Housing & Roommates

UPDATE: Housing protocol has changed since my DCP in Spring 2013. For the DCP Spring 2015, the official DCP website describes the new protocol in the following manner:

It is certainly no secret that the living experience is a critical component to our participants' overall experience on the program and no doubt, an extraordinary one as well.
Therefore, it is our primary goal when placing participants in their housing assignment to meet individual needs and preferences based on information provided to us by participants prior to their arrival.
Approximately 10 days prior to arrival, all Disney College Program participants will receive an email message with information on accessing DORMS (Disney Onsite Resident Management System), our housing pre-registration site.
Within DORMS, participants will be able to indicate preferences for:

• Apartment Community (apartment complex)
• Unit size
• Name(s) and roommate number(s) of individuals with whom they would like to live

A detailed walk-through of DORMS is available by visiting disneyprogramsblog.com/dorms.

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How We Assign Apartments & Roommates

Participants who request to live in the same apartment must meet the following criteria:

• Must be in pre-registration status (received DORMS pre-registration email with Roommate ID)**
• Share the same departure date
• Same Gender
• All occupants over / under the age of 21
• Participants living in our housing complexes who are under the age of 21 upon arrival will automatically be placed in an Alcohol Prohibited apartment (no alcohol permitted at any time). Participants who are over the age of 21 and wish to live in an Alcohol Prohibited apartment may request this during the housing pre-registration process; this exception requires the participant to sign a form acknowledging that no alcohol is allowed in the unit.
** Please note "pre-registration status" for lasts for 3 days and not all program arrival dates will receive their pre-registration email at the same time. In most cases participants will need to be arriving during the same week in order to request to be roommates provided they also meet the other criteria (same departure date, gender, over/under 21).


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Checking-in

Because participants will arrive with their Housing paperwork and will already have an apartment assignment, upon arrival participants will immediately pick up their keys and begin the move in process.

• Participants are no longer asked during check-in for their apartment complex and unit size preferences since this information is collected in DORMS prior to arrival.
• In order to request to reside with multiple people in a single apartment unit, it is no longer necessary to check-in together
• Those choosing to line up at 7am will have no advantage over anyone arriving later in the day in regards to obtaining an apartment or roommate of choice. Everyone has an equal opportunity to indicate their preferences prior to arrival in DORMS.
Participants who did not complete the pre-registration process will not be placed pre-arrival and will be processed in a 'stand-by' queue. Upon arrival they will be asked to log-in, pre-register and print out arrival documents prior to placement. As placement will have already occurred, unit availability will be very limited to those that arrive without pre-registering.


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Apartment Pricing Information

Most bedrooms are double occupancy. Some bedrooms are triple occupancy. Bedrooms with three participants include a single bed and a bunk bed.
Below is a synopsis of our weekly housing rates* to assist you:


Chatham Square 1 BR: 2 Person - $105 1 BR: 3 Person - $85 2 BR: 6 Person - $78 3 BR: 6 Person - $92 4 BR: 8 Person - $91	The Commons 1 BR: 2 Person - $109 1 BR: 3 Person - $89 2 BR: 4 Person - $107 2 BR: 5 Person - $82 3 BR: 6 Person - $95 4 BR: 8 Person - $94
Patterson Court 1 BR: 2 Person - $105 1 BR: 3 Person - $85 2 BR: 4 Person - $103 2 BR: 5 Person - $80 3 BR: 6 Person - $92	Vista Way 2 BR: 4 Person - $98 3 BR: 6 Person - $89

Please note that placements are based on unit availability.
* subject to change

I'm NOT going to be living in the DCP housing this time. I know a couple who live in Kissimmee and own a vacation home and rent out a few of their bedrooms to cast members. Since I plan to move to FL and live there for a long time, this option is preferable compared to living in the DCP housing. Therefore, I will opt out of DCP housing for my program. Below you can read about the housing in more detail. Just keep in mind about the changes I've mentioned above. I'm so excited to move soon and start working for Disney again!


