Before You Leave

Magicmyway

New Member
Original Poster
:wave: Hey Everyone! This is all new to me, but I am leaving in February to attend the Career Start Program to August in merchandising. I was hoping some of you older ones could give me advice. Also, what should I bring/not bring. And, my parents are taking me down three days before check-in. Do any other people have friends or family bring them down, and what exactly are the discounts you receive? Thanks
Bethany
 

WDWKat26

New Member
Okay let's see what I can help you with here, I was never a CP but I have a lot of friends who are and have been so here's what I know (I'm sure others will add on):

1. BRING EXTRA MONEY!!!!!! Do NOT rely on your weekly paycheck to get you through the week, they usually don't. So my advice is definitely save money for when you get down here so you're not broke and you can buy something if you want it.

2. Clothing wise, i'd say bring only what you think you'll need. You don't need TONS of clothes, and most likely it'll be warming up by Feb. but still bring a couple sweaters just in case and maybe a couple pairs of pants/jeans.

3. Obviously, bring your own bedsheets, pillows etc.

4. As for discounts you get 20% off merchandise in the parks. It varies on everything else like with dining. We get 20% off on dining too but that's only if we dine after 8:30pm and also we pretty much get the shaft since they take out 18% gratuity...so you're really only getting a 2% discount. It's kinda bad sometimes because then some waiters/waitresses feel they don't need to give you the same respect that any other guest would get b/c either way in the end they're getting a tip. My suggestion, wait till the end of the meal to show your ID, just in case you have a bad server ;) Hehe

Anyway, that's all that comes to mind right now, there's a lot of CP's on this board so i'm sure a lot of people will be chiming in.
 

BadTigger

Active Member
Hey congrats, I can't believe its been like 3 years since I was down there as a CP. ANyway if your driving down try to pack the car with as much as you can, the apartments are bare, bring a tv, you can never have to many with a bunch of strangers living together, also bring things from home to make the place as comfortable as you can. FEB. can be cold sometimes so bring some warm stuff, unless your from the north east then it will probally be hot to you. The big thing is bring stuff from home to make things feel like home, lots of peopel get home sick on the program.

AS far as discounts goes, you ge the mech and food discount food they add the gratuity so it almost zeros it self out, also you get free admission and they usally give you 2 to 4 free park passes for you to give to family and friends, depends on how long your there for and if they havbe changed anything, but I got two when I checked in and then two more just before christmas, and I know my roomate even got two more mailed to him afterwards.

But have fun and if you got any question feel free to contact me.
 

DisneyMarg

Member
Great q's, great info. We'll bringing our son down in Jan. Do parents hang around and help them move in, or should we just drop and go? I don't want to be in the way, but am happy to help out however I can. What do you think?
 
DisneyMarg said:
Great q's, great info. We'll bringing our son down in Jan. Do parents hang around and help them move in, or should we just drop and go? I don't want to be in the way, but am happy to help out however I can. What do you think?

I helped a friend move down for the CP and at Check-In they had a friends and family waiting area. Then after check-in we went to the apartments where I helped move stuff in. I saw a few parents there helping so unless something has changed you can stick around. Hope that helps :)

I'll be going too in January. Maybe i'll meet your son :) Whats his arrival date and what department did he get?

-DGJake
 

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