[dixie]

Ok thanks Karen and Tessa, I didnt think it would be anything untoward and your explanations make good sense- thanks

[llama]

Originally Posted by lovemysons

That is disturbing to me. It almost sounds like a slum lord situation. I can't believe they are allowed to get away with that. Seems like the kind of thing Dateline should be looking into.

It was disappointing to me. Having stayed at Resorts at Disney for years - you just naturally expect that everything connected with Disney will be sparkly and shining. I don't expect perfection - but a paint job every 5 years wouldn't hurt.

Having seen the distance between the residences of CP and IP, I can certainly understand them not meeting up too much - and Emily's making tons of friends - I guess you just assume things differently before you get there.

Dixie, if your dd still wants to try the IP, I'd tell her to do it! Remember, I see this from a mother's perspective (my dd's dorm at University was just as bad ) - but Emily's have a great time - oy! the parties never stop! - and I'm sure as she gets more settled things will get easier (and she'll start having more money).

[alilmagical32]

Originally Posted by lovemysons

That is disturbing to me. It almost sounds like a slum lord situation. I can't believe they are allowed to get away with that. Seems like the kind of thing Dateline should be looking into.

I lived in Chatham Square, and while my apartment was quite nice, the dishes were GROSS! Most of them were dirty when we moved in and had dried food stuck on them. The apartment does include alll utilities and cable/internet, but the rent charged is still OUTRAGEOUS! I lived with three other people and we paid $100/week each. This is $1600 a month for the apt and we shared bedrooms and bathrooms. This is CRAZY even by Orlando standards (and I now live in a non-Dis apt, so I am very familiar with how much things cost) Also, CP's do not have laundry in their apts and must pay to do it in community buildings, which have NO airconditioning. (it is sooo hot with 15 dryers running!) ICP's do have a washer and dryer, but the ones I saw were not in good condition.

Now, that being said, none of these things would keep me from doing the program. It was a wonderful, wonderful life experience and I loved it, but it is a little frusturating!

I knew alot of ICP's on my program and hung out in The Commons regularly, but I met them at Bennigans one night and we just clicked! From there I met more and more.

[Princess Tessa]

They have painted...they painted my apartment while I was there and I know lots of others who were done as well. If yours is getting run down you can always just call the clubhouse and request to have it painted and they'll do it asap.
The rent when you think of it per person is a fine amount. $75-$90 per week but it is a bit steep when you think of the whole apartment. But honestly having lived there for 13 months I wouldn't poo-poo the apartment complexes that much. They have lots of staff there at all times, transportation costs factor into the rent as well...security 24/7 and all that adds up quick for them. Including us being picked up a tthe airport and the international programs building in EPCOT there for any needs we all have. Of course there is the occasional broken dryer or rusty pot but anything you ever have a problem with they replace. When I was there the apartments had just gotten all new furniture as well, so they do replace all that every so often.
Okay, I'll finish my rant of course it doens't look like a resort - we're not guests on vacation, nor are we paying the $250+ per night that we would in a resort. For mass apartment buildings with a HIGH turnover they are more than suitable. They have lots of events too, which is part of the high rent...like pool parties every month or two, grocery bingo, cool beans cafe and other events...they're always just for no reason stopping by the commons bus stop to give everyone ice cream or chips and what not...
okay NOW I'll finish my rant!
needless to say I loved it there and want to be back right now.

[KarenWDWCP]

I will also say that Disney was pretty quick to respond when you had a specific problem in your apartment. For example, we had a crazy love bug infestation in our apartment and they sent out an exterminator immediately who was very, very thorough and we never had a problem again.

Like Tessa, I never found the individual rent to be a huge amount, but when I added it up per person, it did seem pretty steep. I think I paid $65-$70/week when I was there and I had 5 roommates (we had a three bedroom, 2 bath apartment) so it ended up being around $1700 a month for the whole place. Of course, now I live in a 3 bedroom, one bathroom apartment WIHTOUT utilities and it is $1750 a month, so maybe it wasn't such a bum deal after all.


Llama, I'm glad your daughter is having such a great time. As a mom, one thing you should not worry about is the security down there. The apartment complexes were pretty airtight when it came to outsiders getting in so I always felt really, really safe!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by llama

They don't even supply a broom! They supply the basics. Period.