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This is going to be difficult, but I'm going to try and summarize all the information I have collected about the DCP housing and living with roommates into one blog post. Brace yourselves.

Housing
I'm going to try to do the best I can to combine all the information I've found about the housing for the DCP. I'm going to accomplish this by doing it in a A&Q format, and I hope you find it more helpful that way.

Does the DCP have housing?

Yes. There is housing for DCP participants in both Walt Disney World (WDW) and Disneyland (DL). For WDW housing, the costs range from $80 to $105 (costs subject to change) per week depending on the size of the apartment and which apartment complex a participant is assigned to live in during his or her Program. Apartments have two to four bedrooms (with 2-3 participants in each bedroom). So you could have from one to seven other roommates. For DL housing, the rates are $140 per week and apartments may be studio, one- or two-bedroom (with up to three participants in each bedroom). Housing costs are automatically deducted weekly from cast members' paychecks. There are rules you must follow to live in the DCP housing.

What are the apartment complexes called? How many are there?

There are 4 apartment complexes for college students doing the DCP. They are called Vista Way, Chatham Square, Patterson Court, and The Commons. 

What does living in the housing include?

• Fully furnished apartment
• Kitchen appliances, utensils, and dishes
• All utilities, including water, electricity, and waste disposal
• Maintenance of the apartments
• Computer labs (Walt Disney World ® Resort in Florida only)
• High-speed internet access in all apartments
• Cable ready (but NOT a TV)
• Each complex and apartment layout is unique. Amenities may differ between apartments.

What can you tell me about Vista Way?

Vista Way housing was built during the early 80′s, about the same time as Epcot. So while it is the oldest of the housing, it is also the least expensive. Internet rumor has it that some wild parties have taken place at this particular housing unit, but that probably varies with participants, and everything I read indicated that security is quick to break up loud parties and maintain order on all the properties. They have been remodeling it so its pretty different in almost every apartment, the floors either tan like Patterson, green like Chatham or blue, and the walls are a off-white. In Vista you have the option of living in a 2 or 3 a bedroom apartment. So your option is to live with 4 or 6 people total. It will cost somewhere between $86-$96 a week depending on how much you use your utilities and how many roommates you have. If you choose a 2 bedroom at Vista you have 2 bathrooms, if you choose a 3 bedroom at Vista you have the bedroom in the front by the front door, which has its own bathroom and then in the back the other 2 bedrooms (4 people) share one bathroom. Vista is fun, and its always busy! There is always something going on there. Because Vista has a great location right off 535, its close and has things in walking distance like (Wendy's, Walgreens etc... ). The apartments are smaller at Vista but they are not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. Unlike the other 3 there is no balcony with any of the apartments, but if you get the 3rd floor you have high ceilings which are nice, but unfortunately you cannot pick. Vista is neat because you walk around outside and you definitely will meet people! The sidewalks connect so it’s definitely community like. Vista has a crazy fun atmosphere, there are 2 pools, 2 hut tubs, a billiards table by the pool, a workout facility, a racquetball court and a basketball court (the only complex with one). People say it’s loud, and it can be, but I'm told you can still sleep at night, even if you live by the busses. So if you like to be super social when your not working, then it’s a good place to live.

Here's a picture:

What can you tell me about Chatham Square?

