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!
A few months ago, I got engaged at one of the happiest places on earth. No, it wasn't Disney because I told the boyfriend that that would be the equivalent of being proposed to at work. Don't get me wrong, I know tons of people who had lovely engagements in the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Resort. But every time I look down Main Street, I can't help but think of pushing an ice cream cart down the street in front of the three o'clock parade, frantically trying to sell to every guest flagging me down, while simultaneously trying not to get run over by the start of the parade. Happy memories! Just not an engagement-worthy location in my opinion.
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