Ummmmm, interesting report Janice. But, I thought that a broom is a basic thing

[Caseys Corner]

It's true about life in general. Time just fly's.

[AnnaBanana]

My dd is @Chatham doing the CP at this time. She's been there since Jan.7. '08. Though she has had a few moments of homesickness, she is loving this experience. Her apt. was/is in very good condition. The grounds are immaculate. The weight room/pool area is wonderful. The security is awesome. I have gone to visit twice and it was like an inquisition to get into Chatham. And I was GLAD of that!!! Maintenance was in her apt. the day we moved her in fixing blinds and the air conditioner......things we didn't even realized needed to be fixed. She had everything in her kitchen except for a pot lid or something minor like that and it was noted and delivered. She pays $90. for a 2 bedroom apt. She has had great experiences at work - World of Disney/DTD. Her co-workers are some of her best friends, though she and 2 of her roomies do lots of things together as their schedules allow.
She has nothing but great things to say of her training and has expressed the opinion that it would be wonderful for more people to go through the training that Disney gives its employees. I'm sure each CPer has their own unique experience, but I'm sure our family - especially our daughter feels that this has been a great, worthwhile time.

[llama]

Originally Posted by Dopey

Ummmmm, interesting report Janice. But, I thought that a broom is a basic thing

Yes - well Iris - we're mothers. To us, brooms are basic - evidently they're not, to Disney. I bought Emily a broom and dustpan, and cleaning supplies. At least it made me feel better.

[alilmagical32]

Originally Posted by llama

Yes - well Iris - we're mothers. To us, brooms are basic - evidently they're not, to Disney. I bought Emily a broom and dustpan, and cleaning supplies. At least it made me feel better.

I think they need to start a cleaning supply recycling program. My roomates were alittle overzealous and at the end of our program we had like three full bottles of Windex, three things of Lysol bathroom cleaner, two or three dish soaps, etc. Since everyone was flying home we asked if we could leave it in the closet for the in coming people (this stuff was never even opened!) and were emphatically told NO. Wait till you see it on move-out day. There is NICE furniture left outside, the side walks will be lined with perfectly good stuff that all ends up in the trash.

[vlogilvie]

Originally Posted by alilmagical32

I think they need to start a cleaning supply recycling program. My roomates were alittle overzealous and at the end of our program we had like three full bottles of Windex, three things of Lysol bathroom cleaner, two or three dish soaps, etc. Since everyone was flying home we asked if we could leave it in the closet for the in coming people (this stuff was never even opened!) and were emphatically told NO. Wait till you see it on move-out day. There is NICE furniture left outside, the side walks will be lined with perfectly good stuff that all ends up in the trash.

I agree with you completely. My roommate and I had a lot of stuff we didn't want to take home that was perfectly usuable. We ended up giving most of it to some ICP who weren't leaving yet. I don't know why they don't set something like that up.

[llama]

Originally Posted by alilmagical32

I think they need to start a cleaning supply recycling program. My roomates were alittle overzealous and at the end of our program we had like three full bottles of Windex, three things of Lysol bathroom cleaner, two or three dish soaps, etc. Since everyone was flying home we asked if we could leave it in the closet for the in coming people (this stuff was never even opened!) and were emphatically told NO. Wait till you see it on move-out day. There is NICE furniture left outside, the side walks will be lined with perfectly good stuff that all ends up in the trash.

Something so simple! And it would be so helpful to so many kids. Disney needs to shake its head and get a dose of reality. FURNITURE? In the trash? - even if its not left for the others coming into the program, it could be donated to a homeless shelter or a shelter for abused women. Honestly, things like that really annoy me.

[missymouse]

Originally Posted by KarenWDWCP

I just wanted to reiterate what Tessa said that the separation between the IP and CP kids when I was there at least, seemed to be an issue of location more than anything else. We lived in different complexes and work didn't overlap either since they were all working in the World Showcase.

I suppose Disney could do more to encourage some socializing between the groups, but like Tessa said, you already meet a million people down there so there is no lack of friends to be made!

I often mention my cousin who worked as a CP about 5 years ago at Brown Derby. Her husband is from Germany . . . he was an IP. They say all the time that it's really a fluke that they met at all because of the way the groups are separated. Her husband says that was a BIG disappointment for him because he came to have an American experience and ended up with a lot of other international kids. Seems to me that the system could be better . . .