Chatham Square is the mid-range of the College Program accommodations. If you do not have a car, this is apparently the best place to live, because the bus stops directly outside the security gates. Chatham Square is right across the street from “Mickey’s Retreat,” a recreation complex used only by Disney Cast Members. On your day off, you can enjoy activities like tennis courts, tether ball, sand volleyball courts, soccer nets, pools, boat rentals, BBQ grills, hammocks, and table tennis.  Or you could just relax in a hammock or do some fishing. Chatham has the option of a 1, 2, 3 or a 4 bedroom apartment. It will cost somewhere between $91-$110 a week depending on how much you use your utilities and how many roommates you have. In a 1 bedroom there’s one bathroom. In a 2 bedroom apt there are 2 bathrooms. In a 3 bedroom apt there are 3 bathrooms, and a 4 bedroom apt there are 2 and a 1/2. Two of the bathrooms are Jack and Jill style (bedrooms on outside bathroom in the middle) connecting the two rooms and a half bathroom in the hallway, this apartment is the biggest you can get in all of Disney housing. Chatham is about 3-5 min’s away from Vista in a car or a bus. It's walking distance (about a football field away) to the newest complex, Patterson Court. It’s near the Catholic Shrine Church so if you are Catholic (like me) you can walk to church. There are a bunch of outlet malls and a Publix (grocery store) is about a couple miles down the road. Chatham has white kitchen appliances, white walls and cabinets, the floor is a greenish turquoise color. Chatham has a work out room, a beautiful pool, a tennis court, volleyball area and a huge open field if you want to kick the soccer ball or throw a frisbee, play catch or whatever. People like to refer to Chatham as quiet, because it is I guess it just depends on the night and if you partake in night-time activities. The apartments are very nice! The atmosphere in Chatham is way calmer and it’s more spread out so if there are “things” going on its just less likely to be heard because it’s not all connected like Vista. If you like peace and quiet you will definitely get it at Chatham.

Here's a picture:

What can you tell me about Patterson Court?

Completed in 2008, Patterson Court is the newest and most luxurious of Disney College Program housing. Located in Little Lake Bryan near the Chatham Square dorm, this is the only complex without a bus stop. So unless you bring your own car, you will need to walk the 15 minutes to the bus stop at Chatham Square.  Patterson Court is the most expensive of all the College Program facilities, so if you are looking for more upscale accommodations than a regular college dorm room, this maybe the place for you. With Patterson you have the option of a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom apartment. It will cost somewhere between $100-$125 a week depending on how much you use your utilities and how many roommates you have. In a 1 bedroom you have 1 bedroom. In a 2 bedroom you have 2 bathrooms. In a 3 bedroom you have 3 bathrooms. In Patterson, the kitchen appliances are black and the color scheme to the whole apartment is an orangey, tan color. Patterson has a work out room with treadmills, and elliptical machines which are new and have cool iPod attachments, the room has 3 flat screen TVs as well. One thing you either don't mind or hate about Patterson is the sink to your bathroom is in your room, separate from the toilet part of the bathroom.  The social aspect of Patterson is a bit like Chatham but seems to gain community style like Vista. Patterson has a beautiful pool and a billiards table. Patterson is new so it seems to be pretty chill. It has a mix of Chatham and Vista.

Here's a picture:

What can you tell me about The Commons?

The Commons were only for international students, who do the college program for a year, until the spring of 2014. But now ICP or DCP students can live at any of the housing complexes. Commons has the option of a 1, 2, 3 or a 4 bedroom apartment. It will cost somewhere between $93-$105 a week depending on how much you use your utilities and how many roommates you have. I don't know a bunch of details about it, but I can say the Commons is a beautiful complex that host several social and exclusive DCP events. 

What are the addresses for each housing?

Vista Way: (should be where you will check in)
13501 Meadow Creek Dr.
Orlando, FL 32821

Chatham:
8161 Chatham Manor Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32821

Patterson: (Patterson does not always come up on GPS so use Chatham)
8151 Patterson Woods Dr,
Orlando, FL 32821 

Anything else I should know...?

• If you are under the age of 21 when you arrive, you will automatically be placed in a Wellness apartment, which means no alcohol is permitted. If you are older than 21, you can live in a Wellness apartment, but know that you can't have alcohol in the apartment - otherwise if it is found, everyone in said apartment is terminated from the DCP.
• All apartments, courtyards and hallways are designated non-smoking.
• No one under the age of 18 is permitted to live in Disney housing.
• Guests are always welcome to visit a participant’s apartment complex, but overnight guests are not allowed.
• Cast Members in the Disney College Program who live off-site must provide their own means of transportation to and from work.
• All College Program participants who operate a vehicle on property must have valid automobile liability insurance issued by an insurance company registered and authorized to sell automobile liability insurance in the United States.

