Day 1+2: Check-In & Housing Meeting

Day 1 - Check-In

My roommates and I got in line for arrival at 5:30am, and there were about 50 people in line ahead of us, but that wasn't a concern. At about 7:00 they let us start in the gates and we stood there for about half hour. After that we dropped off any luggage at the room they held it in and then we lined up outside the welcome building at Vista. As the line moves forward and you get to the starting point, here is what happens in chronological order:

• You were asked your name and to verify some information about yourself
• You picked up your own personal DCP Guidebook for 2013
• You found out your work location

So, yes, finally I can tell the world where I'm working during this program:

"Attractions - Epcot - Future World West"

For those who don't know the parks well, this part of Epcot includes the following attractions: Soarin’ | The Seas with Nemo & Friends | Living Seas | Turtle Talk with Crush | Living with the Land | Circle of Life | Journey into the Imagination with Figment | Captain EO (which recently replaced Honey I Shrunk the Audience) 

• You sign 2 yellow sheets; one is the confidentiality agreement, and the other is the community codes agreement
• You sign 2 blue sheets; one is a payroll housing deduction authorization form, and the other is a notification and agreement regarding alcohol prohibited assignment sheet
• You tell someone how many are in your group, and you go to someone else to actually get assigned to a room and get a room key

My 7 roommates and I didn't get to live in a 4-bedroom because no more were available in any of the complexes, but we did get to split into two 2-bedroom apartments very close to one another in the same building and on the same floor. It was kinda hard news at first, but we are doing great with what we got right now! So, originally, all 8 of us (in the picture below) wanted to live together, but now we split into 2 groups of 4. 

Left to Right on Top: Kaitlyn, Lindsey, Jennifer, Me, Abby, Melanie 

Left to Right on Bottom: Lydia, Hannah

So, right now I live with Lydia, Kaitlyn, and Abby, and Lydia is my roommate.

• You get your Housing ID picture taken and the actual ID
• You talk to someone about educational opportunities during the program
• You get your car decal by having your registration, driver's licensee, and proof of insurance (I got a free licensee plate frame to put on my car too)
• You get assigned a time to go to Casting
• You talk to someone about what you will do at Casting and what the Disney Look is and can ask questions too
• You wait for your bus to go to Casting (depending on what time it comes)

*BRING A SNACK AND WATER BECAUSE THE SNACK THEY PROVIDE IS NOT FILLING AND YOU WILL BE DYING BY THE END IF YOU DON’T!*

• Make sure you have a driver's licensee, passport, birth certificate, and/or a social security card (or anything else associated with the I-9 forms)
• Go to Casting

At casting you will either be in the Mickey Sticker Group or the regular group. You do the same thing, the Mickey group just does it backwards in order to make sure they get things done faster.

Everyone that was helping me was really nice, actually talked to me about stuff and they were all wonderful! You verify information you put into your application over and over.  Then you move on to getting your fingerprints done for the background check. Then they scan your ID here so make sure you have it. We waited in a little room and was told about the need to change your address on the HUB within 48 hours of Traditions in order to get your Main Entrance Passes (MEPS) and then you cross the hall and wait. 

You go inside and they give you your training sheet and your traditions information and then send you down the hall to the I-9 station. You will wait at a little room and then while the person at the computer does your I-9 the other person will talk to you about your location and your first day of training. (Be wary if you take out your phone as more than one of us was yelled at for not talking to our fellow new CPs.) The next desk took your ID and talked to you a little and then you gave your purple paper to them (If you were Mickey Sticker Group) and then you were told where to go to catch the bus and you are done.

After that you wait for the bus which will take you back to Vista and then you can grab your bags and head to your complex! You will have your housing meeting the next day and if you are a Monday check in you will have your Traditions on Thursday and if you check in on Tuesday it will be Friday. This entire process wasn't done until about 1:30-2pm, so really prepare yourselves for a VERY LONG DAY.

 Day 2 - Housing Meeting

Our housing meeting was at the Commons Clubhouse at 11am on Tuesday (1/8). We didn't need to wear anything formal, but you should look presentable. There's not much to say here because pretty much everything you hear in the meeting will also be in your DCP Guidebook. You will hear about community codes, leaving and entering complexes, ways to get around using your car or the buses, who to contact in case certain situations occur, and more of than kind of stuff that would take FOREVER to retype here in this post. But I will tell you this; if you go to your apartment and things are missing or are broken or are not working, tell the front desk and they will help you out and send maintenance to come fix it or will even give you items you need replaced right on the spot. Oh, and one more thing, this housing meeting is mandatory, so don't be late or decide not to go. They take attendance and will make you go to another one if you don't show up. That's pretty much it! Hope all this was helpful and have a magical day!