[KarenWDWCP]

You will love merchandise. I worked merchandise on my CP at Disney MGM Studios and had a great time!

[vlogilvie]

I think I will love it too. When I'm there I spend a lot of my times at the stores & carts. I love to shop disney. I am really into disney pins and charms. I hope to be a pin trading cast member. Karen what do you think my chances or getting to work at MK or MGM are?

[KarenWDWCP]

Hmm, most of the merchandise CMs I knew on my CP were from the Studios or MK or Dtd. (One of my roommates worked MGM merchandise like me and one worked MK) I think it really depends on the timing of your arrival - it all seems to move in waves. So that when I arrived, most of the need for CMs seemed to be in MGM.

Working at the Studios was great because even during the busy times of the year, we generally closed at 10:00 pm so I was never really home too late. Some of the people I knew from MK would work until all hours of the night. Of course during the Xmas holidays, I'm sure even the Studios will be open later than 10.

I worked at Keystone Clothiers on Hollywood Blvd - we worked in the shop or out on one of the carts. And we did often wear those pin trading lanyards. I am sure you will have no trouble getting to pin trade - the managers were always looking for people willing to wear the lanyard.

[RowdyRAider]

Becoming a CP was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I know it's a new start, but it's a great one if you make it one. Good luck.

[rosebud]

Valerie, sorry it has taken me so long to respond! First of all, do not worry about the age thing! My sister-in-law is 28 years old and having the time of her life. She has a roommate the same age as her. Keep in touch and I will make sure to introduce you! My brother (same age) arrives in August. I have met 18 year old and 30 year old CPs. Age really doesn't matter, you will find the people that fit with your personality. You really will have the time of your life. The parks don't get old for me. It's like an addiction now, I go through withdrawl when I can't go for about a week (pathetic, I know).

Everyone I know in merchandise LOVES it! I hope you get the Studios, one of my roommates also is in "merchantainment" on Sunset and is having the best time of any of us. She works all over and just got trained at Sweet Spells Candy Shop! I also know a lot of CPs who work at Downtown Disney. You could also be in a Resort Gift Shop too!

It is going to be hard work and sometimes you are going to get upset and frustrated, but trust me you are going to have such a great time! I hope that your anxiety is turning into excitement!! We can't wait to have you here!

[vlogilvie]

Thank You Rosebud!!!

I was starting to fear that you had quit visiting Mousebuzz. I'm glad to hear you sister-in-law is 28. Good to know that there are people in their upper 20's there right now. I am starting to become really really excited. I can't wait to meet to you. It's exciting to "know" someone there already. I'll pm closer to my arrival.
I think I'll be the same way about the parks. I know I'll want to go all the time, that is a major reason I choose to do this.

See Ya Real Soon!!!

[Jenabug]

Hey, vlogilvie! I'm new to this forum. I'm fixin to start the program on the 21st so I can definatly relate to what your feelin. I'm 19 and this will be my first time away from home. YIKES!!

[vlogilvie]

Hi Jenabug,

Welcome to MB. I think alot of us will be nervous when we first arrive at the cp, but I am so excited!!! Welcome to MB.. There are lots of nice people here!!!

[vlogilvie]

Only 24 more days till I start the College Program!!!!!!!

[Jenabug]

Yyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!

[KarenWDWCP]

Originally Posted by vlogilvie

Only 24 more days till I start the College Program!!!!!!!

Woo-hoo! You must be getting so excited! I remember how nervous I was as my CP got closer but it was seriously one of the best things I have ever done.

Have you started packing yet? Are you flying there or driving?

[vlogilvie]

I have started packing and trying to get organized. The plan is that my sister and I are going to drive down together a few days (Aug 17) before I have to check in, then my mom is going to fly to Orlando and meet us there. We are going to AK, and Epcot, and visit some different resorts. We are staying at the Double Tree in Downtown Disney( got a great rate for a suite there!!!). Then on Monday Aug 21st I check in, and my mom and sis are flying back on the 22nd. They have never been to disney before so I am really excited to share this with them.

I've been trying to decide what stuff to bring with me. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I might need to bring, that I might not think of. Couple of questions: hangers for the closet bring em or do they provide them? Also what is the laundry situation? And "professional dress" for Traditions, what kind of stuff do people usually wear.

I am getting really excited!!!

[Jenabug]

Hey, you check in the same day I do! Awesome! Me and my mom are driving down on the 18th to spend a few days together and she will help me move in. I was wondering the same thig about the laundry stuff. I'm still bringing hangers for the closet anyway, but what do I know. I never done this before. Hehe! Hope that I'll see ya around sometime.

[KarenWDWCP]

It has been so long since my college program, but I am pretty sure that they had lots and lots of wire hangers at the clubhouse/check in area if you wanted them, you could take them. I still took a fair amount of plastic hangers from home though.

I'm not sure what the laundry situation is at Chatham since I was at Vista Way, but we had several shared washers and driers on the ground floor of our building for laundry, all coin operated. Laundry was kind of a pain, but fortunately your costumes are all laundered by Disney so it was really just underwear, towels/sheets and off time clothes that you had to worry about so it cut down on the laundry.

[vlogilvie]

That is good. It will be nice to have Disney launder my work clothes! I think I will take some plastic hangers with me.