Roommates
There are various elements to consider when it comes to living with roommates during the DCP. I'm going to try to do the best I can to combine all the information I've found about living with roommates for the DCP. I'm going to accomplish this by doing it in a A&Q format, and I hope you find it more helpful that way.

What is the criteria for roommates?

1. Participants must be of the same gender.
2. Participants must share the exact same arrival and departure dates.
3. All participants under 21 years of age must live with others who are under 21 and will reside in a wellness apartment (no alcohol). Participants who are over 21+ years of age should live with others who are over 21 in a non-wellness apartment. However, upon arrival and at check-in, anyone over 21 may indicate that they wish to reside in a wellness apartment.
4. Participants wanting to live together need to all be present at check-in on their arrival day.

Do you have to know your roommates before the program starts?

No. In the past, the DCP has had an online Roommate Matching system, however, things were different during my program. But now I understand they have gone back to using the Roommate Matching system, so if you want to know how the Roommate Matching system works, go here: https://disneyprogramsblog.com/?p=2466

The reason I say things have changed is because I got this "Housing Update" e-mail from the DCP on November 29th at 2:36 PM:

But back to answering the question, you don't have to know who your going to live with before you arrive - However, I personally think you should. If your the kind of person that doesn't care, you can just arrive and the DCP will just put you with whoever doesn't have a roommate too. For some people, I have heard this worked out alright. But I have also read other DCP blogs and talked to several DCP Alumni, and most of them tell me it's important to get to know people on the facebook groups and try to find roommates before you arrive. They say who you live with can really make a big difference in you DCP experience, so try to find roommates beforehand. 

How do I find roommates before my arrival?

As soon as you apply to get accepted into the program, start looking for those DCP facebook pages! I have gotten to know so many people already, and people even make more facebook pages for DCP participants interested in certain things (ex: Disney CP's for Christ, Attractions Spring/Spring Advantage 2013, etc.). There's even one called "2013 Disney College Program Catholic Community." I'm Catholic, so it's helped me already find people that share my religious faith with me. Once you've joined some of these groups, go ahead and create a roommate survey to share with people to find roommates. 

What is the roommate survey?

It's a survey you find, copy & paste, fill out, and share with other people doing the DCP to find potential roommates. In case you have trouble finding a survey, here's the one I created to share with people:

NAME: Molly Johnson

BIRTHDATE/AGE: December 16th, 1992 (I'm 19 now-20 during the DCP)

GENDER: Female

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY LIVING: Charlotte, NC

COLLEGE: Central Piedmont Community College (I plan to tranfer to UNC-Willmington)

MAJOR: Production Design/Theatre

RESORT: Walt Disney World 

ROLE: Attractions

FLYING IN OR DRIVING: Driving (I'll have a car during the program too!)

PROGRAM LEGNTH: Spring (but at the end I plan to extend!)

HOUSING PREFERENCES

BUILDING: Patterson, but I'm open to Chatham too.

NUMBER OF ROOMMATES: I prefer a smaller number of people, but I could live with a higher number too.

I COULD NOT LIVE WITH A ROOMMATE THAT: Takes/uses my stuff without asking or can't keep their space moderately neat.

LIFESTYLE STUFF

DO YOU DRINK? Nope.

DO YOU SMOKE? Nope.

DO YOU LIKE TO PARTY? It depends on your definition of party, but I do like to have fun (as long as it doesn't involve alcohol or recreational/illegal drugs in our apartment).

MEDICAL CONDITIONS? Nothing worth mentioning here.

