, so my apologies for being repetitive. Now, with that said...

The Disney College Program was the greatest experience of my life and I absolutely do not, in any way, regret picking up and moving to Florida for a semester. 

It doesn't get any simpler than that. I spent every waking moment surrounded by my coworkers. To some of you reading this, you may think that sounds like a nightmare, but I assure you that it wasn't! It didn't take long at all for those people I worked with to become my family. When we were working at Pinocchio's Village Haus (PVH), would go out for dinner after work, or spend our days off in the parks together, I was having the time of my life. Heck, we even got together and had thanksgiving dinner on the apartment floor (once we all got off work, of course...)! We went out at night all the time, traveled to New York, and spent every bit of money we made at Disney - together. 

I cannot tell you how hard it is to go from that, to nothing. No PVH. No Disney Parks. No Universal Studios. No beaches. No clubs. No one.

Though the BYU campus is crowded and bustling with chatting students, there are moments when everything is quiet, everything is calm. And I am alone. In those moments, I think about the Magic Kingdom filled to capacity at almost 100,000 people. I think about working 14 hour shifts during the holiday season. I think about the music pounding in my ears at House of Blues. I think about the fireworks going off every night like clockwork.

And all too soon, I am pulled back down to earth as my phone notifies me that I have an essay due tomorrow and two exams next week. Right now, this is my reality.

But one day, I will go back.