MESSY OR TIDY? I'm more clean than not. Even if my space is sometimes disorganized a little bit, I never leave a gross mess anywhere.

DO YOU LIKE TO COOK? I know how to make a few things, but I hope to use this opportunity to learn more about how to make more meals for myself.

NIGHT PERSON OR MORNING PERSON?  I'm usually a morning person, but I can be quite the night owl if I want to be sometimes.

ROOMMATE STUFF

FAVORITE CHORE? Vacuuming.

LEAST FAVORITE CHORE? Bathroom cleaning.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SHARING? I have no problems sharing as long as you ask first.

DO YOU SNORE? Nope. 

WHAT TIME DO YOU USUALLY GO TO BED? On a normal night midnight, but if I have to get up early in the mornings I’ll go to bed earlier. 

WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP ON FREE DAYS? Around 10am I guess. It depends on whether or not I have plans that day too.

I PREFER TO SLEEP IN A ROOM THAT IS: Dark, cold, and quiet (I can sleep with a fan going though). 

PERSONALITY STUFF

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU: Caring, hardworking, responsible 

ONE GOOD QUALITY: I am a really dependable person. 

ONE BAD QUALITY:  I get kind of grumpy when I'm super exhausted or hungry. But doesn't everyone?

3 FAVORITE TYPES OF MUSIC:

1. Disney
2. Musical Theatre
3. Classic Rock

* I really will listen to anything as long as it's not screamo metal or rap

6 FAVORITE TV SHOWS :

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra

2. Bones

3. 24 (Not on FOX anymore sadly)

4. Mentalist

5. Face Off/Hot Set/So You Think You Can Dance

6. Star Trek (Original Series)

5 FAVORITE MOVIES: 

1. Star Wars
2. Harry Potter
3. Jurassic Park
4. Star Trek (2009)
5. A lot of Disney movies of course!

 5 FAVORITE BOOKS: 

1. The Bible

2. Harry Potter Series

3. Hunger Games Series

4. Peter and the Starcatchers Series

5. Kingdom Keepers Series

HOBBIES: In my spare time I like to read, catch up on my favorite shows, volunteer at my church, see traveling broadway musicals, hang out with friends and family, and do anything that involves Disney! 

DISNEY STUFF

FAVORITE MOVIE: Lion King (I hate choosing only one, I love so many. I also really like Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Treasure Planet, among MANY others.)

FAVORITE CHARACTER: Mickey Mouse? I don't really have an attachment to any other character.

FAVORITE PRINCESS: Princess Tiana from Princess and the Frog.

FAVORITE VILLAIN:  Maleficent, but Scar is a close second.

FAVORITE PARK: Epcot...but I love all them and hate choosing one other the other! 

FAVORITE RIDE: Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Mickey's Philarmagic, Expedition Everest, the Magic Kingdom Mountains, and Toy Story Midway Mania.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN TO DISNEY? I think I've been 18 times.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT AT DISNEY? EVERYTHING!!!!!

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?: This is my first program, and I'm beyond super excited about it! Feel free to facebook message me about being my roommate or about anything really. I want to get to know as many of you as I can - you people understand me (being legit Disney fans)! Have a magical day everybody! ;D

From doing all the things I have mentioned above, I have found a great group of 7 other girls to live with for the DCP! They had created their own facebook group and once I joined I got to get to know them pretty well. We've been webchatting using Goggle Hangouts and communicating via this facebook group a lot over the past 3 months, and I've gotten to know them a lot better because of it! We had a lot of issues trying to find an 8th person that wanted to live with us in a 4 bedroom Wellness apartment in either Patterson or Chatham from dates Jan 7th - May 17th, but I think we've finally got someone now and we are SO excited to get down there and meet each other face-to-face and move in together! They really are the sweetest group of gals, and I'm looking forward to living with them! (Update: We ended up having to split into two 2 bedroom apts, but it all worked out for the best.) 

I hope all the information was very helpful! Have a magical day!